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Okay, good evening everyone. We'll call the public council meeting in the town of

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Paradise for December 17th, 2024 to order. And as we always do, we'll start off with

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our safety moment. And

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tonight's safety moment, it's our last council meeting

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before the holidays, and we want to remind everyone to celebrate safely during the season.

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When you are out and about for the holidays, be sure to drive for the weather conditions.

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Be prepared for changes in the weather, and don't drive distracted.

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Put yourself on the way when behind the wheel of your car, and always don't drive

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impaired or let anyone else drive impaired.

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It's all due our part to create a holiday season of Epi Memories.

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Next we'll have the adoption of the agenda, do I have a mover?

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Moved by Councilor Martin, seconded by Councilor Quilty.

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All in favor?

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Aye, aye, aye.

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Motion carried.

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And before we move on, we got a little presentation here tonight.

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And every year, for the last nine years,

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we've been doing a Christmas card contest in our schools, our elementary schools, and

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we basically designed a Christmas card and submitted it, and this year's winner is Reina

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Reddick, and she also lit the, when we had her tree lighting, she was one throw the switch

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as well, so she's in attendance tonight, and Reina, I'd like for you to come forward,

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and we've got a little something for you.

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And the Christmas

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card, we've designed it.

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We've been on the Christmas card and we send this out to all of our town friends in the area

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and all of our counselors got them.

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And there's, I think, 20, right?

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There's 20 cards like that in here for you and a few little somethings in there as well.

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So congratulations on your Christmas card.

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I would never be able to draw something like that, you know, I started like, it's beautiful, it's beautiful.

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Thank you.

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There you go.

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Lovely.

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Excellent job.

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Thank you.

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Thank you very much.

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Please.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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See you.

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Okay.

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Next we'll have

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the adoption

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of the public council minutes for December 3rd, 2024.

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Do I have a mover?

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Moved by Councilor Meyer, seconded by Deputy Mayor Street.

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All in favor?

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Aye.

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Motion carried.

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Business arising for minutes.

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Councilor Currie.

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Your worship, sorry.

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I thought we were going right into the budget speech.

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Sorry about that.

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Next.

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Yeah, sorry.

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Just give me one quick second.

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I didn't make a note.

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Your worship and noon unfinished business last week

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At the council meeting, I had given an update on the station 10.

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The continuing efforts going on down there to manage the after effects of the failure, which happened November 1st.

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Of course, one of the items I did not reference at the moment, which I did ask were the costs associated.

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They get an update December 10th, and the most recent,

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the most recently recorded cost of that number was $221,228.22.

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your sense and your worship understanding is going to be some development and update in

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there's been there's been development in some of the cost in December 10th from

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since December 10th and we'll get an update tomorrow in public works. Okay good

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stuff thank you for the update Councillor Krueger. Okay any further new any further

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business rising for the minute? Okay seeing none we'll go into our much

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should wait at budget 2025.

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And then we'll ask Councilor Bader's to come up

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and get ready to read the budget speech.

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And just give us a second,

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we are going Facebook live with the budget speech

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as we always do.

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And a

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couple is ready, Councilor Bader's ready to go.

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Oh, good.

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Okay.

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Everybody just wants to remove the paper clip

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from your speeches because then when Councilor Bader's

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Good evening, Your Worship, our fellow councillors, staff and those joining us in person and online.

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As Chair of the Administration and Corporate Services Committee, I am pleased to present budget 2025 for the town of Paradise.

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Your Worship, budget preparations are both a time to reflect on the work and accomplishments of the past 12 months

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and an opportunity to plan the priorities for the year ahead.

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Reviewing all that was accomplished, evaluating the lessons learned, and witnessing the evolving

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operations of our town gives us a foundation on which to plan.

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Municipalities are not static.

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They are vibrant, dynamic, and ever-changing.

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families grow, community amenities develop, and businesses expand.

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As a council, it is our role to ensure we prepare the fiscal plan that supports the operations

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of our town and the program and services we provide to the people of paradise.

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To do that, we sought input from residents and businesses through Budget Talks 2025,

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The departmental staff evaluated their operations and outlined their priorities.

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And we reviewed our five-year strategic plan, your paradise plan, 2027.

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All of this information is vital to ensuring council has meaningful and productive budget deliberations.

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Public engagement is a critical part of our budget process.

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In your paradise plan 2027, one of our governance and engagement strategies

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is to enhance engagement with the community to improve input into municipal decision-making

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and increase awareness of council decisions. Our annual Budget Talks activities directly

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support this strategy. Your worship, Budget Talks 2025 had the highest participation

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rate since the implementation of this public engagement initiative. Residents participated

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by completing the online survey, visiting the council pop-up, or responding to the questions on social media.

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We hosted roundtable discussions with our local chambers of commerce to give feedback directly from our business community.

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And as always, many residents took the time to directly reach out to members of council and share input on budget priorities.

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Through Budget Topps 2025, our residents and businesses told us to focus on snow clearing,

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road maintenance, traffic improvements, road access, a swimming pool, and road infrastructure.

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We thank all those who participated in any manner to share ideas, give feedback, and offer direction for Budget 2025.

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It is no easy task finding the right balance, and input from residents and businesses is

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vital in shaping and guiding our budget decisions.

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Your worship, equipped with all this information, Council has spent considerable time delivering

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and debating Budget 2025.

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We understand the task before us, and the responsibility residents have given us

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to spend their tax dollars effectively, strategically, and responsibly for the betterment of their

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town.

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Tonight, I am pleased to present the $44.6 million dollar balanced budget for the town of Paradise.

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Our financial plan for the year ahead outlines investments for the programs, services, and

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initiatives our residents need and expect.

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It focuses on making the fiscal decisions that are right for

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paradise and building a community that residents and businesses are proud to call home.

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In budget 2025, we are maintaining the residential and

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commercial meal rates as well as the water and sewer rates.

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Even with the recent equipment failure at this station tank,

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our strong fiscal management enables us to keep mill rates at 7.4 and 11.5 for residential and commercial respect.

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While there are no changes to the mill rate, residential property assessments have increased this year.

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As such, residents will notice a small increase in our 2025 tax bill estimated to be $102 per household.

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And while we understand that any increase impacts household pocketbooks,

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the town is not immune to rising costs and increased financial pressures.

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Maintaining the mill rates means we are able to sustain our operations and

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services provided to residents. For those residents facing challenges paying their tax bills,

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we will continue to offer assistance programs. Introduced for the 2024 tax year, the Residential

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Property Tax Assistance Program offers a property tax reduction for those meeting the financial

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criteria. We will also continue to offer the seniors discount for those residents 60 years of age

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or over. Through these programs, we are making sure the right supports are in place to make our

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town a community of choice for everyone. Your worship, a considerable portion of our annual

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budget, over 20% is allocated to services provided through a regional approach with

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our neighboring municipalities. Our drinking water, fire protection, waste management,

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and wastewater treatment, all essential services needed for our town, account for $9 million

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dollars in budget 2025. And these services are not immune to rising costs. For example, fire

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protection and drinking water increased $670,000 over last year. Collaborating with our regional

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partners and looking for efficient ways to provide essential services while reducing the

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cost burden on residents is a strategic direction in your paradise plan 2027.

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Availing out these services regionally enables us to provide them in a cost

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effective manner. If we opted to develop these services independently, the cost

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would be significantly higher and we would have less money to invest in

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other areas. Your worship, the available development areas in our town, the vibrant

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recreational and community amenities, and the successful and diverse business sector

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makes paradise an attractive...

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and welcoming place to call home. We are the third largest and one of the fastest growing municipalities in the province, and we know with that also comes a duty to ensure that we are planning properly.

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The infrastructure must be maintained. Services must be enhanced to meet growing populations and programs must be responsive to resident needs.

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While meeting the demands of today, we must look ahead to tomorrow and work to find the

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right balance between the two.

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Budget 2025 supports this balance with investments in infrastructure, programs and initiatives

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in all areas of our town within a fiscally responsible manner.

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Our strong fiscal management has enabled the town of Paradise to be one of the few

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municipalities and the province to have a reserve fund. It's about making the

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right financial decisions today so that we are saving for tomorrow. Municipal

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assets such as roads, sidewalks and buildings, along with essential

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underground infrastructure like water and sewer, come with significant

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financial commitments. Proper maintenance and management enables us to

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maximize the lifespan of these major investments. While we are a relatively

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young town, we know the time will come when repairs, upgrades and replacements

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are needed. We have a responsibility to start planning for that today, and

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our reserve fund is doing just that. Budget 2025 includes a $500,000

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which will bring the reserve fund to 3.75 million dollars.

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Your worship, Budget 2025 also allocates funding to support our town's infrastructure for today.

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We are investing in our water and sewer, our roads and our recreational amenities.

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This year, we completed the engineering work for five streets on the water and sewer priority list

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In spring 2025, water and sewer installation is scheduled for

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Drovers Road, Bayview Heights, Windmill Road, Carberry Place, and Neary Road.

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When these priorities were set many years ago, there were 48 roads with 598 houses on the list,

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and now we are nearing completion. When our latest projects are completed,

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There will be just four streets with 30 houses remaining on the list.

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It is a significant milestone and directly supports the infrastructure pillar in your paradise Plan 2027 and improves service funds.

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Furthermore, this work has been completed through cost-shared funding with the parental government.

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Our money has stretched further by using all available funding opportunities and council remains committed to this approach.

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The new pump station on St. Thomas Lion will be completed and commissioned soon.

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The replacement of lift station TAN began in January 2023.

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We need this new facility.

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And that became painfully evident once again in November, when lift station TAN experienced another major equipment failure.

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We had to declare a state of emergency in order to secure needed resources to maintain the essential service.

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It was a tremendous disruption to our residents who had to endure the noise of the pumpers trucks in the area

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and we thank them for their patience and understanding while crews work to address the issue.

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We also thank all staff who are working to keep this service operational.

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The situation is currently stable, the state of emergency has ended and our crews are

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working on completing the necessary repairs.

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The new facility, designed for a 50-year lifespan, will meet current and future

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needs of our town.

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It also has system redundancies that will allow it to continue to operate in the event

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of equipment issues.

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It will be a dependable and reliable operation, providing an essential service to a significant

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number of households in paradise.

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Over the years, with a focus on sound financial management, the town of paradise has been

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careful with our borrowing needs, only doing so to support significant infrastructure investments.

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With our strong financial position, should the town need to borrow, we are in a good position

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to do so.

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Your worship, some of the Elizabeth Park, our most densely populated neighborhood

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and higher elevation areas, have experienced water pressure issues. We understand the

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frustration of residents in the area and town engineers have been exploring

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options to address this challenge in 2025 we are creating a private booster

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rebate program it is designed to support residents to get equipment to

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address their water pressure issues to support our asset management efforts

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budget 2025 is investing in a leak detection program for the town. We have a

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duty to properly manage our infrastructure and ensure that we maximize

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its lifespan. Through effective leak detection we can ensure that our water

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system is operating efficiently. In doing so we are also taking steps to

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maintain major infrastructure for current and future residents. We are

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making the investment today to support continued fiscal management and sustainability.

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This fall, the town participated in the take action on radon initiative. Radon is a radioactive

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gas that comes from the ground and is found in homes. The level of radon in residential

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homes can vary in severity and only a radon test will indicate whether the levels are

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a health concern. Through Take Action on Radon, we were able to provide 100 test kits free

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of charge to our residents. The response was strong and demand was much higher than the

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supply available this year. We plan to participate in the program again in 2025 and have allocated

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additional funds so that we can increase the number of test kits available to our

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residents.

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Our infrastructure spending also includes road maintenance and upgrades. With

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over 370 lane kilometers of roads in paradise, we must make regular annual investments to

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ensure the upkeep of our transportation network. In budget 2025, we are allocating funding

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to our street rehabilitation program, which includes a new concrete repair and maintenance

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program for sidewalks and curbs. We will invest in our street capital program that completes road

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repairs based on the annual road priority and condition assessments. Next year, the construction

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work for phase one of the Kim Out Road rehabilitation program is scheduled to begin.

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Under this project, 550 meters of road surfacing, storm sewer, curb, gutters, sidewalks and active trail are planned for the section of the road starting at the McNamara Drive intersection and heading east on Kennell Road.

