Agenda
[3:47]
Call to Order and Opening Remarks
[11:04]
Approval of Agenda
[11:50]
Disclosure
[12:25]
Minutes
[12:25]
December 17, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes
[13:04]
Public Meetings
[13:06]
Application for Zone Change - ZN2-25-05 (Townsend Farms Inc.)
[20:32]
Delegations and Appointments
[20:34]
Oxford County - Speed Management and Road Safety Presentation
[45:55]
Oxford County - Safe and Well Oxford Community Safety Plan Update
[1:07:24]
Alex Cook and Ryan Husk - Innerkip Ball Park Lights
[1:24:13]
Correspondence for Information
[1:24:13]
MPAC - 2025 Municipal Partnerships Report
[1:25:22]
Correspondence for Action
[1:25:22]
Innerkip and District Lions Club - Service Clubs
[1:25:22]
Tavistock Opti-Mrs. - Service Clubs
[1:25:22]
Hickson Lions Club - Facility Fees Charged to Local Service Clubs
[1:29:04]
Recreation Advisory Committee - Recommendation for Programming
[1:30:39]
OGRA 2026 Conference
[1:31:56]
Reports
[1:31:56]
Tavistock 1979 Drain – Request for Minor Improvement & Appointment of Engineer
[1:35:14]
Notice of Motion and New Business
[1:35:24]
Unfinished Business
[1:35:45]
Secondary Plan
[1:36:13]
Conferences and Seminars
[1:38:38]
Adjourn to Closed to the Public Session
[1:38:38]
Reconvene to Open to the Public Session
[1:38:42]
By-laws
[1:38:46]
Confirming and Adjournment
Transcript
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT
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[3:47]
21st, 2026 east or Tavistock Council meeting please note this
[3:52]
meeting is being live streamed and recorded. By entering council
[3:56]
chambers, you are consenting to be recorded. I will call
[4:03]
the meeting to order. And are there any opening remarks
[4:06]
this evening? Council is there? I just want to offer
[4:14]
my gratitude for the opportunity to attend Roma this past
[4:17]
week. And just highlighting a couple of things, sessions that
[4:22]
I took in. One session was on the strategies for
[4:26]
managing rural land, which was quite interesting and had a
[4:29]
number of different examples. Of areas that we're kind of
[4:33]
working at, that one that kind of stands out is
[4:35]
Essex and how they're working to try. To contain farmland
[4:41]
and make sure that farmland continues to exist. Kind of
[4:45]
working with farmers as well on how to deal with
[4:49]
small roads and big equipment and all of these dynamics.
[4:51]
So I felt they were doing some really interesting stuff.
[4:55]
Another piece that was pretty cool with them is they
[4:57]
have a tourist piece dynamic to it, and that included
[5:01]
what they call their wine road, which was another kind.
[5:05]
Of highlight for them. Two other items kind of connect
[5:10]
a little bit. One has to do with the long
[5:12]
term care. In and throughout. The province of Ontario, the
[5:17]
need for many, many beds. One thing I think that
[5:22]
was concerning for me as having aging grandparents and parents
[5:27]
is that many homes in Toronto. I think there was
[5:30]
actually six homes that have shut down, some that are
[5:33]
not. Managing well. But those homes, those residents are being
[5:36]
then moved out of the city of Toronto and then.
[5:40]
Taking meds further out. And the complication that that poses
[5:43]
is that it then bumps residents. That are from their
[5:46]
home communities. And that kind of leads to. Those folks
[5:53]
not having their social supports and things like that. So
[5:55]
I think that was a concern. One positive kind of
[5:58]
on top of that was one of the last speakers
[6:01]
that we heard was an organization called Genwell. And Genwell.
[6:06]
Is recognized the need of, or the concern of loneliness,
[6:09]
which obviously can happen. In this setting with seniors, but
[6:13]
it can also happen with young people as well. And
[6:16]
Genwell has been working hard at trying to provide tools.
[6:21]
And education on how to better equip our residents, our
[6:25]
people. To respond to that loneliness. And that piece. So,
[6:30]
again, very grateful for the opportunity and. Lots to take
[6:34]
in and chew on, so thank you. Thank you, councilors
[6:38]
there. Any other opening comments? Councilor Smith. Thank you. Mary
[6:43]
Schaefer, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United nations.
[6:48]
Has officially launched the international year of the woman farmer.
[6:53]
It's a global campaign aimed at recognizing women's indispensable yet
[6:58]
often overlooked contribution to. Global agri food systems and to
[7:03]
galvanize efforts to close persistent gender gaps. The international year
[7:08]
aims to spotlight the realities faced by women farmers and
[7:12]
drive policy reforms and investment. To advance gender equality, empower
[7:18]
women, and build a more resilient sector. Everywhere women make
[7:23]
up a significant share of the world's agricultural workforce and.
[7:28]
Are indispensable across all value chains, from production to processing
[7:33]
to distribution, to trade and playing, of course, a central
[7:37]
role in household food security and nutrition. It can be
[7:42]
said women's. Contributions remain undervalued and women continue to face
[7:47]
systemic bar. Barriers, including limited access to land, finance, technologies,
[7:53]
education, and participation in decision making at all levels. Strong
[7:58]
women. Impactful women. Unsung hero women have been contributing to
[8:04]
agricultural success in our municipality for generations. So a tip
[8:09]
of the hat to the international year of the woman
[8:12]
farmer here at home. And abroad. This year also marks
[8:19]
100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion as it continues
[8:23]
to pursue its mission. Of supporting veterans and their families,
[8:28]
promoting remembrance. And serving communities right across the country through
[8:32]
its 1400 branches. The organization sites a robust membership of
[8:38]
over a quarter million. As one component that has contributed
[8:43]
to this milestone. Perhaps you count yourself among them during
[8:47]
its centenary. The legion is offering free membership and throughout
[8:51]
the year. There will be ongoing events and projects announced
[8:56]
on a national level, provincially and at a local level
[9:00]
as well. The legion will market's anniversary officially this summer
[9:05]
on Friday, July 17, and. I couldn't make mention of
[9:10]
the legion without a mention for Tavistock Branch 518. Marked
[9:16]
75 years in 2025. Our local legion was constituted in
[9:22]
the spring of 1950. Thank you. Massey. Miguette. Thank you,
[9:28]
Councilor Smith. Any other opening comments this evening? I have
[9:32]
an announcement to make. I've been asked to share an
[9:35]
announcement from Chief Alexander. To the council members of Easar
[9:41]
Tavistock. It is with mixed emotions that I wish to
[9:45]
advise counsel and the staff at the township of Esore
[9:47]
Tavistock that 2026 would be my final year as fire
[9:51]
chief for the township. I'm grateful for the opportunity that
[9:56]
I have been fortunate to be part of, but careful.
[9:59]
Reflection over the last few months, I feel that almost
[10:01]
20 years. It is time for fresh perspective for the
[10:04]
administration of the department and someone to look ten years
[10:08]
into the future rather than 20 years to the past.
[10:13]
I feel that announcing my retirement for the end of
[10:15]
2026 permits ample time to recruit for the position and
[10:20]
allow us for a smooth transition over time to new
[10:23]
management. I wish to thank council for this wonderful opportunity.
[10:28]
And all of the firefighters, past and present, that I've
[10:30]
had the privilege to serve with. And most of all,
[10:34]
I wish and need to thank my family, my wife
[10:36]
Heather and our sons. Nick, Mac, Dean and Jay for
[10:40]
all of the sacrifices they have made during my tenure
[10:44]
here at the township, respectively. Scott alexander. Well, Chief Alexander.
[10:52]
I want to thank you for your service. And wish
[10:55]
you the best. In your future plan. All right. We'll
[11:04]
move on. First item on the agenda. Item number two
[11:07]
is approval of tonight's agenda. Resolution on your screen. Moved
[11:15]
by Councilor Smith, seconded by councilor Rudy. That council approved
[11:18]
the agenda for the January 21, 2026 meeting as printed
[11:21]
and circulated. Is there any discussion regarding tonight's agenda? Not
[11:26]
seeing any. We'll call the vote.
[11:44]
That is carried. We are on to item three, disclosure
[11:52]
of pecuniary interest or general nature thereof, at any disclosures.
[11:56]
Deputy Mayor Smith? Yes. I'll declare a peculiar interest on
[12:01]
items. Eight. A, b and c, please. And have you
[12:07]
given that in writing to the clerk? Okay. Thank you.
[12:10]
And counselor, is there. I'm going to declare an interest
[12:14]
in. Report a Tavistock 1997 drain request for minor improvement.
[12:18]
And I have turned in the paperwork as well. Thank
[12:20]
you, council. Is there? No other. Conflict declares. Okay, move
[12:26]
on to next item. Minutes. Minutes of the December 17,
[12:30]
2025 council meeting. You have a resolution on your screen
[12:33]
momentarily. Moved by Deputy Amir Smith, seconded by councilor Zair.
[12:43]
That council can affirm the minutes of the December 17,
[12:45]
2025 council meeting as printed and circulated. Is there any
[12:51]
discussion regarding those minutes? Not seeing any. We'll call the
[12:54]
vote. That is carried.
[13:05]
Next item. Item five. Public meetings. We have an application
[13:08]
for a zone change tonight. Number z and 225. Five.
[13:14]
Townsend Farms Incorporated. You will have a resolution on your
[13:18]
screen to move. Into public meeting. Move by councilor Gillespie.
[13:27]
Seconded by councilor Rudy. The council does now adjourn. To
[13:29]
a public meeting in accordance with the provisions of the
[13:31]
Planning act at 700 and 09:00 p.m. so any discussion?
[13:38]
Okay, we'll call a vote. That is carried. We are
[13:47]
now in public meeting and community planner Adam Jinyak. Will
[13:53]
be providing his report tonight. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Good
[13:58]
evening, members of council and those in attendance here today.
