MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE

Council Meeting

MINUTES

-
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 - virtual
  • Councillor Moiken Penner
  • Councillor Peter Steinacker
Staff Present:
  • Christine Fraser-McDonald - Clerk
  • Julie Hamilton - Deputy Clerk
  • Scott McLeod - Public Works Manager
  • Carly Steinhoff - Recreation Manager
  • David Munro - Interim Treasurer
  • Jennifer Isber-Legge - Economic Development & Communications Coordinator
  • Emily Dance, CAO

Mayor Hammell called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. A quorum was present. 

  • There will be a special Council meeting this afternoon at 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to hold a public meeting for the 2025 Draft Budget. Everyone is invited to attend. 

  • Council would like to recognize the passing of Danard Bell.  Danard was a former reeve for the Town of Chesley as well as a County Councillor, prior to amalgamation.

  • The Municipality is looking for your photos for our Community Guide.  Photos must be submitted to Jen Legge by November 14th.

  • When you are entering Arran-Elderslie, you will now see our new Community Identifier signs.
  • Just a reminder that the Santa Claus Parades are coming up:
  • Paisley – November 29
  • Chesley – December 6
  • Tara – December 7
  • The Chesley Community Players are looking for local business owners/celebrities to read the “Christmas Carol” play. No acting experience is necessary, and auditions will be held on November 18th at 7:00 p.m. The CCP’s are also presenting “4 Old Broads” this November 15, 16 and 17.

  • The South Bruce Grey Health Centre will be holding a community engagement session on November 13th at 6:00 p.m.

Council passed the following resolution: 

  • 311-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that the agenda for the Council Meeting of Tuesday, November 12, 2024 be received and adopted, as distributed by the Clerk.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 312-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Session held October 15, 2024 and the Special Council Session held on November 4, 2024.

    Carried

Krista Gill and David Bryson spoke on behalf of the Tara Curling Club. They are requesting an interest free loan in the amount of $200,000 to be paid back over 10 years for the plant replacement. 

They also asked to be able to situate their equipment on Municipal lands.

Council thanked them for their presentation.

Mayor Hammell noted that Council will not be making a decision today, but will get concurrence from Council to direct staff to bring back a report regarding their request to a future Council meeting.

Kate Grieve and Tom Sweiger gave a presentation to Council.

They discussed the changes to the Chesley Hospital Foundation to include physician recruitment. This was previously a separate committee.

They were recently approved to bring in locum physicians for a hospitalist position, to cover 13 beds and give the physicians more time to support the clinic and their own patients. This will bring the regular locum positions up to three.

He noted that there are five new doctors coming to Chesley Hospital and the hospital has hired 12 new nurses.

The Foundation is currently working towards raising money for a medication cabinet and server which replaces an in-house pharmacy. These two units come with a price tag of $338,000. This is not included in the $200,000 that is already committed to capital equipment expenses in the hospital this year. A grant application was submitted in September for monetary support. 

Council thanked them for their presentation.

Council directed staff to bring back a report to the next available Council meeting.

Les MacDonald owns Lot 34, Concession 14 and feels that the Township filled in the ditch which created a dam.  This is holding the water on his property.  He also feels that the Municipality's water is running onto his land. 

Works Manager McLeod noted that he will speak with Mr. MacDonald to get more information regarding his request to come back to Council.

Council referred this back to staff for a report.

Mila Simon, Andrew Van Doorn and Gus Kokkoros from Solarbank, made a presentation to Council.

They presented the new location to Council for this project. The BESS was moved back to meet the original considerations for the project.

The IESO released a demand forecast for increased electricity demand.  This is expected to rise to a 75% increase in demand.  This could be expected as early as 2026.  That BESS is vital to the electricity grid in Ontario.

The BESS is now setback further on the property with the lane being extended to the project. The lease term will be valid until 2047 as per the IESO contract.

They will work with the Municipality regarding site plan approval, consent application, building permit, community benefits and a decommissioning plan. They will also work with the fire department for initial training, response and information.

Council thanked the group for their presentation.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 313-21-2024
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Steinacker

    Be it Resolved, that the Council of Arran-Elderslie hereby provides their support to 1000234813 Ontario Inc. on behalf of Amos K. Kuepfer, for their IESO approved proposal to construct and operate a long-term reliability project with distribution connected battery energy storage systems (BESS) charged from the utility grid on lands municipally known as 157 7th Street SW, Chesley.

    Notwithstanding Council's support, it should be noted that the applicant may be required to submit future land use development related applications for this project.

    Project Name: OZ-1

    BESS Size: 4.99MW/19.96MWh

    Legal description of the portion of the Project Site:

    Legal Description: PT LT 29 CON 1 ELDERSLIE; PT PARKLT T PL 217 PT 1, 3R7328AND PART 2 PLAN 3R7748, EXCEPT PT 1 & 2, 3R7744, PT 4, 5, 6, 3R7734 AND PT 1, 3R7748; S/T INTEREST IN R374792, RELEASED AS TO PTS 6 & 7 3R7734 BY BR60650 MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 314-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie supports the resolution presented by Bruce County Council regarding the continued operation, refurbishment, and expansion of the CANDU fleet in Bruce County and across the Province when making decisions regarding Ontario’s future energy infrastructure projects.

