TransCanada Power Plant

The Mayor provided a brief update on the Trans Canada Power Plant issue.

He noted that the Ontario Government has appointed a one-man task force to identify where emissions could be cut within the Clarkson/Oakville Air shed. Dr. David Basille has a June deadline to make his recommendations.

The staff liaison person from the MOE is James O'Mara.

The Town and the community association, C4CA, are pressing for an Independent Environmental Assessment (an "IEA") rather than TCE's 'environmental review'.

The Mayor was asked if he would consider pursuing the Ford Motor Company to create a Community Liaison Committee to dialogue with neighbouring resident associations on community issues as do some major industries in the area.

Hospital Funding Request

The balance of the meeting largely focused on the issues facing the Town on the development of a new hospital for Oakville.

The Mayor noted that as part of the negotiations, the Town has asked the Oakville Hospital to donate the old hospital lands to the Town for its financial support once the new hospital has been built. At this time there is a marked difference in the different assessments on the value of the land. The Town’s objective is to ensure that the lands DO NOT go directly to developers as this put limitations on the Town’s ability to control the usage of the property or kind of development. The Mayor wants the community to be involved in deciding how the land is to be used.

The Mayor explained that the OTMH has requested that the Town’s financial commitment to the NEW hospital costs be $200 million. The old hospital has 337 beds and the new will have 457. Depending on the interest rate assumed, that could translate into $12-15 million a year from the Town budget. The approximate cost to Oakville taxpayers would be from about $50 to $150 per year per home for 30 years. The public consultation in January and February that Council will conduct will be crucial to helping Council how to proceed. Because of this long-term and financial impact on the taxpayers in the community the Town needs to assess and consider the impact carefully.

The Mayor added that town’s contribution (if it committed to the request) would start in 2015. This level of financial commitment would affect the Town’s ability to deal with other needs during the next 30 years, he said.

All representatives had serious concerns regarding of the need for accountability and disclosure of how the funds will be spent by the Hospital and supported the Town in insisting on this from the Hospital. It was shared but not verified that another community of similar size to Oakville had only a $50 million request to build a new hospital in the community.

Private Tree Protection By-law

The Tree By-law enforcement was raised. Trees were reportedly cut down in violation of the bylaw and concern was raised at the lack of enforcement by the town. Discussion occurred regarding how the Town should hold the Tree companies accountable as well as the residents.

Methadone Clinic

A Methadone clinic is actively looking at a location at Sheppard and Kerr Streets on which land has a medical facility designation. This remains a serious concern for the Kerr West community.

Water Street Application

Lakeside Residents Association also raised concerns regarding receiving late notice of the Staff’s recommendation for downtown development. The Mayor promised to pursue a postponement and rescheduling of the meeting to permit the Resident’s association time to prepare a response.