[14:01]
So these zone change application here today to be discussed,
[14:04]
was submitted in conjunction with a severance application. That being
[14:09]
severance application B 25. 54, two which recently went to
[14:14]
the December 4, 2025, Land Division committee meeting. This own
[14:19]
change and this consent application was to sever an approximately
[14:23]
98.8 acre or 40 hectare lot of agricultural land with
[14:27]
a lot frontage of approximately 561 meters. The lot to
[14:31]
be retained would be a one acre or 0.4 hectare
[14:35]
in size. Lots to be used for rural residential. Purposes
[14:39]
with a 53 meters frontage. The retained lot would contain
[14:42]
an existing detached dwelling with a private well and septic
[14:46]
system. Currently, the subject lands are zoned a two, the
[14:50]
general agricultural zone. With two single detached dwellings and a
[14:54]
farm building. On the large farm parcel. The proposal is
[14:57]
to rezone the lot to be retained from the a
[15:01]
two zoning to rural residential or rr zoning, while also
[15:04]
facilitating the establishment of a special provision on the lot
[15:07]
to be severed, which is the farm parcel to no
[15:10]
longer permit two single detached dwellings, but rather only allow
[15:13]
one dwelling moving forward. Staff would just like to note
[15:17]
that the zone change application heard before you today is
[15:20]
a condition. Of severance approval. This application was circulated to
[15:24]
a number of internal departments and external agencies, and as
[15:28]
a result of this circulation. There weren't any comments specific
[15:32]
to the zone change application that were received and no
[15:35]
comments were received from members of the public as of
[15:38]
the writing of the report. In terms of the planner's
[15:42]
analysis of this application. We reviewed this zone change application
[15:45]
in conjunction with the severance application. We have the opinion
[15:50]
that the proposal as presented does meet and reflect the
[15:53]
intent and purpose of both the provincial planning statement and
[15:56]
the county's official plan. Knowing no objections were received and
[16:00]
given an analysis of the relevant planning policy. In this
[16:03]
case, we are recommending that the application be approved in
[16:05]
principle tonight, with the amending bylaw coming. Back at a
[16:08]
future council meeting following the submission of a survey. With
[16:12]
that in mind, I'm happy to take any questions there
[16:14]
might be. Thank you, Adam. Any questions for our planner
[16:19]
this evening? I just have a quick question. So there's
[16:23]
two dwellings on this property now, is that. Correct. Through
[16:29]
you, Mr. Mayor. That's correct. Okay, so this is to
[16:31]
sever off one of them. Correct. The one dwelling is
[16:37]
being rendered surplus. To sever off to a separate rural
[16:40]
residential parcel. So there'll still be one residence. On this
[16:44]
entire farm property. That's correct. The retained or severed lot.
[16:50]
The farm parcel will retain one of the two dwellings.
[16:53]
Thank you. Any other questions for the planner this evening?
[16:59]
Thank you, adam. Is the applicant or agent here like
[17:04]
to speak tonight? Hello. Welcome. From MTE acting as agent
[17:13]
just here. If there's any questions for anybody that I
[17:15]
can clarify. Okay. Is there any questions anyone needs to
[17:21]
clarify? Deputy mayor Smith I'm not sure whether this question
[17:26]
should go to you or whether I should have proposed
[17:28]
it to our planner. Is there any restrictions? Like I
[17:33]
know that they can't build another house. On the retained
[17:37]
parcel of the farmland, correct? But. Can they tear down
[17:43]
an existing home and then in future years, build a
[17:47]
home back up on that and still have. One. Resident,
[17:52]
one dwelling. I think I'll defer that question. Okay. Through
[17:55]
you, Mr. Meredith. Councilor. Smith there is that possibility, but
[17:58]
the intent with this application was to retain the existing
[18:01]
home on the property. Okay, but there's nothing. Stopping the
[18:06]
owner of the farm to replace that house. Through Mr.
[18:11]
Maryland? Not to my knowledge. I would have to check
[18:14]
with the official plan. Policies are on that. Okay, thank
[18:16]
you. Any other questions? For the applicants agent. Not seeing
[18:25]
any. Thank you. Thank you. Is there any member of
[18:28]
the public, either online or in person tonight that wishes
[18:31]
address council on this application. Not seeing anything there. Okay.
[18:40]
We will now move out of public meeting. There'll be
[18:42]
a resolution on your screen. Move by councilor Zaire, seconded
[18:51]
by councilor Smith, that the public meeting does now. Adjourn
[18:54]
and council reconvenes at 07:15 p.m. Is there any discussion?
[19:01]
We'll call the vote. That is carried.
[19:13]
We are now out of the public meeting. We do
[19:14]
have a recommendation to approve the application in principle that
[19:20]
will be on your screen momentarily. Moved by Councilor Glaspy,
[19:24]
seconded by Councilor Vanwick, that the council of the township
[19:27]
of Esau Tavistock. A proven principle of the zone change
[19:30]
application submitted by towns and farms, Inc. Whereby a portion
[19:33]
of the lands described as part lots 18 to 19,
[19:35]
concession nine as in 420897 in the township of East.
[19:43]
Eastor Tavistock. The lot be retained through the consent. B
[19:46]
25 54. Two to be rezoned from general agricultural zone
[19:51]
a two to rural residential rr and to rezone the
[19:54]
lot. To be severed. Resulting from consent. Application B 25
[19:58]
54. Two from the general agricultural zone, a two. To
[20:02]
Special General agricultural z. Zone a two SP to prohibit
[20:06]
future residential development. Is there any discussion regarding that motion?
[20:14]
Not seeing any. We will call the vote for that.
[20:26]
Motion is carried. We're onto item six. Delegations and appointments.
[20:33]
The first one this evening is Oxford county. Speed management
[20:36]
and road safety presentation. We've had Frank Gross from the
[20:43]
county tonight. Hello.
[20:53]
Welcome. Thank you for having us this evening. I'm Frank
[20:57]
Gross, the manager of transportation and waste. Management with Oxford
[21:00]
county. And I'm joined by Sean Bonacker, supervisor of transportation.
[21:06]
We're here tonight to present the findings of post monitoring
[21:09]
review that was completed for traffic. Calming measures that we
[21:11]
previously implemented in inner kip as well in Tavistock. And
[21:17]
we're sharing our recommendations with this council tonight, and then
[21:21]
we'll be bringing those forward to county council in February.
[21:24]
February 25. For adoption and then implementation. So I'll pass
[21:31]
it over to Sean and he'll walk us through. The
[21:34]
findings of our studies. Great. Mayor Schaefer, members of council,
[21:39]
thanks for the opportunity here. We want to present on
[21:42]
our recent speed management and road safety review. Completed within
[21:48]
touch of a visa or tavistock. So we had two
[21:56]
study areas in the township, the first one being Oxford
[21:59]
Road four and Oxford. Road 33, the community of Interkip.
[22:03]
The second location was Oxford Road 24 and Oxford Road.
[22:07]
59 in the community of Tavistock. Both study locations were
[22:12]
post monitoring follow up studies. Completed to measure previously the
[22:18]
effectiveness of previously implemented speed management and traffic coming measures
[22:22]
in those communities. This slide. The next couple of slides
[22:26]
I'll skip through rather quickly, but basically this slide. Talks
[22:29]
about the key principles that county adopted for countywide traffic.
[22:38]
Calming approach. So the plan that would be utilized to
[22:42]
measure speed and traffic calming in various communities. The speed
[22:48]
and road safety work plan. So this was the work
[22:50]
plan that was utilized at the time when the initial
[22:53]
studies were completed in both interchipp and Tavistock. Establishing posted
[22:59]
speeds. Just some information there from Transportation association of Canada.
[23:06]
Talks about what features are taken into consideration. When developing.
[23:14]
Relatable posted speeds based on the driving environment. In each
[23:17]
community. The appropriate speeds, posted speeds and speed variation
[23:27]
differential. Just some more information about how posted speeds are
[23:31]
adopted. Why it's important to select appropriate posted speeds. And
[23:37]
the negative implications that could come as a result of
[23:41]
not selecting appropriate posted speeds. The community safety warrant process.
[23:51]
That the county council had approved in September of 2021.
[23:54]
It's a two warrant process, so. These are the measures
[23:58]
that are utilized in order to establish community safety zones.
[24:03]
And so on to more of the study information. So
[24:06]
in Interkip, we have our study location area here, which
[24:11]
is shown in the red delineated area throughout the village
[24:15]
there on Oxford Road 44 or Oxford Road four and
[24:18]
Oxford Road 33. As you can see on the plan,
[24:24]
This slide here identifies the 2019 findings that came about
[24:28]
as a result of the study that was completed the
[24:30]
initial speed management and traffic calming study that was completed.
[24:38]
At the time, excessive speeds were observed at the village
[24:41]
entrances. Basically, the approaches to the village. Speeds within the
[24:46]
village were not deemed to be excessive at the time.
[24:50]
We reviewed the intersection of Oxford Road four and Oxford
[24:52]
Road 33 to see if a always stop was warranted.
[24:56]
It wasn't. We reviewed adequate site lines for school crossings
[25:02]
and there were no speed collision speed related collision trends
[25:06]
at the time. Since that 2019. Findings or recommendations was
[25:15]
completed. Since that time, the following measures have been implemented
[25:19]
in interchep. In July of 2019, speed feedback signs were
[25:25]
installed at key entry points to the community. 50 kilometer
[25:30]
hour zone limits were adjusted to align better with the
[25:33]
built up limits of the community. The 60 kilometer hour
[25:38]
transition zone at the south end was adjusted accordingly. That
[25:43]
was it in July of 2019. So in February of
[25:46]
2021. Two pedestrian crossovers were installed, one on Oxford Road
[25:56]
four and another one on Oxford Road 33. And then,
[26:01]
in November of 2023, community safety zone designations were installed
[26:06]
on Oxford Road four and again on Oxford Road 33
[26:09]
at the time. This slide here is rather busy. It
[26:13]
shows the data that's been collected throughout the years. Going
[26:16]
back as far as 2018. When the initial countywide and
[26:25]
speed management and traffic calming approach was adopted by council
[26:29]
data was collected that went to that report. At that
[26:32]
time. This slide shows speed data collected on Oxford Road
[26:37]
33. Both at data collection points. And
[26:47]
the speed feedback signs, which are also capable of collecting
[26:50]
data. And then this next slide talks about the post
[26:55]
monitoring study. So the post monitoring speed data collection happened
[27:01]
in 2000 and 22,025. The key findings showed that speeds
[27:06]
were reduced by up to 10 approach. Marginal speed increases
[27:12]
were observed within the built up area. Higher 85th percentile
[27:17]
speeds within the built up area on Oxford Road 33.
