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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLGS-031-26Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: June 1, 2026 Report Number: LGS-031-26 Authored By: Laura Preston, Temporary Committee Coordinator Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor, Legislative Services Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO File Number: Resolution#: GG-114-26 By-law Number: Report Subject: Appointment to the Newcastle Arena Board, Newcastle Village Community Hall Board, and Resignations for the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Diversity Advisory Committee Recommendations: 1.That Report LGS-031-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2. That the resignation of Luc Chaisson from the Newcastle Arena Board, Mel Green from the Newcastle Village Community Hall Board, Vincent Wong from the Diversity Advisory Committee and Lesley Scherer from the Accessibility Advisory Committee be received with thanks; 3.That the Committee consider the applications, in accordance with the Board/Committee Management Policy, for appointment to the Newcastle Arena Board, and that the vote be conducted to appoint the citizen representative for a term ending December 31, 2026; and 4.That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-031-26 and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report LGS-031-26 Report Overview This report is intended to provide background information on resignations and vacancies on the Newcastle Arena Board, Newcastle Village Community Hall Board, Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Diversity Advisory Committee to assist in the appointment process. 1. Newcastle Arena Board 1.1 The Newcastle Arena Board operates the Newcastle Memorial Arena. 1.2 The Board is comprised of 8 voting members, including seven community members and 1 Member of Council. 1.3 In November 2025, the Clerk’s Division received a resignation from Luc Chaisson, who was appointed to the Board in May 2025, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. 1.4 Currently, the Board has 7 members, therefore Committee may appoint 1 citizen for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. 1.5 The following have put forward an application for consideration: •Terry Meredith •Adam Rivers •Nevah Wybenga •Alessandro Raso – Late 1.6 If Committee chooses not to appoint at this time, the vacancy will remain open for the remainder of this term of Council as there is no time to readvertise. 2. Newcastle Village Community Hall Board 2.1 The Newcastle Village Community Hall Board oversees and manages the operation of the Newcastle Village Community Hall, which is located at 20 King St. W., Newcastle. 2.2 The Board is comprised of 7 citizen members and 1 Member of Council. 2.3 In April 2026 the Clerk’s Division received a resignation from Mel Green, who was appointed to the Board in February 2025, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report LGS-031-26 2.4 Currently, the Board has 6 members, therefore Committee may appoint 1 citizen for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. 2.5 Only one application was received from John Buck who Committee may appoint. If Committee chooses not to appoint at this time, the vacancy will remain open for the remainder of this term of Council as there is no time to readvertise. 3. Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) 3.1 The Accessibility Advisory Committee advises and helps the Municipality develop strategies toward a barrier-free Clarington for people with disabilities. The goal is to review Municipal policies, programs, and services to ensure they comply with provincial accessibility standards. The Committee works to identify, prevent, and remove any barriers faced by people with disabilities. 3.2 Lesley Scherer was appointed to the AAC in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In May 2026, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. At the May 4, 2026, General Government Committee meeting, Committee passed Resolution # GG-094-26 to defer appointments to the AAC until the next term of Council. 4. Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) 4.1 The role of the Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) is to provide advice to Council on issues related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA), specifically looking at ways to foster awareness, reduce barriers, promote inclusion and engage residents. 4.2 Vincent Wong was appointed to the DAC in December 2024, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In May 2026, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. At the May 4, 2026, General Government Committee meeting, Committee passed Resolution # GG-094-26 to defer appointments to the DAC until the next term of Council. 5. Advertising and Applications 5.1 The Municipal Clerk’s Division placed an advertisement in the local papers and on the Municipality’s website, www.clarington.net/Commitees, to fill the vacancies on the Newcastle Arena Board and Newcastle Village Community Hall Board. 5.2 In an effort to extend the reach of our advertisements for vacancies, the Clerk’s Division has created a profile on the www.claringtonvolunteers.ca website. The vacancies on the Newcastle Arena Board and Newcastle Village Community Hall Board were listed on the Clarington Volunteers website. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report LGS-031-26 5.3 In accordance with the “Board/Committee Management Policy”, a confidential application package has been attached, as Attachment 1. 6. Financial Considerations Not Applicable. 7. Strategic Plan L.4.1: Increase opportunities for civic engagement and public participation. 8. Concurrence Not Applicable. 9. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Committee consider the appointments to Newcastle Arena Board and Newcastle Village Community Hall Board for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. Staff Contact: Laura Preston, Temporary Committee Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2106 or LPreston@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 – Confidential Application Package (Distributed Under Separate Cover) Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: All applicants Newcastle Arena Board Newcastle Village Community Hall Board