County of Brant Council Minutes — September 26, 2023

Agenda

1. Approval of Agenda
2. Delegation – Rickie St. Paul – Paint on Vehicle
3. Delegation – Paris and District Chamber of Commerce / St. George Business Association – Brant Eats Food and Drink Event
4. Paris and District Chamber of Commerce – Request for Designation of an Event as a Municipally Significant Event
5. Delegation – Ed Solak – Accessibility Issues in the County of Brant
6. Delegation – Cameron Johnston, Millard Chartered Professional Accountants – County of Brant 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements
7. Brant Municipal Enterprises Annual General Meeting of a Shareholder
8. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings
9. Consent Items to be Received
10. Resolution – Establishing a Guaranteed Income (Town of Grimsby)
11. Resolution – AMO Proposed Resolution RE: Codes of Conduct (Women of Ontario Say No)
12. Resolution – Climate Emergency Just Transition Transfer (Township of Severn)
13. Grants Ad Hoc Committee Report – September 5, 2023
14. Policy Development Committee Report – September 5, 2023
15. Paramedic Services Committee Report – September 11 and 18, 2023
16. Planning and Development Committee Report – September 12, 2023
17. Administration and Operations Committee Report – September 19, 2023
18. RPT-0431-23 – Appointment of Hearing Officer – Administrative Penalties System
19. RPT-0427-23 – Accepting Bids from JB Landscape Construction
20. Resolution – Councillor Coleman – Commemoration of Ron Eddy
21. In Camera Session – Staffing and Litigation
22. By-laws

Votes at a Glance

#	Motion	Result	Tally
1	Refer Rickie St. Paul delegation re: paint on vehicle to staff for investigation and fair settlement	Passed	unanimous
2	Declare Brant Eats Food and Drink Event (Oct 27, 2023) a Municipally Significant Event for SOP purposes	Passed	unanimous
3	Refer Ed Solak accessibility delegation to Accessibility Advisory Committee	Passed	unanimous
4	Receive 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements and auditor report as information	Passed	unanimous
5	Receive Brant Municipal Enterprises Annual Report and Financial Statements 2022 as presented	Passed	unanimous
6	Support Guaranteed Livable Income resolution; write to PM, Premier, and circulate to Ontario municipalities	Passed	unanimous
7	Support AMO resolution to strengthen municipal Codes of Conduct including removal powers	Passed	unanimous
8	Endorse Township of Severn Climate Emergency Just Transition Transfer resolution	Failed	unanimous
9	Receive Township of Severn Climate Emergency Just Transition Transfer resolution (item 7.2.3) as information	Passed	unanimous
10	Approve Grants Ad Hoc Committee report of September 5, 2023	Passed	unanimous
11	Approve Policy Development Committee report of September 5, 2023 including BME governance amendments and Joint City-County Committee	Passed	unanimous
12	Approve Paramedic Services Committee report of September 11 and 18, 2023 including 2024 draft budget	Passed	unanimous
13	Approve Planning and Development Committee report of September 12, 2023	Passed	unanimous
14	Approve Administration and Operations Committee report of September 19, 2023	Passed	unanimous
15	Appoint James B. Georgeff as Hearing Officer for County of Brant Administrative Penalties System	Passed	unanimous
16	Approve RPT 0427-23 accepting bids from JB Landscape Construction and allow future submissions	Passed	unanimous
17	Direct staff to investigate commemorative naming options for Ron Eddy and report back to Council	Passed	unanimous
18	Approve full-time Aquatics/Active Living Coordinator and convert Property Maintenance Coordinator to full-time	Passed	unanimous

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Full Minutes

2. Approval of Agenda

Council approved the agenda for September 26, 2023 with two modifications: item 10.1 was moved to be heard immediately following item 4.2, and two new items were added under new business at the request of Councillors Miller and Peirce.

4.1. Delegation – Rickie St. Paul – Paint on Vehicle

Rickie St. Paul addressed Council about an incident on June 29, 2023, where he drove through paint on a road and his vehicle was badly damaged. He expressed frustration with how staff handled his damage claim. Council directed staff to investigate the claim and settle it fairly if warranted, with the outcome to be reported back to Council.

