Council Post-Meeting Highlights – July 22, 2024

This month, Council heard on key issues including Hospital Redevelopment, Eclipse Light Installation at River Mill Park, Library Building Needs, Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) Initiative.

Here’s what happened:

• As per the Town’s recent Media Release, Council will have a formal discussion regarding the Hospital Redevelopment project and consider a motion of support for MAHC’s proposal to date on healthcare services. For Frequently Asked Questions regarding the proposed Hospital Redevelopment, including detailed information comparing the specifications of the current Huntsville site with the proposed changes and improvements, please visit MAHC’s FAQ webpage at Madeinmuskokahealthcare.ca; for an easy-to-read chart comparing the specifications of the current Huntsville site with the proposed changes and improvements, please see MAHC’s Weekly Update from April 12, 2024.
  • OUTCOME: Council heard presentations from various stakeholder groups on this topic, including the Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee, Mayor of Armour Township, Past Mayors of Huntsville, and local doctors. Council passed a motion formally supporting, in principle, the MAHC proposal for a new multi-site regional hospital, which has received a preliminary funding commitment from the Ontario Government. For more information, please see the corresponding Media Release.
• Council heard a deputation from Explore Huntsville and HMATA (Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association) regarding an Eclipse Light Installation at River Mill Park proposed for this coming winter, which would be a light canopy installed over the skating rink at River Mill Park, for which a refrigeration unit is planned to be added this year. All costs, aside from hydro, including installation and maintenance, would be covered by HMATA.
  • OUTCOME: Council approved HMATA’s proposal for the installation of a light canopy over River Mill Park skating rink, in principle, directing staff to work with HMATA on finalization of the agreement and installation in 2024 and to report back on the initiative after the winter term to determine whether the lights should remain year-round.
• Council heard an invited presentation from David Tremblay, CEO Huntsville Public Library and Ray Love, Huntsville Public Library Board, regarding Library Building Needs. The Library’s team has consulted the community regarding patron needs in 2023 to help determine potential priorities for the future new or renovated building. They would like to see an expanded footprint for the library space; with population projections into 2031, the recommended library size for a town of our population would be 25,000-30,000 sq. ft. Moving forward, the Library will begin discussions with Town Finance and Facilities staff in order to determine budgetary options to present to Council, either as part of the 2025-2026 Budget process or separately. 
• Town Staff will present a report on an Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) Initiative. After the February Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) Conference hosted by Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) in Bracebridge, the Town of Huntsville volunteered to host a workshop for delegates from the thirteen (13) lower-tier municipalities and two (2) upper-tier municipalities within the Muskoka Watershed, three (3) First Nations that border the watershed and representatives from the MWC and Province of Ontario. Staff are recommending that the Town of Huntsville commits in-kind resources (meeting space, equipment, supplies, materials, staffing) to assist with activities related to the hosting of a watershed event in Huntsville – no significant budgetary impacts are anticipated.
  • OUTCOME: Council voted to approve the commitment of in-kind resources (meeting space, equipment, supplies, materials, staffing) to assist with activities related to the hosting of a watershed event in Huntsville.

Want to dig deeper? Watch the full Council discussion through the livestream.