[0:00] is the 24th meeting of the 146th Council
of the Corporation of the City of St.
[0:05] Thomas and I'm hoping everybody's
already enjoying a great start to summer
[0:10] and uh we will start off with there any
disclosures of interest from any of the
[0:14] members. Seeing none minutes.
>> Thank you your worship. First item that
[0:20] the minutes of the meeting held on June
15, 2026 be confirmed. Moved by
[0:26] councelor Riml, seconded by councelor
Gibson. questions or comments on the
[0:29] minutes? Seeing none, all those in
favor? Are there any opposed? That's
[0:33] carried.
>> Thank you, worship. Council will now
[0:36] resolve itself into the committee of the
whole to deal with matters from four
[0:39] committees tonight. First one is
strategic direction and development.
[0:42] First item under new business, an item
relating to housing accelerator fund
[0:46] affordable housing grant program
recommended recipients. Motion that
[0:50] reads that report CMO 5226 relating to
housing accelerator fund affordable
[0:54] housing grant program recommended
recipients be received for information
[0:58] and further that the 2026 housing
accelerator fund affordable housing
[1:02] grants be provided to recipients as
follows. One w YWCA St. Thomas Elgen in
[1:09] the amount of $25,000 stream one,
$350,000 stream two and $350,000
[1:16] new funding towards the construction of
40 new affordable units and support
[1:21] services aimed primarily at lowincome
seniors. Number two, Eastwood Housing
[1:25] Corporation in the amount of $25,000
stream one and $50,000 stream two
[1:31] towards the construction of two new
affordable units through renovation.
[1:35] Number three, the trustees of the
central congregation of the United
[1:39] Church of Canada in the amount of
$25,000 stream one towards pre-conult uh
[1:45] pre-construction costs for preliminary
work on proposals for 35 potential new
[1:50] affordable units and further that the
YWCA St. Thomas Elgen receive an
[1:55] additional allocation of 1,975,000
from the housing accelerator fund over
[2:02] 2026 through 2028 as a part of the
municipal contribution via federal
[2:08] funding towards the Hayawa affordable
homes project subject to an agreement
[2:12] and further that council direct that
bylaws be prepared to enter into
[2:16] municipal contribution agreements for
each of the housing accelerator fund and
[2:20] affordable housing grant recipients.
Moved by councelor Baldwin Sans,
[2:24] seconded by councel Clark.
>> Questions or comments? Councelor Baldwin
[2:28] Sans, then councelor Herbert.
>> I am pleased to support this initiative.
[2:32] Number one, it strengthens the
relationship we've already have with the
[2:36] YW.CA CA and with Eastwood Baptist and
I'm glad to see that that continue but
[2:41] to see someone new coming to the table
with Central United and being able to
[2:46] provide that that was something that we
discussed at AMO last year how we can
[2:50] expand that program and also that we
have been seeing especially through our
[2:56] child care program with expanding that
through the churches as well with First
[3:00] United Church and the new program that
we've created there. I was wondering if
[3:03] you would like to make some comments
your worship in regards to the new
[3:06] partnership that we're creating with
central.
[3:09] » I mean I have can do nothing but shout
like you did that the um we said a while
[3:13] ago and I think really on our trip to
AMO last year or some place that we
[3:17] talked about maybe we need to involve
some more of the churches. There's
[3:20] available land for us and look at what's
coming to fruition if we can use the um
[3:25] the accelerated fund to to make it
happen. Um, we continue to move forward
[3:29] on now not just supportive housing, but
also affordable housing and affordable
[3:34] seniors housing. So, um, I'm I'm going
to vote surely in favor of all of this.
[3:39] Council Herbert, thank you, Worship. So,
Brandon, that that's a great report that
[3:44] you sent to us. Uh, when I read it, I'm
thinking, my goodness, Lindy Rice should
[3:50] be so excited to get the money that
she's getting in High Water Street is
[3:54] getting the extra $2 million. Uh I don't
know how uh Eastwood we'd really be
[4:01] excited to and I I I fully support the
the bylaws for this to be done because
[4:06] uh it's a step in the right direction. I
mean Lindsay's group and her and her and
[4:11] her team just got done with tiny homes.
I mean how how good is that? Tiny homes
[4:16] over there a few times. Unbelievable.
And it looks like Haywatha Street's
[4:20] going to be the same way. So thank
goodness to the the YWCA to get on board
[4:25] with all this. So, I I I fully support
the uh the doing the bylaws and thanks
[4:31] very much for your report.
>> Thank you, Councelor Kohler.
[4:35] » Thanks, your worship. I certainly will
be supporting this too. I uh you know
[4:40] what's made us successful in the past
and continue to make successful is these
[4:43] partnerships that we continue to enter.
And this is a well-rounded way to
[4:47] continue to expand our housing stock and
diversify it. And so excited to see the
[4:51] component with the uh low-income seniors
as well. and that's uh how we need to
[4:55] continue to move forward. But just great
news.
[4:58] » Councilor Raml, did I see a hand from
you? Yes, you're next. And then
[5:01] councelor Clark,
>> um I have some questions. Mainly it's
[5:05] fully supportive. It's it's wonderful.
Uh mainly so it said that this program
[5:10] um was new more in uh October 2025
and we had a program similar did we in
[5:18] before this?
>> Brandon, did you want to answer that?
[5:22] We've had a number of programs that have
all been either federal or provincial in
[5:26] this one.
>> Yeah. Through your worship. So this was
[5:29] created as one of our HIF action plan
initiatives that we had to do last year.
[5:35] And so we created the overall program
framework and then we were launching it
[5:40] this year once we received our HAF
funding and the intent is to do it for
[5:44] three years. So we've kind of have a
commitment for the next three years to
[5:48] do this program. So this is the first
year for it. just have a couple
[5:52] questions. So, um, so what I think is
great with this program is there's no
[5:57] tax, no municipal tax dollars involved.
This is straight, uh, federal funding
[6:05] » through your worship. That's correct.
That's where we're leveraging and using
[6:08] that and that helps us with our
contribution without having to use
[6:11] municipal tax uh, amount.
And um so when the houses are we have 20
[6:19] 20 years where we have the affordable
beds do you have to monitor that like to
[6:24] keep on top of that or you know you
don't want things to be too ownorous as
[6:27] far as because you have to monitor
timelines for the project and thing and
[6:32] but what happens to the beds after 20
years
[6:36] » through your worship that is a good
question. So that is one of the
[6:39] requirements of this program is not only
to be affordable but at 80% or below for
[6:45] average market rent. Each grant
recipient would have to enter into an
[6:48] agreement and so that there would be
stipulations and clauses within the
[6:52] agreement and there would be generally
there's annual reporting so that we know
[6:56] that that is still the case throughout
that time period. uh most of the
[7:02] particularly these recipients most of
these ones uh look to beyond that time
[7:08] frame. So we know for example Eastwood
housing is continued beyond that time
[7:12] frame. Uh that's kind of our minimum
requirement is to get there. So after
[7:17] that I guess at the end of the 20 years
we would be looking at it and seeing if
[7:20] it can continue.
>> Couple more.
[7:23] » Okay. You let me know when you're done.
>> Okay. So what if what if a project
[7:27] becomes over budget during the
construction um and it it exceeds the
[7:33] amount of funds that we have? Is that
our concern
[7:38] » through your worship? So that's another
good question. So we do have uh template
[7:42] agreements for these and that there are
some clauses within the agreement and
[7:46] and those agreements will come to
council uh probably in August for the
[7:50] bylaw. So you can look at them at that
point for sure. But there would be some
[7:54] clauses about the construction costs and
anything if anything escalates it would
[8:00] not have an impact or be anything on
this municipal contribution.
[8:05] If the project in the end does not
happen then this amount would then come
[8:10] back to us. What we're setting up in the
agreements are different milestones for
[8:15] when the funds would be released. So
once the project is committed hopefully
[8:20] on on budget, once there's building
permits, once there's some completion of
[8:25] some of it, that's when we would start
to release some of the funding. There
[8:28] would be a little bit upfront,
especially for the pre-construction ones
[8:31] where they need some design work money,
but there would be some safeties in
[8:35] agreement for that.
>> And do we have a policy or procedure uh
[8:40] in place for uh requests that come
outside of the affordable housing?
[8:45] someone has a project they want and
they're looking for city funds. Do we
[8:49] have a policy or procedure for those
kind of applications?
[8:54] » Well, certainly we have our own
community improvement fund money and
[8:58] we'll vote on a few more of those
tonight, too. And that's where for that
[9:01] builder who's maybe not doing a deeply
affordable piece, but is simply creating
[9:08] new beds, creating new rooms, um, and
andor fixing fascia or some other
[9:13] things. Our community improvement uh
committee has been quite busy at keeping
[9:18] all of these things up to date and and
making sure we can honor all of the
[9:22] requests that have come to us. It's July
and we've already spent a great deal of
[9:26] community improvement fund this year.
So, but that's that's the municipal
[9:30] contribution that that this council
really gets to decide on.
[9:34] » Just one more.
>> Do any of these units become uh city
[9:38] stock and part of our stock
>> through your worship? uh these units
[9:44] would not be part of the directly
citymanaged social housing stock. So
[9:49] they would be managed and operated by
these non-forprofit uh partners
[9:54] organizations. So then there's
essentially there wouldn't be
[9:58] necessarily the direct obligation for
the municipality to then maintain or
[10:02] operate them.
[10:05] » Really Joan, you're finished
for now there. This was just the first
[10:11] topic item for tonight. So, we're okay.
Councelor Clark, you're next.
[10:14] » Thanks, your worship. I've just got one
comment. Um, they're all worthy
[10:19] projects, but I'm especially excited
about the Hayawa Street project because
[10:24] most of the uh the project is built on
surplus city land. It's in the core and
[10:30] it's uh affordable senior housing and uh
with no real tax implications for the
[10:37] city. So, I think it's they're all
great, but that's one uh I think really
[10:41] stands out for me.
>> Thank you, Council Clark. Further
[10:44] questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor? Are
[10:48] there any opposed? That's carried.
Thanks.
[10:51] » Thank you, worship. Next item relates to
proposed official plan and zoning bylaw
[10:55] amendments and deeming bylaw application
for 358 Elm Street, for Morrison Drive.
[11:00] Follow-up report. Motion that reads that
report PD 4026 relating to proposed
[11:05] official plan and zoning bylaw
amendments and deeming bylaw application
[11:09] follow-up report be received for
information and further that council
[11:13] authorize staff to prepare a sight
specific sight sight specific draft
[11:17] amendments to the city of St. Thomas
official plan and zoning bylaw 5088 to
[11:21] permit clinic and business office uses
at 358 Elm Street and 4 Morrison Drive
[11:27] which can be described as part one on
registered plan 11R 448 and part lot 73
[11:34] plan 270 and lot 10 plan 11M138
and further that council authorize staff
[11:40] to prepare a deeming bylaw for lot 10
plan 11M138
[11:45] being for Morrison Drive moved I
councelor Gibson, seconded by councelor
[11:50] Taylor.
>> Questions or comments?
[11:54] Councelor Herbert.
>> Thank you, Worship. Well, they're pretty
[11:58] specific on what they want their
application for. And uh just to clarify,
[12:03] it says to to permit a clinic, business
office, single detached dwelling. But
[12:08] what is accessory uses? What would that
what does that come under? could be
[12:13] anything because you're you're specific
on the on the what the what it's the
[12:18] bylaw is going to be what the permits
for. I just curious what could accessory
[12:22] uses be.
>> So so
[12:26] sorry. So
>> go ahead.
