[1:46] Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Committee of the Whole for June.

[1:53] I'd like to ask any member to declare a pecuniary interest now or where it may

[1:58] arise anytime during the meeting. Councilor Lusby, please.

[2:02] » Thank you, Warden Merritt. I'd like to declare conflict of interest on 4A AEMS

[2:09] Master Plan and the closed meeting A B E M S Master

[2:13] Plan. And I've completed the necessary paperwork. Thank you.

[2:16] » Okay. Thank you.

[2:19] Seeing no others. Item number three, infrastructure and

[2:24] development management services division.

[2:27] We have two information reports to consider this morning unless there's

[2:31] questions. I'll look for a motion to receive and file. Councilor Miller

[2:35] moves, Councilor Kay seconds. All in favor. A question by Councilor Atkinson.

[2:40] » Thank you, Warden. Relating to item three

[2:44] B number A of B, the feasibility report

[2:49] study. I was just wondering down the road, are other municipalities going to

[2:53] be allowed to be considered taking part of this once it's uh

[2:57] the report comes back? >> Okay, I'll ask Mr. Cole to respond,

[3:03] please.

[3:09] » Thank you through you, Mr. Warden. I I think that's in the under the reports

[3:14] requiring a motion, the fire um

[3:17] uh the fire services report. Uh correct. Right. Thank you. Um and I

[3:23] the the goal out of this is is to uh look and to whether or not we

[3:28] council wishes us to proceed in considering options. So, if that's an

[3:33] option that um uh is of concern whether or not other

[3:36] municipalities could participate in the future, we could include that in the

[3:40] reporting back to council.

[3:44] » Motion to receive and file the two information reports. All in favor.

[3:49] Opposed, that's carried. And 3B reports requiring a motion. The first one

[3:55] is a report regarding the fire prevention feasibility review.

[4:00] Look for a motion to approve the two recommendations. Councillor Ferguson and

[4:04] Councillor Bushy. All in favor?

[4:08] That's carried. And 3BB

[4:12] report regarding Sarnia organic waste collection.

[4:20] Councillor White moves the recommendation. Councillor

[4:23] Sageman seconds. All in favor?

[4:28] Opposed if any? That's carried.

[4:31] Item number four, public health services division and the EMS department. We have

[4:37] uh one information report regarding the

[4:41] Lambton EMS master plan update. I'll look for a motion If there's no

[4:47] discussion, I'll look for a motion to receive and file. Councillor White

[4:51] and Councillor Ferguson. You have a question, Councillor Ferguson.

[4:56] » Yes, thank you, Warden. Looking through there, there was talk at the time of

[4:59] putting a station in the Westbrook area, Inwood. Is that still

[5:04] in the books somewhere? >> Okay, Mr. Churchill, please.

[5:11] » Thank you for the question through you, Warden. Um

[5:14] our Chief Stephen Turner is here, so I'll ask him to respond to that

[5:17] question. Thank you. >> Good morning, and through you, Mr.

[5:22] Warden. Um so, in master plan, the master plan identified that the last

[5:26] stage of uh fleet movements and and allocations would be to take a look at

[5:32] the Thedford or Thedford decoupling, placing 12 hours of service from

[5:36] Thedford in Forest, and the other 12 hours we would take a peek at where the

[5:41] best and most appropriate seating was for the that location. One of the three

[5:45] options that was identified in the master plan was one putting in Sarnia as

[5:49] a day car. The second creating a 24-hour vehicle in Sarnia if

[5:54] the need was required overnight and the third was taking a look at the Ennwood

[5:59] Alvinston area as a possibility. So those three

[6:03] are the last stage options of the of the master plan and at that point we

[6:08] would take a look at where the need was greatest and place those 12 hours of

[6:12] service at that point. >> Okay and counselor White.

[6:16] » Uh thank you Ward Marriott. Just want to have a comment really to

[6:20] Mr. Turner and and and and Mr. Churchill and and the whole team.

[6:25] This is a master class on how to implement a

[6:29] master plan. The progress made in this very very very detailed and logistically

[6:34] complicated EMS master plan is incredible and the progress with which

[6:40] you're moving forward is absolutely commendable. So I just want to say you

[6:43] know thank you for the incredible work that you're doing and

[6:46] and it really should be recognized as something to to be very proud of for

[6:50] everyone here at the county. Thank >> Thank you counselor White and thank you

[6:55] Mr. Turner and Mr. Churchill. Question by counselor McRoberts.

