County of Brant Council Minutes — May 25, 2021

Agenda

1. Mark Dremak – Request for Reconsideration of Request for Tax Relief
2. Miranda D. Reis and Elizabeth Booth – Removal of Trees at 516 Brant Road
3. Asif Shahzad – Licensing of Taxi Company Proposal
4. In Camera Session – Community Improvement Plan Application and Confidential Matters
5. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings
6. RPT-21-128 – Updated County-Initiated Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA-21-BK (Zoning Housekeeping)
7. Consent Items to be Received
8. Planning and Development Committee Report – May 4, 2021
9. Policy Development and Strategic Direction Committee Report – May 11, 2021
10. Administration and Operations Committee Report – May 18, 2021
11. Paramedic Services Committee Report – May 19, 2021
12. RPT-21-141 – Brant River Access, 2021 User Mitigation Strategy
13. RPT-21-142 – Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference
14. M.P. Phil McColeman – Request for Resolution of Support for National 3-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline
15. Sensity – Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada – Proclamation of June as Deafblind Awareness Month
16. Childhood Cancer Canada – Proclamation of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
17. Grand River Cab – Request for Licensing Tribunal Hearing
18. Other Business – Twin Valley Zoo – Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions
19. By-laws

Votes at a Glance

#	Motion	Result	Tally
1	Refuse reconsideration of tax relief grant; request applicant reapply for brownfield remediation grant	Passed	unanimous
2	Receive tree removal at 516 Brant Road; refer 2002 decision concerns to staff; refer further cutting applications to Committee	Passed	unanimous
3	Receive Shahzad taxi licensing proposal; direct Taxi By-law consultant to contact Mr. Shahzad re requested exemptions	Passed	unanimous
4	Approve Administration and Operations Committee In Camera Confidential Report of May 18, 2021	Passed	unanimous
5	Adopt amendments to Zoning By-law application ZBA1-21-BK (housekeeping) removing driveway separation and on-street parking provisions	Passed	unanimous
6	Approve Planning and Development Committee Report of May 4, 2021 (ZBA07/21/DN Steel Wheel Brewery, ZBA06/21/AW Elev8, ZBA10/21/AW Prolific Estates)	Passed	unanimous
7	Approve Policy Development and Strategic Direction Committee Report of May 11, 2021 (Code of Conduct amendments, Integrity Commissioner procurement, working group)	Passed	unanimous
8	Approve Administration and Operations Committee Report of May 18, 2021 (BusPatrol, road tenders, fire pumper, tax rates, OPP board, heritage at 12 Broadway St W)	Passed	unanimous
9	Approve Paramedic Services Committee Report of May 19, 2021 (delegation request to Ontario Minister of Health at AMO Conference)	Passed	unanimous
10	Amend river access parking motion to waive minor variance fees for affected households without driveways installing new driveways	Passed	unanimous
11	Approve Brant River Access 2021 User Mitigation Strategy (RPT-21-141) including parking permit system, enforcement staffing, commercial outfitter ban, as amended	Passed	unanimous
12	Receive AMO Annual Conference report; authorize member registration; direct staff to submit delegation requests by June 4, 2021	Passed	unanimous
13	Support national 988 three-digit suicide prevention hotline initiative; direct staff to send support letter to MP, MPP, Federal Minister of Health, CRTC and local municipalities	Passed	unanimous
14	Proclaim June 2021 as Deafblind Awareness Month in the County of Brant	Passed	unanimous
15	Proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the County of Brant	Passed	unanimous
16	Send correspondence to Province supporting review of decision not to allow reopening of outside zoos including Twin Valley Zoo	Passed	unanimous

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Full Minutes

4.1. Mark Dremak – Request for Reconsideration of Request for Tax Relief

A property owner named Mark Dremak asked Council to reconsider a previous denial of his request for tax relief, explaining that the property was in poor condition when purchased, had limited commercial potential, and faced challenges due to COVID-19. He noted the property has since been sold and now generates more tax revenue than the relief he originally requested. Council refused the reconsideration but suggested he consider applying for a brownfield remediation grant instead.

4.2. Miranda D. Reis and Elizabeth Booth – Removal of Trees at 516 Brant Road

Two residents raised concerns about a possible violation of the County's Tree Conservation By-law at 516 Brant Road, where trees were removed around 2002 without the required replanting of 100-150 hardwood trees ever being enforced. They questioned why the by-law infraction was never followed up on, and suggested it was unfair that some property owners could clear-cut trees by simply paying a fine. Council received the presentation and referred the matter to staff for investigation, while directing that any new tree-cutting applications go through the proper committee review process.

4.3. Asif Shahzad – Licensing of Taxi Company Proposal

An individual named Asif Shahzad presented a proposal to start a new taxi company in the County of Brant, using hybrid vehicles, a digital dispatch app, and digital meters to keep costs low. He asked for two exemptions to the County's Taxi Licensing By-law — specifically, the requirements for a physical office within the municipality and the installation of physical meters. Council received the presentation as information and directed the consultant currently reviewing the Taxi By-law to contact Mr. Shahzad to discuss the requested changes.

4.4. In Camera Session – Community Improvement Plan Application and Confidential Matters

Council moved into a closed (In Camera) session to discuss several confidential matters, including labour relations and employee negotiations, solicitor-client privileged advice from the Administration and Operations Committee, and a personal matter related to a Community Improvement Plan grant application involving outstanding taxes. Following the In Camera session, Council approved the confidential recommendations from the Administration and Operations Committee.

5. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings

Council approved the minutes from its previous meetings held on April 22 and April 27, 2021.