[12:28] » Been a couple weeks. Um so through your
worship um accessory uses would need to
[12:31] meet our definition of accessory in the
zoning bylaw which are generally um uh
[12:37] uh assoc affiliate like um subordinate
to and serve the purposes of the primary
[12:41] uses that are on the site. So often
times I know for example um we'll often
[12:48] see accessory uses um if you have a
clinic would be a pharmacy but that
[12:51] pharmacy would have to have the same
operating hours and only be accessed
[12:55] directly through the clinic. So that's
the sort of thing that we see in terms
[12:58] of accessory uses. So it would have to
be tied to those primary uses.
[13:03] » Just to follow up to where Sure. So
you're saying Michelle that if you you
[13:08] could put anything in there or just
specific to medical or things like that.
[13:12] Is that what you're looking at here?
>> Uh so through your worship it would be
[13:16] um it would be uses that are they would
have to be accessory to those identified
[13:22] uses. Um, so they'd have to be uh sort
of subordinate to those uses. And um I
[13:26] would also note that in our zoning bylaw
in pretty much all the almost all the
[13:30] zones, it does allow for accessory uses
in these instances. So yes, perfect. No
[13:35] problem.
>> Further questions or comments?
[13:38] Seeing none, all those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[13:42] » Worship. Next item relates to community
improvement plan project Michelle and
[13:46] Carol Sylvester 35shire Avenue. Motion
that reads that report PD 4326 relating
[13:53] to a community improvement project by
Michelle and Carol Sylvester 35
[13:58] Airshshire Avenue a Avenue be received
for information and further that council
[14:02] approve a residential grant and a
planning and building fees grant for
[14:05] application 2026-163
as submitted by Michelle and Carol
[14:10] Sylvester for 35 Airshshire Avenue moved
by councelor Herbert seconded by
[14:15] councelor Riml
>> questions or comments
[14:19] seeing none all Those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[14:23] » Worship. The next item deals with a uh
community improvement plan project for
[14:27] Holy Angels Parish, 502 Talbet Street.
Motion that reads that report PD4226
[14:33] relating to a community improvement
project by Holy Angels's Parish for 502
[14:38] Talbet Street be received for
information. and further that council
[14:42] approve a heritage design grant and a
heritage facade and building improvement
[14:46] grant for the church located at 502
Talbet Street as recommended by the
[14:51] community improvement program evaluation
committee and further that council
[14:54] approve an additional heritage facade
and building improvement grant for the
[14:58] rectory building also located at 502
Talbet Street moved by councelor Kohler
[15:04] seconded by councelor Gibson
>> questions or comments
[15:08] seeing none all those in favor any
opposed carry
[15:12] Next item deals with a community
improvement plan project YW.CA St.
[15:16] Thomas Elgen 51 to 53 Hayawata Street
and 105 Scott Street. Motion that reads
[15:22] that report PD 4426 relating to a
community improvement project by YW.CA
[15:27] St. Thomas Elegen for 51 to 53 Hayawa
Street and 105 Scott Street be received
[15:34] for information and further that council
approve a residential grant and a
[15:38] planning and building fees grant for
application 2026-16
[15:43] as submitted by the YWCA St. Thomas
Elegen for 51 to 53 Hayawatha Street and
[15:50] 105 Scott Street. Moved by councelor
Baldwin Sands, seconded by councelor
[15:54] Clark.
>> Questions or comments?
[15:58] Seeing none. All those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[16:01] » Worship. The next item is a community
improvement plan project for 100095949
[16:08] Ontario Incorporated, 242 Elma Street.
Motion that reads the report PD4126
[16:14] relating to a community improvement
project by 100095949
[16:20] Ontario, Inc. for 242 Alma Street be
received for information. And further
[16:24] that council approve a residential grant
and loan development charge grant, tax
[16:29] increment grant, parkland dedication
grant, and planning and building fees
[16:34] grant for application
2026-162
[16:39] as submitted by 10009-5949
[16:44] Interior Incorporated for 242 Elma
Street. and further that council
[16:48] authorize a bylaw be prepared to enter
into a residential loan agreement with
[16:53] 1000905949
Ontario Inc. relating to a CIP project
[16:59] at 242 Elma Street. Moved by Councelor
Gibson, seconded by Councelor Herbert.
[17:04] » Questions or comments? Councelor Taylor.
>> Thank you, your worship. Just one quick
[17:08] question. This lot um has a lovely
little red brick house on it right now.
[17:12] I just wanted to confirm that the red
brick house is being removed and a new
[17:16] building constructed. Just a question.
Thank you.
[17:19] » Great. Michelle, is it you?
>> I can through your wish. I can try to
[17:25] answer that. No.
>> Sure. Our guest speaker, Mr. Pompilly.
[17:27] Yes.
>> Um through the report and my
[17:30] understanding it is for a new um a new
fourunit building on the place.
[17:36] » Further questions or comments? Seeing
none. All those in favor? Any opposed?
[17:41] Carried.
Next item relates to heritage property
[17:45] tax relief. That report PD uh 3926
relating to heritage property tax relief
[17:52] be received for information. Moved by
councelor Riml, seconded by councelor
[17:58] clerk,
>> questions or comments?
[18:02] Seeing none. All those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[18:06] » Next item as a notice committee of
adjustment minor variance 85 Benjamin
[18:10] Parkway. Notice of a public meeting to
take place by Zoom on July 23rd, 2026 at
[18:15] 10 a.m. has been received from the
committee of adjustment regarding an
[18:18] application for a minor variance by Ed
and Donna Ellis to permit lot coverage
[18:23] of 37.4%
whereas the maximum is 35% and to permit
[18:28] a threeseason sun room 5.76 m from the
rear lot line whereas the minimum rear
[18:34] yard depth is 7 m at 85 Benjamin
Parkway.
[18:40] The final item under this committee your
worship committee of adjustment. This is
[18:44] a notice for consent 57 and 65 Walnut
Street. Notice of a public meeting to
[18:50] take place by Zoom on July 23rd, 2026 at
10 a.m. has been received from the
[18:54] committee of adjustment regarding an
application for consent by Walnut Park
[18:59] Incorporated to sever two lots for the
purpose of facilitating separate
[19:02] mortgage financing for threetory and
five-story apartment dwellings at 57 and
[19:08] 65 Walnut Street.
Next committee tonight, your worship is
[19:13] community engagement and services. First
item under new business, 2026 Downtown
[19:18] Octoberfest road closure request and a
motion that reads that report ES 3826
[19:24] relating to the 2026 Downtown
Octoberfest road closure request be
[19:29] received for information and further
that council approve the temporary
[19:32] closure of Talbat Street from Ros Street
to Horton Street and Ros Street from
[19:36] Talbet Street to Center Street from 8:00
a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday,
[19:40] September 19th, 2026 to allow for
downtown October Fest. Moved by
[19:46] councelor Gibson, seconded by councelor
Riml.
[19:49] » Questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor? Any
[19:53] opposed? Carried.
>> Sorry. Did you have a question,
[19:56] Councelor Herbert? The road closure is
where we don't let the cars go there.
[20:00] No,
>> no. Just a clarification. It's a new
[20:03] location this year.
>> Yes. Moving further to the where the
[20:06] murals were, but it's at the other in
the big empty lot. So
[20:09] » So people will know where it is.
>> Too big of a crowd to handle in the old
[20:12] spot. We got to move to a bigger one.
Yeah. Okay. Next.
[20:18] » Next item. Your worship. Uh item that
deals with ice allocation policy review.
[20:23] Motion that reads that report PR 2026
relating to the ice allocation policy
[20:28] review be received for information. And
further that council approve the sole
[20:32] source retention of healthy placemaking
solutions led by Dr. Troy Glover to
[20:36] undertake a comprehensive review of the
ICE uh the city's ice allocation policy
[20:42] and further that the results of the
review, including recommended policy
[20:46] updates, be presented to council for
consideration prior to implementation
[20:50] for the 2027 2028 ice season. Moved by
councelor Rho, seconded by councelor
[20:57] Clark.
>> Questions or comments?
[21:00] Councelor Clark,
>> I think it's a great idea to get an
[21:04] outside voice and especially somebody
far away so that people that don't like
[21:08] the results, uh, you know, they got to
got to go fair ways to tar and feather
[21:13] them and it won't be us that'll be t
taking the heat because it's always a
[21:17] sensitive subject and, uh, it's good to
get an outside voice who is neutral and
[21:23] and can review this. And it's it it
really does need uh looking at since we
[21:28] have so many new people applying and
it's it's tough to keep everyone happy.
[21:34] » I and I agree, Councelor Clark, and I
thought about it right away. You're just
[21:38] trying to protect us, aren't you?
Excellent. Further questions or
[21:43] comments? Seeing none, all those in
favor? Any opposed? Carried.
[21:47] » Next item relates to 2026 declaration of
compliance adult day program. Motion
[21:52] that reads that report VV0326
relating to the 2026 declaration of
[21:57] compliance adult day program be received
for information. And further that
[22:01] council approve the compliance
declaration for Valley View Home Adult
[22:04] Day Program and authorized staff to
forward it to Ontario Health. And
[22:08] further that council direct a bylaw be
prepared to authorize the Marin clerk to
[22:12] sign the declaration of compliance.
Moved by councelor Baldwin Sands,
[22:16] seconded by councelor Taylor.
>> Questions or comments? Councelor Riml,
[22:22] » just want to say this is a it's
fantastic for Valley View and day
[22:26] program is wonderful and we were there a
couple of weeks ago for some extra
[22:30] funding and I just want to mention a bit
about the day program. A lot of people I
[22:34] don't think are aware that the day
program operates two groups per day,
[22:38] Monday to Friday, and it's only $15 per
4hour session and that includes a meal.
[22:44] Uh if you want transportation, it's an
extra $15. And they also can accommodate
[22:48] one person on an overnight stay for two
nights uh during the week, and that's a
[22:53] $46 uh per night. But um they also have
a tub. And I don't think a lot of people
[22:59] realize you you don't have to go to the
day program to book a a tub bath.
[23:03] Anybody that's had knee surgery or hip
surgery and you get your stitches out,
[23:07] all you'd love to do is just soak in a
tub. But at your own home, who's going
[23:10] to get you out? So, um you can go to the
day program and have a lovely bath and
[23:16] uh so there's so many options available
at the day program and kudos for uh for
[23:22] doing this and they uh you know they
would like to expand the current area
[23:26] and we would also like to expand on a
second site and I'm just wondering at
[23:31] what point do we need to look at because
uh they're they're actually um okay kind
[23:38] of at this point with looking at
Memorial Arena and I know with the
[23:41] master parks and wreck uh survey that
that arena will be staying. You know,
[23:45] it's still going to be in the system.
So, we've got this big open space. At
[23:49] what point do we kind of have a serious
look and see is this somewhere where we
[23:53] we could really uh start to put some,
you know, wheels in motion to apply for
[23:59] a day program because uh Minister Flack
when he was there said, you know, apply
[24:04] often, apply big. So, I think we should
we should do that. And I have no doubt
[24:10] that you're absolutely right and I want
to thank all of council. I wasn't able
[24:13] to attend that day and 100% of the rest
of the council showed up to to to help
[24:18] with this announcement on the on
addition to the day program. The um the
[24:23] declaration of compliance that we're
that is on here is something that's kind
[24:28] of mandatory from the ministry that we
have to say yes to each year. So, but
[24:32] all the great things we've been doing
with the day program, I'd love to see us
[24:36] expand and double. I'll take Minister
Flack up on his extra money when he uh
[24:40] tells us to ask for it. Um he should say
yes when we do.
[24:46] Further questions or comments? Seeing
that all those in favor? Any opposed?
[24:49] Carried.
Next item. 2026 Declaration of
[24:53] Compliance Valley View Home. Motion that
reads that report VV0226
[24:58] relating to the 2026 declaration of
compliance Valley View Home be received
[25:02] for information. And further that
council approve the compliance
[25:05] declaration for Valley View Home and
authorize staff to forward it to Ontario
[25:09] Health. And further that council direct
a bylaw be prepared to authorize the
[25:13] mayor and clerk to sign the declaration
of compliance. Moved by councelor Clark,
[25:17] seconded by councelor Taylor.
