Agenda
[0:08]
CALL TO ORDER
[1:58]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
[1:59]
ROLL CALL
[2:28]
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & GENERAL NATURE THEREOF
[2:28]
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
[2:54]
REPORT OUT FROM IN-CAMERA SESSION
[3:13]
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
[5:16]
Canadian National Championships - Curtis Realba
[1:08:04]
Sign By-law 2025-001
[1:32:32]
2025 Tar and Chip Program – Tender Award
[1:32:53]
Off-Road Vehicle and Golf Cart Prohibition Signage
[1:42:34]
Heritage Conservation District Plan Adoption
[2:04:31]
Heritage Committee Meeting Minutes - June 12, 2025
[2:05:49]
Drainage Board Meeting Minutes - June 3, 2025
[2:06:19]
Unfinished Business List (UFB) - June 2025
[2:06:23]
NEW BUSINESS
[2:14:40]
NOTICE OF MOTION
[2:14:41]
By-Law 2025-018 - Improvements to the Branch Drain & Subsequent Connection to the Sam Paquette Drain - Third & Final Reading
[2:14:54]
By-Law 2025-027 - Improvements to the Deslippe Drain (2025)
[2:15:04]
Confirmatory By-law 2025 - 046
[2:15:15]
ADJOURNMENT
Transcript
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT
This transcript is downloaded from the source you provided but we haven't reviewed it for accuracy. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record. You can also request an AI-transcription of the audio file with the button to the left.
[0:09]
Call the meeting to order. Please rise for the national
[0:11]
anthem.
[0:23]
Our. Home. And.
[0:41]
All.
[1:57]
The roll call will show that all members of council
[1:59]
are present and in their seats. Are there any disclosures
[2:07]
of pecuniary interest or general nature thereof? Seeing none. Will
[2:16]
now read the land acknowledgment. We will begin by acknowledging
[2:20]
that the land on which we gather is the traditional
[2:23]
territory of the three fires confederacy of First nations, comprising
[2:27]
the Ajibwe, the Adawa and the Potawatomi. Peoples and of
[2:31]
the Huron, Wendot and Wyndot peoples. We recognize the land.
[2:35]
As an expression of gratitude to those whose traditional territory.
[2:39]
We reside on and a way of honoring the indigenous
[2:42]
people who have been living and thriving on the land
[2:45]
since time immemorial. We value the significant historical and contemporary
[2:50]
contributions of local and regional first nations and all of
[2:54]
the original peoples of Turtle Island. Report out from in
[2:58]
camera thank you, worship. So the report out from the
[3:02]
incam recession of June 24, 2025, it was moved that
[3:06]
council enter into an in camera meeting of council pursuant
[3:08]
to section 239, Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the
[3:12]
following reasons. Item a an update from legal counsel on
[3:16]
activ. Active litigation that was under section 239 two e
[3:21]
and section 239 two f. An administration was directed to
[3:25]
proceed on the verbal direction of counsel. Item b was
[3:29]
legal advice and information pertaining to the Ontario Heritage act
[3:32]
and the Heritage conservation district. In the town of Amnesburg
[3:35]
under section 239, two b, section 239, two e, and
[3:39]
section 239 two f and council received the matter for
[3:42]
informational purposes. Thank you. It is now our honor to
[3:50]
recognize. An incredible young athlete from right here in Amherstburg,
[3:55]
Curtis Rielba, a 14 year old boxer from the fighting
[3:59]
Island Boxing Club is now a Canadian. National champion.
[4:16]
Curtis earned gold in the under 1748 kilogram division at
[4:19]
the Canadian National Championships in Quebec City with the final
[4:23]
day of the tournament taking place on June 1. He
[4:27]
won both his fights during the tournament, including the gold
[4:30]
medal match. Were he unknowingly defeated a 17 year old
[4:36]
opponent. On behalf of the town of Amherstburg, town council
[4:41]
and all our residents, congratulations, Curtis. You've. Made us incredibly
[4:46]
proud. Your gold medal. Your gold medal isn't just a
[4:53]
personal win. It's a community celebration. We're all cheering for
[5:01]
you as you take on your next challenge. Amherstburg will
[5:04]
behind you every step of the way. Keep training hard,
[5:08]
keep dreaming big, and keep raising your hand in. Victory.
[5:19]
And we should find out from the newspaper if you
[5:21]
want another photo. Okay, I'm going
[5:31]
to pass the gavel. To the deputy mayor. I'll be
[5:36]
right back. Does everybody want in the photo?
[6:17]
Thank you so much.
[6:38]
Thank you very much.
[6:49]
Okay, we are now on to the delegations portion. We
[6:56]
have five delegates, all for the same item 13.1, the
[7:00]
sign bylaw first listed. Delegate is Paul Peltier.
[7:18]
I work. Give my boy to have cancer once, so
[7:22]
do. OKAY. You worship the mayor, Michael Peru. Deputy mayor,
[7:28]
Chris Gibbon. Council members, my name is Paul. Pellet. I'm
[7:31]
here representing the KSC council 211110 in the Columbus community.
[7:35]
Hall, home of the nights of Columbus. I'm here regarding
[7:38]
the portable signed bylaw which will remove permanently. Or sign
[7:45]
from in front of our hall. We've had. The sign.
[7:50]
Not necessarily that one, but always had a sign similar
[7:52]
to that one for at least 30 years. No complaints,
[7:55]
no problems. New nesting was anything to do with the
[7:57]
sign? The current sign is we have the parking blocks
[8:02]
that are parallel with our front canopy, and they've been
[8:06]
there for at least 25 years. We have them behind.
[8:10]
The parking block so that they don't interfere with any
[8:13]
pedestrian traffic or anything like that. There. At least a
[8:18]
meter and a half away from. The parking blocks. And
[8:22]
the sign is behind them, so there's not a problem
[8:23]
with them. We've never had any problems whatsoever. This sign
[8:27]
is extremely important to us as well as the people
[8:30]
of Amherstburg. Its main use is for charitable purposes and
[8:34]
for advertising. The bingo and the weekly jackpot. We also
[8:39]
advertise the fish ride in any community. Events that we
[8:43]
might have. We use the funds from the bingo to
[8:45]
sponsor groups for the fish. Rise on Friday, the groups,
[8:49]
they'll get a donation and we will get money into
[8:52]
the hall to keep the hall open. The hall is
[8:54]
a nonprofit corporation, so no one's making money on this
[8:57]
at all. Our policy. Is to respond to groups that
[9:01]
are beneficial to our town and its residents. We have
[9:06]
donated almost half a million dollars since the beginning. And
[9:09]
donate tens of thousands of dollars each year. To the
[9:13]
group over $40,000 every year. If you include the 50
[9:18]
50 draws that usually go with the not often, but
[9:22]
some have that with the fish fries. The groups that
[9:27]
we do. Are all the schools for the students program.
[9:33]
So we donate to all them the local sports programs.
[9:36]
Like hockey, soccer and baseball teams. We all sponsor them.
[9:41]
Community and other groups include the Rotary Club, Miracle League,
[9:45]
CTC, Jump starts gain Amherstburg firewood youth camp. That's under.
[9:52]
The. Olympus. They goes to them anyways. Cadets. The finding
[9:59]
out in Boxing Club, Parkhouse Museum, St. John the Baptist
[10:02]
Church for their good Friday procession so they can afford
[10:05]
that and some other programs they have. This one here
[10:09]
is really dear. To me, the. Society of St. Vincent
[10:12]
de Paul. To up the less fortunate, families and residents
[10:16]
put food on tables. On the table and other needs.
[10:21]
In conclusion, I just hope something can be done because
[10:23]
we just want to do what we've. Always done. Just
[10:27]
do the fish fries. The bingoes. We want to make
[10:31]
this town a better place for everybody involved. And to
[10:35]
have the site permanently removed. We don't have any way
[10:38]
of advertising. To sign up front anymore. And it's not
[10:42]
going to be good for us at all. It's just
[10:44]
something. I hope something can be done. Because we do
[10:47]
this for the residents. Of our community, not for us.
[10:53]
I do hundreds of hours each year to sit and
[10:56]
have somebody come in and say, you, got to remove
[10:58]
it. You just hurt. Really did hurt. Anyway, thank you
[11:01]
for your time and letting me speak to you. Today.
[11:03]
Thank you. Any questions of the deputy councilor Puget. You
[11:10]
don't get off that easy, Councilor Poozle. Okay. Thank you,
[11:14]
Mr. Powche. And thank you for your delegation. I know.
[11:22]
How much and how hard the kfcs work. And you
[11:25]
do contribute so much. To the people of Amherstburg, and
[11:31]
you have for many, many years. And you do so
[11:35]
very quietly. Most people are not even aware. Of all
[11:40]
the donations that you make. So you're saying your sign
[11:44]
has been in that same location for 30 years? Well,
[11:48]
actually been in the front, then they move it out
[11:49]
a little bit here and there, but. Been in the
[11:51]
front of that building because I won't be a member
[11:53]
for around 28. Years now. And it was there before
[11:56]
I was a member. We've always had it there. I
[11:59]
can count on my fingers how many board meetings I
[12:01]
have missed in all those 28 years. And not a
[12:04]
single complaint about it or anything for any reason whatsoever.
[12:09]
He's just been there. We just continue going along with
[12:12]
it. And just try and do what we can to
[12:17]
help everybody on it. I know we don't. Normally. Do
[12:21]
sponsors? I'm trying to build a bingo account, but we
[12:24]
got enough in there and that we can take spots
[12:26]
now, so if anybody there was any sponsors, we'll take
[12:28]
them too. This summer, but yes. And. Your sign is
[12:34]
not on the sidewalk. Is behind the parking blocks. The
[12:39]
parking blocks are parallel with. The canopy we have. Then
[12:45]
the sidewalk is there and the sidewalks. At least a
[12:48]
meter and a half away from the parking lot and
[12:51]
are signed behind the thing, so. You'd have to deliberately
[12:56]
go out of your way to trip over the signer
[12:58]
and. Go over the parking blocks, which we've had there.
[13:01]
We did have their parking lot there. When we first
[13:03]
started, but people were parking there and walking the sidewalks,
[13:06]
says, okay, we got to stop that. So we made
[13:08]
a parallel with the canopy because we figured that's the
[13:11]
best. Place to put them and. Decide. Okay. Keep the
[13:15]
sign behind there. Don't put it up front. That way
[13:18]
nobody gets hurt. Nobody injures themselves, and everybody's in good
[13:22]
for that. Thank you so much. When the time is
[13:26]
right. I do have a question of administration. Well, I
[13:30]
mean, we have five deputies in five different places with
[13:33]
five different kinds of signs, so. I was going to
[13:36]
ask. After we've accepted this, then we'll have questions of
[13:41]
Mr. Tetler, not of. The whole thing, but just of
[13:45]
each location. In turn. And then we'll have questions at
[13:50]
the end about the signed bylaw. Is that acceptable to
[13:54]
council? Okay. So any other questions of the deputy? Yes,
[14:00]
Councilor Courtney thank you, Mr. Mayor. And for the other
[14:02]
delegates too. In particular. What are you looking that you
[14:07]
don't agree with with the actual proposed signed bylaw. Because
[14:10]
I need to understand, as a counselor, we need a
[14:12]
bylaw. Bylaws. Are important. But of the one that's being
[14:15]
proposed. What is not of your liking things that are
[14:19]
wrong with it. One thing is because they say it
[14:21]
has to be so far from the lot line. That
[14:24]
means it's permanently out and then it says you can
[14:27]
only do it for a certain period of time. It's
[14:28]
got to come out and then you can't leave. Have
[14:30]
any sign there and then it's. Got to go back
[14:32]
in after all. Well, we advertise the bingo every single
[14:35]
week. What the jackpot is. And you can't do that
[14:38]
if that happens. And the lot lines. They're funny. They
[14:42]
go all over the place, even on our property. They
[14:44]
go all over the place and across the street they
[14:46]
go right through a house. It's like, okay, we've got
[14:50]
this thing here. We've done it for all these years,
[14:52]
I haven't had a problem with anything, but the bylaw
[14:55]
literally takes. The sign, right? Out of the front of
[14:58]
our building and we can put in a parking lot,
[15:01]
but they put a parking lot and sign the parking
[15:03]
lot. Then you got to move it, pick it back.
[15:07]
Have another permit to put it back in. They rule
[15:09]
it again for a while. We just want to do
[15:12]
our binge ride. Advertiser. Bingo is in. Help out the
[15:15]
community. That's all we're asking. Okay, so what I'm hearing
[15:18]
is basically, one sign, but it's kind of a multipurpose
[15:21]
sign that you put up it. Comes down. So basically,
[15:23]
the way the language is, it's too descriptive and it
[15:26]
doesn't. Really apply to you, whether it be an annual
[15:28]
sign, a seasonal sign. A temporary sign, you're saying it's
[15:32]
just too problematic in regards to that. Okay. Yeah. The
[15:36]
main purpose of saying is to advertise for the bingo.
[15:38]
It's a chaired wall used for terrible purpose. Complaints? Not
[15:42]
perfect. Thank you. Anything else? Or a layer? Thank you,
[15:47]
Mr. Mayor. I threw you just one question. Are you
[15:49]
okay with the fee if you had to pay for
[15:52]
an say you could keep the sign on your property
[15:55]
and you had to pay a fee for it. Are
[15:56]
you okay with that? I don't know. Might it be?
[16:02]
An annual permit fee is $150 for the sign. That's
[16:05]
not that big of a problem? No, thank you. Something
[16:09]
like that. I'm not worried about it. I'm just worried
[16:10]
about losing the sign. Because we'll lose a lot more
[16:12]
than $150, that's for sure. Okay, councilor. That's for aframes.
[16:17]
This is not an Aframe sign. No. I don't want
[16:23]
you to. Okay, I understandably. Sorry. I have to ask
[16:27]
Mr. Teller to get the exact question. We'll ask him,
[16:29]
okay? Sorry through you, Mr. Mayor to Mr. Teller. Any
[16:33]
other questions of the deputy? Okay. A motion to receive
[16:37]
the deputation. Moved by councilor McCarthy, seconded by Councilor Oler.
[16:43]
All those in favor opposed that's. Carried. Thank you, sir,
[16:46]
for your deputation. Questions of Mr. Tetler. First of all,
[16:51]
I have Councilor puget, then councilor. Courtney. And then you.
[17:00]
Okay, councilor puge. Mr mayor. Mr. Teddler.
[17:10]
So we have heard and we've seen where the sign
[17:13]
is and the KFC is. A nonprofit organization. Why is
[17:19]
it that. His sign had to be removed. When it
[17:26]
does not. Through your worship. The sign that's in front
[17:33]
of the connights of Columbus is. Under the definition of
[17:36]
the sign. By law, a mobile sign therefore, requires a
[17:40]
permit under the current sign bylaw. It required a permit
[17:43]
under the previous signed bylaw as well. But they never
[17:49]
had a permit for all these years. Through your worship.
