MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE

Council Meeting

MINUTES

Monday, April 24, 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
• 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 - Present Electronically
• Steve Tiernan - Fire Chief

---

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)

The Mayor noted that April 28th is the National Day of Mourning.

The Mayor read the following proclamation:

Today we pause to remember those injured, killed or made ill on the job.

Every year more than a 1,000 Canadian workers are killed on the job.

And whereas thousands more are permanently disabled.

And whereas hundreds of thousands are injured.

And whereas thousands have died from cancer, lung disease, and other ailments caused by exposure to toxic substances at their work place.

And whereas April 28^th of each year has been chosen by the Canadian Labour Congress as a day of mourning for these victims of workplace accidents and disease, a day to remember the supreme sacrifice they were forced to make in order to earn a living, a day to renew approaches to governments for tougher health and safety standards and more effective compensation, a day to rededicate ourselves to the goal of making Canada’s workplaces safer.

I, Steve Hammell, Mayor of Arran-Elderslie, do hereby proclaim April 28^th as an annual day of mourning in recognition of workers killed, injured or disabled on the job.

3.

Adoption of Agenda

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 127-10-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Dudgeon

  Be It Resolved that the agenda for the Council Meeting of Monday, April 24, 2023 be received and adopted, as distributed by the Clerk.

  Carried

4.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

None.

5.

Unfinished Business

5.1

Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group Membership Fee and Terms of Reference Update

Councillor Nickason noted that the group wants to include battery energy as well.  

Deputy Mayor Shaw asked what the group does.  Councillor Nickason noted that they acted as an advisory committee.

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 128-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Steinacker

  Be it Resolved that Council hereby, 

  1. Approves the revised Terms of Reference for the Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group; and 
  2. Approves the annual membership Fee set at $400.00 for the 2023 Membership Year. 
  Carried

6.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

6.1

April 5, 2023 Special Council Minutes

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 129-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Dudgeon

  Be It Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie adopt the minutes of the Special Council Session held April 5, 2023.

  Carried

6.2

April 11, 2023 Council Minutes

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 130-10-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Dudgeon

  Be It Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Session held April 11, 2023.

  Carried

7.

Business Arising from the Minutes

None.

8.

Minutes of Sub-Committee Meetings

8.1

MMWTWG Minutes of January 12, 2023 Meeting

Council passed the following resolution:

• 131-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Nickason
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie hereby receives the minutes of the Multi-Municipal Wind Turbine Working Group meeting of January 12, 2023 for information purposes. 

  Carried

9.

Public Meeting(s)

None.

10.

Delegations 

10.1

Mr. Tom Ruff - Cemetery Matter

Mr. Ruff spoke to Council regarding the Tara Cemetery.

He noted that the reason he was here was that he was not able to deal with the same person every time.

He feels that he should be able to deal with the same person every time.

He feels that Council should welcome input from the public to hear different ideas and Council meetings should be more user friendly and get more public input.

He has an invoice with him to purchase an entire row in the Tara cemetery for his whole family. 

10.2

Sandra Crockard - Update on Arran-Elderslie Youth Council

Sandra Crockard and Alan Richardson gave an update on the Arran-Elderslie Youth Council.

She noted that they collaborated with Laura Fullerton to establish the Youth Council.

They served as adult allies starting in the summer of 2020.  They have carried on supporting the Youth Council until they were no longer funded.

The Youth Council was involved in the Building Bridges Project and podcasts have been created and are available on any podcast platform.

The Youth Council also held "Finding Your Place" event and held workshops during the Owen Sound Pride Day.

The members were involved in Where the Rivers Meet project and led informal conversations and surveys and participated in the Ryerson students placemaking project.

They feel that getting youth interested and involved in community volunteerism will encourage them to stay involved.

The future of the Youth Council is being discontinued due to a lack of funding.

Mr. Richardson noted that they could not move forward with a Youth Council, but rather they would like to participate in a Rotary sponsored Interact Club.  The other aspect is that young people prosper more with adults from the three communities that are able to mentor them.  It will not cost the Municipality anything as the Rotary already supplies funds to youth.

Trinity Theatre has paid a project manager around $20,000 to look after the Youth Council.  Sandra Crockard and Alan Richardson have volunteered their hours.

Council thanked Ms. Crockard and Mr. Richardson for their presentation.

10.3

2023 Outdoor Patio Proposal for the Paisley Common Restaurant

Ranna Naipaul, Steph and James Calaco gave a presentation to Council.

They own the Paisley Common and are requesting to have an outdoor patio again this summer.