>> Questions or comments on this
[25:20] declaration? Councelor Rhiml. I just
want to say that, you know, having
[25:25] worked in long-term care myself, this is
it's really a challenge to be in
[25:30] compliance with the Ministry of Health
and long-term care. So, kudos for the
[25:33] staff. It's also, you know, when you're
advertising spots um you know, people
[25:38] looking at homes to to uh enter into
that this is, you know, they can declare
[25:43] that they're compliant and and it's a
really big deal and um congratulations
[25:48] to them. Thank you.
>> Well, thank you, Councelor Raml, for
[25:51] bringing that up. And I see Michael
Carol is on here tonight online with us.
[25:55] So pass our kudos on Michael to you and
all the staff on the compliance on both
[26:00] the day program and on the valley view
program. Thank you for for all you do
[26:05] for um further questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor? Are
[26:10] there any opposed? Carried.
>> Worship. The next committee is
[26:14] infrastructure and civic operations.
First matter under new business relates
[26:17] to 2026 drinking water quality
management system DWQM management
[26:22] review. Motion that reads that report ES
3726 relating to the 2026 drinking water
[26:28] quality management system DWQMS
management review be received for
[26:32] information. Moved by councelor Riml
seconded by councelor Taylor.
[26:36] » Questions or comments? Councelor Taylor.
>> Thank you your worship. I appreciate
[26:41] that. I've got a question in regards to
great report holy mackerel. I read
[26:46] through this report there's a lot of
good stuff in here but one thing that
[26:49] confused me is that we are stating that
we are losing 16.4% of the water that we
[26:57] bring into the city I guess or 800
almost 800,000
[27:02] cubic meters of water is being lost. yet
the report that came out from
[27:08] whoever sent the report in says that
there are no leaks detected. So, I'm
[27:13] just trying to figure out um in
preparation for another item coming up
[27:18] under 15C
where we are going to be contributing
[27:24] 7.5 or $7.5 million to the replacement
of our water meter system. And one of
[27:30] the reasons that we're talking about
leakage is that some of it is being not
[27:34] calculated in the current water meter
system. So, I'm just trying to in my own
[27:39] mind trying to figure out where did
800,000 cubic meters of water go um
[27:46] when no leaks are detected and that
we're going to spend $7
[27:51] 5 million to replace water meters that
are a contributing factor to water loss.
[27:56] Somebody could answer that question, I'd
appreciate it.
[27:59] Okay. Who wants it?
[28:09] What' you do with all the water? No.
Uh through your worship. Uh
[28:16] we don't find any leaks. We do the
testing. We bring someone in to do the
[28:19] uh testing. A lot of this goes to um
construction sites. Overland and stuff
[28:23] is not metered. Um it's metered through
the homes, but we also flush through the
[28:27] metering. uh we monitor our flushing but
through construction through other
[28:32] aspects like that we do use what we call
lose a lot of water. Um that next
[28:38] program coming up will capture a lot of
that. We're also doing metering now on
[28:44] construction projects. So we're metering
our testing because we flush for the
[28:49] entire week. So that's basically a
two-inch main running for the entire
[28:54] week. So, we'll start capturing that as
part of this.
[28:58] » You okay, a followup?
>> Yes, thank you very much. That is the
[29:01] answer I was looking for because I
didn't really see that in the report.
[29:04] When you when the public reads this, um,
they they will notice that 16.4% of our
[29:10] water disappears. It's not due to
evaporation, but I can understand that.
[29:14] I think it's even when we are flushing
water manes for fire hydrants, maybe
[29:18] that kind of stuff is just water that
>> understandable. So was the report able
[29:23] to find are we losing water because of
poor water meters? Did was that
[29:28] examined? Thank you.
>> Uh through your worship, yes, we lose
[29:33] accuracy in meters. Um it kind of drops
off every 5 years. Uh so after 15 years,
[29:40] you start to lose 5%. So if we take 5%
times the 17,000 meters we have in the
[29:45] city, it does add up.
[29:50] » Okay. You all right? Councelor Gibson,
then councelor Herbert.
[29:54] » Uh, just one question. So, I'm assuming
because we don't moderate moderate the
[29:58] water when we're flushing, I'm assuming
when we have we've had many large fires
[30:03] this past year. So, I'm just wondering
if that's also accountable not being
[30:07] measured uh with with so many fires. I'm
assuming that we're not measuring that
[30:12] water loss even in that area.
through your worship. Uh, yes, we
[30:17] estimate that. Um, the trucks don't have
any kind of flow measuring, so it's just
[30:22] an estimate we do based on how long we
figure they were flushing for.
[30:27] Okay.
>> Did I see councelor Herbert, you're
[30:29] next?
>> Yes. Thank you, worship. Well, thank you
[30:32] for the report. It's an excellent
report. It's a good read. The ones that
[30:35] I always catch my eye eye is is the one
that when there's a possible presence of
[30:41] bacteria in the water. So in here there
was one July 10th. So when you get that
[30:48] result,
how fast is the information sent over to
[30:52] the public health? And how if it was an
afternoon on a Saturday, is there a
[30:58] process a new a process where you find
it? How's it sent? How's it responded?
[31:03] How does the public health say gee to
450 homes there's possible presence of
[31:08] bacteria? How does all that take place?
because you did have one on July 10th
[31:13] that could be a very big concern, but
just how does it relayed on and how
[31:17] quick is it happen?
>> Uh through your worship, we have an SOP
[31:21] in place uh that lays out exactly who
calls who um and how quickly it happens.
[31:27] Uh I am the first call from the
laboratory and then it goes from me to
[31:31] the health unit to spills action and
that way and then two staff to go out
[31:36] and start flushing and sampling.
just to follow up your words. So the
[31:40] assumption is they can get a hold of
you. What if they can't get a hold of
[31:43] you? What's what's the process then? Is
there a follow because that's it goes
[31:47] way back to Walker. All this stuff all
changed because of all this stuff here.
[31:51] And uh I just concerned there could be a
delay. Is there a big danger to the 450
[31:58] homes if they don't find out for 24
hours
[32:01] » uh through your worship?
um we have in place where they call if
[32:06] they can't get a hold of me, they
immediately call the next person in
[32:09] line. They have a call list to follow
the same as as we do. Um
[32:15] they would they have a right to notify
us within the hour of them finding out
[32:20] um and they just keep calling until they
find someone. So it uh we sample on
[32:25] Mondays and Wednesdays uh to make sure
that that call should be coming in at
[32:29] the latest to us on Thursday at 4:00. So
we're still staff are still around and
[32:34] staff are still available. So we should
never get that call on a Saturday.
[32:38] » So So should you have it set up with
public health who to call?
[32:42] » Yes.
>> They're on call 247 for that information
[32:45] and they would send I just want to make
sure the process is clear and there's
[32:49] not a real danger when you're talking
E.coli. That's all. So okay, thank you
[32:55] » councelor Riml. just um I'm on the water
board and just that when we talk about
[33:02] um Valley View and compliance, the
compliance for the water uh board, the
[33:07] water system is I don't know if you it's
fair to say a hundred times more, but
[33:12] the amount of regulations and the
testing and the reporting they do is
[33:17] phenomenal. So, I think people can rest
assured that, you know, um the city is
[33:23] certainly on on top of things. It's it's
just amazing the amount of reporting
[33:27] that's done. Anyway, thank you.
>> Thank you. Very detailed report. Further
[33:32] questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor? Any
[33:36] oppose? Carried. Thank you.
>> Next item, your worship relates to
[33:41] front-end loader tender 2026 058 award.
Motion that reads that report ES4126
[33:47] relating to the front end loader tender
2026-058
[33:53] award be received for information and
further that council accept a tender
[33:57] submitted by Brandt Tractor in the
amount of $252,500
[34:01] excluding HST for the purchase of a new
front-end loader as specified in their
[34:06] submission to tender 202658.
Moved by councelor Riml seconded by
[34:12] councelor Herbert. questions or comments
on the loader. Councelor Gibson,
[34:17] » thank you. Worship, just one question.
Um, so there's a there's good to be um I
[34:22] I realize it's just for the uh the
machinery itself, but not for the
[34:27] attachments. So there's going to be uh
$93,56
[34:31] remaining. Is that going to be enough
for any attachments that you need? And
[34:35] you if you're going to be coming back to
council in the next budget for
[34:38] attachments required
>> uh through your worship. No, they won't
[34:42] be coming back for any more money.
[34:47] » Great answer,
Councelor Clark.
[34:51] » The the old is this an additional load
lo loader or will we be uh replacing one
[34:57] or will the will the old one continue in
operation for some time? Uh
[35:01] » through your worship, this will be a
replacement.
[35:06] So, we'll declare it surplus and the old
one will be sold for asset.
[35:10] » Yes. Great.
Further questions or comments?
[35:16] Jing. All in favor? Any opposed?
Carried. Thanks. Next item relates to
[35:22] AMI water meter system RFP 2026 023
award. Motion that reads that report
[35:28] ES4326
relating to the AMI water meter system
[35:32] RFP 202623
award be received for information and
[35:36] further that council award RFP 2026
023 to Meter Core Incorporated in the
[35:43] amount of $7,518,21169
[35:47] excluding HST. Moved by Councelor Gibson
seconded by councelor Riml.
[35:54] » Questions or comments? I thought we'd go
to councelor Taylor on this one.
[35:59] » No, the they the answers on the last
question were fabulous. I just wanted to
[36:03] put it out there as just in case the
public was asking questions. Um my
[36:07] question involves uh maybe just a quick
overview of the schedule. How long will
[36:11] it take? Um you to take my house off the
list. I had to get a new water meter
[36:16] replaced in my house uh over the last
week. So take me off the list.
[36:20] » Yeah. You have to quit disconnecting
your own water meter. Councelor Taylor.
[36:24] Yeah, it and and you know, the guys that
came to fix my water meter to replace it
[36:28] were did a phenomenal job. So, thumbs up
to that. But just looking for a schedule
[36:32] because I understand it's going to take
a few years. Correct.
[36:37] » For your worship, we plan to be done the
whole program in the end of 2027.
[36:42] » Good.
>> Further questions or comments?
[36:47] » Seeing none, all those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[36:52] » Worship. Next item relates to major line
rail corridor infrastructure crossing
[36:56] agreements. Motion that reads that
report ES4426 relating to major line
[37:00] rail corridor infrastructure crossing
agreements be received for information.
[37:05] And further that council direct bylaws
be drafted to authorize the marin clerk
[37:08] to execute the crossing agreements with
the Canadian National Railway for the
[37:13] water man and sanitary sewer crossings
of the rail corridor on major line to
[37:18] service development within northwest
area 1. Moved by councelor Riml,
[37:22] seconded by councelor Herbert.
>> Questions or comments?
[37:27] Seeing none, all those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[37:31] » Next item relates to Heepburn Parket
revitalization build community strong
[37:35] fund application. Motion that reads that
report PR 2126 relating to Hepern Parket
[37:41] revitalization build community strong
fund application be received for
[37:44] information. And further that council
endorse the Hepern Parkquette
[37:48] revitalization project for submission to
the build community strong fund local
[37:53] impact stream and direct staff to
prepare an application for a 2027 start.
[37:58] Moved by councelor Baldwin Sands,
seconded by councelor Taylor.
[38:02] » Questions or comments? Councelor Gibson.
