General Committee

WHEREAS : the Huntsville Fire Department periodically receives donations from the community throughout the year to assist with enhancing the department’s equipment; AND WHEREAS : in 2026, a member of the public would like to donate to the Town, a piece of equipment to improve the level of response to their community, and to assist with the safety of their members; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT : Committee accept the donation for the following equipment to be added to the capital inventory with no provision for future replacement:  One (1) Fire Fighting Skid Unit (portable pump, hose reel, and water holding tank) – at an approximate value of $10,000.

WHEREAS: The Muskoka Lakes Fire Department uses the Huntsville Training Grounds for training department members; AND WHEREAS: The Muskoka Lakes Fire Department wishes to donate a Forcible Entry Training Prop to the Huntsville Training Grounds for continued use by Huntsville Fire Department members as well as other training partners; AND WHEREAS: The Muskoka Lakes Fire Department has certified 2 Huntsville Firefighters in-kind and has scheduled to certify 6 more firefighters in 2026; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT : the fee for the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department for the use of the Huntsville Training Grounds be waived for 2026 and 2027; AND FURTHER THAT: Committee accepts the donation for the following equipment to be added to the capital inventory from the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department: Forcible Entry Prop to the Huntsville Training Grounds at a value of $8,000.00; AND FUTHER THAT : An annual replacement cost of $800 be added to the draft 2027 Mayor's Budget to increase capital contributions for fire capital, and additional $500 be included to the draft Mayor's 2027 budget for additional operating expenses relating to the forcible Entry prop.

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: the words "short-term service" in the third paragraph be struck out and replaced with "5-year" AND FURTHER THAT: the word "begin" in the fourth paragraph be struck out and replaced with "investigate"

WHEREAS: the Fire Department aerial apparatus is due for replacement, in accordance with Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) requirements, by 2027 and the build-time for an aerial apparatus can take up to 48 months; AND WHEREAS: the aerial apparatus is included in the Town's Capital Asset Inventory in fair condition, and the replacement of the apparatus was included in the 2025 five-year capital forecast for replacement in 2027; AND WHEREAS: Fire Department staff will be applying to the Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) to request a 5-year life extension to allow for the build-time without advancing the replacement date of the apparatus; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: Staff be authorized to investigate the replacement process in 2026 including the development of preliminary cost estimates; AND FURTHER THAT: Staff report back to Committee on the findings, including refined cost estimates and funding options, to inform the preparation of the Draft 2027 Capital Budget.

WHEREAS : on March 25, 2026, Committee received a deputation from Y Drive requesting changes to the vehicle for hire by-law regarding the fee structure for ride shares; AND WHEREAS : staff were directed to review the Vehicle for Hire By-law and engage a solicitor to review any proposed changes; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT : the amendments to the Vehicle for Hire By-law 2025-17, attached as Schedule "A" to report DEV-2026-47, be approved ; AND FURTHER THAT : the amendments to the Fees and Charges By-law, for the year 2027, attached as Schedule "B" to report DEV-2026-47 , be approved; AND FURTHER THAT: the final by-law amendments be forwarded to Council for consideration.

FitzGerald IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: Committee approve the 2026 budget deviations as outlined in Appendix B to CORP-2026-36

FitzGerald WHEREAS: on May 27, 2026, Committee received a deputation from Dan Watson from Huntsville Festival of the Arts requesting an exemption from the Exotic Pet By-law to host a theatrical magic dog show at the Algonquin Theatre in July 2026; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: Committee approve the exemption to the Exotic Pet By-law 2019-135 and permit the Dogs Do Magic show to occur at the Algonquin Theater on July 4, 2026.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT: We do now adjourn at 11:25 a.m.