[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.

Council Meeting

Transcript