>> Thank you worship. Uh, this is
[38:07] fantastic. I know a lot of people are
wanting to keep it looking at the
[38:11] looking the way it has been for the past
few years that was first put in, but I
[38:15] like the new innovation in it. I just
have one uh real quick question. The
[38:19] vendor kiosk, is that going to be a
seasonal kiosk or is it going to be like
[38:24] a uh open all year? And if the vendor
kiosk is going to be there, is it be
[38:30] specifically for food or other ventures
of entrepreneurships there?
[38:38] Adrian, I think it's you.
>> Yep. Through your worship to councelor
[38:41] Gibson. Thank you for the question. Uh
the kiosk would be a provisional in the
[38:46] project um so that we can get a cost on
what it would be to install that. Uh we
[38:51] would look at both options having it
open seasonally and need and the need
[38:54] for the infrastructure to keep it open
year round. Um and then I I would
[38:59] believe we would put out an expression
of interest to see who would be
[39:02] interested in, you know, being in that
space. I do imagine it's selling food,
[39:07] creating um you know a hub for lunchtime
visitors to the park, but I guess it all
[39:12] depends on on who we get that are
interested.
[39:17] » Further questions or comments? Okay,
I'll go Taylor Baldwin Sands Clark.
[39:22] » Thank you, your worship. Um, I do want
to say that during Nostalgian Nights
[39:26] last Saturday, the upper and parket was
used very, very well. And, uh, thank
[39:32] goodness we have this product, this, uh,
project in our downtown. It's
[39:36] unfortunate it didn't happen last year,
but man, I'm fingers crossed that we can
[39:39] get the funding for this to go through
next year. Uh, and I do want to say, uh,
[39:44] in the gallery tonight is Andrew Gun,
who has accumulated, from what I
[39:48] understand, $100,000 worth of private
funding to assist in our downtown. I
[39:53] want to say kudos for that kind of money
and just to put it out there, we are
[39:57] open for other funding sources. I
understand.
[40:00] » No, please just throw it over the edge.
We're okay.
[40:03] » Thank you.
>> Um I think councelor Baldwin Sand you
[40:07] were next, right?
>> Okay.
[40:09] » Thank you very much. I am very pleased
to see this project as well. And this
[40:12] morning we did receive something from um
very community activist who presented to
[40:19] us something that the Fanial College
students did in a previous council which
[40:23] could visualize what the project could
become. And I think it's a testament to
[40:29] a former premier of the province of
Ontario that hailed from the area of St.
[40:33] Thomas that this park has gone to a
state of disrepair for an extended
[40:38] period of time and to see the life that
can bring back to it. not just for the
[40:43] Talbet Street landscape, but for the
entire community. I think it will be a
[40:47] great asset to our downtown and to the
entire community and to the legacy of
[40:53] Mitchell Hepper. Thank you.
>> Yep. Great,
[40:57] Mr. Clark.
>> Thanks, your worship. Yeah, I I just
[41:00] want to echo counselor uh Baldwin Sans's
comments about uh Russell and his uh his
[41:07] students work and the idea of uh however
we I I love the idea of it being
[41:13] rejuvenated and I would I hope that we
would keep in mind the the idea of a
[41:18] phase two where we could push push the
park all the way through to Center
[41:22] Street and uh make use of the parking
lot. And so I'm hoping that as we design
[41:27] phase one that we keep that in mind so
that it doesn't become a problematic if
[41:32] if we wanted to expand it and go into a
phase two.
[41:37] » Further questions? Councelor Herbert.
Thank you. Worship. I I'm sure I missed
[41:41] it, but as we said on Saturday, there
was four or five bands in there. Is
[41:46] there a place in this thing for bands in
the park, Andrew? Is there a spot in
[41:50] here for music and spies? Okay. I was I
wasn't sure when I looked at the the
[41:56] agenda that you wrote down. Anyway,
you're telling me there's spot. That's
[42:00] all I need to know. Thank you very much.
Support it.
[42:03] » You and Rita were out dancing on
Saturday night, were you?
[42:05] » Yes.
>> Further questions or comments? Councelor
[42:09] Riml.
>> Thank you. I I also um think it would be
[42:14] great to look at a phase two where we
could perhaps extend the park to the
[42:18] trail system. So the so then there'd be
a connection from the trail to Talbot
[42:22] Street which would be awesome. And um
also I think Andrew's here for the mural
[42:27] part that's in part of a heritage report
further down. But anyway, thank you.
[42:32] » He's multitasking. He can I've seen him.
He can do more than one thing at once.
[42:37] Further questions or comments? Seeing
none. All those in favor?
[42:42] Any opposed? That's carried.
Next item relates to tender award piano
[42:47] enclosure Westlake Evans Park. Motion
that reads that report PR226 relating to
[42:52] the tender award piano enclosure
Westlake Evans Park be received for
[42:56] information and further that council
award tender 2026 056 for the
[43:01] construction of the Westlake Evans Civic
Park piano enclosure to Acuratus Design
[43:05] and Build Incorporated in the amount of
$855,500
[43:10] excluding HST. Moved by Councelor
Taylor. seconded by councelor Gibson.
[43:15] » Questions or comments?
If I if I can just add, we've been
[43:20] waiting so long for this. Um I had a
Facebook memory come up today of of the
[43:25] first announcement or one of the first
announcements of the provincial funding
[43:28] for West Lake Evans Park and we're
standing there in just a nice green lawn
[43:32] where the police station used to be. And
so just a couple years ago, that's what
[43:36] we've gone to to where we are to a uh
street party already taken place this
[43:41] year and and very well used for West
Lake Evans Park and and Curtis Street.
[43:46] So um thank you for finally getting to
the to the piano enclosure. Um we all
[43:52] know that that means we can take down
the signs. Uh the mayor has only been
[43:56] lobbying that for a little while, but
we'll get the uh the the tender done and
[44:00] then we can move forward. But, uh, it's
a great addition to our downtown to have
[44:04] a downtown park like that in an area
where we can actually do street parties
[44:09] and such. And to see the number of
people certainly from our library, but
[44:12] from the whole neighborhood using that
park every day is uh, tells us we did
[44:17] the right thing and in instead of uh,
turning that land back into something
[44:21] else.
No other questions or comments then. Oh,
[44:25] councelor Gibson, I'm sorry.
Um, as you were saying, your worship,
[44:30] it's this is phenomenal. I I'm I'm
really pleased uh that we're moving
[44:34] forward on this, being a board member on
the library board, um, it's very
[44:39] exciting. We've had we just did the
Neely Garden, and now we're doing having
[44:42] this being in place, it's it's going to
be phenomenal. And you're right, the
[44:46] block party that was there, that was
really fantastic. And what a great asset
[44:50] this little piece here would be for the
entertainment when we have our next one.
[44:54] Yeah. Thank you.
>> You're coming to play piano. Great.
[44:57] Excellent to hear.
>> Further questions or comments? Seeing
[45:01] that, all those in favor? Are there any
opposed? That's carried.
[45:06] Your worship, we're going to move on to
the corporate governance administration
[45:09] committee. Uh, first item under new
business relates to the annual treasurer
[45:13] statement of development charges 2025.
Motion that reads that report TR526
[45:18] relating to annual treasurer statement
of development charges 2025 be received
[45:21] for information. and further that
council authorize staff to send a copy
[45:25] of the annual treasur statement of
development charges to the minister of
[45:28] municipal affairs and housing. Moved by
councelor Riml, seconded by councelor
[45:32] Gibson.
>> Questions or comments? Councelor Riml.
[45:37] » Thanks. I just have a question about the
um deserve development charge reserve
[45:42] funds and I see the library um with a
reserve fund and my understanding and I
[45:48] might be wrong is in the new development
charges libraries can't be can't access
[45:54] development charges for construction
things like that is that true
[45:59] » Mr. Treasurer.
>> Thank you, your worship. I'm pleased to
[46:02] report that's not true. Uh we are
working on a new development charge
[46:06] background study that incorporates uh
future future library space expansion
[46:11] into our DC rates.
>> Okay, great. Thank you very much. Thank
[46:14] you.
>> Further questions or comments on this
[46:17] report,
Mr. Treasur? Is there anything in
[46:21] general you'd like to say about the
report or we we could take it as we've
[46:25] read it?
>> Sure, take it as you read it. I'd say
[46:28] like overall it was a good year. Uh we
collected 9.1 million in development
[46:31] charges. Our baseline I'd say is around
5 to six. So development still strong in
[46:35] the city of St. Thomas.
>> Great. Thank you. Seeing no further
[46:39] questions, all those in favor? Any
opposed? Carried.
[46:43] » Next item relates to 2026 midyear budget
monitoring. Motion that reads that
[46:48] report TR1826 relating to 2026 mid-year
budget monitoring be received for
[46:54] information and further that council
approve the capital funding adjustments
[46:57] identified in recommendation one of
report TR1826
[47:01] as summarized in schedule C and further
that council direct staff to prepare a
[47:05] borrowing bylaw authorizing the issuance
of $7.4 4 million in long-term debt to
[47:11] finance the city's affordable housing
initiatives and further that the
[47:15] proceeds of debt be used to replenish
the infrastructure reserve. Moved by
[47:19] councelor Riml, seconded by councelor
Herbert.
[47:23] » Questions or comments? Councelor Clark.
>> Thank you, worship. I'm just I'm just
[47:29] puzzled by why we would take out
long-term debt when we have um small
[47:35] amount when we have amounts of reserves
in in in the budget or we've seen for
[47:39] example uh some of our uh tender awards
come back under and you know there's a
[47:45] million here and 500,000 there and why
would we pay interest on long-term debt
[47:51] when when we still have some reserves
and why wouldn't we kind of pay as we go
[47:56] and Um, so I'm just wondering if if
we're going to get a deal on 7.4 million
[48:01] in terms of the interest rate or whether
we would whether it's cheaper to, you
[48:07] know, divide it off. You know, if you
need 2 million one year, you pay for,
[48:12] you know, you you take out the loan for
the 2 million rather than taking it all
[48:16] out at one time when we still have
reserves.
[48:19] » Mr. Treasure, thank you, worship. It's a
it's a good question. Uh, there are
[48:24] other reserves uh that the city has. The
problem is we don't have the right kinds
[48:28] of reserves. Most of of our reserve
funding is restricted for various
[48:32] purposes. And so what we're finding is
um we're hurting in the areas of taxf
[48:38] funded capital and we're hurting in the
areas of contingency funding for the
[48:41] budget. So kind of tying into the
purpose of the report, we're forecasting
[48:44] a deficit. The infrastructure reserve is
actually uh serves a dual purpose. It
[48:48] funds the city's capital program and it
offsets things like uh when winter
[48:52] control goes over budget or um there's
HR issues relating to uh employees on
[48:58] leave. Those funds in that
infrastructure reserve that taxf funded
[49:01] reserve can offset those things whereas
you can't use DCS to to apply against
[49:06] those kinds of costs. You can't use
water uh user fees to apply against
[49:10] those kinds of costs and some of these
other um uh reserves also not eligible.
[49:15] So we have had a good tendering year. uh
most of the uh tendering um surpluses do
[49:22] not pertain to taxf funded portions of
projects and so that's the difficulty
[49:28] here.
>> Go ahead councelor Clay.
[49:30] » So what what amount of reserves would be
eligible like what what have we got that
[49:36] we could be using against the 7.5?
[49:40] So right now I've if you look at
schedule B of the report um that top
[49:44] section called reserves is council's
flexible reserves. It you could do
[49:49] whatever you want with it. You could uh
create a 20 addition reserves for this
[49:54] and splice it up however you want. It's
completely at council's discretion how
[49:57] that money is used. Um the categories
below that like utility related
[50:01] industrial development obligatory
reserve funds. Council cannot choose how
[50:05] to use those reserves. There's there's
prescribed purposes for those reserves.
[50:09] So right now we're ending uh 2026 with a
5.1 million in those those flexible
[50:15] reserve funding. Right now that's a lot
of money it's it would seem uh but you
[50:19] have to remember that city has to
operate as well.