[7:03] » Thank you through the chair. I'm just curious on page two of the summary of

[7:07] the progress number eight reduce unnecessary code eight standbys. Can you

[7:12] please tell us what that was why it existed in the first place and then what

[7:16] deemed it to be unnecessary?

[7:20] » Certainly through you Mr. Chair. The code eight standbys are a movement

[7:25] of fleet whenever we have a 911 call and we have to move one of our ambulances

[7:30] and and respond to an emergency. What that

[7:34] does is it leaves a gap in the coverage and kind of the mesh of the network

[7:38] and I I like to Uh, liken it to basketball uh, which just happens to be

[7:44] very timely right now. Uh, instead of man-on-man, it's floating

[7:47] zone. So, when we move one ambulance, we have to move another ambulance to cover

[7:51] the gap that's left. Uh, when we took a look at the the outset of

[7:55] the master plan, we identified that a lot of that fleet movement was

[7:59] unnecessary and often was detrimental. So, we moved a vehicle, uh, I'll give

[8:04] you an example, um, from Brea to to uh, to Corona. Uh, so, when the Corona

[8:08] station went out on a call, we would move the vehicle from Brea to over to

[8:12] Corona because Brea has a lower call volume. What that left was a gap in the

[8:16] south end of our county, uh, and the

[8:19] uh, the split 50% of the time the call would actually be back in Brea.

[8:24] Uh, rather than in the Corona area and made a big run to get back to the call

[8:29] that was there. So, we took a really deep analytic view of that and took a

[8:33] and identified that we could lessen the number of standbys that we did, which

[8:37] was also a fairly significant component of the workload of our crews. Uh, it

[8:42] also uh, on top of that, uh, added to wear and tear on our fleet and

[8:46] significant fuel usage. Uh, as a result, we've actually found

[8:49] that we've been able to reduce a code eight standbys by about 50%, uh, save

[8:55] about $80,000 in fuel, a significant reduction in uh, task times on our

[9:00] crews, uh, and have not have had a negative effect uh, on our response

[9:05] times. We've continued to meet our response time performance plan.

[9:09] » Perfect. Thank you. Any other questions?

[9:15] Seeing none, um,

[9:20] call of the We We have a motion on the floor. Okay. All in favor of the save

[9:24] and file, opposed if any. That's carried. Thank you.

[9:28] Any other business for

[9:31] Public Health Services and EMS this morning?

[9:36] » Mr. Warden, if if I may, uh, I'd just like to introduce Carol Moore.

[9:40] Identified in the master plan was our reorganization. Carol Moore has joined

[9:44] us as our new deputy chief of community programs and system quality. She started

[9:49] a couple weeks ago and we're very fortunate to have her on board.

[9:52] » Great. Welcome, Ms. Moore.

[10:00] Okay, moving on to number five, cultural services division. We have

[10:09] First report is regarding the revised circulation policy. Look for a motion to

[10:14] approve the recommendation. Councilor Sageman.

[10:19] Seconded by Councilor Atkinson. Discussion.

[10:23] All in favor. Opposed if any, that's carried.

[10:27] 5AB, report regarding the Bright's Grove

[10:31] Library expansion project. Look for a motion on the four

[10:37] recommendations.

[10:40] Councilor White. Moves. Seconded by

[10:44] Councilor Atkinson.

[10:48] Question by Councilor White. >> Uh thank you. Um

[10:52] I I know it's not clear yet when the work is to begin, but um

[10:57] is there a plan on notifying notifying the public uh of the impending closure?

[11:05] Temporary closure of the Bright's Grove Library.

[11:08] And what would that plan look like? Thanks.

[11:10] » Mr. Meyer, please. >> Uh through you, Warden, and thank you

[11:14] for the question. Um certainly the city staff are still

[11:18] confirming the timeline with the contractor that was just engaged.

[11:22] Uh there is it is anticipated that perhaps this summer

[11:26] work will commence. Once we've got that date confirmed with their contractor, um

[11:30] we'll be reaching out to our card holders

[11:33] as well as promoting the availability of the other sites as outlined in the

[11:37] report. So yeah, we're working with city staff

[11:40] to develop a communications plan regarding the service disruption.