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These road improvements will address a major transportation route in our town, along with enhancing a growing business and industrial area.

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We

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can't talk about our road infrastructure without including our snow clearing operations.

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With winter just around the corner, staff have been busy preparing equipment, reviewing routes, and updating priorities.

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Our crews work hard to clear the roads in an efficient and timely manner, and they are ready to go when the snow hits the ground.

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This council has made snow clearing a priority. We asked staff to review our

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operations, determine municipal benchmarks, update our policies, and we

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made investments for additional equipment and staff. In 2025 we will lease

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six loaders with snow clearing attachments. The town is pursuing

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leasing options as it enables us to acquire it all within this budget.

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We are also committing to purchase a tandem and additional sidewalk clearing

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equipment. Our goal is to have a tandem and loader for each of the seven

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snow clearing routes, sidewalk equipment for each of the school areas, and the

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required complement of staff. With the investments throughout this turn of

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Council and the allocation in budget 2025, we will reach that goal.

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Over the past couple of years, Council has approved additional snow clearing staff.

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It has been a competitive labor market for these positions, which presented recruitment

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challenges.

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We are happy to announce that most of the positions amount staff, and that means we

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will have additional operators this winter.

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With increased snowfall unpredictability, having more equipment and additional staff

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will reduce delays, enhance safety, and increase the level of service for snow clearing.

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It is important that the town attracts and maintains the right employees to support our operations.

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To do so we need competitive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits in appropriate work environments.

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Our compensation and benefits are hitting the mark.

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However, with 170 full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees, we are facing constraints in work areas for office space, break areas, and equipment storage.

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One of the infrastructure strategies in your Paradise Plan 2027 focuses on investing in

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municipal infrastructure to ensure effective service levels are met throughout the community.

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A new facility will provide indoor storage to protect equipment, offer expanded space

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for inventory, and provide crews with the required work areas.

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That is why this year we explored options for a new deal, and in 2025 we will continue to work to find the right solution for paradise when that gives us a modern facility with the space and features needed to support our town and our crews.

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Retaining and attracting employees means we must have up to date current work practices.

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The traditional nine to five work day at the location of the employer is changing and that

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is why one of the strategic actions in your Paradise Plan 2027 is about exploring a flexible

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work policy for our employees.

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employees in all sectors, including municipalities, recognize the need to adapt and evolve to

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meet the expectations of those entering the workforce. In Paradise, we want to do the

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same, but we want to make sure we do it in a manner that's right for our organization.

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In 2025, we will review best practices and municipal operations across the country

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to develop a flexible work model that can be implemented with our employees.

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This policy will complement our other ongoing progressive human resource programs,

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including mental health, first aid training, respectful workplace practices,

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and employee health and wellness initiatives.

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And I'm pleased to note that our employees have been recognized for their work in these areas.

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In June, we received three awards from the International Association of Business Communicators

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for the We Believe video and the Stretch and Flex program.

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It is wonderful to see the stellar work of our employees being recognized

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and celebrated among industry experts.

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It shows the high caliber of work done each and every day here at the town of Paradise.

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Our employees at the town operate within a culture of continuous improvement.

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They are committed to providing residents with timely, proactive and responsive service in all areas.

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And they are regularly looking for ways to streamline operations and increase efficiencies.

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Each year, staff undertake specific, continuous improvement projects

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based on lean training and principles with the goal of improving service

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standards to residents and businesses. In 2025, those projects will focus on

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areas where residents contact a town such as compliance letters, public work

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service requests, tax inquiries, traffic calming requests, and room rental

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availability. Reviewing existing service standards and developing new ones

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helps us to determine if we have the proper resources, procedures, and equipment to complete the task.

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Staff know their roles best and therefore best equipment to find improvements and efficiencies.

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We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the 2025 projects.

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Your worship, over the past decade, we have made a number of significant

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recreation investments in our town. As a growing municipality with the youngest

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average age population, we want to ensure we have the right recreational

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amenities to meet the needs of all residents. Things like the Paradise

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double ice complex, Paradise Park, the multi-sport turf at Diane Whalen Memorial Soccer Complex,

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our extensive trail network, and various park and playground updates are features that make our

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town the wonderful place we call home. They support our minor sporting organizations,

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offer our residents a variety of ways to enjoy an active lifestyle and help foster a true sense

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of community. In Budget 2025, we will continue investments to support our recreation amenities.

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We will develop the Trenton Drive open space based on a plan developed from public engagement

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with residents.

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We thank those who took the time to participate in the process and share

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their ideas. This work goes hand in hand with the development of the Trenton Drive

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accessible trail going to Octagon Pond Elementary School. We will also be

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completing a trail on Silverworks Pressin to connect Paradise Elementary

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School and another to Lincoln Morgan Avenue to Howard Avenue. In Paradise we

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are fortunate to have beautiful trails nestled throughout town including

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including around Adams Pond, Neales Pond, and Octagon Pond.

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The new trails will be welcome additions and are furthering the connectivity throughout paradise.

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It is one of the many features that make our town unique and attractive for those looking for a community to call home.

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Our recreational work next year will also include the engineering for a new baseball field.

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This year, several potential locations for a new field were reviewed and initial assessments were completed.

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In 2025, staff will work with Paradise Minor Baseball to finalize the site selection and begin the engineering phase.

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Council are very much committed to this project and our goal is to start construction in 2026.

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6. Enrollment and participation in baseball in paradise increases year after year. We want

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to make sure we make the right investments that meet the needs of this sport and indeed

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all our minor sport organizations.

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Your worship, with all these facilities and amenities, there

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is one facility our residents continue to rank as a top priority, a swimming pool.

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making a decision to invest in a pool must be based on comprehensive in-depth information.

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Council has an obligation to ensure we are fully informed about the required financial commitment

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to both build and operate such a facility.

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In your Paradise Plan 2027, we identify several advocacy priorities,

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One of which is a feasibility study for a pool.

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Through Budget 2025, we will complete that study.

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The feasibility study is the important first step,

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and we commit to keep residents informed about the progress.

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While we gather and review all pertinent information about bringing a pool to our town,

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In budget 2025, we are budgeting for public swings at neighbouring pools so that our residents can access dedicated times.

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We will also continue to partner with the Chest Penny family YMCA to offer swimming lessons for paradise residents.

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Your worship.

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next summer our town will be ready to rock as we host Box La Crosse and Beach

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volleyball as part of the 2025 Canada Summer Games. Paradise Park and Paradise

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Double Ice Complex will be electric with excitement as these two high-energy

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sports come to our town. The legacy from the games will mean competition level

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beach volleyball courts will remain in paradise park will also have the

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artificial indoor turf and equipment for box lacrosse that is being provided to

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the town at no cost suffice it to say that the overall return on investment

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the games will bring to paradise is significant we take great pride in the

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responsibility for us and we are excited to know we will be part of

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building these sports here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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We can't wait to be part of the fun and excitement

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and welcome athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators

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from across Canada to paradise.

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The Canada Games also bring economic benefits.

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And we plan to work with our local businesses

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to showcase everything that is here.

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Previous Canada Games report generating considerable

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investment for local businesses.

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And we want to do our part so that paradise businesses have those opportunities.

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Your worship, our economic development work now involves a new regional agency at Vantage St. John's.

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Working with Conception Bay South and St. John's, we are building on our strengths and furthering regional cooperation.

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We are competing globally for industrial investment and business attraction.

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And as the saying goes, we are better together.

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As a regional force, we can better compete on national and international fronts.

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We are still in the foundational stages of the agency, but we know great things are ahead.

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Under the leadership of CEO Michelle Simmons and Board Chair Jocelyn Perry, staff are

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hired, board members are being selected, strategic planning is underway, and the

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path is being set to harness the collective strengths of our three municipalities to attract

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opportunities for the region. While Advante St. John's works collaboratively for regional growth

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and business investment, as of how we know it is critically important to support our local

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businesses. One way we are doing that is by supporting our local chambers of commerce.

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In Budget 2025, we are continuing the annual allocation for the Conception Bay Area and

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the Mount Pearl Paradise Chambers of Commerce to support their initiatives and programs.

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In addition, we continue to cover the first-year membership fees for any paradise business

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wanting to join by their chamber.

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These organizations offer our local businesses networking opportunities, professional development,

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and peer support that helps foster a positive and growing business community.

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Strong municipalities need strong, diverse, and growing business sectors.

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And paradise is no exception.

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As our municipality grows, so too does our business community.

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Over the past several years, we have seen a variety of new businesses call Paradise Home,

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and they are a great complement to the many long-standing businesses here.

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As we work to attract new businesses, we will work equally hard to retain those already

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established in Paradise.

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Public transit supports our businesses and our residents.

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as a council we made the investment to bring Metro bus to paradise and the

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commitment to build public transit in our town year over year ridership is

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growing demand is increasing and awareness of public transit is

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starting since 2021 route 30 in paradise has gone from an annual

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ridership of 7,300 to 22,000 in 2023, and we are on track to reach 27,000 by the end

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of this year. With this increased usage in budget 2025, we are investing to further enhance

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Metro Bus Route 30 in paradigms. Starting in September 2025, the route will move from

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morning and evening commuter route to an all-day service.

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A more robust public transit supports

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employee attraction for our local businesses, supports residents going to work for post-secondary

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school, and enhances the overall connectivity of our town.

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Your worship, over the past several

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years we've been implementing a green goal program for our town. It maps out our recommitment

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to progressive waste management and environmental sustainability

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by encouraging residents and businesses to do their part to help the environment.

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For public education campaigns, school presentations, and community and business outreach,

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we are working together to reduce our environmental footprint.

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In 2025, we are adding initiatives to our Bring Go program

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by implementing yard waste collection and a food cyclers program for residents.

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At the town, we want to lead the change to foster a movement so we can create a better, brighter, and greener future for paradise.

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It is important for a town of our size to offer diverse communications methods

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so that our residents can stay up to date on town news and operations in the manner that works best for them.

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Last year, we launched a resident notification system that allows residents to receive updates and information

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through text message, email, or phone call.

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And this week, we are launching the second phase of our enhanced resident communications,

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a new Town of Paradise app.

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With the free app, users can access the town's garbage and recycling collection calendar,

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opt-in to receive collection reminders and review information on town events and news.

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Additional features, including a service request platform whereby residents can report a problem

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and follow its progress through to resolution are in development for the town and will be implemented in 2025.

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Your worship, your paradise plan 2027 outlined our advocacy priorities for the next five years.

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These are areas that are important to residents and council, like a new high school and better road access.

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Yet they are not solely within the town's purview.

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The provincial government is responsible for education and transportation access.

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A new high school is paramount.

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Council, along with our residents, through the Paradise Needs High School group,

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worked hard to convey the need to our provincial government representatives

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earlier this year that work paid off.

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It was indeed exciting when the provincial government announced a new high school for

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paradise.

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The site selection is underway and we are all eagerly awaiting the announcement.

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As the project moves to the design phase, our advocacy will continue to ensure it

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is built sooner rather than later and that we get a high school that is right for paradise

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in a timely manner.

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In discussing a new high school, I want to highlight that we have enhanced the scholarships offered to Paradise students at Holy Spirit High School and Mount Pro Senior High.

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This year, we increased the amount and renamed the awards to honor the memory of two counselors, Vince Burton and Elizabeth Laurie.

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We are proud to name the scholarships after our distinguished colleagues.

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We hope that award recipients will be inspired by the work and lives of counselors Burton and Lori

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and want to be involved in their hometown as community leaders just as they were.

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In addition to the scholarship program, the town of Paradise is proud to be able to offer a donation program.

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It provides financial support to community organizations, groups and individuals that contribute to growth and general well-being of various sectors in our community.

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This year we revised our program to ensure that grants and scholarships, sorry, and sponsorships are distributed on an equitable basis, centered on clear categories and evaluated on needs-based applications.

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Traditionally, the program was focused on recreation and sporting groups.

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It is now expanded to include arts, culture and environmental areas.

