Over in our Laura overnight. But I go to my
stepson. He lives in town for Christmas day. But big
ones over. Travel and weather.
Other than today, and it looks like it'd be a
green Christmas. Green Christmas bow.
Ready? Discussion going on here. Ready?
Good evening, everyone. Welcome council and guests tonight for our
last meeting of 2024. Official council meeting for 2023. Pardon
me. At this point in time. We like to wish
everybody merry Christmas ahead of time in case I forget
to do it later. On. Any declaration of pecuniary interest
tonight. Seeing none. Approval of the agenda. And our director
will go through the agenda update, please. Sure. We've added
a few items. For this evening. Under bylaws and resolutions
13.8, we have a transfer of property resolution that we
need 13.9, the emergency preparedness grant resolution, and then as
well, at the end of the meeting, we'll be going
into closed session, which is an additional item for it.
This. Evening. A motion to approve the agenda. Please. Councilor
Scott. Councilor Maguire, any questions? All in favor? Thank you.
Item four is a minister of November. The 20 eigth
council meeting. I'm going. To move her to second, please,
Councilor Ferguson. Our deputy mayor Sageman, any questions on the
minutes? All in favor? Thank you. Councilor reports.
Last Thursday night, we had the open house session in
Grand Ben for the community center and the turnout was
amazing. 170
responses so far.
I was going to report on the consultation as well.
And councilor McGuire was going to talk about the Santa
Claus. Bargarall east. I wasn't at the Santa Claus Barclass.
I've had about six turkey dinners so far this Christmas
from different invitations that I've been able to go to,
and I appreciate all the groups and people that have
invited us. Out. To socialize with them. It's been a
great holiday season so far. And I hope everybody has
a safe one. Item six on the agenda is a
statutory public meeting so I can get a motion to
close. The meeting at seven three. Councilor Scott. Councilor Maguire.
All in favor? This is for Adam Brebner. And is
there anyone here to present? Everyone.
The purpose of this meeting is to give counsel and
the public an opportunity to hear all interested. Persons with
respect to a zoning bylaw amendment application by Adam Brebner
and for counsel to consider the proposal. This application, or
the applicant, rather, is requesting an amendment to zoning bylaw
one of 2003 as it affects 125 King street in
Bedford. The application is to change the existing zoning of
residential r one to a site specific r one. Zone
exception. Permitting a day nursery. The applicant proposes to convert
the existing building from a doctor's office. To a day
nursery. So the order of procedure for this public meeting
is as follows. The applicant or their agent will present
the proposal. The clerk, that is me, will provide any
comments received from. Circulated agencies in the public. After which
the public will be asked for their comments or questions.
And if you would like to speak. Please ensure that
you state your name and address before you comment. The
applicant, their agent or staff may respond to any questions.
Council may then ask any questions of the applicant. Then
the public meeting will be closed. The planner will provide
their staff report and recommendation later in the meeting at
agenda item number 10.5. The public is advised that comments
expressed in written material presented are a matter of public
record for full disclosure. Thank you. Thank you. So is
there anyone here to present on behalf of. Adam burbner.
Come to the phone, please. Hi.
I'm Kerry Brebner. I'm Adam's wife. I'm the one that's
hoping that's hoping. To run the center if we're able
to get it open. Yeah. So our hopes are to
run a child care center at 125 King Street. Any
questions of the presenter from. Council. So what, cox?
Is it a seven day a week operation or just
through the week while people are working or. What's your
just Monday to Friday. We're hoping 07:00 in the morning
till 530 at night. Yes. Any member of the public
have any questions or comments regarding this application?
Staff have any comments or questions regarding the application.
I'll just speak that we did not receive any correspondence
from agencies of the public. Sorry, Mr. Mayor. Do you
want me to speak out at this time or later
in the agenda? I guess. The planning applications under plan.
9.5 on the agenda. So I guess you could speak
to it then, if that's. Fine. That's your preference. Seeing.
