Heritage Belleville

Terms of Reference

A. Mandate

The vision of the Municipal Heritage Committee is preserving significant architecture and cultural and natural landscapes as assets and resources. Conservation of these resources creates pride and identity, and attracts new residents and tourism. Protection of these landscapes benefits not only the present but future generations. The impact of conservation and heritage planning comes from the fact that, what is not saved and preserved today cannot be saved and preserved tomorrow.
The purpose of the Belleville Municipal Heritage Committee (Heritage Belleville) is to advise, assist and make recommendations to Council on matters related to heritage. This includes conducting research and inventory of the City’s architectural legacy and history to identify buildings and sites of importance, promote heritage conservation within the municipality, and advise Council and the community on individual properties and districts of heritage and cultural significance.

B. Committee Roles

Statutory Role of MHC

The Ontario Heritage Act (the Act) provides a framework within which municipalities can act to ensure the conservation of historically, architecturally, and/or contextually significant properties. Under Section 28 of the Act, a municipal council is authorized to establish, through by-law, a Municipal Heritage Committee as an advisory committee of Council, representative of the community. The Municipal Heritage Committee’s role is to advise Council in the decision-making process on heritage matters concerning the Act and the citizens of the City of Belleville.

Non-Statutory Role of MHC

In addition to fulfilling its mandate as an advisory committee to Council, Heritage Belleville will promote the conservation and celebration of the City of Belleville’s unique local history. It will assist the citizens of Belleville to appreciate and develop an understanding of the community’s beginnings, development, and future. Heritage Belleville, following policies and priorities determined by Council, consider it appropriate to undertake the following initiatives:

• Research and Inventory;
• Education and Promotion;
• Advising and Informing regarding legislation or Heritage Properties or Budget; and
• Commemoration.

C. Organization of the Committee

Committee Composition

Heritage Belleville will be composed of people representing the City of Belleville and demonstrating a strong commitment to the Terms of Reference. The committee shall include a cross-section of people with diverse backgrounds, expertise, and skills. The Term will run concurrent with the term of Council, or until successors are appointed. At the first meeting of the new term of Heritage Belleville, the members shall appoint from among their number a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Heritage Belleville will be comprised of seven (7) volunteer citizen members, appointed by Council, and a City of Belleville Staff Support representative from the Engineering and Development Services Department (non-voting member).

Meetings

Committee members shall agree upon an annual schedule of monthly meetings at the first meeting of the new term. For ease of planning, every attempt will be made to hold meetings on a consistent day and location throughout the year. Additional meetings may be required to address legislative application timelines under the Ontario Heritage Act. Meetings may be cancelled if there are no urgent issues or agenda items.

Quorum – A majority of the Council appointed voting members shall constitute quorum.

Agenda – The Chair of Heritage Belleville shall submit agenda content to the Staff representative.

Minutes – Minutes shall outline the substance of each item listed on the agenda, including action items and recommendations. The Committee will receive minutes at the next meeting.

Rules of Order – Heritage Belleville will attempt to work on a consensus basis. If a consensus cannot be reached and there are divergent opinions on issues, formal votes may be called by the Chair, with each member having one vote. A majority of the members present will carry decisions.

Conflict of Interest – In accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, any member of Heritage Belleville shall disclose any direct or indirect pecuniary interest for themselves or a family member and shall state the general nature of such interest. The disclosure shall be recorded accordingly in the meeting minutes. The committee member shall not vote on a matter if they have declared a pecuniary interest.

Budget – The budget assigned to support the activities of Heritage Belleville will be determined by Council annually and administered by City Staff.

Committee Members

The Heritage Committee is comprised of seven (7) members appointed by Council:

• Karen Fisk (Chair)
• Jean-Philippe Lemieux
• Mark Stoliker
• Janna Munkittrick-Colton
• Connie Carson
• Robert LaBarge
• Vacant
• Thomas Deming – Staff Liaison

Term of Appointment

 Members of the Heritage Committee are appointed for a two (2) year term.

Committee Decision Process

The committee reviews and makes recommendations to Council on matters under the Ontario Heritage Act.  Decisions made by the Committee are considered recommendations and are not final until approved by Council.

Meetings

Meetings are held in-person on the first Thursday of every month.

Note: Meetings are subject to change to confirm a meeting date please contact planning@belleville.ca.

Agendas and Minutes

Committee agendas are published a day prior to the meeting date and can be viewed here.

Committee Events

• 2025 Nomination Form for Outstanding Achievement in Heritage Revitalization (available upon request by contacting planning@belleville.ca )
• Doors Open Belleville

Resources

• Belleville Heritage Guide – Walking Tours & Heritage Sites (available upon request by contacting planning@belleville.ca )
• Ontario Heritage Properties Database
• Ontario Heritage Act
• Ontario Heritage Trust
• Heritage Canada