4.2. Delegation – Paris and District Chamber of Commerce / St. George Business Association – Brant Eats Food and Drink Event

Representatives from the Paris and District Chamber of Commerce and the St. George Business Association appeared before Council requesting that the Brant Eats Food and Drink Event be declared a municipally significant event so that a liquor licence could be obtained for the event, which would feature local restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The delegation was referred to agenda item 10.1 for consideration.

10.1. Paris and District Chamber of Commerce – Request for Designation of an Event as a Municipally Significant Event

Council declared the Brant Eats Food and Drink Event, scheduled for October 27, 2023 at the Gaukel Community Centre, a municipally significant event. This designation is required by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in order for the event organizers to obtain a Special Occasion Permit to serve alcohol at the community event.

4.3. Delegation – Ed Solak – Accessibility Issues in the County of Brant

Ed Solak, who lives with paraplegia, spoke to Council about accessibility challenges he faces in the County, particularly with navigating gravel pathways at Rest Acres Park. Staff noted that an accessibility audit of all County parks has recently been completed and a report with proposed improvements will be brought to Council. The delegation was received and referred to the Accessibility Advisory Committee.

4.4. Delegation – Cameron Johnston, Millard Chartered Professional Accountants – County of Brant 2022 Consolidated Financial Statements

The County's external auditor, Cameron Johnston of Millard Chartered Professional Accountants, presented the audit of the County's 2022 financial statements, noting that they fairly represent the County's financial position. Council was informed that a long-term financial plan is being developed but that current staffing capacity in the Finance Department limits expanded public reporting. The financial statements were received as information.

4.5. Brant Municipal Enterprises Annual General Meeting of a Shareholder

The 2022 Annual General Meeting of the sole shareholder (County Council) of Brant Municipal Enterprises (BME) was held. Acting Chief Operating Officer Adam Crozier presented BME's 2022 annual report and financial statements, noting it was a transitional year with regeneration of the Energy Division and ongoing recruitment of a CEO. Discussion included the potential for BME to pursue affordable housing projects. The annual report and financial statements were received.

5. Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meetings

Council approved the minutes from the Special Council meeting of July 18, 2023, and the regular Council meetings of July 25 and September 12, 2023.

7.2. Consent Items to be Received

Council received a number of correspondence and information items, including minutes from the Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Paris BIA, Grand River Conservation Authority, John Noble Home Committee of Management, and resolutions from other municipalities on topics including the Provincial Planning Statement, homelessness, and the Black Ash Tree classification as an endangered species.

7.2.1. Resolution – Establishing a Guaranteed Income (Town of Grimsby)

Council debated and approved a resolution supporting the establishment of a Guaranteed Livable Income program, citing housing affordability data showing that rent in the County of Brant is unaffordable for people on Ontario Works, ODSP, or even minimum wage. Council agreed to circulate the resolution to other Ontario municipalities and write to the Prime Minister, Premier, and local politicians urging a united effort on the issue.

7.2.2. Resolution – AMO Proposed Resolution RE: Codes of Conduct (Women of Ontario Say No)

Council approved a resolution supporting the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's call for the Province of Ontario to strengthen municipal Codes of Conduct. The resolution calls for updated conduct standards, stronger enforcement tools, better training for Integrity Commissioners, and the ability to seek judicial removal of council members who engage in serious misconduct. Discussion was held on whether removal powers should rest with voters rather than the courts.

7.2.3. Resolution – Climate Emergency Just Transition Transfer (Township of Severn)

Council debated a resolution calling on the federal government to establish a new 'Just Transition Transfer' of approximately $25 billion annually to help fund climate infrastructure and support workers transitioning away from fossil fuel industries. The resolution was defeated. A subsequent motion to simply receive the item as information was carried.

