County of Brant Council Minutes — November 22, 2022

Agenda

1. Approval of Agenda
2. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings
3. Business Arising from the Minutes – Crossing Guard on Maple Avenue, Burford
4. Consent Items to be Received
5. RPT-347-22 – 2022 December and 2023 Council and Committee Calendar
6. RPT-517-22 – Policy Report – Bill 23 Changes
7. RPT-350-22 – Councillor Technology Equipment Option
8. RPT-352-22 – Councillor General Expense Account Policy
9. RPT-353-22 – Members of Council Individual Introductory Videos
10. Notice of Motion – Proposed By-law to Address an Emerging Consequence of Increasing Residential Development Intensification – Councillor Bell
11. Notice of Motion – Election of Planning and Development Committee Chair and Vice Chair – Councillor Miller
12. Resolution – Support for City of Waterloo Bill 23 Motion – Councillor Howes
13. Other Business – Mather Drain and Burford Public Consultation Format
14. In Camera Session – Committee and Citizen Appointments and Employment Contract
15. By-laws

Votes at a Glance

#	Motion	Result	Tally
1	Receive consent items as information (18 items including ROMA, GRCA, LPRCA, ministry correspondence, library board minutes)	Passed	unanimous
2	Approve 2022 December and 2023 Council and Standing Committee meeting schedule (RPT-347-22)	Passed	unanimous
3	Amendment to RPT-0517-22 Bill 23 motion: add clause requesting Province defer clause by clause review at committee stage	Passed	unanimous
4	RPT-0517-22 Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster Act as amended: receive, forward to Province as comments, extend commenting period, share with conservation authorities, defer clause by clause review	Passed	unanimous
5	Approve RPT-350-22 2022-2026 Councillor Technology Resources and direct Councillors to provide equipment preference by Nov 25, 2022	Passed	unanimous
6	Approve RPT-352-22 Councillor General Expense Account Policy	Passed	unanimous
7	Approve RPT-353-22 Council members' participation in individual introductory videos for County communication channels	Passed	unanimous
8	Approve Nominating Committee report: appoint Council members to all standing committees, boards, and external organizations	Passed	unanimous
9	Appoint citizens to advisory committees, boards, and ad hoc committees; instruct staff to recruit for under-filled committees	Passed	unanimous
10	Ratify the employment contract discussed in camera	Passed	unanimous

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Full Minutes

2. Approval of Agenda

Council approved the agenda for the November 22, 2022 meeting with two additional items added under Other Business — one raised by Councillor Chambers and one by Mayor Bailey.

5. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings

Council approved the minutes from three previous meetings held on September 27, November 3, and November 15, 2022.

6. Business Arising from the Minutes – Crossing Guard on Maple Avenue, Burford

Councillor Miller asked for an update on a motion from September 27, 2022, which directed staff to investigate whether a school crossing guard was needed on Maple Avenue in Burford. The Chief Administrative Officer confirmed staff were still looking into it.

7.2. Consent Items to be Received

Council received a large package of information items including conservation authority minutes, government correspondence on housing legislation, library board minutes, and other municipal resolutions. Several items were separated for brief discussion, including concerns about a library board questionnaire, a councillor's intention to seek a ROMA board nomination, and joint City-County initiatives raised in the Brantford Mayor's inaugural address.

9.1. RPT-347-22 – 2022 December and 2023 Council and Committee Calendar

Council approved the schedule of Council and Standing Committee meetings for December 2022 and all of 2023. The schedule can be adjusted by Council resolution or by the Mayor calling special meetings as needed.

9.2. RPT-517-22 – Policy Report – Bill 23 Changes

Council reviewed a report on Ontario's Bill 23 (More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), which is estimated to cost the County an additional $15 million over 10 years. Council voted to submit the report as the County's official comments to the Province, request an extended commenting period, share the report with local conservation authorities, and — following an amendment — also request that the Province defer the clause-by-clause review of the bill at the committee stage.

9.3. RPT-350-22 – Councillor Technology Equipment Option

Council approved a plan to provide Councillors with technology resources for the 2022–2026 term. Staff confirmed that technology solutions would be tailored to each Councillor's needs, and Councillors were asked to submit their equipment preferences to the Clerk by November 25, 2022.

9.4. RPT-352-22 – Councillor General Expense Account Policy

Council received and approved a General Expense Account Policy for Councillors, which sets out the rules and guidelines for how Councillors may use their general expense accounts.

9.5. RPT-353-22 – Members of Council Individual Introductory Videos

Council approved a proposal for each Councillor to participate in a short introductory video to be shared on County of Brant communication channels. The goal is to help residents get to know their elected representatives and build a stronger connection between Council and the community.

11.1. Notice of Motion – Proposed By-law to Address an Emerging Consequence of Increasing Residential Development Intensification – Councillor Bell

Councillor Bell gave advance notice that he plans to bring forward a motion at the December Administration and Operations Committee meeting. The motion will address issues arising from increased residential development intensification in the County.

11.2. Notice of Motion – Election of Planning and Development Committee Chair and Vice Chair – Councillor Miller

Councillor Miller gave advance notice that he will bring forward a resolution at the November 29, 2022 Council meeting to elect the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee.

11.3. Resolution – Support for City of Waterloo Bill 23 Motion – Councillor Howes

This item was withdrawn by Councillor Howes because the matter had already been addressed through the discussion and vote on agenda item 9.2 regarding the County's response to Bill 23.

12. Other Business – Mather Drain and Burford Public Consultation Format

Councillor Chambers raised the Mather Drain by-law and requested that Councillors receive training on the Drainage Act; staff confirmed a training session was coming. Mayor Bailey relayed resident feedback that the online format of the Burford Water and Waste-Water Public Information Session was not well received, and requested future public consultations be held in person. Staff indicated a report on public meeting options, including a hybrid approach, would be forthcoming.

13. In Camera Session – Committee and Citizen Appointments and Employment Contract

Council met privately to discuss personal matters related to identifiable individuals, including staff and labour relations. Following the closed session, Council publicly approved a comprehensive list of Councillor appointments to all standing committees, advisory committees, and external boards for the new term, as well as citizen appointments to various advisory committees. Council also ratified an employment contract that had been discussed in camera.

14. By-laws

Council passed five by-laws through three readings: an amendment to the Municipal Law Enforcement Officer appointment by-law, an appointment of inspectors for the Good Forestry Practices By-law, a by-law authorizing a franchise agreement with Enbridge Gas, a by-law providing for the Mather Drain drainage works, and the session's confirming by-law.

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