[17:55]
That is correct. I'm not aware of them ever having
[17:57]
a permit for. A mobile sign. Now, keep in mind
[18:00]
as well, any sign that does not move, I would
[18:03]
consider. A permanent sign, not a mobile sign as well.
[18:12]
Councilor Courtney. I'm good right now. I'm just listening. Councilor
[18:21]
O'Lear and then councilor MacArthur. Thank you. So which type
[18:26]
of sign would you consider the nights of Columbus sign
[18:29]
fall under? A sign by law. Permanent or mobile? Three
[18:32]
yearship? Mobile sign, portable sign, whatever you want to classify
[18:36]
as, okay. Can you just give me the cost for
[18:38]
clarity? Because I was reading under the wrong thing, apparently.
[18:41]
How much would the cost that I'm a year to
[18:42]
keep it out there permanently? You're not allowed under the
[18:45]
current bylaw. You cannot keep it out there permanently. You
[18:48]
could have it up for 200 days for a dollar
[18:50]
per day. And the business can choose the duration. At
[18:56]
any given time. Okay, perfect. And then they take it
[18:58]
down for 60, and then they can. Put it up
[19:00]
for another 200. No, the maximum is 60 days at
[19:03]
a time. There has to. Be a 14 day break
[19:05]
in between the maximum days of permits. But someone could
[19:08]
apply for a 15 day permit and then a 23
[19:11]
day permit. They can utilize their 200 days to the
[19:14]
best to their business, understandably. Could he make that a
[19:17]
permanent sign, just. For. Simpler terms through your worship, they
[19:23]
could contact our billing department and work with them about
[19:26]
erecting a permanent sign on that property, potentially with a
[19:29]
manual changing letters rather than having a mobile sign. Out
[19:33]
there. Okay. Thank you. Councilor macarthur. Thank you. I think
[19:40]
I partially just got an answer there, but just when
[19:43]
Mr. Tetler said, you consider a mobile sign? A permanent
[19:46]
sign if it doesn't move. I didn't understand that if
[19:51]
you have a mobile sign in front of your business
[19:54]
that's. Never moving. I would consider that to be a
[19:56]
permanent sign. And I would suggest that that business would
[19:58]
need to work with our billion apartment. A mobile site
[20:01]
is something that's temporary in nature that's able to be
[20:03]
moved. Okay, just when you say that, it sounds like
[20:10]
you're suggesting that you could use a. Mobile sign and
[20:12]
just apply it for it to be a permanent sign
[20:15]
when you phrase it that. Way. That's why I'm confused
[20:17]
through your worship. I apologize. That is not my. Intention.
[20:20]
A mobile. Sign is not a permanent sign. It cannot
[20:25]
be used as a permanent sign. But by definition, if
[20:28]
a mobile sign is never leaving the location. We could
[20:33]
be looked at as a permanent sign. Okay, I'll just
[20:38]
pass the Gaville. I just have one question. Can that
[20:42]
sign? It's movable if they move it somewhere else on
[20:46]
the lot. Will they be in any violation at all?
[20:52]
I would suggest after looking at the location of the
[20:55]
Knights of Columbus. They could apply for a mobile sign
[20:58]
permit and have it located elsewhere on the property and
[21:01]
it would not be illegal. That is correct. I'll take
[21:05]
the gavel back. Anyone else? No other questions of Mr.
[21:11]
Tetler on this sign. Okay, let's hear the. Next deputy.
[21:14]
The next deputy is. Lynn durfy.
[21:26]
Good evening, mayor and council members. Thank you for giving
[21:29]
me the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is lindurphy,
[21:32]
and I've owned Lind's variety at 203 Richmond street. For
[21:36]
the last 31 years. I am here to express concerns
[21:40]
about the current bylaw that prohibits prohibits. Sandwich signs and
[21:47]
aframe signs on the boulevard. For many businesses in town,
[21:51]
which is known as a quaint, small, charming town. We
[21:55]
close our streets to promote foot traffic. These sign. Signs
[22:02]
for a few affordable businesses. It's an effective way for
[22:06]
us to reach the foot. Traffic. Being the difference between.
[22:11]
People coming in and people just walking past us. My
[22:16]
sign has been on the boulevard for the last 24
[22:18]
years. Of the 31 years I've. Been in business. This
[22:22]
sign has been updated and kept well maintained as an
[22:27]
asset to my business. I understand that we need to
[22:31]
maintain and keep the sidewalks safe and prevent visual clutter.
[22:37]
However, many communities have found balance that permits these signs
[22:42]
with specific dimensions in ensuring placement doesn't. Obstruct. The pedestrian
[22:49]
flow in accessibility. I am asking for you to not.
[22:54]
Completely redo the bylaw. Just look at other ways of
[22:57]
us being able to keep our signs and follow your
[23:01]
guidelines with some bit of a restriction to us. But
[23:07]
these signs, it's been there for 24 years, and it's
[23:12]
never caused a problem. And no one has ever complained
[23:16]
until I had a bylaw officer standing in front of
[23:18]
me threatening a fine if it isn't moved in 24
[23:22]
hours. I move the sign. Into my parking lot. 3
[23:29]
meters. As I was told, I needed to be from
[23:33]
the sidewalk. Then I got a phone call saying that.
[23:38]
I still was going to be fined because it needed
[23:41]
to be 3 meters from the lot line. Which is
[23:46]
technically the front of my building. So the sign then
[23:51]
needs to be right up against the side of my
[23:53]
building to meet the bylaw. Thank you for the time,
[23:58]
and I hope that council will consider a little bit
[24:01]
of an update. On the behalf of our local businesses.
[24:05]
Questions. Seeing none. Questions of staff? No. I need to
[24:15]
receive the deputation both by councilor Larry, seconded by deputy
[24:18]
mayor. All those in favor? Opposed. That's carried. Questions of
[24:23]
Mr. Tetler. Any questions? Councilor Courtney. Mayor through you, Bill.
[24:32]
I know by law, the Aoda compliance is the big
[24:36]
thing Mr. V just mentioned about sightlines. For sure. That's
[24:39]
the safety of pedestrians, vehicles and things like that. The
[24:44]
setbacks seem very robust. Especially for signs that have been
[24:50]
in place for. Is there a way? Again, we've amended
[24:53]
many things, but this is going to go for the
[24:55]
next. There's got to be ways. To me. My takeaways
[24:57]
are this. Limit the number of signs, the size of
[24:59]
the sign. How secure the sign is and their non
[25:03]
violation of Aoda. That to me, as a municipality, Should
[25:08]
be our only real concerns here is that. We're following
[25:11]
Aoda compliance, that people have a safe way, the rate
[25:14]
width to get around with accessibility mobile device. There is
[25:18]
no safety issues with sight lines. Is there a way
[25:22]
that we can just monitor these things. The non compliance
[25:26]
part of it is these are owners that know they
[25:30]
follow many rules and regulations. Outside of even the town's
[25:32]
bylaws just to operate in Ontario, if we set the
[25:36]
standards and conditions of this is the acceptable size of
[25:39]
an aframe. This is the acceptable size. This is where
[25:42]
it needs to be, on a sidewalk. If you have
[25:44]
a sidewalk, this wide. You can do it. If not,
[25:46]
it's sorry about your lock, but you just can't. Because
[25:49]
now we're in contravention. Aoda, if you're in violation. Of
[25:52]
a, B and C and you inspect it, you will
[25:55]
be charged $150 for non compliance. And loses the rate
[26:00]
to have that. Sign this to me. Seems like I'm
[26:03]
just trying to generalize it all because everyone's situation is
[26:05]
going to be. Different. And we happen to have five
[26:07]
delegates tonight, and there's probably ten others that couldn't. Make
[26:10]
it, and they're going to be all different scenarios, too.
[26:12]
So I really don't think this council should be looking
[26:15]
at this bylaw. As an individual basis, because that's going
[26:18]
to be problematic in itself. I'm just trying to generalize.
[26:22]
Being responsible as a municipality to make sure that we're
[26:24]
in compliance with the AoD. With Sila, with and the
[26:27]
safety of pedestrians and traffic and that whoever does have
[26:30]
the good fortune of having the width in front of
[26:32]
their business is wide enough that they can actually put
[26:35]
a certain sized temporary sign aframe. That, to me is
[26:39]
really all I think that would work here, but I'll.
[26:42]
Continue to listen to the deli. You're asking the general
[26:46]
question. It is. Please just ask him the question at
[26:50]
Lynn's variety. Why is that sign not appropriate? Why? Is
[26:54]
it illegal at this point? We'll get into the general
[26:57]
question later. Could you answer that? Why is this illegal?
[27:08]
Through you. Your worship, the step back requirement of the
[27:10]
sign bylaw is 2 meters. As far as the sign
[27:15]
be legal, I would suggest that any business owner that.
[27:20]
Has enough property to have the sign on their property
[27:23]
is allowed to have it, so I would suggest that
[27:25]
most businesses would be allowed to have a sign, just
[27:27]
maybe not in the current location. It may have been
[27:30]
at in the past. Okay, worship, members of council and
[27:34]
Mr. Tutler will correct me if I'm wrong. I think
[27:36]
the issue for some of the signs to be more
[27:39]
general is that they are on town. Right of way
[27:43]
and not on the property's own property. So I think
[27:46]
what Mr. Tetler is saying is that if the. Sign
[27:52]
is on a property owner's own property within the setback
[27:56]
requirements. That's fine. And I believe the report outlined a
[28:02]
solution for council. For signs that would still remain on
[28:08]
the public right of way. But there's still enough width
[28:11]
for that. So that's outlined in your report as a
[28:13]
solution. Any other questions about this particular location and this
[28:19]
particular sign? Seeing none will go to the next deputy.
[28:26]
All right, the next deputy. Is peter liardi.
[28:37]
Your worship. Mr. Mayor, members of town council and administration.
[28:47]
Thank you for allowing me to speak. My name is
[28:49]
Peter Liardi. I've been in business in this community for
[28:52]
40 years. Now 21 years at our current location. I
[28:57]
would like to address the sign. By law and specific
[29:00]
to the issue of portable signs, I've had a portable
[29:04]
sign in front of my current location for 21 years.
[29:07]
I would use the portable sign for multiple reasons. One,
[29:12]
to announce new seasonal arrivals, two, to advertise promotional items.
[29:18]
Advertise end of season sales. The ability to advertise and
[29:23]
take advantage of all the traffic on Sandwich street was
[29:26]
one of the reasons I moved my business and spent
[29:29]
$600,000.21 years ago. That portable sign would help draw traffic
[29:35]
into my store and hopefully keep business here in our
[29:38]
community. Now. My sign was 4ft wide and 5ft tall.
[29:44]
It sat 3ft on my property. And 1ft on town
[29:49]
property. There existed 12ft of remaining sidewalk from the edge
[29:55]
of my sign to the road curb. In absolutely no
[30:01]
way was my sign. An impediment to pedestrian traffic, vehicle
[30:07]
traffic, and it was also Aoda compliant. In the 21
[30:13]
years that that sign has sat out in front of
[30:16]
my store, the only complaint that I've ever received was
[30:19]
from the town of Amesburg on the 25 April of
[30:23]
this year I received an order to comply. On that
[30:28]
order to comply. I said I didn't have a permit,
[30:31]
and it was too. Close to the lot line. Now,
[30:34]
the new bylaw has some conditions I'd like to speak
[30:37]
to. And I would. Also like to address my order
[30:39]
to comply. Firstly, in my order to comply, it stated
[30:44]
I didn't have a permit. I want everyone here to
[30:48]
know. That I have always paid my permit fee through
[30:53]
my signed supplier when it was presented to me. Number
[30:57]
two. The order to comply states that my sign is
[31:02]
too close to the lot line. That is absolutely true.
[31:07]
It sits on twelve inches of town property. But there's
[31:12]
12ft of sidewalk to the road curbside on the other
[31:16]
side of that sign. It was bothering no one. By
[31:22]
the way, for the last 21 years. That 12ft of
[31:25]
sidewalk and patio on the other side of that sign.
[31:28]
I've swept it, I've cleaned it, I've shoveled. The snow
[31:32]
off of it. I've salted it. And never once have
[31:38]
I sent the town a bill for that. And the
[31:41]
town never complained either about that. Number three. The new
[31:49]
bylaw puts a limit of 200 days on the use
[31:52]
of a portable sign. It goes on to say that.
[31:57]
In this time frame allowance is generous compared to other
[32:00]
municipalities in Essence County. Who says the other municipalities are
[32:04]
correct? Why limit the use of signs? And can someone
[32:10]
please tell me which 200 days of the year? Are
[32:13]
the best years to advertise. There should be no limits
[32:19]
on the usage of a sign. If you paid for
[32:22]
the. Permit for the year. Let the individual or business
[32:26]
use it for the year. I don't understand why the
[32:31]
town of Amnesburg would do anything to impede the success
[32:33]
of any small business in its community, unless the business
[32:36]
was doing something illegal or posing a harm to its
[32:40]
citizens. I was doing neither. Just in the month of
[32:46]
May this year and in June. My prom and grad
[32:51]
suit sales were down 54% and 45%, respectively. I had
[32:57]
to take my sign down on May the second. And
[33:01]
that's just one commodity. That doesn't count shirts, doesn't count
[33:04]
shoes. Temp belts, ties. And, oh, there's another thing to
[33:10]
consider. Not only. Was this affecting? My business revenue. What
[33:19]
about my two tailors that I use here in town?
[33:22]
That's less work that they had. They both live here
[33:24]
in town. They both hear shop. In town. I'd like
[33:28]
to share an email that I received from a parent
[33:30]
that was in my store. On June 13 it says.
[33:34]
Good morning, Peter. I just wanted to take a minute.
[33:36]
Thank you for. Your ever so memorable experience that yourself
[33:39]
and Colin gave my son and I yesterday. I was
[33:42]
in such a tizzy trying to find a place to
[33:44]
get my son a graduation suit for next. Week, and
[33:47]
you guys saved the day. I passed your store daily,
[33:50]
but I didn't think. You'd have anything for a grade.
[33:52]
Eight graduation. Luckily, I remembered that I had at one
[33:55]
time seen a sign out in front of your store
[33:57]
advertising prom and grad suit special. The sign was gone,
[34:01]
so I figured that I missed the sale, but I'm
[34:03]
so glad that I decided to pop in and check
[34:05]
anyhow like most parents, schedules are crazy. I didn't want
[34:10]
to take time to go to Windsor, but mainly I
[34:12]
prefer to shop. Local whenever possible. I wish you had
[34:15]
been able to keep your sino in front because after
[34:18]
speaking to some parents, they were disappointed that they weren't
[34:21]
able to take advantage of the sale. Or the experience.
[34:24]
I have three such emails to such the topic.
[34:34]
I've lost enough revenue in the last seven weeks to
[34:38]
pay for a sign permit for the next 75 years.
