City council expressed its support for continuing the popular 'See You on the Patio' program throughout the summer, following outcry from businesses and community members about the recent Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB) decision to reduce the program to three evenings this summer.
A notice of motion brought forward by councillors Ted Emond, David Campbell, and Ralph Cipolla called for council to support the program as a seasonal community-wide initiative, and for patio dining experiences to be promoted through the city's seasonal tourism marketing campaigns.
"The feedback has been almost universal, that (the DOMB) decision doesn't match what is the general desire," Emond said at Monday night's city council meeting.
"The three of us, when we had talked about this, we were basically asking council ... to find a way to continue this program, and refine the program as it goes forward, in a way that continually makes it more attractive," said Emond.
"We have to listen to input from everybody, not just the negative, and not just the positive, and not just the loudest," Campbell said. "Everybody, all of us, has certainly heard that there's overwhelming support for this program from the general public and from businesses."
The notice of motion also called for council to support the required road closures for the event, from the first weekend in July through to Labour Day, and to authorize funding up to 50 per cent of the program's costs (up to $10,000), but council opted to split the motion into two parts.
The call for council to support the program and to promote it through the city's tourism marketing campaigns was passed, but the remaining items regarding the funding and scope of the program were deferred until May 16.
"I would like the remaining clauses, which really define the mechanics of the program, (to be) postponed until after the DOMB (has its special) meeting this coming Wednesday to reconsider their original motion in light of the feedback they have received," Emond said.
DOMB chair Michael Fredson previously stated that he will introduce a reconsideration motion for the program at the board's upcoming Wednesday meeting.
"I think this is a decision of the BIA, and until they have had that discussion and come to some resolution, I don't think we really can weigh in to the extent of the last couple of paragraphs of the motion," said Coun. Tim Lauer. "We are simply saying that we support the idea and that we are encouraging them as they consider it."
Coun. Rob Kloostra, council's representative on DOMB, read a statement on behalf of the board.
"The board made a decision with the facts presented to them," he said. "It is unfortunate the DOMB wasn't sufficiently surveyed, and no formal proposals for external funding initiatives were prepared in writing over the past six months. Moving forward, DOMB has a reconsideration vote to address the creation of this program, and we're working with all the merchants and members to have a successful summer season."
"I would also like to state that any financial support coming from the City of Orillia should include any establishments with a patio, and I look forward to the decisions that are made on Wednesday and working with the rest of the city," he said.
Although council expressed its support for the program, some council members pointed out that not all residents and businesses are in favour of the program, and that work will need to be done to refine it moving forward, should the program be reinstated.
"There are businesses that are legitimately opposed to the program, and they have some challenges," said Campbell. "It's important that we work together collaboratively and address all those challenges, and try to come up with as many solutions as we possibly can to address all those concerns, and I look forward to it."