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This updated and expanded program supports our social and cultural health pillar in Your Paradise Plan 2027,

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whereby we want to advance inclusive social and cultural health in paradise,

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building community inclusion and

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Your

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worship. Advocacy for additional highway access points has also been raised with our

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provincial representatives by this council at every opportunity. Council, like our residents,

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is frustrated with the traffic headaches and congestion. Last month, we received some very

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encouraging news when the provincial government announced that Ken Mount Crossing would be

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the location of the new hospital. The site borders Paradise, Mount Pearl and St. John's

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and government indicated that it will work with all three municipalities to address

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transportation needs and construct highway access. We are certainly pleased to learn

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a new hospital will be built on our doorstep and we look forward to construction of

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plan interchange as it will also provide paradise with another much needed transportation access

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to the highway. This doesn't mean our transportation advocacy work is over. In fact,

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the opposite is true. Council will maintain regular discussions with government to ensure

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the transportation solutions are completed. The new hospital will also address another

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a pressing concern for our town, a water tower.

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In addition to road infrastructure,

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the site selected requires infrastructure development

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for water supply.

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With its location on the town boundary,

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any investment for water infrastructure for the hospital

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will also benefit the paradise.

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Over the past several years, we

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had completed a study on the town's water system.

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and staff were exploring options to best address the water needs.

452
00:47:04,330 --> 00:47:15,070
Knowing a solution is forthcoming and one which will not be the sole financial or operational responsibility of a paradise is tremendous news.

453
00:47:15,710 --> 00:47:22,310
We look forward to working with the Berenscher government on these projects and seeing them come to fruition for our town.

454
00:47:22,310 --> 00:47:30,360
Council is also committed to advocacy work with the Royal Newfound Constabulary.

455
00:47:31,220 --> 00:47:39,520
The RNC, together with our municipal enforcement, plays a strong role in the safety and well-being of our town.

456
00:47:40,360 --> 00:47:44,640
Each has a distinct yet complementary role in paradise.

457
00:47:45,540 --> 00:47:49,980
We appreciate the collaborative relationship we have with the RNC

458
00:47:49,980 --> 00:47:54,620
and we want to see their presence increase in paradise.

459
00:47:55,680 --> 00:47:57,280
Our numbers are clear.

460
00:47:58,140 --> 00:48:04,380
A town our size needs an increase in RNC resources allocated here.

461
00:48:05,320 --> 00:48:12,540
Furthermore, Council strongly believes the time has come for an RNC detachment for paradise.

462
00:48:13,280 --> 00:48:18,440
Our advocacy work in 2025 will include this area as well.

463
00:48:18,440 --> 00:48:24,200
and during our regular meetings with the RNC chief and senior officers we will

464
00:48:24,200 --> 00:48:30,300
push for the extended presence including the dedicated location in paradise

465
00:48:30,300 --> 00:48:31,980
that our town needs.

466
00:48:34,720 --> 00:48:38,140
Your worship, the year ahead has many changes on the

467
00:48:38,140 --> 00:48:43,300
horizon. A new Towns and Local Service District Act comes into force in

468
00:48:43,300 --> 00:48:49,200
January. This act replaces the Municipalities Act and outlines the

469
00:48:49,200 --> 00:48:53,700
need governance and procedural requirements for municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

470
00:48:54,700 --> 00:49:00,960
The Towns and Local Service District Act is modern, up-to-date legislation that reflects

471
00:49:00,960 --> 00:49:03,720
the current and evolving nature of municipalities.

472
00:49:05,120 --> 00:49:10,420
For our town, the new act brings changes to our committee and meeting operations.

473
00:49:11,160 --> 00:49:16,520
Beginning in January, council meetings, other than privilege meetings, are required

474
00:49:16,520 --> 00:49:17,200
to be public.

475
00:49:18,060 --> 00:49:24,120
As such, we will implement a Committee of the Whole structure to replace the various

476
00:49:24,120 --> 00:49:25,260
Council committees.

477
00:49:26,160 --> 00:49:31,780
The Public Committee of the Whole and the Council meetings will be held on alternating Tuesdays

478
00:49:31,780 --> 00:49:35,380
and these meetings will be open to the public and webcast.

479
00:49:36,400 --> 00:49:41,980
This new structure strengthens our ongoing commitment to openness and accountability.

480
00:49:44,920 --> 00:49:49,160
Next year is also a municipal election year in New Flandre Labrador.

481
00:49:49,900 --> 00:49:55,400
Paradise, like all provincial municipalities, will hold an election in the fall of 2025.

482
00:49:56,520 --> 00:50:00,740
It's hard to believe we are coming to our final year from this term of council.

483
00:50:01,280 --> 00:50:06,820
When we began to world around us was adapting to the new normal from the COVID-19 pandemic.

484
00:50:08,000 --> 00:50:13,600
With excitement and enthusiasm, we embarked on a four-year journey to serve the residents of Paradise.

485
00:50:13,600 --> 00:50:19,600
And together we have accomplished much, building on the foundations laid by previous councils

486
00:50:19,900 --> 00:50:22,540
and continuing to set the path for future ones.

487
00:50:23,920 --> 00:50:30,120
Continuing the investment in talent infrastructure, we undertook phase one of the evergreen village

488
00:50:30,120 --> 00:50:34,200
upgrades which will improve water and sewer infrastructure to the area.

489
00:50:34,920 --> 00:50:40,460
We continue the town's water and sewer priorities and we are replacing lift station

490
00:50:40,460 --> 00:50:47,060
tan with a modern up-to-date facility. Working to enhance neighborhoods, we deployed neighborhood

491
00:50:47,060 --> 00:50:52,420
quieting and traffic calming measures throughout paradise. Started the Elizabeth Park refresh

492
00:50:52,420 --> 00:51:00,860
project and initiated the first community garden for our town. For recreational amenities,

493
00:51:01,120 --> 00:51:06,680
we continued to develop, enhance and support the trail network throughout the town.

494
00:51:06,680 --> 00:51:18,980
completed the Paradise Park Master Plan, installed a new playground at Peterbury Duff Memorial Park and opened the multi-store turf at the Diane Whalen Memorial Soccer Complex.

495
00:51:19,780 --> 00:51:33,400
We listened to the concerns of residents and made investments for snow clearing operations, increased the allocation for street rehabilitation and created a residential property tax assistance program.

496
00:51:33,400 --> 00:51:42,620
We signed an MOU with the SPCA St. John's, launched a Green Gold initiative, developed a new five-year strategic plan,

497
00:51:43,100 --> 00:51:48,360
advocated for a new high school for paradise, and formed a regional economic development agency.

498
00:51:49,020 --> 00:51:56,960
The work of our council has been diverse, strategic, and deliberate, and we believe it has been for the betterment of paradise.

499
00:52:01,040 --> 00:52:08,080
I encourage all those interested in serving paradise to consider running for a council seat.

500
00:52:09,280 --> 00:52:19,600
Your worship budget 2025 ensures that we remain on a steady and responsible fiscal path providing

501
00:52:19,600 --> 00:52:25,340
for the essential services infrastructure and programs that our residents and businesses

502
00:52:25,340 --> 00:52:31,600
expect and deserve. It reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the

503
00:52:31,600 --> 00:52:36,580
well-being of our community, investing in its future, and ensuring that paradise

504
00:52:36,580 --> 00:52:43,080
continues to be a place we are all proud to call home. On behalf of Council, I

505
00:52:43,080 --> 00:52:48,320
extend thanks to the residents, businesses, and staff who participated in this

506
00:52:48,320 --> 00:52:55,060
process. Together we are creating a thriving, well-balanced community, one

507
00:52:55,060 --> 00:53:04,560
at Flourishes today and well into tomorrow. After all, this is your paradise. For those

508
00:53:04,560 --> 00:53:09,840
of you watching on Facebook Live, the video will now conclude. The public council meeting

509
00:53:09,840 --> 00:53:16,960
is available via webcast on our website at paradise.ca-council-meetings. Thank you.

510
00:54:37,170 --> 00:54:38,570
budget?

511
00:54:38,570 --> 00:54:47,110
budget with operating revenue and extended insurance totaling $44,605,231.

512
00:54:47,410 --> 00:54:48,070
I submit.

513
00:54:48,650 --> 00:54:53,730
Moved by Councilor Bader, seconded by Deputy Mayor Street, discussion?

514
00:54:57,480 --> 00:54:58,440
Councilor Bader's.

515
00:54:59,380 --> 00:55:03,280
I'm just getting everything out and going here.

516
00:55:03,480 --> 00:55:05,600
Your worship, maybe if you want just to call somebody else?

517
00:55:05,880 --> 00:55:06,740
Okay, no, thank you, I'm not.

518
00:55:06,940 --> 00:55:07,500
No worries.

519
00:55:08,080 --> 00:55:09,520
Deputy Mayor Street, go ahead.

520
00:55:09,520 --> 00:55:12,980
Thank you, Mr. Worship, thank you, Councilor Vaters.

521
00:55:13,740 --> 00:55:15,540
So, good budget speech.

522
00:55:16,860 --> 00:55:17,340
You're welcome.

523
00:55:17,460 --> 00:55:19,260
I'd like to begin by thanking the residents,

524
00:55:19,500 --> 00:55:21,980
businesses, community groups, and sports organizations

525
00:55:21,980 --> 00:55:23,440
who participated in the budget,

526
00:55:24,300 --> 00:55:26,260
the budget's public engagement opportunities.

527
00:55:26,860 --> 00:55:28,700
We know how important public engagement is

528
00:55:28,700 --> 00:55:30,260
and how it helps shape our town

529
00:55:30,260 --> 00:55:31,340
and the decisions of council.

530
00:55:32,000 --> 00:55:34,040
Providing and promoting public engagement

531
00:55:34,040 --> 00:55:35,420
gives all those participating

532
00:55:35,820 --> 00:55:37,540
and equal abilities to make a difference

533
00:55:37,540 --> 00:55:39,360
and I've witnessed that many times.

534
00:55:40,640 --> 00:55:44,040
I'd like to thank both the provincial and federal governments for funding opportunities

535
00:55:44,040 --> 00:55:44,580
this year.

536
00:55:44,740 --> 00:55:51,400
It's important to our towns infrastructure and services and it's greatly appreciated.

537
00:55:52,260 --> 00:55:57,420
Your worship, the costs to do business remain high again this year and while we would love

538
00:55:57,420 --> 00:56:03,160
to have supported all the needs and wants presented during our budget talks, decisions

539
00:56:03,160 --> 00:56:06,660
were made to find a balance so that there would be no increase in the mill rate

540
00:56:06,660 --> 00:56:09,080
to the mill rate or water and sewer rates.

541
00:56:09,460 --> 00:56:11,540
In saying that, I believe there's a lot of great things

542
00:56:11,540 --> 00:56:13,800
to look forward to in the 2025 budget.

543
00:56:14,220 --> 00:56:15,500
Just some things to mention,

544
00:56:15,740 --> 00:56:17,380
the completion of the new lift station,

545
00:56:17,820 --> 00:56:19,040
like Councilor Vader said,

546
00:56:19,540 --> 00:56:22,060
it will be dependable and reliable operation,

547
00:56:22,380 --> 00:56:24,080
something everyone is looking forward to.

548
00:56:25,160 --> 00:56:26,660
I'm really happy to see that,

549
00:56:26,840 --> 00:56:29,300
to say that we all come together

550
00:56:29,300 --> 00:56:31,620
to support this private booster rebate program

551
00:56:32,000 --> 00:56:33,580
for residents who've been experiencing

552
00:56:33,580 --> 00:56:34,680
low water pressure.

