MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE

Council Meeting

MINUTES

Meeting Number 02-2023

Monday, January 30, 2023 at 9:00 A.m. - 12:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

1925 Bruce Road 10, Chesley, ON

Council Present:

• Mayor Steve Hammell
• Deputy Mayor Jennifer Shaw
• Councillor Ryan Nickason - absent
• Councillor Darryl Hampton
• Councillor Brian Dudgeon
• Councillor Moiken Penner
• Councillor Peter Steinacker

Staff Present:

• Sylvia Kirkwood - CAO
• Christine Fraser-McDonald - Clerk
• Julie Hamilton - Deputy Clerk
• Scott McLeod - Public Works Manager
• Tracey Neifer - Treasurer
• Carly Steinhoff - Recreation Manager
• Pat Johnston - Chief Building Official
• Steve Tiernan - Fire Chief
• Chris Legge - Water/Sewer Foreperson

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1.

Call to Order

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

2.

Mayor's Announcements (If Required)

There were no announcements today.

3.

Adoption of Agenda

Council passed the following resolution: 

• 19-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Steinacker
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved that the agenda for the Council Meeting of Monday, January 30, 2023 be received and adopted, as distributed by the Clerk.

  Carried

4.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

None.

5.

Unfinished Business

None.

6.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

6.1

January 9, 2023 Council Minutes

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 20-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  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 January 9, 2023.

7.

Business Arising from the Minutes

None.

8.

Minutes of Sub-Committee Meetings

8.1

Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group Minutes of the November 10, 2022 Meeting

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 21-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved that Council receives the Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group Minutes of November 10, 2022 for information purposes.

  Carried

8.2

Chesley and Area Fire Board Minutes - April 26, 2022

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 22-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Steinacker

  Be It Resolved that Council receives the Chesley and Area Fire Board Minutes of April 16, 2022 for information purposes.

  Carried

8.3

Paisley Fire Subcommittee Minutes - June 14, 2022

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 23-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Dudgeon
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be It Resolved that Council receives the Paisley Fire Subcommittee Minutes of June 14, 2022 for information purposes.

  Carried

8.4

Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling Minutes - September, 2022

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 24-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved that Council receives the Bruce Area Solid Recycling Minutes of September 15, 2022 for information purposes.

  Carried

9.

Public Meeting(s)

None.

10.

Delegations 

10.1

Tara Curling Club - Rental Rates

Edith Sinclair, Kay Holmes and Barb Kelly of the Tara Curling Club spoke to Council regarding rental rates.

Mrs. Sinclair noted that on December 14, 2022 they hosted a senior men's bonspiel. They used about a third of the community centre space and did not use the main kitchen or the bathrooms. They were charged $382.15 plus HST for a total of $431.83.

Historically, the Tara Curling Club is allowed one free use of our community centre hall and kitchen per 6 month curling season. The club usually rents the facility 6-8 times. They recently learned that Chesley Curling Club gets 15 usages of their community centre at no charge. They are asking for equal treatment within the Municipality.

Council thanked the members for their presentation.

11.

Presentations

11.1

Ryerson Students Placemaking Project

Maddie Vernooy,  along with Leslie Beedell, Kaight Rehner, Jessica Sperry, Kate Trombino, Tomas Vildeand  and Dr. Smith discussed the placemaking project for Paisley.

She noted that there are very few, if any, studies that examine the unique, economic, environmental, political, and social factors that define rural communities. As rural municipalities begin to invest in placemaking efforts that aim to foster positive economic and social capital, there needs to be a more in-depth understanding of the nuances of rural communities. Understanding the unique characteristics of rural placemaking, including how those in the community identify with their environment, enables more informed placemaking strategies for community development. 

If placemaking projects are simply imposed onto a community to attract capital, residents are unlikely to feel comfortable in these spaces, reducing the connections they have to the space and the trust that they have in the consultation process. This trend is often seen in rural placemaking initiatives that aim to attract tourists through processes of rural restructuring that are situated within a broader shift from economies reliant on agriculture and manufacturing to economies rooted in service provision.

For this project, they created a Terms of Reference to make the placemaking process more tangible, by tying the ideas and feedback to specific places in the community.

Council thanked Ms. Vernooy and the group for their presentation.

11.2

Grey Sauble Conservation Authority - Tim Lanthier, CAO

Tim Lanthier, CAO of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, provided an overview of the 2023 Budget. 

He noted that the proposed operating levy increase for 2023 is $45,295 or 2.99% across eight member municipalities. This increase is largely driven by increasing operating costs associated with salary, OMERS, WSIB, CPP and insurance which have collectively increased by over $130,000 from 2022 to 2023.

