Clearview Council Meeting 2026-05-11 | Part 2

Tax increase set at 2.09% for 2026

Budget · Major

Council approved the final 2026 budget with a blended tax rate increase of 2.09%. The rate matches what council discussed months ago and allows staff to proceed with issuing tax bills.

Treasurer Kelly presented the final 2026 budget package and tax rate bylaw for approval. The blended increase of 2.09% aligns with the target council set during earlier budget deliberations.

The rate applies across the entire township and covers municipal services. No council members raised questions or concerns during the brief discussion.

Council approved the motion unanimously. Staff will now begin preparing and issuing 2026 tax bills to residents.

The 2.09% figure reflects a balance between service needs and cost containment. It's below inflation but funds ongoing operations and capital projects approved in the budget.

Council buys electric Zamboni for Cremore, $170,925

Infrastructure · Standard

Council approved purchasing a lithium-ion battery-operated Zamboni for Cremore Arena at $170,925 plus HST. The electric unit replaces a 2011 propane model and switches the township from Olympia to Zamboni brand after 25 years.

Parks and Recreation Director Terry Vashon recommended the Zamboni 450 lithium-ion model over an Olympia electric unit. The Zamboni came in cheaper and is 80 inches wide compared to Olympia's 84 inches, which matters in Cremore's tight corner.

The purchase includes an automatic water leveling system that adjusts water flow based on machine speed, improving ice quality by preventing water pooling in corners.

The existing 2011 Stainer spare unit will be sold as surplus. Staff suggested reaching out to Singhampton's outdoor rink volunteers before auctioning it. The current Cremore Olympia (2006) becomes the township's spare.

Vashon noted staff were initially reluctant about electric units after the Stainer Zamboni had a motherboard failure before a playoff game, but the machine has been reliable for two years since repair. Operators now prefer electric.

Delivery is promised within 12 months. Council approved unanimously. Any cost overruns will come from the arena equipment replacement reserve.

The Zamboni brand is 80 inches wide. The Olympia brand is actually 84 inches wide. So the Zamboni is actually a little bit... it's not as wide and it's very conducive to the Cremore rink.
— Parks and Recreation Director

Arena ice allocation policy amended: 20% residency threshold, annual review required

Bylaws · Significant

Council approved changes to arena and sports field allocation policies, lowering the threshold for non-municipal regional minor sports groups from 40% to 20% Clear View residents. The policy will be reviewed annually and includes language stating existing users won't be displaced without consultation.

The amended policy adds the word "regional" to clarify non-municipal minor sports groups and drops the residency requirement from 40% to 20%. Collingwood Girls Minor Hockey, with 121 Clear View residents out of 393 total (25%), gets seven hours of ice compared to Clear View Minor Hockey's 45.5 hours with 234 players.

New language states: "The township is not seeking to remove or displace users who continue to enjoy their allocated sporting time." It adds that the township retains the right to make exceptions "to maintain positive relations with citizens who use township facilities in good faith" and will not disrupt allocations "without first consulting solutions."

Terry Vashon explained the policy provides a framework for difficult decisions but isn't intended to displace current users. "This policy here in this list is if council is ever in a position that they had to make drastic change... Before this policy, we had nothing."

All user group applications for 2026-27 ice time are now in. A draft schedule will circulate in early June (ahead of the June 15 target), with final schedule by September 15. Most groups requested the same or slightly less ice than last year. The new no-cancellation policy freed up some hours because groups can no longer hold buffer time.

Deputy Mayor Van Stavern successfully added a requirement that staff review the policy annually. Council approved unanimously.

Let me reiterate for Jan. We value Jan as anybody else. We've worked well with her over the years. We do not want to disrupt her business by any stretch. But if council's backs are against the wall and you absolutely had to make a decision one way or the other because we have a real peculiar situation going on, you would be able to land back on this policy.
— Parks and Recreation Director

We called meetings amongst the user groups and we invited everybody to come... not everybody stayed. Some left right away without even a discussion.
— CAO

Adult hockey league loses Thursday 6 p.m. ice time; heated public pushback

Delegations · Significant

Five residents spoke during public participation opposing the arena allocation policy after an adult pickup group lost Thursday 6 p.m. ice to minor hockey. The group's organizer accused staff of failing to consult and presented data on 30+ hours of available ice and policies from other municipalities.