[34:41]
Given the current economic conditions and uncertainty out there, I
[34:45]
don't understand what the purpose of the zoo. Signed by
[34:47]
law. I sincerely believe that there's overreach here. I look
[34:57]
forward to town council enlightening the small businesses of our
[34:59]
town as to how the new bylaw is worth the
[35:01]
opportunity cost of lost revenues to the businesses affected. Thank
[35:06]
you. So much. Questions of the deputies. Seeing none. Motion
[35:13]
to receive the deputation councilor letter seconded by councilor puge.
[35:16]
Ovos in favor? Opposed? That's carried. Any questions of Mr.
[35:21]
Tetler on this? Particular sign. Councilor puge. Thank you, Mr.
[35:29]
Mayor. Through. You too, Mr. Tetler. So, Mr. Tetler. Why
[35:36]
would we? Make Mr. Deliardi remove his sign if it
[35:40]
was less than a foot away from. On our property.
[35:46]
Could we not have worked with him to make sure
[35:50]
that he was able to advertise? Because we knew this
[35:55]
was coming back to us. I made a motion that.
[36:01]
This report was coming back to us so they could
[36:03]
speak on it, so why couldn't. We have just compromised
[36:06]
with him during this period of time. I believe Madam
[36:11]
Cao has something. Do you want to say it first
[36:13]
or Mr. Teddler? Your worship, members and council. And again,
[36:21]
I'll defer to Mr. Tetler if he. Has something to
[36:23]
add, but I don't believe that council suspended the operation
[36:27]
of the bylaw. So we do not have the authority
[36:31]
to do that. That's up to council to make. That
[36:33]
motion to suspend that. Mr. Tetler. Anything you have, Dad.
[36:44]
Through your worship. The bylaw is in effect. Council did
[36:48]
not suspend it and we are carrying out our duties.
[36:51]
Okay, the next listed deputy I have is Sarah Brush.
[37:04]
Good evening. Mayor Peru, deputy mayor Gibb, councilors Allair.
[37:15]
Crane. Macarthur. Courtney. And Puge. My name is Sarah Brush.
[37:23]
And I proudly own. And operate specs restaurant here in
[37:27]
Amnesburg. For nearly 55 years. More than half a century.
[37:35]
My family and I have. Served this community through good
[37:40]
times. And bad. As a small, family run business. I
[37:47]
am proud of what we built. Specs isn't just a
[37:52]
restaurant. It's a gathering place. A part of the fabric
[37:57]
of this town. People come for the food. But they
[38:02]
return for the connection. For decades. We've supported this community.
[38:10]
Quietly. Consistently. Through local causes. Kindness and hard work. But
[38:19]
I will always. Stand up for what's right. To protect
[38:25]
what we've built and to ensure that small business. Businesses
[38:30]
like mine are treated with fairness. And respect. Over the
[38:36]
past year. I've come before this council. More than once.
[38:44]
Not because I want to be here. And while it
[38:48]
takes time, And energy. I will not back down. Because
[38:54]
this business matters. And so does the principle behind it.
[39:00]
When unfair policies threaten us, when I am suddenly told
[39:07]
I can't display a simple open flag. I've had. For
[39:15]
55 years. I have no choice but to speak up.
[39:21]
That flag never blocked a sidewalk, and it is on
[39:26]
my own property. I've never posed a safety hazard, and
[39:31]
it complies fully with AODA standards. It simply lets people
[39:37]
know we are open. Since being forced to remove it.
[39:43]
Customers are confused. Foot traffic is down. And our business
[39:48]
had suffered because of a bylaw. That was drafted. With
[39:54]
a real consultation with the people it affects most. I
[39:59]
have never paid a cent to the town to display
[40:03]
this flag, and I don't. Intend to now. This kind
[40:08]
of nickel and diming of small businesses isn't just unnecessary.
[40:14]
It's damaging. It sends the wrong message about who we
[40:18]
are as a town. Let me be clear. This just
[40:23]
isn't about specs. It's about every small business in Amnesburg.
[40:30]
Small businesses are the. Heart and soul of this community.
[40:35]
They create jobs. They attract visitors and they bring life
[40:41]
into our streets. When our visibility is restricted. So is
[40:47]
our ability to survive. These signs. And yes, even flags
[40:54]
aren't clutter. These signs are our connection. They're how we
[41:01]
let people know we're here and we're open. When our
[41:05]
signs come down. So does the energy and life of
[41:10]
this town. We want a council. That understands us. Respects
[41:18]
us. And lets us run our businesses the way we
[41:22]
always have. With pride. Honesty and care. Frankly, this bylaw
[41:32]
doesn't make sense. We're being told. To take our signs
[41:39]
down. But then. Told it's fine if we pay $150
[41:43]
a year. What kind of business logic is that? If
[41:51]
a sign. Is truly unsafe or inappropriate. Charging a fee
[41:59]
doesn't make it any less so. And if it's safe
[42:04]
and has never been a problem. Then why are we
[42:08]
being punished? For something that has worked for decades. Get
[42:14]
rid of this ridiculous bylaw. It's hurting the very people
[42:19]
who help build this. Town. I still believe in Amnesburg.
[42:26]
I believe in working together. And I hope that moving
[42:30]
forward, we can have more conversation. And not. More enforcement
[42:38]
so that Amesburg stays a place where small businesses feel
[42:43]
valued and not punished. Let's keep this town open, thriving
[42:49]
and welcoming. Just like it always has been. Thank you.
[42:57]
Questions of the deputy. Any questions of the deputy councilor
[43:03]
puge. Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Sarah. Excellent presentation. I just
[43:12]
want to clarify two things. So your sign. Was compatible
[43:18]
with Aoda. It was not in the way it's in
[43:21]
my garden. It's in your garden. So it was on
[43:26]
your property? Yes. I am 2.5 meters away from the
[43:30]
sidewalk. Okay. And your flag? You said it was. 5
[43:35]
meters from the sidewalk from the property. Okay. It's on
[43:39]
my own property. Okay. Thank you. Okay, I need a
[43:43]
motion. To accept the deputation moved by councillor Puche, seconded
[43:50]
by councilor Lere. All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried.
[43:55]
Questions of Mr. Tattler? A number of them. Okay. I
[43:59]
saw Councilor O'Leary. First. And then Councilor MacArthur and then
[44:02]
councilor Puge. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just through. You to
[44:05]
Mr. Tetler. How was her sign? Illegal if it's 2.5
[44:09]
meters. From the sidewalk. Do you, worship? Just to clarify,
[44:14]
which sign are we referring to? Sarah's delegation. She said
[44:18]
it was her open sign. I'd have to understand what
[44:24]
type of sign that is. It's my understanding that I
[44:26]
believe there was two different types of signs there, and
[44:28]
I just want to make sure I'm speaking about the
[44:30]
correct sign. Verify with the delegate that it was the
[44:35]
flag open sign that you have stuck in your garden.
[44:39]
Thank you. Through your worship to council lair. The flag
[44:44]
signs. Are both flags, as they're referred to in the
[44:48]
bylaw, are prohibited in the HCD. Which the heritage confirmation
[44:52]
district, which is why the sign was asked to be
[44:54]
removed. Thank you for the clarification. So it wasn't because.
[45:00]
Of the signed bylaw that we have in place. It
[45:02]
was because of the Heritage district. Through your worship. I'm
[45:06]
sorry, council. There's talking. I couldn't hear your. Question. Okay,
[45:10]
it wasn't because of our current signed bylaw. It was
[45:12]
because of the heritage. District. It is through your worship.
[45:16]
It is because of the current science. Violence. There's a
[45:18]
heritage. Consternation district overlay in the sign bylaw. Those types
[45:23]
of flags in the downtown core. Thank you for the
[45:26]
clarification. Okay, Councilor MacArthur, then, councilor puge. Can we just
[45:32]
get some clarity on that, please? Because we haven't passed
[45:35]
the heritage conservation. District. That's actually, I don't understand. It
[45:42]
and with it only the flag. That was in contravention.
[45:45]
Or was it the sign? Like on this particular property,
[45:47]
on this particular issue. What was wrong and what was
[45:53]
done. Through your worship, I will defer to the planning
[45:56]
department to speak to the heritage conservation district. As far
[45:59]
as. The sign goes. We did the enforcement. So the
[46:04]
bylaw states that that type of sign is not allowed
[46:07]
in that area. Therefore, we did that. Enforcement. If we're
[46:09]
speaking about the aframe sign, we ask that aframe sign
[46:12]
to be relocated to the property line as per the
[46:16]
heritage concert Viation district overlay. Eight frame science are allowed
[46:21]
to be at the property line in that area. Mr.
[46:26]
Clerk through you, your worship. It's section b, two of
[46:29]
the signed by law, which deals with bioflag signs, and
[46:31]
it's the heritage district overlay. So although the district hasn't
[46:35]
been adopted. The area. Has been under consideration, and that
[46:40]
area was identified in the sign bylaw. So whether or
[46:42]
not you've adopted the district itself. You've identified the space
[46:47]
that you're studying currently, and when the sign, by law
[46:49]
is adopted, that study area was included as the overlay
[46:53]
to identify the area that would have those provisions. For
[46:57]
further clarity. So because of that, the flag is not
[47:00]
allowed in that geographic boundary. So that was one of
[47:04]
the thing you dealt with and the sign was in
[47:06]
the wrong place, and then. She moved it and now
[47:08]
it's fine. I'm just seeking clarity, that's all. Through your
[47:13]
worship not being personally on the property, it would be
[47:16]
hard for me to give an exact answer, but if
[47:18]
there was an aframe sign located on town property. We
[47:21]
would have asked that to be relocated to the private
[47:25]
property, and no permit would be required for that. Happen
[47:30]
here in this instance. Through your worship, my suggestion would
[47:36]
be, yes, I believe that did happen. Councilor puge. Mr
[47:45]
mayor. Euge Mr. Tetler. So I think Sarah hit it
[47:52]
the nail right on the head. When she's asked specifically.
[47:58]
How is it? Okay. For our businesses to put up
[48:04]
signs if they pay, but it isn't if they don't.
[48:08]
Pay. So. Aren't we more worried about? Keeping. Our residents
[48:17]
safe and to follow the rules of Aoda. If we're
[48:23]
making them move. There's signs because we're saying. They're not.
[48:31]
In the correct area, then why would it be okay
[48:34]
for them to put their signs there if they pay.
[48:39]
Madam Cao has the answer, you, worship, members of council.
[48:44]
So what the report is suggesting. So first of all,
[48:47]
if there is a sign in the. HCD overlay area
[48:52]
that wouldn't be allowed at all. So there would be
[48:54]
no. Payment for sign. There's just no sign allowed there
[48:57]
at all, so, really. And really, this kind of weighs
[49:00]
it out for council. There are kind of three things,
[49:02]
I think that you have to make decisions on whether
[49:05]
or not you want allow a mobile type of sign.
[49:09]
In the HCD because your bylaw right now says no
[49:13]
to that a frame signs are permitted. If there is
[49:18]
enough width on the sidewalk and the reason why there
[49:21]
would be a fee for that is because it's in
[49:23]
the public right of way. We would have to make
[49:26]
sure that it complies and that we check everything and
[49:30]
make sure it's in compliance. And also from a liability
[49:33]
standpoint. So that's why. We would. It's almost like an
[49:37]
encroachment on town property. Well, it is. An encroachment on
[49:40]
town property. So that's why a fee would be allowed.
[49:42]
For those particular ones. And then the third issue that
[49:47]
council has to decide upon, I suppose, is whether or
[49:50]
not. You want to maintain? Your limited. Time frame for
[49:56]
mobile signs, which is currently in your bylaw at the
[49:59]
180 days. So those really seem to be the three
[50:02]
points of contention right now. To be clear, if there
[50:05]
is an aframe sign that is on someone's own personal
[50:09]
property at their lotline there would be no fee for
[50:12]
that. It would only be if it's in the public,
[50:14]
right? Of way on town. Property. Well, thank you for
[50:16]
that. But in the past, we have waived fees, for
[50:21]
example. The people on the residents on George street. We
[50:27]
waived the fees. Some of their property. Their homes were
[50:34]
on town property. So we could do the same thing
[50:37]
tonight, correct? Council can make whatever decision that council deems
[50:43]
is appropriate in the circumstances. However, we bring to you
[50:47]
best practices. In other municipalities when you are doing an
[50:52]
encroachment. You do charge a fee because it takes staff
[50:56]
time to process that, to do the inspection, to make
[50:59]
sure it's put in the proper place. It's totally council's
[51:02]
decision. What you want to do in that regard. Okay.
[51:06]
And thank you for that. But then further to that.
[51:12]
We will be taking up. I just want you to
[51:14]
stay with this side. I am trying to stay with.
[51:18]
The sign area. This is what I'm concerned about. Right
[51:22]
now, when I look at the people that presented tonight,
[51:28]
Almost every one of them will not be able to
[51:31]
have signs if we pass that heritage district. Am I
[51:36]
correct in that? No. The Aframe sign would still be
[51:41]
allowed in the heritage districts. Mobile signs would not be
[51:44]
in the Heritage district. A mobile sign would not be
[51:49]
a permanent sign is allowed. So if a business feels
[51:52]
that they need to have some kind of permanent signage,
[51:55]
as Mr. Tetler mentioned earlier. There are permanent signs can
[51:59]
be placed on the sides of buildings, that kind of
[52:02]
thing, where you can change messaging. Certainly business owners are
[52:06]
welcome to work with our building department to have something
[52:09]
like that installed and to make sure it complies with
[52:11]
building code. So. It just wouldn't be those temporary mobile
[52:17]
type signs that would be allowed in the heritage. Conservation
[52:20]
district. But again, that's a decision for council to make.
[52:25]
Okay. Councilor MacArthur, and then we're going to move on
[52:29]
to the last deputy. Just clarity on that point now
[52:34]
that we're talking about it. Because the report before us.
[52:36]
Says that mobile signs are not permitted within a heritage
[52:39]
conservation district. So is that like a provincial rule, or
[52:44]
should this read correctly? They're not allowed in ours because
[52:48]
it says it's? Not allowed in any heritage conservation district
[52:51]
as written. So is that what it means to say.
[52:55]
You're worship members of council. I believe it means ours.
[52:57]
It was for our heritage conservation. District, and I can
[53:01]
have Mr. Coates speak to the reasoning behind that. Through
[53:05]
you, your worship. Yeah. It's very common in heritage conservation
[53:08]
districts to have restrictions around. Science. Both flag science are
[53:14]
something that is very common. Our sign bylaw does respond
[53:18]
only to ours. I think it's only referencing ours and
[53:21]
both leg signs are prohibition within that area. Mr clerk.
[53:31]
And also mobile signs. Right. The intention behind that being
[53:35]
your heritage conservation district has a certain look. And feel.
[53:37]
And so generally you'd look for a permanent sign that
[53:40]
reflects. That design criteria that you're aiming for in that
[53:44]
area. Okay, I'm going to call the last deputy. Is
[53:51]
gender, Luca. Hi, everyone.