[50:22] » And so generally what we like to have is
about 3 months operating um in this uh
[50:27] in the working fund reserve which is our
kind of our cash flow is what we use to
[50:31] pay the bills um uh during the year. We
need we need that reserve fund
[50:35] established for cash flow purposes. a
three-month balance would be about 6.7
[50:40] million. So that your totality is
actually below what I would set as a
[50:44] working fund for the city. And what that
leads to is actually the city borrowing
[50:48] from restricted funds temporarily and
repaying them with interest. And so we
[50:52] have this effect where we're going to
have to pay interest anyway towards our
[50:57] um our restricted funds. uh so we might
as well pay interest on external debt
[51:02] which was really the purpose of it's
it's how the budget was designed for
[51:06] those housing projects. It was actually
asked through council as a debtf funded
[51:11] uh project. The debt was just never
drawn. It was drawn from your
[51:14] infrastructure reserve and that's why
every quarter when I report on the
[51:17] finances I'm saying your infrastructure
reserve is in a bit of trouble. And so
[51:21] we're looking to fix that through this
resolution.
[51:24] » Go ahead councelor Clark.
[51:31] Is this something that we could do? I
guess part of it is timing. We're
[51:35] halfway through the budget. Is this
something where we could take a smaller
[51:39] amount and then align it so that we're
doing
[51:43] um making this type of decision at
budget time so that we would know um
[51:49] that we could tie it to each year's
budget in terms of what we would need.
[51:54] And and I guess the other question is is
that the 7.5 is
[52:00] um I know you said we're tight there.
How when would we need to take out this
[52:07] type of loan again?
[52:11] Ideally, you manage these reserves
through your operating budget. So you're
[52:15] making contributions annually uh to make
sure that the reserves don't fall beyond
[52:19] a certain point. then your reserves
wouldn't have fallen be beyond a certain
[52:22] point if those housing projects were
funded through debt as designed through
[52:26] the the budget. Um, one of the things
that the city needs to do is develop a
[52:30] reserve policy with target balances to
know when we're kind of falling below
[52:34] what uh the treasur and city council
determines to be a sufficient reserve
[52:40] balance in lie of having an actual
policy in place. I I'm just giving you
[52:45] my advice that that that your reserves
are quite low for taxf funded flexible
[52:49] kinds of reserves. Um to answer your
first question, it could wait till the
[52:53] new council is in place. It's just we're
already having cash flow issues, so
[52:56] we're already leaning into the borrowing
against restricted funds, but it is
[53:00] completely at council's discretion
whether we decide to issue this debt or
[53:04] not.
[53:07] » Do I have another any other comments or
questions? Councelor Herbert,
[53:10] » I was in the same direction as councelor
Clark about the reserves and I mean your
[53:14] operating deficit is projected 500 but
what happens if it turned into a million
[53:19] by the end of the year? We could but
anyway so that can be discussed later.
[53:24] So anyway, thanks Adam.
Councelor Ry,
[53:28] » thank you. I understand the need for the
um additional funds even though it's
[53:35] it's unfortunate. My my concern is kind
of how we got there. And um when I look
[53:42] at the affordable housing projects, the
tiny hope, it was initially um presented
[53:49] to council at $3 million and currently
the cost is 5.5. So how did we get 2.2
[53:56] 2.5 million over that? And was this are
these projects like are they as the
[54:03] housing and the affordable housing that
we talked about right off the bat? Those
[54:08] are federally funded. They didn't come
with any tax dollars uh implication to
[54:12] the to the city at all. Yet we still,
you know, added some affordable housing.
[54:17] These projects was there, you know,
applications were there we monitoring
[54:22] the amounts? Do we have an application
where it says um uh this developer
[54:28] project is such and we want to we can
contribute x amount of dollars without
[54:34] going in debt. Like do we do we keep an
eye on these because this is 14,400
[54:39] um,000 dollars worth of debt for these
three projects. I don't know if these
[54:44] three projects had applications to the
city, if they were um monitored, that
[54:50] kind of thing. So, um, it just like as I
say the tiny hope because on the website
[54:55] for the Y they they say that the city
contributed three million. That's what
[54:59] it says right there, but it's 5.5.
That's 2.5 million is a lot of extra
[55:04] money. So, my concern is um you know
when we in future going forward we don't
[55:10] have a lot of extra money. So, we need
to make sure we have some kind of policy
[55:13] or guideline for projects that come to
us like this. Do we have some a
[55:18] percentage amount that we would give for
a a private developer that wants to do
[55:23] some project and we need to have
monitoring tools similar to the uh
[55:28] affordable housing program?
>> Mr. Treasure, comments on that?
[55:35] » Looking through my notes here. I wasn't
here obviously at the time, but I recall
[55:38] seeing that those projects were a mix of
of um municipal tax support and grants
[55:44] that we had cobbled together. So, it's
conceivable that that 5.5 million is a
[55:49] mix. Uh, I do believe that the municipal
contribution was 3 million, but I I
[55:53] could check those numbers for you. I I
don't think that the city went that far
[55:57] over budget on these projects.
>> Go ahead. Just do we have a policy in
[56:02] place for projects like this that come
to us that we have some kind of an
[56:06] application process where we you know
look at percentages of you know the
[56:10] builder's going to give us this much
money we can afford to give this much
[56:14] money some kind of um application and
some kind of guideline so that we're not
[56:19] overextending ourselves.
[56:24] » Mr. Treasurer go ahead.
>> So this is how the Hayawatha project
[56:28] worked from earlier. We established a
committee and part of that process was
[56:31] vetting the financial feasibility of
projects submitted. Um that was assessed
[56:37] to make sure that these are credible
proposals that can stand on the funding
[56:41] uh mixes that were being proposed for
the projects. So I imagine that it took
[56:45] place in the past as well for tiny hope
and and high high view hideway and
[56:50] balaclava. I can't say that for sure
because I wasn't here but that's how we
[56:54] did Hayawa. So there is kind of a
process in place whether we create a
[56:58] formal formal policy that could be
something that's considered
[57:03] » if I can
only
[57:07] share with you some of these happen so
so quickly or it's a brand new grow
[57:13] grant process from the federal
government or provincial government that
[57:16] has to be lined up with something else
we're always doing. So the I I tend to
[57:20] agree with what the treasurer said. I
don't think we're we're any anywhere
[57:24] over budget on a project. It's just that
some of it is somebody else's money that
[57:28] we got to funnel. So, it looks like we
spent 5 million when in fact we
[57:34] committed 3 million of municipal funds
towards a project. I I I'll look forward
[57:39] to having that further conversation with
the treasur. But I feel pretty
[57:43] comfortable in each of the projects that
we've done, larger projects like that.
[57:47] That's exactly it's a hybrid amount of
money federal, provincial and ours.
[57:53] » But sir, as I guess as long as going
forward we have some practices and
[57:58] guidelines in place that we're you know
looking at uh uh the the cost and then
[58:03] looking at how much money we have in the
bank because until you know in the next
[58:07] two three years until we start to get
some money in from uh the Volkswagen
[58:11] plant you know things are are tight
>> tight. Yeah. Councelor Clark on that or
[58:16] or on anything else you'd like us to be
on.
[58:19] » Thanks, Worship. Well, it it it kind of
dovetales with what councelor Riml is
[58:24] saying that the the last the second last
part of the um of this the description
[58:31] says that we're
we're seeking the 7.4 million long-term
[58:36] debt to finance the city's affordable
housing initiatives.
[58:40] So, I guess the question is if if we
can't afford to do them, why are we
[58:44] doing them? Like, we're hearing that
it's it's through grants and it and and
[58:50] yet the comment here is that we're
borrowing the 7.4 to finance affordable
[58:56] housing. So, I'm I'm just puzzled by by
that state.
[59:02] » Mr. Treasurer, bring that around.
It's not unusual that a municipality
[59:08] would choose to debt finance something
like this. It's actually um we use this
[59:11] $10 word word called intergenerational
equity where um you don't typically want
[59:17] to use a stack of the money the money
that we've saved from past residents for
[59:21] an asset that's going to be benefiting
future residents. And so a new asset
[59:24] like this, it is kind of equitable to
charge it through debt against the the
[59:30] uh residents of the municipality who are
going to benefit from it as opposed to
[59:33] like reconstruction of a road. People
driving the roads right now should be
[59:36] paying towards its eventual replacement.
This was a new set of housing
[59:40] initiatives that I think um the the
treasur had designed through the budget
[59:45] to to be funded through the debt and
that never occurred. But I think that
[59:49] was the correct uh budget design at the
time.
[59:55] Further questions or comments?
Mr. Treasurer, it's always great to see
[59:59] a report. I know and I thank you for
doing them quarterly now and so we're
[1:00:03] we're getting more constant up to-date.
[1:00:09] Are we okay?
[1:00:13] We we are okay. Uh we've taken on a lot
with the Yarmouth Yards project as you
[1:00:19] stated. Um,
so there there, yeah, there's a lot of
[1:00:23] investment going on right now. I think
we're somewhat committed to to seeing
[1:00:27] that through, but we are we are
certainly okay. Um, we would be more
[1:00:31] okay if we took on this debt.
Well, then then thank you for doing
[1:00:35] that. But I'll also add that uh many of
the citizens that speak with us think
[1:00:40] we're in a an incredible better better
space because because of Power Co coming
[1:00:45] to our community and Viennode coming to
our community and and the great other
[1:00:50] businesses we have out there like
Element 5 and a number of others. And we
[1:00:54] have to remind them from time to time
that we haven't made a dime yet on some
[1:00:58] of those investments. We we see them. We
know that we're going to be okay because
[1:01:03] of that. But there some of them are two
years out if I mean I don't see charging
[1:01:07] taxes to Power Co until such time as
they get to make batteries and sell them
[1:01:11] in our community. And so that's what
we're waiting for. A lot of construction
[1:01:14] going on and as we see um our industrial
development people here today too. A lot
[1:01:20] of expenses we've had to do to get that
future revenue to come in. And so
[1:01:25] sometimes reminding the folks that that
actually have to pay our tax bills that
[1:01:30] um we're not benefiting from those great
things we've done yet. But boy, will we
[1:01:34] ever be able to in the future. And
that's that's what it's about. So, thank
[1:01:38] you for you you're you're at least using
my same words that we're okay, right?
[1:01:42] We're doing all right. We're doing and
as you already said, some of our
[1:01:45] revenues are already higher this year,
certainly from a DC point of view. Um,
[1:01:50] and that's showing that we're still
showing the same type of development
[1:01:53] growth that we need to as a regular
corporation, but with a lot of expenses
[1:01:57] out there to build Yarmouth yards and
and attract new industries. Councelor
[1:02:02] Ry,
>> just just one more thing. In the next
[1:02:04] quarter report, would it be possible to
have a line as to how we're doing with
[1:02:08] the rental properties? You know, are
they paying their their rent?
[1:02:14] » Okay, certainly. Y
>> councelor Clark,
[1:02:18] » just one last one. I I may have missed
it, but long-term debt means how long
[1:02:22] how how long is this being spread out
over?
[1:02:27] In the report, we had quoted uh 25-y
year debenture, which would roughly
[1:02:31] coincide with the life of the assets
that we're borrowing against. So, I
[1:02:33] think that's the proper recommendation.
[1:02:38] » Okay, further questions or comments on
the treasures report? And thank you for
[1:02:41] having it with us. Sometimes we don't
get the detail like this, we're really
[1:02:45] pleased to have it.
Seeing no other comments, question uh
[1:02:49] all those in favor. Any oppose? That's
carried. Thank you.
