INNISFIL MUNICIPAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE REPORT NO MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2013 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M.

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1 INNISFIL MUNICIPAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE REPORT NO MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2013 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. Present: Historical Society Member/Chair: William M. Kell Vice Chair: Derrick Pirie ACO Member: David Steele Member: Gina Hartly Member: Ileen Sabean Councillor: Doug Lougheed Committee Coordinator: Kevin Jacob 1. CALL TO ORDER The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (2.1) Approval of the Agenda for. D. Pirie That the agenda for be approved as amended with the addition of item DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST AND THE NATURE THEREOF None declared. 4. PRESENTATIONS AND DELEGATIONS (4.1) Karen Fraser, Deputy Clerk, re: Innisfil Community Grant Program Update. Ms. Fraser provided an overview of the new Innisfil Community Grant Program and advised that there are opportunities for the Heritage Committee to access funds through the Economic and Community Development Fund. The Fund was created to provide financial support for the promotion of new ideas and strategies for economic development and heritage preservation. [Item 4.1 continued on next page.] /

2 Page 2 of 8 [Item 4.1 continued from previous page.] The funding will be allocated on a 50/50 basis between the Heritage Committee and the Economic Development Advisory Committee. There will not be a formal application process in place; however, all requests for project funding must be developed by respective committees through a formal business plan. Ms. Fraser noted that Council approval will be required for all recommendations and any funds will be available for use by January 1st of each year on an ongoing basis for projects as they become approved. The proposed Community Grant Program is scheduled for formal Council approval on September 4, asked if funding could be carried into reserve if the Committee has a project in mind but may not be ready for Ms. Fraser advised that if the Committee has a potential project they would like to move forward to make a recommendation to Council requesting that funds be carried over into the next year. Chair B. Kell requested that Committee members bring ideas about potential projects to the September meeting for discussion. Ms. Hartly suggested that members bring back ideas on potential heritage signage projects to the next meeting. Ms. Hartly asked if there is any indication of what next year s allocation might be. Ms. Fraser advised that the only certain source of funding is the annual OLG municipal contribution to the Town. The eventual goal of the Fund is to become a self sufficient program away from the OLG. Ms. Sabean asked if there are any parameters about how the Committee uses the money or when it needs to be spent. Ms. Fraser advised that the Committee will have to justify the project and its methodology to Council for approval through a formal business plan. The Assistant Clerk will work with the Economic and Community Development Officer to organize a meeting between the Heritage Committee and the EDAC Committee in September. [Item 4.1 continued on next page.]

3 Page 3 of 8 [Item 4.1 continued from previous page.] I. Sabean D. Pirie That the presentation by Karen Fraser, Deputy Clerk regarding the Town of Innisfil s new Community Grant Program be received as information. 5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (5.1) Minutes of the July 8, 2013 Committee meeting. 607 Rogers Place provided a historical overview of 607 Rogers Place whose owners have submitted an application for a demolition permit. The property is owned by members of the John Walker family and was built around 1900 according to Town records. Councillor Lougheed advised that in speaking with local resident John Wardrop, the plans for the new home will reflect the style of homes in the area and replicate many of the architectural features of the current building. I. Sabean That the report from regarding 607 Rogers place be received as information. Tunnel of Trees Mr. Steele advised the Committee that the house on the south side of the 7 th Line is currently for sale. He stated that it is important to determine what portion of the area is Town property and what is private property in order for the Committee to know what section and how much of the forest may be included in a designation zone. [Item 5.1 continued on next page]

4 Page 4 of 8 [Item 5.1 continued from previous page.] Ms. Sabean asked if the age of the trees might be known or if there may be any documented information on why the stand of cedar has remained so close to the road. Mr. Pirie suggested that the Committee do a quick tour of the area before the next meeting and document the features as it is a good candidate for the Registry. Chair Kell asked that this be place on the September committee agenda and that interested member s meet in the Town Hall parking lot at 6:15 pm on September 5 to travel over to the 7 th line. Committee Web Page Mr. Steele asked if the suggested revisions have been made to the Committee s page on the Town s web site. The Assistant Clerk confirmed that the revisions to the page will be made shortly. 6. NEW & UNFINISHED BUSINESS (6.1) Soules Cemetery. [ s report is attached as Attachment A.] provided an overview of the issues surrounding Soules cemetery based on his report submitted to Committee members prior to the meeting. He stated that two potential options for the Committee to consider could be: the grounds be cordoned off with provisions made to allow public access to the site including appropriate signage. any remains be exhumed and relocated to an existing cemetery within Innisfil He stated, however, that there may be a number of significant property, ownership, access, and legal issues which have to be explored in order to properly and respectfully preserve the site. Once the heritage committee has received an assessment of all impacting factors regarding the site can a recommendation be presented. He advised that he has also submitted the report to the Director of Legal Services/Clerk in order to review any legal matters which could arise as a result of any preservation initiatives for this site. Mr. Steele asked if the owners were aware that a burial site was located on their property. [Item 6.1 continued on next page.]