[11:43] » Follow up, Councillor White. >> Thank you and obviously that's going to

[11:48] also mean the gallery in the Grove is is

[11:51] included in that. Is there a temporary plan for relocation of that of any

[11:57] potential showings and the work that they do or

[12:02] will it just be on hiatus for a year plus?

[12:05] » Mr. Mayor, please. >> Through you, Warden.

[12:09] Similar to our approach, the gallery is planning to close for the duration of

[12:13] construction just given the the limited access and the work at the site.

[12:17] However, we as cultural services division will be working with the

[12:20] gallery to determine if we can accommodate some of

[12:23] their programs, their exhibitions at other county sites.

[12:27] Looking to partner with the JNAAG, perhaps certain library

[12:31] to ensure that some of their the programming can continue.

[12:37] » Okay, call the question on the motion on the floor. All in favor?

[12:41] Opposed if any, that's carried. 5 AC report regarding museums, gallery

[12:47] and archives collection management up to April 2026.

[12:52] There's no Councillor Case moves recommendation. Councillor Loosley

[12:56] seconds. All in favor? That's carried.

[13:01] Is there any other business for cultural services this morning?

[13:07] Seeing none, move on to six long-term care.

[13:11] » [clears throat] >> We have one information report to

[13:14] receive and file.

[13:17] For a motion for that, Councillor Hand and Councillor

[13:23] Let's see, Cook. Sorry. And you have a question, Councillor

[13:28] Cook? No, okay. So, motion on the floor. All

[13:32] in favor? Opposed, if any. That's carried.

[13:36] Any other Any other business

[13:40] for long-term care?

[13:43] Okay. Moving on to number seven, Corporate

[13:46] Services Division. We have one information report here to

[13:52] receive and file. Councillor Miller.

[13:56] Seconded by Councillor Atkinson.

[14:01] Question by Councillor Ferguson.

[14:04] » Most of this is supposed to be self-funded through the fines, etc., but

[14:07] it appears not going that way anymore. Any comments from staff

[14:12] for the future to look for If we got to fund this from the county general

[14:16] reserves, and if the staff's going to negative number, what really happens?

[14:22] » Ms. Leger, please.

[14:26] » Yeah, thank you for the question, Councillor Ferguson, through the Warden.

[14:29] So, uh what has been happening? So, over the

[14:32] There's another report in the package today that provides a a holistic view of

[14:37] the POA program and what's been happening over the last 18 years, I

[14:41] would say. So, in 12 of those years, the uh department has essentially been

[14:45] operating at a loss. So, the fine revenue has been insufficient, like you

[14:50] said, to cover the operating costs of the POA program.

[14:54] In those instances, it's been funded either uh partially by reserves or

[15:00] through the general tax levy.

[15:05] » Any other questions before I call the question? Uh Councillor White.

[15:11] » My uh question's similar in nature, um and uh

[15:15] really it just comes down to, you know, this is a mandated service. I get that,

[15:20] but uh is there ever a discussion with the province about kicking in? I mean,

[15:24] this is the Provincial Offences Act.

[15:27] Uh, are they ever,

[15:31] you know, at the table in discussions with picking up the, uh,

[15:35] the, uh, the tab? >> Ms. Leger, please.

[15:42] » Yes, thank you, Councillor White. So, uh, from the department's perspective,

[15:47] we've taken an approach in that, uh, the goals and objectives of the department,

[15:52] uh, looks to aim to address these

[15:55] challenges, the, particularly the budgetary pressures experienced by the

[15:59] department. So, we're looking internally as well as externally. So, we've really

[16:04] prioritized advocacy efforts, uh, as it relates to our POA program, uh,

[16:09] particularly the rising court security costs, and the province provides, uh,

[16:14] grant funding that partially offsets those costs. So, advocacy efforts to,

[16:20] uh, work with the province in reviewing those grant funding so that, uh,

[16:24] currently it partially offsets by about 40%. Perhaps there could be a review

[16:29] that the grant funding, uh, provides more.