553
00:56:34,680 --> 00:56:40,220
We've all received call and videos and having this option in place for residents I think will be a real big benefit

554
00:56:43,310 --> 00:56:48,650
There's improved snow clearing this year and having resort struggles over the last few years. It's been tough on the department

555
00:56:49,150 --> 00:56:55,390
I know it's so it's wonderful to be able to have a larger staff compliment now and additional equipment to support the policy that we have in place

556
00:56:56,250 --> 00:57:00,610
Looking forward to having the long way to Trenton Drive open space developed

557
00:57:00,610 --> 00:57:05,090
along with the accessible trails to access archipelago elementary,

558
00:57:05,250 --> 00:57:09,590
paradise elementary schools, supporting connectivity within these neighborhoods is

559
00:57:09,590 --> 00:57:14,510
wonderful and committing a force to engineering this new baseball field a

560
00:57:14,510 --> 00:57:19,190
sport that has seen an extraordinary increase in enrollment. Your worship I'm

561
00:57:19,190 --> 00:57:22,690
also looking forward to the province identifying the location of the high

562
00:57:22,690 --> 00:57:27,350
school and saying that successful lobbying by council to to the province

563
00:57:27,350 --> 00:57:33,190
to provide a date to build a school will be important in the year coming year in my opinion

564
00:57:33,190 --> 00:57:37,530
this is one of the greatest needs in our town I feel like we're missing out on all wonderful

565
00:57:37,530 --> 00:57:41,990
things have all the wonderful things having a high school would bring to our community

566
00:57:43,310 --> 00:57:48,150
also your worship this budget will continue to support the water and sewer priority list

567
00:57:48,150 --> 00:57:53,450
council again has shown ongoing support year after year to support completing this list

568
00:57:54,110 --> 00:57:58,490
The 2025 budget offers our community many improvements in growth.

569
00:57:58,850 --> 00:58:01,270
It was a great privilege to be a part of this.

570
00:58:01,530 --> 00:58:04,710
And I feel residents and businesses will be happy with this budget.

571
00:58:05,210 --> 00:58:08,310
And lastly, Your Worship, I'd just like to thank everyone from the town who was

572
00:58:08,310 --> 00:58:09,890
involved in working on the budget.

573
00:58:10,390 --> 00:58:10,670
Thank you.

574
00:58:10,830 --> 00:58:12,130
Okay, thank you to be your Chief.

575
00:58:12,630 --> 00:58:13,170
Councilor Vaters.

576
00:58:13,910 --> 00:58:14,730
Thank you, Your Worship.

577
00:58:16,630 --> 00:58:18,970
I just spoke for 45 minutes, I think, or so.

578
00:58:19,370 --> 00:58:22,330
So I don't want to be labored as too much, but

579
00:58:22,330 --> 00:58:25,270
There's a few items I'd like to just focus in on.

580
00:58:26,270 --> 00:58:32,070
Your words have been, in a recent poll, people across our country know that housing,

581
00:58:32,250 --> 00:58:38,210
affordability, and infrastructure, renewal, and public safety were amongst the greatest concerns they have.

582
00:58:39,370 --> 00:58:44,030
However, there is a major issue blocking the vital infrastructure and services required.

583
00:58:44,890 --> 00:58:47,850
And that issue is how municipalities are funded.

584
00:58:48,810 --> 00:58:55,310
The fact is that there needs to be a fair and more equitable share of existing tax dollars

585
00:58:55,310 --> 00:58:58,390
that is collected by other levels of government.

586
00:58:59,090 --> 00:59:04,570
Municipalities across our country are responsible for more than 60 percent of the infrastructure,

587
00:59:05,150 --> 00:59:08,130
and we are the level of government closest to our residents.

588
00:59:08,930 --> 00:59:13,670
However, we are trying to deliver programs and services and build and maintain infrastructure

589
00:59:13,670 --> 00:59:19,610
infrastructure that is based on a 90th-century revenue framework that was never designed for

590
00:59:19,610 --> 00:59:22,110
the realities of the 21st century.

591
00:59:23,070 --> 00:59:28,570
On average across the country, the cost of municipal infrastructure required to support

592
00:59:28,570 --> 00:59:33,690
new housing is in the range of $107,000 per home.

593
00:59:34,330 --> 00:59:38,950
Suffice to say that we need other levels of government to make significant, increased

594
00:59:38,950 --> 00:59:43,390
and sustainable investments into infrastructure, and with investments from other levels

595
00:59:43,390 --> 00:59:48,970
of government into infrastructure, we'll be able to have more flexibility to use our

596
00:59:48,970 --> 00:59:53,070
limit funds to offer new and improved services to the people of paradise.

597
00:59:53,950 --> 00:59:57,950
That said, Your Worship, this budget, like others, is a real balancing act.

598
00:59:58,590 --> 00:59:59,970
We are required, of course, by-

599
01:00:00,720 --> 01:00:13,080
We continue to deliver on this requirement, despite not having access to broad tools that will enhance municipal fiscal stability and not having access to sustainable funding.

600
01:00:13,760 --> 01:00:27,060
However, as Deputy Mayor Street has alluded to, I too am also happy to see that we'll have no increases to the mill rate or water and sewer fees that will maintain the senior discount and the needs-based discount.

601
01:00:27,060 --> 01:00:34,340
We will continue to invest into completing the remaining streets under water and sewer priority lists, invest in the snow clearing operations,

602
01:00:35,260 --> 01:00:44,200
complete the engineering phase for a new baseball field, develop the Trenton Drive open space, and broaden the donation policy to include arts,

603
01:00:44,640 --> 01:00:50,280
cultural, and environmental groups, and making it easier for more groups to apply. Thank you, Your Worship.

604
01:00:50,280 --> 01:00:52,300
Okay, thank you, Councilor Bader's.

605
01:00:52,540 --> 01:00:53,320
Any further comments?

606
01:00:56,480 --> 01:00:58,520
Councilor Kru and then Councilor Quilty, Councilor Kru.

607
01:00:58,760 --> 01:00:59,380
Thank you, Your Worship.

608
01:00:59,880 --> 01:01:00,900
I took a little different approach

609
01:01:00,900 --> 01:01:03,600
in my discussion note here, but thanks for your indulgence.

610
01:01:04,120 --> 01:01:05,740
Your Worship, I would also like to extend

611
01:01:05,740 --> 01:01:08,120
this sincere thank you to all the corporate services,

612
01:01:08,340 --> 01:01:10,960
Administration Corporate Services staff, as well as the CAO.

613
01:01:11,480 --> 01:01:14,620
Hope I'm working hard on this very, very long budget

614
01:01:14,620 --> 01:01:16,740
tonight, this document day and night

615
01:01:16,740 --> 01:01:18,080
over the last week or so, and of course,

616
01:01:18,080 --> 01:01:23,140
even over the weekend and up until maybe just we just presented the Council of Aiders just presented.

617
01:01:23,340 --> 01:01:27,220
So thanks to the Corporate Services Committee Chair, Councilor Vaters of course for presenting

618
01:01:27,220 --> 01:01:33,000
budget 2025. To the residents of course, thank you to my fellow council members around the table

619
01:01:33,000 --> 01:01:40,140
here who all had their hand in crafting this $44.6 million budget. Your Worship, I would like

620
01:01:40,140 --> 01:01:45,160
to recognize the fact that this is the last of four budgets to be crafted by this

621
01:01:45,160 --> 01:01:48,800
term of council and I will say that as a first term councillor although the

622
01:01:48,800 --> 01:01:53,820
learning curve for me the municipal budgetary process has been reduced and

623
01:01:53,820 --> 01:01:58,060
gotten a little smaller the gravity of the and implications of each year's

624
01:01:58,060 --> 01:02:02,420
budgeting process has increased dramatically for me personally this

625
01:02:02,420 --> 01:02:06,280
forty four point six million dollar operating budget this proof that our

626
01:02:06,280 --> 01:02:11,040
town is still a very fast-growing and we are certainly at an enviable

627
01:02:11,040 --> 01:02:14,640
a little enviable position amongst municipalities

628
01:02:15,480 --> 01:02:17,220
in the province area of Washington.

629
01:02:17,680 --> 01:02:19,800
So for me personally, that growth has a gravity

630
01:02:19,800 --> 01:02:20,840
associated with it.

631
01:02:21,400 --> 01:02:24,080
And that way comes in the form of the increased

632
01:02:24,080 --> 01:02:26,720
infrastructure programs and amenities

633
01:02:26,720 --> 01:02:29,860
that are required to support that fantastic growth.

634
01:02:30,480 --> 01:02:32,300
We just heard in the budget speech, your worship,

635
01:02:33,180 --> 01:02:37,060
that we are required to support that growth.

636
01:02:37,600 --> 01:02:38,940
And to name a few items,

637
01:02:38,940 --> 01:02:44,060
continuing investment in the street capital program, wrote camera, wrote

638
01:02:44,060 --> 01:02:48,640
extension improvements, the continuation and imminent completion of the town's

639
01:02:48,640 --> 01:02:52,900
water and sewer priority list, significant snow clearing enhancements, a

640
01:02:52,900 --> 01:02:58,060
new ball field, active trail and park enhancements throughout the town, a pool

641
01:02:58,060 --> 01:03:01,260
feasibility study, and of course there's a number of more in there.

642
01:03:01,500 --> 01:03:06,200
So the worship we have a combination of both very densely populated and

643
01:03:06,200 --> 01:03:09,100
geographically diverse developed areas throughout the town.

644
01:03:09,960 --> 01:03:14,780
We also have many young families that have moved and continue to move into the town.

645
01:03:15,300 --> 01:03:19,640
They are proud to call Paradise their home and are looking to council to continue to

646
01:03:19,640 --> 01:03:24,100
build on the needs of a growing family in the form of many of the recreational amenities

647
01:03:24,740 --> 01:03:26,980
and programs referenced here on the budget tonight.

648
01:03:27,700 --> 01:03:31,200
On the other side of that spectrum, Your Worship, we have some long-time residents

649
01:03:31,200 --> 01:03:35,200
in our town that still do not have basic water and sewer service and of course

650
01:03:35,200 --> 01:03:41,620
That progress was also referenced here in the ceiling to fully temper that weight your worship. I feel as a counselor

651
01:03:41,620 --> 01:03:47,240
We have many seniors and many on fixed incomes in our town that are navigating post pandemic

652
01:03:48,080 --> 01:03:53,020
inflationary pressured world that are relying on council to be pragmatic prudent and

653
01:03:53,520 --> 01:04:01,480
Fiscally responsible with their tax dollars and although we have some great programs in the 2025 budget to directly help those residents

654
01:04:01,480 --> 01:04:09,440
I have found it difficult, the last couple of budget cycles, to ensure we are being reflective and responsive to all the residents' needs.

655
01:04:11,020 --> 01:04:18,760
Lastly, Your Worship, I would be remiss here if I didn't highlight the extreme pressure I feel personally with our growing regional costs,

656
01:04:19,680 --> 01:04:25,940
as Councillor Ravators alluded to, and our ever-increasing infrastructure needs in the town as we grow into the future.

657
01:04:26,580 --> 01:04:30,400
And if I'm being truly honest, Your Worship, here tonight, I also need to acknowledge the

658
01:04:30,400 --> 01:04:34,800
financial albatross around our necks in the town with respect to the existing and soon-to-be

659
01:04:34,800 --> 01:04:36,140
commissioned lift station template.

660
01:04:37,020 --> 01:04:41,220
Your Worship, although once commissioned, this piece of needed infrastructure will provide

661
01:04:41,220 --> 01:04:46,080
consistently reliable service and capacity growth for the future, and for many years

662
01:04:46,080 --> 01:04:50,860
to come, is my personal observation and feeling that this project has and will continue

663
01:04:50,860 --> 01:04:54,180
to financially constrain us as we go on to the next number of years.

664
01:04:54,940 --> 01:04:59,260
Your worship, seeing this as the last budget for this term of council, I wanted to give

665
01:04:59,260 --> 01:05:03,380
my personal perspective here tonight on budget process and although there's still eight months

666
01:05:03,380 --> 01:05:08,140
left to this term of council, this is the last budget to be presented by this iteration

667
01:05:08,140 --> 01:05:08,600
of council.

668
01:05:09,160 --> 01:05:16,800
I would like to thank all those who participated in budget 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and a special

669
01:05:16,800 --> 01:05:21,340
thank you to all the residents in the town for entrusting this term of council and

670
01:05:21,340 --> 01:05:23,820
to champion your collective best interests around the table.

671
01:05:24,460 --> 01:05:25,400
And with all that said, Your Worship,

672
01:05:25,660 --> 01:05:26,320
I know that's a mouthful.

673
01:05:27,360 --> 01:05:29,780
I support budget 2025 as presented tonight.

674
01:05:30,180 --> 01:05:31,560
Okay, thank you, Councilor Cruz.

675
01:05:32,300 --> 01:05:32,820
Councilor Quilty.

676
01:05:33,340 --> 01:05:34,020
Thank you, Your Worship.