[1:02:54] » Thank you, worship. Next item relates to
late penalties and interest July 31st,
[1:02:58] 2026 tax due date. Motion that reads
that report TR1926 relating to extension
[1:03:03] of tax installment due date be received
for information. Further that council
[1:03:07] approve an amendment to the 2026 tax
levby to delay the application of late
[1:03:12] penalties and interest for the July
31st, 2026 due date for a period of one
[1:03:16] week commencing August 8th, 2026. Moved
by councelor Riml, seconded by councelor
[1:03:22] Taylor. questions or comments?
[1:03:27] Seeing none, all those in favor? Any
opposed? Carrie.
[1:03:30] » Thank you, worship. We'll now report
back into the com uh back into council.
[1:03:34] Uh so motion would read that uh the
recommendations, directions, and actions
[1:03:38] of council and the committee of the
whole as recorded in the minutes of this
[1:03:41] date be confirmed, ratified, and
adopted. Moved by councelor Baldwin
[1:03:45] Sand, seconded by councelor Gibson.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:03:49] those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
your worship for reports of committees.
[1:03:54] We have six heritage alteration permits
tonight. The first relates to 327 Talbet
[1:03:58] Street. Motion that reads that report
MHC 1026 relating to the heritage
[1:04:03] alteration permit 327 Talbet Street be
received for information. And further
[1:04:08] that council issue a heritage alteration
permit for the property at 327 Talbot
[1:04:12] Street relating to application HAP 1226
subject to including enhanced
[1:04:17] architectural detail to the front front
facade. Moved by councelor Taylor,
[1:04:22] seconded by councelor Gibson.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:04:26] those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
>> Worship the second heritage alteration
[1:04:31] permit relates to two uh 429 Talbet
Street. Motion that reads that report
[1:04:37] MHC 1126 relating to heritage alteration
permit 429 Talbet Street be received for
[1:04:42] information. and further that council
issue a heritage alteration permit for
[1:04:46] the property at 429 Talbat Street
relating to application HAP 1326. Moved
[1:04:51] by councelor Herbert, seconded by
councelor Riml.
[1:04:56] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
[1:05:02] » The third relates to 431 Talbet Street.
Uh motion that reads that report MHC
[1:05:07] 1526 relating to the heritage alteration
permit 431 Talbet Street be received for
[1:05:12] information and further that council
issue a heritage alteration permit for
[1:05:16] the property at 431 Talbet Street
relating to application HAP1 1826 moved
[1:05:20] by
councelor Kohler seconded by councelor
[1:05:24] Gibson.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:05:27] those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
The fourth relates to a heritage
[1:05:32] alteration permit for 725 Talbet Street.
Motion that reads that report MHC 1226
[1:05:38] relating to heritage alteration permit
725 Talbot Street be received for
[1:05:42] information and further that council
issue a heritage alteration permit for
[1:05:46] the property at 725 Talbot Street
relating to application HAP 1526 subject
[1:05:51] to the new signs being installed uh
being installed not being internally
[1:05:56] illuminated. Moved by Councelor
Riml, seconded by councelor Herbert.
[1:06:02] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
[1:06:08] » The fifth relates to the property at 519
Talbot Street. Motion that reads that
[1:06:12] report MHC1 1326 relating to heritage
alteration permit 519 Talbet Street be
[1:06:18] received for information and further
that council issue a heritage alteration
[1:06:21] permit for the property at 519 Talbot
Street relating to application HAP1626
[1:06:26] subject to stucco not being used as an
exterior cladding. Moved by
[1:06:33] councelor Gibson. Seconded by councelor
Raml.
[1:06:39] » Further questions or comments? Councelor
Clark,
[1:06:44] » is that stuckle going to be at the front
of the was it going to be at the front
[1:06:48] of the building or the back of the
building?
[1:06:50] » Back.
>> Mr. Pilly.
[1:06:54] » Yeah. Through your worship, the uh
proposal was um for covering the second
[1:07:00] and third levels of the rear elevation
with stuckle, including a door that's
[1:07:04] going to be replaced
>> at the rear. Right.
[1:07:07] » At the rear. Correct.
So why why would we care whether it's
[1:07:13] stuckle or or brick at the back of a
building? I I think we've had other
[1:07:18] repairs done on Tala Street where
stuckle has been used and it's been
[1:07:23] approved.
to my to my knowledge um through your
[1:07:29] worship to my knowledge um stuckle has
generally been a type of material that
[1:07:33] the committee has not supported in the
past particularly at the front but even
[1:07:38] at the back um it's not one that's often
re uh even suggested but and I believe
[1:07:44] the committee has been fairly consistent
in terms of not supporting it as a as a
[1:07:48] preferred material type it's not doesn't
seem to be consistent with um with the
[1:07:51] policies of the uh heritage conservation
district which is why They um I believe
[1:07:57] made the exception of excluding that
type of material.
[1:08:03] » Counter Gibson.
>> However, when it came to Lockwood Books
[1:08:10] um back entrance, they'd have the
stuckco. So, they're able to do that on
[1:08:16] their building, but we can't allow it on
this building. And my concern is is that
[1:08:21] they're having to look for heritage
bricking. it's going to delay and
[1:08:24] construction season is almost done even
if they even found the bricking. So, I'm
[1:08:29] just I I I
yeah I just I just uh I just cannot
[1:08:35] agree to uh their decision here.
Unfortunately, I am going to for one
[1:08:38] time I'm going to actually say I'm not
agreeing to this at all. I I would like
[1:08:43] to change or make a motion or something
that cladding that they can do the
[1:08:47] stuckle exterior because uh I just don't
want the this to be delayed anymore. And
[1:08:53] I just feel if one property owner can do
it on their building and I think it was
[1:08:58] just done like two years ago maybe last
year or the year before. Why is it all
[1:09:03] of a sudden it's not allowed on this
building?
[1:09:06] » Uh Mr. Clerk, I know you're going to
help us who has to have move the motion
[1:09:09] or amend the motion please.
>> That's correct. back to your worship. We
[1:09:12] do have a main motion on the floor right
now. So, if there is a member that wants
[1:09:15] to move an amending motion um and it
sounds like councelor Gibson may be
[1:09:19] amendable to that. Then it would be an
amending motion to strike the language
[1:09:24] um subject to stucco not being used and
as an exterior cladding and that would
[1:09:29] then open things up for the applicant.
So, councelor Gibson, would you be
[1:09:33] willing to move? Do we have a seconder?
Council clerk,
[1:09:41] we take discussion on the amended
motion.
[1:09:46] Look, I'm I'm going to point out that
this building is being repaired because
[1:09:51] of a fire in the building beside it, and
I'd like them not to go much longer
[1:09:55] without having their business operating.
I'm not here to always overrule the
[1:10:00] heritage committee, and we seldom have
done it. But I think in this case, while
[1:10:04] there's still another whole lot beside
that has to be rebuilt, we can make this
[1:10:08] amendment to this one project and this
one report so that um a great business
[1:10:14] in the downtown of St. Thomas can get
back open and get running again. This is
[1:10:18] the URI building that we're talking
about. So, I'm going to I'm going to
[1:10:22] vote for with the amended motion.
Councelor Taylor,
[1:10:26] » I'm just trying to understand and I I
agree with what has been said here about
[1:10:29] the um
cladding that's here, but the brick work
[1:10:34] doesn't look that bad. Yeah, it's dirty.
Yeah, it's yellow brick, but I'm I'm
[1:10:39] confused as to what
what the problem is. Is they want to
[1:10:44] close in a window or something like
that, so it has to be
[1:10:48] a special heritage brick that's brought
brought in. I mean, I think that the
[1:10:52] brick could probably be sand blasted or
clean, but I I'm looking at the photos
[1:10:56] here and I don't understand the brick is
not falling down. The brick doesn't seem
[1:11:01] to be deteriorating. So, what what is
the concern with the municipal heritage
[1:11:07] committee as to the fact that it needs
to be fixed to such an extent of
[1:11:15] » some sort of a covering. So, anyway, I I
don't understand what's wrong with it. I
[1:11:19] I may ask clue, but my my understanding
of it is because I've had had some
[1:11:23] discussions is is that it's more
expedience. We'd like to get they'd like
[1:11:29] to get the project done. They've
suggested a certain way to do it. The
[1:11:32] heritage committee has said no, we no
longer allow that to happen. I guess all
[1:11:37] I'm asking for is an exception in this
one case so that we can um you know as
[1:11:42] you will let's let's get this project on
the road and going instead of waiting
[1:11:46] another month for another heritage
committee meeting Lou am I far off with
[1:11:51] what I've just said
>> through your worship no I I haven't had
[1:11:56] direct conversations with the in this
case so right to you but
[1:12:00] » I have
so further discussion on the amended
[1:12:05] motion
Seeing none, all those in favor of the
[1:12:08] amended motion. Are there any opposed to
the amended motion? Noted. Um, so we
[1:12:14] will let the heritage committee know
that on this one report, we've overruled
[1:12:18] them. Next,
through your worship, just to clarify
[1:12:23] that we voted on the amendment amended
motion, but we still have the main
[1:12:25] motion on the floor that would strike
the language to you to um
[1:12:31] not require stucco. So we'll have to
have a a final vote on the
[1:12:36] » great
>> main motion.
[1:12:37] » Okay. So on the main motion, further
discussion, seeing none, all those in
[1:12:41] favor. So we want to pass that main
motion. Am I correct, Mr. Clerk? Or
[1:12:46] » that's correct. So if council does vote
to vote all in favor or to carry this by
[1:12:50] majority, then the main motion would
pass and then we'd be able to advise the
[1:12:53] heritage committee and the applicant.
>> Thank you. Okay. With that knowing, all
[1:12:57] those in favor? Are there any opposed?
Carried.
[1:13:02] Thank you. Your worship. Final heritage
alteration permit deals with uh 452 to
[1:13:06] 456 Talbet Street. Motion that reads the
report MHC1 1426 relating to heritage
[1:13:12] alteration permit 452 to 456 Talba
Street be received for information and
[1:13:16] further that council issue a heritage
alteration permit for the property at
[1:13:19] 452 to 456 Talbot Street relating to
application HAP 1726 with the
[1:13:25] understanding that consideration be
given to an interpretive display of the
[1:13:28] existing mural. Moved by councelor
Gibson, seconded by councelor Riml.
[1:13:34] » Questions or comments on this report?
Seeing none, all those in favor. Are
[1:13:39] there any opposed? That's carried.
>> Worship. Few items of communication
[1:13:43] tonight. Uh the first item relates to uh
National Disability Employment Awareness
[1:13:48] Month. request has been received from
Michael Cibba, Ontario Disability
[1:13:53] Employment Network, that council
proclaim October 2026 as National
[1:13:57] Disability Employment Awareness Month in
the city of St. Thomas, and that the
[1:14:00] jumbo monument be lit in purple and blue
on October 15, 2026. Motion that reads
[1:14:06] that council proclaim October 2026 as
National Disability Employment Awareness
[1:14:11] Month in the city of St. Thomas. and
further that the jumbo monument be lit
[1:14:14] in purple and blue on October 15, 2026
for light it up for national disability
[1:14:19] employment awareness. Moved by councelor
Taylor, seconded by councelor Gibson.
[1:14:25] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
[1:14:31] » Thank you. Worship. The next item, uh,
the a joint statement has been received
[1:14:35] from Morgan Griffin, chair, Catfish
Creek Conservation Authority, John
[1:14:39] Cheliner II, chair Grand River
Conservation Authority, Todd Noble,
[1:14:44] chair Kettle Creek Conservation
Authority, and Doug Bruntton, chair
[1:14:47] Longpoint Region Conservation Authority,
regarding the work of the transition
[1:14:51] committee for the Amalgamated Eastern
Lake Erie Regional Conservation
[1:14:55] Authority.