No other questions. Thank you for comments and. We'll be
receiving it and looking at it under 9.5 on the
agenda. Thank you. So get a motion to go back
into open session at 707. Councilor McGuire. Councilor. Scott. All
in favor? Thank you. Item seven is a presentation.
From the Grand Band Arts center regarding pain, Ontario. It's
a large vibrancy request. You have ten minutes.
Mayor cook, deputy mayor, stageman, counselors. My name is Net
Patchlers. I am currently president of the Grand Band Art
Center. A charitable organization. Run by volunteers. This is Barbara
Pickett, an artist who shows that Sunset Arts gallery. She's
a grand band resident. And a director on the Grand
Vandard center board. Grand Ben Art center has been producing
the paint Ontario show and sale at the Lampton Heritage
museum near the pinery entrance. Due to the reduction in
available display space that the newly renovated Lantern Heritage Museum.
Paint. Ontario needs a new home. The smaller space. Meant
severely reduced opportunities. For both artists and art appreciators. As
well as. The proportionally reduced income for grand band Art
center, the pain, Ontario's governing body. So we're here today
to talk about paint Ontario and saving paint Ontario. The
show itself is a very impressive show. Especially for a
small community like we have. I'm a relatively new resident.
I come from Mississauga and my first paint Ontario show.
Was in 2021. I went with a fellow artist and
from Stratford, and we toured the show and. We're absolutely
blown away, not only by the caliber of the artwork,
but the number of pieces, the professionalism of it. There
were artists to speak to. There were demonstrations going on,
and there was. A fairly big number of people that
were walking and going through it totally impressed. So much
so that I decided to volunteer to be involved with
Pain Ontario the following year. So I was one of
the greeters in 2022, and again a lovely show in
the museum. But it was half the size that it
was the year before. And the kind of comments you
got from the people who were visiting were this. It's
beautiful. This is great. Is there another room with more
art? And similarly, the artists, many of whom maybe had
one piece in the show, Previously have had two or
maybe three in the show. And for them, driving all
this way to be there just to meet with people.
Just didn't have the same bang for the buck, if
you will. And that kind of commentary went back to
the board and there was a recognition. There's maybe a
need for a venue change. Paint Ontario. Is the main
fundraising vehicle that we have at the Grand Band Art
center. Just like autumn, indulgence. Is the main fundraising venue
for rotary, so we look to that one event to
generate the funds we need to run the programs we
want to run. It's been running for 26 years. It
was Barry Richmond's brainchild to share local. Artists, art with
the community. And it has changed over the years into
something that's really one of the biggest art shows in
Ontario. We call it representational art because it's more than
just oil and acrylic and watercolors on the wall. It
sculptures its indigenous art, so it's a pretty big variety
of a show. And we get over 700 entries, if
you can imagine, from 400 artists. And we've got a
group of very talented jury members who. Cull through. These
700 entries and pick the 200 or so best of
the best and curate this beautiful show. That's here, right
at our doorstep. And we use the funds that we
generate from this show. To run the programs we run
at the art center. So as board members, We try
to work on our mission of inspiring creativity in our
community for people of all ages. So we're very, very
proud of the fact that we sponsor a music program
in the school. We run kids arts camps. We run
kids events throughout the year. When you go down to
the grand band Beach, the sculptures. The murals. That's all
because of our group and the efforts that are done
by that. In addition, we run a bunch of programs
in our little building on Municipal Drive, so we have
a great pottery program. That's for kids to adults. We
have art classes. Like drawing classes this year. I've started
a dab and gab. Drop in paint. Afternoon for senior
citizens and for adults. So we've got lots of programs
and lots of program ideas, but they need funding. And
so we have a model that's helped us, and that
is paint Ontario, where we have artists who want to
be in a very reputable space to show their works,
to participate and try to win some of our great
prize money donated by sponsors. And we co share in
the proceeds. They get 65%, we get 35. So it's
a good funding model that works. Payne, Ontario involves some
60 community volunteers, but we have no paid stuff. The
show brings shoulder seasoned visitors to restaurants, hotels, retailers and
more. The economic benefits. From some 3000 visitors is visible
throughout Lampton shores. Our permanent paint Ontario collection is displayed
annually at the local businesses. Paint Ontario is a creative,
cultural and inspirational experience. For all with artists,
demonstrations throughout the show and dedicated themed weekends. Local, indigenous
and other cultures will be celebrated during our. Closing weekend.