[54:01]
Jan Deluca from waterfront ice cream. I understand that a
[54:05]
complaint was made about Aframe signs blocking the sidewalk and
[54:09]
not being Aoda compliant. What I don't understand is why
[54:14]
an entire bylaw had to be rewritten to address this.
[54:18]
There was no consultation with the businesses, there were no
[54:22]
meetings, no open houses, just assigned Blitz. So we sent
[54:26]
in emails. We then tried to speak to you at
[54:29]
a previous meeting, but were denied. The opportunity. We have
[54:33]
no recourse to share our concerns when this happens. And
[54:36]
here we are two. Months later, speaking at a meeting.
[54:40]
Why is there no other more productive and more expedient
[54:43]
way to work with the businesses? All of us here
[54:47]
tonight have had signs out for 50 years. 46 years,
[54:52]
25 years and more. All of which are Aoda compliant.
[54:59]
And your solution to this complaint toward another business owner
[55:02]
or group of businesses who had no regard for Aoda
[55:06]
compliance was the writing of a whole new signed bylaw.
[55:11]
During which we were all greeted with citations and pending
[55:14]
fines during our business hours for not removing our signs.
[55:19]
In this two month period, the absence of our signs
[55:22]
has caused a drastic decrease in customers and sales for
[55:26]
many. And here we are with the report. Only to
[55:31]
tell us that after having to remove our signs and
[55:34]
incur loss of business, we now get to continue to
[55:37]
have this prior privilege reinstated, but for a yearly application
[55:42]
and fee. This is clearly not about Aoda compliance. Since
[55:48]
all of our signs actually meet this criteria, it is
[55:51]
about greed and taking more money from your small businesses.
[55:56]
Armando's Pizza has won numerous awards for his pizza and
[56:00]
has been recognized all over. He helps keep Amesburg relevant.
[56:04]
And you want to charge him to take down and
[56:06]
put up his sign every 200 days. His daily grind
[56:11]
isn't enough. Waggles Meats is the only family run, second
[56:16]
generation butcher shop in town, and you want to do
[56:19]
the same to him for a sign that lets people
[56:21]
know he's tucked away. On Renault street. 67 Richmond street
[56:26]
is the only place in Amnesburg where you can get
[56:28]
a nice suit. For a special occasion. And you don't
[56:31]
want people to know when he has a sale. Some
[56:34]
of you even show your public support for freed instead.
[56:39]
Gumballs and overalls. The only children's consignment store is right
[56:42]
on Sandwich street. People need to know she's there and
[56:46]
that she has a senior discount. She lost her entire
[56:49]
spring season without her sign. Yours. Country kitchen. Another destination
[56:54]
point and pits fresh veggies. Their signs impede no one.
[56:59]
And they're essential in the, in the success of their
[57:01]
small businesses. The absence of a sign hinders businesses on
[57:05]
every level. How are you supposed to know which? Fish
[57:09]
Fry is happening at the Knights of Columbus or what
[57:11]
time the bingo starts if they don't. Have a sign
[57:14]
for two weeks between each 200 day period. Why do
[57:17]
you feel you have to accept more money from the
[57:20]
business community. I'm honestly dumbfounded at the idea that these
[57:24]
signs can now only be used for a yearly fee
[57:27]
even when they are Aoda compliant, and I'm further dumbfounded
[57:31]
that magnet. Signs that have been placed for decades now
[57:34]
come out of cost with a restricted time period. You
[57:38]
want businesses to pay you, you should be paying the
[57:42]
businesses for what they bring to this. Town, not taking
[57:44]
more from them. How do you guys stumble across new
[57:48]
stores and restaurants when you visit a new small town.
[57:51]
It's very simple. Signage. One of you mentioned that you
[57:54]
did not want another public fight with the businesses, but
[57:57]
this is the only option for dialogue that you give
[58:00]
us. You adopt bylaws that you do. Not fully read
[58:04]
or understand. And there's no communication with the actual people
[58:07]
they affect, then we get five minutes on. The spot.
[58:12]
To speak. State our plea publicly. We are business owners.
[58:15]
We must leave our businesses to do this. Every time.
[58:19]
I am pleading with all of you to do better
[58:20]
for us. I want to thank councilor. Puge because she's
[58:24]
the only one who continues to ask questions for us,
[58:27]
and she advocates rest, especially when she admits that her
[58:30]
decision was bad for us. Asking us to wait for
[58:34]
a report and sit tight while losing customers is not
[58:37]
an appropriate answer. Please erase the fine print in this
[58:41]
bylaw and don't charge the business community to advertise for
[58:44]
their businesses and livelihood. When did we stop taking care
[58:48]
of each other? I think I have a tiny bit
[58:51]
of time lapse, and I just want to give you.
[58:52]
One tiny scenario. Fishflies. They're everywhere. My husband spent an
[58:58]
hour and a half every morning, leaf blowing the fishflies.
[59:01]
Could you imagine if he stopped at the property line
[59:04]
and said, I'm going to save those. Few million for
[59:07]
the town because the property line ends there. I'm just
[59:10]
going to do my part up to the line, just
[59:13]
like Mr. Leardi said. He sweeps that area. He shovels.
[59:16]
That area. All of us take care of that frontage.
[59:19]
46 years, waterfront has been doing that. And you're going
[59:22]
to tell me now I got to pay to put
[59:23]
my sign. There. It just doesn't make sense. And they
[59:27]
are Aoda compliant, every one of us here, so I
[59:30]
don't know why. That keeps coming up. There may be
[59:33]
other businesses who didn't have that Aoda compliance. Like Mr.
[59:38]
Courtney said, deal with that in a different light. But
[59:41]
to rewrite a whole new bylaw and pop in people's
[59:44]
businesses during business hours with a citation. And a threat
[59:47]
to be fined just doesn't seem right. It's not. Thank
[59:52]
you. Any questions of this deputy? Seeing none. Motion to
[59:59]
receive the deputation, councilor. And councilor MacArthur. All those in
[1:00:05]
favor? Opposed? That's carried. Questions. Of staff. Anybody have question
[1:00:11]
on this? Councilor puge. I've got questions, but I do
[1:00:20]
have a motion when it's time. Well. I'm going to
[1:00:24]
allow the motion later because now we're going to go
[1:00:26]
to general questions. Not about individual properties, but just about
[1:00:30]
the bylaw. And this is a bylaw that is. An
[1:00:33]
old, old, old bylaw. It's not new. This is going
[1:00:36]
back 25 years just wasn't enforced. But it's an old
[1:00:40]
bylaw. We're using anyway. Councilor Olaire. Yeah. Thank you, Mr.
[1:00:47]
Mayor. Through you to Mr. Tattler, one of the continuous
[1:00:50]
things was the restriction of the duration of time. If
[1:00:53]
we removed that from the current bylaws and amended amendment.
[1:00:57]
What repercussions does that have? Anything? Three you worshiped, Councilor
[1:01:02]
Lair. If that council's discretion to waive and make any
[1:01:08]
decisions they choose to. Counselor puge. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[1:01:20]
Probably through you to the Cao. If we enact this
[1:01:24]
bylaw. Does it not mean extra work for administration to
[1:01:30]
go out and collect all these fees? Members of council.
[1:01:35]
If you enacted the amendment to the bylaw that the
[1:01:39]
report suggests, I. E. Having allowing Aframe signs if they're
[1:01:43]
permitted. People would have to make their application. So yes,
[1:01:46]
it is additional work to have the afraid signs on
[1:01:50]
public property. And certainly we put the fee in there
[1:01:54]
because we were following council, what we thought was council's.
[1:01:58]
Overall direction in terms of usage of public property. With
[1:02:03]
the temporary patios and whatnot, it was certainly made clear
[1:02:06]
that people should have to pay to use town property,
[1:02:09]
and so. We wanted to make sure that we were
[1:02:12]
collecting back. The money that would be used in staff
[1:02:16]
time in terms of taking the permits, doing the inspections.
[1:02:20]
As we do with patios, that type of thing. So
[1:02:22]
it was similar to that. Okay, so. Saying that this
[1:02:26]
would be a wash, basically. If we don't collect it
[1:02:31]
and the amount of time and money that we would
[1:02:34]
have. To spend. Trying. To enact this by law and
[1:02:40]
collect the fees. Really? It would be a wash if
[1:02:43]
we just forgave. Any peace. Like we did on George
[1:02:50]
Street. So I don't know if it would be a
[1:02:55]
wash. Certainly the fee that's being charged. Is not cost
[1:02:58]
recovery, I would suggest. So it's up to council what
[1:03:02]
you decide to do. Other questions of staff. Councilor
[1:03:12]
macarthur. With how the bylaw is written now, without changes.
[1:03:19]
Looking at the map of the HCD, Does Mr. Leardi
[1:03:24]
store fall within that? So would he be allowed to
[1:03:27]
have a mobile sign? And. Did four specs and the
[1:03:31]
flag. Would those both be prohibited? Through your worship. That
[1:03:35]
is correct, Councilor McArthur. Mr. Lardi would not be allowed.
[1:03:39]
To have a mobile sign and specs would not be
[1:03:42]
allowed to have both. Flagstein. Further questions. I'll just pass
[1:03:50]
the gavel. I have a couple. We have assigned by
[1:03:54]
law that comes up every four years. During elections. How
[1:03:59]
many members of this council had signs removed? In the
[1:04:04]
last election. And why? Because. They were on property. They
[1:04:08]
weren't on private property. They were on the boulevards. They
[1:04:13]
were on the rights of way. And. Members of members
[1:04:18]
who were running for election. Had no recourse. They couldn't
[1:04:23]
pay. The only thing they paid for was 100 and
[1:04:26]
something dollars to get a single sign back. And that's
[1:04:32]
the bylaw that was put. In. Place before my time.
[1:04:36]
I think councilor Puge was on council when that came
[1:04:39]
into effect. I don't think anyone else was, but that's
[1:04:43]
just one of the signs. And I have some difficulty
[1:04:49]
with all of this. I don't mind the signs. I
[1:04:53]
don't mind them, provided they are AOD compliant. I will
[1:04:58]
never. Support a sign that is blocking someone who is
[1:05:02]
blind in a wheelchair. A mother in a carriage with
[1:05:05]
a carriage. I will never, ever support that sign on
[1:05:09]
the street. Because those people have rights, same as all
[1:05:14]
of us. They're not different. They have rights. And their
[1:05:19]
rights, I think, supersede the rights to be safe. Supersede
[1:05:23]
the rights to make money. I know money. Making money
[1:05:26]
is important. What I want to see here, and I
[1:05:30]
don't know what the motions are going to. Be. What
[1:05:34]
I want to see here is. A signed by law,
[1:05:38]
which is permissive, which will allow businesses to flourish, but
[1:05:43]
will also be safe. And if we have to charge
[1:05:47]
a few dollars. Ms. Brush says she's not going to
[1:05:51]
pay. Well, I guess what happens with all bylaws when
[1:05:54]
you don't pay, you end up in court. Not that
[1:05:56]
that's. A threat. But that's what happens. That's what happens
[1:06:00]
with every bylaw that's. Broken. If the person won't pay
[1:06:03]
the fine, they end up in court. We do that
[1:06:06]
every week, every month. And so Mr. Leardi made a
[1:06:11]
very strong point. He said he would gladly pay because
[1:06:15]
he lost more money. He lost. 75 years worth of
[1:06:19]
payments. That's what he said. 75 years worth of payments.
[1:06:25]
Or sales. For the lack of that sign. I'm sure
[1:06:29]
he would gladly pay for it. And Lynn's variety. She
[1:06:34]
said she just wanted some kind of compromise, and I
[1:06:38]
think that makes perfect sense. The KFC. Wants to compromise
[1:06:43]
and one is available to them. So we all, as
[1:06:47]
a town, have to try to do something to compromise
[1:06:50]
it. I'm waiting for the motions that come forward. But
[1:06:53]
please, whatever they are, make them Aod compliant. Make. Them.
[1:07:00]
Such that they are enforceable without being onerous. And. As
[1:07:09]
some of the delegates said, bring people back together. I
[1:07:13]
think it can be done. It's. Up to council. I'll
[1:07:17]
take the gavel back. I'll hear motions. Councilor Courtney, do
[1:07:21]
you have a motion? I'm just asking. Can I speak
[1:07:27]
to staff first? If you still have another question, go
[1:07:31]
ahead. Again, I threw out a few things that make
[1:07:34]
sense. To me, and maybe, I don't know if it
[1:07:35]
makes sense for the rest of council. I think. Without
[1:07:38]
layman's terms. I mean, we need bylaws, section blah section
[1:07:41]
subsection. Subsection. I know we need bylaws. I think the
[1:07:48]
gist of what I'm gathering. Here is. Aoda compliance. It
[1:07:54]
has to happen. If a business. And number of sites.
[1:07:57]
We had a moratorium because our front road coming in
[1:07:59]
where the parolee buildings are. It was starting to look
[1:08:01]
like Tennessee with a whole bunch of mobile signs on
[1:08:05]
privately owned. It was terrible looking. It was trashy looking,
[1:08:08]
but to limit the number of signs, if you're a
[1:08:10]
registered commercial business, and our commercial tax base says that
[1:08:13]
they're a commercial business. You should be limited to one
[1:08:16]
sign, either a mobile sign or aframe if you have
[1:08:19]
the size of lot to do. So if it's on
[1:08:22]
town property, if we have to. Do an easement and
[1:08:24]
there's money, then that would be different if it's. On
[1:08:26]
private property. Who cares? As long as it's secure, safe,
[1:08:30]
and it's in. Good taste. I mean, this is the
[1:08:32]
gist of what I'm thinking. We want for our town.
[1:08:35]
You go. To any other small town in Ontario and
[1:08:37]
you're looking for those Aframes when you're walking up and
[1:08:39]
down the sidewalk. Yeah. You can look up top and
[1:08:41]
see their sign above, but. You're not really looking up
[1:08:45]
there. You're looking at the aframe signs. And going, oh,
[1:08:46]
clothing store they got. Oh. And then I understand the
[1:08:50]
importance of these mobile signs. And these temporary aframe signs.
[1:08:53]
And if the heritage district, if you can't have in
[1:08:56]
our heritage district, in our small historical town. A sign,
[1:09:01]
an aframe sign that. You can have an aframe sign.
[1:09:04]
Sorry. A mobile sign. Flags are interesting concept, but anyhow,
[1:09:09]
I think that's the gist of it, and. So through
[1:09:11]
you. Mr. Mayor, I'm not sure what a motion has
[1:09:14]
to be here because. I don't want to piecemeal these
[1:09:15]
things. We always do this, but that's. The gist? If
[1:09:17]
you have a motion, Councilor Puji. Okay, I'll recognize Councilor
[1:09:23]
puja next. And if you don't like it, you can
[1:09:27]
amend it. Okay, I'd like to. Make a motion to
[1:09:31]
direct administration to allow businesses to advertise with sandwich boards,
[1:09:37]
flags and mobile signs that fall within the guideline. Guidelines
[1:09:46]
of the Aoda and do not obstruct. Mobility. Devices. Without
[1:09:52]
payment to the town of Amhersburg in order to allow
[1:09:55]
these businesses to thrive and to promote. Economic development. Further
[1:10:02]
to that, this section of bylaw 2025. One be removed.