677
01:05:34,780 --> 01:05:37,080
And after sitting through 30 budgets,

678
01:05:37,580 --> 01:05:39,960
I normally don't prepare any kind of a speech,

679
01:05:40,700 --> 01:05:42,680
certainly hats off to councilor Mayters

680
01:05:42,680 --> 01:05:47,460
in such a detailed accounting of the budget for 2025.

681
01:05:48,220 --> 01:05:49,220
Like with any budget,

682
01:05:49,220 --> 01:05:52,540
especially with a balanced budget of 44.6 million bucks.

683
01:05:53,440 --> 01:05:54,860
Certainly a great budget,

684
01:05:55,120 --> 01:05:57,120
no increases in residential or commercial.

685
01:05:58,080 --> 01:06:00,500
Certainly in the works of getting this budget

686
01:06:00,500 --> 01:06:02,720
done for 2025, it didn't come easy

687
01:06:02,720 --> 01:06:04,800
to get a balanced budget for 2025.

688
01:06:05,660 --> 01:06:08,080
I would be telling a lie if it was easy

689
01:06:08,720 --> 01:06:10,960
thanks to all the staff that were involved,

690
01:06:11,120 --> 01:06:12,620
the committee, the conservators,

691
01:06:13,300 --> 01:06:16,900
everybody that had a part in the budget for 2025.

692
01:06:18,100 --> 01:06:34,980
I concentrated basically on focus points that were noted in the budget which included, of course, top of mind for everybody's snow clearing, the road maintenance in paradise, traffic improvements, road access which was highly pointed out in the speech.

693
01:06:35,740 --> 01:06:46,220
And of course, an initiative there to look into the cost for a swimming pool and of course a regular road infrastructure along with the RNC building for our own paradise.

694
01:06:46,680 --> 01:06:49,880
having said that I think residents will be happy to know that there is no

695
01:06:49,880 --> 01:06:54,960
increase for 2025 and certainly again I've seen through so many different

696
01:06:54,960 --> 01:06:59,780
budgets this one here but a forty four point six million dollar is nothing in

697
01:06:59,780 --> 01:07:04,280
comparison to what a budget would have been 32 years ago so trust me it's a

698
01:07:04,280 --> 01:07:07,200
lot of money there there's a lot of infrastructure there's a lot of

699
01:07:07,200 --> 01:07:11,860
expenditures and at the end of the day I think as council we sat here I

700
01:07:11,860 --> 01:07:14,500
don't know how many different nights and during the committee meetings as

701
01:07:14,500 --> 01:07:20,160
well to bring a balanced budget for 2025. And I know what I want to say. Thank you.

702
01:07:20,580 --> 01:07:24,360
Thank you, Councillor Quilty. You're quite welcome. A lot of growth over 30 years. Absolutely.

703
01:07:25,040 --> 01:07:31,720
Any further comments? Councillor Murray. Thank you, Your Worship. Thank you, Councillor

704
01:07:31,720 --> 01:07:36,140
Reuters. Great speech, by the way. You done great with reading everything out there. It was good.

705
01:07:37,120 --> 01:07:41,320
I guess I would like to thank all the staff and for everybody that was involved with the

706
01:07:41,320 --> 01:07:47,700
as well. A lot of our work went in from staffing levels here to make this budget a great budget,

707
01:07:47,920 --> 01:07:55,860
I should say, for 2025. I think it's rather good. Holding the line on meal rates, no increases.

708
01:07:56,160 --> 01:08:00,320
There's lots of good things in there. The feasibility study for a pool, you know, we

709
01:08:00,320 --> 01:08:06,080
have to be financially make sure that we can afford a pool before we even think about

710
01:08:06,080 --> 01:08:10,000
building one, so the feasibility study is going to put us up where we need to be at.

711
01:08:10,720 --> 01:08:14,460
The site selection for the new baseball field is another good option, the Trenton Drive

712
01:08:14,460 --> 01:08:15,060
open space.

713
01:08:16,440 --> 01:08:21,220
As coming off the chair for the last three years of public works, I'm glad that we're

714
01:08:21,220 --> 01:08:26,040
going to be investing in new snow clearing equipment, as well as the four complement

715
01:08:26,040 --> 01:08:27,080
of staff for 2025.

716
01:08:27,580 --> 01:08:30,800
This is going to go a long ways for what people need in the town of Paradise.

717
01:08:36,450 --> 01:08:39,890
I'm also looking forward to the commissioning of lift station 10.

718
01:08:40,470 --> 01:08:44,670
I think it's a great piece of new infrastructure that we really need in the town.

719
01:08:45,290 --> 01:08:48,530
I think we were smart in the last couple of years of building and

720
01:08:48,530 --> 01:08:52,670
investing in something that we need for 50 years to come.

721
01:08:53,370 --> 01:08:54,550
We definitely need it.

722
01:08:54,570 --> 01:08:56,810
We've had a lot of hiccups with the old station.

723
01:08:57,590 --> 01:09:02,150
And I'm really looking forward, trying to struggle with a bit of a call.

724
01:09:02,150 --> 01:09:06,650
I'm looking forward to getting commission in the first quarter of 2025.

725
01:09:07,810 --> 01:09:11,150
And with that being said, I'm going to leave it at that for tonight.

726
01:09:11,370 --> 01:09:12,390
Okay, thank you, Councilor Martin.

727
01:09:13,010 --> 01:09:13,690
Any further comments?

728
01:09:14,550 --> 01:09:15,190
Councilor Martin.

729
01:09:15,450 --> 01:09:16,050
Thank you, Your Worship.

730
01:09:16,530 --> 01:09:19,530
I never prepared nothing for tonight, but I'm just going to leave it.

731
01:09:19,530 --> 01:09:21,410
Thank you, Councilor Vaters.

732
01:09:21,710 --> 01:09:23,590
It was a great budget speech there.

733
01:09:24,270 --> 01:09:29,630
Again, it's my first budget, my first term on council, and I'm very pleased

734
01:09:29,630 --> 01:09:30,450
to be part of it.

735
01:09:30,450 --> 01:09:35,830
And I think we got some great opportunities ahead, and I'm looking forward to it.

736
01:09:35,890 --> 01:09:41,430
And thank you to all the staff and management directors, and for allowing me to be part of it.

737
01:09:42,210 --> 01:09:43,170
Okay, thank you.

738
01:09:43,170 --> 01:09:43,730
Thank you, Councilman.

739
01:09:44,310 --> 01:09:45,990
Yeah, and I'll concur with all of you guys.

740
01:09:46,230 --> 01:09:52,130
It's a great budget, and a big thank you to staff and everybody who put it together.

741
01:09:52,470 --> 01:09:57,370
And, you know, moving into the future, we've got a bright future ahead,

742
01:09:57,370 --> 01:10:03,410
and Paradise continue to grow and prosper and people are still wanting to call

743
01:10:03,410 --> 01:10:08,830
Paradise home and looking to move there as well so it's a great future

744
01:10:08,830 --> 01:10:16,810
budget as well. So thank you Councillor Bader's for presenting it and all in

745
01:10:16,810 --> 01:10:22,670
favor. Hi. Motion carried and we have another one Councillor Bader's. Thank

746
01:10:22,670 --> 01:10:31,990
If you worship be it resolved that the town of Paradise adopt the 2025 schedule of tax rates and the 2025 fee schedule as submitted.

747
01:10:32,190 --> 01:10:36,310
I so move they move by Councilor Bader second by Councilor Quilty discussion.

748
01:10:37,570 --> 01:10:40,870
Thing known all in favor by motion carry.

749
01:10:41,870 --> 01:10:46,430
Thank you, Councilor Bader's we'll go to the next infrastructure and engineering committee.

750
01:10:46,850 --> 01:10:47,930
Deputy Mayor Street.

751
01:10:47,930 --> 01:10:48,510
Thank you.

752
01:10:48,830 --> 01:10:51,490
There's one memo on the agenda this evening

753
01:10:51,490 --> 01:10:53,790
and it's regarding the Kimmel Road.

754
01:10:53,970 --> 01:10:54,410
I

755
01:11:00,840 --> 01:11:02,460
have to put a change notice one.

756
01:11:03,040 --> 01:11:05,800
Kimmel Road phase one upgrade project

757
01:11:05,800 --> 01:11:08,380
is in its planning and design phase

758
01:11:08,380 --> 01:11:10,920
to get raised for tender and construction in 2025.

759
01:11:11,620 --> 01:11:13,760
The upgrade includes the removal

760
01:11:13,760 --> 01:11:15,260
of the existing road surface

761
01:11:15,260 --> 01:11:17,740
and the installation of new storm sewer, curb,

762
01:11:18,240 --> 01:11:20,100
gutter, sidewalk, multi-use trail

763
01:11:20,100 --> 01:11:21,080
and new road surface.

764
01:11:21,420 --> 01:11:23,580
The existing ditches are being eliminated

765
01:11:23,580 --> 01:11:29,080
and water and sewer lines, sorry water and sanitary sewer lines are existing

766
01:11:29,080 --> 01:11:34,640
in that part of this project. There are allowances in the prime consultant

767
01:11:34,640 --> 01:11:39,720
agreement for work area investigations to aid the design process, but it does

768
01:11:39,720 --> 01:11:43,440
not include assessing the condition of the existing sanitary sewer gravity

769
01:11:43,440 --> 01:11:48,860
and force mains. SAAT have recommended that the condition of the existing

770
01:11:48,860 --> 01:11:52,760
sewer mains should be investigated so that necessary repairs or maintenance

771
01:11:52,760 --> 01:11:56,860
can be included with the construction project to minimize the risk of

772
01:11:56,860 --> 01:12:02,400
excavating the newly upgraded road shortly after the completion. To support

773
01:12:02,400 --> 01:12:06,340
this recommendation, this contemplated change notice was requested for council

774
01:12:06,340 --> 01:12:11,800
consideration. The sewer infrastructure was installed in 2008 and is now 16

775
01:12:11,800 --> 01:12:15,820
years old. There are no records of any previous condition assessments being

776
01:12:15,820 --> 01:12:20,980
performed on sewer mains in this area. There are also no indications that

777
01:12:20,980 --> 01:12:31,880
condition of the mains are worse than expected for their age. A price of $33,359.62 plus HST was

778
01:12:31,880 --> 01:12:41,420
provided. This consists of $9,097.81 plus HST for camera inspection of 600 meters

779
01:12:41,420 --> 01:12:51,940
gravity sewer main, $16,321.81 plus HST for camera inspection of 600 meter of

780
01:12:51,940 --> 01:12:59,480
force main, $6,125 plus HST for force main inspection mechanical support,

781
01:12:59,900 --> 01:13:06,980
and $1,815 plus HST for additional related engineering fees. The

782
01:13:06,980 --> 01:13:12,880
The inspection area is from approximately 1250 Cameron Road to the intersection with

783
01:13:12,880 --> 01:13:17,100
McNamara Drive at approximately 200 meters on the McNamara Drive.

784
01:13:18,340 --> 01:13:20,920
This is a cost share fund for this project.

785
01:13:21,100 --> 01:13:32,300
It's $3,584,473 and a portion of the project funding for this contract is $358,448.

786
01:13:34,080 --> 01:13:42,680
The 2024 municipal budget allocation for the project is $236,086, and the original contract

787
01:13:42,680 --> 01:13:46,980
value was $164,657.50.

788
01:13:47,940 --> 01:13:59,160
The cost of this contemplative change notice is $33,359.62, and the new contract value

789
01:13:59,160 --> 01:14:03,040
is then $198,000, $17.12.

790
01:14:03,540 --> 01:14:07,860
The new contract value is still less than the funding allocation and the

791
01:14:07,860 --> 01:14:10,080
fiscal budget allocation.

792
01:14:11,440 --> 01:14:15,360
This aligns with the infrastructure pillar strategy for effective service and

793
01:14:16,340 --> 01:14:19,420
cleanable investment to manage growth.

794
01:14:19,660 --> 01:14:25,260
It will contribute to total reinvestment percentage, strategic meter metric, sorry,

795
01:14:25,260 --> 01:14:33,360
and it contributes to the update of after-condition assessments in the town's asset management plan.

796
01:14:33,840 --> 01:14:37,360
And the committee recommended accepting the prime consultant agreement,

797
01:14:37,820 --> 01:14:40,860
contemplating a change notice one and awarding a change order.

