Date: November 26, 2024
Location: Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West, Paris, ON
Present: Mayor Bailey, Councillors Kyle, MacAlpine, Howes, Oakley, Bell, Peirce, Miller, Chambers, Coleman, and Garneau
Agenda
- Approval of Agenda
- Delegation: Aura Poddar & Shailesh Poddar – Habitat28 LTD (Artisan Market Proposal)
- Delegation: Christine McCallum, Kailie Mitchell & Patti Mitchell – Summer 2025 Special Olympics Games
- Delegation: Molly Banerjei & Grace Christie – Christian Heritage Month
- Delegation: Glenn Neate – The Official Plan
- Delegation: Kim Hutten – Support the Climate Action Plan Draft
- Delegation: Chuck Beach – Climate Change Action Plan
- Delegation: Tom Sitak – Climate Action Plan
- Delegation: Diana Chan McNally – Statement from a Coalition of Municipal and Regional Councillors
- Adoption of Minutes – County of Brant Council Meeting of October 22, 2024
- RPT-0520-24 – 2025 Council and Standing Committee Calendar
- Consent Items to be Received
- Paramedic Services Committee Report – November 5, 2024
- Policy Development Committee Report – November 5, 2024
- Government Relations Committee Minutes – November 14, 2024
- Administration and Operations Committee Report – November 19, 2024
- Grants Ad Hoc Committee Report – November 21, 2024
- RPT-0531-24 – Main Branch Library Project Update
- RPT-0459-24 – Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2025–2029
- RPT-0496-24 – Request to Support the 2025 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games
- RPT-0518-24 – Climate Action Plan
- RPT-0532-24 – ROMA Delegations
- RPT-0534-24 – Application to the Climate Ready Plans and Processes Grant
- RPT-0529-24 – Funding Request from Brantford Police
- Communication: Statement from a Coalition of Municipal & Regional Councillors on the Use of the Notwithstanding Clause to Clear Encampments
- In Camera Session
- By-laws
Votes at a Glance
Full Minutes
3. Approval of Agenda
Council approved the agenda and addendum for the meeting with several additions: Councillor Chambers requested a Notice of Motion under Resolutions, Councillor Coleman requested a New Business item, and Mayor Bailey requested that item 10.3 be moved earlier in the agenda.
Receive Artisan Market presentation from Habitat28 LTD and refer proposal to staff for a report
5.1. Delegation: Aura Poddar & Shailesh Poddar – Habitat28 LTD (Artisan Market Proposal)
Representatives from Habitat28 LTD presented a proposal to establish an Artisan Market in downtown Paris. The proposed cost was $35,000 at a discounted rate, with several downtown Paris locations under consideration. Council received the presentation and referred the proposal to staff for a full report.
Receive Summer 2025 Special Olympics Games presentation as information
5.2. Delegation: Christine McCallum, Kailie Mitchell & Patti Mitchell – Summer 2025 Special Olympics Games
Delegates presented information about the 2025 Brantford-Brant Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games, to be held July 10–13, 2025. Council received the presentation as information.
Receive Christian Heritage Month presentation from Molly Banerjei and Grace Christie as information
5.3. Delegation: Molly Banerjei & Grace Christie – Christian Heritage Month
Two delegates spoke in support of declaring December as Christian Heritage Month, citing Christianity's influence on Canadian heritage and values. After debate among councillors, Council received the presentation as information, and then voted on a motion to proclaim December as Christian Heritage Month, which was defeated 3 to 8.
Proclaim December as Christian Heritage Month
Approve 2025 Council and Standing Committee meeting schedule and year-end office closure dates
5.4. Delegation: Glenn Neate – The Official Plan
Glenn Neate sought additional information about the Paris Optimist fence near his property and matters related to the Official Plan, land swaps, and property acquisitions at 80 Race Street. Staff provided context noting the process had not yet advanced far enough for the delegate to have received formal notice. Council received the request as information.