[1:10:09]
Councilor ler. Okay. It's been seconded for
[1:10:19]
discussion. Just so people in the audience know, that doesn't.
[1:10:21]
Mean she's necessarily going to support it, but she wants
[1:10:23]
to hear it all out. Okay, Councilor Elaire. Thank you.
[1:10:28]
First question is, what is that section to remove? What
[1:10:32]
is that because she's removing a section, is that to
[1:10:35]
remove. I don't have the bylaw directly in front of
[1:10:39]
me. May I speak, mayor? Well, can somebody explain what
[1:10:47]
that section is? Okay, Mr. Clerk. Certainly. I think the
[1:10:56]
elements that are mentioned here are in a number of
[1:10:58]
different sections of the bylaw if we had direction from
[1:11:02]
counsel on what they wanted to see in their sign
[1:11:04]
by law, we could amend that, sign bylaw and bring
[1:11:07]
that back with those amendments. But we'd need to know
[1:11:12]
what. Just to clarify, I think what Councilor Peugey. Was
[1:11:15]
asking to have removed would be a the restriction on
[1:11:18]
mobile signs so she would allow mobile signs anywhere in
[1:11:20]
the town if it was Aoda compliant. So you would
[1:11:23]
take out that restriction, whatever section that is, you would
[1:11:26]
also take out. Any. I guess it would just be.
[1:11:32]
In any aframe sign that's on town property. As long
[1:11:35]
as it doesn't. Impede the right of way or and
[1:11:39]
is Aoda compliant, I think. Okay, Councilor Lair, thank you
[1:11:45]
much. Appreciate it. Councilor Puja. I see exactly where you're
[1:11:49]
going from. I had it written a little bit differently,
[1:11:52]
and I would love it if you just take on
[1:11:54]
these amendments? I am okay with not having mobile signs
[1:11:57]
in our historic district. I don't think that it would
[1:12:03]
flow nicely with what we're trying to create. In our
[1:12:05]
sweet town. I'm okay with the overlay in the historic
[1:12:08]
district, I was okay with this entire sign law to
[1:12:12]
begin with. The first time, however, I am listening and
[1:12:16]
understanding. So I had written down that all signs must
[1:12:19]
be compliant with accessibility. For Ontario's with Disability Act. Signs
[1:12:25]
must be placed entirely on the property of the individual
[1:12:28]
for entirety displaying of the sign. So it must be
[1:12:31]
on their property in cases where the signs are not
[1:12:34]
placed on the owner's. Property. A fee shall be charged
[1:12:37]
to offset the costs of the application, processing, inspections, and
[1:12:40]
potential enforcement actions. That is just to cover the cost.
[1:12:44]
The by. Bylaw has to come out to make sure
[1:12:46]
that it is safe to be on our property. It
[1:12:49]
is only for signs that are not on entirety of
[1:12:52]
their property. And then the last part. That I had
[1:12:55]
was the current restrictions. On the duration of time sign
[1:12:59]
display be completely removed. So there is no sign display
[1:13:03]
duration. They can have it for the whole year. The
[1:13:06]
only time they'd have to pay is if. It was
[1:13:08]
on town property. It all has to be. A compliant.
[1:13:14]
That is what I was hoping would be. I can't
[1:13:17]
do it now because you seconded the motion we have
[1:13:19]
to deal with. This one that's on the floor. Would
[1:13:21]
you be okay with that? Changing it to a friendly
[1:13:24]
amendment is what I'm. Sorry. All right. So if you
[1:13:29]
don't like this, you're going to have to defeat the
[1:13:31]
motion. That's on the floor, and then I will turn
[1:13:34]
to you to try yours. Deputy mayor. Thank you. They
[1:13:40]
never tell you when you run for council that you're
[1:13:42]
going to have to sit and look at your friends
[1:13:44]
out there and disappoint some and make other ones happy.
[1:13:49]
So. That's always the hardest part. The other thing is,
[1:13:53]
I have to say I wholeheartedly agree with Councilor earlair.
[1:13:59]
We're not doing this to be mean. We're not doing
[1:14:02]
this to make people's. Lives. Difficult. But this town is
[1:14:09]
also a business. And if we don't follow the law,
[1:14:13]
especially with accessibility. We're going to be fined, we're going
[1:14:17]
to be brought in front of the Human rights tribunal.
[1:14:21]
It's going to happen, so we have to act. There's
[1:14:25]
going to be. A cost. To review these signs that
[1:14:31]
are going to be on town property. There's going to
[1:14:33]
be a cost because we're going to have to document
[1:14:35]
it. We're going to have to make sure we can
[1:14:37]
defend ourselves. When the inevitable human rights complaint or lawsuit
[1:14:43]
comes. And I can't ask the taxpayers to pay that
[1:14:47]
cost. I have to put that, like councilor Lar said,
[1:14:51]
that has to be paid by the business owner. I'm
[1:14:54]
sorry. It's just not something that I can put on
[1:14:57]
the taxpayers. We've charged other businesses to use town property.
[1:15:02]
I don't see what the difference. Is here. The heritage
[1:15:05]
district. As far as mobile signs and flags. Again, I
[1:15:11]
agree with Councilor Alair. That's just not what we're trying
[1:15:16]
to do. I get it. I'm sorry that I'm going
[1:15:18]
to disappoint some of you, but I agree with her
[1:15:22]
that if we're going to have a heritage district, it
[1:15:24]
has to stay heritage. If your aframe sign is. Entirely
[1:15:29]
on your property. That's great. You've got the room to
[1:15:32]
do it. Great if you have to. Be on town
[1:15:36]
easement. Then there's going to have to be some kind
[1:15:39]
of fee. To cover the cost of ensuring it's there
[1:15:42]
properly. In the sake of. What does the merrow? We
[1:15:49]
say working together. I was going to say that. I'm
[1:15:54]
not entirely happy about having no limit on temporary signs,
[1:15:58]
but again, in the sake of working together. I would
[1:16:04]
support council lairish position on that as well. I think
[1:16:07]
we have to balance. Protecting the municipality. We have to
[1:16:12]
balance the fact that. We have to document these signs
[1:16:16]
that are on town property, and there's going to be
[1:16:19]
a cost to it. And if the sign is that
[1:16:21]
important. I know myself as a business owner. I would
[1:16:24]
pay that cost. So if councilor lear has a chance
[1:16:28]
to make that motion, I will second it. Okay, I
[1:16:31]
want everybody to know we are only dealing with the
[1:16:33]
motion in front of us, which is councilor. Pugets. Please
[1:16:37]
speak to that motion whether you're going to support it
[1:16:39]
or not. Just say yes or no. I'm not going
[1:16:41]
to support. You can say whatever you want. But just.
[1:16:44]
Okay. Councilor Crane and Councilor Macart. Macarthur. Thank you, worship.
[1:16:49]
The motion. Excuse me. I thought I could speak on
[1:16:53]
my motion first. And then councilor earlier interrupted and gave
[1:16:57]
her motion. I'm supposed to be able to speak to
[1:17:01]
it once I get a secondary I have. Not seen
[1:17:04]
your hand. If you want to speak. Well, I asked
[1:17:06]
straight away. You're supposed to come back to me. Protocol.
[1:17:09]
No. You have to indicate your willingness to the motion.
[1:17:14]
I will recognize. I'm going to recognize. Council to Crane.
[1:17:17]
And before I recognize council MacArthur, I'm going to you,
[1:17:20]
councilor Crane. Has the floor. You have it next. Thank
[1:17:26]
you, worship. The current motion. As it stands, I won't
[1:17:30]
be able to support. I believe it'll. Be difficult for
[1:17:34]
us if there's no cost. And there's no reporting to
[1:17:39]
the municipality. How do we confirm if the signs are
[1:17:43]
Aoda? Compliant. And with the approach that I believe has
[1:17:49]
been mentioned by some other members of council, if it
[1:17:52]
is on town property. We have to pay for the
[1:17:55]
staff time it takes to go out there and inspect
[1:17:58]
it. And without some type of protocol in place. The
[1:18:04]
only alternative would be to expect bylaw to monitor and
[1:18:09]
patrol the area on a daily basis and look around
[1:18:12]
for signage all day. But with the permit process, we're
[1:18:15]
able to understand where they're located. Are they in the
[1:18:17]
correct spots? I think perhaps there's another motion that could
[1:18:22]
strike some form of compromise if it's. On their own.
[1:18:28]
Property. Perhaps there's minimal to no restrictions. And, yeah, I
[1:18:34]
think council needs to make sure that we're making the
[1:18:38]
correct decision, right? Now, and we're not piecemealing it, as
[1:18:41]
councilor Courtney had mentioned. We're not experts in bylaw. We
[1:18:45]
had a bylaw brought before us. We passed. It. We're
[1:18:48]
receiving feedback from the business community, and we're taking that
[1:18:51]
into consideration. And trying to make this workable for everybody.
[1:18:56]
Councilor bougie. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council has repeatedly heard
[1:19:05]
how difficult it is for our small businesses to be
[1:19:09]
profitable and viable. Council has heard how much a business
[1:19:14]
must pay. For overhead, not including the cost of insurance,
[1:19:19]
licenses, inspections, et cetera. Council is well aware of the
[1:19:25]
fact how much revenue. These small businesses lost during their
[1:19:31]
inability to advertise. With these signs, which resulted in less
[1:19:39]
foot traffic and significant loss of revenue. Besides that, many
[1:19:44]
of these businesses have to compete with online shopping and
[1:19:49]
many more businesses locating in the town of Amherstbur. Amherstburg.
[1:19:56]
As Sarah Brush stated, these businesses are the heart and
[1:20:01]
soul of our community and have been for many years.
[1:20:07]
They are not here for handouts, these people. Were not
[1:20:13]
here for handouts. They are only asking for a respect
[1:20:17]
and a chance to operate. Their businesses, as they have
[1:20:21]
done by advertising with sandwich signs and mobile signs. Flags
[1:20:28]
whatever to keep their businesses viable in these hard economic
[1:20:34]
times. These people spend a significant amount of money to
[1:20:41]
make the open air prosperous. For a small number of
[1:20:46]
businesses, they get nothing in return. And yet all they
[1:20:52]
were asking was to conduct their business. As they have
[1:20:56]
done. For the past 30, 40, 50 years. With no
[1:21:04]
complaints. No complaints at all. That's all I'm asking for.
[1:21:11]
We have waived the rules to allow other people. To
[1:21:18]
be on our town property. And we did it with
[1:21:23]
respect to. The homeowners. We should be able to do
[1:21:27]
this for these same businesses. Thank you. Hi, councilor macarthur.
[1:21:37]
I just need some clarity on. Needed a lot of
[1:21:39]
clarity tonight. But on this particular motion, either from councilor
[1:21:44]
puge or from the clerk's interpretation of it. Does councilor
[1:21:49]
Puge's motion, as it is written, address the duration that
[1:21:53]
a mobile sign can be out. In other words, if
[1:21:57]
promotion passes, can it be out for the full year?
[1:22:00]
Or would it still be limited to the maximum 200
[1:22:02]
days? So the motion reads, administration be directed to allow
[1:22:06]
businesses to advertise with Sandwich boards, flags and mobile signs
[1:22:09]
that fall within the guidelines the AODA and do not
[1:22:12]
obstruct mobility devices without payment to the town of Amnesburg.
[1:22:15]
In order to allow these businesses to thrive and promote
[1:22:18]
economic development. It is silent on whether or not there
[1:22:21]
is a removal of the timeline restric. Restrictions. So based
[1:22:25]
on that, I would lean towards. This does not address
[1:22:28]
that matter. No. Okay. I would like to ask that
[1:22:33]
a friendly amendment be made to that motion to allow
[1:22:36]
for. The duration for 365 days. Okay. Does the
[1:22:45]
secondary support the friendly amendment to that? Sure.
[1:22:56]
All right. Okay. Now, is there anybody else we're going
[1:23:02]
to vote on? And just one more clarifying question again.
[1:23:09]
Does it address the fact that, and I think it
[1:23:11]
does, with what you just said. The provision about the
[1:23:14]
Heritage Conservation District. So if councilor Pujay's motion passes as
[1:23:19]
is, would a flag be allowed? To fly at specs.
[1:23:22]
And would a mobile sign still be allowed? At Mr.
[1:23:26]
Leardi store. My interpretation of that would be that it
[1:23:30]
would be permissible because. It does not restrict it in
[1:23:33]
the motion. Okay. Thank you. Okay. We have council. Courtney,
[1:23:39]
you haven't spoken yet. Go ahead. I don't want to
[1:23:43]
piecemeal again, but I think two things have to be
[1:23:45]
added because we need rules. The number of signs per
[1:23:48]
business. And the size of the sign. We haven't talked
[1:23:51]
about that, and I think those are important things that
[1:23:53]
are in the existing bylaw. I think it's very important
[1:23:55]
to understand. What size sign can go out there? Because
[1:23:58]
you can get a personalized modified sign, an aframe and
[1:24:01]
make it as big as you want. It's still on
[1:24:02]
their property or. Number of sites, and I think that's
[1:24:05]
going to look sloppy. And so that's the only. Thing
[1:24:08]
if. Councilor Bougie, if you're picking up when I'm laying.
[1:24:09]
Down. I think that there should be a number set
[1:24:12]
per business on that temporary sign and the size. Should
[1:24:17]
be whether we use the existing sizes that are in
[1:24:18]
the existing bylaw and go from there. Okay. That is
[1:24:24]
not an amendment. So I'm just going to call. We're
[1:24:27]
going to. Vote. On councilor puge's motion. If it passes,
[1:24:33]
it passes. If it doesn't. I will entertain other motions.
[1:24:36]
Okay. All right. Councilor puge. Councilor Courtney is prepared to
[1:24:45]
make that for one sign per business. I'm okay with
[1:24:50]
that amendment. Through your worship. That provision, I believe, exists
[1:24:54]
in the current signed bylaw. So without that, it. Would
[1:24:57]
stand. The size was also in the current bylaw, so
[1:25:03]
those provisions are unamended by your motion. Okay, we have
[1:25:08]
a motion by councilor puge. All those in favor? Opposed.
[1:25:21]
So it's me again, all right? I'm going to oppose
[1:25:27]
it because I do like council earlier's motion a lot.
