[5:12] Morning, everyone. Welcome to the May 7, 2025 Esartavista council
[5:15] meeting. Please note that this meeting is being live streamed
[5:24] and recorded. By entering council chambers, you are consenting. To
[5:27] be recorded. Before I call the meeting to order and
[5:32] have opening remarks, I have a special honor to Bestow.
[5:36] Today we have with us Jennifer killing at Tavistock native
[5:40] who recently was honored with a king Charles III Coronation
[5:44] Medal at a recent ceremony in Mississauga. Jennifer is vice
[5:48] president of quality research and strategic partnerships at people care
[5:53] and was given this prestigious honor in recognition of her.
[5:57] Outstanding contribution to the long term care sector. Jennifer Esore
[6:01] at Tavistar council wants to let you know that we're
[6:03] proud of you and I would ask you come forward
[6:06] to receive your recognition certificate and have your photo take.
[6:09] Come on.
[6:38] Any opening remarks from council. Deputy mayor smith. Good morning,
[6:47] your worship. Just a reminder to the general public that
[6:52] on May 10, the Hex Alliance Club will begin. Having
[6:56] their annual fireworks display here in the Hickson park. It's
[7:00] a cash only event. Whatever we raised this year, we
[7:04] spend that much, if not more, on next year's next
[7:09] year's display. Everything's going nicely, and we're set up and
[7:12] ready to go. The booth will be open in the
[7:14] park for snacks for the kids. Bring your lawn chairs.
[7:17] And enjoy the display. Thank you, Deputy Merrison. Any other
[7:22] opening comments for today's meeting, Councilor Smith? Thank you, your
[7:29] worship. We love to tell local stories. At this council
[7:35] table. And this morning, I'll shine the spotlight on host
[7:41] farms. As the family farm marks 100 years of agricultural
[7:47] excellence. And since 1994, just outside interchipp the fourth generation
[7:53] dairy operation of the Ariaga Ventsync family, along with a
[7:57] dedicated staff. Takes great pride in producing high quality milk
[8:02] from their Holstein herd. And that sense of local pride.
[8:06] Will be on display on Saturday, June the 14th, when
[8:10] the farm will be the site of a breakfast on
[8:12] the farm event with farm and food care Ontario. You'll
[8:16] see that brand this morning in the upcoming. Presentation. Of
[8:21] the rural Oxford Economic development. Corporation. With executive director Rhonda
[8:29] Stewart on June 14, you'll enjoy a delicious farm fresh
[8:34] breakfast and have an opportunity to explore the world of
[8:37] farming at Honors Farms on the 16th line. Get up
[8:41] close and personal with farm animals. See extensive tractor and
[8:46] farm equipment displays, explore interactive games and exhibits, meet and
[8:53] speak with local farmers and food producers. It's being billed
[8:56] as a one of a kind event with something for
[9:00] everyone. Happens, rain or shine. Coming up in June. Tickets,
[9:03] just $5 for adults. Children under twelve are free. There
[9:07] is an advanced registration process. As part of that, as
[9:12] mentioned, the event is being held in conjunction with. Farm
[9:16] and food care Ontario sector wide coalition made up of
[9:20] representatives from all farming types and associated businesses known as
[9:25] the helpful expert on Ontario agriculture, farm and food care
[9:30] looks to grow public trust and consumer confidence in farming
[9:35] and food. So enjoy breakfast on the farm. Inner tip
[9:38] coming up Saturday, June 14. You can find out more
[9:42] on various social channels and in the community. As you
[9:47] likely know, this past Sunday marked International Firefighters Day. Apropos
[9:52] that it lined up with the 75th anniversary of the
[9:56] village of Interchipp's foray. Into establishing a fire service back
[10:01] in 1950. That breakfast event marked the occasion took place
[10:07] at the interkip fire hall and morphed into. A fundraiser
[10:12] for the family of Captain Jarrett Bessette, critically injured in
[10:16] an Easter weekend accident. In the village of interchet, the
[10:20] community came out. The community came out. And the community
[10:25] came out. My daughter and I waited in the festive
[10:29] atmosphere of the queue to get into the hall. For
[10:32] more than 40 minutes. Unprecedented in my quarter century of
[10:37] attending firefighter breakfasts in my neighborhood. 800 plus were there
[10:42] making it the most attended breakfast. In Interkip Firefighter association
[10:48] history. So a nod to the community for getting behind
[10:52] that initiative. This is emergency preparedness week in Canada. National
[10:59] awareness initiative and an opportunity for all of us to
[11:02] take action to ensure we're prepared to protect ourselves and
[11:07] our families during an emergency. This year, the national theme
[11:12] is be prepared. Know your risks. The provincial theme in
[11:16] 2025 is planned for every season. Reflecting the unique challenges
[11:23] the province can face on a seasonal basis. Ontario's theme
[11:27] nicely complements this year's national theme and aligns with the
[11:32] provincial emergency management strategy and action plan to keep Ontario
[11:37] in a state of constant readiness and prepar. Preparedness. Emergency
[11:42] preparing this week runs until May 10. The Government of
[11:46] Canada's get prepared website and the county of Oxford's 72
[11:50] hours website. Are great resources in emergency preparedness and planning,
[11:57] and in conjunction with that, at 1255 today. There will
[12:01] be a nationwide. Alert. Ready notification. You'll likely hear it.
[12:09] That nice, serene sound. On your mobile devices, televisions and
[12:16] radios. And it was this day, 80 years ago, that
[12:20] Germany offered an unconditional surrender to end the Second World
[12:25] War, setting the stage for unbridled celebrations in cities across
[12:31] Canada and other allied countries. Victory in Europe Day is
[12:36] officially marked on May the 8th and celebrated under various
[12:40] emblems, including Peace Day, Liberation Day and Remembrance Day in
[12:45] aligned and allied countries. So here's the peace freedom and
[12:50] democracy. Thank you, Marcia Miguetch. Thank you, Councilor Smith. Any
[12:58] other opening comments? Not seeing any. We'll move on to
[13:02] approval of the agenda. You should have a motion. On
[13:05] your screen. Move by Councilor Zair, seconded by
[13:15] councilor glaspies that council approve the agenda for the May
[13:17] 7, 2025 meeting as printed and circulated. Is there any
[13:23] discussion regarding today's agenda? Okay, we will call the vote.
[13:52] That is carried. Next item, item three, any disclosure of
[13:57] pecuniary interest, general nature thereof. Deputy Mayor smith. I'll declare
[14:06] an interest on item five b. And you've provided the
[14:08] clerk with. Your. Yes, and we've already dealt with the
[14:10] paperwork. Thank you, Councilor Vanwick. Same. To item five B
[14:14] as well. Okay. And you've provided your certificate, too. Okay,
[14:18] thank you. Any other disclosure. Item four minutes minutes of
[14:25] the April 16, 2025 council meeting. The resolution on your
[14:31] screen to adopt those minutes. Moved by Councilor Smith, seconded
[14:40] by deputy mayor Smith. Does council confirm the minutes of
[14:43] the April 16, 2025 council meeting as printed and circulated.
[14:51] Is there any discussion regarding those minutes? Not seeing any.
[14:55] We'll call the vote. That is carried.
[15:09] Okay, we're on to item five. Public meetings. First meeting
[15:12] is minor variance application a 420. 25 Star Dovey Farms
[15:17] Limited. We have development planner Dustin Robson to present. We
[15:22] will need a resolution to move into a public meeting.
[15:27] Resolution will be on your screen. Move by councilor Glaspi.
[15:30] Seconded by councilor Zair that the council meeting. Be adjourned
[15:32] at 09:10 a.m. for the purposes of holding a public
[15:35] meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Planning act and
[15:38] that council move into the Committee of adjustment for the
[15:40] purposes of hearing minor variance applications. Any discussion regarding that
[15:49] motion, we'll call the vote. That is carried.
[16:03] Welcome, Dustin. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and good morning, members
[16:07] of council and those in attendance here today, the various
[16:11] application before you concerns a 50 acre farm property is
[16:16] currently zoned a two currently contains a single detached dwelling
[16:19] and two hog barns and is located within a generally
[16:22] agricultural area. The proposal before you. Hear today is requesting
[16:27] to reduce the MDS two requirements from a type A
[16:31] use which in this case is a single detached dwelling
[16:33] at 476-7834 7th lining from 518. Meters down to 295
[16:41] meters for both the barn and the manure storage facility.
[16:45] If you look at plate two, you can see the
[16:47] location of the type A use. As a note to
[16:51] council, it is my understanding that the westernmost barn, located
[16:55] on plate two, Is in the process of being removed.
[17:00] Well, the other barn will remain. In terms of comments
[17:03] from internals, departments and agencies, the chief building official for
[17:07] the township noted that the barn. That is identified as
[17:12] being removed has to be removed prior to a building
[17:15] permit being issued and he also noted that a distance
[17:18] survey will be required from an Ontario land surveyor to
[17:21] verify the distance of the new barn. No comments were
[17:25] received by members of the general public. As council may
[17:30] or may not know when it comes to mds. You're
[17:34] only supposed to reduce it in very limited circumstances, and
[17:36] planning staff are generally strict. On when we recommend. In
[17:39] doing so, the promise has provided a minimum distance separation
[17:43] document that outlines specific instances where you can consider reducing
[17:48] mds. One of those instances is where the proposal will
[17:52] make an existing situation. Better than currently exists. in this
[18:01] situation the barn that is proposed to be removed is
[18:04] approximately 194 meters away from the closest type a use
[18:09] while the proposed barm to be 295 meters away which
[18:12] is an improvement in one huttendered and 1 meter so
[18:16] in staff's opinion this situation Does require consideration based on
[18:17] the MDS document. We are also of the opinion that
[18:23] the proposed maneuver storage method, which is located underneath the
[18:27] barn. Is one that is of a low odor potential.
[18:33] So again, we believe that the situation on site is
[18:35] being approved by this proposal. Given this, we are here
[18:40] in support of the application, and we do recommend that
[18:42] the application be approved by council today. Thank you. Any
[18:47] questions for our planner on the application? Not seeing any.
