Speech to the Rotary Club
Councillor John Brassard
April 6, 2010
Budget Summary
- Barrie’s 2010 Business Plan, which received Council approval in January, is about “Doing What Matters Most”. Here is an overview of what is already occurring in 2010.
- It was vital to our residents, as evidenced through our Citizen survey that Council maintain services and I’m pleased to say that we accomplished that.
- Directly supporting Council’s Strategic Priority of renewing City infrastructure, the budget includes an aggressive capital plan worth $165 Million, which includes the completion of key infrastructure projects such as the Surface Water Treatment Plant and the Water Pollution Control Centre.
- Since 2007 this City Council has invested approximately $400 Million in key infrastructure projects, which have created job opportunities and directly supported industry right here in Barrie.
- Investing in the health of our Community were are also key focuses within the 2010 Plan. Royal Victoria Hospital will receive $10 Million of the $52.5 Million commitment to the expansion and regional cancer care centre, while Georgian College is receiving $500 thousand from the $5 Million pledge for its new health and wellness centre.
- Ensuring continued public safety, 10 more police officers and 2 civilians have been added to the 228 sworn officers and 96 civilians on the City’s force.
- Guided by Council’s Strategic Priority to position Barrie at the Forefront of Environmental issues, policy changes regarding the Sandy Hollow Landfill has been adjusted to further support waste diversion efforts including a waste management strategy. This new criteria supports recycling programs, extends the life of the landfill and demonstrates effective stewardship.
- There’s been a lot of media attention lately regarding the surplus of 6.8 million dollars from the 2009 budget. I’m pleased to say that It looks like Council will be able to use a portion of the surplus, mostly from winter control and an unexpected dividend from Barrie Hydro to reduce this year’s tax increase. The remaining surplus comes as a result of the deferring the issuance of debt and additional tax revenues. With the exception of winter control savings and the hydro dividend, the remainder of the savings will be needed for already committed infrastructure projects ot to stabilize the tax rate in future years, in other words help us limit tax increases going forward. It’s a fiscally responsible approach to ensuring that we meet our obligations going forward to both our infrastructure requirements and the needs of taxpayers to not raise taxes in the future beyond what is affordable.
Boundary Expansion Bill 196
- As you know, on January 1, 2010 Bill 196 the Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act came into effect, extending the southern boundary of the city by approximately 5,700 acres. This decision supports Barrie’s plan for a stronger economy, slower population growth and protection of the environment and allows us to plan for the future of our City with greater certainty.
- As the only designated Urban Growth Centre in Central Ontario, Barrie is committed to implementing the Provincial Growth Plan and ensuring our growth is sustainable and that Barrie continues to grow slower and smarter as we move towards building a complete community. Council is committed to ensuring that vital infrastructure is in place going forward pre-development in order to avoid having to build infrastructure after developments are complete. There are numerous examples around the City where this has occurred.
- The boundary issue was a very significant issue that this Council with the help of Miss Carroll resolved after years of uncertainty.
Your City, Your Future – Plan it Barrie
- Moving forward, planning for the future growth of our City will be one of the greatest challenges facing us in the coming years. To start the planning process off on the right foot and ensure residents are included from the very beginning, the City of Barrie has implemented the Your City – Your Say, Plan it Barrie initiative. This initiative is an integrated approach to planning for the long-term sustainable growth of the City. Through proactive communication methods including open houses and our online survey, residents have the opportunity to provide feedback and ideas that will be incorporated into the long-term planning process for our city.
- It is expected that we will undergo significant planning, engineering and environmental studies over the next 2 years in order to properly plan for the additional lands in south Barrie.
Attract, Retain and Expand Business for Barrie- Economic Development Strategy
- Like our Federal and Provincial partners, the City is committed to creating jobs right here in Barrie.
- In December, 2009, Council approved a Five Year Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan that will lead the City of Barrie into the future. Since the approval of the Strategy, the City has been working hard to put it into action supporting Council’s Strategic Priorities to attract, retain and expand business for Barrie and revitalize our City Centre.
- It is clear from recent reports that there has never been a better time to invest in our city. In October 2009 Barrie was ranked as one of the top 3 cities in Ontario in which to invest by the Real Estate Investment Network. A study published by BMO Capital Markets in the same month (Oct 2009) identified Barrie as one of the top 10 metropolitan areas in Canada for small business growth and the city received an A+ for Economic Development Effectiveness from MacLean’s Magazine in July 2009.
- Business retention and expansion efforts continue through connecting with the City’s top employers to facilitate and foster their growth and development resulting in greater employment opportunities for Barrie. The City continues to work with Georgian College to connect businesses with the college’s resources for co-op education, research and product development opportunities that will strengthen the depth of company and labour expertise and foster entrepreneurship and innovation within Barrie.