[16:33] And then also advocacy efforts around the set fine structure and court

[16:37] administration fees. So, those efforts are underway, uh, both through the

[16:42] regular county channels, but also in partnership with other municipalities

[16:47] throughout the province. This isn't only a land and, uh, POA court problem. This

[16:52] is a challenge faced by many, many POA program programs throughout the

[16:57] province. So, we partner with municipalities through our Municipal

[17:01] Court Managers Association, as well as through AMO.

[17:07] » Any other questions or comments before I call the question?

[17:11] Motion on the floor, receive and file. All in favor?

[17:14] That's carried. Thank you. 7B,

[17:19] a review regarding the policing grant

[17:22] consultation discussion or motion to approve the recommendation.

[17:28] Councilor Case. Okay, and do we have a seconder?

[17:34] Uh Councilor Atkinson, go ahead Councilor Case, please.

[17:38] » So, I'm curious. I know that consultation was to take place with the

[17:42] lower tier municipalities. I didn't really notice anything and I

[17:46] apologize if it's in here and I didn't see it on what the opinion of the lower

[17:50] tier municipalities on this. I know Warwick did have an opinion on this

[17:53] and it was to continue with the grant process. I understand the rationale why

[17:57] staff is asking us not to. But, I guess my question is

[18:01] did every municipality weigh in on this? I'd be interested to know what the

[18:04] results of that their opinion were on that particular issue. Thank you.

[18:08] » Okay, thank you. Ms. Leger, please.

[18:14] » Yes, thank you. Through the Warden. So, uh the consultation process started the

[18:19] beginning of May um and all staff from member

[18:22] municipalities were invited to participate as part of that process. Uh

[18:27] there were eight staff members through uh the member municipalities that uh

[18:31] joined the participation, six of which voiced their preference.

[18:36] Uh all being in favor of eliminating the

[18:39] policing grant. And well, some said either option. So,

[18:45] uh I'll back it up a uh little bit. We had prepared uh in preparation for the

[18:49] consultation, we had suggested, knowing the budgetary pressures of the POA

[18:54] program, we had suggested a gradual phase out of the policing grant wherein

[18:59] it would continue for 2027, but then thereafter it would reduce by 100,000.

[19:04] So, by 2033 the policing grant would be eliminated. Uh so, that was what was on

[19:10] the table uh in terms of the consultation process, but after going

[19:14] through the background information and explaining the position of the POA

[19:18] program, staff from member municipalities had voiced that they were

[19:22] in favor of eliminating the POA grant effective 2027. While some had said were

[19:29] were comfortable with either option, either

[19:32] gradually phasing it out or eliminating it effective 2027. Uh there was no

[19:38] member municipality that had said they wanted the grant to continue

[19:43] indefinitely though.

[19:47] » Councillor Loosley.

[19:50] Thank you, Warden Merritt, and I do understand there were discussions. Um I

[19:54] have a concern cuz I still think policing costs that are going up. An

[19:58] example, this year 11%. Petroleum received $17,000.

[20:03] I cannot support cutting that out. I think we need to continue to keep that

[20:07] going. And I will not support this. Thank you.

[20:12] Councillor Ferguson. May I like to ask her how much of the

[20:16] money is money we would pay into the county and then get it back, money in,

[20:20] money out?

[20:23] Yeah, not sure. Ms. Lejeune, you want to tackle that one?

[20:27] In in terms of the levy or can I ask clarification in terms of the levy? Is

[20:32] that what you're referring to? So a grant coming back

[20:37] from the county. How much has we paid into that to start with?

[20:42] Is it just money that we pay in that that is coming back to us?

[20:47] And we eliminate it because it's really in the end of the day it's

[20:50] it's a zero in our books. Ms. Lejeune, please.

[20:56] Yeah, so that was uh at least as I understood it, that was

[21:01] one of the um alarming pieces from the staff of the member municipalities in

[21:05] that when we provide the policing grant out to member municipalities,

[21:11] but if we're budgeting a deficit for the department, then we're essentially

[21:17] redistributing the funds back to the county through the general tax levy

[21:22] process. So, it's like you had said,

[21:26] somewhat of a wash or an exercise rather.