[18:53] Thank you. Is the applicant or their agent here wish
[18:59] to address council on the application? Come on. Forward. State
[19:03] your name. And then rob mcleod. I represent Startoe farms.
[19:12] So, the barn in question. Is an older facility that
[19:17] the roof has collapsed on and under snow load this
[19:19] winter. We do need the space. For the livestock, and
[19:25] we are moving it further away from. The minor or
[19:30] the house that it's in question. So I asked for
[19:34] the support of the minor variance. Thank you. Is there
[19:38] any questions for the applicant from council? Councilor Rudy, how
[19:43] much larger is the new barn than the original barn.
[19:48] It's going to. Be. How many hogs or how many
[19:53] pigs? Hogwife. The original barn that's going to. Be taken
[19:56] down is roughly 1000 head. The new barn is going
[20:00] to be roughly 2200 head. Any other questions from council?
[20:09] Not seeing any. Thank you. Is there any member of
[20:14] the public who wishes to address council on this application?
[20:19] Not seeing any. We have a resolution. To approve the
[20:29] application. It'll be on your screen in a second. Move
[20:34] by Councilor Gillespie, seconded by councilor Zaire, that the township
[20:37] of east or a Tavistock Committee of Adjustment approve application.
[20:40] File a 425, submitted by Star Adobe Farms for lands
[20:45] described as part lot 29, concession nine, as in 27835.
[20:54] Three in the township of Eastor Tavistock as it relates
[20:57] to relief from section 7.2.1 to reduce the minimum distance
[21:01] separation to MDS two requirement to the nearest type a
[21:05] land use residential dwelling located at 4767-8347 line from 518
[21:13] meters to 295. Meters to facilitate the construction of a
[21:16] new livestock barn and relief from section 7.2.2 to reduce
[21:21] the minimum distance separation requirement to the nearest type a
[21:25] land use dwelling, residential dwelling location located at 4767-8347 fine
[21:32] from 518 meters to 200 and. 95 meters to facilitate
[21:36] the construction of a new manure storage facility to service
[21:39] the proposed livestock. Barn, subject to the following condition, that
[21:44] the proposed relief for mds two shall only apply to
[21:47] a livestock facility and manure storage of the approximate size
[21:51] and location as depicted on plate four. Of report CP
[21:54] 2020. 5134. Council motions on the floor. Is there any
[21:59] discussion or comments regarding the motion? Not seeing any will
[22:06] call the vote. That is
[22:16] carried. Now have a resolution that will be on your
[22:22] screen to move out of public meeting.
[22:39] Move by councilor Smith. Seconded by councilor Rudy. That council
[22:42] move out of the committee. Of adjustment and pursue it
[22:44] to the Planning act that the public meeting be adjourned
[22:47] at. 09:17 a.m. in the regular meeting of council be
[22:49] called back to order. Any discussion. We'll call the vote.
[23:01] That is carried. We will now move into another public
[23:07] meeting for a zoning change application ZN 225-258-9222 Ontario, Inc.
[23:17] You have a motion on your screen to move into
[23:18] a public meeting.
[23:47] Move by councilor Rudy. Seconded by councilor Zair. That council
[23:49] does now adjourn. To a public meeting in accordance with
[23:51] the provisions of the Planning act at 09:18 a.m. any
[23:55] discussion, call the vote.
[24:06] That is carried. Okay. We're now in a public meeting
[24:09] to discuss. The zone change. Application and development planner Dustin
[24:15] Robson will address this. Thank you, Mr.
[24:25] Mayor. To provide council with some background on this application.
[24:28] The land division committee. Approved severance application B 25 on
[24:36] April 3, 2025. Who serve approximately three acres from the
[24:40] stubby's facility here in Hickson to the Agripro facility here
[24:44] in Hickson, as well as a condition of that approval
[24:47] from the land division committee. The lot to be severed
[24:50] is required to be zoned appropriately. The subject application for
[24:54] rezoning in front of you is to rezone the slot
[24:56] to be severed from the current MG two zoning to
[25:00] a new special MG zoning. The purpose of this severance
[25:05] is to allow for. Agri. Company to build a new
[25:10] 20,000 square foot shop. And as part of the zone
[25:14] change, application. We are recommending that. A special provision be
[25:18] provided on the MG zoning to ensure that the existing
[25:22] requirement for any building or open storage to be approximately
[25:25] or at minimum 30 meters away from the northern lot
[25:28] lines, which are residential. Properties. So just to go a
[25:31] little further into that, the existing MG two zoning on
[25:35] the stubby's land requires that 30 meters separation and. We're
[25:41] simply recommending that that be carried over to. This new
[25:45] Mg zoning to ensure that. The same expectations are maintained
[25:49] at that rear portion of the agro pro property. As
[25:54] a result of the circulations to internal departments and agencies,
[25:57] the chief building official advised that site plan approval will
[26:00] be required and that an agreement between the two landowners
[26:03] regarding the stormwater management, ponds maintenance and use will be
[26:07] required to be registered on title. In terms of our
[26:11] analysis, we reviewed both the consent and the zone change
[26:15] application. Jointly, and we do believe that it meets the
[26:20] general intent and purpose of the provincial planning statement. And
[26:23] the official plan. We do also note that the use
[26:28] of the land. Even through this severance application in zone
[26:32] change application is to remain industrial, which is what the
[26:36] expectation. Was up until this point. So neighbors to the
[26:40] north can expect an industrial development, which they could have
[26:44] expected in the past few years anyways. We also do
[26:48] believe that. The application. Is beneficial for the community as
[26:53] it does allow for the expansion of an existing business
[26:56] without adding new access onto Highway 59. And as I
[27:02] said, we are recommending that special provision to require the
[27:05] minimum 30 meters setback. And we do believe that this
[27:08] is beneficial for the neighbors to the north, and we're
[27:11] not taking away that expectation, which in our mind is
[27:14] a positive on this application. So that all being said,
[27:18] we are here to recommend approval in principle here today.
[27:22] And what that simply means is once the survey is
[27:26] completed and provided to us, we would then have the
[27:29] necessary schedules prepared for the amending zoning bylaw and come
[27:33] back for official passing at a later date. Thank you.
[27:37] Any questions for our planner from council? Councilor Rudy. The
[27:45] berm that runs across the north of that existing property.
[27:49] Is it to remain or be removed? Or what? Through
[27:52] you, Mr. Mayor, at this point, I haven't been given
[27:55] any indication that. To be removed. You'll also see the
[27:59] stormwater management pond on the north side of the property
[28:03] as well. That is as far as we understand to
[28:07] remain as is. But they will have to go through
[28:09] the site plan application process. And we would be taking
[28:13] a look at. Any mitigation measures that may be deemed
[28:17] necessary. Thank you. Just comment was because a lot of
[28:21] the complaints on the village are due to noise. Coming
[28:25] from the industrial property. The burn was meant, and the
[28:30] trees are meant to mitigate that. And it would seem
[28:34] they proposed to put the building in the center of
[28:35] this property. When in fact moving the building even closer
[28:39] than 100 meters. Would stop the noise and visual disturbance
[28:45] coming from the industrial activity. To you, Mr. Mayor of
[28:49] Fairpoint. Councilor Rudy. And we have representatives from both stubbies.
[28:52] And agri pro here. And perhaps they can also speak
[28:57] to any mitigation efforts that they might be willing to
[29:00] undertake. Thank you. Any other questions for our planner? Thank
[29:06] you. Is the applicant here? Would like to address council.
[29:12] Come on forward. Good morning, Mr. Mayor and restor
[29:21] council, Mike Goer, on behalf of Stubby's I just like
[29:25] to thank the planning staff for all the work they've
[29:27] done. I got no further comments. I'm just here to
[29:30] answer any questions that anyone may have. Any questions for
[29:35] the applicant from council? Not seeing any. Thank you. Any
[29:43] other. Member of the public wish to speak to the
[29:47] application. Not seeing any. We have a resolution that will
[29:52] be on your screen momentarily to approve. The application. We'll
[30:01] get it on the floor. Okay, first, we will come
[30:05] out of the public meeting, though, so we'll need a
[30:07] resolution. To adjourn the public meeting. Moved by councilor Zair,
[30:15] seconded by councilor Smith at the public meeting, does now
[30:17] adjourn and council reconvene at 09:24 a.m. Any discussion. Call
[30:25] the vote. That is carried.
[30:35] Now we will have the resolution on your screen. Move
[30:44] by Councilor Gillespie, seconded by councilor Zair that the council
[30:47] of the township of Eastor Tabstock. A proven principle. The
[30:50] zone change application submitted by 588-9222 Ontario, Inc. File number
[30:55] zn 225. Two, whereby a portion of the lands described
[31:00] as part lot 86, plan 820, parts one to three,
[31:04] registered Plan 41 R 9704, township of east or tavistock,
[31:09] are to be rezoned. From special General Industrial zone MG
[31:13] two to special General industrial zone Mg sp. Any discussion
[31:19] or comments regarding that motion. Not seeing any. We will
[31:24] call the vote. That is carried.
[31:38] Okay. Ron is going to bring.
[32:08] Thank you. Our next item. Item six, delegations and appointments.
[32:11] We have two delegations today. I don't see anyone here
[32:14] yet from the association of Ontario Road Supervisors. So we
[32:24] will bump up Rhonda. He'll be able to address this
[32:26] first, Ronnie. Stewart from the RODC. Come on. Forward. Good
[32:33] morning.
[32:44] I'm Rhonda Stewart. I'm your economic development director with Rural
[32:48] Oxford, edc. Myself and crystal vin Rokel are your small
[32:54] but mighty economic development team. We come out every year.
[33:01] To share our highlights of the year that has just
[33:04] passed. This year we're also going to share a few
[33:07] highlights of 2025 and what's to come. And we're going
[33:12] to try a few recommendations this year and see how
[33:15] that goes. In 2024. It was an incredible year. And
[33:22] it was our 10th anniversary, or 10th anniversary for rural
[33:25] Oxford economic development and for the collaboration that is shared
[33:29] between the townships of Blanford, Blenham, Eastor, Tavistock, Norwich. Southwest
[33:33] Oxford and Zora. Last May, we had a 10th anniversary
[33:38] celebration. We handed out awards to businesses. And community members.