As well. Local students will be invited to experience pain
Ontario free of charge over a four day period. So
we're in a bit of a predicament. So the end
of 2022. We have a show with half the size
of the previous shows. Therefore, half the size meets half.
The amount of artwork and half the potential sales. Therefore,
half the fundraising money we need to run. Our programs.
So as a board, we sat back and. Thought, what
can we do? We need a new venue. We want
to have a venue that will allow us to have
a high quality event. And we don't want to do
this without it being professional looking. So after a lot
of consideration, we feel like we've come up with a
great, innovative solution. Through some joint work with one of
our partners, tech solutions, and essentially. What we are planning
to do is to take the upstairs floor of the
grand band legion and transform it into a beautiful art
gallery for three weeks in May of 2024, in order
to do that. We need some new equipment, some state
of the art track lighting. Some movable panels. We have
in the works, much like the diagram shows about 50
panels. That are portable, that are configurable, we'll be able
to have a great show for May. But we will
also be able to take those pieces and use them
again. And our intent is. To come up, or what
we've come up with is a modern solution. It's a
solution that will allow us to be professional, reusable, flexible
for this year and years. To come, and we want
to bring it with us to the grand band community
center when that comes to fruition, we'll share it with
our partners. But the bottom line is it's capital. It's
a one time investment that's reusable specifically for lighting and
for walls. And that's what our ask is, through this
grant. Fundraising is necessary to acquire equipment that meets the
standard for a professional art gallery. It's a one time
purchase since walls and lighting are reusable and transferable. Yes.
We've applied for a number of grants. We were not
successful in all of them. So the trillium grant. Did
not come through for us. We just found out we
did not get a creative county grant. So we've been
doing a lot of work behind the scenes. We have
had some successes. To meet our target for the May
2024 opening, we must raise the necessary funds to relocate.
To be upstairs. Legion Hall. And purchase the specialized walls
and lighting. Rotary monies were used for the legion upgrades.
Our vibrancy large grant request. Is just over 31,000. This
represents one third of the 94,000 in expenses. Due to
the new location. Signage will also be critical. In addition,
To rating significant grant. Request. Just kind of wrap it
up. Okay, so we have the wall sponsorship. We have
a tiered. Donation possibility. You get a receipt for anything.
Over $20. We are very grateful. To. The many individuals,
community organizations who have contributed. We want to thank Rotary,
who have already started us off, and a grant from
Sunset community foundation. The legion has been extremely supportive, and
at this point, I want to say thank you for
your consideration. And. Certainly. We look forward to working with
you. Thank you. Are there any questions? The group.
Council woodcocks. This item is on the agenda somewhere. I
read it somewhere, but I don't. It's in our large
vibrancy request. It is in that request. So it will
come back up. Through the mayor. A report will be
presented to council at the next meeting to make a
decision. On this request. This presentation is for information today.
We're not making a decision on this today. Okay. Councilor
bail. Just a question on the walls. Because you're moving.