[21:30] » Councilor Case. >> So, we also had those discussions as I

[21:35] referenced earlier. And the our discussions were not to to

[21:40] continue on with the grant, actually to continue on with the grant. So, I don't

[21:44] know where the communication went wrong from our standpoint because we were very

[21:49] much on the record saying that we wanted this grant to continue. We look at it as

[21:53] we're paying in and we're getting out. That's the same for everybody to a

[21:56] certain point. So, anyways, I'm not going to support the recommendation of

[22:00] staff on this one. I do understand with all due respect why they're trying to

[22:03] find the money. By the same time, I think we should

[22:05] continue on with this grant as well as Mayor Lusby has said. I agree with that.

[22:09] » Thank you, Councilor Case. Any other questions, comments before I call

[22:14] Councilor Bradley.

[22:17] » Yes, Mr. Warden and County Council. The city doesn't have any involvement in

[22:20] this obviously with their own police service.

[22:22] Would it be wise to table this for a year and continue the program into next

[22:27] year and allow the new council to deal with

[22:30] what they are facing on a number of financial fronts?

[22:34] And if there is support for doing that, I would move to table it with the grant

[22:36] continuing at least through 2027. >> Okay, is there a seconder for that

[22:42] motion to table? Councilor White seconds.

[22:45] Councilor Hand, do you have a comment or you're seconding it?

[22:54] » I was just putting my hand up to second it. Thank you.

[22:56] » Okay, so I'll call the question on tabling. All in favor to table?

[23:04] Opposed?

[23:07] I declare that uh the motion is defeated.

[23:13] » I I'm sorry, it's a bit late, but can I

[23:15] ask for a recorded vote? >> Okay.

[23:19] Oh, it's committee of the whole, yes. Sorry.

[23:22] » Okay. All right. So, we'll save that for the next

[23:24] meeting. >> Okay, Counselor Case.

[23:28] » I will make the motion that we continue with the funding in the grant process as

[23:33] we have for many years. I'll make that motion that we continue on with the

[23:36] grant process. >> Okay. Do we have a seconder by Counselor

[23:39] Loosely seconds. Uh we had one motion on the floor though

[23:43] already.

[23:46] So

[23:50] Yeah, we did. Yeah, two.

[23:54] Yeah, that was your your motion, Counselor Case, so if you want to

[23:57] withdraw the first one. >> I made the motion that we put it on the

[24:00] floor for this session. I will withdraw that motion.

[24:03] » Okay. And now you're making a motion to

[24:07] keep it.

[24:10] Any discussion?

[24:14] So, call the question. All in favor of the motion.

[24:17] Opposed, if any.

[24:20] The motion carries.

[24:29] Okay, 7 BB regarding report regarding the municipal election restricted acts.

[24:36] Look for a motion to uh approve the recommendation on this.

[24:41] Counselor Ferguson. Counselor Loosely.

[24:45] Seconds. Any discussion?

[24:48] All in favor. Opposed, if any. That's carried.

[24:53] Any other business for corporate services division this morning.

[24:59] Seeing none, moving on to number eight, find finance facilities and

[25:04] acquisitions. We have no agenda items. So, look for open it up for other

[25:08] business.

[25:13] Seeing none, moving on to number nine, Social Services Division.

[25:17] » [clears throat] >> One report regarding the child care

[25:20] facility development update. Look for a motion to receive and

[25:24] file this.

[25:29] Councillor Bushy. Seconded by Councillor Atkinson.

[25:33] All in favor. That's carried.

[25:39] And nine

[25:43] AB, information report regarding the affordable housing update.

[25:52] I guess this we could have included that with

[25:55] uh Councillor McRoberts, please.

[26:01] » Thank you, through the chair. I do have a question that uh came up in Sarnia

[26:06] Council. Can we please get a definition

[26:10] of affordable housing, also a definition for supportive

[26:14] housing, and if we could, is the George Street

[26:19] build going to be within dwell, going to be supportive housing or affordable

[26:24] housing? Thank you.

[26:28] » Ms. Fitzpatrick, would you be able to address that, please?

[26:33] » Thank you for the question and through you, Warden. So, as far as the

[26:35] definitions, affordable housing, we can consider

[26:40] affordable or deeply affordable or rent geared to income. So, with affordable

[26:44] housing, it's considered 80% of the average market rent as set by CMHC.

[26:50] Deeply affordable is rent geared to income. so it's assessed based on the

[26:53] individual's income. Supportive housing is generally rent

[26:58] geared to income with intensive supports.

