County of Brant Council Minutes — November 28, 2023

Agenda

1. Delegation – Martin McCaffrey & Ian Robertson: Safety Concerns Regarding RPT-0289-23 (King Edward St and Dundas St W Intersection Improvement)
2. Delegation – Karen Scott & Gary Germy, County of Brant Public Library: 2022 Provincial Library Statistics
3. Delegation – Nilou Nezrat, Shared Tower Inc.: Agenda Item 8.6 Recommendation #2
4. Delegation – Ana and Kris Olsen: Changes to Traffic and Roadway on Dundas Street West
5. Delegation – Natasha Dobler, Nova Vita: Declaration of Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)
6. Delegation – Beth McAllister, Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Team: Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)
7. Delegation – Christine Wildman: Declaring IPV and GBV an Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)
8. Delegation – Leslie Josling, Willowbridge Community Services: Gender-Based Violence Challenges in the County of Brant (Agenda Item 11.3)
9. Delegation – Joanna Brant, Sexual Assault Centre of Brant: Declaring IPV/GBV an Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)
10. Delegation – Penny McVicar, Victim Services of Brant: Gender-Based Violence (Agenda Item 11.3)
11. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings
12. Consent Items to be Received
13. License Tribunal Report – October 24, 2023
14. Joint City-County Shared Services Committee Report – October 30, 2023
15. Paramedic Services Committee Report – November 1, 2023
16. Policy Development Committee Report – November 7, 2023
17. Government Relations Committee Report – November 14, 2023
18. Planning and Development Committee Report – November 14, 2023
19. Administration and Operations Committee Report – November 21, 2023
20. RPT-0508-23 – Feasibility Study: Russell Heights Phase 2, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada
21. Communication – Email from Ginny Moore: Veteran Street/Lane Naming Request
22. Resolution – Councillor Oakley: Support for GO Transit Expansion
23. Resolution – Councillor Oakley: Short Term Rentals and ARUs
24. Resolution – Councillor Kyle: Declaration of Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic
25. Proclamation – Lung Cancer Awareness Month
26. In Camera – Citizen Appointments and CEO Recruitment
27. By-laws

Votes at a Glance

#	Motion	Result	Tally
1	Declare Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic in the County of Brant and related actions	Passed	11–0
2	Refer Nova Vita Brant's request for funding for a Transitional Outreach Officer to the 2024 budget as a decision package	Passed	unanimous
3	Support Enbridge resolution on the future of natural gas expansion and home heating affordability	Passed	unanimous
4	Approve License Tribunal report of October 24, 2023 including Rules of Practice and Procedures	Passed	unanimous
5	Approve Joint City-County Shared Services Committee report of October 30, 2023 including shared service opportunities	Passed	unanimous
6	Approve Paramedic Services Committee report of November 1, 2023 including ambulance donation to Institute of Sisters of Immaculate Heart	Passed	unanimous
7	Approve Policy Development Committee report of November 7, 2023 including Behaviour Policy, Fence By-law, bridge consultation plan, Climate Change Action Plan, and Boralex battery energy storage support	Passed	unanimous
8	Approve Government Relations Committee report of November 14, 2023 including ROMA delegation requests and $1500 conference budget addition	Passed	unanimous
9	Approve Planning and Development Committee recommendations 3 and 4 (Forbes Bros tower at 45 Hatchley Road; GO Rail resolution)	Passed	unanimous
10	Direct staff to investigate Option 3 – permit chickens within all residential areas and zones subject to specific regulations	Passed	unanimous
11	Amendment to add 'County of Brant supports the location' to Shared Tower Inc. (9 Main Street North) telecommunications tower recommendation	Passed	unanimous
12	Approve amended recommendation 2 re: Shared Tower Inc. telecommunications tower at 9 Main Street North including County support for the location	Passed	unanimous
13	Approve Administration and Operations Committee recommendations 1-3 and 5-23 of November 21, 2023 report	Passed	unanimous
14	Approve recommendation 4 – refer Apps Mill/Outdoor Environmental Education Program funding request to 2024 budget process	Passed	unanimous
15	RPT-0508-23 – Enter partnership with Co-operative Housing Federation for feasibility study at Russell Heights Phase 2; fund $50,000 from Affordable Housing Reserve	Passed	unanimous
16	Direct staff to add Henry Foster to the list of veteran names to be used for street naming	Passed	unanimous
17	Send letter of support to Minister of Transportation for City of Brantford's GO Rail expansion proposal	Passed	unanimous
18	Direct staff to develop a short term rental regulation policy including licensing, limits, Municipal Accommodation Tax, and affordable housing contributions	Failed	unanimous
19	Proclaim December as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the County of Brant	Passed	unanimous
20	Appoint citizens to Tourism Advisory Committee, Accessibility Advisory Committee, and County of Brant Public Library Board	Passed	unanimous
21	Appoint Darryl Lee as Chief Executive Officer of Brant Municipal Enterprises and authorize Mayor and CAO to execute employment agreement	Passed	unanimous

