Date: October 22, 2024
Location: Council Chambers, 7 Broadway Street West, Paris, ON
Present: Mayor Bailey, Councillors Kyle, MacAlpine, Howes, Oakley (left at 7:09 p.m.), Bell, Peirce, Miller, Chambers, Coleman, and Garneau
Agenda
- Approval of Agenda
- John Malcolm – Optimist Club of Paris – County of Brant Community Partnership Policy
- Kelly Bernstein and Fred Gladding – County of Brant Public Library
- Heather George – Woodland Cultural Centre
- Stephanie Hermans – Parking Issue at 18 Papple Rd
- Request to Speak – Ella Hayley re: Odor from Sewage Storage
- Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings
- Proclamation Request – Jessica Powless – Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
- RPT-0471-24 Street Naming Opportunity – A. Almaflahi
- RPT-0426-24 OPS-RFP-24-06: Engineering Services for Various Slope Stability Investigations – M. Eby
- Consent Items to be Received
- Administration and Operations Committee Report – October 15, 2024
- RPT-0491-24 Social Services Draft 2025 Budget – H. Boyd & H. Mifflin
- RPT-0472-24 Ron Eddy Road Dedication – A. Dyjach
- Hospital Working Group Letter – City of Brantford
- City of Brantford Resolution – Request to the Chief Justice of the Superior Court
- WOWC Resolution – Roadside Zoos
- River Signage Update – Councillor Miller
- Glen Morris United Church Digital Signage Request – Karen Murray-Hopf
- County of Brant Official Plan – Notice of Decision
- In Camera – BME Director Appointment and Administration and Operations Committee Report
- By-laws
Votes at a Glance
Full Minutes
3. Approval of Agenda
Council approved the agenda and addendum for the October 22, 2024 meeting.
Refer Woodland Cultural Centre $1,000,000 capital campaign request to budget over five years
5.1. John Malcolm – Optimist Club of Paris – County of Brant Community Partnership Policy
John Malcolm from the Optimist Club of Paris was scheduled to speak about the County of Brant Community Partnership Policy but was not in attendance.
5.2. Kelly Bernstein and Fred Gladding – County of Brant Public Library
The CEO and Board Chair of the County of Brant Public Library presented the 2023 Annual Report. Council discussed the library's collection, key statistics, and security measures. The presentation was received as information.
Direct staff to expedite the site plan process at 18 Papple Road
Refer odor issue at 1693 Colborne St E to staff for response to Ministry of Environment by Oct 24
5.3. Heather George – Woodland Cultural Centre
The Executive Director of the Woodland Cultural Centre requested a $1,000,000 investment from the County to support building a new museum/gallery and community learning spaces. Council discussed past funding requests and referred the $1,000,000 request to the budget, to be spread over five years matching Six Nations of the Grand River's commitment.
Ratify in camera resolutions: creation of HR Generalist position and conversion of part-time accounting to full-time payroll
Proclaim November 25th as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
5.4. Stephanie Hermans – Parking Issue at 18 Papple Rd
A lawyer representing 18-20 Papple Road Inc. presented concerns about a parking issue at their property. Council and staff discussed parking, zoning, and planning processes, with staff noting the matter could be resolved through a site plan amendment application. The delegation was received as information, and a motion to expedite the site plan process was defeated.
Add William England to Community Member Street Naming List and seek future street naming opportunities
Award OPS-RFP-24-06 Engineering Services for Slope Stability Investigations to GRIT Engineering Inc. at $29,115
5.5. Request to Speak – Ella Hayley re: Odor from Sewage Storage
Residents Ella Haley and Brian Smith raised concerns about odor and potential water contamination from a Wessuc Inc. site on Colborne Street East in Brantford. Council directed staff to prepare a response to the Ministry of Environment by October 24, 2024.
Administration and Operations Committee Report Oct 15 recommendations 1-7 and 9-11 approved
6. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings
Council approved the Special Council and Council minutes from September 24, 2024, and ratified two resolutions from the in-camera session that day: the creation of one additional Human Resources Generalist position and the conversion of a part-time accounting assistant position to a full-time payroll position.
Approve recommendation 8: Continue Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Program and add noted additional sidewalks
8.1.1. Proclamation Request – Jessica Powless – Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
Council proclaimed November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, recognizing the ongoing issue of gender-based violence including femicide, and urging citizens to support survivors and efforts to end gender-based violence.
Approve Social Services Draft 2025 Budget in principle and direct Clerk to advise City of Brantford
8.1.2. RPT-0471-24 Street Naming Opportunity – A. Almaflahi
Council approved adding the name William England to the Community Member Street Naming List, directing staff to look for future opportunities to use the name in new street developments within the County.
