Special Council and Council Highlights: April 8, 2026

Council Highlights provide a brief overview of noteworthy decisions and presentations made at Town of Penetanguishene Council meetings. Upcoming meetings including agendas and minutes from the meetings are available on our website. This meeting is available for viewing on our YouTube Channel. 

Special Council:

In-Camera Session: Council held a closed (in‑camera) session in accordance with the Town’s Procedural By-law to discuss confidential human resources matters.

• Council reviewed a memo from the Director of Human Resources regarding the Town’s Succession Plan / Talent Pool Program and a Multi-Year Staffing Plan, focused on long-term organizational capacity and workforce planning.
• Council received an update from the CAO Ad-Hoc Committee related to the annual performance evaluation of the Chief Administrative Officer, as part of Council’s governance and oversight responsibilities.

Council

• Council had five residents participate in the Open Forum, where they were provided two minutes to speak about any municipal matter, in accordance with the Town’s Procedural By-law.
• Mayor Rawson proclaimed May 2026 as Community Living Month in the Town of Penetanguishene.
• Council held a Public Meeting regarding an Official Plan Amendment related to the Town Dock Secondary Plan and Master Plan. Two members of the public provided comments in person.
• Council held a Public Meeting related to proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 25 Jeffery Street and 19 Harriet Street. There were 12 members of the public who provided comments in person, while additional written submissions were received.
• Council held a public meeting related to the removal of the Holding Provision for 79 Wozniak Road. There were no members of the public who provided comments.
• Council received a presentation from the Chief Administrative Officer, outlining workforce planning initiatives to support leadership development and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Council received a presentation from the Chief Administrative Officer, on Innovating Together: Penetanguishene's Path to Continuous Improvement Strategy, a new strategy focused on continuous improvement across municipal operations.
• Council adopted minutes from the Council and Special Council meetings held on March 11, 2026.
• Council directed staff to report back on comments received on the Official Plan Amendment regarding the Town Dock Secondary Plan and Master Plan.
• Council directed staff to report back on comments received on the 25 Jeffery Street and 19 Harriet Street Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications.
• Council approved the Zoning By-law Amendment application to remove the Holding Provision for 79 Wozniak Road as outlined in the report.
• Council approved the Continuous Improvement Strategy, including its guiding principles and initiatives.
• Council approved a shared staffing agreement with Landmark Cruises Inc. The CAO and Director of Recreation and Community Services were authorized to finalize the agreement and bring forward the necessary by-law.
• Council approved participation in the County of Simcoe–led Joint Compliance Audit Committee.
• Council approved the continued public transportation services for 2025–2026 through the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to enter into a funding agreement with the Province of Ontario.
• Council received the Succession / Talent Pool Program and Multi‑Year Staffing Plan and supported continued implementation as part of the Town’s long-term workforce planning.
• Council passed 4 by-laws, including:
  • 2026-16 Lift Holding Provision 79 Wozniak Road
  • 2026-17 Landmark Cruises Shared Staffing Agreement
  • 2026-18 Appoint Municipal Law Enforcement Summer Student
  • 2026-19 Agreement for Transit Gas Tax Funds

Committee of the Whole

As the Council meeting extended beyond 10:30 p.m., Council determined that it would be best to postpone the Committee of the Whole portion of the agenda to ensure adequate time for deliberation. A Special Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., during which the outstanding Committee of the Whole agenda items will be addressed and ratified at the same meeting.