[27:01] So, it's it's not only the financial supplement that makes the um

[27:06] housing sustainable, it's also the case management supports that allows the

[27:10] person to remain successfully housed. In terms of the George Street project, it

[27:15] is the intention that it will be supportive housing with uh deeply

[27:19] affordable rents.

[27:24] » Any other uh Counselor White? >> Again, just two things uh I'd like to

[27:29] highlight in this report because and we know that the negative likes to

[27:35] stick uh in the public narrative, but here we

[27:38] are with two uh very good good news stories here, both with the uh

[27:44] the uh Aboriginal housing

[27:47] uh operation that uh that is open

[27:50] on Confederation Street along with the 10 uh rent supplements that the county

[27:54] is providing to make some of those affordable units even more deeply

[27:58] affordable for those uh who otherwise wouldn't be able to

[28:01] handle that uh in their budgets. And of course, the on time uh and on budget uh

[28:07] construction at Kathleen Avenue is a very good news story

[28:11] uh as we're expecting that to be online later this year.

[28:14] Uh again, I just want to highlight the the positive here. Great great work

[28:18] to staff um and uh and thank you for your ongoing commitment to making sure

[28:23] that these priorities are met. >> Thank you.

[28:28] Look for a motion to receive and file this report.

[28:34] Counselor Sageman, Counselor Ferguson, all in favor.

[28:38] Let's carry. Thank you.

[28:42] And 9B, report regarding closure of emergency

[28:46] overflow shelter and expansion at Inn of the Good Shepherd.

[28:51] There is uh There is four recommendations

[28:56] here. Councillor Bradley

[28:59] moves. >> Yeah. Well, I wouldn't move it forward,

[29:01] but the one one that's missing ingredient, I'll ask

[29:05] this question to staff, is that there's um

[29:09] no public engagement. Are you going to uh have what you did

[29:14] elsewhere uh on George and elsewhere, this type of

[29:17] open house where these people can come in and deal with the facts and not what

[29:21] they're hearing through other sources? Is that part of the plan cuz it's not in

[29:25] the uh report or the recommendations? >> Okay, I'll look for a seconder first.

[29:29] Councillor White seconds. Um and I'd ask uh Ms. Fitzpatrick to

[29:34] respond, please.

[29:37] » Through you, Warden, to Councillor Bradley. So, with the expansion of the

[29:42] Good Shepherd's Lodge as proposed, I mean, public input is certainly

[29:46] important in many planning decisions. However, with an expansion, the zoning

[29:50] is already in place, and as part of municipal municipal planning, municipal

[29:54] consultation is not a requirement. So, in the essence of time and moving

[29:59] this project forward in a timely fashion, we wanted to get it in front of

[30:02] council as soon as possible, which uh the details are in the report today.

[30:07] Certainly, as we proceed through this project with pre-development um

[30:12] minor variances, we could engage with the public to inform them of the plan,

[30:17] but in the interest of time and moving the project forward and ensuring a

[30:21] timely solution to permanent shelter beds and being able to wind down the

[30:24] overflow operation, we did not preemptively um

[30:28] initiate public consultation, so to speak. But, certainly, we would be happy

[30:32] to share the plan if approved by this council with the public moving forward.

[30:38] » Follow up, Councillor Bradley. >> Well, I understand that and I understand

[30:42] that from our meeting last week that uh that there's not a need for a rezoning

[30:46] which would start a whole public process. However, I do think

[30:49] watching all the stuff on social media and the first casualty is usually the

[30:53] truth. I think it's really important to bring

[30:56] this forward as soon as possible just to inform that neighborhood. And also, I

[31:00] know you have regular meetings for the Melrose neighborhood and as part of our

[31:03] discussion last week, I personally would prefer that that exit is much shorter

[31:08] than what's predicted. But can you say on the record here now

[31:12] what is happening at Melrose Place on Melrose Street, the actual number of

[31:16] people using it has decreased significantly and I think that's

[31:19] important for people to know. >> Ms. Fitzpatrick, please.

[31:24] » Through you Warden to Councillor Bradley, I mean yes, you are correct

[31:28] with the Melrose overflow shelter. The usage is on average for the past couple

[31:33] of months around 15 people a night. Of course, giving times of the month, it

[31:38] may be a few more or a few less, but there's 25 beds available, but on

[31:42] average we've been using 15 of those 25 beds.