[27:21]
And it was noted that the speed feedback signs are
[27:23]
effective in reducing the approaching speeds of vehicles. The recommendations
[27:29]
coming out of the postmodernitoring follow up study include the
[27:34]
installation of flexible center line delineators on Oxford Road four
[27:38]
and Oxford Road 33 within the village. The relocation of
[27:44]
the north and west speed feedback signs to align with
[27:48]
the 50 kilometer hour speed. Zone limit. And future road
[27:52]
urbanization on OR 33 east. I think there's a proposed
[27:57]
subdivision there on the corner. Be the south, the east
[28:02]
corner of 19th line in Oxford Road 33. And as
[28:06]
part of that, I think future road urbanization is a
[28:09]
recommendation that should come out of that. This next slide
[28:13]
shows it's an immediate measures maps. Shows approximate locations of
[28:21]
where flexible delineators would be installed. It shows the relocation
[28:26]
of the north and the west feedback signs to alive
[28:29]
with the 50 kilometer hour zone where it begins. And
[28:33]
also. Although not showing on the plan, there is intent
[28:37]
to put flexible delineators on Oxford Road. 33 as well.
[28:43]
So the next community was Tavistock. This slide shows the
[28:50]
study limits outlined again in red both Woodstock street and
[28:54]
Hope Street. The 2021 findings from the Tavistock initial Speed
[29:03]
Management and traffic calming study. Found that speeds were marginally
[29:10]
excessive on Oxford Road 59 south of Wilton street and
[29:14]
on or 24 eastbound. 60 kilometer hour transition zones were
[29:20]
found to be ineffective in reducing the approach speeds of
[29:22]
vehicles to the community. The 50 kilometer hours owned south
[29:26]
of Wilton street didn't match the built up area of
[29:28]
the community. Rendering it somewhat ineffective. There were no significant
[29:34]
speed related collision trends observed at the time. And truck
[29:39]
activity remained consistent with typical volumes on comparable county roads.
[29:46]
The traffic calming measures that were implemented after that initial
[29:51]
study include, in January of 2022. There was an upload
[29:58]
of Maplewood side Road. From or 59 to Oxford Road
[30:02]
five. From the township to the county. Premises that. The
[30:12]
uploading that to the county may offer opportunities for trucks
[30:16]
to be able to bypass for the road to be
[30:19]
able to one day be designed to a higher standard.
[30:24]
So that then we could maybe support less trucks having
[30:28]
to go through the village itself. In June of 2022.
[30:34]
The 60 kilometer hour transition zones on County Road 24
[30:38]
east and 59 south. Were adjusted. Sorry. They were removed
[30:44]
in the 50 kilometer hour zone was adjusted to match
[30:47]
the built up limit so the community. Speed. Feedback signs
[30:50]
were installed at the east and south legs of the
[30:53]
village in February 2023. There was a PXO installed on
[30:59]
Woodstock Street north, near Jacob Street. And in November 2023
[31:03]
and May 2025, respectively. There were community safety zone designations
[31:09]
installed on or 24. Or 59. So this next slide
[31:15]
shows the speed summary map. Again with data going back
[31:23]
as far as 2019. Collected in 20 23, 20, 24,
[31:27]
20, 25. And the speed data that was collected on
[31:31]
Oxford Road 59 over the various years where data was
[31:36]
collected. And so the post monitoring.
[31:46]
Findings as a result of our most recent study here.
[31:51]
The key findings included incoming speeds at the south end
[31:54]
were reduced by 14 km an hour. Incoming speeds at
[31:58]
the east end increased and also at the west end
[32:01]
by approximately 10 km an hour each. The south speed
[32:06]
feedback sign. Data was compared against our data point, and
[32:12]
I believe we have a discrepancy with our data point.
[32:16]
So there is a plan to collect future data. There
[32:19]
the espe. Espeed feedback sign versus the 2025 data point.
[32:25]
Again, at that data point, I think. We had a
[32:28]
discrepancy as well. And it was noted that the speed
[32:32]
feedback signs are effective in reducing incoming vehicle speeds. So
[32:38]
the recommendations. From the Tavistock study include the installation of
[32:45]
speed feedback signs at east and west approaches on Hope
[32:48]
street. The installation of. Center line flexible delineators at the
[32:53]
east end of Hope street and Road urbanization on the
[32:57]
south end is planned in 2027 for the extension of
[33:01]
curbs and sidewalks. I'm sure all of you are aware
[33:05]
of the proposed development there on the west side. Of
[33:08]
Woodstock street south. I believe the county has accepted a
[33:13]
monetary contribution from the developer for that road urbanization project.
[33:19]
Which is at this point scheduled for 2027. Further data
[33:23]
collection is needed at the south and east ends as
[33:25]
a result of. Those discrepancy. With the data that was
[33:31]
collected there and the future intersection studies on Oxford Road
[33:36]
24 at Perthline. 29 and Perthline 33 have been identified.
[33:41]
As part of the strategy, maybe to try and have
[33:45]
trucks utilize more roads going around the village. Rather than
[33:49]
through. The next slide is an immediate measures map. You
[33:54]
can. See the addition of the speed feedback signs at
[34:00]
the west and east ends of the village as well
[34:04]
as a flexible delineator plan there for. The east end
[34:08]
of the village as well. So, next steps, while we
[34:13]
are meeting with you here today, doing the delegation, It
[34:19]
is January 2026. The public consultation. We plan to send
[34:25]
out notices to all residents running. On the affected roadways.
[34:32]
So those notices will go up by mail and we'll
[34:35]
also be posted on speak up. Oxford. Our plan is
[34:40]
to send the findings or recommendations in a report to
[34:43]
council on February. 25th. For their review and approval. The
[34:49]
plan is to implement. The final approved immediate measures in
[34:54]
q two or q three of 2026. Postmodernitoring and continued
[34:59]
post monitoring and data sharing with. Police is an ongoing.
[35:03]
Key finding of the countywide strategy. And the Oxford County
[35:09]
Road Safety strategy. So that's a recent initiative that was
[35:13]
approved by county council to come up with a countywide
[35:18]
road safety strategy with the input of the area municipalities
[35:23]
through the creation of an ad hoc committee and to.
[35:28]
Develop. Countywide strategy that could be applied across the area,
[35:32]
municipalities as well. And then last but not least the
[35:35]
road safety improvement fund. Is the fund that was announced
[35:40]
shortly after the government canceled the automated speed enforcement program.
[35:46]
It's my understanding that. The funding for the road safety
[35:50]
Improvement Fund was offered first to those municipalities that were
[35:53]
already involved. In automated speed enforcement, but that perhaps any
[35:57]
remaining monies will be offered to municipalities who would be
[36:02]
left to qualify through some kind of application process. So
[36:06]
with that, we have some future study areas planned for
[36:09]
2026. They include Oxford Road 28, near 14th Line. And
[36:18]
Oxford Road. Two between or 30 and the 10th line.
[36:24]
The second one there. Oxford Road two is actually a
[36:26]
post monitoring follow up study. We already did. An initial
[36:29]
study there several years back, so that would be the
[36:32]
follow up. So I guess with that, I'd like to
[36:35]
thank you for allowing us the opportunity to. Present here.
[36:42]
And if anyone has questions. Or they're willing to try
[36:45]
and answer those. Thank you, Sean and Frank. Any questions
[36:49]
for these gentlemen from my council, Deputy Mayor Smith. Do
[36:54]
we share these findings with oPp? Yes, we do. So
[37:00]
through the mayor to the councilor, previous to this meeting
[37:04]
here we met. With township of Esore to have stock
[37:07]
staff. Police. And. Wasn't at the meeting, but assuming there
[37:13]
was a council member here. At that meeting, correct? So,
[37:18]
yeah, we did. That information, this presentation. Was shared with
[37:21]
them at the time. When we collect speed data. The
[37:26]
speed data is also shared with them in its raw
[37:28]
form. And they then take that and they have their
[37:31]
traffic analyst review it and. They're looking for not only
[37:35]
areas of high speed, but what time of day is
[37:38]
that? Happening, right? Because obviously they have limited resources. They
[37:42]
won't want to be able to target. Or set up
[37:45]
targeted enforcement of known locations where they figure they'll maybe
[37:50]
get the best. Bang for their bach. My concern is.
[37:57]
The. Highway, their county road 33 going in. Aircap the
[38:01]
speeds coming in and out of there. And that's very
[38:05]
close to the school. Seems to be excessive, and I'm
[38:09]
just hoping that the OPP or through some of these
[38:12]
common measures, we can get that speed in check because.
[38:17]
It's just nothing but gone up. All the way along,
[38:22]
and it just seems to. We're just looking for a
[38:25]
place to. Have an accident there. Thank you. Councilor Glespie.
[38:33]
I was just wondering if you have any data on
[38:36]
where center line delineators have been. Used at their effectiveness.
[38:41]
Through the mayor to the councilor. Yeah. So we did
[38:46]
a pilot study in Embro initially. And in that study,
[38:52]
what we determined was that maybe embroil was not a
[38:55]
good location. With the curbs. Through there, and it was
[39:01]
somewhat narrow. And we were also using a delineator that
[39:06]
wasn't very robust. It didn't stand up very well. We
[39:09]
experienced a lot of damage. We were out repairing a
[39:11]
lot. There was a lot of staff resources tied up
[39:14]
and having to reinstall or repair. Units that were hit.
[39:20]
But through the pilot study. It was found that they
[39:24]
were effective at reducing speeds, especially on the outgoing speeds,
[39:29]
as vehicles are leaving the community. But like anything, they
[39:33]
need to be used appropriately. Right? So. We currently have
[39:39]
locations in verse oil in Beachville, where the flexible delineators
[39:43]
have been installed. Obviously they're taken down during the winter
[39:46]
months. They're not easy to plow. Around, but in those
[39:50]
communities too. Bershoil, I know we have data back from
[39:53]
that community and it was found that they are effective.
[39:58]
Especially, again, in reducing outgoing speeds of vehicles. So, yeah,
[40:02]
that data does exist. I was just wondering. There's no
[40:08]
delineator shown for Oxford Road 33, which has the most
[40:12]
excessive speeds. And a concern with Blanford street being fairly
[40:17]
narrow and a lot of on road parking. Because of
[40:21]
an event center in the middle of the village that
[40:23]
ends up making the road very narrow when there's parking.