    Carried

Deputy Mayor Shaw noted that this could be a possible delegation for the ROMA conference.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 315-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie supports the resolution presented by Bruce County Council to support the Western Ontario Warden's Caucus requesting the Province to reconsider upcoming changes to regulations which govern extended producer responsibility for recycling programs.

    Carried

13.1

 

CAO Emily Dance responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 317-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

    1. Approves Report SRCAO.2024.09 being the Recruitment Policy, Sick time Policy and Banked time Policy,
    2. And further authorizes the appropriate By-Laws be brought forward bring force and effect to the same.
    Carried

CAO, Emily Dance responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 318-17-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Penner
    Seconded by:Councillor Hampton

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

    1. Receives report SRCAO.2024.10 County of Bruce Official Plan and
    2. Directs staff to forward the draft comments the County of Bruce regarding the New County Official Plan
    Carried

13.2

 

Deputy Clerk, Julie Hamilton, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 319-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

    1. Receive Tile Drainage Loan Application from Luke Rudy, with an estimated cost of $200,000 for the drainage system for the property described as Lot 12 & 13, Concession 13, and municipally known as 972 Bruce Road 40, geographic Township of Elderslie, Roll Number 4103-380-004-14400, subject to the availability of funds allocated by the Province of Ontario for tile drainage purposes; and
    2. That the amount of the tile drain loan will be $50,000; and
    3. 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

13.4

 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 320-21-2024
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be it Resolved that Council receive Report SRCBO.24.05 - Building Permit Statistics for 2024 for information purposes.

    Carried

Recreation Manager, Carly Steinhoff, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 321-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Shaw

    Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

    1. Support Paisley Minor Softball with their ball diamond refurbishment project and fundraising campaign proposal;
    2. Approves entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Paisley Minor Softball outlining the framework for the project, establish the roles and responsibilities of the parties including the financial arrangements and bring forward the by-law to bring force and effect to the same.
    3. Approves the Paisley Splash Pad Committees request to provide $2,500 of their surplus funding toward the Ball Diamond Refurbishment Project.
    Carried

Shaw:

Deputy Mayor Shaw attended the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Indigenous meeting, the Arran-Elderslie ADIE committee meeting, Tara community working group meeting, attended remembrance day ceremonies, SMART meeting, and will be attending the hospital meeting tomorrow.

Hampton:

Councillor Hampton attended a physician recruitment meeting, remembrance day ceremony in Chesley, will be attending the SBGH meeting and a Chesley Community Working Committee.

Dudgeon:

Councillor Dudgeon had nothing to report.

Steinacker:

Councillor Steinacker attended the Tara remembrance day ceremony, and the Tara firehall open house.

Penner:

Councillor Penner attended the physician recruitment meeting, the Paisley remembrance day ceremony.

Nickason:

Councillor Nickason attended the remembrance day ceremony in Tara.

Hammell:

Mayor Hammell attended remembrance day ceremonies, spoke at the Chesley Hospital staff appreciation dinner, the CFOS open line, and attended the Highway for Peace unveiling on County Road 19.

  • 322-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved That Council hereby declares the AET01 - 1989 Tandem Axle Float, VIN #1TKCO2422KMO84802 as surplus to the needs of the municipality and authorizes the sale of the asset using GovDeals as per Article 7 of Bylaw #23-2019. 

    Carried

17.

 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 323-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Steinacker

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 54-2024 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 54-2024 being a By-law to establish a Fundraising and Donation Policy.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 324-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Dudgeon

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 55-2024 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 55-2024 being a By-law to enter into a Construction Agreement for the design and build of the Paisley Firehall and Public Works Building for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 325-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Nickason

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 56-2024 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 56-2024 being a By-law to enter into a Joint Fire Service Agreement with the Township of Chatsworth.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 326-21-2024
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Shaw
    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;

    (X)  personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; Committee appointment, staff update, CAO review, banked time 

    ( )  a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; Tara Cemetery Expansion

    ( )  labour relations or employee negotiations;

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

    ( )  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:

  • 327-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Steinacker

    Be It Resolved That Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie does now return to the Open Session at 3:19 p.m.

    Carried

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

Direction was given to staff regarding:

  • personal matters about identifiable individual(s), including municipal or local board employees related to a staff update
  • CAO end of probation review
  • Banked time
  • Information was received regarding litigation or potential litigation being an insurance claim update
  • Staff direction was given concerning a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board regarding the Tara Cemetery Expansion. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 328-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Hampton
    Seconded by:Councillor Steinacker

    Be it Resolved that Council hereby appoints Nancy Butchart to the Arran-Elderslie Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee;

    And further that Council accepts the resignation of Sandra Herron from the Tara Community Working Group.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 329-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Councillor Hampton

    Be It Resolved that By-law No. 57-2024 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 57-2024 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Regular Council meeting of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie held Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

    Carried

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

  • 332-21-2024
    Moved by:Councillor Nickason
    Seconded by:Councillor Penner

    Be It Resolved that the meeting be adjourned to the call of the Mayor at 3:22 p.m.

    Carried
  • November 12, 2024 - Special Council Meeting 2025 Budget - 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • November 25, 2024
  • December 9, 2024
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