Gord Zagel, speaking for an adult men's pickup hockey group that has played Thursday 6 p.m. for over 15 years, told council the July 2025 removal of their ice time was "not fair, not equitable, nor transparent."

He said staff shut down his efforts to help find ice for minor sports groups after initially inviting his participation. He identified over 30 hours of unused ice across both arenas and argued most nearby municipalities (Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Essa, Southgate, Barrie, Owen Sound) prioritize local adult groups over non-resident youth organizations.

Zagel questioned why the policy lowered the residency threshold from 50% to 20% for outside groups and asked how council could assure other adult groups they won't face the same treatment. "Clear View Township user groups and taxpayers beware," he concluded.

Jan Hume, a longtime skating instructor, said she lost all her ice time in Wasaga Beach this spring despite 40 years of coaching there and being told she wouldn't lose ice in the new facility. "I don't want this to happen to me in my hometown."

The mayor responded that youth are the priority under policy, council doesn't schedule ice time (staff does), and many residents pay taxes for services they don't use. He defended the relationship with neighboring municipalities and noted Collingwood has a non-resident fee it doesn't enforce.

CAO John Ferguson said staff consulted with the group's organizer by phone, offered alternate Saturday ice time, and tried to provide economic incentives but couldn't because the pickup group isn't a registered organization. He said the only group "hurt" was the Thursday evening men's group, and if they form a club, they could receive financial support.

Ferguson clarified registrations aren't finalized yet, so available ice can't be calculated. Minor hockey has 234 players (27 girls); Collingwood Girls has 121 Clear View residents out of 393 total.

Council approved the policy amendments unanimously after the presentations.

The treatment of the [adult] group... was not fair. It was not equitable nor transparent. If this is the consistent manner, then how can all prime time user groups expect the same treatment?
— Resident (Gord Zagel)

We do have positive relations with our user groups for certain... the staff did everything they could to contact everybody and shared the information as quickly as possible about this happening.
— Mayor

A Thursday at 6:00 is really prime time. And most organizations, even on the communities that you listed, prioritize youth prime time hours right across the board.
— CAO

Council awards $211,731 tender for Stainer stormwater pond cleanout

Infrastructure · Standard

Council awarded a tender to Vasque Limited for $211,731 (excluding HST) to clean out the Zancor subdivision stormwater management pond off Country Lane. The work addresses a liability identified through provincial CLICA reporting requirements.

The Zancor subdivision stormwater pond is one of several the township now maintains after assumption from developers. The province doesn't allow municipalities to collect funds for long-term maintenance, creating an unfunded liability.

Director of Public Works Dan Perau explained that two years ago the township cleaned the Collingwood Estates pond, and this year Zancor is "desperately required." Stormwater management hasn't been treated the same as water and wastewater, but CLICA (provincial regulation) now requires annual maintenance reporting to the Ministry of Environment.

The township established a stormwater management reserve a few years ago to address the problem. Vasque Limited was selected over lower bidders based on insurance, references, and experience.

During public participation, a resident asked why taxpayers fund these projects instead of property owners adjacent to developments. The mayor acknowledged it's a "very regrettable situation" created by provincial rules that apply to all Ontario municipalities.

The site will be cordoned off during construction. Staff will issue a construction newsletter and restore disturbed areas with resodding, reseeding, and aquatic plantings. The mayor specifically asked about restoration given the area is used for dog walking.

Council approved unanimously.

Storm water... has not been treated the same as water and wastewater... for many years. Some municipalities do implement a user fee... however... we introduced a reserve for storm water management... and haven't been considered by previous councils and staff to properly maintain them.
— Director of Public Works

Road equipment approved: backhoe $238,619, grader $672,618, sidewalk tractor $210,950

Infrastructure · Standard

Council approved three public works equipment purchases totaling over $1.1 million: a Caterpillar backhoe for $238,619, a John Deere grader for $672,618, and a Trackless sidewalk tractor for $210,950. Staff defended higher costs based on reliability and operator familiarity.