798
01:14:41,420 --> 01:14:45,660
Be it resolved that the town of Paradise accept the prime consultant agreement,

799
01:14:46,140 --> 01:14:51,660
contemplating change number one for the addition of sanitary sewer condition assessments

800
01:14:51,660 --> 01:14:56,920
investments in the camera road, phase in upgrade work area and award change order to Irvine

801
01:14:56,920 --> 01:14:59,980
Engineering in the amount of $38,000.

802
01:15:13,200 --> 01:15:17,640
Thank you, Your Worship. We had a good discussion at committee with this, and I certainly would

803
01:15:17,640 --> 01:15:21,780
agree to investigate the condition of the infrastructure. I think it's important to have this proactive

804
01:15:21,780 --> 01:15:22,160
approach.

805
01:15:23,140 --> 01:15:26,680
Good. Thank you very much. Prudent. Absolutely. Councilor Kru.

806
01:15:27,100 --> 01:15:28,520
Thank you, Your Worship. Good word, Prudence.

807
01:15:28,700 --> 01:15:29,560
That is the right word for sure.

808
01:15:30,360 --> 01:15:31,960
We did have a good discussion at committee,

809
01:15:32,360 --> 01:15:35,000
and of course this wasn't part of the original scope.

810
01:15:35,360 --> 01:15:38,380
It would be very prudent and more or less irresponsible

811
01:15:38,380 --> 01:15:42,420
for us not to investigate the existing infrastructure.

812
01:15:43,200 --> 01:15:44,800
We're going to spend three and a half billion dollars

813
01:15:44,800 --> 01:15:46,680
to resurface the road and put in new infrastructure.

814
01:15:46,960 --> 01:15:48,780
So I fully support this one.

815
01:15:49,120 --> 01:15:50,140
Okay. Thank you, Councillor Crue.

816
01:15:50,180 --> 01:15:50,880
Any further comments?

817
01:15:52,020 --> 01:15:53,020
Seeing none, all in favor?

818
01:15:53,020 --> 01:15:53,620
Hi.

819
01:15:54,380 --> 01:15:55,160
I'm going to show an anonymous.

820
01:15:55,400 --> 01:15:56,320
And your committee report.

821
01:15:57,260 --> 01:15:57,720
Thank you, Worship.

822
01:15:57,960 --> 01:15:58,280
Good to be here.

823
01:15:58,440 --> 01:16:00,760
The Infrastructure and Engineering Committee met on December 10.

824
01:16:01,220 --> 01:16:05,540
The committee reviewed a prime consultant agreement contemplative change order for the

825
01:16:05,540 --> 01:16:10,340
addition of gravity and force main cemetery sewer condition assessment in the work area

826
01:16:10,340 --> 01:16:15,920
of the Kemat Road Phase 1 upgrade project that is currently being designed.

827
01:16:16,240 --> 01:16:19,960
And the committee made a recommendation to accept this contemplative change notice

828
01:16:19,960 --> 01:16:21,160
and award change order.

829
01:16:21,160 --> 01:16:25,760
The committee was provided a department report and given an opportunity to ask any questions.

830
01:16:26,260 --> 01:16:31,520
And the next committee is undetermined right now, sometime in the year I guess.

831
01:16:32,060 --> 01:16:39,400
And the motion is be it resolved that council adopt the December 17th, 2024 report from infrastructure and engineering committee.

832
01:16:39,620 --> 01:16:39,980
I salute.

833
01:16:40,220 --> 01:16:41,220
Move by Deputy Mayor Street.

834
01:16:41,400 --> 01:16:43,920
Seconded by Councillor Carrou.

835
01:16:44,840 --> 01:16:45,360
Discussion?

836
01:16:46,200 --> 01:16:48,020
Deputy Mayor, you have anything to say about the committee report?

837
01:16:48,020 --> 01:16:48,880
you just brought in?

838
01:16:51,040 --> 01:16:55,760
Okay, good. Anything further? Seeing none, all in favor?

839
01:16:56,260 --> 01:16:58,480
Aye. Motion carried. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Street.

840
01:17:00,560 --> 01:17:07,260
Okay, next administration and Corporate

841
01:17:07,260 --> 01:17:12,820
Services Committee, Councilor Bader. Thank you, Your Worship. Your Worship, the Assessment

842
01:17:12,820 --> 01:17:18,800
Appointment act requires a municipality to appoint a commissioner annually to act on its

843
01:17:18,800 --> 01:17:20,900
behalf at assessment appeal hearings.

844
01:17:21,800 --> 01:17:26,560
Once appointed, the commissioner holds office until they resign or is dismissed.

845
01:17:27,980 --> 01:17:34,400
Mr. Mitch Moran has been the town's commissioner since 2020 and confirmed that he would

846
01:17:34,400 --> 01:17:37,280
like to continue this role for the upcoming tax year.

847
01:17:37,280 --> 01:17:44,820
According to the act, the commissioner appointed shall be compensated under the terms negotiated between the commissioner and the town.

848
01:17:45,600 --> 01:17:54,320
The proposed rates for the 2025 tax year are $125 per hour and 50 cents per kilometer for travel.

849
01:17:55,020 --> 01:18:01,120
The total bill by Mr. Moran in 2024 was just under $1,100.

850
01:18:02,120 --> 01:18:10,980
Appointing a commissioner to act on the town's behalf at Appeal Hearings supports council's goal of good governance and following the best practices in municipal governance.

851
01:18:11,820 --> 01:18:22,180
The committee recommended extending Mr. Moran's appointment as commissioner for the town of Paradise for the period January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

852
01:18:22,180 --> 01:18:37,880
And your worship, the motion reads be it resolved that the town of Paradise appoint Mr. Mitch Moran as the commissioner for the town of Paradise for the period of January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 at the agreed about rights.

853
01:18:37,880 --> 01:18:38,320
It's isolated.

854
01:18:38,720 --> 01:18:42,620
Moved by Councillor Bader, seconded by Councillor Kerouw.

855
01:18:45,480 --> 01:18:46,760
Discussion, seeing none.

856
01:18:47,080 --> 01:18:47,520
All in favor?

857
01:18:47,920 --> 01:18:48,100
Aye.

858
01:18:48,320 --> 01:18:48,520
Aye.

859
01:18:49,100 --> 01:18:49,780
Motion carried.

860
01:18:50,100 --> 01:18:50,960
And the committee report.

861
01:18:51,800 --> 01:18:52,680
Thank you, Your Worship.

862
01:18:53,400 --> 01:18:55,360
The Administration Corporate Services Committee met

863
01:18:55,360 --> 01:18:57,080
on December 11th, 2024,

864
01:18:57,440 --> 01:18:59,320
the following items were on the agenda.

865
01:19:00,020 --> 01:19:02,620
Appointment of the commissioner for the 2025 tax year,

866
01:19:02,700 --> 01:19:03,580
which we just approved.

867
01:19:04,140 --> 01:19:06,820
The October and November 2024 check registers

868
01:19:06,820 --> 01:19:11,700
an update on the launch of the new town app and your worship on this you know

869
01:19:11,700 --> 01:19:16,900
the new town app is is branded of course as the town of paradise and is will be

870
01:19:16,900 --> 01:19:21,100
well it will be available for download from Apple and Google app stores the

871
01:19:21,100 --> 01:19:24,900
initial features available are the garbage and recycling calendar which

872
01:19:24,900 --> 01:19:28,780
allow residents to set reminders event listings and the news section new

873
01:19:28,780 --> 01:19:33,280
features including service requests will be available in 2025 the next

874
01:19:33,280 --> 01:19:36,220
This committee meeting is scheduled for January 4th, 2025,

875
01:19:37,280 --> 01:19:39,920
and your worship to motion reads be resolved.

876
01:19:40,400 --> 01:19:43,980
That, the town of Paradise, adopt the December 17, 2024 report

877
01:19:44,400 --> 01:19:46,280
from the Administration Equipment Services Committee,

878
01:19:46,520 --> 01:19:46,900
I so move.

879
01:19:47,080 --> 01:19:48,140
Okay, move by Councillor Bader,

880
01:19:48,300 --> 01:19:49,380
seconded by Councillor Quilty.

881
01:19:50,200 --> 01:19:51,760
Discussion, any items of discussion

882
01:19:51,760 --> 01:19:52,540
from the committee report?

883
01:19:53,140 --> 01:19:54,920
Seeing none, all in favor?

884
01:19:55,320 --> 01:19:55,620
Aye.

885
01:19:56,260 --> 01:19:56,880
Motion carried.

886
01:19:57,040 --> 01:19:58,080
Thank you, Councillor Bader's.

887
01:19:58,460 --> 01:20:00,700
Next we move to Recreation and Community Services

888
01:20:00,700 --> 01:20:03,080
this committee, Councilor Martin.

889
01:20:03,580 --> 01:20:04,520
Thank you, Warshow.

890
01:20:05,180 --> 01:20:06,840
The local food banks are in high demand,

891
01:20:06,960 --> 01:20:08,420
especially during the holiday season.

892
01:20:08,860 --> 01:20:11,180
Offering free sessions for food donations

893
01:20:11,180 --> 01:20:13,160
will give the food bank a boost

894
01:20:13,160 --> 01:20:14,760
and help restart for the new year.

895
01:20:15,520 --> 01:20:16,500
In the past two years,

896
01:20:16,840 --> 01:20:19,680
free sessions have been offered during the holiday season.

897
01:20:19,920 --> 01:20:21,480
These sessions are booked during available,

898
01:20:21,660 --> 01:20:23,460
these types slots that will have no impact

899
01:20:23,460 --> 01:20:24,420
on regular programming.

900
01:20:25,380 --> 01:20:27,800
These free sessions have been well attended

901
01:20:27,800 --> 01:20:29,960
and give participants the opportunity

902
01:20:29,960 --> 01:20:35,500
you enjoy a skating session while giving back to the community with their non-perishable food

903
01:20:35,500 --> 01:20:41,480
donation. Committee are recommending additional community skating sessions for the holiday

904
01:20:41,480 --> 01:20:45,280
seasons for participants to get out and be active at the Paradise Double Eyes complex.

905
01:20:46,260 --> 01:20:51,420
Committee recommends offering the three holiday skating sessions on Monday, December 30th,

906
01:20:51,500 --> 01:20:56,220
2024 with no cost for entry and users provide a non-perishable food donation

907
01:20:56,220 --> 01:21:03,580
for the local food banks as an admission to these sessions in place of the $3 per person

908
01:21:03,580 --> 01:21:04,300
skating fee.

909
01:21:05,140 --> 01:21:09,900
And like I said, there are no budget implications for these sessions that are added as additional

910
01:21:09,900 --> 01:21:11,260
ski lessons for the community.

911
01:21:13,150 --> 01:21:19,550
It resolved that the town of Paradise offer three holiday skates on Monday, December 30,

912
01:21:19,690 --> 01:21:25,510
2024, with no cost for injury, and users provided a non-Paris food donation for

913
01:21:25,510 --> 01:21:27,750
for the local food bank for admission, awesome move.

914
01:21:27,950 --> 01:21:31,970
Move by Councilor Martin, seconded by Councilor Maher.

915
01:21:33,900 --> 01:21:34,420
Discussion?

916
01:21:35,860 --> 01:21:36,620
Seeing none.

917
01:21:37,220 --> 01:21:37,920
All in favor?

918
01:21:38,220 --> 01:21:38,520
Aye.

919
01:21:39,100 --> 01:21:39,700
Motion carried.

920
01:21:40,120 --> 01:21:41,060
And your committee report.

921
01:21:45,400 --> 01:21:47,440
Recreation and Community Services met on Monday,

922
01:21:47,860 --> 01:21:50,060
December 9th, 2024, and the following audience

923
01:21:50,060 --> 01:21:50,460
were discussed.

924
01:21:51,540 --> 01:21:53,880
A correspondence with Scott Water Community Association

925
01:21:53,880 --> 01:21:55,740
with reference to a donation was discussed.

