During the first regular meeting of Bradford West Gwillimbury council since the municipal election, the town’s committee of the whole is expected to vote on whether to opt in or out of allowing cannabis retail stores.
The committee is made up of council members, and its decision will be presented to council for a final vote at a later date.
Members of the public are welcome to attend all council meetings, which are held in the Zima Room of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library at 7 p.m.
Here is a look at a number of items on tonight’s agenda.
Cannabis deputation
Jonathan Zaid, director of advocacy and corporate social responsibility at Aurora Cannabis, a Canadian licensed cannabis producer, will make a deputation to council, along with consultant Jeff Costen.
Committee of the Whole, made up of council members, will also meet Tuesday evening, and council will vote on whether to opt in or out of allowing cannabis retail stores, and how to engage with the public and solicit feedback.
Police budget
South Simcoe Police Chief Andrew Fletcher will present the force’s 2019 budget to BWG council.
The budget requests an increase, with the impact on the average household being a jump of 0.62 per cent, or $3.76, according to the report.
Line 5 update
BWG council will vote on whether to establish Line 5, Coffey Road and Sideroad 5 as parts of a public highway.
The bylaw is part of the town’s planning for a Highway 400-Line 5 interchange. If passed, it does not mean the interchange is open. The town is waiting on final approval from the Ministry of Transportation before the interchange can be opened.
Land acquisition/disposition
At the start before the public portion of the meeting, BWG council will meet in a closed session to discuss two land matters involving “potential land acquisition/disposition” on Dissette Street and Simcoe Road.
Council may make motions out of those meetings depending on what was discussed.
Bradford Fire updates
Council will vote on whether to receive a report, leading to the mayor and CAO executing an agreement, about BWG Fire and Emergency Service switching its medical oversight services from the Central East Prehospital Care Program, to the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services and Dr. Michael Feldman of the Sunnybrook Centre for Prehospital Medicine.
A report submitted to council noted the new program would offer a “higher level of quality control through the doctor's more hands-on involvement and the processes they will be implementing.”
As well, council will receive a report about continuing Bradford Fire’s dispatch services with Barrie Fire and Emergency Services.
Tree canopy, vegetation protection
According to new Municipal Act amendments, municipalities must adopt and maintain a policy about how “the municipality will protect and enhance the tree canopy and natural vegetation in the municipality,” read a Town of BWG staff report.
This policy — as well as others about pregnancy and parental leaves, and council members’ relationships to town staff — must be in place by March 1, read the report.
Building permit increase
BWG council is expected to receive a report on the latest number of building permits issued in town.
According to the report, there is a “significant increase” in the number of non-residential projects.
Budget for Holland Marsh Drainage System Joint Municipal Service Board
BWG council will vote on whether to accept the 2019 budget and business plan by the board, which includes upcoming capital projects and annual operating costs of $150,000, according to the report.
