Strategic Plan

Priority 

Review planning and development policies (including partnerships) with a view to encourage increased development of housing and, specifically, affordable housing

Actions to date:

• A random selection process was conducted for the release of the freeze on selected lots in Grandview Beach and Paradise Point.
• Proceeding with the comprehensive review of draft OP & ZBA now that the Municipal Comprehensive Review process is almost complete.
• Staff Reports provided to Council on new planning legislation including Bill 109 and Bill 23.
• A survey regarding affordable units (accessory unit/basement apartments & secondary suites) was completed with a public meeting held on February 22, 2023.
• Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendments for Waubaushene School, old Victoria Harbour fire hall and Wye Heritage Marina are completed.

Priority

Approve and implement a road maintenance strategy which ensures a timely, sustainable, and economically responsible approach to maintaining and replacing local roadways throughout the municipality.

Actions taken to date:

• Brought report to Council on findings from 2021 monitoring program. Staff continue to monitor complaint areas in 2022, will bring another report back to Council on findings. Staff have worked with the residents in a few areas and the remedial works seem to have slowed the traffic in these areas and the complainants were satisfied with the outcome.
• Currently have one monitoring devise and two radar signs rotating around the Township.
• Road Program for 2022 significantly increased to address a number of roads where the surface was in poor condition.
• Traffic monitoring data collected at various locations throughout the Township.
• New sidewalk installed on Park Street/Richard Street and Jephson Street to provide safe passage from Park Street north to Jephson Street area.

Priority

Proceed with a formal assessment of the appropriate staff complement required for service delivery in Tay Township and align existing resources with prescribed staffing levels.

Actions taken to date:

• Completed the compensation review to evaluate our salary grid against our market comparators to ensure that all positions included in the organizational chart remain competitive in retaining and recruiting our workforce.
• Continued to adjust the organizational chart as natural attrition and retirements occur to further align staffing levels with our service delivery needs.
• A 5-year operating agreement was negotiated and executed with OCWA taking over operations effective Nov 1, 2021.
• New phone system that assists residents by reaching the appropriate staff person and also frees up staff time with the removal of the que.

Priority

Establish guidelines for frequent communication about what is happening in Tay to increase transparency about decision-making that affects the community. Utilize the range/variety of channels available to a diversity of residents (electronic signs, direct mail, social media, and Township website).

Actions taken to date:

• Expanded Annual Report to include information about capital projects completed and events held, in the previous year.
• Sought advertisements in the Enjoy Your Stay in Tay booklet, which is distributed to short term rental operators, to promote local businesses and to increase the likelihood of visitors reading this “community standards” information booklet.
• Launched new modern website for the Township.
• Added cameras in the Council Chambers and now Live Stream Council Meetings.

Priority

Resolve Victoria Harbour Boat Launch issues

Actions taken to date:

• Four additional parking spaces were added to the Albert Street Park located off Waldie Street.
• Education, public awareness and the increase in parking fines does not appear to have an effect on violations since implementing the program. No additional actions are recommended at this time.
• Pamphlet created to hand out for general information and to outline locations where vehicles with trailers are prohibited to park.
• Summer schedule was altered to accommodate morning patrols of the boat launch allowing for further education, questions from the public, and violation prevention.
• Signage was increased at the boat launch and surrounding areas.
• The location with the greatest violations is parking at 145 Albert Street (Library) during prohibited times.

Priority

Review current recreational offerings to determine opportunities to introduce new programing for young residents (children/teens) and older (seniors) to ensure their recreational needs are met.

Actions taken to date:

• After a two-year absence (due to COVID-19) the TOTS Summer Soccer Program was reinstated for children/youth ages 3-13. The program had its best registration numbers to date with 203 children/youth signed up for the program.
• The Summer Day Camp Program was once again offered at two locations this summer (Oakwood Community Centre and Port Community Centre) for area children/youth ages 5-12. The program was successful at both locations with approximately 460 registrations between the two locations this summer.
• Two community programs have been restarted in our Community Centres that address needs of Seniors (55+) and Children/Families/Caregivers
  • • VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) exercise classes Description: A gentle exercise program designed for ages 55+ to help improve and maintain balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility Port McNicoll CC: Tuesdays/Thursdays @ 9:30am Oakwood CC: Thursdays @ 10:00am These classes are FREE to anyone 55+
    • Ontario Early Years satellite Program Centre Description: EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide community meeting places for all children, parents and caregivers to grow, learn and have fun - together! Harbour Shore Community Room: Tuesday 9am-12pm FREE for all
• New Youth Program slated to start on Saturday October 29th at the Harbour Shore Community Room in Victoria Harbour and run for six weeks for youth ages 8-12
  • • Description: Join Quest Art School + Gallery for creative art-making sessions. Youth ages 8 to 12 explore a range of techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, collage, and weaving.
• FREE Pickleball workshops for both youth and adults.
• FREE Disc Golf workshops.
• New Urban Poling class for Spring 2023
• New Accessible Playground installed at Sheppard Park in Victoria Harbour. The new playground has play elements for children/youth ages 2-12.

Priority

Empower the Seniors Committee of Council to develop a plan to support ageing in place strategies (including housing, transportation and recreational services).

Actions taken to date:

• Seniors Talks and Symposium resume and promote community and health services.
• Promotion of the 211 Service.
• Organized a presentation on grants and assistance programs available to seniors and listed the resources on the Seniors’ Advisory Committee page of the Township website.
• Worked with the March of Dimes to purchase 4 accessible picnic tables and coordinated placement of 1 in a park in each community.
• The following community program has been restarted in our Community Centres that address the needs of Seniors (55+)
  • • VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together) exercise classes Description: A gentle exercise program designed for ages 55+ to help improve and maintain balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility. Port McNicoll CC: Tuesdays/Thursdays @9:30 am Oakwood CC: Thursdays @10:00 am These classes are FREE to anyone 55+
• Received a Seniors Community Grant from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to purchase fitness equipment and provide classes for seniors.