Council reviews county funding, transit and condo development

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall was back at the helm of his council one day after heading to the county chambers, where he voiced his concerns over the cost-sharing agreement between the two entities.

Those dollars are top of mind at Barrie council with a value-for-money audit on the agreement coming forward.

"Inside of the report, it talks about the capital cost sharing, which we are certainly not getting a fair shake on," Nuttall told council.

The audit by the Deloitte accounting firm says the current agreement largely meets the city's needs.

However, it pointed to some discrepancies from a macro level, with the city netting more value with social services by the county but less with long-term care and children services.

While Nuttall didn't learn everything he wanted to from the report, it's a major concern for the mayor as the agreement is up for negotiation.

"I think that we have to take this information, accept it as is and the rest is a negotiation between the county and the city of Barrie," Nuttall said.

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Councillors on Wednesday were also making a move rarely seen in recent years - voting down a zoning change that would have brought a six-storey residential condo to Dundonald Street - one of Barrie's steepest hills.

“I very rarely, if ever, take issue with staff reports, and that's because of the respect I have for the people who prepare them. But this will be one of those rare times,” said Ward 2 councillor Craig Nixon.

Councillor Nixon voiced concerns that the proposed 50 new units would add too much traffic to a road that many of his colleagues agreed can feel unsafe driving down.

“I think it's important that we take stock and say we're not willing to just allow all development everywhere all the time. It's got to make sense for the people of Barrie. It's got to make sense for the city of Barrie and in this case I just don't think it does,” said Nuttall.

Earlier, a subcommittee of council heard from staff on planned changes to city transit. Phase Two of the new transit network was set to be rolled out next year. However, staff are recommending to press pause and instead, prioritize problem spots with Phase One; including some frustrations with the Transit on Demand service that requires riders to book a custom ride in less-used spots of the city.

“I will say that I have now taken transit a handful of times. I had the opportunity to help a neighbor whose English was second language, and I found it difficult,” said Councillor Bryn Hamilton.

The proposed changes to the transit network will head to general committee for further debate.