From county to the legion, and you're making walls. So,
any idea? How much artwork can be displayed on the
walls that you're constructing. I take it that's an integral
part of the grant. Ask. The two. Hundred pieces will
be displayed there. There's going to be 50 panels, and
the panels are 4ft by nine and a half feet
each. So if you multiply that out, if you would
assume in that space you can do more than four
pieces on one panel. Got you. So there is your
200. Yes, it's a lot. And some sculpture space, too.
So Wilcox to your worship. Now that I have the
opportunity to clear my mind and ask some. Questions. So
this grant would just be to get the new equipment,
the capital expense, and then the show. Would self sustain
itself from there on out. And you've got, like, a
good storage facility. To put everything that you get so
it stays nice and dry and clean. So part B
is we have submitted a vibrancy small grant. Request. And
that does contain. The storage. Container. Okay. An excellent question,
because. It is so important that we take care of.
This lighting and the walls. And so. Essential. Important part
of culture. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you for
your presentation. Okay. All right. And thank you.
Under delegations we have. One tonight, and it is John
O'Hanley from the Legion would like to speak to. Item
9.2 on the correspondence. Mr. Hanley, come to the microphone.
You have three minutes, John.
Mayor and members of council. If you can remember, earlier
this year, the Grand Bend legion sent to members of
this council, a letter of concern regarding the safety of
children crossing. Highway 81 and Guild Road with
the letters of support. From most of all nonprofit organizations
within grand Bend seeking better safety protocols to help protect
the children. Crossing this intersection. As everyone knows. That a
young female. Her father is here. Was struck. Thankfully. She
is recovering. So before we go any further here. There
are some Ied as to ensure that. This will not
happen again, or at least reduce the chances. In Ontario.
The school speed limit is between 30 and 40 km
an hour. We have. School zones, yellow science, flashing lights,
crossing guards, electric speed signs making drivers aware of their
speed during school hours. Monday through Friday, September through till
June. And another observation is most grand band citizens know
where the school zone is. So they are conscious of
that. But as everyone here knows as well, we have
a lot of people coming in from out of town.
Coming in and going out that really does not know
where the school zone is, so it's. Imperative that we
do something there. To protect the lives of the children.
So in closing, I employ council to address this issue.
To protect the students in grim. Ben and also the
father, Rob went to come up as well. And speak.
You're not on the agenda. Sorry. Okay. Sorry, I can't.
No. Okay. All right. Okay. Thank you. Any questions? Thank
you. Good. Do we know when we're going to deal
with this? We have correspondence that we'll be dealing with
right now. I'm sorry. We have. Correspondence that we'll be
dealing with right now. Okay, great. Thank you. Under correspondence.
We have. Three, four pieces of correspondence. How does council
wish to handle them? Councilor scott.
Get a nation to receive the rest then, please. Council
Maguire. Councilor Bailey, any questions on the other correspondence. All
in favor? Councilor Dodge, did you have a question? Thank
you. Everybody speak. Ever in the microphone, okay? Please. Okay.
Item 9.210.2. Courtney Councilor Scott. We have put us a
request from the legion there. How does council wish to
handle that? Council. Scott, use your microphone, please. I would
like to make a motion that we get a report
back. On that area. So that we can take a
look. At any issues that are there. And we can
then have some ideas on what we can do there,
because I don't. Know. Is that a county road? Is
it our road? Okay. All right. I'd like to have
it come back. So, like, to make a motion that
we get a report back on that issue? Second that.
Anything else? All in favor? Opposed? Carrie. Thank you. Moving
on. We have our planning reports. Item 9.5. Which was
the zoning application for Adam Brebner. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
As I was said earlier, this is a zoning application
to. Change to add a permitted use at 125 King
Streetford. To permit a day nursery or childcare facility. The
property. Is currently contains a single family dwelling that has
been used. As a clinic or a doctor's office since
roughly 1991. At which time the village of Edford passed
a zoning amendment to add that as a permitted use
on that property. Our current zoning bylaw permits a clinic
as a home occupation in any residential lot. Also in
1991. After. The village gave permission for it to be
used as a doctor's office. The property owner at that
time obtained a minor variance to allow the parking. To
the required parking on site. To encroach partially onto the
road allowance. The Shrard street side yard. So that is
a situation we have today. The proposal is to change
the use to a day nursery. There's not any substantial
changes. Proposed to the existing situation other than the use.