[40:25]
I know. Cars lose mirrors. Parked along the side of
[40:29]
the road as it is, that adding those delineators would
[40:32]
just make it a little too bottlenecked in areas. Through
[40:37]
the mayor to the councilor. So we'll need to be
[40:40]
strategic in the application. Of them. The fact that there
[40:43]
are not any shown on the map is an oversight.
[40:49]
In the slide previous that we did identify that there
[40:51]
is plans. To install flexible delineators on Oxford Road 33
[40:56]
as well. My apologies for that. The goal is to
[41:00]
try and narrow the appearance of the lanes to get
[41:04]
people to slow down. Right.
[41:16]
We have to try something. And this is something, right?
[41:20]
And I appreciate that. Vehicles may be parked on the
[41:22]
side of the road, but that shouldn't. Hinder most people's
[41:26]
driving, right? To me. What will be maybe more critical
[41:30]
is farm vehicles that are trying to go through there.
[41:34]
And for what it's worth, Those delineators that we're using
[41:37]
now, they're much more robust than the ones that we
[41:40]
were using in Embro. They stand up much better to
[41:43]
direct hits. Farm vehicle. Vehicles can essentially drive right over
[41:47]
them and they pop right back up again. Like anything.
[41:51]
Eventually, in time, they will wear and tear to a
[41:53]
point where they need replacement or repair. But. They're certainly
[41:59]
much more robust than what we used initially. Any other
[42:02]
questions? I just have a couple of quick ones. I
[42:09]
noticed there's going to be delineators. On the east end
[42:11]
of Hope street, I believe. But none on the west
[42:16]
end. Do they read that correctly? And they both have
[42:19]
similar. Excessive speeds over the limit. Yeah. So through you,
[42:26]
Mr. Mayor. I think the reasoning behind that is that.
[42:30]
As I mentioned. They're effective at reducing the outgoing speeds.
[42:33]
And, I mean, the speedback signs are certainly effective at
[42:36]
reducing the incoming speed. So I think the identifying factor
[42:41]
there was that outgoing speeds at the east end were
[42:44]
problematic, right? And the addition of a speed feedback sign
[42:47]
will obviously assist with the incoming, but maybe not be
[42:51]
as effective at reducing outgoing speed. So that is the
[42:54]
reason for. That east location. Flexible, delineated recommendation. Just one
[43:01]
other quick question. A big concern, obviously, in Tavistock is
[43:04]
the amount of trucks that come through town and I
[43:06]
know Connie Road 28 can take some of that. And
[43:10]
Perth line 29. Is, I think, becoming more of a
[43:15]
truck route as well. But what are your findings on
[43:18]
the truck traffic? I think you said it shows just
[43:20]
like an average county road. But coming through an intersection
[43:25]
like that, even an average amount of truck traffic can
[43:28]
be problematic. What are your thoughts on what could possibly
[43:32]
be done to allay some of that issue? Well, I
[43:37]
think through you, Mr. Mayor. I think uploading Maplewood side
[43:44]
Road is a good first step. The County Road network,
[43:48]
obviously is an arterial road network. It's designed to move
[43:51]
people, goods. Emergency services, right? So Maplewood side Road is
[43:58]
in a very good state now. But there is opportunities
[44:02]
there for improvement of it too. And. I think even
[44:06]
since we've taken it over. We've seen an increase in
[44:10]
traffic on it. And I think that will continue. Right.
[44:14]
As more and more trucks maybe realize that if they
[44:18]
don't have a need to go through Tavistock, then. There
[44:21]
is a decent way to get around it. Yeah. I
[44:25]
don't know if there's an appetite to develop a truck
[44:28]
detour. Around the community. That's obviously something that's quite political.
[44:35]
And within your purview to try and initiate. Or get
[44:41]
the county thinking about it, obviously. Short of that. Providing
[44:48]
opportunities for vehicles to get around on their own. And
[44:53]
allowing them to make that choice on their own is
[44:56]
maybe the first option, the second option. Is to maybe
[44:59]
force them around it. Thank you. Any other questions? Not
[45:06]
seeing any. Thank you for coming out tonight. Thank you
[45:09]
for the report. Great. Thank you. We have a resolution
[45:14]
on your screen for council. Moved by deputy mayor Smith,
[45:19]
seconded by councilor Rudy. That council received a presentation from
[45:21]
Oxford. County regarding speed management and road safety as information.
[45:31]
Is there any discussion regarding that motion and the report?
[45:35]
Not seeing any. We will call the vote.
[45:51]
That is carried. Okay, we're on to item six B.
[45:55]
Oxford county safe and well Oxford Community safety plan. Update.
[46:08]
We have Sarah Hamelecki, manager of strategic initiatives and intergovernmental
[46:12]
relations, and Marcus Ryan, chair of safe and well, Oxford.
[46:15]
Welcome. Look forward to your report. Thank you. Good evening,
[46:20]
mayor and councilors. We are very pleased to be here
[46:22]
this evening, to be able to present to you the
[46:24]
updated final draft version of the community safety and well
[46:29]
being plan for Oxford county, which we call safe and
[46:31]
well, Oxford. So we will presume that you have read
[46:37]
the information in the report. And the actual plan itself.
[46:41]
But there are a few things that we are here
[46:43]
today to kind of highlight and provide a little bit
[46:45]
further context. And then obviously, we are available to ask
[46:50]
any questions, should you have any. So I'm hoping that
[46:53]
by now you're all. At least very high level. Familiar
[46:59]
have high level familiarity with community safety wellbeing plans. Little
[47:04]
bit of a recap or a couple of really key
[47:06]
things. These are legislated. Plans. So they are legislated through
[47:10]
the Community Safety and Policing Act. From 2019 locally here
[47:16]
back in 2021. All of the eight area municipalities passed
[47:22]
resolutions. To not only endorse the existing plan, but also.
[47:29]
To have Oxford county lead the plan on their behalf.
[47:33]
Prior to the update and review process, which we are
[47:36]
legislated to do every four years. I felt honestly fairly
[47:42]
knowledgeable about community safety, well being, plans. But I can
[47:46]
also mention that I have learned a great deal over
[47:49]
the past year. Eight months. That we have been working
[47:52]
on this update process. I suspect that the warden will
[47:56]
also share some of. His learnings. But we are both
[48:00]
very much in agreement that one of the key things
[48:02]
that we realized throughout this process is what the true
[48:06]
purpose is of the community, safety, well being, plans and
[48:09]
sort of what they can do within our communities. So
[48:12]
interestingly, I guess you could say, is that, yes, they
[48:14]
are legislated, but they don't necessarily hold a lot of
[48:18]
power, so to speak. So the plans themselves. Aren't necessarily
[48:23]
what's driving the actual work happening in our communities. It's
[48:27]
these service providers, the frontline staff, the people that are
[48:30]
doing the actual work. Connected to the priority areas and.
[48:35]
That has been. Really insightful for us. And I think
[48:38]
is going to. Prove to be really beneficial for us
[48:42]
as we move forward and actually implement the plan that
[48:45]
we are presenting to you today. So if you remember.
[48:52]
The plan to update. The process to update the plan
[48:55]
started earlier in 2025, and the county steering committee and
[48:59]
county staff decided to go to strategy core as an
[49:02]
outside. Consultant because they had familiarity with Oxford county from
[49:06]
developing the county strategic plan. The term they had familiarity
[49:09]
with other community safety well being plans around the province,
[49:11]
and we thought they could give us advice as to
[49:15]
what was working in ours, what was working in others,
[49:17]
and obviously what was not. Working in places. So there
[49:20]
was extensive data review done. Part of that was data
[49:23]
in. Oxford. Part of it was in Canadian x well
[49:26]
being survey, which then is comparable to other communities around
[49:29]
the province so you can have some context to the
[49:32]
data that you collect. And extensive surveys within Oxford county
[49:36]
of residents of organizations that either do or could contribute
[49:39]
and participate in safe law auction plan area councils and
[49:42]
staff. And each of you individually. And then strategy core
[49:46]
compiled all that, made a recommendation of a draft. A
[49:49]
draft. Updated plan. And manager Hamalecki reviewed that with them,
[49:56]
made her changes that she wanted to see to. It,
[49:58]
and that was then put out to the community. At
[50:02]
the summit in October. For more review. Strategy core took
[50:06]
then that input from that. Came back with another draft
[50:10]
manager, Hamalecki, who then said, now I'm going to change
[50:12]
it again. And that's what's in front of you today.
[50:14]
So we're. Pretty confident that the plan that's in front
[50:16]
of you today reflects. What we learned from the first
[50:19]
plan, what we learned from Canaanics of well being. Survey
[50:23]
what we learned from the surveys about this plan, the
[50:25]
iterations of drafts through municipal staff and councils and residents
[50:29]
and organizations that participate. So really what we're looking for
[50:32]
today is sort of this is what our communities told
[50:34]
us. This is what our councils have told us. This
[50:36]
is what the organizations who will. Be asked to participate
[50:40]
and deliver on this have told us, and so we
[50:42]
think this is a plan that is ready to go.
[50:45]
So shifting gears a little bit to the actual plan
[50:47]
itself. The very first one that we had included four
[50:54]
priority areas. We added the fifth being gender based. Violence
[50:58]
sort of partway through, it would have been right around
[51:00]
2023. 2024. So during this term of council, and then
[51:04]
this new version has an additional six priority area so
[51:08]
you can see affordability and economic stability. And maybe to
[51:12]
alleviate any questions about that. You're still welcome to ask
[51:15]
it, but I do recognize. We are quite aware that
[51:19]
that is a huge topic. And. It is a bit
[51:25]
daunting, to be honest, but I think. That is exactly
[51:29]
where the purpose of community safety well being plans come
[51:33]
into play, in that we will hopefully be able to
[51:36]
connect with the people that are already doing the work
[51:38]
within our communities. We know that. There are. Organizations that
[51:44]
are addressing food security. Some poverty, things like that. So
[51:50]
we will be able to, with this plan, be able
[51:52]
to make some of those connections, help to foster relationships.
[51:57]
And provide any support that we can. The other change,
[52:01]
I would say for the priority areas is mostly just
[52:05]
the title of the people. And belonging priority area. So
[52:09]
it was somewhat formerly known as Dei, but I think
[52:13]
that it has not only obviously changed the title, but
[52:15]
has also evolved a little bit more to, in my
[52:18]
opinion, be a little bit more reflective. Of the broader
[52:21]
needs within our community, and I think that is a
[52:23]
really positive change for us. Because at the end of
[52:26]
the day, I hope that we would all agree that
[52:29]
really what we want is our residents and our community
[52:31]
members to feel like they belong here in Oxford County.