926
01:21:56,320 --> 01:21:58,360
The item was deferred pending more information

927
01:21:58,360 --> 01:22:03,420
from staff. Fees for the 2024 holidays gates was discussed and the recommendation from the

928
01:22:03,420 --> 01:22:10,560
community is to waive the fees for the additional skates. The Vending Services RFP DOP-2431 was

929
01:22:10,560 --> 01:22:15,780
discussed and an item was deferred pending more information from staff. The department

930
01:22:17,360 --> 01:22:21,260
information report provided on the following correspondence from Elizabeth Park Elementary

931
01:22:21,260 --> 01:22:26,820
School in reference to citizenship making a change in our community. Information in the

932
01:22:26,820 --> 01:22:29,620
the 2025 candy games torch relay was provided.

933
01:22:29,940 --> 01:22:32,440
And the 2024 December activity calendar

934
01:22:32,440 --> 01:22:34,040
was provided for the remainder of the year.

935
01:22:36,180 --> 01:22:40,880
They had resolved that council adopted December 17, 2024 report

936
01:22:40,880 --> 01:22:42,660
from the recreation and community services committee.

937
01:22:42,880 --> 01:22:43,300
I'll so move.

938
01:22:43,600 --> 01:22:46,320
Move by councilor Martin, seconded by councilor Quilty.

939
01:22:46,740 --> 01:22:48,880
You know, items of discussion from the committee report.

940
01:22:49,700 --> 01:22:50,500
Seeing none.

941
01:22:50,780 --> 01:22:51,160
All in favor?

942
01:22:51,680 --> 01:22:51,920
Aye.

943
01:22:52,460 --> 01:22:53,100
Motion to be carried.

944
01:22:53,520 --> 01:22:54,600
Thank you, councilor Martin.

945
01:22:55,380 --> 01:23:00,000
Next, we'll move to Planning and Protective Services Committee, Councilor Qualty.

946
01:23:00,260 --> 01:23:00,940
Thank you, Your Worship.

947
01:23:01,260 --> 01:23:06,560
First item on the agenda for planning is the application for an approval in principle to

948
01:23:06,560 --> 01:23:12,180
operate a volleyball club from the existing biddling located at 21 St. Ann's Crescent.

949
01:23:12,920 --> 01:23:17,780
The property is in the industrial general use zone where the proposed use is considered

950
01:23:17,780 --> 01:23:22,800
a discretionary use, and notice of discretionary use was advertised with a deadline of

951
01:23:22,800 --> 01:23:29,640
December 19, 2024, for responses. To date, no objections have been received. Planning

952
01:23:29,640 --> 01:23:33,860
and Protective Services Committee recommends approval of the application subject to no

953
01:23:33,860 --> 01:23:38,780
objections being received in response to the notice of discretionary use and the nine

954
01:23:38,780 --> 01:23:43,560
conditions that were attached. If objections are received, the application will be returned

955
01:23:43,560 --> 01:23:48,520
to Councils for further consideration. And the motion will read your Worship be resolved

956
01:23:48,520 --> 01:23:53,800
that council approved the application for a volleyball club at 21 St. Ann's Crescent subject to

957
01:23:53,800 --> 01:23:59,460
no objections being received in response to the notice of discretionary use and non-conditions.

958
01:24:00,300 --> 01:24:05,420
If objections are received, then the application will be returned to council for further consideration.

959
01:24:06,340 --> 01:24:11,620
Moved by Councillor Quilty, seconded by Councillor Martin. Discussion?

960
01:24:11,620 --> 01:24:11,760
Motion?

961
01:24:13,780 --> 01:24:15,080
Seeing none, all in favor?

962
01:24:15,380 --> 01:24:15,700
Aye.

963
01:24:16,080 --> 01:24:16,980
Motion carried.

964
01:24:18,620 --> 01:24:20,980
And you have the couple more.

965
01:24:21,120 --> 01:24:21,720
I got your committee.

966
01:24:21,920 --> 01:24:22,440
Yes.

967
01:24:22,760 --> 01:24:23,600
There's no orders tonight.

968
01:24:23,720 --> 01:24:24,740
Your worship and no memos.

969
01:24:24,840 --> 01:24:30,340
But I will carry on with the committee report for Planning and Protective Services.

970
01:24:32,760 --> 01:24:37,300
The Planning and Protective Services Committee met on December the 5th.

971
01:24:37,300 --> 01:24:39,880
Matters dealt with at the meeting included the following.

972
01:24:39,880 --> 01:24:46,200
an application for a volleyball training facility at 21 St. Anne's Crescent, discussion on the draft

973
01:24:46,200 --> 01:24:51,660
2025 town fees scheduled for fees related to the work of the Planning and Protective Services

974
01:24:51,660 --> 01:24:58,220
Department. The committee accepted the departmental report prepared by staff or committee matters

975
01:24:58,220 --> 01:25:04,200
dealt with in the report are as follows. Correspondence from the Minister of Municipal and

976
01:25:04,200 --> 01:25:09,420
financial affairs related to a conveyance of a parcel of land for two habitat for humanity.

977
01:25:10,140 --> 01:25:15,360
A listing of building permits issued between November the 16th and December the 4th.

978
01:25:15,360 --> 01:25:18,260
A listing of outstanding orders issued by the town.

979
01:25:18,900 --> 01:25:25,920
A staff report prepared for committee in response to questions and concerns raised by residents of the Yellowwood Drive area.

980
01:25:26,820 --> 01:25:29,620
And you worship the next meeting for planning and protective services.

981
01:25:29,800 --> 01:25:32,760
Committee is scheduled for December the 19th.

982
01:25:32,760 --> 01:25:37,240
And the motion will read be resolved that Council adopt the December the 17th,

983
01:25:37,320 --> 01:25:41,060
2024 report from the Planning and Protective Services Committee.

984
01:25:42,180 --> 01:25:46,960
OK, move by Councilor Quilty, seconded by Councilor Martin.

985
01:25:48,420 --> 01:25:49,740
You know, I didn't have a discussion.

986
01:25:51,080 --> 01:25:53,140
See, Councilor Dimir Street.

987
01:25:54,000 --> 01:25:54,480
Thank you, Worship.

988
01:25:55,840 --> 01:25:59,440
The report that we were given at committee for

989
01:25:59,440 --> 01:26:07,080
There was a report given to us at Planning and we're regarding the questions and concerns raised by residents in the Yellowwood area.

990
01:26:07,640 --> 01:26:13,740
I just want to say it was a really well-developed report done by the Planning Department.

991
01:26:13,980 --> 01:26:18,800
I just want to thank them for that and the committee is ready to look forward to sharing that information with those residents.

992
01:26:19,520 --> 01:26:22,740
I just want to say thanks to Planning for a really good report.

993
01:26:23,100 --> 01:26:24,480
Okay, thank you to Bumer Street.

994
01:26:25,500 --> 01:26:26,540
Any further comments?

995
01:26:27,720 --> 01:26:29,560
So you know, no unfair committee report.

996
01:26:30,240 --> 01:26:30,320
Aye.

997
01:26:30,540 --> 01:26:31,180
Motion carried.

998
01:26:31,760 --> 01:26:34,480
And next is Public Works Committee.

999
01:26:34,780 --> 01:26:36,700
Councillor Crue, you said the committee report, right?

1000
01:26:37,020 --> 01:26:37,680
Your worship, yep.

1001
01:26:37,860 --> 01:26:39,280
Just no memos tonight, Your Worship.

1002
01:26:39,460 --> 01:26:40,260
Just a committee report.

1003
01:26:40,660 --> 01:26:42,840
Public Works Committee did not meet in this cycle,

1004
01:26:43,100 --> 01:26:44,020
the Council cycle, Your Worship.

1005
01:26:44,700 --> 01:26:47,020
However, as we head in the winter, the department wishes

1006
01:26:47,020 --> 01:26:49,560
to highlight two important reminders for our residents.

1007
01:26:50,800 --> 01:26:51,960
One is Plow Tracker.

1008
01:26:52,240 --> 01:26:55,880
So Plow Tracker is currently being redesigned by our provider

1009
01:26:55,880 --> 01:26:59,140
and will be available on the Town of Paradise website in the new year.

1010
01:26:59,660 --> 01:27:03,640
It can be used to provide an approximate location of snow clearing equipment throughout the

1011
01:27:03,640 --> 01:27:03,840
town.

1012
01:27:04,720 --> 01:27:06,960
The page is refreshed approximately every 10 minutes.

1013
01:27:07,620 --> 01:27:13,880
The information can be found on the Town's website at www.paradise.ca forward slash

1014
01:27:13,880 --> 01:27:14,460
plow truck.

1015
01:27:15,560 --> 01:27:17,440
Second item of your worship, the Winter Parking Band.

1016
01:27:18,100 --> 01:27:21,000
Just a reminder that the Winter Parking Band is now in effect.

1017
01:27:21,000 --> 01:27:31,020
No vehicle is permitted to park on any street within the town of Paradise from December 1st to March 31st inclusive between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m.

1018
01:27:31,420 --> 01:27:35,300
or anytime during a snowfall and for 24 hours thereafter.

1019
01:27:36,080 --> 01:27:39,900
Full details can also be found on the town's website www.yourship.paradise.ca.

1020
01:27:41,600 --> 01:27:45,640
And your worship this week's green gold moment is reusable bags.

1021
01:27:46,280 --> 01:27:50,220
Single use plastic bags get disposed of and end up in landfills or oceans.

1022
01:27:50,220 --> 01:27:54,020
These can entangle marine life, lead to a slow, painful death.

1023
01:27:54,480 --> 01:27:58,240
Moreover, single-use plastic bags take 1,000 years to degrade.

1024
01:27:59,280 --> 01:28:02,280
Wherever you go, shopping, make sure you carry a reusable bag.

1025
01:28:02,840 --> 01:28:05,940
Reusable bags cut down on litter, protect marine life and wildlife,

1026
01:28:06,660 --> 01:28:09,620
and decrease pollution and your plastic carbon footprint.

1027
01:28:10,680 --> 01:28:15,220
Your worship be resolved that the council will adopt the December 17, 2024 report

1028
01:28:15,220 --> 01:28:16,900
from the Public Works Committee. I so move.

1029
01:28:16,900 --> 01:28:20,100
Moved by Councilor Crew, seconded by Councilor Bader's.

1030
01:28:21,300 --> 01:28:27,400
Very good to look forward to, and keep in mind

1031
01:28:27,400 --> 01:28:30,280
as we go forward, and if there's any comments,

1032
01:28:30,400 --> 01:28:32,660
any further comments on those, go ahead Councilor Crew.

1033
01:28:32,720 --> 01:28:33,980
Yeah, just to follow up for it,

1034
01:28:33,980 --> 01:28:36,260
we do have a public works meeting scheduled

1035
01:28:36,260 --> 01:28:39,160
for tomorrow, so we'll meet that tomorrow.

1036
01:28:39,540 --> 01:28:42,000
Okay, good, no further comments, all in favor?

1037
01:28:42,520 --> 01:28:42,800
Aye.

1038
01:28:43,060 --> 01:28:43,980
Motion carried.

1039
01:28:44,800 --> 01:28:46,680
Next, new one on finished business.

1040
01:28:46,680 --> 01:28:48,800
I'll go start on this side.

1041
01:28:48,900 --> 01:28:49,940
Night Councilor Marley.

1042
01:28:50,380 --> 01:28:51,200
Thank you, Your Worship.

1043
01:28:51,800 --> 01:28:53,820
As I approach eight months of representing

1044
01:28:53,820 --> 01:28:56,020
the residents of Paradise, I'm delighted to say

1045
01:28:56,020 --> 01:28:57,860
I'm enjoying my time on council

1046
01:28:57,860 --> 01:28:59,280
more than I ever thought possible.

1047
01:29:00,220 --> 01:29:03,040
I extend my gratitude to everyone here this evening

1048
01:29:04,040 --> 01:29:05,620
for welcoming me to council

1049
01:29:05,620 --> 01:29:07,160
and guiding me throughout my journey.

1050
01:29:07,300 --> 01:29:08,640
A special thank you to the residents

1051
01:29:08,640 --> 01:29:10,020
who have placed their trust in me.

1052
01:29:11,360 --> 01:29:13,760
I'd like to wish you all a joyous holiday season

1053
01:29:13,760 --> 01:29:15,340
and a happy, prosperous New Year.