The parking requirements for a clinic are five spaces. The
parking requirements for a day nursery are five. Spaces. There
is much more than five spaces on the property. And.
There's also three parking spaces out on the county road
allowance as well. So we think that there's enough for
the five staff members as well as. For. The drop
offs that are anticipated, and that's based on the information
that the applicant has. Given us on. How many individuals
they anticipate being dropping off children at any one time.
So as staff. Were supportive of the change that's proposed
from clinic to a day nursery. The locations on an
arterial road. It's supported by the residential policies of the
official plan, both the use and the location. On arterial
road. We've talked with public works with respect to. The
existing situation of the parking. And staff has drafted a
zoning bylaw amendment. That would change this property to a
specific site specific r one zone. That would add a
day nursery as a permitted use. Clarify that the day
nursery. Should any alterations be proposed to the property at
any time in the future would be subject to the
zone provisions of that zone that apply to a single
detached dwelling and also recognizing the situation. With respect to
the parking. So, Wococox, I'd like to move the recommendation,
your worship, and just make a comment. Certainly the planners
dated me somewhat because I lived two doors down. When
that change from a residence to a doctor's office. Was
done, and I was fortunate enough at that time to
be able to. Be a customer of that doctor's office.
I think it's an absolutely fantastic use of the property.
It would be nice to have a doctor back in
town, but the property has been sold. The current owner.
This is what they'd like to do, and it's a
needed service in the community. And I think it's a
great use of. That location. I'm fully in support. So
why are you second that? Any other comments or questions?
All in favor? Thank you. For 9.6 is the adoption
of the community improvement plan. And there's recommendations that go
along with that.
So. There are four recommendations. To go along with this.
Councilor Dodge, you moving? I have a question, Mr. Mayor.
I guess I address. The treasure, perhaps. With the adoption
of this plan, which is a good plan. Suggests that
there'll be help for businesses. To come forward. And make
improvements to their buildings, is that correct? Through you, Mr.
Mayor. Yes. The intent of the plan would be to
direct funds. So if the plan is adopted, then council
will have to establish a budget as to how much
money it wishes. To set aside for this. On an
annual basis. And then applications would be submitted. And reviewed
by staff to determine whether or not they meet the
policies and requirements. Of the plan. And if they do?
Then the municipality would enter into an agreement. With the
property owner. For them to complete the work as they've
presented and then to. Have the funds contributed to the
work. Once the work is completed. To the planner then.
Do you have a set amount like. Is there a
max that a business can apply for? Like, 20,000. 10,000.
Is there a ceiling here somewhere? Through you, Mr. Mayor.
So there's a number of different programs. And each program.
Has a maximum amount. So the municipality would match dollar
for dollar, up to a maximum amount on each program.
And each program has a separate maximum. A lot of
them are a maximum of 5000. Some are 1000. So
you can't obtain more than that for any individual. Program
that you may be eligible for. However, it is possible
a stack programs in that you might be eligible for
more than one program. In which case. You could potentially
have more than the 5000 minimum of one program. For
instance, if you are eligible for two programs, you could
potentially have $10,000. And I would have to look at
the specific programs, I believe. There's one that helps defray
the cost of an environmental site assessment, which is a
little bit higher. I think maybe $20,000. That a property
could obtain. But each one has its own amount. The
final question, Mr. Mayor. Do you have any idea? There's
1000 businesses lapped and source or more. And if they
apply, council must then have an amount of money in
budget to cover this. What? Are we talking about a
million dollars in the budget to cover all these expenses,
or are we. Talking 500. We're talking 200,000. What you
figure? Will be where we set for the first term.