In 2021, Council approved an outdoor patio for the Paisley Common and also had the support of Bruce County.  At this time they were provided a grant from Bruce County to build the structure.

In 2022, Council denied the motion as there were questions regarding parking, public safety and the accessible parking area.

In 2023, they are proposing a smaller patio which would cover one parking spot and leave the accessible parking spot intact. They would limit the use of umbrellas to ensure the site lines are not impacted. The proposed patio is 8 feet wide and 22 feet long.

Deputy Mayor Shaw noted that anything Council could do to ensure that people stop in Paisley and walk to the north side is very important.  They need to make money in the summer in order to stay open the rest of the year.

Councillor Steinacker noted that he is in favour of the patio.  Summer business is critical.

Councillor Penner reviewed the Strategic Plan and a welcoming place to live, work and play.  She feels that these people have put a huge investment in Paisley and what is Council doing for them now.  She feels that Council should support economic growth. Denying this patio would not help economic growth for the Municipality.  She is in support of this proposal.

Councillor Hampton enjoyed the patio and is support of this patio.

Councillor Dudgeon is concerned about the safety and traffic, there is always a parking issue in Paisley and this will be taking up a parking spot, he would like the Paisley Common to purchase a parking pass as the public will not be able to use this parking spot. He is concerned about public spaces being utilized for personal gain.  There needs to be policies set.

Works Manager Scott McLeod noted that it is a Bruce County road and Council will need to reach out to the County. He foresees that Council needs to be aware of this proposal.

The following motion was presented:

• 132-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Support in principal the proposal by the Paisley Common to permit the installation of a temporary outdoor patio on the parking space directly adjacent to their restaurant for 2023; and
  2. That Staff work with Bruce County on the details of the patio installation in an acceptable location to all parties.
  Carried

11.

Presentations

None.

12.

Correspondence

12.1

Requiring Action

12.1.1

Paisley Blues Festival - Support from Arran-Elderslie Council

The Paisley Blues Festival has received funding from Heritage Canada: Building Communities through Arts and Heritage: Local Festivals each year since 2019.

Within the grant application, there is a form titled Confirmation of Support from Municipal Government. Without this completed form, the application cannot be submitted. This form asks for confirmation of support, as either Cash or In-Kind. In past years, we have listed "Venue set up" (table and chairs) as the In-Kind support from the Municipality, and have put a dollar value of $1300, to represent the labour invested by municipal staff.

The application deadline for the 2024 Festival is May 1, 2023. They are requesting that Council confirm support of Paisley Blues Festival, with an In-kind contribution of table and chair setup for our 2024 festival, with a value of $1300.

• 133-10-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Steinacker

  Be it Resolved that Council hereby supports Paisley Blues Festival on the submission of the Heritage Canada Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Local Festivals application with In-Kind municipal support by waiving rental fees for the use of the Paisley Community Centre and providing staff services to set up/take down of tables and chairs at the festival venue for the Paisley Blues Festival in 2024 for the cost of approximately $1,300.

  Carried

12.1.2

Trinity Theatre - Support from Arran-Elderslie Council

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 134-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Dudgeon
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be it Resolved that Council hereby supports Trinity Theater and the Paisley Artscape Society on the submission of the Heritage Canada Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Community Anniversary Stream application with In-Kind municipal support in 2024 by waiving rental fees for the use of the Paisley Community Centre and for the use of equipment to an upset limit in the amount of $3,000.

  Carried

12.2

For Information

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 139-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Nickason

  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

Approved Critical Habitat for the Silver Shiner

12.2.2

Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce

12.2.3

Clean Energy Frontier Update - April 2023

12.2.4

Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce Spring 2023 TIPSTER Magazine

12.2.5

AMO Watchfile - April 20, 2023

13.

Staff Reports

13.1

CAO/Clerks 

13.2

Finance 

The Treasurer noted that BDO has been delayed and they will be bringing forward the audited 2021 statements to a Council meeting in May.

13.2.1

SRFIN.23.14 Tax Sale Properties Vested with Municipality

Treasurer, Tracey Neifer, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 140-10-2023
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Shaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Authorize staff to write off property taxes in accordance with Municipal Act Section 354, $6,181.20 for File 19-10 and $10,233.05 for File 21-03, totalling $16,414.25.
  Carried

13.2.2

SRFIN.23.15 Accounts Receivable – Write-off old Accounts

Treasurer, Tracey Neifer, responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 141-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Dudgeon
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Approves the write-off of accounts receivable from 2021 and prior years totalling $19,299.64; and
  2. That Staff prepare an Accounts Receivable Collections Policy.
  Carried

