Gravenhurst Council Highlights - Dec. 16, 2025
Gravenhurst cottage owner requests deposit refund
Gravenhurst cottage owner Marvin Goldstein appeared before council and requested a refund of his $2,000 deposit for a building permit.
The permit was obtained in 2021.
The final inspection for the project occurred after the three-year cutoff due to circumstances that Goldstein said were related to the pandemic and last winter’s significant snowfall.
Mayor Lorenz thanked Goldstein for his deputation.
She said if a council member wished to bring forward a motion for council’s consideration to support the request for a refund, they could do so at a future meeting.
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Update
Representatives from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) provided council with an update on the organization’s activities.
Speaking on behalf of MAHC was board chair David Uffleman and chief executive officer Chery Harrison.
Mayor Lorenz thanked the two representatives for their presentation and commended MAHC for the important services it provides the community.
Chainsaw enthusiast wants to create event in Gravenhurst
John Kerr of G&J Holdings appeared before council.
He owns North Side Johnny’s, which creates and sells chainsaw carvings, furniture, and also presents chainsaw carving events.
Now at its new home in Kilworthy, at 1420 Highway 11 North, Kerr said the purpose of his delegation was to introduce himself and to express an interest in hosting a chainsaw carving event in the community next year.
Mayor Lorenz thanked him for his delegation and welcomed an additional event to the community.
She asked that Kerr and town staff connect to further discuss potential chainsaw carving events.
Council approves accessibility policies
Council received for information the Revised Accessibility Policies Report.
The report's purpose was to present to council the revised Accessible Customer Service Policy and Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy for review and consideration.
In turn, council approved the policies.
The purpose of the Accessible Customer Service Policy is to meet the requirements of provincial legislation to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with equal opportunities when accessing municipal services.
The purpose of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy is to develop, implement and maintain policies which govern how the municipality will achieve accessibility measures as required through provincial legislation.
2025 Annual Accessibility Status Report
Council received the 2025 Annual Accessibility Status Report for information.
The report provides an update on the progress made implementing the town’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.
Council receives Interim Levy and Temporary Borrowing Bylaw Report, approves related bylaws
Council received for information the 2026 Interim Levy and Temporary Borrowing Bylaw Report.
They later approved the 2026 Interim Levy Bylaw and the 2026 Temporary Borrowing Bylaw.
The report's purpose was to give council an understanding of the need for an interim levy bylaw and a temporary borrowing bylaw.
An interim levy bylaw is the authorization for the issuance of a tax billing prior to the adoption of the final levy bylaw for any given year.
The bylaw provides for an interim amount to be levied on each rateable property at approximately 50 per cent of the budgeted 2025 amounts required from taxation for municipal and school board purposes.
The bylaw also allows the town to levy, collect, and then remit interim taxes to the District of Muskoka and school boards.
The 2026 Temporary Borrowing Bylaw provides for the ability to borrow up to $3.2-million from the Bank of Nova Scotia for operational purposes in fiscal year 2026.
This can help address short-term cash-flow needs that might arise during the year.
However, the town has not required these funds in at least the last 10 years.
Council Oks parking bylaw amendment
Gravenhurst council received for information a report about a proposed amendment to the town’s Parking Control Bylaw and later approved the amendment.
“On Sept. 16, 2025, council passed the updated Parking Control Bylaw No. 2025-70 as it relates to parking control measures on municipal streets and parking lots within the Town of Gravenhurst. Upon further review, staff noted that the winter control provisions found within the repealed Winter Control Bylaw No. 2022-125 were not carried forward into By-law No. 2025-70. As such, staff are recommending council adopt an amending by-law[…],” Manager of Bylaw Services Kristen Ford wrote in the related staff report.
Highway 11 corridor maintenance update, winter preparedness
CAO Scott Lucas provided council an update on Highway 11 corridor maintenance.
He said area municipal representatives met with provincial officials in October to discuss the 2025/2026 winter season.
He said the meeting focused on the importance of communication between the various relevant agencies in addition to talks about who does what and when should officials need to close the highway due to winter weather.
He said all agencies appear to be as well prepared as can be for the 2025/2026 winter season.
Andrew Stacey, director of infrastructure services, said the town is ready for winter operations.
He said related staff training has been ongoing.