[33:44] They had community partners attend and. It was a really
[33:48] wonderful way to celebrate ten years in partnership serving rural
[33:52] Oxford. Last year also marked the first Oxford countywide career
[33:57] expo that was led by community employment services. We were
[34:01] a partner on that project last year and again this
[34:04] year. There were over 5000 people in attendance. Many were
[34:09] students. Also a good chunk. Of job seekers as well.
[34:15] They each had an opportunity to walk through. The venue
[34:19] and speak with over 150 employers who were hiring and
[34:22] learn about all the different types of jobs and opportunities
[34:26] that are available right here at home in Oxford County.
[34:30] Last year as well. Was the first year that. We
[34:35] ran our discover rural Oxford event. Within the Canada's outdoor
[34:40] farm show. So we had been working with kind of
[34:43] the Utter Farm show to support that initiative for a
[34:46] number of years and built a relationship up with them.
[34:49] And. We last year tried something different. So discover rural
[34:54] Oxford was a three day exhibit. And. We hosted and
[34:59] facilitated. We put out an application process where rural businesses
[35:03] across Oxford county could apply we know that businesses cannot
[35:06] always take three full days out of their busy schedules
[35:10] to be at a trade show. So this was an
[35:12] opportunity to give people the opportunity to come and spend
[35:15] one. Full day, and so we helped everybody set up.
[35:19] Tear down, set up teardowns, promote to thousands of new
[35:22] customers. And I think we worked with supported 15 businesses
[35:27] through last year's Discovery Locksford event. We got lots of
[35:31] positive reviews and. We are very excited. We just yesterday
[35:36] launched our application. Process for the 2025. Discover rural Oxford
[35:41] so you can send people to rural Oxford, cadescover to
[35:46] learn more. In 2024 as well. We partnered again with
[35:52] the Oxford. Oxford tourism and community. Futures, Oxford. And we
[36:00] supported this initiative. It's like a Dragon Sten style initiative
[36:04] for. Tourism businesses across Docksford county where they can come.
[36:09] And pitch an idea for new tourism product that they
[36:11] would like to bring to market. They can receive a
[36:14] bit of coaching. And a $3,000 grant to support that
[36:18] initiative. That's a nice collaboration, that. We have been supporting
[36:23] for the last few years. Last year as well in
[36:26] 2024. We tried something a little bit different with our
[36:32] business outreach, so a lot of times we'll. Make phone
[36:34] calls, we'll send emails. We'll stop by. But last year
[36:42] we decided to put a little bit more. Emphasis on
[36:45] facilitating connections and conversations for our rural businesses. We had
[36:50] a focus on manufacturing and agar food production, and we
[36:55] visited 25 business visits. When we visited 25 businesses. So
[37:03] if you look at the last slide of this presentation
[37:06] and you click on the link, it will take you
[37:07] to more information. And a much larger report. But in
[37:13] a nutshell, following those businesses to companies. We receive 24
[37:20] Br and e surveys back. So mentioned that building connections
[37:27] with local producers and rural manufacturers, facilitating introductions to ministry
[37:32] colleagues, and raising awareness for programs like the southwestern Ontario
[37:36] Development Fund can export and other resources like community employment
[37:40] services. We brought a lot of ministry representatives out to
[37:45] these different visits, so we facilitated those connections. There's a
[37:51] lot of information that comes at people by email. And
[37:55] online, it can be hard to sift through. So we
[37:58] tried something different, where we would bring. Ministry reps to
[38:02] the businesses. So they have a name, a contact and
[38:04] a handshake. Someone they can follow up with. That has
[38:07] resulted in an increase in expansion applications through the Southwestern
[38:10] Ontario Development Fund in rural Oxford, which. We're very excited
[38:14] to hear of the submissions. Stay tuned for news releases.
[38:17] I can't. Say anything more at this point. Also moving
[38:22] into a little bit further into the business surveys. I
[38:26] just thought I would pull out. A few items of
[38:28] note. Of the 24 respondents. It was shared that $17
[38:36] million had been invested in capital projects that fiscal amongst
[38:41] this group of people. 17 of these companies were planning
[38:45] an expansion or relocation in the next five years. And
[38:48] two thirds, or 63%, plan to invest in smart manufacturing
[38:52] and new technologies. New markets were also being explored. Domestically,
[38:59] nationally and beyond. All this just to share. That business,
[39:04] entrepreneurship and growth is alive and well in rural Oxford.
[39:10] On the next slide. Is a little bit more of
[39:14] a wish list. We asked what commercialization plans these companies
[39:17] had. For the next three to five years. And as
[39:22] you can see from the column on the left, there's
[39:25] quite a number of growth opportunities still to be realized.
[39:29] We asked if they would be able to monetize. What
[39:32] that investment would look like. And so combined. If all
[39:35] of the projects on the left were completed, there's an
[39:38] estimated. Over $400 million in future investment that could be
[39:44] realized. I recognize that's all future. State and. A lofty
[39:48] number at this point, but again, just sort of facilitat.
[39:50] Facilitates that growth is strong. And if.
[40:02] We have business friendly environments. The growth can stay here.
[40:07] Okay, moving forward to our 2025 work, plan. There's a
[40:11] little bit of overlap here from last year. In the
[40:15] top left corner is our highlight of the career expo
[40:18] that took place on March 27. 3500 students came through
[40:22] that career expo between. Eight and three, and then roughly
[40:26] 2000 job seekers came between two and 05:00 p.m. again,
[40:30] another 150 employers. Were featured at the Career Expo this
[40:34] year. And one of the things that we did was
[40:39] provide a value add to our five rural municipalities. We
[40:44] helped to design and facilitate. This shared booth that you
[40:48] see here. Explore a career in local government. The feedback
[40:52] from the five municipalities who had participated was very positive.
[40:57] They enjoyed the opportunity not only to network with one
[41:00] another. But this booth was also located amongst other local
[41:05] government. HR areas and they were able to network with
[41:07] one another. So. It gave a bit of a two
[41:13] pronged approach, if you like talking to students about career
[41:15] paths and what's up and coming and have them take
[41:18] a look at municipal government as an option. The earlier
[41:21] part of the day is definitely the time to come.
[41:23] But if you were hiring and you wanted to speak
[41:25] with job seekers today, the back half of the day
[41:28] would be the ideal. Time to participate. We support a
[41:33] lot of local initiatives that make sense in rural Oxford
[41:36] for us and where we can with financial and time
[41:40] resources. We do support the Oxford fresh map taste of
[41:44] Norwich as an example, we're trying some new marketing podcast
[41:49] with our. Drinks with podcast. Farm and food care, as
[41:54] was mentioned earlier. This is a breakfast networking event on
[41:58] the farm. In addition to supporting. This event on June
[42:03] 14. We're also partnering with Tourism Oxford to curate a
[42:09] road trip experience for visitors to be able to stop
[42:14] in and visit local businesses after the event, just again,
[42:17] further supporting our local economy. We also are embarking on
[42:22] a strategic plan at our organization this year. We are
[42:26] midway through our 2022 to 2027 plan. And though we're
[42:31] small and mighty, we are also very goal oriented, and
[42:34] we've crossed off a number of the items on our
[42:36] list that we had hoped to achieve in our current
[42:39] strategic plan, we will be reaching out. For input and
[42:43] feedback. From elected officials, municipal staff or community partners. We
[42:49] want to hear how we can best serve you. And
[42:53] the communities in rural Oxford, how we can partner with
[42:57] you and. We do plan to continue with business retention
[43:02] and expansion visits. We are aiming for 24 visits this
[43:05] year, predominantly in the tourism and agribusiness space. There will
[43:11] be carry forward. And follow up visits from the sectors
[43:14] that we had met with last year, so we kept
[43:16] that number modest this year. Lastly, on our recommendation slide.
[43:23] So I sent this slide deck to all five townships,
[43:25] and some of the townships they ask for. Recommendations, and
[43:28] some of them you may already be addressing. So I'll
[43:33] just share that now. Rural development. Is. In my five
[43:43] years here, I have found it to be just such
[43:44] a fascinating. Concept. We are at rural Oxford economic development.
[43:52] We are both pro development and pro agriculture at the
[43:55] same time. We really want balance, growth. We really want
[44:00] smart growth. We want smart development. And with that, we've
[44:04] seen a few hiccups along the way. And so. I
[44:11] know EZT specifically has already started to do some proactive
[44:14] secondary planning, but one of the recommendations that we had
[44:18] was in addressing the projected population growth, doing proactive secondary
[44:23] planning. To prepare the rural townships for smart commercial and
[44:27] industrial growth. We know a lot of people are coming.
[44:32] And. We want the people who are moving here, who
[44:35] have businesses to have opportunities to set up their business
[44:38] here. We don't want to all be bedroom communities. We
[44:41] don't all want to have a bunch of people living
[44:43] here who cannot move their business from the GTA to
[44:46] our area. So just mentioning. First and foremost, I know
[44:50] housing for all is a big priority in Oxford county,
[44:54] and we fully support that. Just sort of keeping a
[44:58] lens or keeping an eye on concurrent planning on the
[45:01] commercial and industrial growth that is needed. Just having that
[45:05] line of sight is important. One suggestion was municipally owned,
[45:10] shovel ready land for sale in one to two acre
[45:13] commercial industrial parcels. There's a few reasons for that recommendation.
[45:19] Obviously, you can always recommend larger parcels. We tried to
[45:23] keep the recommendation somewhat manageable. And. If any of our
[45:31] municipalities had shovel ready land that they owned that was
[45:34] available for sale. To businesses that would dramatically change how
[45:39] we serve you. It would change how we partner with
[45:41] you. If we had marketable assets. It would also help
[45:46] preserve and protect some of the downtowns. Some of our
[45:52] businesses, shops and toolsheds and car repair places. Some of
[45:56] them are having to go set up shop. in a
[46:04] small rural downtown because there's not any other suitable area
[46:07] they're going to go where the for sale sign is
[46:08] And. We just think that having these commercial industrial parcels
[46:11] set up where you want them to be. May preserve
[46:14] and protect those walkable retail local shops. Overlaying again, part
[46:22] of proactive secondary planning, overlaying commercial and industrial zoning. downtown
[46:27] On parcels that abut the settlement area boundaries. We're practical.