[1:14:59] The next item relates to the Kettle
Creek Conservation Authority draft
[1:15:02] budget. A letter has been received from
Todd Noble, chair, Kettle Creek
[1:15:06] Conservation Authority, regarding the
authorities's 2027 draft budget and
[1:15:11] municipal levy aortionment.
[1:15:17] Last item comm of communication uh your
worship uh relates to Taco House Company
[1:15:21] at 546 Talbot Street. An application has
been made to the Alcohol and Gaming
[1:15:26] Commission of Ontario by the Taco House
Company for a liquor license for its
[1:15:30] indoor area at 546 Talbet Street, St.
Thomas. At this time, council may make
[1:15:35] recommend uh representation to the
commission concerning this application.
[1:15:43] Moving on to items of unfinished
business tonight. Any items?
[1:15:48] » Any items of unfinished business?
Any items of new business?
[1:15:53] » I've got a bunch. Great. Councelor
Baldwin Sans. Councelor Herbert. I've
[1:15:57] got one.
>> Thank you very very much. There is an
[1:16:01] item that is one of my passion projects.
The Elvin St. Thomas drowning prevention
[1:16:06] coalition speak um teaching swimming in
this community for over 40 plus years on
[1:16:11] how to keep young people, old people,
everyone how to be safe around the
[1:16:18] water. There is an event that will be
happening this Saturday at JC Pool and
[1:16:23] it's about prevention, education, and
awareness. And I was hoping hoping that
[1:16:28] uh Adrian would be able to give us a few
more details. Thank you.
[1:16:32] » You're up. uh through your worship to
council. Uh as Lori me or as councelor
[1:16:37] Baldman Sans mentioned, the National
Drowning Prevention Week is coming up
[1:16:40] running July 19th to 25th. And the Elgen
County Drowning Prevention Coalition is
[1:16:45] inviting the community to join them for
a free public swim on Saturday, July
[1:16:49] 18th from 1:30 p.m. to 400 p.m. at JC's
Pool located at 93 Increment Street to
[1:16:55] promote water safety. Uh this event is
aimed at raising awareness through
[1:16:59] community education and outdoor water
smart tips. This is a great opportunity
[1:17:03] to enjoy the pool while promoting the
importance of water safety in our
[1:17:06] community.
>> Great. Thank you. Any any others from
[1:17:11] yours from you, Lori? Councelor Herbert.
>> Thank you, worship. I actually have
[1:17:16] three uh I would bring up the the first
one I bring up. I think most of us got
[1:17:20] the letter about uh creating a memorial
tree or small memorial within Waterworks
[1:17:24] Parks. And um I I thought it was a good
idea, but I don't know the rules or
[1:17:30] bylaws for it. So I forwarded it on to
Adrian and if Adrian if you could make a
[1:17:33] comment on it please.
>> Through your worship to council. At this
[1:17:38] point staff haven't had an opportunity
to fully evaluate the proposal. We need
[1:17:42] to look at the capital costs ongoing
maintenance requirements partnership
[1:17:45] expectations and potential funding
sources before providing a
[1:17:49] recommendation. Um if council is
interested in pursuing the concept, we
[1:17:54] can bring a report back um that would
provide the information to consider. Can
[1:17:59] we add that to unfinished business, city
manager?
[1:18:03] » Okay, great.
>> Thank you. I'll second uh through to
[1:18:06] through the worship. Uh I've had quite a
number of people ask me about are the
[1:18:11] signs returning to Pinfor Park that used
to be there and uh we've got new ones
[1:18:16] there. So I gave a quick comment to
Adrian and she's going to comment on
[1:18:20] that too tonight about what happening to
the signs if it's in discussion or not
[1:18:24] in discussion about returning. So I'll
turn over to Adrien. Thank you.
[1:18:28] Now, through your worship to council,
this topic has come up a few times in
[1:18:31] the last couple of years. So, the uh
wooden sign that the public's referring
[1:18:35] to um was essentially rotten and so we
have preserved it within our parks
[1:18:40] buildings uh to keep it for for um
history reasons but or historical
[1:18:46] reasons, but um that sign can't be uh
reinstalled due to the state that it's
[1:18:51] in. Uh so the current sign is just a
placeholder to show the address because
[1:18:56] a lot of people struggle with finding
Pennor Park. Um so I have brought to
[1:19:02] council um at least once through capital
budget planning uh an idea for a new
[1:19:08] sign. Um but uh unfortunately the
funding was not approved. Um I've since
[1:19:14] gotten um additional sign quotes that
were cheaper than what I had originally
[1:19:19] uh requested through capital. So that
can certainly come back at budget time.
[1:19:23] Um and I mean I would love to pursue
that project. So uh it will definitely
[1:19:27] be part of the the request for budget
this coming year.
[1:19:31] » Super. Yep. Thank you. And my third
comment is uh most of us are just
[1:19:36] finishing our transportation study with
the consultant and he's asked a lot of
[1:19:41] questions and for sure it's in our
master plan where we know we have to re
[1:19:46] do some revision on it and um uh he in
informed us we're probably our budget's
[1:19:53] half of what anybody else's and my
comment was well maybe they're working
[1:19:57] longer hours maybe they have a bigger
capital budget operational etc. But I
[1:20:01] did ask him, and this is the question
I'm asking. I said, 'When would it be
[1:20:05] ready for us to do something with maybe
this year? And he said, "No, it's
[1:20:09] probably not going to happen till next
January or next January with a new
[1:20:12] council." I mean, that's five months
from now. Is there not something we
[1:20:16] could do now or do we have to wait till
the final report comes in to us and
[1:20:21] council in January?
>> Well, thank you. I'll I'll ask staff,
[1:20:24] but I would think that we that's why we
bring in a consultant to talk to us
[1:20:29] through the transportation master plan
or transit master plan so that when we
[1:20:33] make the decision, we're making it with
great knowledge and great forward
[1:20:36] thinking instead of just making one and
then saying, "Let's change it five
[1:20:40] months from now." But he said it would
be up to probably the new council to
[1:20:43] make it. Well, hypothetically, if you
had eight new counselors and they say,
[1:20:47] "Hey, we don't want to re we don't want
to we want to review it." God, it goes
[1:20:51] on another six months. Anyway, I just
wondered if something would be done this
[1:20:55] year
and the assumption is it's next year.
[1:20:58] So,
>> well, that was my question.
[1:20:59] » We continue to do things on transit. As
a matter of fact, the Middle Sex
[1:21:03] Connects has just added a a great deal
more access to St. Thomas using that
[1:21:09] transit system. But when you're looking
at something as big as our transit
[1:21:12] system, um I I I learned years ago, Jim,
I can't answer hypothetical questions.
[1:21:18] eight other people might make a
different decision, but um let's we
[1:21:23] brought an expert in to give us this
type of guidance as to what the transit
[1:21:27] system should look like. Um if you'd
like why are we doing it if we're not
[1:21:31] going to use the process? Um city
manager, help with me with that one.
[1:21:36] » Sure. Uh thank you your worship. Um
staff can uh inquire with the consultant
[1:21:41] to uh check on the timelines on the
transit master plan and ensure that
[1:21:44] they're meeting their contractual
obligations and also just make sure that
[1:21:47] we bring some update reports to council
as we learn more
[1:21:52] » further new business. Councelor Clark
and councelor Rhimo. G we're all full of
[1:21:56] new business tonight.
>> Thanks worship. I I would like to
[1:21:59] nominate uh Annette Barry for a civic
award. Maybe we could do that in in
[1:22:03] September when school starts again.
Annette is a teacher at St. Joe's and
[1:22:08] she was just recently in the spring uh
declared the Canadian champion for Hier
[1:22:13] Rocks. Saw they
>> and Hier Rocks is a new competition
[1:22:17] where you um similar to biaons or
triathlons but this one is you you run a
[1:22:23] kilometer, do a number of exercises, run
another kilometer and and it's seven
[1:22:28] different cycles of that. and um she
just came back from Sweden in the worlds
[1:22:34] and came in second for women between 60
and 64 years old. So congratulations to
[1:22:40] Annette and I hope we can uh award her
that award in September.
[1:22:44] » Move that forward.
Councelor Riml,
[1:22:49] » just u one comment just about the uh
transit. I also um you heard the review,
[1:22:55] but when we're talking about reports um
one of the issues that they did bring up
[1:23:00] was that the ondemand service in the
evening is wildly popular, just really
[1:23:05] popular, but there's only one bus
driving around the city, you know, to
[1:23:09] try to pick up everybody and take them
from A to B, which is, you know, a lot.
[1:23:13] So in the report, if we could get a
report even like what would it cost to
[1:23:17] put even one one more bus on for a few
hours because it's great that you know
[1:23:22] people are using this service um you
know could we enhance it just a little
[1:23:26] bit. I know we don't have lots of money
but you know
[1:23:30] » it's part of the reason for the study
>> right so it shows it's needed we'll
[1:23:34] certainly be able to vote as a council
to do so.
[1:23:37] » Yeah. Um, so just a couple other things.
Just um just kudos to the uh police for
[1:23:43] their fishing uh tournament they had at
Pinnhapor Park for the kids. That was
[1:23:48] great. And also to the fire for their
water sprays that you have for the kids,
[1:23:52] you know, in this heat. We all should be
standing under the the
[1:23:55] » But apparently we're wasting water doing
it. So councelor Taylor.
[1:23:58] » Oh yeah.
>> Get your bucket out and capture some of
[1:24:01] that.
>> There's that 800,000
[1:24:04] whatever. Yeah. But anyway, but the kids
appreciate it, especially when it's so
[1:24:07] hot. And I just had one other question
with the council calendar that we
[1:24:11] received. Is it possible to have flag
raisings, proclamations, open houses,
[1:24:17] some more information on there given
that, you know,
[1:24:19] » once they've been voted on? Yeah.
>> Well, yeah, but not but you know, when
[1:24:23] we get an invite to do a flag racing or
all those kind of things, even though I
[1:24:27] know it, you know, you wouldn't be able
to capture everything, but just to add
[1:24:30] some more information to that calendar.
I like that thought. City man, you help
[1:24:36] us with or Mr. Clerk, you'll help us
with that.
[1:24:38] » Uh, yes, your worship, we can definitely
look into that.
[1:24:41] » Thank you. Any other new business? I
want to say way to go to the U to
[1:24:47] nostalgia nights on Saturday. I mean,
nostalgia days. It's no longer nights.
[1:24:51] It used to be, M. Councelor Taylor,
remember, supposed to start at four in
[1:24:56] the afternoon. It's now starting at 8 in
the morning on on on the day of
[1:24:59] nostalgia nights, right? um and and some
car drivers even earlier. But the crowds
[1:25:06] on the street and the comments that we
were getting about the looks of the
[1:25:10] committee and the of the city itself and
um the great work of the uh EDC, the
[1:25:16] tourism people and the downtown
development board on running a
[1:25:20] incredible program on Saturday in some
pretty oppressive heat. Um, I know
[1:25:25] Council Herbert and I walked the length
of Talbert Street back and forth and he
[1:25:29] wouldn't walk on the sun side of the
road because of the heat. Um, but but
[1:25:34] uh, you know, way to go. We looked great
and those from out of town and a lot of
[1:25:38] people from out of town at Nostalgia
Nights because the people who own
[1:25:42] classic cars come from just about
anywhere. So, um, thank you all. I know
[1:25:46] that a couple of optimists are in the
room who who worked at that at the uh at
[1:25:51] the the food booth for the optimist and
could not have been a cool spot to work.
[1:25:57] So, way to go. Thank you very much for
doing that. And for all of the
[1:26:00] counselors, everybody who I saw there,
um incredible making our city look good.
[1:26:06] So, we're talking about downtown events.
This is another one that's in the books
[1:26:10] and went just about as good as it can.
So, thank you to everyone. Councelor
[1:26:14] Taylor,
>> now that you brought up the Optimist, um
[1:26:18] don't forget about the fact that we did
have the Optimus Father's Day car show
[1:26:21] in Pinter Park.
