MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE

Council Meeting

MINUTES

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Council Chambers
1925 Bruce Road 10, Chesley, ON
Council Present:
  • Mayor Steve Hammell
  • Deputy Mayor Jennifer Shaw
  • Councillor Ryan Nickason
  • Councillor Darryl Hampton
  • Councillor Brian Dudgeon
  • Councillor Moiken Penner
  • Councillor Peter Steinacker
Council Absent:
  • Devan Baker - Deputy Clerk
Staff Present:
  • Christine Fraser-McDonald - Clerk
  • Julie Hamilton - Coordinator of Infrastructure and Development
  • Scott McLeod - Public Works Manager
  • Carly Steinhoff - Recreation Manager
  • Steve Tiernan - Fire Chief
  • Chris Legge - Water/Sewer Foreperson
  • David Munro - Interim Treasurer
  • Jennifer Isber-Legge - Economic Development & Communications Coordinator
  • Emily Dance, CAO
  • Nathan Van Myall - Project Manager

Mayor Hammell called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. A quorum was present. 

Mayor Hammell noted that three tragedies have affected the community greatly this past weekend.  It has drastic and profound effects on our communities including one young woman that was going to start as our Recreation summer student and both were on the Tara Twins ball team.

Our flags are at half mast to acknowledge this tragedy.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 173-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Councillor Penner

    Be It Resolved that the agenda for the Council Meeting of Monday, May 26, 2025 be received and adopted, as distributed by the Clerk.

    Carried

Deputy Mayor Shaw presented her Notice of Motion to Council. She feels this aligns with the Municipality's Recreation  Master Plan and the Strategic Plan.  She feels it supports youth and their well-being.  Staff will confirm with Bruce County that they support the passes for the Municipality.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 174-09-2025
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Hampton

    Be it Resolved that Council provide one ( 1) free public swim weekly at the Tara and Chesley pools to remove any financial barrier for residents to enjoy the municipal pools this summer with the recommendation that it be the same day/time weekly. 

    While this may reduce revenue for that one day, it will not increase costs as the Municipality already incur the wages and costs to operate a public swim everyday. The Municipal pools are a valuable recreation service and it is in the interest of the municipality to encourage their use. By removing the barrier of cost, more residents may use the pools, which also may expose residents to our other programs which they may not be aware of. 

    It is also recommended to provide 10 season pool passes to the Paisley Library, which can be signed out by library patrons. This would similarly remove a financial barrier, but also provide an opportunity for people in Paisley and surrounding areas to use the Chesley pool, since Paisley residents do not have a pool in town. This would increase equity of recreation services across our municipality. 

    And further Council directs staff to prepare a report for a future Council meeting to review use of the pools in 2025.

    Carried

CAO Emily Dance noted that there have not been enough members of Council to have a spring road tour.

Council directed staff to arrange a roads tour in September/October prior to budget.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 175-09-2026
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Session held May 12, 2025.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 176-09-2025
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Hampton

    Be It Resolved that Council receives the Chelsey & Area Joint Fire Board Minutes of February 11, 2025 for information purposes.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 177-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Penner
    Seconded by:Councillor Steinacker

    Be It Resolved that Council receives the South Bruce OPP Detachment Board Minutes of February 4, 2025 for information purposes.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 178-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Dudgeon

    Be It Resolved that Council receives the Chesley Community Working Group Minutes of January 15th and March 12th, 2025 for information purposes.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 179-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Steinacker
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that Council receives the Tara Community Working Group Minutes of January 15th and March 11th, 2025 for information purposes.

    Carried

Brittany Morrison and Benoit Pinot de Villechenon gave an update to Council.

Tara BESS, formerly Grey Owl Storage, is a 400-megawatt (MW), 1600 MW hours (MWh) battery energy storage system proposed for development on 39 Concession Road 4, in the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie.

They have heard concerns regarding the following:

  1. Concerns about loss of agricultural land.
  2. Concerns about developing on a floodplain/EP lands.
  3. Concerns about proximity to Sauble River.
  4. Concerns about visual impact.
  5. Concerns about risk of fire.

The site has been consolidated into 22 acres to allow for farming activity around the area.

She discussed community benefits including a $100,000 annual community benefits fund.

They have set out 18 months for decommissioning. The contract is for 20 years.

Their public meeting will be held on July 14th for their zoning application and the Official Plan Amendment application will be on August 11th.

Council thanked them for their update.

Jason Hagan and Keith Taylor gave a presentation to Council regarding ONE Investment.

They are a not-for-profit dedicating to help Ontario municipalities with investments.

Council thanked them for their presentation.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 180-09-2025
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Dudgeon

    Be It Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie receives, notes, and files correspondence on the Council Agenda for information purposes.

    Carried

Works Manager, Scott McLeod noted that the Truck Roadeo will be held in Chesley again this year on May 28th.

Julie Hamilton, Coordinator of Infrastructure & Development, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 181-09-2025
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved Council approves Report ; and

    Awards the contract for the Concession 6 Slope Reconstruction and Road Re-Alignment to R.F. King Holdings Ltd. for $679,980.50 inclusive of HST; and

    Further that the funds be drawn from capital account 23-TRANS-0029 BRIDGE/CULVERT (E) - Con 6 Elderslie, east of Lockerby (02-2808).