---

Full Minutes

4.1. Delegation – Martin McCaffrey & Ian Robertson: Safety Concerns Regarding RPT-0289-23 (King Edward St and Dundas St W Intersection Improvement)

Two residents from Dundas Street West spoke out against the proposed removal of an all-way stop at Dundas Street and Zavarella Court, raising concerns about pedestrian safety, poor sightlines, and high traffic volumes. Staff confirmed they are reviewing traffic calming options and noted that a temporary three-way stop could be put in place at the intersection.

4.2. Delegation – Karen Scott & Gary Germy, County of Brant Public Library: 2022 Provincial Library Statistics

The County of Brant Public Library presented its 2022 provincial statistics, highlighting that the County leads the province in the percentage of residents with library cards (81%) and total library visits per capita. A wide range of the population participates in library programming and regularly obtains new cards.

4.3. Delegation – Nilou Nezrat, Shared Tower Inc.: Agenda Item 8.6 Recommendation #2

A representative for Shared Towers Inc. presented to Council regarding a proposed telecommunications tower, asking that the committee's recommendation be amended to include an explicit statement of Council's concurrence with the tower's location. She argued the community needs better cellular coverage and that the proposed site is the best available option.

4.4. Delegation – Ana and Kris Olsen: Changes to Traffic and Roadway on Dundas Street West

Paris residents spoke about proposed changes to Dundas Street West, expressing support for the roundabout design used on Rest Acres Road and requesting a roundabout be installed at the Dundas Street and King Street intersection instead of a proposed right-turn-only configuration. Staff indicated they would monitor traffic at the location to determine the most appropriate solution.

4.5. Delegation – Natasha Dobler, Nova Vita: Declaration of Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)

The Executive Director of Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services urged Council to declare intimate partner and gender-based violence an epidemic, citing rising femicide rates and shelter capacity shortfalls. She also requested that the County fund a Transitional Outreach Support Worker, a request that was referred to the 2024 budget process.

4.6. Delegation – Beth McAllister, Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Team: Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)

A representative of the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Care Team outlined the services their team provides and asked Council to formally declare intimate partner and gender-based violence an epidemic in the County of Brant.

4.7. Delegation – Christine Wildman: Declaring IPV and GBV an Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)

Christine Wildman, who runs a provincial campaign raising public awareness about intimate partner violence warning signs, spoke in favour of the proposed declaration. She shared provincial statistics on intimate partner violence and explained how an official epidemic declaration can lead to meaningful government action.

4.8. Delegation – Leslie Josling, Willowbridge Community Services: Gender-Based Violence Challenges in the County of Brant (Agenda Item 11.3)

A representative of Willowbridge Community Services, which provides counselling to individuals with disabilities, spoke about the rise in gender-based violence and femicide since 2019 and noted that rural settings like the County of Brant present additional risks. She requested the County declare an epidemic and give specific attention to violence against girls with disabilities.

4.9. Delegation – Joanna Brant, Sexual Assault Centre of Brant: Declaring IPV/GBV an Epidemic (Agenda Item 11.3)

The Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant described ongoing challenges including rural access barriers, lack of transportation, and a wait list of over 12 months for services. She asked Council to declare intimate partner and gender-based violence an epidemic to help drive action and additional resources.

4.10. Delegation – Penny McVicar, Victim Services of Brant: Gender-Based Violence (Agenda Item 11.3)

The Executive Director of Victim Services Brant outlined her organization's programs supporting crime victims and asked Council to formally declare intimate partner and gender-based violence an epidemic in the County of Brant.

5. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings

Council approved the minutes from its previous meetings held on October 24, 2023 and November 14, 2023.

7.2. Consent Items to be Received

Council received a large set of informational items including minutes and resolutions from other municipalities and agencies. Four items were pulled for separate discussion: an Enbridge resolution on natural gas and home heating affordability (which Council voted to support), the County of Brant Public Library Board minutes (with a note on the library's separate governance structure), a North Dumfries truck route resolution, and a Township of McKellar resolution on legislative notice requirements.

8.1. License Tribunal Report – October 24, 2023

Council approved the License Tribunal's recommendation to adopt Rules of Practice and Procedures for the County of Brant License Tribunal, which will govern how the tribunal operates.

8.2. Joint City-County Shared Services Committee Report – October 30, 2023

Council approved recommendations from the Joint City-County Shared Services Committee directing staff to explore shared service opportunities with the City of Brantford. Areas of exploration include physician recruitment, the municipal airport, and shared tourism and economic development interests.