[1:25:30]
Better. Councilor Alair. Thank you. So that fails. Thank you,
[1:25:37]
Mr. Merritt. So I move that the sign, by law,
[1:25:39]
be amended to include the following position. Provisions. All signs
[1:25:44]
must be compliant with the accessibility for Ontario's and Disability
[1:25:48]
act. Signs must be placed entirely on the property of
[1:25:51]
the individual. Or. Displaying the sign. In cases where the
[1:25:56]
signs are not placed on the owner's property, a fee
[1:25:59]
shall be charged to offset the cost. Application, processing, inspection,
[1:26:03]
and potential enforcement actions. The current restrictions on the duration
[1:26:07]
of the time assign may be displayed shall be removed.
[1:26:11]
Seconded by Councilor crane. You were indicating. Yes. Okay, seconded.
[1:26:21]
Just for clarity. Just for clarity. And following through on
[1:26:24]
this, the fees that are referenced there would be the
[1:26:26]
fees that are noted in the report, okay? Any discussion
[1:26:31]
on this. Okay, Councilor Crane. Just for clarity. Everything else
[1:26:38]
in the bylaw stands correct? Aside from what was just
[1:26:45]
mentioned. Yes. And the bylaw would need to be amended
[1:26:47]
and brought. Back so that council could adopt it at
[1:26:49]
a meeting with proper public notice and all the rest.
[1:26:51]
So you'd have a chance to read through it again
[1:26:53]
with those provisions should this motion pass. Okay. And what
[1:26:56]
would the timelines look like on that? Not sure. I
[1:27:01]
don't know. Your worship, members of council, we'd certainly try
[1:27:05]
to bring it back to by the August. We have
[1:27:07]
one meeting in July, so I don't think we're publishing
[1:27:10]
reports for that. This week. So it would be the
[1:27:14]
August meeting. Councilor macarthur. I like councilor fought.
[1:27:25]
Which is not always the case, councilor Puge, but tonight
[1:27:28]
it was, and I'm going to oppose this motion, and
[1:27:31]
I'm going to oppose this motion because. It doesn't address
[1:27:34]
the inequity that the prohibition and the HCD. Engenders. And.
[1:27:43]
We're going to be debating that later in the evening.
[1:27:45]
And I don't want to presuppose how that's going to
[1:27:47]
go. But all along the way, I've been supportive, protecting
[1:27:51]
our heritage and our history. And when I think it
[1:27:54]
comes to economic development, that's why I believe in economic
[1:27:57]
development. Just like the businesses here talked about. And I
[1:28:00]
really don't think that flying a flag saying you're open.
[1:28:05]
They had flags back in 1867. So I don't really
[1:28:09]
think that's a blemish or a blight. On Heritage conservation
[1:28:12]
district. And. Modern meats history. If they would have had
[1:28:18]
mobile signs again back in the 18 hundreds, they would
[1:28:21]
have used them. Too, because commerce was king then as
[1:28:25]
well. So I think we had two delegates tonight that
[1:28:27]
get left out in the cold that this motion passes
[1:28:30]
as it is. In other businesses in the core as
[1:28:34]
well. And I don't think, given the broad geographic area.
[1:28:40]
That the HCD encompasses to ban a flag? And a
[1:28:46]
mobile sign is appropriate. Or, to be honest, that. Advances
[1:28:50]
the positive best interests of the town as a whole.
[1:28:53]
So I'm going to oppose it. Deputy mayor. Might as
[1:28:59]
well all get in there. I generally agree with Councilor
[1:29:02]
MacArthur. But I will say in this situation, I do
[1:29:07]
disagree. We just had. At a prior heritage. Heritage committee
[1:29:13]
meeting where the Legion came and asked for changes to
[1:29:17]
their sign, and their sign had to comply with the
[1:29:20]
heritage district, so. It would be very difficult for me.
[1:29:26]
To say. This charitable organization that's been around. For 50
[1:29:31]
plus years. Needs to comply. But this one can't. There
[1:29:35]
has to be one rule for the whole district so
[1:29:39]
that it's equitable. And. It's unfortunate that. It's going to
[1:29:46]
work out. For some, maybe not for others, but there's
[1:29:49]
always a workaround. There's ways we worked with the legion
[1:29:53]
to come up with a sign that fit the heritage
[1:29:55]
district. We can work around these things in other situations.
[1:30:01]
We're getting into a back and forth here. I'm sorry.
[1:30:05]
I just wanted to put my point out there. Okay,
[1:30:08]
we've got a motion moved and seconded. Council, could you
[1:30:11]
read that back? To the please. That the sign bylaw
[1:30:18]
be amended to include the following provisions. One, all signs
[1:30:22]
must be compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
[1:30:25]
Act, AODA, two signs must be placed entirely on the
[1:30:30]
property of the individual or entity displaying the sign. Three.
[1:30:37]
In cases where signs are not placed on the owner's
[1:30:39]
property, the fees shall be charged. To offset the cost
[1:30:42]
of application processing, inspections, and potential enforcement actions. Four. The
[1:30:47]
current restriction on the duration of time assign may be
[1:30:50]
displayed, shall be removed. Okay. All those in favor of.
[1:31:00]
On a recorded vote. Councilor O'Lear, how do you vote?
[1:31:10]
Support councilor Courtney. Post councilor crane support deputy mayor Gibb.
[1:31:24]
Councilor macarthur. Opposed, councilor puge. Mayor Pru, it comes down
[1:31:31]
to me again. No, I said I think this is
[1:31:34]
a better. Motion. I'm going to vote for it. We
[1:31:35]
have to have a signed bylaw this one will satisfy
[1:31:40]
90% of the people. And whether they recognize it at
[1:31:45]
this point, they will soon find that this is solved
[1:31:49]
almost all the problems motion, so I'm going to support
[1:31:51]
it. Motion carries.
[1:32:03]
Okay, we're on to reports. Infrastructure services, tower and chip
[1:32:07]
program 14.1. Councilor o'lear. O'Leary support staff
[1:32:17]
recommendation. Okay, moving the staff recommendation seconded by deputy mayor.
[1:32:22]
Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried. Okay.
[1:32:28]
14.2. Off road vehicle and golf cart prohibition signage. Councilor
[1:32:35]
Allair. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through you, probably
[1:32:40]
to my bylaw officer that ran away. Unfortunate. A few
[1:32:46]
questions today. The Canada Day golf cart. Do the residents
[1:32:51]
know there is an associated fee with this event. And
[1:32:54]
did they request for it to be waived? And unfortunately,
[1:32:58]
my bylaw officer. Did. Is he on his way? I'm
[1:33:02]
so sorry. Yeah. 14.2.
[1:33:14]
I approved it. Through your worship. The question was whether
[1:33:19]
or not. The fee that would be charged for the
[1:33:24]
special event and whether they've been informed of that. Sorry,
[1:33:31]
I was just getting caught up on the question. Yes,
[1:33:33]
I did have a conversation. I did make them aware
[1:33:37]
of the road closure fee, and they were okay with
[1:33:40]
paying it or did they ask for it to be
[1:33:42]
waived? They did not ask for it to be waived.
[1:33:44]
I did advise them of that fee, and there was
[1:33:47]
no comment after that. Okay, wonderful. And then it says,
[1:33:51]
only when municipalities permit the use of golf carts and
[1:33:54]
off road vehicles would signage be required. It has been
[1:33:57]
approved that golf carts are now allowed on Bobble island.
[1:34:00]
Yesterday thanks to the Rivertown Times for their amazing reporting.
[1:34:05]
Do we need signs now? Through your worship. The change
[1:34:11]
to the HTA to include the town. In the regulation
[1:34:16]
as part of the pilot project for golf cars on
[1:34:18]
Bablo island allows for the permissibility of golf cars in
[1:34:23]
that area. Generally what you would do is on the
[1:34:25]
outskirts of that area, you would sign to indicate when
[1:34:28]
you're leaving that area as it is on an island
[1:34:31]
itself. We don't have necessarily that same concern as there's.
[1:34:34]
Nowhere to drive. To. Councilor crane. Thank you, worship. Thanks
[1:34:42]
to staff for this report. I believe it outlines a
[1:34:46]
lot of the concerns. That were raised. And one in
[1:34:52]
particular is. By. Placing signage. Prohibiting off road vehicles and
[1:34:58]
golf carts in one specific location. May actually be counterintuitive
[1:35:05]
because. Those that are using those vehicles in other locations
[1:35:09]
and do not see a sign may assume that they're
[1:35:12]
allowed to use it. So putting it in one area,
[1:35:18]
others may assume they could use it in others. So
[1:35:20]
I think that's very important for us to consider. And
[1:35:24]
I really think it's a matter of residents in that
[1:35:27]
area continuing to report. The use of it to the
[1:35:31]
Windsor police. And that's really how I think this could
[1:35:35]
be addressed. Councilor Courtney. Appropriate time, Mr. Mayor. No time
[1:35:44]
like the present. So, Mr. Mayor.
[1:35:57]
Through YouTube. I'm not sure if the police is on.
[1:36:02]
Or was it Eric that would answer the question. What
[1:36:06]
is the difference between. Regulatory and warning signs. For the
[1:36:15]
traffic act. Yeah, through you, your worship. Members of council,
[1:36:23]
regulatory signs are signs that are enforceable through. The highway
[1:36:29]
traffic act. And they regulate. Parking, speed limit signs. They're
[1:36:34]
all kind of like that. White background. With the regulations
[1:36:41]
sort of signs, your stop signs. Warning signs are used
[1:36:45]
to warn. Drivers. Of the impending issue ahead. It could
[1:36:54]
be intersection ahead. It could be a dead end street.
[1:36:58]
It's all just more. Advising. The drivers of. The situation
[1:37:06]
that's going to occur ahead. So thank you for that.
[1:37:10]
So with all the letters that were sent out, And
[1:37:15]
the educational program regarding. The illegal use of golf carts
[1:37:22]
in the Willow Beach Lakewood beach area. Do you think?
[1:37:29]
That it is okay not to have any signage whatsoever
[1:37:33]
in that area. Or am I putting you on the
[1:37:36]
spot? Through you. You're worshipping members council. Again. I would
[1:37:45]
suggest that right now, with no signs. It is use
[1:37:50]
of ATV. The golf carts are prohibited in the majority
[1:37:54]
of the municipality. Same except now, Pablo. But, yeah, again,
[1:38:02]
it's just like. Our heavy truck routes. We do have
[1:38:06]
routes where heavy trucks are allowed. We did sign. The
[1:38:11]
streets that are budding the truck route as no truck
[1:38:15]
traffic. We did not. Blankets. The no. Truck traffic throughout
[1:38:21]
the township, meaning that all the rest of the roads.
[1:38:26]
Are. Not permissible of heavy trucks. Obviously, if a truck
[1:38:30]
is required business in the area, they can travel. But
[1:38:34]
again, it's one of those ones that. You want to
[1:38:38]
be consistent in use and you don't want to then
[1:38:41]
blanket the whole township. With no ATV and golf cart
[1:38:46]
signs, you want to be kind of consistent. And more
[1:38:50]
focused on where you're allowing those sort of units to
[1:38:53]
be driven versus blanketing because, again, we would be putting
[1:38:58]
these signs up throughout the whole. So you'd be limited
[1:39:02]
or forced to do more. Basically, I don't think any
[1:39:06]
of council ever received any complaints about the illegal use
[1:39:11]
of. Golf carts anyplace else. So it was just, and
[1:39:15]
the letters were just focused in that. Area. So if
[1:39:18]
we don't put up any signs. The police still have
[1:39:24]
the option. To give notice and charge them if they
[1:39:30]
see fit or it's up to their discretion. Correct. So.
[1:39:36]
We don't really need signs in that area. That's correct.
[1:39:40]
That's what I'm suggesting to council. Yes, recommending. Thank you.
[1:39:52]
Mr. Mayor, I would like to move if I can
[1:39:55]
get a second, and I'll speak. To it briefly. That
[1:39:58]
the report entitled off road vehicle and golf cart prohibition
[1:40:01]
signage be received for information number two. The following events
[1:40:04]
be approved a golf cart, parade, residence a bar point
[1:40:08]
on Saturday, June 28, same time as 1230 to 130
[1:40:13]
with a rain date of June 29, same time. An
[1:40:18]
exemption from the number three. An exemption from table number
[1:40:20]
three. One, subsection two, or whatever of noise bylaw number
[1:40:26]
2000 and 143 with respect to the operation of any
[1:40:29]
electronic device or group of connected electronic devices incorporating one
[1:40:33]
or more loudspeakers. To allow for music be granted for
[1:40:36]
the following events. Again, a the golf cart parade, residents
[1:40:39]
of bar point number four, consent be. Granted for a
[1:40:43]
road closure in relation to the 2025 golf cart parade
[1:40:46]
initiated by the residents. Of bar point. And number five,
[1:40:49]
the special events resource team Butte directed to confirm that
[1:40:52]
the requirements identified by the team are met prior to
[1:40:55]
the event taking place. So real fast, I got to
[1:41:04]
give some props to our staff. And if this council
[1:41:07]
does approve, this thank you to you guys. Again. Golf
[1:41:12]
carts is the tenacious. Topic or whatever, it's not going
[1:41:16]
to happen in this area, but. I've lived out in
[1:41:19]
this area and I've watched this parade happen the last
[1:41:20]
few years. It has always been done in a very
[1:41:23]
safe manner. It's organized. And for this to happen this
[1:41:27]
year, knowing that there's legalities to it, I just. Want
[1:41:29]
to call out. I want to thank Melissa Osborne. I
[1:41:31]
reached out to her right away once I. Had some
[1:41:35]
fellow neighbors reach out to me saying, what needs to
[1:41:37]
happen. Staff Sergeant Brian Hayes was also very helpful. Bill
[1:41:41]
Tetler really jumped on and to assist me with this,
[1:41:44]
and Kevin Fox has always got his hands into all
[1:41:47]
these little. Things that pop up. And if I'm missing
[1:41:51]
anyone, and obviously to the Cert team, because I had
[1:41:53]
to. Come before them, and so. We're crossing the t's
[1:41:57]
dot in the ice here just to counsel, but it
[1:41:58]
was because of our staff that were able to fast
[1:42:01]
track to get this present for tonight's. Agenda. I just
[1:42:04]
want to thank you guys, and again. That's how we
[1:42:08]
all came to be. Who else? And Eric. Of course.
[1:42:15]
Eric. Thank you. See? There you are. You should be
[1:42:18]
here.
[1:42:57]
One is Heritage conservation district plan adoption. Questions. Councilor crane.