1054
01:29:15,340 --> 01:29:18,900
May 2025 be a wonderful year for our community. Thank you.

1055
01:29:19,040 --> 01:29:21,460
Good one. I knew I started over here for a reason.

1056
01:29:22,220 --> 01:29:23,200
Good job, Councillor.

1057
01:29:23,360 --> 01:29:24,320
Thank you very much.

1058
01:29:25,460 --> 01:29:26,240
Councillor Kru.

1059
01:29:26,520 --> 01:29:30,800
Thank you, Your Worship. I only just want to sound a similar message here, of course.

1060
01:29:30,920 --> 01:29:34,960
I'd like to wish all the staff, directors, all the town staff, of course, our colleagues

1061
01:29:34,960 --> 01:29:38,440
around the table, yourself, Your Worship, Merry Christmas.

1062
01:29:38,740 --> 01:29:40,980
Happy New Year. Hope the best of the season to everybody.

1063
01:29:40,980 --> 01:29:45,200
I hope the kitties have a beautiful Christmas morning and that's about all I have to say.

1064
01:29:45,540 --> 01:29:46,240
Good job.

1065
01:29:46,840 --> 01:29:47,160
Thank you.

1066
01:29:47,380 --> 01:29:47,840
Councilor Gruz.

1067
01:29:48,000 --> 01:29:48,540
Councilor Grunty.

1068
01:29:48,840 --> 01:29:49,140
Thank you.

1069
01:29:49,560 --> 01:29:54,320
I'm not going to reiterate the comments that Councilor Meramey, but I certainly, I would

1070
01:29:54,320 --> 01:29:59,800
like to extend best wishes to all the staff, directors, all our council members, yourself.

1071
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:04,860
Thank you, Worship, and Valerie as well, hoping that everybody will have a very prosperous

1072
01:30:04,860 --> 01:30:10,700
and healthy new year. And thank you for everything that was done over the year here in the town

1073
01:30:10,700 --> 01:30:14,580
of Parity, and the health and the guidance of the directors and all the staff on board

1074
01:30:14,580 --> 01:30:18,020
and to our CAO. Thank you very much.

1075
01:30:18,380 --> 01:30:19,640
Okay, thank you, Councillor Clouty.

1076
01:30:19,700 --> 01:30:20,060
You're welcome.

1077
01:30:20,660 --> 01:30:21,380
Councillor Martin.

1078
01:30:21,860 --> 01:30:27,220
Thank you, Worship. I'm going to read a little something I wrote off. Back in October

1079
01:30:27,220 --> 01:30:32,020
November, the Board of Visitors Employment which I sit on had a privilege to vote on a

1080
01:30:32,020 --> 01:30:36,380
new award that will be a yearly award that will recognize one of the job coaches staff.

1081
01:30:36,920 --> 01:30:41,680
Job coaches are employees of visions who work with clients at their clients place of employment

1082
01:30:41,680 --> 01:30:46,400
to provide job support to clients ensuring the duties and responsibilities of the jobs

1083
01:30:46,400 --> 01:30:52,160
are completed. I'm happy to say that the award will be the Vincent J.P. Burton

1084
01:30:52,160 --> 01:30:58,640
job coach recognition award. Vince was an advocate for workers and their rights and this yearly award

1085
01:30:58,640 --> 01:31:05,320
will be fitting to honor his name. I think you would have been there at the supper or I was

1086
01:31:05,320 --> 01:31:10,980
invited but I couldn't make it but Vince's wife Pat was there to present the award and as far as

1087
01:31:10,980 --> 01:31:17,080
I know she's going to be there to present the award yearly in honor of her husband. The

1088
01:31:17,080 --> 01:31:21,160
recipient of the award actually someone it just so happens someone that Pat actually knew

1089
01:31:21,160 --> 01:31:26,100
personally. So it was kind of fitting. I thought I should read that out tonight because I think

1090
01:31:26,100 --> 01:31:30,900
it's very important that we recognize people that were so important to the residents of Paradise.

1091
01:31:31,480 --> 01:31:34,780
Okay. Thank you, Councilor Martin. Well, I guess I'll wish everybody

1092
01:31:35,980 --> 01:31:40,060
happy Christmas and a merry new year. Merry Christmas and a happy new year as well.

1093
01:31:40,500 --> 01:31:46,460
It works both ways. It works both ways. It's been a it's been a challenging year. We've had a

1094
01:31:46,460 --> 01:31:50,440
lot of struggle throughout the year, but it all worked out good. We had a great budget

1095
01:31:50,440 --> 01:31:56,280
tonight. And I'll leave it at the saying that I usually say every year, don't drink and drive.

1096
01:31:56,740 --> 01:32:00,060
Okay. Thank you, Councillor Martin. Councillor Bader's.

1097
01:32:00,700 --> 01:32:06,320
Thank you, Your Worship. Two weeks ago I was in Ottawa for our last, our latest, I should say,

1098
01:32:06,540 --> 01:32:10,860
FCM meeting. So I had the opportunity and this was, this was the meeting where we actually

1099
01:32:10,860 --> 01:32:15,740
go on the hill and advocate for municipalities across the country. And of course the big,

1100
01:32:15,740 --> 01:32:21,640
The big advocacy piece right now is the municipal growth framework whereby we're trying to find

1101
01:32:21,640 --> 01:32:29,040
alternate ways so that municipalities can have access to different types of funding opportunities

1102
01:32:29,040 --> 01:32:31,360
and different types of revenue streams.

1103
01:32:31,900 --> 01:32:37,020
As I alluded to in my note after the budget speech, we're essentially working on a 19th

1104
01:32:37,020 --> 01:32:41,980
century financial platform for current realities and it's just not working.

1105
01:32:42,600 --> 01:32:49,880
Your worship, I did have the opportunity to meet, you know, MPs from the province, three

1106
01:32:49,880 --> 01:32:55,680
in particular from here, one from Nova Scotia, a couple from Ontario, including the Government

1107
01:32:55,680 --> 01:33:01,260
House Leader, as well as two senators from Newfoundland.

1108
01:33:01,640 --> 01:33:07,260
So it was great to be able to, you know, voice our concerns, you know, spread our

1109
01:33:07,260 --> 01:33:12,080
message of what it is we're trying to achieve, but also highlight what's happening right

1110
01:33:12,080 --> 01:33:15,940
here in the town of Paradise with parliamentarians across the country.

1111
01:33:18,120 --> 01:33:27,280
Secondly, Your Worship, I also want to thank every person who was involved in the preparation

1112
01:33:27,280 --> 01:33:28,700
of the budget.

1113
01:33:29,020 --> 01:33:35,680
I wanted to note this earlier, but it escaped me, my apologies, including Director Smith

1114
01:33:35,680 --> 01:33:40,720
with and all of her staff, as well as all of the directorates that we have here in the town.

1115
01:33:40,840 --> 01:33:46,160
This is not just a budget, or budgets in general are not put together by one director, necessarily.

1116
01:33:46,340 --> 01:33:47,960
It's a combination of everybody involved.

1117
01:33:48,420 --> 01:33:53,540
So from the leadership of the CAO down to everybody in the organization,

1118
01:33:53,540 --> 01:33:57,660
including my colleagues around the table, thanks for all your support and

1119
01:33:57,660 --> 01:34:01,980
thanks for everything you contributed to making the budget as it is.

1120
01:34:01,980 --> 01:34:16,860
And with that, Your Worship, I'll wish everyone around the table, including all town staff and residents a very happy and prosperous, you know, a new year and a joyous, merry Christmas, joyous fit, buonane.

1121
01:34:17,500 --> 01:34:19,120
Okay, thank you, Councilor Ayrs.

1122
01:34:19,780 --> 01:34:20,520
Good evening, Mr. Street.

1123
01:34:20,940 --> 01:34:21,500
Thank you, Your Worship.

1124
01:34:21,960 --> 01:34:24,740
I just noticed I forgot something to mention in the Wreck Report.

1125
01:34:25,240 --> 01:34:26,800
So I'll mention it here if that's okay.

1126
01:34:27,100 --> 01:34:27,360
Okay.

1127
01:34:27,360 --> 01:34:35,280
In the REC report we received info that the 2025 Canada Games torch fair nominations is open until February 28th, 2025.

1128
01:34:36,100 --> 01:34:39,880
The info is on the website, 2025canadagames.ca.

1129
01:34:40,320 --> 01:34:45,320
We've got a lot of great athletes in our town and I'm sure they ought to be honored to participate in this.

1130
01:34:46,120 --> 01:34:47,400
Thanks for that.

1131
01:34:49,380 --> 01:34:52,060
You worked about Brock Greetings at the staff Christmas dinner.

1132
01:34:53,700 --> 01:34:57,740
last week or I can't remember when it was, to be honest, but this was a really great

1133
01:34:57,740 --> 01:34:57,980
time.

1134
01:34:59,140 --> 01:35:05,060
It was a great night, great meal as always, and I just want to thank the staff for the

1135
01:35:05,060 --> 01:35:09,260
invite and wish them all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

1136
01:35:09,780 --> 01:35:12,280
I also attended the employee recognition lunch.

1137
01:35:12,400 --> 01:35:14,500
That was really a beautiful event.

1138
01:35:15,360 --> 01:35:19,440
Congratulations to those who received the lien certificates and service awards.

1139
01:35:19,440 --> 01:35:22,020
I would also like to thank those who have retired.

1140
01:35:22,420 --> 01:35:24,580
Thank you for all you've done for our beautiful town

1141
01:35:24,580 --> 01:35:26,500
and congratulations on your retirement.

1142
01:35:27,400 --> 01:35:30,820
This past Saturday, myself and yourself

1143
01:35:30,820 --> 01:35:34,120
and Councilor Marr and Councilor Crue,

1144
01:35:34,260 --> 01:35:35,320
we attended the,

1145
01:35:37,500 --> 01:35:39,780
no, you weren't there, so.

1146
01:35:39,800 --> 01:35:40,260
I was working.

1147
01:35:40,540 --> 01:35:40,960
You were working.

1148
01:35:41,360 --> 01:35:41,580
You were there.

1149
01:35:42,080 --> 01:35:42,520
Congratulations.

1150
01:35:43,140 --> 01:35:43,280
I'm sorry.

1151
01:35:44,460 --> 01:35:45,200
I wanted to be there.

1152
01:35:45,300 --> 01:35:45,720
Oh good.

1153
01:35:45,760 --> 01:35:46,120
Yes, you did.

1154
01:35:46,380 --> 01:35:46,700
Yes, sir.

1155
01:35:46,700 --> 01:35:58,960
So we attended the 50 plus Christmas social the adventure 50 plus Christmas social it was another wonderful evening of course and I want to thank the executive for all they do throughout the year bringing their members together.

1156
01:35:59,220 --> 01:36:06,780
And lastly I just like to wish everybody around the table and all of our residents a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

1157
01:36:06,780 --> 01:36:08,580
Okay, thank you, Deputy Mayor.

1158
01:36:10,260 --> 01:36:16,660
Okay, so I just want to bring everybody up on the new schedule and the new meeting schedule for the new year.

1159
01:36:16,940 --> 01:36:22,780
And as we alluded to earlier, we are moving into the new legislation where we move into Committee of the Whole.

1160
01:36:22,960 --> 01:36:27,860
So committee meetings will continue this week, but beginning January 7th,

1161
01:36:27,880 --> 01:36:35,640
we will have the public council meeting, and then on January 14th, the first Committee of the Whole public meeting.

1162
01:36:35,640 --> 01:36:40,900
so that's in the new year and as everybody else I would like to thank

1163
01:36:40,900 --> 01:36:48,020
everybody all staff for another great year working together with Council and

1164
01:36:48,020 --> 01:36:57,800
wish everybody a joyous happy new year and a joyous Christmas and be safe and

1165
01:36:57,800 --> 01:37:01,500
take care and Merry Christmas to everybody out there as well and I'll

1166
01:37:01,500 --> 01:37:03,780
for meeting at the motion to adjourn.

1167
01:37:03,780 --> 01:37:06,580
Moved by Councilor Bader, second by Councilor Gruffley.

1168
01:37:06,760 --> 01:37:07,580
Have a great evening, everyone.

1169
01:37:07,860 --> 01:37:08,180
Take care.