7.1.1. RPT-21-128 – Updated County-Initiated Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA-21-BK (Zoning Housekeeping)

Council approved minor updates to a previously approved county-wide zoning by-law housekeeping amendment. The changes removed provisions related to driveway separations and on-street parking, which will be addressed through other planning documents. Staff clarified that parking requirements for farm labour housing and site plan control for agricultural uses remain unchanged.

7.2. Consent Items to be Received

Council received a package of informational items, including a memo about a part lot control application for a subdivision, a provincial deadline notice for Official Plan updates, and minutes from various boards including the Public Library Board, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Police Services Board, and Grand River Conservation Authority. Also received were public letters about river access and parking, and thank-you letters from community groups.

8.1. Planning and Development Committee Report – May 4, 2021

Council approved three zoning applications from the Planning and Development Committee. The first approves a microbrewery with a restaurant and outdoor entertainment at 105 Powerline Road (Steel Wheel Brewery). The second rezones land at 482 Burtch Road to a holding zone to prevent development until servicing capacity is available. The third approves a commercial greenhouse at 48 Fairfield Road with specific rules around building height, lighting, setbacks, and parking.

8.2. Policy Development and Strategic Direction Committee Report – May 11, 2021

Council approved several updates related to municipal governance and accountability. The County expressed support for provincial consultation on stronger enforcement of municipal codes of conduct. Several amendments to the County's own Code of Conduct for Council members were adopted, covering conflicts of interest, gifts, confidentiality, and post-office employment restrictions. Council also approved a competitive bidding process to hire a new Integrity Commissioner and appointed a three-member working group — Mayor Bailey, Councillor Laferriere, and Councillor Gatward — to review the bids.

8.3. Administration and Operations Committee Report – May 18, 2021

Council approved a wide range of operational matters including: referring a BusPatrol school bus safety program to staff for further review; awarding road resurfacing contracts for Ellis Avenue, Bethel Road, and major urban roads; authorizing the CAO to fast-track tender approvals for several road construction projects delayed by COVID-19; awarding a contract for a new fire pumper truck for the Mt. Pleasant fire station; approving the 2021 property tax rates; nominating a local resident for the Ontario Senior of the Year Award; approving the structure for a new OPP Detachment Board with six members; and directing staff to work with the owner of 12 Broadway Street West on appropriate heritage recognition for the site.

8.4. Paramedic Services Committee Report – May 19, 2021

Council approved a recommendation from the Paramedic Services Committee to request a meeting with the Ontario Minister of Health at the 2021 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference to discuss paramedic services funding.

9.1. RPT-21-141 – Brant River Access, 2021 User Mitigation Strategy

Council approved a comprehensive plan to manage overcrowding and parking problems at three Grand River access points — in Glen Morris and Paris — for the 2021 season. The plan includes a free seasonal residential parking permit system (May 15 to October 15), new parking restrictions and loading zones near each access point, a ban on commercial outfitter launches, increased parking fines, and hiring of additional enforcement staff at a cost of approximately $70,000. An amendment was also approved to waive minor variance fees for affected residents who do not currently have a driveway and wish to install one.

9.2. RPT-21-142 – Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference

Council received an information report about the upcoming virtual AMO Annual Conference scheduled for August 15–18, 2021. Council members were invited to register for the conference through the Clerk, and staff were directed to submit any approved delegation requests to Provincial Ministers by the June 4, 2021 deadline.

10.1. M.P. Phil McColeman – Request for Resolution of Support for National 3-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline

Council passed a resolution supporting the federal initiative to establish a national 3-digit suicide and crisis hotline (988) in Canada, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased demand for mental health and crisis services. Staff were directed to send letters of support to the local MP, MPP, the Federal Minister of Health, the CRTC, and neighbouring municipalities.

10.2. Sensity – Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada – Proclamation of June as Deafblind Awareness Month

Council proclaimed June 2021 as Deafblind Awareness Month in the County of Brant, recognizing the unique challenges faced by individuals who are both deaf and blind and the importance of raising public awareness about this disability.

10.3. Childhood Cancer Canada – Proclamation of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Council proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the County of Brant, in support of the national campaign by Childhood Cancer Canada to raise awareness and recognition for children and families affected by cancer.

10.4. Grand River Cab – Request for Licensing Tribunal Hearing

Council received a request from Grand River Cab for a taxi licensing tribunal hearing. Council determined that since all taxi licenses had already been issued for 2021, a formal hearing was not warranted at this time, and the correspondence was received as information.

12. Other Business – Twin Valley Zoo – Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions

Councillor Chambers raised concerns about the hardship faced by the Twin Valley Zoo during COVID-19 lockdowns, noting that outdoor zoos were not permitted to reopen at the same time as other outdoor activities like golf courses. Council voted to send a letter to the Province of Ontario asking it to reconsider allowing outdoor zoos to reopen under appropriate restrictions. Mayor Bailey and Councillor Bell declared a conflict of interest as members of the Brant County Board of Health and did not participate in the vote.

14. By-laws

Council gave three readings to and passed 13 by-laws, including amendments to the fence by-law for several properties, zoning by-law changes for the Steel Wheel Brewery, Elev8 Properties, Prolific Estates, and a county-wide housekeeping amendment, the 2021 tax rate by-law, a part lot control exemption for a subdivision, a lease agreement for the OPP detachment building at 67 Bethel Road, amendments to the parking by-law for the river access permit system, and a by-law confirming the proceedings of Council.

This post was automatically generated by BrantVotes from the official County of Brant council minutes. Always refer to the official minutes for authoritative records.