8.3. Paramedic Services Committee Report – November 1, 2023

Council approved a recommendation to donate a decommissioned 2015 GMC Demers Type 3 ambulance to the Institute of the Sisters of Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ.

8.4. Policy Development Committee Report – November 7, 2023

Council approved several policy recommendations including an updated Behaviour Policy, a moderate approach to regulating pool enclosures, a consultation plan for potential bridge closures or conversions (including Cleaver Road and Castler Bridges), a direction to prepare a Climate Change Action Plan, and a resolution supporting the Boralex Brant Battery Energy Storage Project for provincial procurement purposes.

8.5. Government Relations Committee Report – November 14, 2023

Council approved plans for the County's delegation schedule at the 2024 ROMA conference, directing staff to request meetings with several provincial ministries on topics including physician recruitment, the Raw Carrot program, education, and Indigenous affairs. The committee also approved adding $1,500 to the conference budget for each committee member and directed preparation of an amended remuneration by-law.

8.6. Planning and Development Committee Report – November 14, 2023

Council approved four planning recommendations: directing staff to investigate allowing backyard chickens in all residential areas; confirming the County's support for a telecommunications tower at 9 Main Street North (even though it does not meet preferred location guidelines) after an amendment was added to explicitly state County support; confirming consultation completion for a tower at 45 Hatchley Road which does meet guidelines; and agreeing to hear a GO Rail expansion resolution at this meeting.

8.7. Administration and Operations Committee Report – November 21, 2023

Council approved a wide range of operational and administrative recommendations including referring a $500,000 Paris District High School track funding request to the 2024 budget, entering into an agreement with the Grand River Conservation Authority, awarding facility roof repair contracts totalling $334,386 to Proteck Roofing, approving the 2024 Paramedic Services operating budget of approximately $16.9 million, approving 2024 fees and charges, adjusting the Council meeting calendar, updating committee appointments, approving a heritage conservation strategy for 3 and 7 Yeo Street, suspending winter road maintenance on a portion of Cleaver Road, purchasing new winter maintenance trucks, continuing the Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Program with an expansion to King Edward Street, extending a road lowering agreement with Lafarge Canada, initiating a water and wastewater connection fee notification process, and approving in principle a residential parking permit system for downtown Paris.

9.1. RPT-0508-23 – Feasibility Study: Russell Heights Phase 2, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

Council approved entering into a partnership with the Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada to conduct a feasibility study for building a new seniors' co-operative housing building on vacant land at Russell Heights (50 High Street). Up to $50,000 from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund will help fund the study, which is expected to be completed within three months.

10.1. Communication – Email from Ginny Moore: Veteran Street/Lane Naming Request

Council received a request from a resident to honour a veteran through street naming. Council directed staff to add the name Henry Foster to the list of veteran names available for use in future street naming.

11.1. Resolution – Councillor Oakley: Support for GO Transit Expansion

Council passed a resolution directing staff to send a letter of support to the Minister of Transportation backing the City of Brantford's proposal to expand GO Rail service to Brantford. The resolution noted that County residents have expressed interest in a closer GO Rail station and that expanded transit is needed to support the County's anticipated population growth.

11.2. Resolution – Councillor Oakley: Short Term Rentals and ARUs

Councillor Oakley brought forward a resolution asking staff to develop a policy to regulate short-term rentals in the County, including a licensing system, possible limits on the number of licenses, and a Municipal Accommodation Tax. Council debated whether regulation was the right approach and the motion was defeated.

11.3. Resolution – Councillor Kyle: Declaration of Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic

Council unanimously declared gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic in the County of Brant. The resolution also calls on the provincial and federal governments to make the same declaration, requests that femicide be added to the Criminal Code, directs staff to develop a Community Action Plan, and asks provincial and federal governments to enact all 85 recommendations from the Renfrew County inquest into the 2015 murders of three women. The vote was 11 to 0 in favour.

11.4. Proclamation – Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Council proclaimed the month of December to be Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the County of Brant, recognizing lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in Canada and the need for increased research funding, earlier diagnosis, and improved screening rates.

13. In Camera – Citizen Appointments and CEO Recruitment

Council met privately to discuss citizen appointments to boards and committees and a recommendation regarding CEO recruitment for Brant Municipal Enterprises. Following the closed session, Council appointed citizens to the Tourism Advisory Committee, Accessibility Advisory Committee, and County of Brant Public Library Board, and appointed Darryl Lee as Chief Executive Officer of Brant Municipal Enterprises.

14. By-laws

Council gave three readings to nine by-laws covering amendments to Council proceedings, appointment of a Risk Management Official, appointment of a Site Alteration Inspector, updated remuneration for elected officials, 2024 fees and charges, committee and board appointments, and two fence by-law amendments, as well as a confirmatory by-law for the meeting's proceedings.

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