13.3

Public Works 

13.3.1

SRW.23.08 Vacuum Sweeper Truck Purchase

Works Manager, Scott McLeod responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 135-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Nickason

  Be It Resolved that Council hereby,

  1. Approve the purchase of a 2023 Scarab Vacuum Sweeper Truck in the amount of $463,386.22 inclusive of HST from Cubex Limited;
  2. That the purchase be funded from Account #23-TRAN-0017-HVY/EQUIP – Sweeper Truck;
  3. That Council declare the 1997 Ford Vacuum Sweeper unit as surplus upon delivery of the new vacuum sweeper unit and that it be placed for sale on Gov Deals in accordance with Article 7 of the Procurement Policy - Disposal of Surplus Goods as amended by By-Law 23-2019; and
  4. That the funds from the sale of the 1997 Ford Vacuum Sweeper unit be deposited into reserve 01-0000-7265 – Equipment.
  Carried

13.4

Building/Bylaw

13.5

Facilities, Parks and Recreation

13.6

Emergency Services 

Fire Chief Tiernan noted that there was live fire training conducted in North Bruce Peninsula as well as search and rescue training.

13.7

Economic Development and Planning

14.

Notice of Motion

None.

15.

Members Updates 

Councillor Dudgeon left the meeting at 12:41 p.m.

Shaw:

Deputy Mayor Shaw presented a certificate for the Hummingbird Spa.  There will be a grand opening for the Hidden Waters Spa.  She attended a Bruce County Library Board meeting and an agri-tourism event at Ackroyd's Honey.  She met with the Works Manager and business owners in Paisley.  She will be attending a GSCA meeting and a SMART meeting. She thanked CAO Sylvia Kirkwood for all her help with the agri-tourism event.

Hampton:

Councillor Hampton attended the legion for an awards events and he will be attending a doctor recruitment meeting this week.

Dudgeon:

Councillor Dudgeon was absent.

Steinacker:

Councillor Steinacker noted that there was a break-in at the Kinettes Pavilion at the Tara Ball Park. He asked if there could be a security light with an alarm. 

Penner:

Councillor Penner attended the Bruce County Library meeting, fire fighting training, and received an email regarding parking large vehicles on roads.

Nickason:

Councillor Nickason attended a BASWR meeting, and received phone calls regarding the building on Bruce Road 10 and Highway 21 as well as phone calls from residents regarding wind turbines near Arran Lake.

Hammell:

Mayor Hammell attended the Library Board meeting, attended the Hummingbird Spa, and brought greetings to the Horticultural Society Zone 8 meeting, 

16.

New Business

16.1

Tara Elementary School Request

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 142-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Steinacker
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be it Resolved that Council supported the Arran Tara Elementary School Grade 8 graduation ceremony by offsetting the costs of the facility rental fees of Tara Curling Club Rental fees of $415.39 plus HST during the 2023 Budget process.   The cost of the rental of the Tara Curling Club, dancehall and lounge space is $739.64.

  Be it Resolved that Council supports waiving the total cost of the rental of $739.64 for the Arran Tara Elementary School Grade 8 graduation ceremony.

  Carried

17.

By-laws

None.

18.

Closed Session (if required)

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 136-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Nickason

  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;

  ( )  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;

  (X)  advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; Procurement Policy discussions with Municipal Solicitor

  ( )  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 Sylvia Kirkwood, Clerk Christine Fraser-McDonald, Treasurer Tracey Neifer and Municipal Solicitor Eric Davis

  Carried

19.

Resolution to Reconvene in Open Session

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 137-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Shaw

  Be It Resolved That Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie does now return to the Open Session at 12:20 p.m.

  Carried

20.

Adoption of Recommendations Arising from Closed Session (If Any)

Direction was given to staff in Closed Session regarding the CAO's report.

21.

Adoption of Closed Session Minutes

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 138-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be It Resolved; that Council of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie adopt the minutes of the Closed Session dated April 11, 2023.

  Carried

22.

Confirming By-law

22.1

By-law 28-2023 - Confirming By-law

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 143-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Hampton
  Seconded by: Councillor Penner

  Be It Resolved that By-law No. 28-203 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 28-2023 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Regular Council meeting of the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie held Monday, April 24, 2023.

  Carried

23.

Adjournment

Subsequent to further discussion, Council passed the following resolution:

• 144-10-2023
  Moved by: Councillor Nickason
  Seconded by: Councillor Hampton

  Be It Resolved that the meeting be adjourned to the call of the Mayor at 12:58 p.m.

24.

List of Upcoming Council meetings

May 8, 2023

May 23, 2023

June 12, 2023

June 26, 2023