8.1. Grants Ad Hoc Committee Report – September 5, 2023

Council approved the Grants Ad Hoc Committee report, which included the election of Councillor Oakley as Chair and Councillor Garneau as Vice Chair. The committee also directed staff to review the 2024 Community Grants Program, including exploring partnership with the Brant Community Foundation, setting funding at 0.5% of the operating budget, and revisiting eligibility criteria for grant applicants.

8.2. Policy Development Committee Report – September 5, 2023

Council approved a wide-ranging Policy Development Committee report covering several items: updating the Program Cancellation Policy; directing a new by-law for the Fire Department; deferring the Strategic Plan update until after the Long-Term Financial Plan and 2024 budget are finalized; amending governance of Brant Municipal Enterprises to establish a CEO selection committee; and reviving the Joint City-County Shared Services Committee with five Councillors appointed (Kyle, Oakley, Bell, Chambers, and Coleman).

8.3. Paramedic Services Committee Report – September 11 and 18, 2023

Council approved recommendations from the Paramedic Services Committee, including approval of a new Community Paramedic Palliative Wish program, the 2023 Response Time Targets and Performance Plan for submission to the Ministry of Health, and the Draft 2024 Paramedic Services Budget with total expenditures of approximately $16.9 million. A new commander position was also approved to begin July 1, 2023.

8.4. Planning and Development Committee Report – September 12, 2023

Council approved the Planning and Development Committee report, which included endorsement of the Agricultural Advisory Committee's recommendation to receive a report on the revised proposed Provincial Planning Statement and to share it with the two Conservation Authorities that have jurisdiction within the County of Brant.

8.5. Administration and Operations Committee Report – September 19, 2023

Council approved a comprehensive Administration and Operations Committee report covering 25 items, including: approval of late grant requests totalling $15,000; amendments to the Good Forestry Practices By-law and Open Air Burning By-law; drainage engineering appointments; a Community Improvement Plan grant of $5,875 for a Burford property; approval of the St. George Water Servicing Environmental Study Report and next steps toward a new water treatment facility; holiday office closures for late December 2023; parking enforcement policy direction; a natural gas expansion consultation for the Harley community; solid waste collection tender options for 2025; new parking and traffic restrictions at multiple locations; approval of the Winter Operations Plan; a new Project Engineer position; various heritage and accessibility committee recommendations; and commemorative plaques for former councillors Vic Garn and for the Cowan Community Health Hub.

9.1. RPT-0431-23 – Appointment of Hearing Officer – Administrative Penalties System

Council approved the appointment of James B. Georgeff as a Hearing Officer for the County of Brant's Administrative Penalties System, which allows residents to appeal penalty decisions. A confirming by-law was also referred for passage.

9.2. RPT-0427-23 – Accepting Bids from JB Landscape Construction

Council approved a report allowing JB Landscape Construction to submit bids and receive contracts for County projects through the County's transparent purchasing process. Councillors Garneau and Oakley declared conflicts of interest and did not participate, as Garneau owns the company and Oakley is employed by it.

11.1. Resolution – Councillor Coleman – Commemoration of Ron Eddy

Council directed staff to investigate commemorative naming options such as a park or building to honour Ron Eddy, who served the County for decades including as Mayor from 1998 to 2018. Discussion emphasized the importance of consulting Ron Eddy and his family on any naming option and choosing something that reflects his personality and legacy.

13. In Camera Session – Staffing and Litigation

Council met privately to discuss personal matters related to identifiable individuals (departmental staffing) and potential litigation involving a property at 234 Cockshutt Road. Following the in camera session, Council approved two staffing decisions: creating a full-time Aquatics and Active Living Coordinator position effective immediately, and converting the part-time Property Maintenance Coordinator position at Russell Heights to full-time effective October 1, 2023.

14. By-laws

Council passed eleven by-laws on three readings, covering: establishing and regulating the County of Brant Fire Department; amending the Brant Municipal Enterprises Shareholders Declaration; appointing Council members to committees; appointing municipal law enforcement officers; amending the Good Forestry Practices By-law; replacing the Open Air Burning By-law; appointing a Deputy Fire Chief; amending the Traffic and Parking By-laws; appointing a Hearing Officer; 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.