[46:31] Of course. I won't dive in too much. I know
[46:33] how much. Work you guys have been doing on your
[46:34] secondary plan so I won't dive too much. Further on
[46:37] that one. Another recommendation was collaborating on a 401 corridor
[46:42] secondary plan. That might not be the right terminology. We
[46:48] do have a lot of people looking at our area
[46:51] and proactively. but We do have a lot of agriculture,
[46:54] land, and we don't want it all to be taken
[46:55] up. By development. So maybe there's an opportunity to collaborate.
[47:03] With or provide joint input through a number of the
[47:06] municipalities that touch that 401 corridor. The last one. I'm
[47:12] just going to preface with we're all on a learning
[47:14] curve and we're in the first year of our egg
[47:17] policies, it's going to take time for everyone to get
[47:19] familiar with the differences between on farm diversified uses, rural
[47:24] residential. Entrepreneurial uses, non egg uses. We put this policy
[47:29] in here, a recommendation, because some of our municipalities ask
[47:32] us, is there a broad stroke policy recommendation that you
[47:36] could see that we could remove? To make it a
[47:39] little bit more business friendly. So the one that we
[47:42] had saw it's. Very difficult. Everything is so case by
[47:44] case, as you know. So the remove policy barrier that
[47:48] restricts on farm diversified use to being able to employ
[47:51] only two people who do not live on site. There's
[47:54] a few reasons why. We've suggested that. That recommendation. We
[48:00] have a great relationship of planning. We understand how it
[48:03] got there. We understand the intention. Was limiting scale and
[48:07] scope. We just also believe that there are other ways
[48:09] to limit scale and scope. That don't get so into
[48:13] the weeds as to state. Only two people who do
[48:18] not live on site. That's an Oxford county policy. It's.
[48:20] Not a provincial policy statement, and. It. 's not the
[48:26] only barrier to development. It just could become an added
[48:29] nuisance. But planning and our team were all watching as
[48:33] I mentioned the new policies have just rolled out in
[48:35] the last year. With that. I want to thank you
[48:39] very much for your time. I've really enjoyed my five
[48:42] years working with this organization. I look forward to another
[48:45] five. Maybe another ten. Maybe we'll. Throw another party in
[48:48] ten more years. And I just want to say thank
[48:51] you for all your support. Thank you, Rhonda. Any questions
[48:55] for Rhonda? From council. Councilor smith. Thank you, your worship.
[49:04] Through you. To the executive director. Thank you for the
[49:07] presentation this morning. You mentioned $17 million in capital investment.
[49:12] Do you have any data? On if that has been
[49:16] helpful in expanding the workforce. In our region. Through you,
[49:24] your worship. I can look further into. The additional questions.
[49:31] We did ask them a number of questions on that
[49:33] business survey. And employment. There were a number of questions
[49:38] of how many employees were in there as well. I
[49:40] could always circle back and ask them. The answer to
[49:45] that question. I appreciate you bringing some recommendations to us
[49:51] this morning. I believe I ask you this question every
[49:57] time you're here, and I think the answer. Is included
[50:03] in those recommendations, but. What is the number one obstacle
[50:09] to the. E inr brne. What is the hindrance to
[50:15] expansion? That's a great question.
[50:26] Possibly. Land availability. Is really going to be high on
[50:34] that list. One thing that I do see. With the
[50:44] calls that come in. There's a mismatch. In. How do
[50:49] I word it? Okay. There are a lot of companies
[50:53] from outside of the area, GTA, Kitchener, a lot of
[50:56] them. Want to call interrur Oxford and. They see a
[51:01] piece of land and they just want to set up
[51:02] shop. They want to own. It and they want to
[51:04] bring their business here. And then. What we see on
[51:11] the ground. We also get a number of phone calls
[51:14] from local landowners who are open to doing the due.
[51:18] Diligence and go through the process of seeing if. They
[51:22] can develop on their property. And they're willing to build.
[51:27] But. They don't want to sell. And so. I see
[51:32] a lot of opportunities that are just misaligned. We see
[51:35] companies who want to come and set up shop here,
[51:38] but they want to purchase, and we see other people
[51:40] who want. To create a space where companies can come
[51:43] to the area and lease. So there's a bit of
[51:48] a disconnect there. But for the most part, I would
[51:51] say access to the appropriately zoned land. And really in
[51:57] the macro context, even beyond Oxford county, if you don't
[52:00] own land. You're not in the game. We do see
[52:05] a lot of barriers. And you also see, like with
[52:09] applications, miscommunications and misunderstandings, that applicant. May think that they're
[52:15] submitting everything that's being asked of them, and may call
[52:19] into planning, and planning says that's not. Compliant or. That's
[52:25] not everything that you need. Or the building official says
[52:26] you need more. So sometimes companies get frustrated because the
[52:32] perception is the goalpost keeps moving. The perception is they've
[52:36] submitted an application. For a zone change or for an
[52:41] official plan amendment, and then they get asked to submit.
[52:45] Five items. They submit those five items to their knowledge,
[52:48] and then they get asked to submit another. Six. And
[52:51] that might be like a few weeks later that they
[52:53] get asked that sometimes the process I would have to
[52:57] say is a bit clunky, and I don't think it's.
[53:00] Any one person's fault. I think there's just miscommunications. On
[53:04] expectation. Excellent. Thank you. I did want to thank you
[53:08] for. Your work in moving this initiative forward. And certainly
[53:14] thank the deputy mayor for representing our interests on your
[53:18] board. Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Smith. Any other questions
[53:23] for Deputy Mayor Smith? More of a comment. I think
[53:29] our forward. Development plan here in easter Tavistock. We're looking,
[53:35] especially the Tavistock area. Of. Putting industrial lands available. As
[53:42] part of our official plan. And I think that that's
[53:45] going to, through conversations with Rhonda had the roedc. That.
[53:52] This will help us going forward. I agree 100% with
[53:56] Rhonda here. And. Through you. Your worship, to Councilor Smith.
[54:03] There's been some inquiries. Into people wanting to move into
[54:08] the Tavistock area, for one. We know of some land
[54:13] ownership up there. We put them through, Rhonda. We've put
[54:19] the parties in contact with each other. And the owners
[54:23] don't want to give up the ownership. They want to
[54:27] still have their hand in it. And I think that
[54:30] sometimes that gets in the way, because these companies. They
[54:34] want to have full control over their future. As far
[54:38] as owning the land. And that's just a little stumbling
[54:43] block there. But I think Esau tower stocks in the
[54:45] right direction with establishing an industrial zone in the Taostock
[54:49] and inner Kip area. Thank you, deputy mayor. Rhonda, thank
[54:55] you. That just nudged me. As a reminder, one other
[54:58] item is obviously available, servicing water wastewater capacity. So that's
[55:04] why one of the recommendations is to have that municipally
[55:06] owned shovel ready. Options available. Five years ago, I could
[55:11] have said to you, in principle, it would be really
[55:13] great if everybody had a little bit of land to
[55:15] sell, and it was shovel ready and it was serviced
[55:17] now. I can tell you. Just in the last year,
[55:21] we've lost two deals to Perth, one deal to Middlesex.
[55:27] Even like the year before, we lost another one and.
[55:32] I've probably sent enough inquiries to sell that 55 acres
[55:36] three times over. And I can say that now with
[55:40] confidence. Where before I could have said it idealistically. So.
[55:46] I don't want rural Oxford to miss out on opportunities
[55:49] just because. We don't have. And I'm not saying all
[55:53] opportunity needs to be that can be dry industry. It
[55:56] doesn't have to all require a ton of water, wastewater
[55:59] capacity and servicing, but. That is also a stumbling block.
[56:03] So when I say land, I mean shovel ready land.
[56:06] Thank you. Rhonda. Councilor rudy. In your opinion. I heard
[56:12] you mention it once or twice. That municipal owned, shovel
[56:16] ready land. Would it be in esore's best interest to
[56:20] be? Or to attempt to be the landowner of developable
[56:24] land to make that. Available to gives us the opportunity
[56:28] to make planning changes or zone changes. Instead of the
[56:32] submit five questions. And then six more. Is it something
[56:36] that a municipal municipality is more able to navigate? Through
[56:42] your worship. I think that it's definitely something. Worth studying
[56:48] and looking into. I can definitely say there is a
[56:51] number of municipalities that do it. If I can put
[56:55] it also this way. Esau Tavistock has the interest of
[57:01] Esau Tav stock and all of its constituents. And all
[57:04] of its landowners and its people. And a private for
[57:10] profit developer. May have different or competing interests. And so
[57:16] if the municipality had land where it wanted it ready.
[57:21] To go. And it had the right zoning and servicing.
[57:26] Because. It's what would help create a complete community or
[57:31] what? Would help to round out the missing pieces. I
[57:35] think that's definitely something worth looking at. A private landowner,
[57:39] as I mentioned. Would some cases have the best interest
[57:43] of the community? But I would argue that there are
[57:46] other interests and we work our best. We work with,
[57:49] so. Many private landowners, and some are amazing and. Others.
[57:56] They can stall developments. If it's not the right dollar.
[58:03] So trying to say that politely. Any other questions? Ron,
[58:11] I have a quick one. Not just rural Oxford, but
[58:15] all over Ontario. Rural towns, their downtowns. Are slowly emptying
[58:22] out of commercial buildings or commercial businesses. There's lots of
[58:26] buildings. What do you suggest could be done to attract
[58:31] businesses to them? I know you mentioned that. There's people
[58:35] that want to use them, but it may not fit
[58:36] with what's a suitable use, but any ideas on how
[58:40] that can be attacked? Because there's a lot of available
[58:43] buildings in rural Ontario. That would really help to be
[58:48] developed. Yeah, that is the question of the day. I
[58:57] think having strong partnerships with your tourism organization, which we
[59:00] do, having those dialogues, having those discussions. We're looking at
[59:07] partnering with tourism, maybe doing. The cat out of the
[59:11] bag on this one. A bit of head of schedule,
[59:13] but we're. Looking at doing a bit of a roundtable.
