Barrie City Hall Update: Addressing LGBTQ Safety, Hospital Funds, Street Naming, and Bike Lanes

At the General Committee Meeting held on September 27 at Barrie City Hall, various items were discussed. These included the safety of the LGBTQ community, budgetary considerations, street naming protocols, and the enhancement of bicycle safety.

LGBTQ Safety -  
On September 20th, anti-LGBTQ protests occurred at City Hall, prompting Councillor Ann-Marie Kungl to question the Council's stance on supporting the LGBTQ community. She acknowledged them as important members of the community. She specifically sought Mayor Alex Nuttall’s reaction to the event. In response, Mayor Nuttall declared that hate has no place in the community and emphasized a commitment to inclusivity and celebration of diversity. However, he did not expressly state his support for the LGBTQ community.

Budget Issues - 
Royal Victoria Hospital is poised to request millions from the City of Barrie for its expansive project. Concerned about the budget, Councillor Gary Harvey asked the timing and availability of funds for such capital projects. Mayor Nuttall responded, stating that discussions will be more suitable after the 2024 budget preparations and initial staff recommendations, following the proper procedural channels through the various committees to the city council.

As the Mayor and council maintain a stance of fiscal conservatism, Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson has directed city staff to explore construction of a feature to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with a completion date before June 1, 2024.

Street Naming Policies - 
Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson proposed that staff reintroduce the policy of naming streets after elected council members from this term onwards if they don’t already have a facility named after them

Councillor  Kungl expressed her reservations about supporting such a proposal due to potential reputational risks and lack of control over individuals’ actions post-service. However Mayor Alex Nuttall showed support for Deputy Mayor Thomson’s idea.

Bike Lanes - 
Ward 9 Councillor Sergio Morales raised questions about incorporating separated cycling lanes in upcoming city-led road projects where feasible. Responding to Barrie Community Media, Councillor Clare Riepma expressed his disappointment at the inability to introduce "above the curb" bike lanes on Grove and Duckworth, emphasizing that the existing safety measures are insufficient, particularly for young or inexperienced riders. However, he remains hopeful for the standardization of safer bike lanes in future constructions and is actively exploring enhanced safety options in established city areas.

0:00 Intro
0:05 Agenda
0:7:00 Infrastructure Committee  Summary
0:13:00 Tree planting
0:18:00 Budget
0:22:00 Royal Canadian Air Force Monument
0:26:00 Parking Policies  
0:34:00 Street Names
0:56:00 Bike Lanes
1:15:00 LGBTQ Safety