>> You did.
[1:26:23] » And we uh expanded that tremendously
this year because of the weather. I was
[1:26:28] just talking to Adrian just a few
minutes ago. How can we expand or double
[1:26:32] the size of Pinter Park because uh
people actually had to leave the park
[1:26:35] because there was no place
>> to park.
[1:26:36] » Well, I couldn't get into the park.
Maybe we are secondarily known as the
[1:26:42] classic car capital of Canada.
>> Working on it, aren't we? Excellent.
[1:26:46] Further new business. Seeing none.
>> Thank you, your worship. We have no
[1:26:51] public notices tonight. We do have one
notice of motion. Notice of motion has
[1:26:55] been received from councelor Baldwin
Sans regarding community and aquatic
[1:26:59] center alternatives. This will return as
a business item on August the 10th.
[1:27:04] It's all the matters of open business
tonight. Your worship will now move into
[1:27:07] a closed session. Motion that reads this
meeting be closed to deal with three
[1:27:11] matters of a proposed or pending
disposition of land. Chestnut Street and
[1:27:15] Third Avenue properties land lease
Yarmouth Yards Burwell Road. Two matters
[1:27:20] of a proposed or pending acquisition of
land. South Edgeware Road Reconstruction
[1:27:25] Project. Southwestern Public Health. A
matter of information explicitly
[1:27:29] supplied in confidence of the
municipality by the province of Ontario,
[1:27:33] utility crossing agreement, two labor
relations matters, staff overtime
[1:27:37] strategies and staffing strategies, two
matters of a position, plan, procedure,
[1:27:42] criteria or instruction to be applied to
any negotiations carried on to or to be
[1:27:46] carried on by or on behalf of the
municipality, municipal facilities
[1:27:50] planning and St. Thomas Cemetery Board
and a personal matter about an
[1:27:54] identifiable individual committee
appointment at 6:27 p.m. Moved by
[1:27:59] councelor Baldwin Sans seconded by
councelor Gibson.
[1:28:03] » Wow. We had a short meeting going till
we had to read off all the stuff that
[1:28:06] went is going to happen in close
session. But thank you very much, Mr.
[1:28:10] Clerk. As I'll normally state before we
vote on going into close session, those
[1:28:14] of us are watching at home or the huge
crowd in the gallery tonight, um please
[1:28:19] uh we'll be going into close session
now. We'll only rise from close session
[1:28:23] to vote on uh those are the things that
we we we covered in close session that
[1:28:28] can come into open session and then to
pass our bylaws afterwards and then
[1:28:32] adjourn the night from there. So, thank
you for joining us tonight. Uh on close
[1:28:38] session discussion seeing none. All
those in favor? Any opposed? We are in
[1:28:42] close session.
[1:28:52] Your worship. We can now reconvene at
open session. Motion that reads that
[1:28:55] council now rise from close session at
8:10 PM and further that staff proceed
[1:29:00] as directed on closed item closed
session items dealing with Chestnut
[1:29:04] Street and Third Avenue properties,
South Edgeware Road Reconstruction
[1:29:08] Project, Burwell Road utility crossing
agreement, land lease Yarmouth Yards,
[1:29:14] Municipal Facilities Planning, Staff
Overtime Strategies, Staffing
[1:29:18] Strategies, St. Thomas Cemetery Board
and Southwest Southwestern Public Health
[1:29:24] and further that the close session item
dealing with committee appointment be
[1:29:28] considered an open session. Moved by
Councelor Gibson, seconded by councelor
[1:29:34] Baldwin Sans.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:29:38] those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
>> Your worship in regards to the uh
[1:29:42] municipal heritage committee appointment
and a motion that reads that council now
[1:29:46] appoint Nick Eanic to the St. Thomas
Municipal Heritage Committee for the
[1:29:52] remainder of the council term subject to
policy HR0229
[1:29:56] and required training. Moved by
councelor Raml seconded by councelor
[1:30:00] Taylor.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:30:03] those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
>> Worship. We now have the bylaws. First
[1:30:08] motion that Lee be granted to bring in
the bylaws. Moved by councelor Herbert.
[1:30:13] Seconded by councelor Baldwin Sans.
>> Excellent. Questions or comments? Seeing
[1:30:19] none, all those in favor? Any opposed?
Carried.
[1:30:23] » Your worship. We have a motion moved by
councelor Herbert, seconded by councelor
[1:30:26] Baldwin Sans at the bylaws be now read a
first time, referred to council in the
[1:30:31] committee of the whole and read a second
time.
[1:30:34] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
[1:30:38] » First bylaw, please.
>> First bylaw tonight is a bylaw to
[1:30:43] confirm the proceedings of the meeting
held on the 13th day of July, 2026.
[1:30:47] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That's carried. Next
[1:30:50] bylaw, please.
>> Second bylaw is a bylaw to delegate
[1:30:53] certain authority during a restricted
acts period.
[1:30:56] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That's carried. Next
[1:31:00] bylaw, please.
>> Third bylaw is a bylaw regarding the
[1:31:03] maintenance, repair, or replacement of
structures and to provide for the
[1:31:07] recovery of costs by the city of St.
Thomas.
[1:31:09] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That's carried. Next
[1:31:13] bylaw, please. Fourth bylaw is a bylaw
to amend bylaw 4589 being a bylaw to
[1:31:18] revise and consolidate certain bylaws
regulating traffic and the parking of
[1:31:23] motor vehicles. No parking zones Bonnie
Place and Harvest Court. Questions or
[1:31:28] comments? Seeing none, all those in
favor? That's carried. Next bylaw.
[1:31:31] » Fifth bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
marin clerk to execute and affix the
[1:31:35] seal of the corporation to a certain
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:31:38] city of St. Thomas and his majesty the
king in right of the province of Ontario
[1:31:43] as represented by the Minister of
Transportation Compensation Agreement
[1:31:47] Woodworth Avenue. Questions or comments?
Seeing none, all those in favor? That's
[1:31:51] car. Next bylaw, please.
>> Six bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
[1:31:55] mayor and clerk to execute and affix the
seal of the corporation to a declaration
[1:31:58] of compliance long-term care service
accountability agreement, Valley View
[1:32:02] Home.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:32:05] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please. Seventh bylaw is a bylaw
[1:32:09] to authorize the mar and clerk to
execute and affix the seal of the
[1:32:12] corporation to a declaration of
compliance adult day program View home.
[1:32:16] Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That's carried. Next
[1:32:20] bylaw. The eth bylaw is a bylaw to
authorize the marin clerk to execute and
[1:32:24] affix the seal of the corporation to a
certain agreement between the
[1:32:27] corporation of the city of St. Thomas
and his majesty the king in right of
[1:32:30] Ontario as represented by the minister
of transportation highway 3 utility
[1:32:34] crossing.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none. All
[1:32:37] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:32:39] » Ninth bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
Marin clerk to affix the execute and
[1:32:43] affix the seal of the corporation to a
certain agreement between the
[1:32:46] corporation of the city of St. Thomas
and Canadian National Railway Company
[1:32:50] Sanitary Sewer Crossing Major Line.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:32:53] those in favor? That's carried. Next one
bylaw, please.
[1:32:56] » 10th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
Marin clerk to execute and affix the
[1:33:00] seal of the corporation to a certain
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:33:03] city of St. Thomas and the Canadian
National Railway Company water main
[1:33:06] crossing major line.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:33:09] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:33:12] » 11th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
marin clerk to execute and affix the
[1:33:15] seal of the corporation to a certain
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:33:18] city of St. Thomas and his majesty the
king and right of Ontario as represented
[1:33:21] by the minister of transportation
compensation agreement Burwell Road.
[1:33:25] » Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? That's carried. Next
[1:33:28] bylaw, please. 12th bylaw is a bylaw to
deem part of lot 73 registered plan
[1:33:33] number 270 former township of Yarmouth
to not be a registered plan of
[1:33:37] subdivision lot 10 for Morrison Drive
Kate Robinson counseling file number
[1:33:42] 50126
>> questions or comments seeing none all
[1:33:46] those in favor that's carried next bylaw
please
[1:33:48] » 13th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
mayor and clerk to execute and fix the
[1:33:51] seal of the corporation to a certain
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:33:54] city of St. Thomas and Walnut Park
Incorporated, file number SPC0326,
[1:34:00] 57 Walnut Street.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:34:04] those in favor? That's carry. Next
bylaw, please. 14th bylaw is a bylaw to
[1:34:08] authorize the mayor and clerk to execute
and affix the seal of the corporation to
[1:34:11] a certain agreement between the
corporation of the city of St. Thomas
[1:34:14] and Drew Holdings Incorporated. File
number SPC0426
[1:34:18] 8 Hammond Street.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:34:22] those in favor? That's carry. Next by
please. 15th bylaw is a bylaw to
[1:34:26] authorize the mar and clerk to execute
and aff fix the seal of the corporation
[1:34:29] to assert an agreement between the
corporation of the city of St. Thomas
[1:34:32] and Faith Faith Baptist Church of St.
Thomas file number SPC0626
[1:34:37] 345 Fair View Avenue.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:34:41] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:34:43] » 16th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
mar and clerk to execute and affix the
[1:34:46] seal of the corporation to a certain
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:34:49] city of St. Thomas and Heiho Rentals
Limited. File number SPC 1625 43954
[1:34:56] Southdale line.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:34:59] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:35:01] » 17th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
mayor and clerk to execute and affix a
[1:35:04] seal of the corporation to assert anert
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:35:07] city of St. Thomas and Dr. Sei Olampon.
Uh, health recruitment partnership
[1:35:13] incentive funding.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:35:16] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please. 18th bylaw is a bylaw to
[1:35:19] authorize the mayor and clerk to execute
and fix a seal of the corporation to a
[1:35:22] certain agreement between the
corporation of the city of St. Thomas
[1:35:25] and Dr. Shabuki Eggwim uh health
recruitment partnership incentive
[1:35:29] funding.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:35:31] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:35:34] » 19th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
marin clerk to execute and fix a seal of
[1:35:37] the corporation to a certain agreement
between the corporation of the city of
[1:35:40] St. Thomas and Dr. Zean Chataroo health
recruitment partnership incentive
[1:35:44] funding.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:35:47] those in favor. That's carry. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:35:49] » 20th bylaw is a bylaw to authorize the
mayor and clerk to execute and affix a
[1:35:52] seal of the corporation to a certain
agreement between the corporation of the
[1:35:55] city of St. Thomas and Dr. Ahmed Osman.
Health recruitment partnership incentive
[1:35:59] funding.
>> Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
[1:36:01] those in favor? That's carried. Next
bylaw, please.
[1:36:04] » 21st and final bylaw of the evening. A
bylaw to revise provisions for the
[1:36:08] application of late penalties and
interest to property taxes in the 2026
[1:36:12] taxation year.
>> Questions or comments?
[1:36:16] All those in favor? It's carried. Your
worship I rise and report the successful
[1:36:21] passing of the 21 bylaws.
>> All from today.
[1:36:27] » Your worship. We have a motion moved by
councelor Herbert, seconded by uh
[1:36:31] councelor Baldwin Sans that the report
of council in the committee of the whole
[1:36:35] on the bylaws be received and adopted.
The same be read a third time engrossed
[1:36:39] signed by the mayor and clerk, sealed
and numbered.
[1:36:44] Questions or comments? Seeing none, all
those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
[1:36:49] » Thank you. Worship. Final item tonight
is adjournment. That we do now adjourn
[1:36:53] at 8:18 p.m. Moved by councelor Baldwin
Sand, seconded by councelor Gibson.
[1:36:57] » Questions or comments? Councelor
Herbert? Seeing none. All in favor? Any
[1:37:02] opposed? carried.