- RVH expansion and Georgian College’s new Health Sciences continues to lead the way in attracting new jobs to our city.
City Centre Revitalization
- Barrie’s City Centre is on the cusp of transformation and primed for investment. The transition is already underway with the addition of new waterfront condos, beautification plans for the waterfront parklands and the restoration of the historic Allandale Train Station, which includes a second GO Train Station.
- Next steps are to engage local businesses and land owners in the downtown to spur redevelopment through initiatives like the Community Improvement Plan incentive programs.
- I’d like to take this opportunity to update you on some of the projects that are underway in Barrie’s City Centre core.
Allandale
- Redevelopment plans at Allandale station are well underway. Following the completion of the asbestos removal and the conclusion of the structural inspection, restoration works continue from the inside out. Negotiations continue to move forward with the Correct Group of Companies (CGC) for the retail and office component of the project which is expected to create 500 local construction jobs and represent a $50 million investment in our City.
- Thanks to the $3-million investment from the Federal and Provincial Governments, Barrie residents will soon be able to enjoy the services of a second GO Transit stop at Allandale station. Design start up for the station began mid January. GO anticipates construction to begin in September 2010, with train service being fully operational by Spring 2011.
- City Council has approved a motion that will ensure the historic Allandale Train Station Buildings maintain their public ownership and a no development zone has been established directly in front of the buildings to preserve the panoramic view of the lakeshore.
- When construction is complete, Allandale Station will again become the iconic symbol on Barrie’s Waterfront that it once was in the early 1900s.
Barrie Waterfront Convention Centre
- The Barrie Waterfront Convention Centre is one of the most intriguing opportunities in the GTA. Located in downtown Barrie adjacent to Memorial Park with uninterrupted exposure to the waterfront, the site will be a catalyst for further urban and commercial expansion in one of the fastest growing cities in Canada.
- The vision for the project includes the creation of a world class hotel, a state-of-the-art meeting and convention centre, a modern retail and commercial space and 90 municipal parking spaces.
- A number of steps have been completed to prepare the site for development including the re-routing of roads and services, remediation studies, and the analysis of traffic and land assembly requirements to make this an even more attractive opportunity to potential suitors.
Historic Neighbourhood Strategy
- Work continues on the development of the Historic Neighbourhood Strategy, a grassroots community planning initiative unlike any other undertaken by the City of Barrie. Through neighbourhood workshops and an online survey, residents will play a critical role in developing a strategy for the future of Barrie’s historic neighbourhoods. When the strategy is complete it will include a prioritized list of actions that residents deem important to the livability and sustainability of Barrie’s historical City Centre, which has been identified in the Province’s Places to Grow Plan as an area for residential and employment intensification.
New Fire Station Headquarters
- Thanks to Infrastructure Stimulus Funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments, and with the one third contribution by the City of Barrie, we will soon have a new home for our Fire Station Headquarters. The new facility not only addresses the City’s current needs, which include the impact from future growth of the Barrie Fire and Emergency Services, but the future growth needs for communications, fire prevention, training, and suppression. The project will be substantially completed by March of 2011.
Downtown Community Theatre
- Barrie’s Downtown Theatre continues to attract and foster culture in the city, directly supporting Council’s Strategic Priority to encourage culture as an economic driver. Plans for a new theatre were recently approved by Council thanks to funds allocated from the City’s 2010 Business Plan and the $2.5 Million investment from the Federal government. This investment will generate 4 million dollars a year to our gross domestic product and will help foster and grow talent right here in Barrie.
Satellite Public Library
- The City of Barrie will soon be home to a new satellite Public Library. In the Yonge Street and Big Bay Point Road area. The new branch will feature an open concept area with spaces for computers, quiet study areas and a multi-purpose community room and will help serve the needs of Barrie’s growing population while providing the same level of service enjoyed at the downtown branch. The south end Library location is anticipated to open its doors in the Summer of 2011.
Communications
- In support of Council’s Strategic Priority to enhance communication with the public and increase citizen engagement, The City of Barrie has introduced a number of new communications tools. City staff are working hard to develop a new and improved City website that will be launched in the Summer of 2010 and residents can follow the City of Barrie on Facebook or sign up for the Stay Connected e-newsletter to keep up-to-date on City news and initiatives.
- The City is also initiating a pro-active media buy to enhance communication with the public through consistent radio and television ads. The City continues to proactively use methods including ongoing media relations, bus shelter ads, online advertising and full-page advertorials in both local newspapers to communicate with Barrie residents.
Conclusion
- As you can see, this is an exciting time for the City of Barrie. There are numerous initiatives underway that will ensure Central Ontario’s Premiere Waterfront Community continues to serve the needs of our growing population and business community and further support Barrie as a great place to live, work and play.