Public Works Manager Todd Patton recommended the Caterpillar 420XE backhoe over a JCB unit that bid $40,000 lower. The township's current JCB has required more repairs than the existing Cat over eight years and went through three service companies. "We need reliability for machinery. We don't have spares sitting on hand ready to go," Patton said. The backhoe is used for downtown Stainer parking lot snow clearing in winter.

The John Deere 772 grader came in close to a Cat bid, but the John Deere quote included a $26,000 roller attachment the Cat didn't have. Patton said operators find the John Deere safer. The grader will be supplied by Brandt Tractor out of Orillia. Staff will get two rollers in the fleet, both on John Deere graders.

During public participation, a resident questioned why council buys "the most expensive" equipment and whether staff should "adapt to operating new equipment instead of capitulation to their every whim." The mayor responded that council makes fiscally responsible decisions with professional staff advice.

The Trackless MT7 sidewalk utility tractor will be funded from development charges and purchased from Joe Johnson Equipment in Barrie. The development charge study identified need for a sidewalk tractor between 2024 and 2033. The township currently contracts out Stainer sidewalk clearing and handles subdivision sidewalks under agreements with developers. Bringing the work in-house is expected to save money. Staff are already clearing 3-4 hours of assumed sidewalks that were previously contracted.

Deputy Mayor Van Stavern noted the Trackless is made in Vineland (Canadian) versus the Swedish/Danish competitor, and expressed surprise that MLan (made in Collingwood or Owen Sound) didn't bid.

The township will sell the 8-year-old grader being replaced. Staff estimate it will fetch $200,000-$300,000 based on a similar 2015 model that sold for $285,000 on GovDeals.

All three purchases approved unanimously.

The JCB that was priced lowest. We currently have a JCB... over the 10 years or eight years we've had that, repairs have been more than the current cat we have... downtime... operator basically familiarity is coming into play.
— Public Works Manager

We are fiscally responsible in every decision we make here. There is no doubt about that given that we work with very good professional staff and you've got seven members of council that are all reviewing this information.
— Mayor

Mayor uses strong mayor powers to fast-track Stainer boundary expansion

Planning · Major

Mayor Thompson invoked special powers to place two motions on the May 25 agenda requiring council to adopt a two-phase approach to Stainer's settlement boundary expansion and approve $150,000 for technical studies within 90 days. He cited binding developer agreements tied to water infrastructure funding.

Under Part 6.1 of the Municipal Act (special powers for heads of council), the mayor issued two decisions requiring council to consider matters that "could potentially advance" provincial housing priorities: building 1.5 million homes by 2031 and constructing supporting infrastructure.

The first decision directs staff to initiate a two-phase boundary expansion. Phase one adopts a preferred boundary (defined by black dots on an attached map) covering properties at the northeast and southeast corners of Stainer. Three technical studies must be completed within 90 days: servicing feasibility/master servicing plan, agricultural impact assessment, and First Nations consultation strategy. The resolution will be forwarded to Simcoe County and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The second decision approves a $150,000 budget for the studies, funded from the planning department's consulting budget with overruns covered by the OP/zoning reserve.

Phase two will expand the entire Stainer settlement area approximately 20 months later with supplemental reports.

The mayor explained the township has "embarked on a major water infrastructure build" with deep wells and 8 km of pipeline from Klondike Park Road to Stainer, and has "entered into agreements with three developer groups to contribute financially" subject to the boundary expansion. "The economic future of the Stainer settlement area... depends on this project and the monetary responsibilities by the township to build and finalize this important water infrastructure project."

He told council: "Making strong mayor power decisions is not taken lightly... I feel that this is something that I have been... we need to deal with in a timely manner." He thanked the clerk for helping prepare the detailed motions and said he consulted with staff on how to make them "stick."

Two weeks ago council passed a motion directing boundary expansion work, but the mayor said it needs amendment to create the two-phase approach "because we have a timely issue that we're facing."

Deputy Mayor Van Stavern supported the move: "We have discussed it fully. So we need his powers to make things happen as a team... we need to get this moving for the good of our community."

The decisions will be posted on the township website and formally considered at the May 25 meeting.