Approve EMS in-kind support ($7,600) for 2025 Brantford-Brant Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games
5.5. Delegation: Kim Hutten – Support the Climate Action Plan Draft
Kim Hutten of St. George spoke in support of the County's draft Climate Action Plan and offered additional feedback for Council's consideration. Council received the presentation as information.
Approve Policy Development Committee Report (Nov 5, 2024) including Accessible Design Standards, Strategic Plan update, Climate Action Plan direction, Major Project Dashboard, and Corporate Data Collection Program
5.6. Delegation: Chuck Beach – Climate Change Action Plan
Chuck Beach of Brantford expressed concerns about the draft Climate Action Plan and encouraged the County to do more. Council received the presentation as information and extended an invitation for Mr. Beach to attend a future BME (Budget and Multi-Year Estimates) meeting.
Approve Administration and Operations Committee Report (Nov 19, 2024) excluding William Street 4-Way Stop item
5.7. Delegation: Tom Sitak – Climate Action Plan
Tom Sitak spoke in favour of the Climate Action Plan and suggested that a climate change education piece be included in the County's newsletter. Council received the presentation as information.
Install 4-Way Stop Signs at William Street at West River Street
5.8. Delegation: Diana Chan McNally – Statement from a Coalition of Municipal and Regional Councillors
Diana Chan McNally of Toronto presented on behalf of a coalition of municipal and regional councillors. Council received the presentation as information.
Approve Administration and Operations Committee Report (Nov 19, 2024) as amended including William Street 4-Way Stop with monitoring
6.1. Adoption of Minutes – County of Brant Council Meeting of October 22, 2024
Council approved the minutes from the previous Council meeting held on October 22, 2024.
Approve 2025 Community Grants Program with $385,000 in draft budget and delivery via Brant Community Foundation
8.1.1. RPT-0520-24 – 2025 Council and Standing Committee Calendar
Council approved the meeting schedule for Council and Standing Committees for 2025, subject to amendments by resolution or special meetings. Council also noted a request to move the January 14, 2025 Administration and Operations Committee meeting to later in the day if possible. The County's municipal offices will close December 24, 2025 at noon and reopen January 2, 2026.
Approve 2025-2029 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
8.2. Consent Items to be Received
Council received a number of standing committee and external organization meeting minutes and correspondence as information, including minutes from the Grand River Conservation Authority, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, County of Brant Public Library, JNH Committee of Management, and a resolution from the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc, among others.
Approve County of Brant support for 2025 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games including in-kind donation and CAO authority for up to $15,000 supplementary expenses
Approve and adopt the Climate Action Plan
9.1. Paramedic Services Committee Report – November 5, 2024
Council approved EMS support for the 2025 Brantford-Brant Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games (July 10–13, 2025), including on-site paramedic services at the opening and closing ceremonies as an in-kind donation valued at $7,600, shared between the County of Brant and the City of Brantford. Additional event coverage will be provided as resources allow.
Direct staff to submit 2025 ROMA delegation requests including Ministry of Education
9.2. Policy Development Committee Report – November 5, 2024
Council approved several items from this committee, including: the 2024 Accessible Design Standards; direction for staff to finalize the updated Strategic Plan before year-end; direction to bring the final Climate Action Plan forward for approval; receipt of the Major Project Dashboard; and a decision to continue WCCD ISO 37120 data certification while not pursuing ISO 37122 or ISO 37123 at this time.
Direct staff to apply for FCM Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative grant for 'Building Foundations for Climate Resilience' project
9.3. Government Relations Committee Minutes – November 14, 2024
Council received the Government Relations Committee minutes from November 14, 2024 as information.