[1:43:10]
Not a question, but I'll move it. Seconded by deputy
[1:43:14]
mayor discussions, questions. Councilor puge. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[1:43:25]
In light of what just happened with the businesses. I
[1:43:29]
support. A heritage conservation district. In order that people cannot
[1:43:38]
tear down their houses and build something. Unreasonable. However, after
[1:43:46]
what just happened here. I was going to make a
[1:43:50]
motion to defer until. A public open mic session is
[1:43:55]
permitted to address our resident's concerns. The proposed heritage conservation
[1:44:02]
area is too ambiguous. There are not enough details concerning
[1:44:06]
the restrictions on homes and businesses in that district. There
[1:44:12]
was insufficient participation to change such a large area. To
[1:44:18]
be designated as heritage. I believe there were only 88
[1:44:22]
people. That responded. That aren't even aware of this. It
[1:44:28]
is quite obvious. The general public is not aware how
[1:44:32]
this program could impact our resident's ability to sell their
[1:44:36]
homes or reconstruct or repair the outside of their homes
[1:44:41]
or businesses. There is no definitive financial incentive that administration
[1:44:48]
is using as a selling point. For the past ten
[1:44:52]
years or more. The town of Amherstburg has assured their
[1:44:56]
taxpayers that the Bellevue would be restored to the original.
[1:45:03]
Lori the building of two hotels were imminent. Build a
[1:45:07]
new pool and baseball diamonds with a 2.4 million from
[1:45:11]
the sale of south portion of Centennial park to the
[1:45:16]
school board. The centennial park would be fully restored. The
[1:45:20]
Duffy's. Property would be. A beautiful extension of Kingston Aviard
[1:45:26]
park, there would be. A transient marina. We would pursue
[1:45:30]
a boat ramp at Rantap park. There would be no
[1:45:34]
tax increases. But there was 10% increase in two years.
[1:45:41]
So many promises that never materialize. So why? Would our
[1:45:45]
residents even believe we were going to pass this tonight?
[1:45:50]
So. I can't. I don't know what your motion at
[1:45:54]
this time. You're just saying you're not voting for it.
[1:45:57]
Okay. No motion against it all. Right. Any other discussion.
[1:46:04]
This is on the heritage this is on the Heritage
[1:46:06]
conservation district. Okay. Deputy mayor. I'll speak to it as
[1:46:15]
a member of the Heritage committee with councilor. Crane. We've
[1:46:19]
been working on this for two years now. There has
[1:46:23]
been multiple open houses. There has been. Mailings to the
[1:46:29]
residents in the district. What is our vision is preserving
[1:46:34]
our past while forging our future. This. Is exactly fitting
[1:46:41]
that vision. We have an incredibly historic downtown. And region
[1:46:47]
around there. And the only way we're going to preserve
[1:46:50]
it is to have a heritage district. And I'm sure
[1:46:54]
the heritage planner will correct me if I'm wrong, but
[1:46:57]
I believe as of December 31, 2025, We won't even
[1:47:01]
have a properties of interest list anymore if we don't
[1:47:04]
pursue this. Is that correct? That is December 31.
[1:47:11]
Stoing. And I like what it says in the report.
[1:47:18]
Without a heritage conservation district plan, the town and the
[1:47:21]
community will have no ability to guide the look of
[1:47:25]
developments in the historic core of amnesburg. We've seen examples,
[1:47:30]
time after time, of homes that just didn't fit, and
[1:47:34]
now. We're going to be able to at least guide
[1:47:37]
what our community looks like for the next 25, 50,
[1:47:40]
75 years. So being that we are. At the literal
[1:47:47]
last hour. We have to go ahead with this. I
[1:47:50]
fully support it, and I think in years in the
[1:47:54]
future. We will be commended for saving what Amhersburg looks
[1:47:58]
like. Okay, councilor Crane and then councilor MacArthur. And I
[1:48:04]
got me down to speak, too. Yes. Thank you. I
[1:48:07]
will probably be supporting it. The heritage committee supported the
[1:48:11]
plan. It has, I believe, failed with other past counsel.
[1:48:16]
So this has been something that has been before. An
[1:48:19]
assembly in this same building for many, many years. And
[1:48:23]
it serves a purpose. It helps protect. The buildings that
[1:48:28]
we have, and I think with a strong educational campaign
[1:48:31]
that staff have set up. Already. It's going to send
[1:48:36]
a message, a clear message to residents that it's not
[1:48:39]
as restrictive. As it may seem when you think of
[1:48:43]
designation, there's a lot of exemptions throughout. The plan that
[1:48:47]
residents can take advantage of to enhance their property in
[1:48:50]
the rear yard, the front yard. It doesn't have any
[1:48:53]
restriction on interior spaces, so I think it was very
[1:48:58]
well. Thought out. Excellent job to. The design company that
[1:49:04]
we contracted to create it, and I'm hoping that it
[1:49:07]
passes tonight. I had council. Mccarthy next. I'm
[1:49:17]
going to support this. It's been a long and interesting
[1:49:20]
process, so thank you to staff for pulling it all
[1:49:23]
together. One of the things that's really striking. When you
[1:49:31]
read through this is just how much history and heritage
[1:49:33]
we have here. To protect despite all that's been lost
[1:49:37]
because we didn't have this in place. Before, but the
[1:49:39]
Ontario Heritage act requires that you have at least 25%
[1:49:44]
of the properties must contribute to the character in order
[1:49:47]
to create a heritage conservation district in Amherstburg. Like the
[1:49:51]
number has more than double that. It's 63%. Like there's
[1:49:54]
a whispering history in. Our streets. I mean, I go
[1:49:57]
for walks all the time. It's everywhere all the time.
[1:50:00]
It's ever present, and it's something that attracts people to
[1:50:03]
live here, and it's something that is going to attract
[1:50:05]
people to keep visiting here. I've said it before. When
[1:50:09]
it comes to economic development, our history is our future.
[1:50:13]
And I think by passing this, we embrace it. We
[1:50:17]
invest in it. We put some certainty around it. And
[1:50:20]
the province isn't our friend. When it comes to protecting
[1:50:23]
history and heritage. The deputy mayor talked about it. We've
[1:50:29]
lost sort of, Bill 23. It's taken away our ability
[1:50:31]
to provide influence. Input and influence development. And at risk
[1:50:36]
if we don't pass this are 106 properties of interest.
[1:50:40]
And there's another 79 properties that are under consideration to
[1:50:43]
be properties of interest. And we don't have the staff,
[1:50:46]
we don't have the resources, and we don't. Have the
[1:50:48]
time. To run around before the deadline and protect what
[1:50:54]
needs to be protected. And once a building is gone.
[1:50:58]
It's gone. And all that is left are the memories.
[1:51:00]
And people aren't going to come here for memories. They're
[1:51:04]
going to come here for experiences. And our heritage, general
[1:51:07]
history. Can provide that. So. I just want to talk
[1:51:12]
quickly. I mean, it's very important. It was a good
[1:51:16]
public meeting we had because we sort of. Heard some
[1:51:19]
both sides of the issues, some misconceptions were raised, and
[1:51:22]
I do think it's very important, like councilor cranes talked
[1:51:25]
about. To have an engagement campaign so people know what
[1:51:30]
it means. But in terms of property owner benefits, there
[1:51:33]
are some restrictions on them, it's true, but there's restriction
[1:51:37]
on them for the past year, and there was very
[1:51:40]
little friction. And there are some benefits. There's increased property
[1:51:47]
values, there's clarity for property owners, and there's a defined
[1:51:50]
and structured planning process with a department that's willing to
[1:51:53]
listen. There's the enhanced aesthetic peel of the entire neighborhood,
[1:51:58]
and there's the ability to apply for heritage rebates to
[1:52:00]
offset renovation costs, and that's part of this motion. To
[1:52:03]
bring back a report about how. The people. Who are
[1:52:08]
living in. This HCD can avail themselves of government grants
[1:52:13]
to beautify their home. So. It's not all stick. There's
[1:52:18]
a little bit of carrot. And in terms of community
[1:52:22]
benefits. I've spoken about it. Tourism and economic development, cultural
[1:52:25]
identity and pride. When all the work that we do
[1:52:28]
when we engage with stakeholders, what do they tell us
[1:52:31]
they love about Amherstburg. They love the waterfront, and they
[1:52:34]
love the history and the heritage. And this is going
[1:52:36]
to preserve it and as sustainable development as well. Instead
[1:52:39]
of tearing something down. You come up with an adaptive
[1:52:42]
reuse and you can see that happening downtown. Look at
[1:52:46]
hotel story in the yo, look at river bookshop. I
[1:52:49]
mean, buildings that maybe once would have been condemned. They're
[1:52:52]
now shining lights that are attracting people here, so. For
[1:52:56]
all of those reasons, I think it's great for Amherstburg,
[1:53:00]
and I'm going to support it. And Pastor Gavo. I
[1:53:03]
have myself down next. I'm absolutely going to support this
[1:53:07]
couple. Of reasons. But first of all, Councilor Peuge said
[1:53:10]
that there wasn't a meeting. Or that she wants an
[1:53:13]
open mic meeting. We had a statutory public meeting under
[1:53:17]
law before we got this far. And it was held.
[1:53:24]
And everybody who had an opportunity to speak would come
[1:53:27]
out and speak to it. We heard them. Speak just
[1:53:29]
a few weeks ago, and that was the meeting that
[1:53:31]
is required by law, and it was conducted. When I
[1:53:35]
moved to this town. 1516 years ago. Now, I found
[1:53:41]
out about the heritage district, and I found out that
[1:53:44]
the heritage district at that point. Had been in the
[1:53:48]
works for 31 years. It's now 47 years that this
[1:53:53]
idea has been floating around out there with people trying
[1:53:56]
to do something about it. And I want to thank
[1:53:59]
the staff. Members of this council for finally getting their
[1:54:03]
head around this, and I know it's difficult. And I
[1:54:06]
know there are things that people may not like. I
[1:54:09]
heard one of them tonight. With the mobile signs. We
[1:54:16]
can resolve this. Maybe. But the important thing is to
[1:54:18]
go forward with this heritage district now. And do it.
[1:54:24]
Before the laws get changed. The reason, the impetus for
[1:54:27]
all of this, the reason there's so much impetus here
[1:54:31]
is because Premier Ford and his wisdom took away our
[1:54:35]
rights to protect our heritage unless we acted swiftly. And
[1:54:38]
remember, we all put in this council and other councils
[1:54:42]
across Ontario. Put in a request. Because the time frame
[1:54:45]
was so ridiculous, they extended it for another year to
[1:54:49]
allow us the time to do it right. I want
[1:54:53]
to protect the history because this is a unique town.
[1:54:57]
This is absolutely a unique place. How many other places?
[1:55:01]
Were the scenes. Of the War of 1812. I mean,
[1:55:05]
there's eight or ten in Canada, but how many? More
[1:55:09]
were the scenes of the rebellion of 1837 to 39.
[1:55:15]
And this took place in Amherstburg, especially on Bablo island
[1:55:19]
at the south end, where the Americans were captured. Putting
[1:55:23]
chains brought before a magistrate and deported to Tasmania. How
[1:55:28]
many know that history? I don't know how you deport
[1:55:31]
somebody for being a traitor when they're. Not even from
[1:55:35]
the country. But that's what happened to those poor souls.
[1:55:39]
Who would ever forget the escaping slaves from the United
[1:55:42]
States who made their way through the most horrendous circumstances
[1:55:47]
and found freedom first place in Amherstburg. They came across
[1:55:51]
the river. Varied by Quakers and abolitionists, who then helped
[1:55:55]
them build houses in the downtown core. A lot of
[1:55:58]
those houses. That we're trying to protect. Are those same
[1:56:02]
homes. And I don't know whether any of you have
[1:56:04]
ever had a chance to go to places like Atlanta,
[1:56:07]
Georgia, where. They have plaque in front of each one
[1:56:11]
of the house, houses what families grew up there, including
[1:56:15]
Martin Luther King, Jr. And who lived in that house.
[1:56:21]
And what they did and what the occupation was. And
[1:56:24]
how they prospered, and I think we need to start
[1:56:27]
doing that same thing. We could organize tours of the
[1:56:32]
downtown core. We could have the miracle mile all the
[1:56:35]
way. From the fort over to Bellevue. I hope and.
[1:56:42]
But all up into the districts and the old houses
[1:56:44]
and who lived there and who built the town. There's
[1:56:47]
some real heroes here. We saw a young lad here
[1:56:50]
tonight. There's a hero. But we've had heroes for centuries,
[1:56:55]
and we need to immortalize them, and this is going
[1:56:58]
to help. I am so happy. I hope this passes.
[1:57:03]
I am so happy. And we should not stand in
[1:57:06]
the way of the preservation of our history. We all
[1:57:10]
made a vow as the deputy mayor. Read it off
[1:57:13]
there, preserving our past. And moving forward with our future.
[1:57:19]
This is our future. And I proudly put my name
[1:57:22]
to it and. I will ask for a recorded vote.
[1:57:28]
I'll take the gavel back. Yes, I've got the gavel
[1:57:32]
back. Courtney, council of Courtney. Thank you. I'll be quick.
[1:57:40]
Not as long as the mayor is. This is kind
[1:57:42]
of an important. This is something that you got to
[1:57:46]
speak to. It. It's been in the makings. Like you
[1:57:48]
said, for decades. We hired a heritage planner. Adam, thank
[1:57:52]
you for spearheading this. And leading this. Doug Ford is
[1:57:56]
the reason why I'm going to push this through. There's
[1:57:59]
a lot of uncertainty and there's some scares, but a
[1:58:01]
lot of them they were validated about what's going to
[1:58:05]
happen. So I envisioned myself, if I live in the
[1:58:07]
heritage district. Would I be offended by it? Would I
[1:58:10]
be scared by it? Yeah. There's going to be some
[1:58:12]
apprehension. But overall, what I heard at that public meeting
[1:58:16]
eased my mind on a lot of those things because
[1:58:18]
it was a lot of. Fiction, not fact. So the
[1:58:23]
way it was explained, I will fully support. This Doug
[1:58:27]
Ford. Some of the people delegates concerns about having side
[1:58:31]
splits in contemporary homes next to their historical gingerbread house
[1:58:34]
and three stories high, and it's wrecking their neighborhood. Yeah.
[1:58:37]
Because we don't have a historical district, and so now
[1:58:40]
we do. This will stop that. Erosion of our downtown
[1:58:43]
core. It'll protect what we've got and maintain it so.
[1:58:46]
I think. It's very important because Doug Ford doesn't care
[1:58:48]
about history. He doesn't. Care about the town of Amnesburg.
[1:58:51]
I'm all for more homes and more choice. But not
[1:58:53]
in sensitive areas like our downtown corso. For all those
[1:58:56]
reasons, I will be supporting this. Anyone else? And we'll
[1:59:01]
call the vote. Mr. Clerk. I moved by councilor Crane,
[1:59:05]
seconded by deputy mayor Gibb. That the Amnesburg Heritage District
[1:59:10]
plan prepared by MHBC and attached as appendix a, be
[1:59:13]
adopted by law 20 25 36, attached as appendix b,
[1:59:18]
being a bylaw to designate the heritage Conservation district area
[1:59:21]
and adopt the Heritage conservation plan. Be taken as having
[1:59:25]
been read three times and finally passed. And the mayor
[1:59:27]
and clerk be authorized. To sign. Same by law, 2025.