5 Page 5 of 8 Councillor Lougheed confirmed that they are aware. [Item 6.1 continued from previous page.] Mr. Pirie asked if the Soules descendents have a preference on what should be done with the site. Councillor Lougheed advised that their preference is to keep the remains at the present site. Mr. Steele suggested that a series of road signs and plaques be erected to mark and explain the history of the cemetery, hearth and homestead of the second settler of Innisfil. Councillor Lougheed recommended that the Committee wait for a report back from the Director of Legal Services/Clerk before any decisions are made. Chair Kell thanked Councillor Lougheed on behalf of the Committee for preparing the report and taking the initiative to help preserve this important Innisfil historical site. That the report from regarding the background, current condition and status of the Soules Cemetery be received as information. (6.2) Cookstown RBC Branch Corporate Signage. The Committee discussed the proposed installation of a new large front sign by the Royal Bank of Canada at its branch in Cookstown. Mr. Steele suggested that the Committee communicate with RBC to notify them that the Town of Innisfil is currently undergoing a Heritage Conservation District initiative for the village and would they consider holding off on replacing the sign until the HCD process has been complete. Mr. Pirie commented that RBC may be receptive to the idea as they have utilized heritage signage with several branches that are located within other Heritage Conservation Districts within the province. [Item 6.2 continued on next page.]

6 Page 6 of 8 [Item 6.2 continued from previous page.] Ms. Hartly asked if RBC is aware that the village is undergoing an HCD process. D. Pirie That the comments regarding the proposed Royal Bank of Canada s Cookstown branch be received as information; and That this issue be brought forward to the Cookstown HCD sub-committee. (6.3) Potential Heritage Assets Ms. Sabean brought forward four items to be considered for future research by the Committee and for consideration as candidates for inclusion in a potential heritage marking initiative. 1. Frances Hewson Homestead. 2. The 'Serpentine Ridge'. Located on the 13th line. Considered to be a First Nations burial ground. 3. Stroud Telephone Company building. Located at the corner of Church and Yonge Streets. 4. Nine Mile Portage. A First Nations trail from De Grassi Pointe to Kempenfeldt Bay in Barrie. The Assistant Clerk advised that he will create a list of locations of potential candidates for heritage markers as suggested by Committee members on an ongoing basis. That the report from Ileen Sabean regarding potential heritage assets and potential candidates for heritage marking be received with thanks.

7 Page 7 of 8 7. SIMCOE COUNTY ACO MONTHLY UPDATE (7.1) Update by David Steele, President of the Simcoe County Branch of the ACO. Mr. Steele advised the Committee that the summer student being utilized by the Simcoe County Branch for a number of projects has also began uploading the inventory of heritage articles written by Janet Panting and Mr. Steele onto the Branches new website. The articles can be accessed at 8. FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES (8.1) Article Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Novae Res Urbis Newsletter Waiting Game Newmarket Clock Development. That item 8.1 be received as information. 9. PENDING ITEMS (9.1) Properties for consideration for the Heritage Registry (9.2) Plaque ceremony for th Line (Cortelluci/Sawyer Property) (9.3) Tunnel of Trees (9.4) Soules Cemetery 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Advised that CTV News Barrie is reporting that Barrie will be installing heritage street signs throughout Allandale [Item 10 continued on next page.]

8 Page 8 of 8 [Item 10 continued from previous page.] Chair B. Kell Shared a book Who were the Whiteoaks and Where was Jalna written by Heather Kirk. The book is an investigation into the sources of the Jalna novels written by Mazo de la Roche in the 1920 s. The book details how large properties owned by de la Roche in York County and in Innisfil were the inspirations of the locations in the books. 11. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None received. 12. UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS Note Committee meetings move back to its regular Thursday time slot starting in September! September 5, :00 p.m. Community Rooms October 3, :00 p.m. Community Rooms November 7, :00 p.m. Community Rooms December 5, :00 p.m. Community Rooms 13. ADJOURNMENT Moved: G. Hartly That the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 pm.