[59:19] In Tabastock bringing together. Business property owners and business people.
[59:25] And kind of just doing, like, a brainstorming session and
[59:26] kind of tackling that question. Head on and also showcasing
[59:31] available spaces in downtown. But. I'd be curious to know
[59:37] myself. Like, if it got exacerbated through the pandemic because
[59:41] a lot of people just rolled up shop and just
[59:44] went and did business. From their house, and so it's
[59:46] really difficult to pull people back out of their house.
[59:49] When they've now been operating five years that way. And
[59:53] I get that other companies are growing. They just go
[59:55] where the for sale sign is. And the landlords, they
[59:59] just need top dollar because everybody's costs are rising, so.
[1:00:03] It's a really big question. I don't have the full
[1:00:07] answer to, but definitely open to having the right conversations
[1:00:10] around. It. Thank you, Rhonda. Any other questions? All right.
[1:00:17] Thank you very much. As mentioned, the association of Ontario
[1:00:21] Road Supervisors. Did give us information in the agenda you
[1:00:28] can read. So we have a resolution. To accept the
[1:00:33] correspondence for information.
[1:01:08] Moved by Councilor Smith, seconded by Councilor Gillespie, that the
[1:01:10] delegation from RODC be accepted as information. Is there any
[1:01:17] discussion? I'll call the vote.
[1:01:28] That is carried. Okay. We have a couple of items
[1:01:35] for correspondence, for information. Seven a Oxford residents urge
[1:01:45] council to reconsider the PCP participation and b recreation advisory
[1:01:49] committee meeting minutes, December 11, 2024. Is there any discussion?
[1:01:53] Any questions regarding. Those that correspond. Deputy mayor smith. It
[1:02:02] seems to me that a lot of this correspondence on
[1:02:06] the first issue has been going through. The County. You
[1:02:11] may have a comment. You may not have a comment.
[1:02:16] Could you fill us in a little bit, if possible,
[1:02:18] or is this an ongoing thing? I don't. Want to
[1:02:20] put you on the spot, Ms. Mayor. I just want
[1:02:22] to get a clarification. On where this is coming from
[1:02:26] and what should we expect? Any sort of tavistock. Thank
[1:02:30] you to your mayor Smith. Any other questions, I'll address.
[1:02:34] Any other questions regarding these items? So the Partners for
[1:02:40] Climate Protection is a program that's funded. By. Federation at
[1:02:47] canadian municipalities. Oxford county is not a member of. Each
[1:02:53] organization, but it's taken advantage of the free program that
[1:02:57] they've offered to help guide the county's emission reductions. Our
[1:03:03] participation was started in 2017. It's a ten year program
[1:03:06] expiring in 2027. It's got a five step milestone. Program
[1:03:12] to reduce greenhouse gas. Now oxford county. We do not
[1:03:19] take direction from either of these organizations. And we have
[1:03:24] not even reached milestone one that they provided. Let me
[1:03:29] give you a little background. On the organization. Kickley. It's
[1:03:34] a very passionate organization. That has a local chapter. And
[1:03:39] in a nutshell, what they're opposed to is international. Interference
[1:03:42] in local climate efforts. And most importantly, spending tax dollars
[1:03:49] on programs that, in their opinion, don't make any difference.
[1:03:53] Except for raising the tax burden. So I can appreciate
[1:03:59] their point and counsels, and it's mostly the county. We
[1:04:05] have to balance our climate action with the cost of
[1:04:08] those actions. And make sure that. We're getting value for
[1:04:14] our money. And that the taxpayer is respected as well.
[1:04:19] So that's in a nutshell. What that was about. They're
[1:04:23] addressing numerous councils, I believe. And any other questions?
[1:04:38] We have an item motion to accept the items as
[1:04:42] information. Moved by Deputy mayor Smith, seconded by council rudy
[1:04:46] that correspondence for information items seven a and seven b
[1:04:49] be received his information. Any discussion. We
[1:04:59] call the vote. That is carried.
[1:05:17] Our next item. Is eight. Correspondence for action, court of
[1:05:26] revision for the Nicholas drain, I believe. Clerk Vader is
[1:05:33] going to speak to us regarding that. Thank you. Good
[1:05:36] morning, everyone. So Nicholas drain is in the township of
[1:05:41] Wilmont, and they will be. Holding a court of revision
[1:05:46] on May 27 at 06:00 p.m. At their council chambers.
[1:05:50] They are looking for a member of one of our
[1:05:53] council members to attend. The court of Revision as the
[1:05:56] drain does impact some residents that live in the township.
[1:05:59] Vstor tavo stock that are part of the watershed of
[1:06:01] that drain. So the drain specifically impacts those living near
[1:06:06] Oxford Road. Five in the 19th line, so I'm. Not
[1:06:09] sure if someone specifically in that area would like to
[1:06:12] attend. It's not mandatory that you are the ward counselor
[1:06:16] for that area, but they are looking for one person
[1:06:18] from council to. Attend on behalf of council at the
[1:06:21] court of Revision. Thank you, Clerk Vader. And I believe.
[1:06:27] The date and time. Is may. At Township of Wilmot
[1:06:36] Building in Beyden. Can I get a volunteer to represent
[1:06:41] the township? At that meeting. I would volunteer,
[1:06:51] but I'm away that week. I apologize. Thank you, Councilor
[1:06:54] Rudy. Anyone else? Deputy Mayor Smith.
[1:07:12] Yes, I could attend that. Thank you very much. So
[1:07:18] we have a motion, then? To have deputy mayor Smith
[1:07:22] attend on council's behalf. Move by councilor Van Wick,
[1:07:32] seconded by councilor Rudy the deputy mayor smith be appointed
[1:07:34] on behalf of the township of Eastor tabletock to attend
[1:07:37] the court of revision for the Nicholas municipal drain to
[1:07:39] be held at 06:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
[1:07:44] at the township of Wilmont. Is there any discussion regarding
[1:07:48] that? We'll call the vote.
[1:07:59] That is carried. To item eight b. Which is a
[1:08:06] notice of the AGM for Earth Corporation, May 29, 2025.
[1:08:16] CIO depressed. Did you want to address council on that?
[1:08:21] This meeting. Is there email. General meeting where they present
[1:08:23] the auditors report on their financial statements. As well as
[1:08:27] reappoint the members of the board for the following year.
[1:08:32] I usually attend as the CEO, treasurer. We do currently
[1:08:37] have a representative. But council needs to appoint the voting
[1:08:41] member. It is not the board representative. In all cases,
[1:08:46] council has the authority to appoint a voting member. Within
[1:08:50] its own body. I will be attending the meeting, so.
[1:08:56] I'd be glad to vote on behalf of the township.
[1:09:00] Is there any other questions or discussion regarding that? We'll
[1:09:07] get a motion on the screen for that. Move
[1:09:17] by councilor Gillespie. Seconded by councilor Van Wick. That mayor
[1:09:20] Schaefer. Be designated as the township of Esore Tavistox representative
[1:09:23] for the purposes of voting at the earth corporation annual
[1:09:26] general meeting. Any discussion regarding that motion. We'll call the
[1:09:34] vote.
[1:09:52] That is carried. Okay, we're on to item nine reports.
[1:10:03] HRSC 2025 one wage group policy and organizational chart. HR
[1:10:09] officer Jennifer Albrecht will be presenting, I believe. Good morning,
[1:10:14] Mayor Schaefer. Members of council, I have before you a
[1:10:17] couple of reports for your information and approval, the first
[1:10:23] one being the wage grid administration policy. Which. You can
[1:10:30] see the review on it is the frequency of every
[1:10:33] five years. And as I've mentioned in my report. The
[1:10:37] last time that we did look at it was in
[1:10:38] 2020. Actually one year earlier than would have been necessary.
[1:10:44] That was due to the decertification of the union, where
[1:10:46] at that time council adopted the process of using the
[1:10:50] Ontario consumer price index CPI for September, for our increased
[1:10:55] percentages for annual wage increases for all of township staff
[1:11:00] and. I have done a chart for you to show
[1:11:03] you. What the CPI and the township wage increase has
[1:11:07] been for the last five years. Going forward. The most
[1:11:12] recent information that I have right now is the March
[1:11:15] CPI, which was set at 2.3% for the provincial amount.
[1:11:22] There isn't one for April yet that won't be released
[1:11:25] until probably the middle. Of May or so, keeping in
[1:11:28] mind we go by the. September average cpi so. That's
[1:11:35] not the only change, but. That. The information that's been
[1:11:43] provided over the last five years, about percent increases for
[1:11:46] staff. Further. To that. There wasn't really anything. That stopped
[1:11:54] when we had reviewed the wage grid administration policy that
[1:11:58] we felt needed to be changed. As you can see,
[1:12:00] the policy addresses the payband system, the job evaluation process.
[1:12:06] Our job description. Performance reviews or annual adjustments. Market check.
[1:12:12] Normally, every five years, the entire payband will be compared
[1:12:15] to the market to ensure the municipality is paying its
[1:12:18] employees fairly in 2022. We did a partial market check.
[1:12:23] With an HR consultant for approximately six positions. And. There
[1:12:30] were some changes done in 2022. And our HR consultants
[1:12:35] did advise that our grid is in very good shape.
[1:12:37] They often look at things like that because they don't
[1:12:40] want to see a lot of disparity between. The upper.
[1:12:45] And lower wages. So everything. Looked very good on that.