    Carried

Julie Hamilton, Coordinator of Infrastructure & Development, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 182-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Dudgeon
    Seconded by:Councillor Hampton

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby approves Report PWRDS-2025-13 Tile Drainage Loan Application – Dorian Farm Enterprises – 306 Concession 6, Elderslie; and

    Receives Tile Drainage Loan Application from Dorian Farm Enterprises, with an estimated cost of $82,000 for the drainage system for the property described as Lot 28 Concession 7 and Lot 28 Concession 8, municipally known as 306 Concession 6, geographic Township of Elderslie, Roll Number 4103-380-003-14400 and 4103-380-003-19300, subject to the availability of funds allocated by the Province of Ontario for tile drainage purposes; and

    That the amount of the tile drain loan will be $50,000; and

    Further that a by-law be prepared to impose special annual drainage rates upon land in respect of which money is borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act.

    Carried

Chris Legge, Water/Sewer Foreman, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 183-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Steinacker
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

    1. Accepts report PWWS-2025-02 which includes Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) review and updates for year-end 2024.
    Carried

Julie Hamilton, Coordinator of Infrastructure & Development, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 184-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Penner
    Seconded by:Councillor Steinacker

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby receives for information Report PWRDS-2025-11-Pedestrian Crossing - Bruce Road 3 and Church Street, Paisley.

    AND FURTHER request the concerns related to pedestrian safety on the proposed crossing be forwarded to the County of Bruce.
     
    AND request further consideration be given to have flashing lights at the intersection to ensure pedestrian safety.
    Carried

11.5

 

David Munro, Treasurer, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Council directed staff to bring back further information regarding investments to the next Council meeting and that this report be deferred until that time.

11.7

 

Christine Fraser-McDonald, Clerk, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 185-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Dudgeon
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that Council receives Report SRCLK.2025.19 for information; and

    Further appoints Jake Sloan as the Livestock Evaluator for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie; and

    Directs staff to bring back a by-law at the next available Council meeting to appoint Jake Sloan as as the Livestock Evaluator for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie.

11.8

 

Shaw:

Deputy Mayor Shaw attended the Tara Community Working Group meeting and a SMART Board meeting.

Hampton:

Councillor Hampton attended the Fire Board meeting.

Dudgeon:

Councillor Dudgeon noted that he has received some comments regarding the Building Department.

Steinacker:

Councillor Steinacker attended the Tara and Chesley Community Working Group meetings.

Penner:

Councillor Penner attended the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority meeting and toured the Paisley Inn.

Nickason:

Councillor Nickason attended attended the Paisley Firehall/Works Building sod turning.

Hammell:

Mayor Hammell attended the Paisley Firehall/Works Building sod turning, a tour of the Paisley Inn, Chesley Fire Board, and welcomed the new Accounting Clerk, Kandice Snowdon.

13.

 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 186-09-2025
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 39-2025 be introduced and read a first, second and third time, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Seal of the Corporation, and engrossed in the By-law Book.

    By-law 39-2025 being a By-law to appoint Kandice Snowdon as Accounting Clerk for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 187-09-2025
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Hampton

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 40-2025 be introduced and read a first, second and third time, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Seal of the Corporation, and engrossed in the By-law Book.

    By-law 40-2025 Being a By-Law to Impose Special Annual Drainage Rates Upon Land in Respect of which Money is Borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act. 

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 188-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Steinacker
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 41-2025 be introduced and read a first, second and third time, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Seal of the Corporation, and engrossed in the By-law Book.

    By-law 41-2025 being a By-law to adopt a Building By-law for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 189-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Councillor Penner

    Be It Resolved, That the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie does now go into closed session to discuss an item(s) which relates to:

    ( )  the security of the property of the municipality or local  board;

    ( )  personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees;

    (x)  a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board - Alma Street Lots, Paisley

    ( )  labour relations or employee negotiations;

    ( )  litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board;

    ( )  advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

    ( )  a matter in respect of which a council, board, committee or other body may hold a closed meeting under another Act;

    ( )  information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them;

    ( )  a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization;

    ( )  a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value; or

    ( )  a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

    Staff Authorized to Remain:

    CAO Emily Dance

    Clerk Christine Fraser-McDonald

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 190-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Penner
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved That Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie does now return to the Open Session at 12:27 PM.

    Carried

The Mayor confirmed that Council discussed only those matters identified in the motion to go into Closed Session.

Direction was given to staff in Closed Session for item 1. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 191-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Dudgeon
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 42-2025 be introduced and read a first, second and third time, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Seal of the Corporation, and engrossed in the By-law Book.

    By-law 42-2025 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Regular Council meeting of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie held Monday, May 26, 2025.

    Carried
  • 192-09-2025
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that the meeting be adjourned to the call of the Mayor at 12:28 PM.

    Carried
  • June 9, 2025
  • June 23, 2025
  • July 14, 2025
  • August 11, 2025
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