[1:59:32]
Attached as appendix g being a bylaw to delegate authority
[1:59:35]
for specified heritage approvals be taken as having misread three
[1:59:38]
times and finally passed. And the mayor and clerk be
[1:59:40]
authorized to sign same and the following funding be approved
[1:59:43]
to register the heritage Conservation District within the HCD area
[1:59:47]
planning and studies reserve. 72 at $25,000. An administration be
[1:59:53]
directed to repair a report outlining options and alternatives for
[1:59:56]
updating the financial incentive programs under the Ontario Heritage act.
[2:00:00]
Councilor lair support councilor Courtney. Councilor Crane, support deputy mayor
[2:00:07]
Gibb. Support councilor MacArthur. Support councilor puge. And. May approve.
[2:00:15]
Support. Motion carries. Okay, which takes us to 16 consent
[2:00:20]
correspondence. Ministry of Transportation Golf Cart pilot program. Anyone want
[2:00:26]
to speak to this? Okay. Councilor Crane. Thank you, worship.
[2:00:35]
This is great news, and thanks to staff for sending
[2:00:38]
it in again. It does. Mention that a bylaw has
[2:00:40]
to be struck. Is that in the works? We'll come
[2:00:45]
to the next meeting. Okay, councilor macarthur. And I imagine
[2:00:54]
there'll be a report. There must be some cost to
[2:00:56]
this, like we have to put up signs. I would
[2:00:57]
think some public education or something. We'll bring back a
[2:01:02]
report with the bylaw. There's an application there's. A process
[2:01:06]
whereby the golf card itself has to have certain provisions
[2:01:09]
based on the regulation. So owners of those golf carts
[2:01:12]
would be required to follow those things, and we'll have
[2:01:14]
to. Do some public education on that to inform them.
[2:01:17]
Those within those spaces have a local business now. That
[2:01:20]
serves. Those golf carts and provides those services. So. We're
[2:01:26]
available especially well in the town of Amesburg by having
[2:01:28]
that locally. So certainly we can work through that and
[2:01:32]
try to make sure that all of that's very clear.
[2:01:34]
Okay, I think just for the record, The town of
[2:01:38]
Lakeshore has already gone through this. I don't think we
[2:01:41]
won't. Have to spend a lot of time working on
[2:01:43]
this, okay? Councilor Courtney. Mr. Mayor, just one question. We
[2:01:50]
were added in the second go round that we didn't
[2:01:52]
even know about. Is it. Officially done now. They're not
[2:01:55]
accepting any more requests. Or is this still ongoing? My
[2:02:00]
understanding is that they took our requests. I suppose I
[2:02:03]
would always consider something additional. I haven't heard that. It's
[2:02:09]
completely closed, so unless the clerk has heard something. Different.
[2:02:12]
But if there was another request, I'm sure they would
[2:02:14]
consider it. They considered the two requests we made and
[2:02:18]
granted the one. Okay, so I'm going to bring something
[2:02:21]
under new business. I think that's probably the appropriate time.
[2:02:24]
Mr. Clerk through your worship. I think one of the
[2:02:29]
important distinctions that likely was made in the consideration by
[2:02:32]
the province was whether or not the local area supported
[2:02:36]
it. When we had the letter, from the homeowners association
[2:02:40]
on Bablu island. It indicated that there was popular support
[2:02:43]
within the area. If there was another area for consideration,
[2:02:47]
likely that should be something that's brought forward by. Those
[2:02:49]
residents, because that was something that the province wanted to
[2:02:52]
see in putting forward that application. You feel confident with
[2:02:56]
that? Well, in speaking with MPP Leardi's office, that was
[2:03:04]
something that they specifically asked. For whether there was that
[2:03:06]
correspondence. So they certainly were looking to see it. I
[2:03:09]
can't. Begin to judge. What goes into those calculations? It
[2:03:13]
might, simply because it's easier to manage on an island.
[2:03:17]
But that was one of the things that was specifically
[2:03:19]
asked for, so it would be something that we would
[2:03:20]
need in providing any other recommendation. So that's the frustrating
[2:03:23]
part. Put it as a condition to submit an area
[2:03:28]
specific gated community. I talked to Mr. Mayor about this.
[2:03:30]
There's three areas that are pretty. Well, gated communities. A
[2:03:33]
gated community where? It's only one way in one way.
[2:03:36]
Out realistically, these are terms that the province should have
[2:03:38]
actually said. If you have areas specific that explains this
[2:03:42]
way. You can put them forward. So it's just Madam
[2:03:46]
C, you, worship? Members of council. Certainly, if council wants
[2:03:49]
us to. Make another application. We're happy to put that
[2:03:52]
forward with whatever information we have, and then the province
[2:03:54]
can determine whatever it will determine. I need a motion
[2:04:00]
to receive move by councilor Crane, seconded by deputy mayor.
[2:04:03]
All those in favor. Opposed. That's carried. 19 consent of
[2:04:12]
other minutes Heritage Committee meeting minutes June Twelveth, 2025. Deputy
[2:04:17]
Mayor moves receipt seconded by. Councilor puja, was that your
[2:04:23]
hand? I just barely saw the fingertips above that. Okay.
[2:04:30]
Any discussion. All those in favor? Opposed? That's carried. Drainage
[2:04:36]
board meeting minutes. Councilor Crane. I'll move the staff recommendation.
[2:04:48]
Seconded by deputy mayor. All those in favor? Opposed? That's
[2:04:53]
carried unfinished business. Any unfinished business. Councilor Allair. Thank you,
[2:05:00]
Mr. Mayor. I was just wondering, because the city did
[2:05:03]
make an announcement today about receiving. A grant from federal
[2:05:07]
funding. I was just curious if we had any follow
[2:05:09]
up with our grant. For the centennial fields. Members of
[2:05:14]
council that actually will come to. On July 14. Unfortunately,
[2:05:21]
we were not successful in getting that grant. Okay. Any
[2:05:27]
other unfinished business. Councilor puge. Under unfinished business. About the
[2:05:35]
Boblo Ferry? I asked at the last meeting and. They
[2:05:41]
were supposed to have the second theory by May. 31st.
[2:05:45]
And, Valerie, you said you do a follow up and
[2:05:48]
try to find out about. My information. Is that the
[2:05:54]
ferry is still being repaired or inspected. It's not in
[2:05:56]
the water. So. This council spent a great deal of
[2:06:01]
money, and we went public with. Our letter that was
[2:06:05]
sent to them. It just appears that they're ignoring this
[2:06:09]
letter altogether. And if it goes down again. There's no
[2:06:16]
way that. We can bring emergency services over there. We're
[2:06:22]
going to be at the same place we were just
[2:06:24]
a few months ago. So what are our options? We're
[2:06:29]
just going to keep saying, oh, well, they just keep
[2:06:32]
putting us off. Don't we have any other worship members
[2:06:36]
of council? Council has been fully briefed on. The legal
[2:06:39]
opinion in camera and I'm happy to bring that back
[2:06:41]
to you at the next meeting if you would like
[2:06:43]
to revisit it. Because. The president expect us to follow
[2:06:49]
through on it. They really do. And right now, There's
[2:06:53]
no repercussions for them whatsoever. Okay, this is unfinished, so
[2:06:59]
you're asking for an in camera meeting at the next
[2:07:02]
meeting. Of council on this issue, correct. Okay, is there
[2:07:05]
a second or to that? No secondary. Okay. Sales for
[2:07:10]
lack of secondary. Unfinished business. Seeing
[2:07:19]
none. New business. Councilor Courtney. Second, I'm going to put
[2:07:27]
forward a motion that. Staff put forward to the province
[2:07:32]
to add Willow Beach Lakewood Barpoint area to the Gulf
[2:07:35]
Court pilot project, and if I can get a second,
[2:07:38]
I'll explain why. Okay. Seconded by Councilor MacArthur. You're just
[2:07:43]
asking for a staff report. No, I'm asking to put.
[2:07:49]
A letter. Okay. Any discussion? Can I explain, though? Because
[2:07:53]
I want staff to understand the uniqueness. Of the neighborhood.
[2:07:56]
Number one, the most controversial area of the three that
[2:07:58]
we've only heard about Boba was kind of its own
[2:08:01]
entity. Lake Erie Country Club's own private roadway. So that
[2:08:04]
doesn't even really qualify. That one got shut down. This
[2:08:07]
one hasn't. Even been brought to the province and. I
[2:08:09]
think. I hope staff can really. These are deeded properties,
[2:08:13]
a good chunk of this area to its own private
[2:08:15]
beach. Malden the history behind bar point. And what stands
[2:08:18]
for no roadway back there beyond the third concession is
[2:08:21]
legally. Highway traffic width third lane waste their laneways. Very,
[2:08:26]
very cottagelike laneways. There's really only one direct way into
[2:08:29]
that area, and. I don't include. The gravel road from
[2:08:33]
Amherst point back, but the third concession back, so you
[2:08:36]
get no through traffic. It's literally a small, rural pocket
[2:08:40]
of privacy most people don't even know about. It when
[2:08:42]
they pass by County Road 20 that there's even houses
[2:08:45]
back there. So for all of those reasons, I think
[2:08:48]
it's very important that we at least let the province
[2:08:50]
decide whether it meets the merits of again, their conditions,
[2:08:54]
which. Mr. Clerk, thank you for bringing up. The Homeowners
[2:08:57]
association might abode. Into their decision making. But why not
[2:09:01]
send it? And then I can tell the residents in
[2:09:02]
that area that we tried. And that's all this is,
[2:09:05]
is a try, and it doesn't. Seem like it's a
[2:09:07]
cost we try. Unless staff can tell me otherwise. So
[2:09:10]
thank you. Okay. All those in favor of sending the
[2:09:15]
letter posed. Did you want to speak to it too?
[2:09:19]
Go ahead. I got to take the boat back. Go.
[2:09:21]
Ahead. Councilor Putin. Isn't this the same area that we
[2:09:24]
received all the complaints about? The. Illegal use of golf
[2:09:28]
carts. I can't support that. I'm
[2:09:38]
asking for a recorded vote on this. On a recorded
[2:09:43]
vote. Administration be directed to send a letter to the
[2:09:50]
province of Ontario requesting that willow beach, Barpoint in Lakewood
[2:09:54]
beach areas be added to the Gulf pilot project Golf
[2:09:58]
cars pilot project moved by councilor Courtney, seconded by Councilor
[2:10:02]
MacArthur, Councilor Alair. Support, councilor Courtney. Councilor Crane. Support Deputy
[2:10:10]
Mayor Gib. Support councilor MacArthur. Support councilor puge. And may
[2:10:17]
approve support. Motion carries. Other new business. Councilor puge.
[2:10:28]
Want to make a motion. To direct administration to provide
[2:10:34]
counsel with a policy whereby members of council are prohibited
[2:10:39]
from speaking with department heads. Motion,
[2:10:49]
so it requires a seconder. Is there a second? Seconder.
[2:10:57]
For discussion. Okay. Councilor Puge, please explain. Your motion. A
[2:11:05]
couple of weeks ago. I tried to speak. To the
[2:11:10]
chief building official regarding. A building that was going up
[2:11:15]
that was supposed to be. A warehouse. And the neighbors
[2:11:22]
had proved that. It was being fitted. To. Be an
[2:11:29]
arena. And I had been told that there was a
[2:11:33]
stop work order on this building. I don't want you
[2:11:37]
to go too far into the detail, because this is.
[2:11:41]
A private matter, so it would have to go in
[2:11:42]
camera, okay. I will just continue. That I asked to
[2:11:48]
speak to the chief building official. And then I was
[2:11:51]
told. I can't that I have to go through. Melissa
[2:11:58]
in order to be able to speak to them. And
[2:12:03]
17 years that I've been on council, I've always been
[2:12:06]
able to speak. To a department head. Okay. Madam deputy.
[2:12:13]
Mr mayor. In speaking with councilor Puge regarding the matter
[2:12:19]
and to address her concern about speaking with the CBO.
[2:12:23]
I explained to her that he simply wasn't available. He
[2:12:25]
was dealing with other matters on that particular day. And
[2:12:29]
as such, Michelle, our inspector, recommended that she speak with
[2:12:34]
me directly on this. Because we had already taken actions
[2:12:37]
on the site. And at that particular point, from our
[2:12:40]
perspective, we needed to address the other, inspect. Inspections that
[2:12:44]
taxpayers had paid us to be on site to address
[2:12:47]
and that. I could have troubleshooted. The questions that she
[2:12:51]
had. I did convey this does not mean that she
[2:12:53]
cannot speak with our CBO at any point in time
[2:12:56]
on any other matter, it was just simply in that
[2:12:59]
particular situation and for that property, I requested that. Any
[2:13:03]
comments from herself? Or the residents, please come through me
[2:13:06]
because we were trying to coordinate it, because we had
[2:13:09]
several. Building inspectors that were being contacted by several different
[2:13:11]
parties, as well as some of our planning folks. As
[2:13:14]
well as some of our bylaw folks, and we needed
[2:13:16]
to coordinate that particular response through me. So it had
[2:13:20]
nothing to do with this being a policy going forward?
[2:13:23]
It was simply as I conveyed to the counselor that
[2:13:26]
instance, for that reason. Mr. Mayor. I called you as
[2:13:31]
soon as she had told me that. I couldn't speak
[2:13:39]
to them, that I had to go through her. I
[2:13:42]
understood that was for all the time. So I had
[2:13:45]
asked you to look into it. That's been two weeks,
[2:13:49]
and you didn't. Even get back to me. I wouldn't
[2:13:51]
have had to try to put a motion forward. If
[2:13:55]
you ask, I did speak to. The deputy CaO about
[2:14:00]
this matter and she assured me what she's just said
[2:14:02]
tonight I'm sorry if I didn't get back to you,
[2:14:04]
but. I did find out that you could speak to.
[2:14:09]
I'm sorry I didn't call. Back. I guess things just
[2:14:12]
got busy. All right, you have a motion on the
[2:14:16]
floor. It's been seconded. All those in favor? Opposed. That
[2:14:26]
is defeated other new business. No other new business. Any
[2:14:34]
notices of motion. No notice of motion. Bylaws 24.1, the
[2:14:40]
branch strain and connection to the Sam Paquette drain. Councilor
[2:14:45]
Crane, I'll move the recommendation seconded by deputy mayor. All
[2:14:50]
those in favor? Opposed. That's carried. 24.2 improvements to the
[2:14:57]
Deslip drain. Moved by Councillor Crane, seconded by deputy mayor.
[2:15:02]
All those in favor? Post that's carried. Confirmatory bylaw. Moved
[2:15:10]
by the deputy mayor. Seconded by councilor Crane. All those
[2:15:13]
in favor? Adjournment. Councilor Courtney got his hand up. Already
[2:15:20]
seconded. By Councilor MacArthur. All those in favor? Opposed? That's
[2:15:27]
carried. The meeting is adjourned. At 845.