[1:12:50] So going forward, Would probably be in 2027 that we'd
[1:12:54] be looking at going, Out. For market research evaluation if
[1:13:01] needed. We talk about promotions in there, demotions, appointments to
[1:13:06] acting positions. Contract seasonal and student employees. So this is
[1:13:12] a document that I use a lot. With different things,
[1:13:16] whether it be job evaluations, performances. Any kind of HR
[1:13:22] administrative duties that I need to often reflect back on
[1:13:26] this document. Any questions? Deputy mayor Smith.
[1:13:36] When you're hiring and you're using the pay band system.
[1:13:42] Is it done? After the review. Or are these automatic?
[1:13:51] Like when I'm looking at. The probationary base at 85,
[1:13:56] and then they go to 88. After a job review
[1:14:00] or that? Or are these automatic to an employee? And
[1:14:09] are these a yearly thing. So normally what we do
[1:14:13] with our recruitment process is. If we get a successful.
[1:14:19] Applicant and. They do have relative experience in the field,
[1:14:23] we will look at possibly starting them at step one.
[1:14:27] Or step two. I don't believe that we've ever started
[1:14:32] anybody beyond step two, but the majority. Of our staff
[1:14:37] have started at the probationary level, and our probation. Probationary
[1:14:42] time frame is six months. After they've completed a successful
[1:14:46] probationary period, they'll move to step one. So then, after
[1:14:49] the first full year, Then they'll be going to step
[1:14:53] two, and then. On to job rate, which is the
[1:14:59] final step in their grid. And just to dovetail on
[1:15:04] Jennifer's comments. All staff are subject to performance reviews.
[1:15:14] The successful performance review allows them to move across the
[1:15:18] grid. We have reduced. The frequency to once every two
[1:15:24] years now. It's very onerous in departments where there are
[1:15:28] significant amount of staff to get them. Done on an
[1:15:29] annual basis. However, senior staff and myself obviously are subject
[1:15:34] to a performance review every year annually in order to
[1:15:38] address wage grid progression. If they remain at job rate,
[1:15:42] if they're at the job rate already because they've been
[1:15:45] in the job for longer. Than five years. They're still
[1:15:48] subject to the same performance review. And still subject to
[1:15:51] the other provisions in the discipline policy that we have
[1:15:53] as well. If there are issues with work performance and
[1:15:56] could be put on a performance improvement plan if necessary.
[1:16:00] Thank you, karen. Jennifer. You're finished. Deputy mayor Smith.
[1:16:13] The majority of the municipalities in the province using this
[1:16:16] type of grid and this type of. Like using the
[1:16:21] cpi. To do that? Yes, the majority of municipalities across
[1:16:27] the province do use this type of wage grid. And
[1:16:32] the majority of them, if they're not unionized, they are
[1:16:35] using a CPI a lot of them that I've surveyed.
[1:16:39] Within Oxford county and within. What's called the golden horseshoe
[1:16:44] triangle, which goes from Windsor, Essex, up to Wellington County.
[1:16:51] To Bruce county, that type of thing, down to. Maybe
[1:16:56] Hamilton. So the majority of them, if they're not unionized,
[1:17:00] then they're. Using a CPI. Any other questions? For staff.
[1:17:09] I just have a quick question regarding the CPI, the
[1:17:12] wage grid. With the way the world economy is right
[1:17:17] now and the uncertainty even then in Canada, we've got
[1:17:20] talk of separation from Alberta, things like that. We just
[1:17:24] don't know what's. Going to happen. We never do in
[1:17:28] the economy. And I'm old enough to remember the early
[1:17:32] 80s when we had double digit inflation for a few
[1:17:35] years. So that can happen, and we just don't know
[1:17:38] what's happening. Down the road. I guess my question for
[1:17:41] staff is if there was a year where. We had
[1:17:45] a really outlier CPI rate. I mean, when I'm talking
[1:17:50] double digits. Does council have any latitude then to in
[1:17:55] a particular year? To temporarily suspend it or make changes
[1:18:01] to it. As the ultimate authority for decision making in
[1:18:05] the township, you can always amend your policy. Deputy mayor
[1:18:12] smith. That was kind of my thought process as well.
[1:18:21] And I don't know if this council has any appetite.
[1:18:26] To. Put a cap on it like that. We could
[1:18:32] say a certain percentage if we got to there, and
[1:18:34] I'm not sure if that's allowable in this policy or
[1:18:38] not, or if we could cap this policy. At a
[1:18:41] percentage or how could we go about that? To Councilor
[1:18:46] Smith's question about that, I did do some proactive surveying
[1:18:51] with again. A lot of the municipalities that. Are in
[1:18:56] our golden triangle horseshoe, and none of them have a
[1:19:00] cap. Which I thought was sort of interesting. But I
[1:19:04] did ask them, and we were talking about smaller centers
[1:19:07] and larger centers and regionals and lower tier municipalities, and
[1:19:14] none of them had account. Thank you, Jennifer. I can
[1:19:18] appreciate the question. Based on Co to press answer any
[1:19:25] given year. If we had to. If we had an
[1:19:28] extraordinary circumstances. We can institute a cap, if you will.
[1:19:34] For that year or a percentage of us or whatever.
[1:19:36] So I think the doors are open for that type
[1:19:39] of thing, but it's tough to say. It's tough to
[1:19:43] say what's going to happen in the future. We just
[1:19:45] don't know. We had so many years of zero inflation,
[1:19:48] basically. And then Covid came. And like I say, back
[1:19:52] in the 80s, That was unprecedented as well. So there
[1:19:58] is still some flexibility there, but I'd hope we never
[1:20:01] have to use it. But I think it's something that
[1:20:03] we have to be cognizant of. That we just don't
[1:20:07] know what's going to happen. Any other questions for staff
[1:20:11] regarding these reports? Not seeing anything. We have a motion
[1:20:17] on your screen.
[1:20:27] Move by Deputy mayor Smith, seconded by councilor Zayer. That
[1:20:30] report, HRSC 2025. One will be received as information and
[1:20:35] that council adopt the wage grid administration policy and further
[1:20:38] that council adopt the organizational chart. Any discussion comments regarding
[1:20:44] that motion? Not seeing any. We'll call the vote.
[1:20:55] That is carried. Okay, we're on to item nine b.
[1:21:03] Public works bylaw update. Public works manager Tom Lightfoot. Good
[1:21:09] morning, everyone. I would just highlight. A few sections in
[1:21:18] the report here and then open up for questions. I
[1:21:23] apologize for bringing so many lengthy items all at once.
[1:21:26] It's been a little bit. Of a busy time, so
[1:21:28] we're trying to play catch up on some items. We'll
[1:21:32] start out. Maybe it'll be better to address questions by
[1:21:35] section if we go through, if council has any at
[1:21:37] that time. So start out, we will have our all
[1:21:41] of our bylaw the staff is recommending and as part
[1:21:45] of that we have seen as the municipality grows and
[1:21:49] expectations and wants change within our communities for landscaping within
[1:21:55] the municipal right of way. Staff fully understand. Understands where
[1:22:00] residents coming from, wanting to beautify the areas within the
[1:22:04] right of way at the same time. We fully understand
[1:22:07] that. As a municipality, we have to allow utilities to
[1:22:11] be within our right of way. So we're struggled with
[1:22:14] trying to find the best of both worlds. That works
[1:22:16] for the utilities for residents and as well for our
[1:22:20] own equipment and daily operations for winter maintenance. And mowing
[1:22:24] activities and stuff around the township as well. So we
[1:22:28] have brought forward a bylaw for council's review to see
[1:22:34] if that is. The direction council would like to go.
[1:22:37] I feel that the bylaw. Will make it easier for
[1:22:41] residents to find all the information on what we allow
[1:22:46] within our right. Of way. Right now, we really have
[1:22:48] three documents that guide what you can do in the
[1:22:50] right of way, this bylaw sort of puts it all
[1:22:53] into one. Makes it, I believe, easier for residents to
[1:22:56] follow. And same as always, I always ask and recommend
[1:22:59] the resident. Residents. If you have a question, I'd much
[1:23:01] rather come out myself. My staff meet with you and
[1:23:04] go over what you're thinking of doing beforehand. Much rather
[1:23:08] have that conversation enough. To go out afterwards and explain
[1:23:12] why something has to change. So in the policy, we
[1:23:15] cover off basic rules for where you can put landscaping,
[1:23:20] what type of landscape can be. Can be. We've got
[1:23:24] areas where staff feel we shouldn't allow. Any landscaping at
[1:23:27] all, which is along the curb lines as it affects
[1:23:30] winter maintenance for pushing snowback. Whether people for parking getting
[1:23:35] out so people have the right to park on the
[1:23:38] road and step out of their password side of the
[1:23:39] car. They should have at least grasped the step out
[1:23:42] on and not into flower beds and stuff like that.
[1:23:45] So we have that addressed in there is like 6ft
[1:23:48] behind the curb, no landscape, and whatsoever would have to
[1:23:51] be a grass area. We did put in as well.
[1:23:54] We've seen in the past. Where residents have put flower
[1:23:58] beds out in the municipal right of way. Utility companies
[1:24:02] come in. They have to rip that out. And we've
[1:24:05] seen confrontation that way where people are unhappy and understandably,
[1:24:09] if you've spent that money to put something in all
[1:24:11] of a sudden now. It's being ripped out. But at
[1:24:13] the end of the day, the contract. Contractors are there
[1:24:18] to fix the utility. Not to address anything that's above
[1:24:22] it that wasn't approved. So in the policy, it would
[1:24:27] state that if that was to happen again, Then the
[1:24:33] contractor would only have to go back to the municipal
[1:24:35] servicing standards and design standards. And that is for grass
[1:24:40] to be replaced in that area. That's sort of the
[1:24:43] high level, is their review of that. Is there anybody.
[1:24:49] Has any specific questions on the bylaw. Any questions? For
[1:24:54] tom. Not seeing any. I guess you can proceed. So
[1:25:00] the second item on the report is. For season. Half
[1:25:07] load season come referred to as half load season. There's
[1:25:11] no load restrictions for the reduced load period. We have
[1:25:13] our current. Policy and bylaw is we basically mimic the
[1:25:18] Highway Traffic Act. March and april. Five ton. Unless you're
[1:25:23] exempt by some feed trucks. Milk trucks are exempt. The
[1:25:26] feed trucks? At 7500 fuel trucks. 7500 instead of five.