Refer Brantford Police funding request to 2025 budget deliberations
9.4. Administration and Operations Committee Report – November 19, 2024
Council dealt with a wide range of operational matters from this committee report, including: a funding request referral for the St. George Children's Centre; endorsement of updates to the Grand River Source Protection Plan; awarding a $3.575 million contract for water treatment equipment at the St. George Water Pollution Control Plant; declaring several County properties surplus; updating the Entrance By-Law; approving a policy for Additional Residential Unit servicing; approving various traffic sign and speed limit changes; approving 2025 fees and charges; extending the GrandBridge Energy billing services agreement; approving the 2025 Paramedic Services operating and capital budgets; authorizing early vehicle purchases; approving new staffing for the Automated Speed Enforcement Program; allocating $250,000 for the Cainsville Employment Hub study; approving the Assessment Base Management Policy; adopting online voting for the 2026 municipal election; and retaining current ward boundaries for 2026. A proposed 4-way stop at William Street and West River Street was initially defeated but later approved in a subsequent motion that included monitoring.
Defer Statement from Coalition of Municipal & Regional Councillors on Notwithstanding Clause to clear encampments to next meeting
9.5. Grants Ad Hoc Committee Report – November 21, 2024
Council approved $385,000 to be included in the draft 2025 budget for the Community Grants Program, to be delivered in partnership with the Brant Community Foundation under the same criteria as 2024. It was also clarified that organizations already receiving ongoing County grants are ineligible for additional grants under the Operating Stream.
10.1. RPT-0531-24 – Main Branch Library Project Update
Council received an update on the Main Branch Library project. Key issues discussed included a parking shortfall that does not meet current zoning requirements, requiring a planning consultant and zoning by-law amendment, with tender results expected in January 2025. The heritage restoration estimate increased by $750,000 due to further deterioration of the Bawcutt Centre, likely from water damage.
10.2. RPT-0459-24 – Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2025–2029
Council received and approved the County's Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for 2025–2029, which outlines steps to improve accessibility across County services and infrastructure. Councillors requested future reporting use a RACI chart format and include broader strategic initiatives and community communications.
10.3. RPT-0496-24 – Request to Support the 2025 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games
Council approved broader County support for the 2025 Brantford-Brant Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games, including recognition of monetary support as an in-kind donation, permission for County staff to volunteer during working hours where operationally feasible, and authorization for the CAO to approve up to $15,000 in supplementary expenses.
10.4. RPT-0518-24 – Climate Action Plan
Council approved and adopted the County of Brant's Climate Action Plan. Discussion emphasized the importance of community education and outreach for public buy-in. Councillors acknowledged that this is a first step and that difficult future decisions will be needed to meaningfully address climate change.
10.5. RPT-0532-24 – ROMA Delegations
Council directed staff to submit delegation requests for the 2025 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference based on the topics outlined in the report. The Ministry of Education was added to the delegation list at Councillor Kyle's request.
10.6. RPT-0534-24 – Application to the Climate Ready Plans and Processes Grant
Council directed staff to apply for funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative to support the County's 'Building Foundations for Climate Resilience' project. The grant covers up to 70% of project costs to a maximum of $70,000, with the County contributing through staff time.
10.7. RPT-0529-24 – Funding Request from Brantford Police
Council received a funding request from the Brantford Police Service and referred it to the 2025 budget deliberations for consideration.
11.1. Communication: Statement from a Coalition of Municipal & Regional Councillors on the Use of the Notwithstanding Clause to Clear Encampments
Councillor Oakley brought forward a statement from a coalition of municipal and regional councillors opposing the use of the notwithstanding clause to clear homeless encampments. Some councillors were supportive while others wanted more time to review the letter. The motion was deferred to the next Council meeting.
14. In Camera Session
Council met in closed session to discuss a Policy Development Committee in-camera report and a personnel matter related to a 2024 Market Compensation Survey under Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, which covers personal matters about identifiable individuals including municipal employees.
15. By-laws
Council passed three by-laws: By-law 117-24 to update the appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement Officers; By-law 119-24 to establish the County's fees and charges for 2025; and By-law 120-24 to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting.
This post was automatically generated by BrantVotes from the official County of Brant council minutes. Always refer to the official minutes for authoritative records.