Dedicate Governors Road East as 'Ron Eddy Way' and add Ron Eddy to Community Member Street Naming List
8.1.3. RPT-0426-24 OPS-RFP-24-06: Engineering Services for Various Slope Stability Investigations – M. Eby
Council awarded the contract for slope stability engineering investigations to GRIT Engineering Inc. at a Phase One cost of $29,115 plus HST. Staff were also authorized to negotiate a Phase Two workplan with GRIT upon completion of Phase One. Councillor Coleman requested a list of potential slopes be included in the upcoming Friday Files.
Direct staff to decline City of Brantford Hospital Working Group request in favour of Reimagine Committee
8.2. Consent Items to be Received
Council received as information a package of external meeting minutes and resolutions, including minutes from the Public Library, Grand River Conservation Authority, John Noble Home, Paris BIA, and resolutions from Middlesex County, Social Services Committee, Perth County, and a notice from the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
Grant use of County property for digital signage for Glen Morris United Church, subject to staff approval
9.1. Administration and Operations Committee Report – October 15, 2024
Council approved a broad set of recommendations from the Administration and Operations Committee including: endorsing amendments to the Grand River Source Protection Plan; reducing speed limits to 40 km/h in numerous residential neighbourhoods across the County; updating parking and traffic by-laws for multiple locations and new development areas; adopting a new industrial tax subclass for aggregate sites; approving fire station equipment upgrades in Scotland; authorizing purchase of a replacement fire tanker truck for up to $541,636; approving the 2024 Development Charges Background Study and new rates effective November 1, 2024; proceeding with Oakland Community Centre renovations to open a child care centre; recognizing local businesses for accessibility improvements; and supporting heritage markers in the Downtown Dig public engagement process. Recommendation 8 regarding the Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Program was voted on separately due to Councillor Garneau's declared pecuniary interest, and was approved to continue the program with additional sidewalks added.
Re-appoint Will Bucholz to Brant Municipal Enterprises Inc. Board of Directors for 4-year term to Nov 24, 2028
10.1. RPT-0491-24 Social Services Draft 2025 Budget – H. Boyd & H. Mifflin
Council received and approved in principle the Social Services Draft 2025 Budget. Staff were directed to notify the City of Brantford of the County's position by October 31, 2024, in accordance with the shared services agreement.
10.2. RPT-0472-24 Ron Eddy Road Dedication – A. Dyjach
Council approved naming Governors Road East from Osborne Corners to the Paris town limits as 'Ron Eddy Way' in honour of Ron Eddy. His name was also added to the Community Member Street Naming List for future use in new developments.
11.1. Hospital Working Group Letter – City of Brantford
The City of Brantford had requested Brant County join a Hospital Working Group. Mayor Bailey noted the hospital and First Nations had already declined the request. Council voted to decline the City's request and instead continue participating in the existing Reimagine Committee. The communication was also received as information.
11.2. City of Brantford Resolution – Request to the Chief Justice of the Superior Court
Council received as information a resolution from the City of Brantford regarding a request to the Chief Justice of the Superior Court. No further action was taken.
11.3. WOWC Resolution – Roadside Zoos
Council received as information a resolution from the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus concerning legislation related to roadside zoos.
11.4. River Signage Update – Councillor Miller
Council received an update from Councillor Miller regarding river signage as information. No further action was taken at this time.
11.5. Glen Morris United Church Digital Signage Request – Karen Murray-Hopf
Glen Morris United Church requested permission to place digital signage on County of Brant property. Council approved the request subject to staff approval and compliance with applicable by-laws. There was no known existing precedent for this type of arrangement.
11.6. County of Brant Official Plan – Notice of Decision
Council received a notice of decision regarding the County of Brant Official Plan. Members expressed disappointment with the Province's decision and discussed the timeline for future Official Plan updates. Council thanked staff and noted the contributions of Jennifer Boyer to the process.
14. In Camera – BME Director Appointment and Administration and Operations Committee Report
Council met in closed session to discuss a personal matter regarding the BME Director appointment and a related Administration and Operations Committee item. Following the in-camera session, Council publicly ratified the re-appointment of Will Bucholz to the Board of Directors for Brant Municipal Enterprises Inc. for an additional four-year term expiring November 24, 2028.
15. By-laws
Council passed six by-laws on three readings, including: appointing Sunayana Katikapalli as County Clerk; amending the Parking By-law; enacting new development charges; appointing Dustin Van Engen as Deputy Treasurer; assuming a road reserve in Burford; and 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.