[1:25:31] That's the typical, what we're seeing as climate change. And
[1:25:36] the real push to try to balance every year. We're
[1:25:39] not seeing where it used to be march. It was
[1:25:41] pretty safe. You put on your load restrictions April, and
[1:25:45] by may you're good. Now we're seeing what the weather
[1:25:48] pattern switching you're seeing earlier. Where it should be going
[1:25:51] on and. We're in the flip side. Some years we
[1:25:54] could take it off early, the way it currently is
[1:25:57] in our bylaw is staff doesn't have the authority to
[1:26:00] remove it. We can give. Public works manager can give
[1:26:03] an exemption. My policy is I don't give an exemptions
[1:26:08] and thus to stay consistent in discussions. The OPP. It
[1:26:11] makes enforcement confusing. So the way it currently is, council
[1:26:16] has the authority. To remove half load. But realistically, it
[1:26:22] doesn't really time out if we're going to pull it.
[1:26:24] Off at half a week earlier. Two weeks early. I
[1:26:27] would have to know well in advance to get a
[1:26:30] report to council for you to consider that at that
[1:26:33] time. So Oxford county, we've. Met and talked about this.
[1:26:36] We've been talking about it for probably two and a
[1:26:39] half years at our service sharing group, so all the
[1:26:41] managers. Within the townships of county. The group that we
[1:26:45] meet with, we've been talking about making this change. Oshree
[1:26:49] county was the first to bring it forward. And Osha
[1:26:52] County Council did pass to allow to give authority to
[1:26:55] the director of public works. To set the timeline for
[1:27:00] halfload season, and as part of that, We've decided within
[1:27:05] the group that it would be everybody or nobody. So
[1:27:10] if Esau Tavistox roads aren't ready. The rest of the
[1:27:14] county will not lift its half load or reduce load,
[1:27:16] period, simply because we got a lot of traffic that
[1:27:19] goes from one end of the county right through and
[1:27:21] to stop. Somebody in the middle. Doesn't make sense to
[1:27:26] the motoring public or the industry. The trucking industry itself.
[1:27:30] So we want to try to stay consistent. So along
[1:27:35] with going out and looking at the roads, which we're
[1:27:37] constantly doing, the spring we're constantly monitoring our roads. The
[1:27:41] Ogre worked with the Ministry of Transportation and. They created
[1:27:47] a reduced load period model, computer model. I demoed it
[1:27:52] two winners ago in Austria county. Demoed it again this
[1:27:56] year, and it's quite the system. You put in. The
[1:28:05] highs and lows temperatures for the day, and then. You
[1:28:09] start tracking that back when winter starts or January type
[1:28:11] thing, and it builds up in the program. The cumulative
[1:28:16] thaw index, as they call it. And it will tell
[1:28:19] you when your road should be starting to thaw by
[1:28:21] your daytime temperatures. When you should put half load on
[1:28:24] and then it will also tell you when your road
[1:28:26] should be good enough to take off. I was a
[1:28:30] little skeptical at the beginning. Two years ago when I
[1:28:33] did, I would have agreed within days of when. They
[1:28:39] should go on and come off. And Oxford county did
[1:28:42] it this year, and I would have to say I'd
[1:28:44] agree with what the system said. Again, I don't know
[1:28:46] how it works. Obviously there's somebody. A lot smarter than
[1:28:49] me with a computer. That has done a very good
[1:28:53] job designing this program. And yeah, it's been tested and
[1:28:56] it seems to work. So the idea would be with
[1:29:00] still doing visual inspections. Using this system. That the county
[1:29:05] has signed up for because there is a cost to
[1:29:07] the system. County signed up for that and then visual
[1:29:10] and meeting with their other partners. That would be the
[1:29:12] time when staff would if council delegates authority. I guess
[1:29:17] myself at this point. We would look at changing those
[1:29:21] dates if required. If the weather is the way it
[1:29:23] is, we stay with the normal days and it would
[1:29:27] be March April. But if there is a chance to
[1:29:30] list it early. That's better for our community, better for
[1:29:33] the trucking industry, and supplying construction and everything, if possible.
[1:29:39] There would be some financial implications to that. Obviously, our
[1:29:43] signs are all date tab signs for our load restriction
[1:29:45] signs, so we would have to replace those. Working with
[1:29:50] some suppliers in Oshford county to come up with. A
[1:29:54] little bit of a sign. It's a flip sign. It
[1:29:57] would say. Five ton, in effect, and then the bottom,
[1:30:01] that sign would flip up and. It would say, not
[1:30:06] in effect. So it has the truck sign, it would
[1:30:09] say, in effect, and the weight limit or it flips
[1:30:11] up, covers that and says, not in effect. So. There
[1:30:17] would be to ballpark number is right around that $9,000
[1:30:19] to change all the signs. If that something council is
[1:30:22] interested in proceeding this way, we could add that to
[1:30:24] the 2026 budget. For consideration as well at that time.
[1:30:30] Was there any questions on that portion of the report?
[1:30:35] Councilor Rudy, just as a comment, I think as the
[1:30:38] seasons are changing, hanky, right? Locals will see that either.
[1:30:43] They won't. Probably won't see that should go on. Earlier,
[1:30:45] but they'll see. Why are we still running half load
[1:30:47] roads in late April when it's not there. So we
[1:30:51] lose some credibility because we're restricting what we can. Do.
[1:30:54] It's not a common sense decision. And this would allow
[1:30:57] you to make that more. Informed, but optically a more
[1:31:01] common. Sense decision for the public to see, so I
[1:31:05] think it's a good idea. Councilor is there, Tom, I'm
[1:31:09] just curious if being on the northern end, if we.
[1:31:12] See that period longer than what some of the municipalities
[1:31:16] in the south would see. Yeah, typically. We're the last
[1:31:23] of the ones for the roads to firm up, typically
[1:31:25] in the south. They do tighten up a little faster.
[1:31:29] On the average year. And just to follow up, In
[1:31:34] your conversation as that working group with Oxford county. They
[1:31:38] were all good with working with that. Like working with
[1:31:42] ours being later as well. That's part of it. Yeah,
[1:31:47] we have a really productive and a good group, and
[1:31:49] everybody's fully on board with it. Others. Will be taking.
[1:31:54] I think Zora already headed in their policy to allow
[1:31:57] their manager, Ashri. Han is. I believe the southern ones
[1:32:02] will be soon taking reports as well to their councils
[1:32:05] for the same. Deputy mayor Smith. You were this magic
[1:32:12] program that the county is using and that you've tried
[1:32:15] out if we go forward with this? Will we be
[1:32:20] bearing any of the cost of that back to the
[1:32:22] county so that. We can if we're using their program
[1:32:27] or that kind of thing. At this time, no. Oxford
[1:32:34] county. In their. Report referred to, they will be using
[1:32:38] it, so they will be buying that as part of
[1:32:40] our server sharing group. They are willing to offer their
[1:32:44] opinion on our roads as well, so they will share
[1:32:46] that with us. Any other questions regarding. The road limits.
[1:32:59] Okay. You can carry on, Tom. All right, so the
[1:33:04] final part on the report. Is for the Queen's pavilion,
[1:33:10] roof or portion of the Queen's pavilion during the heavy
[1:33:13] snowfall this year. We had the snow slide off the
[1:33:15] roof and take off the ice guards. Ice dams. Off
[1:33:20] the east side of the building. That has left us
[1:33:24] with 56 holes in the roof. We had contractors look
[1:33:28] at possibly patching it. 56 patches. There's no guarantee the
[1:33:32] way the tin is ripped. The recommendation and stuff agrees
[1:33:36] with them is the best is to replace that. Tin.
[1:33:40] So I guess I'm asking again. It seems to be
[1:33:45] what I do is ask for. More money. Yeah. The
[1:33:48] quote came in at $25,935 plus. Hst. To retin that
[1:33:57] side of the east side of the pavilion, and then
[1:34:00] that will put new ice guards up on it. A
[1:34:05] little more sturdy type of ice guard on it. So.
[1:34:12] I should solve that. We did. Staff met and talked
[1:34:15] to Karen about going through emergency procurement for it because
[1:34:19] we are getting water leaking into the building. We should
[1:34:21] be getting that sealed up sooner than later so we
[1:34:25] don't really want to hold anything up by getting it
[1:34:27] done. So really looking for council's endorsement to take the
[1:34:33] money out of my computer went to sleep. Out of
[1:34:38] the facilities reserve. To fund that project and get that
[1:34:43] repair ongoing. Karen, I just want to clarify the reason
[1:34:48] why we're referring to it as an emergency. Procurement is
[1:34:51] because that's one of the requirements under our procurement policy
[1:34:53] to be able to single source to only get one
[1:34:56] quote so that we could get it done immediately. I
[1:35:01] just have a quick question. Can he get at it
[1:35:06] rather quickly then as well? Okay. Councilor Rudy. Did we
[1:35:13] deem that the previous ice guard was either inadequate or
[1:35:17] old or wore out because if we do this again
[1:35:19] and we get a heavy snowfall again next year, and
[1:35:21] it rips. The ice guard. I understand. We're in a
[1:35:25] more firm, stronger ice guard, but. Was there something about
[1:35:29] the last ice guard that we would not have done
[1:35:31] a second time and that's why you're confident that. Yeah,
[1:35:35] the existing ice guard that's on the building. I haven't
[1:35:40] been up to look at, so I'll take the contractors
[1:35:42] word for it. I've seen it on the ground and
[1:35:46] the size of screws they put in when the existing
[1:35:48] one was put on. It was just the bent. V
[1:35:52] ten, but it was only screwed into the tin. It
[1:35:56] never went down into the plywood. For structure, so there
[1:36:00] wasn't the strength to it. So when that big sheet
[1:36:03] came, It just took the short screws out and ripped
[1:36:07] the tin on its way. So this next one would
[1:36:11] be installed. Deputy mayor smith. Have we checked our other
[1:36:19] facilities? I know you and I had discussions in the
[1:36:24] past. And this will be for another time. But you
[1:36:27] and I have had discussions in the past about. The
[1:36:29] Hickson Pavilion. We have some roof leaks over there. I
[1:36:33] don't think they've. Got worse over time. And we don't
[1:36:36] even know who's responsible with it. With the solar panels
[1:36:39] up. There who should be responsible for those repairs. But
[1:36:43] maybe, honestly, that's something that staff could look into for
[1:36:46] us. And see, those leaks can get bad during times.