[31:46] Certainly activity is significantly lower than it was this time last year.

[31:50] We continuously, on a regular basis, every two to three months, we meet with

[31:55] the Melrose neighborhood. They reported the same to us. They're they're happy

[31:58] with the changes. Of course, they want to see it um eventually close, which

[32:03] again, that is also the wish of staff. I I with regard to the timeline of

[32:09] closing overflow, it is the intention once the lodge expansion project is

[32:13] complete, it will result in the closure of the overflow. However, closing it

[32:17] prematurely as as we all can appreciate, there is not enough capacity at the

[32:22] lodge on its own to meet demand, so we will need to

[32:25] maintain that for the foreseeable future to meet shelter need. We'll continue to

[32:30] to monitor monitor though on a monthly basis and wherever possible, look to

[32:34] minimize the operations at the Lower Lee Church.

[32:38] » I appreciate that. Now, can I just go back for a second and ask on this idea

[32:42] at least informing the neighborhood through an open house of exactly

[32:45] what this is and it is an extension of existing service which is is positive.

[32:51] I I think there's a need to do that in that commercial area and that

[32:53] residential area uh that they've informed as soon as

[32:57] possible the details. And we went through that on George Street. Uh once

[33:01] that got rolling the um the misinformation was enormous.

[33:06] And I think we should do everything to bring it down knowing that that's not

[33:10] always possible. And I'll leave that with you. I'll leave

[33:12] that with your judgment on your timing and when you would do that.

[33:17] » Okay. Councillor White. >> Uh thank you, Warden.

[33:20] Through you to Ms. Fitzpatrick. In the past um there were conversations about

[33:26] the possibility of expanding services on this particular site and

[33:30] uh if I if my memory serves me correctly the conclusion was that there just

[33:35] wasn't enough land uh available to make any sort of real difference in in

[33:41] expanding that. Uh there's limited parking for staff and and visitors and

[33:46] and the building itself takes up a fairly large

[33:49] uh portion of the property. So, what what has changed or what what allowed uh

[33:54] a creative reconsideration of that option here?

[33:58] » Ms. Fitzpatrick, please. >> Through you, Warden, to Councillor

[34:02] White. So, we did engage with Gloss Engineering and Architect.

[34:06] They they did the feasibility study for us.

[34:09] So, the expansion of the lodge operation it's it's really one dorm room. So, if

[34:14] you're if you're facing the lodge from Confederation Street, it would be the

[34:18] east side of the building uh between that and the Salvation Army.

[34:21] So, it's it's it's one dorm room on that side, a little bit of office space, and

[34:27] some interior renovations of existing spaces. So, being able to convert an

[34:31] existing boardroom into a female dorm. So really using their creativity and

[34:36] their expertise the the net result is 1,700 square feet

[34:41] that falls within building code requirements. So it is a it is a viable

[34:46] project on the existing site.

[34:51] » Thank you. Any other questions before I call the vote?

[34:55] Okay, so I have a motion on the floor to approve the four recommendations.

[34:59] All in favor? Opposed if any?

[35:03] That's carried. Any other business for social services

[35:07] this morning?

[35:11] We have no agenda items for our office of the CAO unless there's other business

[35:16] to be brought up.

[35:20] Seeing none. Brings us to item number 11 in camera.

[35:24] I'll look for a motion to go in camera for the items listed on the agenda.

[35:29] Councillor Lusby and Councillor Sageman. All in favor?

[35:32] That's carried.

[38:24] » Mhm.

[40:19] » Mhm.

[44:09] » Mhm. >> Okay, before I call for a motion to

[44:14] adjourn, we have a couple invitations I'd like to note. Uh the first one being

[44:19] Marshall Goulding Manor has a family barbecue on Saturday, July

[44:23] 25th at 5:00 p.m. And the second one is a Northland and

[44:28] Lodge family barbecue, Thursday, August 6th at 5:00 p.m.

[44:34] Look for a motion to adjourn. Councilor Loosely

[44:39] and Councilor Ferguson, all in favor. Let's carry it, thank you.

[44:45] Oh, yeah, and the audit committee meets upstairs immediately following

[44:50] the uh this meeting.

[44:53] Oh, no, we're doing it in the council chambers, sorry.

Committee of the Whole - 17 Jun 2026

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