The proposed capital levy increase for 2023 is $38,700 across eight member municipalities. This increase is needed to ensure sustainability of GSCA’s Capital Assets. In 2023, GSCA’s self-generated revenue is proposed to increase from
$1.24M to $1.81M, which reduces the pressure on municipal levy. This shift in revenue distribution to more self-generated revenue has allowed GSCA to ensure long-term corporate sustainability

They have strategic plan goals such as: Better Monitor and Manage Flood Risks , Enhance GSCA Land Management
and Natural Heritage Preservation, Support the Development of Watershed Plans with Municipalities, Improve Water Quality and Strengthen Environmental Education and Communication.

The Draft 2023 Budget includes a total budget increase of $530,898 and a total levy increase of $82,995.  Arran-Elderslie's proposed 2023 levy is $44,416, which is an increase of $2,191.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 25-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Penner
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  That Council endorses the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority 2023 budget as presented.

  Carried

12.

Correspondence

12.1

Requiring Action

12.1.1

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority - Support for SVCA Paisley Dyke Repair project

Council directed staff to investigate the ownership of the dike.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 36-02-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  THAT the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie Council support the remainder of the Paisley Dyke Repair project, proposed by Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority; and 
  
  THAT Council supports the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority in making an application to the Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure funding program for the Paisley Dyke Repair project; and 

  THAT the Municipality is prepared to pay its municipal share of the project costs, at $14,828.50 should the project be funded by the Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure Program; and 

  THAT the Municipality is also prepared to pay its proportionate share of the Paisley Dyke Stability Assessment for a total of $13,745.00. 

  FURTHER THAT should SVCA be unsuccessful in obtaining funding from the Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure Program, the Municipality is prepared to pay for the project in its entirety at $29,657. 

  Tabled

12.1.2

Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling - 2023 Operating Budget

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 26-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Penner
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  That Council endorses the Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling 2023 budget as presented.

  Carried

12.2

For Information

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 27-02-2023
  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

12.2.1

Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce - Tipster Magazine Winter 2023

12.2.2

MPAC - Farm Forestry Exemptions

12.2.3

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Board Minutes - December 15, 2022

12.2.4

Grey Bruce Women's House

13.

Staff Reports

13.1

CAO/Clerks 

None.

13.2

Finance 

13.2.1

SRFIN.23.05 By-Law Updates for 2023

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 28-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Dudgeon
  Seconded by: Councillor Steinacker

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Receive By-Law 04-2023 being a by-law to provide for a 2023 interim tax levy and to provide for the payment of taxes;
  2. Receive By-Law 05-2023 being a by-law to enter into an agreement with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; and
  3. That the By-Laws be brought forward for Council approval.
  Carried

13.2.2

SRFIN.23.07 2023 Operating and Capital Budget – 2nd Draft

Council requested that a representative from the Hospital Foundation be invited to a future meeting of Council.

Council also requested that the Head of the Hospital Board be invited to address Council to discuss the nursing shortage at a future Council meeting.

Council directed staff to bring back a budget that has identified more savings.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolutions:

• 29-02-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby directs staff to waive the fees for the two 2022 events for the Tara Curling Club as per their request to Council.

  Carried
• 30-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Support staff to continue to refine the Budget to address efficiencies and cost savings; and
  2. Direct staff to bring the 3^rd Draft Operating and Capital Budget to Council on February 13^th, 2023, for review and consideration.
  Carried

13.2.3

SRFIN.23.06 Fees and Charges By-Law for 2023

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 31-02-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Receive the recommended changes to the 2023 Fees and Charges Bylaw as attached as Appendix A; and
  2. Direct Staff to present the draft 2023 Fees and Charges Bylaw at the Special Council meeting of February 22, 2023.
  Carried

13.3

Public Works 

13.3.1

SRWS 23-03 Ministry Drinking Water Inspections

Chris Legge, Water Foreman, gave his report to Council for information purposes.

13.4

Building/Bylaw

13.4.1

SRCBO.23.01- Year End Report - Building Permit Statistics for 2022

Pat Johnston, Chief Building Official, gave his report to Council for information purposes.

13.5

Facilities, Parks and Recreation

13.5.1

SRREC 23.01 Curling Club Agreement Information

Carly Steinhoff, Park, Facilities and Recreation Manager, gave her report to Council for information purposes.

Council directed staff to coordinate a meeting with all three curling clubs, at the Chesley Curling Club, to discuss all three agreements prior to renewing them so that each club has the same opportunities. Staff will share the report with the clubs.

13.6

Emergency Services 

None.

13.7

Economic Development and Planning

None.

14.

Notice of Motion

None.

15.

Members Updates 

Shaw:

Deputy Mayor Shaw attended the Tara and Chesley branding workshop, the Clean Energy Summit, and suggested an invitation to Jessica Linthorne to update Council on Clean Energy.  She also attended the Affordable Housing talk in Paisley.