He noted some new equipment is in the fleet, including a grader and a new plow/dump unit.
Stacey said the town will be purchasing a new tractor and blower in 2026, plus another new plow/dump vehicle.
He added the salt dome, which collapsed during the 2024 significant snowfall event, has been replaced.
Deputy Fire Chief Todd Clapp said the town’s emergency control group has reviewed and learned from its actions during the previous year’s winter storm emergencies.
He also reminded people about the need for personal preparedness for winter storms.
This means residents should ensure they have enough food, fuel, and medicine to withstand a prolonged winter storm event.
He said people should also ensure prior to a storm that their generators are working.
Clapp encouraged people to pay attention to weather alerts.
He said the town would really like to see people avoid unnecessary travel during winter storms as this is often this type of activity that results in requests for emergency service.
2025 communications report
Mike Gennings, the town’s communications specialist, presented his annual report to council.
The report highlights the ongoing efforts to implement the town’s communications strategy, which council approved in April 2024.
Gennings said the town takes a multi-pronged approach with communications with a focus on digital, print and radio, and in-person initiatives.
Ultimately, the goal is to keep residents and visitors informed.
Council approves updated Use of Municipal Resources During an Election Campaign Policy
Next year is a municipal election year.
As a result, council adopted an updated Use of Municipal Resources During an Election Campaign Policy.
Required under the Municipal Elections Act, the town has had such a policy since 2018.
“The clerks throughout Muskoka work collaboratively on municipal election administration to support a similar election throughout all of Muskoka. The group has collaboratively compared policies, both in Muskoka and across Ontario, to present an updated policy that is both best practice and consistently applied,” said Kayla Thibeault, director of legislative services and town clerk, in a related report that council received for information.
The policy from the 2022 municipal election cycle has been refreshed.
From a high-level perspective, the policy:
- Prohibits the use of municipal resources for campaign purposes during an election campaign (logos, corporate images, uniforms etc.)
- Prohibits the use of municipal facilities for campaigning purposes
- Applies to the public, staff, registered candidate and third-party advertisers and existing members of council.
The policy also includes:
- Provisions for federal and provincial elections
- Outlines a process for the clerk to provide exemptions – most notably exempting public spaces for all-candidate meetings and gathering with specific criteria
- Details on complaint processes related to perceived policy infractions
- Updated and clearer roles and responsibilities for applicable parties.
The 2026 municipal election will take place on Oct. 26.
Voters will elect representatives to serve a four-year term.
Watch Gravenhurst.ca and our social media channels for further details.
Council gives nod to Municipal Heritage Committee work plan for next year
Council received for information the Municipal Heritage Committee 2026 Work Plan and subsequently approved the plan.
Committee chair Lindsay Nelan provided an overview of the work plan.
The committee will pursue a number of initiatives next year.
This includes continuing to review and evaluate potential heritage properties and updating the heritage inventory.
The committee will also seek out new properties to feature as part of the 2027 Doors Open event.
And it will review and comment on planning matters as appropriate.
To learn more about what the committee will be doing, check out the work plan.
Deputy mayor appointments
Mayor Heidi Lorenz and Councillor Randy Jorgensen, who serves as deputy mayor, will be out of the province over the holidays.
As a result, to ensure a head of council remains available, Councillor Jorgensen put forward a resolution, seconded by Mayor Heidi Lorenz — and approved by council — appointing Councillor Erin Strength as deputy mayor from Dec. 22, 2025 until Jan. 5, 2026.
The approved resolution also appointed Jorgensen as deputy mayor from Jan. 5, 2026 for the balance of the council term.
Update from the mayor
Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.
Mayor Lorenz said it was an interesting year.
She noted she’ll be doing a year-end interview on Cogeco and encouraged people to look for it on television.
Mayor Lorenz said she thinks there is lots to look forward to in 2026.
She said it will be her privilege to attend the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in January. She’ll be part of a plenary session (general attendance), talking about the Gravenhurst Health Hub project.
Mayor Lorenz said she is proud to serve the community.
She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah.
The mayor concluded by thanking staff and council for their work over the year.
Council Highlights
Council Highlights is prepared as an overview of the council meeting. For the official record, please refer to the agenda and minutes on the town website at www.gravenhurst.ca.
Watch the meeting
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