[52:35]
So. Another really big change, one that I personally am
[52:42]
really excited about, is the addition of a full time
[52:45]
coordinator position that will be able to lead this work.
[52:49]
It was improved. Approved. Sorry, through the county council 2026
[52:53]
budget. And the role will be providing some administrative support
[52:59]
to the situation. Table and the femicide prevention table, which
[53:02]
are two existing tables in our communities that are in
[53:05]
need of some support and the work that they do
[53:08]
is very closely connected to the work that's happening with
[53:11]
the community safety well being plan. So we've kind of
[53:13]
pulled in and made a little bit more of a.
[53:15]
Formal connection to the plan. And then also, obviously, providing
[53:19]
that support. They will provide support to the action coalitions
[53:22]
as well. It is only one position, so. It is
[53:29]
somewhat drop in the bucket as far as what some
[53:32]
of our service providers needs in terms of additional resources.
[53:37]
But. I am at least, like I said, optimistic that
[53:41]
they will be able to alleviate some of the extra
[53:44]
work and possibly help to make connections, maybe share resources,
[53:49]
and to try to maximize the resources. That they do
[53:52]
have. So another change is the steering committee. So it
[53:57]
has been renamed to be the advisory committee. And I
[54:01]
think other than maintaining the legislated roles, For. That body.
[54:07]
We are also going to be adding one representative from
[54:10]
each of the area municipalities. I do see that as
[54:13]
an important change to help maintain that connection. The information
[54:18]
sharing and communication between the county. The advisory committee and
[54:24]
back to our area municipalities. I want to highlight the
[54:29]
foundational values as well, so you will see them in
[54:32]
the graphic. That is included in your information. These are
[54:37]
something that I actually felt a little bit more personally
[54:40]
connected with and felt. Quite. It was really important to
[54:46]
me that they be included, and a big reason for
[54:48]
that is some of the feedback that I heard firsthand
[54:51]
while at the summit. So we included youth, which I
[54:55]
think is hopefully fairly obvious as far as prioritizing our
[54:58]
youth community safety well being plans. Are meant to be
[55:01]
proactive and preventative in nature, and I think it's important
[55:04]
that. Therefore, we make sure that we are being inclusive
[55:09]
of youth and coming up with solutions and things. For
[55:13]
our youth. Local voices is another important part. And a
[55:18]
foundational value that we have added with the idea that
[55:22]
not only do we include sort of the people with
[55:26]
lived experiences, which is a term that you often hear.
[55:30]
I not only want to include that aspect, but I
[55:32]
really want to see the voices of our residents included
[55:37]
on a more ongoing basis, and that does include within
[55:40]
our rural municipalities. And this ties in nicely to the
[55:44]
next foundational value, which is urban and rural lens, which
[55:47]
again was very very apparent. At the summit. As far
[55:51]
as. Understanding and appreciating the fact that. As I say,
[55:56]
one of the things that I love about Oxford county
[55:58]
is the fact that we have urban and we have
[56:01]
these rural areas. But they present different needs. And these
[56:06]
priority areas also present themselves differently within urban and rural
[56:10]
areas. So. I hope that by adding this as a
[56:14]
foundational value along with the others, that these things will
[56:19]
become sort of ingrained in the work that we do
[56:22]
with our community safety, well being. Plan. And lastly, just
[56:26]
to kind of highlight. Admittedly, I'll be honest, data and
[56:30]
metrics isn't something that we did. Overly well in this
[56:34]
last iteration. Part of that, to be honest, is because
[56:36]
it just is an incredibly difficult thing to measure. It's
[56:40]
very hard to be able to come up with. A
[56:43]
handful of metrics and pieces of data that are a
[56:46]
true reflection of progress being made. So I'm striving to
[56:53]
a do that. In a better way. But not only
[56:56]
that, I would really, really love to see better sharing
[56:59]
of data and metrics within our community partners, and I
[57:02]
do see that as an opportunity. To share resources. Things
[57:07]
like not over surveying people, knowing that if an organization
[57:11]
is doing a survey here that another one can capitalize
[57:14]
on that information. And maybe just by adding a couple
[57:17]
of questions. They both have a survey that meets their
[57:20]
needs. Lastly. Action coalitions with the support of the new
[57:27]
full time position. We will be asking each of the
[57:30]
action coalitions, which some of them did do this before.
[57:34]
But we will be making it a more formal part
[57:37]
that they have a work plan and that we know
[57:39]
the types of things that they are working on so
[57:41]
that we can ensure that we are in fact working
[57:43]
towards those shared goals within the plan itself. So this
[57:47]
slide is the governance model. And Sarah was not wrong
[57:52]
when she suggested I was going to point this out
[57:54]
because this is one of the things that I personally
[57:56]
struggled with over the last three years of chairing the
[57:59]
committee and also through this new plan, but it is,
[58:01]
in fact, a reality of community safety. Well, being plans,
[58:04]
and that is that unlike. Policies that most council set
[58:08]
where you're actually setting a service level and then you're
[58:10]
allocating resources to that, and you set a measurable that
[58:12]
determines whether those resources are sufficient to deliver on that
[58:15]
service level. In this case, what we're really doing is
[58:17]
we're setting the priority areas, and we're inviting other groups
[58:22]
to come and help us. To achieve progress in those
[58:25]
priority areas. So. Other than the FTE, we're not really
[58:29]
allocating resources to this. Those action coalitions will set their
[58:34]
own metrics. The FTE will help them through their meetings,
[58:38]
try to work towards and measure progress towards those metrics,
[58:42]
but we're not unlike sort of hard top maintenance or
[58:44]
loose top maintenance or number of soccer fields they're going.
[58:48]
To say that we've just said with the priority areas
[58:49]
are so, for instance, when it comes to the area.
[58:52]
That Sarah pointed out of affordability and economic stability. You
[58:57]
have seven counselors here. You can imagine how much you
[59:00]
might all disagree on that. And then you get all
[59:02]
the different groups that are going to contribute to this.
[59:04]
So that's going to be part of the work of
[59:05]
the plan is going to be figuring out what do
[59:07]
we mean by that? How do we measure it? What's
[59:09]
achievable? So this graphic shows the contributing factors to that
[59:14]
small g governance of how that's going to happen. So
[59:15]
you have the. Youth, local voices, data and metrics, and
[59:19]
rural and urban lenses around the outside. The action coalition's
[59:22]
advisory committee and the situation at femicide prevention tables. Again,
[59:25]
the situation and femicide venture. Tables are not, strictly speaking,
[59:28]
part of the plan. But that safe and wellx report
[59:31]
near will be working with them. It's a lot. Of
[59:34]
the same people, a lot of the same organizations working
[59:37]
on those prevention tables that we are. Hoping will bring
[59:40]
that reactive knowledge to the safe and well plan in
[59:43]
a proactive way across the bottom, you can see the
[59:46]
priority areas. In the lower right of the circle, there
[59:48]
is the heart hub and wellness center, which is, again,
[59:51]
strictly speaking, not part of the safe and well plan,
[59:53]
but obviously, again, a lot of the same. Players, and
[59:55]
obviously when it comes to mental health and addictions issues,
[59:58]
is our primary reactive. More than proactive, as the safe
[1:00:02]
and well plan is meant to be. But there's learnings
[1:00:04]
there similar people. There should be a level of coordination,
[1:00:08]
even though it's not actually integrated into the plan. And
[1:00:11]
then off to the right are those shared commitments that
[1:00:13]
Sarah mentioned earlier in the slide and the success enablers,
[1:00:16]
which are how will we facilitate getting success in this
[1:00:21]
plan? And they're all there for you to see, but
[1:00:23]
these will be sort of the high level governing principles.
[1:00:26]
That the intention. Would be that the coordinator and the
[1:00:28]
advisory committee would use to determine how do the action
[1:00:32]
coalition set their metrics, what their goals are. And then
[1:00:35]
how do we measure that they're actually moving towards those
[1:00:37]
things in the right directions and consistent with what the
[1:00:40]
community told us at the earlier stages of the development
[1:00:42]
of the plan. All right, that's it. But we are
[1:00:46]
open to any questions if you have any. Thank you.
[1:00:49]
Thank you. Any questions for our presenters tonight? I just
[1:00:55]
have a quick one. Your expectation for the advisory committee
[1:00:58]
member from each area municipality do you see that as
[1:01:01]
an elected member or a community member. Or just your
[1:01:09]
thoughts on that? Through the mayor to the mayor. I'm
[1:01:14]
not sure right now, personally, and. I don't really actually
[1:01:17]
feel that that is a decision for me to make
[1:01:19]
on my own as well, too. What I anticipate that
[1:01:22]
we will do is go back to. Our existing searing
[1:01:26]
committee have a conversation about that once the plan is
[1:01:29]
endorsed. I also do anticipate that there will be some
[1:01:32]
dialogue with the CIOs and the clerks about what we
[1:01:35]
feel is most appropriate. But yes, there has already been
[1:01:39]
some very high level conversations about will that include elected
[1:01:43]
officials. Would it be a CAO? Would it be a
[1:01:45]
clerk? Could it be somebody else from the organization? That's
[1:01:49]
a better suited role. So we will be having those
[1:01:51]
conversations and sorting that out. I will share, perhaps unsurprisingly,
[1:01:56]
to you that I do have an opinion on. It.