What to notice: This is the mayor's eighth use of strong mayor powers. He's using them to override council's timeline from two weeks ago, not to override opposition — there hasn't been a vote yet. The 90-day clock and $150,000 price tag will be locked in before council debates the substance. Developer agreements are described as binding and tied to water infrastructure, but the public hasn't seen them.

Making strong mayor power decisions is not taken lightly in my opinion... this is something that I have been... I believe we need to deal with in a timely manner and we need to use the tools that are available to us as council to move this issue forward.
— Mayor

We need to be much more expeditious in making sure that we can secure those agreements with our developers. They're underneath contractual binding agreements to support our infrastructure project and we need to move this forward.
— Mayor

We have been kept abreast with the mayor's [plans]... This has not been done selfishly or anything and we have discussed it fully. So we need his powers to make things happen as a team.
— Deputy Mayor

Short-term rental licensing bylaw coming for public review in mid-June

Bylaws · Significant

The clerk presented a draft short-term rental licensing bylaw for information and will schedule a public working session in mid-June. Airbnb has offered to notify its hosts about the public engagement opportunity.

Clerk Sasha apologized to council and the public for the delay — the bylaw was supposed to come last fall but "time got away from me." The draft is now available for review ahead of a mid-June public working session.

Airbnb reached out to the township offering to send information about the proposed bylaw to its hosts, since it can't provide host contact information to the municipality. The clerk will use that channel for public notification along with social media.

Council and the public will have "a few weeks" to review the draft before the working session. A second follow-up session may be scheduled if points need clarification.

Deputy Mayor Van Stavern noted that at last week's Economic Development Committee meeting, accommodation shortfall was identified as a main issue in the community. He encouraged staff to keep Economic Development Coordinator Brier Kelly engaged in the process.

Council received the report for information. The working session will allow written and in-person public participation.

What to notice: This has been delayed at least six months. It's arriving as a draft, not a recommendation, which suggests staff expect changes. The EDC timing is interesting — short-term rentals are simultaneously a housing concern and a tourism asset.

I want to apologize to council and the public. This was meant to come late fall of last year. Time got away from me and so now it's being presented at this point in time.
— Clerk

Council supports raising 'sunshine list' threshold to $200,000 or CPI-indexed amount

Other · Minor

Council unanimously passed a resolution asking the province to amend the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act to reflect inflation by either indexing the $100,000 threshold to CPI or raising it to $200,000. The unchanged threshold since 1996 now captures "every firefighter and police officer" in the province.

Councillor MacArthur brought forward a motion noting the $100,000 salary disclosure threshold hasn't changed since 1996, when the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act was passed. Adjusted for inflation using the consumer price index, $100,000 in 1996 equals just over $180,000 today.

MacArthur argued that "every firefighter and police officer in the province is on this list" and said average citizens don't need salary exposure just because they exceed an outdated threshold. "Your neighbor knows how much you make."

The resolution asks the province to either add wording for annual CPI adjustments or provide an adjusted threshold of $200,000. Councillor Denine suggested removing the specific dollar figure and relying only on CPI. Councillor Bean opposed, saying "the average Joe" won't track CPI year-to-year but will remember "200,000" as the new threshold.

The clerk noted the wording gives the province a choice ("either... or") if they decide to support it.

The mayor recalled a 1996 story about a TTC ticket taker with a grade 8 education who worked every available shift and exceeded $100,000. "There's an awful lot of people out there who work and make $100,000 when they just work work work work work like crazy."

Councillor Denine added that nurses working extra hours during COVID ended up on the list despite just picking up shifts.

The resolution will be sent to Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson, and municipal associations (AMO).

Council approved unanimously.

What to notice: This resolution made the rounds in 2024 from another municipality. Clear View is reviving it. The CPI vs. fixed-amount debate is a proxy for whether council thinks this will be a one-time fix or needs to be permanent.

Every firefighter and police officer in the province is on this list and... I consider them your average everyday citizens... to me they don't need to be exposed to the public sector just for those reasons... now your neighbor knows how much you make.
— Councillor (Ward - MacArthur)

There's an awful lot of people out there who work and make $100,000 when they just work work work work work work like crazy. And there's a lot of people who who... make a whole lot more than that and spend a lot of time on the golf course.
— Mayor