Hampton:

Councillor Hampton attended the municipal site tour, attended the Chesley and Area Fire Board meeting, will be at the Chesley Branding meeting, Friends of the Chesley Hospital meeting and will be attending the Special Council meeting on February 22, 2023.

Dudgeon:

Councillor Dudgeon had nothing to report.

Steinacker:

Councillor Steinacker noted that there is a Housing Forum being held on February 9th, and discussed speeding in Tara.

Penner:

Councillor Penner attended the ROMA conference and attended the Clean Energy Summit, 

Nickason:

Councillor Nickason was absent.

Hammell:

Mayor Hammell attended the Community Branding meetings, thanked staff for the Municipal tour, attended the the ROMA conference, and attended the Affordable Housing talk in Paisley. There was a delegation with the associate Minister of Health at ROMA to discuss the Chesley Hospital and Chesley Place.

16.

New Business

None.

17.

By-laws

17.1

By-law 04-2023 - Interim Tax Levy

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 32-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Dudgeon
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that By-law No. 04-2023 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 04-2023 being a By-law to provide for a 2023 interim tax levy and to provide for the payment of taxes.

  Carried

17.2

By-law 05-2023 - Borrowing By-law

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 33-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved that By-law No. 05-2023 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 05-2023 being a By-law to enter into an agreement with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and that the Treasurer is authorized on behalf of the Municipality to borrow, from time to time, from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”) a sum or sums not exceeding in the aggregate $2,000,000.00 to meet, until taxes are collected, the current expenditures of the Municipality for the year pursuant to subsection 407(1) of the Act, and to execute any documents that are required in connection with the borrowing of the above sum, plus interest, at a rate to be agreed upon from time to time with CIBC, in addition to any reasonable charges of CIBC associated with this borrowing.

  Carried

17.3

By-law 06-2023 - Agency Agreement with Fire Marque Inc.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 34-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be It Resolved that By-law No. 06-2026 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 06-2023 being a By-law to enter into an Agency Agreement with Fire Marque Inc. for the purposes of appointing Fire Marque Inc. as its agent for the purpose of filing claims on behalf of the Municipality and to recover, on their behalf, any insurance proceeds from the insurers of the affected parties which are recoverable in accordance with the terms of any policy agreement for the costs and expenses incurred by the Fire Department as a result of attending at the Incident Sites.

  Carried

17.4

By-law 07-2023 Tile Loan Debenture 2023-02 MAXWELL

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

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 35-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Dudgeon
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved that By-law No. 07-2023 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 07-2023 being a By-law imposing special annual drainage rates upon land in respect of which money is borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act

  Carried

18.

Closed Session (if required)

The Mayor advised that Council go into Closed Session at 3:21 p.m. for the purpose of matters identified in the motion below.

• 37-02-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  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; (Firefighter compensation standardization) (Animal Control Contract)

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

  ( )  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;

  (X)  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; (solid waste management and extension of Integrity Commissioner agreement) 

  ( )  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:

  Item 1 - CAO Sylvia Kirkwood, Clerk Christine Fraser-McDonald, Fire Chief Steve Tiernan and Treasurer Tracey Neifer

  Item 2 - CAO Sylvia Kirkwood, Clerk Christine Fraser-McDonald, Treasurer Tracey Neifer and Works Manager Scott McLeod 

  Item 3 - CAO Sylvia Kirkwood and Clerk Christine Fraser-McDonald

  Item 4 - CAO Sylvia Kirkwood and Clerk Christine Fraser-McDonald

  Carried

19.

Resolution to Reconvene in Open Session

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• Be It Resolved That Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie does now return to the Open Session at 4:30 p.m.

20.

Adoption of Recommendations Arising from Closed Session (If Any)

Mayor Hammell reported out of the closed session indicating that Council only discussed the matters identified in the motion regarding firefighter compensation standardization, garbage collection contract, extension of the Integrity Commissioner contract and the Animal Control Contract.

Direction was given to staff in Closed Session regarding the extension of the Integrity Commissioner contract, the animal control contract, and the extension of the garbage collection contract.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolutions:

• 38-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Council hereby directs training compensation rates for all Arran-Elderslie Fire & Emergency Services fire fighters be based on required hours for training as established by an annual schedule and approved operating budget.

  Carried

21.

Adoption of Closed Session Minutes

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 39-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Steinacker
  Seconded by: Councillor Dudgeon

  Be It Resolved that Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie adopt the minutes of the Closed Session dated January 9, 2023.

  Carried

22.

Confirming By-law

22.1

Confirming By-law 08-2023

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 40-02-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Dudgeon

  Be It Resolved that By-law No.  08-2023 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  08-2023 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Regular Council meeting of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie held Monday, January 30, 2023.

  Carried

23.

Adjournment

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 41-02-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be It Resolved that the meeting be adjourned to the call of the Mayor at 4:45 p.m.

  Carried

24.

List of Upcoming Council meetings