[1:01:59]
More of a bias in that. I would very much
[1:02:05]
like to see. The execution of the plan and the
[1:02:07]
delivery plan move from being political to more staff. I
[1:02:12]
think if this has been done right and without it,
[1:02:13]
I'm confident this plan is better than the one that
[1:02:15]
we had before. We used the initial one to really
[1:02:17]
build this. That I think we should be moving towards
[1:02:20]
you and I, not getting in the plow and. Not
[1:02:23]
getting in the fire truck, but saying, this is where
[1:02:25]
we want to go. This is how we want you
[1:02:27]
to function and hand it over to staff to do
[1:02:29]
that. I frankly think if we've done this right. We're
[1:02:33]
all going to get in the way and make it
[1:02:34]
less functional. Than. If our staff took this as a
[1:02:38]
document and said, this is where our councils have told
[1:02:39]
us. They want us to go, and we will work
[1:02:42]
with community partners to go there. Deputy mayor Smith, what
[1:02:45]
is the timeline on having a community partner to join
[1:02:49]
you from east or tavista. Through the mayor to the
[1:02:55]
councilor. Just if I could clarify, as part of the
[1:02:58]
advisory committee. Really good question. So as part of the
[1:03:05]
budget, the position, like the new full time position. Is
[1:03:10]
tentatively. I don't want to say scheduled, but planned to
[1:03:14]
start around April the first. We actually do have a
[1:03:17]
steering committee meeting next Monday. And I was planning on
[1:03:23]
adding that to the agenda as far as starting some
[1:03:26]
preliminary conversations about presuming that it's endorsed by all the
[1:03:29]
air municipalities. What are we going to do next? And
[1:03:31]
how are we going to go about doing this? So
[1:03:35]
I also think that. It would probably be reasonable to
[1:03:40]
have the FTE in place in order to be able
[1:03:43]
to be a part of some of those conversations, considering
[1:03:45]
they will have such an important role with that committee
[1:03:49]
as well, too. And maybe they have ideas. And better
[1:03:52]
ideas than I do, to be honest. So. I'm going
[1:03:55]
to guess that shortly after they would start. We would
[1:03:58]
be getting a lot more actively involved in the actual
[1:04:02]
implementation. So, with that in mind, long story short. I'm
[1:04:07]
going to guess maybe sort of like June or July
[1:04:10]
as a very rough timeline. Just to follow up to
[1:04:14]
that. I tend to agree. With our warden and that
[1:04:20]
as far as. Keeping it away from the political side
[1:04:24]
of it. One reason is if we can get a
[1:04:27]
good working group for safe and well. Oxford. You don't
[1:04:31]
put a timeline in place as far as election year.
[1:04:37]
So. You put somebody or you appoint somebody or someone
[1:04:40]
volunteers to sit on this committee. And then they either
[1:04:45]
decide not to run next time or. They get defeated
[1:04:50]
in an election. And then you're starting again. So that
[1:04:55]
should be part of the consideration. Great point. Thank you.
[1:04:59]
I appreciate that. Any other questions? Thank you very much.
[1:05:07]
Thank you. So, council, we have a resolution. Which will
[1:05:11]
be on your screen momentarily. To accept the report. Approved
[1:05:17]
the report and also to endorse Oxford county with the
[1:05:20]
implementation. Of the plan on our behalf, so that will
[1:05:25]
be on your screen momentarily. Moved by Councilor Smith, seconded
[1:05:29]
by councilor Zair. That council received the report entitled safe
[1:05:32]
and well Oxford plan update as information and that council
[1:05:35]
approved the updated safe and well Oxford plan as attached
[1:05:38]
to this report as attachment one. And further, that council
[1:05:41]
continue to endorse. Oxford county to lead the implementation of
[1:05:44]
the safe and will Oxford plan on their behalf with
[1:05:46]
the add. Addition of one full time equivalent position as
[1:05:49]
added to the county budget for 2026. Is there any
[1:05:53]
discussion? I certainly am in support of proving this. I
[1:06:02]
think it's good for us to know, too, that other
[1:06:03]
municipalities have taken note of our progress in this regard.
[1:06:08]
Manager Hamalecki was asked to speak at the Roma conference
[1:06:12]
this week. And for those of Oxford county people that
[1:06:17]
were there, it was a real source of pride and
[1:06:19]
I think she did a great job. So I certainly
[1:06:22]
am in support of this resolution. Deputy mayor smith. To
[1:06:28]
you as our county representative of this new employee that
[1:06:32]
they're looking at putting on. For the county. Was there
[1:06:36]
a restriction or a time limit or. Is it? Like
[1:06:42]
you said, it's in the 2026 budget. So he's at.
[1:06:45]
2026 and beyond. Does it continue beyond or what is
[1:06:49]
the timeline we're looking at? Yeah. Thank you, deputy. Mayor
[1:06:52]
yeah. It was approved in the 2026 budget, and I
[1:06:55]
think start date is they're looking at April. And it
[1:06:58]
is a permanent fte. There's no time limit on it,
[1:07:02]
basically. All right. With that, we'll call the vote.
[1:07:16]
Motion is carried. Okay, we are moving on to item
[1:07:24]
six C. Alex Cook and Ryan Husk are speaking to.
[1:07:27]
Us tonight regarding the intercut ballpark lights. Alex. Welcome. Didn't
[1:07:36]
make it tonight, so I'm here, Doug. Alice is also
[1:07:38]
with me, but. He'll stay back there. My name is
[1:07:41]
Alex Cook. I'm the vice president or. Kim Minor Ball.
[1:07:47]
The township along with our group. Maintain, operate. For enclosed
[1:07:54]
baseball diamonds and intercip these beautiful ones back here in
[1:07:57]
the picture. Here today to talk about. The lighting on
[1:08:02]
two of our four diamonds. So right now we have
[1:08:04]
four diamonds, the front two. Have lighting so we can
[1:08:07]
play in the evening. The back to the other two
[1:08:09]
do not. And our request or. Our discussion today is
[1:08:16]
about the front to replacing them. Our agreement with the
[1:08:20]
township currently talks about repairs and maintenance only, and this
[1:08:24]
is a much larger undertaking an expensive project, so we
[1:08:29]
wanted to put that on the table. Today. We run
[1:08:34]
four diamonds. We have 300 local registrants that we run
[1:08:37]
through a minor ball. Program. We run over a dozen
[1:08:41]
tournaments every single year. They use these facilities, bring people
[1:08:43]
to the community. There's a men's league team that runs
[1:08:48]
in the evening. There's slow pitch teams and entire coed
[1:08:51]
slow pitch. League that runs our FacilitY. NEEDleSS to say,
[1:08:55]
these four diamonds are well used during the month. Of
[1:08:58]
May to September. We do our best to keep. It
[1:09:02]
as busy as possible. A lot of our maintenance requests
[1:09:07]
happen through Matt. They're taken care of. Everything's great. However,
[1:09:11]
this one in particular is a lot larger. I think
[1:09:15]
the best way to describe our lighting. I think Ryan
[1:09:17]
did a good job. He calls it functional but fragile.
[1:09:20]
We don't have any specific concerns for this upcoming season,
[1:09:24]
however. As standards go down, we're finding it very difficult
[1:09:28]
to find replacement parts that are easily. Accessible or cost
[1:09:33]
effective. These are very old lights, old infrastructure, and new
[1:09:38]
LED technology is coming out that makes energy efficiency much
[1:09:41]
better. Our proposal was. To replace both diamonds. However, I
[1:09:48]
think the main point. Is. To come up with a
[1:09:52]
plan. Work with the township, come up with a plan
[1:09:54]
for future. Not an immediate reaction to it, but know
[1:09:58]
that there's something in place over the coming years. We
[1:10:02]
have worked with Matt. We did get an initial quote
[1:10:05]
just so we had some numbers. It is $320,000, a
[1:10:09]
very high number. There are grants available, which we don't.
[1:10:13]
Know if we have access to those until we do
[1:10:16]
the application. And also intercip minor ball has been raising
[1:10:20]
funds for a decade or more. We have these funds
[1:10:23]
available if they need to come, if we need to
[1:10:27]
assist. In this project. And I think Ryan laid out
[1:10:32]
a lot more information that was passed around everybody. So
[1:10:35]
you guys can read through that, but I think today
[1:10:37]
all we wanted to do was bring that to the
[1:10:39]
townships attention and see if we can start a plan.
[1:10:46]
To remedy this issue. Thank you, Alex. Any questions for
[1:10:52]
Alex tonight? Deputy mayor Smith do we have a timeline
[1:10:56]
on when those lights were last replaced? I do not,
[1:11:03]
actually. We just met maybe two summers ago. We had
[1:11:07]
to find some parts for them. Diamond ones. Lights. Are
[1:11:11]
still on wood poles. Very old. Diamond twos. Lights are
[1:11:14]
on. Steel poles, I believe, and much newer. Okay, but
[1:11:19]
I've been with intercomider ball. For. 1415 years and nothing
[1:11:25]
major has happened to either those lighting. Do we have
[1:11:28]
anyone on staff have an answer to that? Yeah. Good
[1:11:32]
evening, everyone. I can did some research today and wasn't
[1:11:37]
able to find diamond. Wens lights when they went in.
[1:11:40]
Diamond two it as long as I'm cutting right. The
[1:11:44]
ones with the steel poles. I think it's called diamond
[1:11:46]
two. It looks like it was done as part of
[1:11:49]
a Trillium fund back in 2009 to 2011 it was
[1:11:54]
completed. So looks like from what I could find, the
[1:11:57]
lights are put in in 2010. At that time, couldn't
[1:12:02]
find a final price on the lights. It looks like
[1:12:04]
there was a $75,000 grant from Trillium foundation to go
[1:12:08]
towards that program. But nowhere else. Details other than lighting
[1:12:13]
and basketball was repaved and done again in the park
[1:12:17]
as well as part of that project. So some of
[1:12:20]
the lights, I would guess there's. Pictures in the file
[1:12:22]
that went to the trillium grant. As completed pictures, and
[1:12:26]
they show that. It's the diamond. Two lights are in
[1:12:30]
those pictures and the basketball, so I'm guessing. That was
[1:12:34]
that. Question for you, Tom. Are these incandescent lights, then,
[1:12:39]
or are they allergens? I would have to check Matt
[1:12:45]
on that one to see, I believe. They're probably a
[1:12:49]
halogen light. Okay. Deputy mayor smith. I'd like.
[1:13:01]
A little more, maybe, and I don't expect it overnight.
[1:13:04]
I think we need a little. More in depth. Look
[1:13:07]
at this. I seem to remember. That in around the
[1:13:12]
2010 that. Money came from the federal government. There was.