[1:36:53] But my point is, have we looked at the ice
[1:36:55] guards on our other pavilions and stuff? I've done a
[1:36:59] visual over at the ICC. It looks like a more
[1:37:01] solid ice guard. On that building. It definitely does. Hold
[1:37:08] stuff back. The new municipal office is very solid on
[1:37:11] the ice guards on that one. We will have to.
[1:37:16] Look at the rest of the roof. On the pavilion.
[1:37:22] Because likely it is done with the same thing now.
[1:37:26] There's smaller sections. So I don't see as big of
[1:37:32] a risk of that happening. The same weight load. Coming
[1:37:34] down the east side of the pavilion. The queen's pavilion
[1:37:38] definitely was a bigger section. And had more opportunity for
[1:37:41] that to happen, but we will be getting them to
[1:37:43] look at that. One when it's up there. As far
[1:37:46] as the pavilion over here. That one will take some
[1:37:49] more investigation. I had. John and I had talked about
[1:37:52] it before, and. We think it's the tin under the
[1:37:55] solar panels. It's the only way to. Really get to
[1:37:57] that is to remove the panels. So. That's a bigger
[1:38:04] look to see what we can do, because. We think
[1:38:07] it's coming by the screw heads going into the plot,
[1:38:10] into the strapping. Because that's where the two x fours
[1:38:14] get wet first. We think it's actually the screw heads,
[1:38:18] not the holes from the panels, so. That could be
[1:38:23] a bigger project with those panels there. Any other questions
[1:38:28] for Tom? I believe that's the extent of your report.
[1:38:35] Okay. Thank you. We have a motion on your screen
[1:38:40] to accept the report and to authorize. The work. Move
[1:38:47] by Councilor Smith. Seconded by councilor Zair. That report, pW
[1:38:50] 2025. One be received his information for council and that
[1:38:55] council consider bylaw 2020 515 pertaining to boulevards owned by
[1:39:00] the township of Eastworld have a stock. And further, that
[1:39:02] council authorized a public works manager to determine the start
[1:39:06] and end dates of the seasonal load restrictions, resulting in
[1:39:08] a future amendment to bylaw 20 24 32 recogn. Recognizing
[1:39:13] this change and further, that council authorized staff to single
[1:39:16] source the queens Park Pavilion emergency roof repair and the
[1:39:19] amount of $25,935 plus HST, as quoted by John Witzel
[1:39:24] contracting limited, funded to the township facilities reserve. Is there
[1:39:30] any discussion, comments regarding that motion? Not seeing any. We'll
[1:39:35] call the vote. That is carried.
[1:39:49] Item ten bylaws. So, with reference to the boulevard bylaw,
[1:39:52] we have a first and. Second reading. We'll need a
[1:39:55] mover and seconder for that. That will be on. Your
[1:39:57] screen momentarily. Moved by councilor Zair, seconded by councilor Gillespie,
[1:40:02] that bylaw 2020 515 be read a first and second
[1:40:05] time. Is there any discussion? We'll call the vote.
[1:40:20] That is carried. And third and final reading mover and
[1:40:24] second are required. Moved by deputy mayor Smith, seconded by
[1:40:33] councilor Van Wick. That bylaw 2020 515 be read a
[1:40:36] third and final time. Is there any discussion? Comments? Call
[1:40:45] the vote.
[1:40:58] That is carried. Okay. Item eleven. There's no notice of
[1:41:02] motions and new business, I believe. Unfinished business. Secondary plan
[1:41:08] conferences and seminars. Anything to update there? Councilor Rudy. Last
[1:41:15] week had the pleasure of attending the OsAm conference in
[1:41:19] Collingwood. Ontario small urban municipalities. It was interesting convention. Not
[1:41:26] very large. A couple of hundred people, maybe, or two
[1:41:29] and a quarter. So you don't get lost in like
[1:41:31] you do at Osum or aroma presentations were good. Some
[1:41:36] were of interest or pertinent to our community. Econom. Economic
[1:41:43] guy from. Oxford Economics said we should expect a recession
[1:41:48] to start in the second quarter. Should last about a
[1:41:51] year. Expect a couple hundred thousand jobs lost in the
[1:41:55] province and unemployment up to 8%. And expected inflation to
[1:42:02] be 3% by year end. Is his estimate. Interest rates
[1:42:07] should hold steady for the year. So that was kind
[1:42:09] of the three comments from him. Other presentations on homelessness.
[1:42:18] We can expect that. Right now, there's 80,000 homeless people
[1:42:21] in Ontario. And that number is expected to be 300,000
[1:42:26] in ten years. So how are we as a province
[1:42:29] or government or municipality to deal with that? That'll be
[1:42:33] issue. Was another presentation. From. Amo. Quite a lengthy discussion
[1:42:41] or comments on strong mayors. That was a pretty big
[1:42:43] topic. A number of municipalities in Ontario have rescinded that
[1:42:49] either set a letter to the province and said, we're
[1:42:51] not interested. Another one. The mayor turned that authority over
[1:42:58] to the CAO to take it away from his ability.
[1:43:02] I don't think they believe that sending it back would
[1:43:05] do anything that was still there. But it was more
[1:43:07] of a message they didn't feel there would be. I
[1:43:09] know we talk about a negative impact by doing that.
[1:43:13] There's another group on affordable housing, specifically in Collingwood. Quite
[1:43:20] a lot of work has gone into how they've, that's
[1:43:23] been in the last five years. Since sort of the
[1:43:28] Covid time. What they do, and they've made progress. On
[1:43:33] building and moving forward. The affordable housing I'm not sure
[1:43:37] it's specific to esore tavistock. But it was to Collingwood.
[1:43:43] They found that when they brought in. Interwest moved in
[1:43:47] in 2000 or 19. I bought the ski hill. They
[1:43:51] did a large conversion. There and there was. An INK
[1:43:55] 3000 extra employees or 5000 employees. They did. A very
[1:44:02] good study. On the wages of employees that work in
[1:44:05] our community. And then what was the cost? For affordable
[1:44:10] rental or housing, and they didn't match. There was not
[1:44:13] enough money to be able to live there. So that
[1:44:16] was the first impetus that we've got to either figure
[1:44:18] out how to provide a home for nurses. Or people
[1:44:23] that worked in the community. They needed to provide the
[1:44:26] service, but they could never afford. To live in the
[1:44:28] community. So that was kind of the impetus. They did
[1:44:31] go on. To another presentation on we talked this morning
[1:44:37] a little bit about a bia in Collingwood and what
[1:44:40] it's done to change. The efforts and work, and I
[1:44:45] think it's been going on for 20 some years. I
[1:44:49] thought that's what we have. But I think we have
[1:44:51] a chamber of commerce in Tavistock. They said a BA
[1:44:55] is not a chamber of commerce is much different. It's
[1:44:57] more of a business improvement. It's kind of like another
[1:45:00] council. They take tax dollars from the businesses and use
[1:45:04] that for community improvement. They work with the municipality. And
[1:45:08] what they suggest or think it should be. Again, I'm
[1:45:12] not sure. It's applicable. To our communities, but it was
[1:45:16] interesting to hear how it worked. And perhaps there's parts
[1:45:18] of it that would make sense for things we want
[1:45:21] to do. Probably the most interesting that probably would be
[1:45:27] applicable to us was Dan Mathison was the previous mayor
[1:45:30] in Stratford, and he was around when the cyberattack at
[1:45:34] Stratford in 2019. He had a pretty interesting presentation on
[1:45:42] what municipality should be doing or thinking about. He said
[1:45:45] it's not a matter of if you're attacked, it's only
[1:45:47] a matter of when. Things I remember. It was. If
[1:45:51] you think it's going to cost you six figures, it's
[1:45:53] going to cost you seven figures. And things you should
[1:45:57] think about doing to prepare for it. So, pretty good
[1:46:00] presentation. Or a detailed checklist. Do you think he was
[1:46:03] put up for things that municipal should think? About doing
[1:46:07] to prepare for it, and there was pretty good comments
[1:46:09] from people that had done that. Assignment. We think we
[1:46:12] have an IT group. In county administered. And if you
[1:46:15] ask them, are you ready? They're going to say yes.
[1:46:18] Until you go and actually test yourself. Come in one
[1:46:22] morning and there's no computers and you don't have a
[1:46:24] mayor. Anymore. What do you do? What's the process? Really
[1:46:29] good. I think that was most of the issues. There
[1:46:34] was other politicians spoke in game, but it was enlightening.
[1:46:40] All the presentations were made available. After the fact, and
[1:46:43] I. 've got them if we wanted to make them
[1:46:46] available. Anyone wants to look through the PowerPoints. Or the
[1:46:49] presentations on details that I've missed. But thank you. Thank
[1:46:55] you, Councilor Rudy, for representing us at that conference. Any
[1:47:00] other comments? We have no closed session today. And confirming
[1:47:08] an adjournment bylaw. Be on your screen momentarily.
[1:47:30] Move by Councilor van Wick, seconded by council rudy the
[1:47:32] bylaw 2020 516. Being a biologic. Confirm the proceedings of
[1:47:36] council held May 7, 2025 be read a first second
[1:47:39] and third time. This 7th day of May, 2025, and
[1:47:45] that the mayor and clerk are hereby authorized to sign
[1:47:48] the same and affix the corporate seal there too. And
[1:47:50] further, that the meeting does now adjourn at 10:42 a.m.
[1:47:54] Is there any discussion? Call a vote.
[1:48:10] That is carried. We are now adjourned.