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NEWS Town and OYS settle dispute that could have jeopardized club's future Metroland file photo Oakville HarCouncil voted to OK a memorandum of understanding, which would see the Oakville Yacht Squadron continue to use the Forsythe property for 25 years.bour. DAVID LEA dlea@oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Yacht Squadron (OYS) and the Town of Oakville have set­ tled a dispute that could have jeopardized the club's continued use of the town- owned property at 97 For­ sythe St. Town council voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 27 to accept a memo­ randum of understanding signed by the club, which is expected to lead to a licence agreement by Oct. 31,2018. That agreement would see the OYS continue to use the Forsythe property for 25 years, with the option to renew for another 25 years. The previous lease of the club facility at the site expired in July 2015. That property features an 18,837-square-foot build­ ing used for club events and classes for the sailing schools, 75 mooring slips of which 48 are attached to floating docks. "I want to thank the OYS for being responsive and creating what I believe are great new opportunities for the club and for the pub­ lic," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. The memorandum cov­ ers license fees, ensures year round public access to the boardwalk and walk­ way, requires the OYS to keep the majority of the fa­ cility's parking lot clear and open to the public dur­ ing the summer months and designates areas of the property where the club can store boats and masts during the winter months. A previous sticking point in the agreement was resolved with the club agreeing to sell floating docks it owns to the town for $65,000. The club had wanted $81,455. A second sticking point concerning a public "wa­ terfront attraction or desti­ nation or feature" being created at the Forsythe property was also resolved. OYS representatives said this waterfront attrac­ tion idea had not been men­ tioned in two years of nego­ tiations and voiced con­ cerns about it being includ­ ed as a condition in any future lease agreement noting there had been no definition as to exactly what this would be or what the club's role would be in operating it. As part of their unani­ mous motion council agreed to separate the wa­ terfront attraction issue from the terms of the mem­ orandum of understanding and directed town staff to review and discuss options for the creation and opera­ tion of a waterfront attrac­ tion or destination or fea­ ture with the OYS and po­ tentially other third par­ ties. They also called for the proposal to be a recommen­ dation under the forthcom­ ing Harbours Master Plan. The path to this out­ come had an exceedingly rocky start when during a Feb. 20 meeting of the town's administrative ser­ vices committee Burton proposed a motion calling for the termination of the club's lease. Burton argued negotia­ tions had been going on for eight years and said there was no sense of urgency on the part of the OYS to reach a deal. He said the motion sought to "turn the tables and put the shoe on the oth­ er foot." The bulk of the adminis­ trative services committee voted to pass this motion. OYS representatives disputed they were respon­ sible for negotiations de­ lays stating they were pre­ sented with the possibility of a new lease in 2010, but declined because of pro­ posed financial increases and because they had five years left on their existing • See MEMBERS, page 43 Parents,Teachers and School Bus Drivers Switzer-CARTYTransportation is coming to Oakville in September 2018!! 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Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FC SI Jennifer Watson B.A. 220 Randall Street, Downtown Oakville 905-842-2100 peterwatsoninvestments.com | O akville B eaver | Thursday, M arch 8, 2018 insidehalton.com mailto:dlea@oakvillebeaver.com http://www.switzer-carty.com Town and OYS settle dispute that could have jeopardized club's future Parents,Teachers and School Bus Drivers