[1:13:21]
A large infrastructure. After the 2008 recession, there was. A
[1:13:26]
large infrastructure grant came out through the federal government. And
[1:13:30]
if I'm not mistaken, and. I am quite prepared to
[1:13:34]
be corrected. But Hickson got new lights at that time
[1:13:38]
as it dan interkept because my understanding is that. The
[1:13:43]
guy that put the lights up here in Hickson did
[1:13:45]
him the same day in interchip. And so those lights
[1:13:48]
would be about 2010. I think that. 's where the
[1:13:53]
lights came from. So the one comment that I saw
[1:13:58]
here was the safety concerns with dark spots. Has anyone
[1:14:05]
considered doing. A lighting check like this is not going
[1:14:08]
to happen in the next little bit. To do a
[1:14:11]
lighting check to make sure that. Can we help? Part
[1:14:15]
of this. By changing the angles. And like, doing a
[1:14:20]
light meter check to get us by until we can
[1:14:23]
make a replacement and. That would be strictly staff. Is
[1:14:28]
what I'm getting at. Council will recall that they endorsed
[1:14:32]
a facility audit in the 2025 budget. The ball diamonds
[1:14:36]
will be us part of that. So I agree with
[1:14:40]
what you said, partially. It's premature to consider. Any kind
[1:14:45]
of project until the facility audit is complete, and then
[1:14:47]
we would have to go back. Through the agreements that
[1:14:49]
we have with all of the ball clubs because there
[1:14:52]
is reference to capital. Replacements being the responsibility of the
[1:14:55]
ball clubs. When will that audit be completed? We are
[1:15:04]
currently in the process of meeting with the consultant for
[1:15:06]
that project right now, so I actually have a meeting
[1:15:08]
with them next Tuesday to start finalizing things to get
[1:15:12]
that going. Thank you. And to piggyback on Ms. Vader's
[1:15:19]
comments, anything that might be coming out. Of that facility
[1:15:23]
audit, you will not see in the 2026 to 2031
[1:15:27]
capital forecast until we get feedback on it. Any other
[1:15:31]
questions for right now, councilor Zair? I guess my question
[1:15:38]
would be. Is in the meantime, and it sounds like
[1:15:43]
you're kind of wanting to get the ball. Rolling on
[1:15:45]
the conversation, which we appreciate. Just the question of safety.
[1:15:49]
And deputy mayor alluded to it. I don't know what
[1:15:52]
it takes to make sure that those dark spots are
[1:15:55]
eliminated. But for liability's sake and such. We want to
[1:15:59]
be careful that it is safe out there as well.
[1:16:04]
Again. Presumably, the facility audit will identify health and safety
[1:16:08]
concerns as well as energy efficiency and everything. Else out
[1:16:11]
of that. So. We are crossing that bridge with the
[1:16:17]
facility audit for all of our facilities, not just baldamans.
[1:16:21]
It'll be community halls, it will be fire stations, and
[1:16:24]
everything is all being taken. Care of in the facility
[1:16:27]
audit. Through his worship to the Cao, obviously. We would
[1:16:34]
have reserves. For park improvements, do we? Know what sort
[1:16:40]
of reserve is in the. There aren't separate reserves for
[1:16:46]
different parks and ball diamonds are not considered to be
[1:16:49]
part of the parks because. Strictly. We do the operations
[1:16:57]
on the maintenance. As Alex mentioned, we're responsible for changing
[1:17:01]
bulbs. For making sure the fence is. Properly secured, but
[1:17:07]
as far as. Large upgrades. We're not collecting revenue from
[1:17:13]
the bald diamonds at all across the township. So it
[1:17:17]
would have to be a tax supported contribution to a
[1:17:20]
parks reserve for a project of this magnitude. So that's
[1:17:23]
another reason why we will have to. I appreciate what
[1:17:27]
councilor. Zair said. And what Alex has mentioned too. We'll
[1:17:30]
have to start having a dialogue. But I know when
[1:17:33]
the agreements were drafted with the ball organizations. It was
[1:17:37]
under the understanding that they would have for use of
[1:17:39]
the facilities to generate their own. Revenues. And part of
[1:17:43]
that would be that we will take care of the
[1:17:44]
hydro bills and everything else. Related to the operations of
[1:17:47]
the diamonds. But when it comes to capital, That's generally
[1:17:50]
what they're saving their revenues for. So intricate minor balls
[1:17:57]
interpretation of that clause in the agreement. Is incorrect.
[1:18:07]
They're referencing the wrong clause. Clause 7.4 says IMB shall
[1:18:12]
be responsible for all expenses related to capital improvements or
[1:18:15]
alterations they desire to make to the facilities. The section
[1:18:21]
five relates to the operations and the maintenance and repairs
[1:18:24]
of the lights. So as I said. If we have
[1:18:28]
a bald go out, we would be responsible for finding
[1:18:31]
someone to do a bulb. Replacement. But as far as
[1:18:33]
a capital improvement, which is what's covered off in 74
[1:18:36]
of all of the fall agreements, not just interchet. Minor
[1:18:39]
ball. It's the same with Tabasock. And Hickson as well.
[1:18:44]
Thank you. Councilor Glespie. Intercip minor ball able to apply
[1:18:52]
for these federal grants. Or. Are they half to be
[1:18:59]
done. At the municipal level. I believe trillium is something
[1:19:04]
that we would apply for. Again, bearing in mind that
[1:19:10]
if council refers back to the capital forecast from last
[1:19:12]
year, inner kip is on the docket to get a
[1:19:15]
spray pad, potentially, which will be applying for a trillion
[1:19:18]
grit for likely. In that particular year again. I think
[1:19:23]
Alex addressed it best at the very beginning. I think
[1:19:26]
the intention of the delegation tonight was just to put
[1:19:29]
the idea on the table, so. That we can talk
[1:19:31]
about it. He actually said in his opening comments that
[1:19:35]
he wasn't. Expecting it to be done this year in
[1:19:37]
2026. So I think there's lots of things to be
[1:19:41]
talked about directly between. Inner kit, minor ball, potentially the
[1:19:45]
other ball groups as well, because I'm sure that if
[1:19:48]
we change light standards that are the same age in
[1:19:52]
inner kip, we might be changing them. Elsewhere as well,
[1:19:54]
so we need to be cognizant of. What council's intention
[1:19:59]
is for those reserves and whether we're forecasting those reserves.
[1:20:03]
Properly, because if there is going to be asks for
[1:20:05]
capital improvements on the ball diamonds as a nonrevenue generator
[1:20:10]
to the township. Those are going to be tax supported
[1:20:12]
capital improvements going forward. Any other questions for Alex? Not
[1:20:20]
seeing any. Thank you, Alex. Sorry. Just a comment. Obviously.
[1:20:28]
As we move on. To budget discussion. We can continue
[1:20:34]
the conversation, not necessarily about intercap only, but all our
[1:20:40]
parks. And the key to something like this is to
[1:20:45]
continue creative conversations to get to the outcome that everybody
[1:20:49]
wants. Yeah, I agree fully, and I think the facility
[1:20:54]
audit will be a big help. In helping to guide
[1:20:58]
us. Deputy Mersman. Just an aside on the triumph Grant.
[1:21:06]
I think the last time when we applied for the
[1:21:08]
triumph, Grant floor the spray pad and table stock. It
[1:21:13]
was taken under the geisse of the township staff and
[1:21:16]
they did a great job. And got the money, I
[1:21:19]
think. I know what a challenge it is. I was
[1:21:23]
involved with the trillion grant when we got it. For
[1:21:25]
doing the ballpark over here in Hickson. And. It's an
[1:21:32]
onerous task to come up with everything that trillium requires.
[1:21:38]
So I think that if we are going to make
[1:21:41]
an application to try them for funds for whether it
[1:21:45]
be these lights or whether it be. A spray pad
[1:21:49]
for interchep. I still think it needs to come from
[1:21:52]
staff. They just have the ability to come up with
[1:21:56]
the proper numbers. A lot easier than it is for
[1:22:00]
someone like intercut minor ball to make like I'm not
[1:22:04]
saying. If you want to apply, go ahead and apply.
[1:22:08]
But I just think that it's going to be easier
[1:22:10]
if staff does it, because I know what it was
[1:22:13]
like to try to do it with the Lions club
[1:22:16]
a few years ago. Any more questions for Alex? Thank
[1:22:22]
you. Alex, if you don't mind, before I go. So
[1:22:25]
create creative conversation is something. That Jeremy said. I guess
[1:22:29]
my question is, how do I proceed with that creative
[1:22:32]
conversation? And we've been having it, by the way. I
[1:22:36]
just wanted to make sure that it was like, there's
[1:22:38]
more attention to this. It's a big expense, something we
[1:22:40]
obviously can't handle ourselves. Right. So what's the path forward
[1:22:44]
for intercape minor ball? And that creative conversation is that
[1:22:46]
through Matt still? Yeah, go on. Our resolution, actually is
[1:22:53]
to move this to the 26. To 2030 capital plan.
[1:23:01]
And that will be discussed. At our upcoming budget deliberation.
[1:23:06]
It's on our radar, and certainly on that radar. Do
[1:23:10]
you want to add to that? No. I know Ms.
[1:23:15]
Vader has a resolution prepared, and it's probably on the
[1:23:19]
screen now. To refer this to the. 26 2030 capital
[1:23:24]
budget forecast. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Alex. Thank
[1:23:28]
you. The resolution will be on your screen momentarily. Moved
[1:23:36]
by Councilor Smith. Seconded by councilor Zair. The council received
[1:23:39]
the delegation from Alex Cook and Ryan Husk regarding the
[1:23:41]
Interkit park ball lights as information and that council consider.
[1:23:49]
The request as part of the 2026 to 2030 capital
[1:23:52]
budget. Is there any discussion regarding that motion? Not seeing
[1:23:57]
any. We will call the vote.
[1:24:11]
That is carried. We are on to item seven, correspondence
[1:24:15]
for information. We have the impact 2025 municipal partnerships report.
[1:24:21]
Is there any questions on that? Report. That anyone has.
[1:24:28]
Not seen any. So we have a resolution on your
[1:24:30]
screen to accept it as information. Moved by councilor Van
[1:24:37]
Wick. Seconded by councilor Gillespie. That correspondence for information item.
[1:24:40]
Seven a be received his information. Is there any discussion
[1:24:46]
regarding that motion? We'll call the vote.
[1:25:12]
That's carried. Okay, we're on to item eight, correspondence for
[1:25:22]
action. We have four items under this. And we are
[1:25:31]
going to deal with. Eight b and eight c. As
[1:25:36]
one and then move on to 8d. So under the
[1:25:40]
first three. Items. Is there any discussion regarding those correspondence
[1:25:47]
items? Not seeing any. We have a
[1:25:56]
resolution, which will be on your screen momentarily, to take
[1:26:01]
these items and bring them. To the 2026 user fee
[1:26:05]
schedule conversation, which we will be having shortly. So we'll
[1:26:10]
get that resolution on the screen. Move by Councilor Zair.
[1:26:13]
Seconded by councilor Glaspie that correspondence for action. Item seven
[1:26:16]
a, seven b and seven c be received his information.
[1:26:22]
And that council direct staff to prepare a report on
[1:26:23]
the cost implications of the request to be brought back
[1:26:26]
with a 2026 user fee schedule. Is there any discussion
[1:26:30]
regarding that resolution? Just a quick question, Councilor Smith. I
[1:26:37]
request that in conjunction with that. Get some data or
[1:26:44]
metrics. On. The usage at the halls.
[1:26:55]
What sort of trends are we seeing with regard to
[1:26:58]
rentals? CEO depressed. So that was our intention.
[1:27:08]
We will pull the rental numbers. For who's using the
[1:27:13]
haul, what times of day they're being used. What the
[1:27:17]
cost implications of doing this would be, and then. We'll
[1:27:22]
also probably provide counsel with some feedback about what other
[1:27:25]
groups might. Want to fall under this umbrella if. We
[1:27:30]
were to cast the umbrella. Thank you. Just a quick
[1:27:35]
question for Cao to press the win, was that succumbing
[1:27:38]
to council? Then the user free schedule. Staff's hope is
[1:27:44]
to bring the user fee schedule discussion to the February
[1:27:46]
18 meeting of council so that we can have. Some
[1:27:52]
numbers going forward. For inclusion in the budget. Potentially. The
[1:27:57]
budget will come forward in March. And that would be
[1:28:01]
inclusive. Now, any rate, changes that might come to the
[1:28:04]
user fee schedule as I've mentioned previously will not come
[1:28:07]
into effect till the middle of the year. July the
[1:28:10]
first is kind of the target date we're looking at
[1:28:11]
as far as any transitions to rates are concerned. However,
[1:28:15]
we want to. Include those half year considerations in the
[1:28:19]
budget document as well before. It's actually up for council's
[1:28:22]
consideration. Any other discussion. We'll bring the resolution forward.
[1:29:03]
Item 7D, recommendation for programming from the rack committee. Is
[1:29:12]
there any questions, discussion regarding that request from the committee?
[1:29:17]
Councilor Zair. My only comment would be, I'm in support
[1:29:25]
of this. Hearing some of the conversation at Roma, again,
[1:29:31]
just on people being able to fit in and belong
[1:29:34]
and feel welcome. I think this is a great step,
[1:29:38]
obviously. The REC advisory committee feels this is important in
[1:29:41]
getting some programming going, so I'm in. Support of that.
[1:29:45]
Thank you. Any other questions? Comments regarding this request? We
[1:29:52]
have a resolution on your screen. To accept it and
[1:29:58]
include the request as part of the 2026 budget deliberations.
[1:30:02]
Moved by councilor Gillespie. Seconded by Councilor Smith. That council
[1:30:07]
direct staff to include the recreational advisory committee's request of
[1:30:10]
$5,000. For programming startup costs to be included as part
[1:30:13]
of the 2026 budget development for further consideration by council.
[1:30:18]
Is there any discussion regarding that motion? Not seeing any.
[1:30:23]
We'll call a vote. As
[1:30:33]
carried. Eight e the Ontario Good Roads Association 2026 conference.
[1:30:46]
Looking for any interested members seeking to go to that
[1:30:48]
conference. Put their name forward. Are there any staff that
[1:30:54]
would be going to that. Looks like Tom.
[1:31:06]
And rodney ransom. Okay, so
[1:31:15]
the clerk's going to put that resolution on the screen
[1:31:18]
momentarily. Moved by
[1:31:27]
Councilor Smith. Seconded by councilor Zaire. That council approve the
[1:31:30]
following members. Of council and staff to attend the 2026
[1:31:33]
OGrE conference. Tom Lightfoot and Rodney Ramsayer is there any
[1:31:36]
discussion regarding that? We'll call the vote.
[1:31:53]
That is carried. We're on to item nine a. Thanks.
[1:32:01]
Good evening. We received a section 78 report under the
[1:32:08]
Drainage act. For minor improvement to 47 Hope street east.
[1:32:12]
And Tavistock. This was required as it will be an
[1:32:17]
intensification development. And the drain currently runs right. Through the
[1:32:21]
middle. Of the property. As in keeping with previous improvements.
[1:32:29]
And intensification. Projects. The developer will be paying for the
[1:32:34]
full cost of the drain being moved and the drain
[1:32:37]
of course will be upsized to current standards. Thank you,
[1:32:42]
John. Any questions for staff on the report? Deputy mayor
[1:32:48]
Smith can you tell me? I should have looked at
[1:32:51]
this myself, but can you tell me where this property
[1:32:53]
is. Yeah, it's just down from the vet in Tavistock
[1:33:01]
on the main street beside the. Old car garage. Yeah,
[1:33:07]
the old car garage. In there, there was an old,
[1:33:09]
partially dilapidated house which has since been removed and it's
[1:33:13]
blocked off right now. We have nothing firm yet. It
[1:33:22]
might be row housing. It's going to be a condo
[1:33:26]
development. It's going to be either row housing. Or maybe
[1:33:29]
a small apartment building or something to that nature. I'm
[1:33:33]
not exactly sure what final design he's landed on. It's
[1:33:37]
quite a large property. The frontage isn't overly large, but
[1:33:41]
it goes. Way back. There's a very large portion of
[1:33:44]
the back. So we'll be able to take on a
[1:33:48]
very large development. Any other questions? We'll have the resolution
[1:33:56]
on your screen. Move by Councilor Gillespie. Seconded by deputy
[1:34:01]
mayor Smith. That report ot 2026. One he received his
[1:34:06]
information and that council accepts the sign. Request for minor
[1:34:09]
improvements to the Tavistock, 1979. Drain under section 78 of
[1:34:13]
the Drainage act and further. That council instructs the clerk
[1:34:20]
to notify the Upper Thames River Conservation authority of the
[1:34:23]
township's intention to appoint an engineer under section 78 of
[1:34:26]
the Drainage act to prepare a report on the minor
[1:34:29]
improvement of the Tavistock 1979 drain and further the council
[1:34:33]
appoint Casemart and Associates Limited as the engineer to prepare
[1:34:35]
a report under section 78 of the drainage act for
[1:34:38]
the minor improvements of. A municipal drain. Is there any
[1:34:42]
discussion regarding that resolution? Not seeing any. We'll call the
[1:34:45]
vote. That is carried.
[1:35:13]
All right, we're moving on to item ten, notice of
[1:35:15]
motion and new business is there. Any notice of motions
[1:35:18]
this evening or new business being brought forward. I'd see
[1:35:24]
any round to eleven. Unfinished business. We have five items
[1:35:29]
there. Is there any update, any questions any council has
[1:35:34]
on any of those items? I can advise that. You
[1:35:44]
will or have received an invite to the secondary plan
[1:35:47]
open house next week. It's not mandatory that you attend,
[1:35:51]
but we are going to make a point of making
[1:35:54]
sure that council gets invited to all open houses and
[1:35:58]
public events involving. Members of the public. Not as that
[1:36:03]
you're required to attend, but rather, if you wanted. To
[1:36:06]
attend just to hear the discussion that goes on here.
[1:36:08]
So I mentioned that under the secondary plan, because I
[1:36:11]
know next week is the open house. Thank you, Councilor
[1:36:14]
Smith. Just with conferences and seminars in mind, Councilor Zair.
[1:36:22]
Mentioned Roma 26. In the opening remarks, wanted to thank
[1:36:28]
council for the opportunity to be part of our contingent
[1:36:32]
at Roma this year. And, of course, staff for covering
[1:36:37]
off some of the logistics to get me there. Conference
[1:36:40]
always represents a great learning opportunity. Long list of subjects.
[1:36:46]
Touched on. Councilor Zayer mentioned a few. And, of course,
[1:36:51]
Through the rural lands, which is the focus. Staff pensions
[1:36:56]
through Omars, automated speed enforcement, conservation authorities, strong mayor powers,
[1:37:03]
special economic zones, school boards municipal zoning orders Infrastructure Homelessness
[1:37:10]
health care affordability waste management municipal services. Corporations. Community safety,
[1:37:19]
the coming code of conduct, doctor shortage, mental health, policing,
[1:37:24]
hospitals, higher education. Belonging and even. Dare I say it?
[1:37:31]
Chinese spy vehicles. Good job to Roma on a great
[1:37:37]
conference, and thanks again for the opportunity. Thank you, Councilor
[1:37:42]
Smith. I can echo your comments. Anything else under unfinished
[1:37:47]
business. Not seeing anything. Scotty. Sorry. I maybe should have
[1:37:56]
mentioned this in a different location, but I just wanted
[1:37:59]
to offer my gratitude. To Chief Alexander as one of
[1:38:02]
his firefighters for almost 15 years now, I appreciate his
[1:38:07]
care and his compassion for us as firefighters and also
[1:38:11]
for our department, all the long hours and work that
[1:38:14]
he puts in. I'm thankful that he mentioned his. Family
[1:38:17]
because. I'm sure they've had to be woken up by
[1:38:20]
that radio going off way. Too often and by him
[1:38:24]
being gone. So thanks, Chief Alexander, for all that you
[1:38:26]
have done for our community. Thank you. Counseling there.
[1:38:38]
Okay. We have no closed session this evening, I believe.
[1:38:43]
No bylaws to pass. Item 15. Confirming an adjournment resolution
[1:38:50]
on your screen. Move by Councilor Smith. Seconded by councilor
[1:38:59]
Rudy. That bylaw 2026, year one. Being a viola. To
[1:39:03]
confirm the proceedings of council held January 21, 2026, be
[1:39:07]
read a first second and third time this 21st day
[1:39:09]
of January, 2026, and that the mayor and clerk are.
[1:39:17]
Here bar authorized to sign the same and affix the
[1:39:19]
corporate seal there too. And further that the meeting does
[1:39:21]
now adjourn at 08:36 p.m. any discussion. Call the vote.
[1:39:34]
We are adjourned.