So through you, worship, that's going to ultimately be up
to council. That's one. Of the things you'll see when
you get your budget binders this week. One of the
decision points that needs to be made in this 2024
budget is how much money do you want to commit
on a yearly basis? These programs typically run based on
a set amount of money in any given year. And
when that money runs out, Then. Any applications would have
to be done the next year or whatever. And remember,
these programs are, for instance, a facade. Grant is somebody
that wants to redo the front of their building would
apply, so we typically wouldn't see. A whole influx. There
might be maybe a few more applicants at the first
year or two, but. Typically, it just becomes a steady
rate. And the number you put in each year covers
the program, so it's not like you. Should expect a
million dollars to have to go flowing out the door
right off the bat. I think it'll be a much
slower pace. And again. Some of the programs, like the
planner mentioned, environmental remediation. Those. Are pretty. One off programs.
We wouldn't see a lot of those if ever. Vehicle
chargers is a program there to help fund those. Again,
how many people are going to run out and buy
chargers. Because we have this program, there will be some
that will think it's. A good idea. And that's where
we want to be, there to help. So it can
be a controlled kind of flow of money. Each year.
Worship through you to whomever can answer. This is the
plan that we had the presentation for in the last
meeting that had the boundaries. On it and for whatever
reason. In my agenda. That boundary page won't open, so
there hasn't been any changes. Made to those boundaries from
when we seen them in the presentation. Mr. Mayor, there
was one change that was made. In the ipper Wash
area. We set the boundaries to match the official plan
designation. The official plan. Commercial designations. So we found one
property in Ipperwash, where it was in two different designations,
because the lakeside of the property was in a sort
of hazard designation. So we corrected the map to include
the whole property. That's the only change that was made
to the maps. So I do see in appendix B.
Built heritage and cultural landscape resources, but there's a bunch
of individual properties listed in communities. And just scrolling to
the. Founding of Bedford sign. And the grand trunk storage
shed are there, but they were already in the original
boundary area. And I'm not embarrassed to admit the site
of Elijah Monger in witter. I don't even know where
that is, but I know witter is not even in
Tedford. So it's obviously outside of the area. That was
highlighted. And I know we had a presentation from a
person from the legion. And the legions were brought up,
but the Fedford Legion is the old farmer at residence
from world War II. And if Elijah's place is a
significant heritage point, I would assume the farmer. At residence
from World War II would have a significant heritage to
the community. I know there's many books written about it,
or several I've seen. And it's not just the legion
now, but it's the history of what that. Building represented
during the war, where the ladies came and they worked
in the fields because the men were gone. Was there
any, like, who picked what sites were in here? You,
mr. Mayor. So there's the one program is the built
heritage program. And that money. Is intended. To help restore.
Buildings with heritage value. Or to renovate to make accessible
for heritage value. To be eligible for that program. You
have to be either part of the historic commercial blocks
in Arcon. Arcona. Or forest. Or. You have to be
on that list and within the project boundary. So that
list comes from our official plan. The official plan lists
a number of properties and structures. And other features that.
Are identified as in the official plans having potential historic
value. The intent. Of
the appendix b. In the community improvement plan is not
that every item on that list would be eligible for
the community improvement plan. Funding that's available. But that those
that are within. The community improvement Plan project boundaries those
commercial areas. Would be eligible for funding. So
does anybody know where Elijah places at wetter? Like, what
property is that? Mr mayor. Quite frankly, I've read through
that list. At various times in the past. I don't
know where all those features would be located. And. I
don't know the source of who produced that list. So
again, another follow up. I guess we could find out
in the future where that is, but. For. A property.
With significant history, like the farmer at residents. How would
they go about having that added to this? List. So,
Mr. Mayor, through you. Just to clarify. Is the question.
How would we have them added to the list in
the official plan? Or added to a list of projects
that would be eligible for the CIP. Sorry through your
worship, but just try to phrase this. If the management
or current operator of that property was interested in doing
this, what would be the process for them to end
up on this list. Do they have to do that
through official plan? Or is there another government entity that.
They have to show that this is historically significant building
or what's that process? Mr. Mayor. So to get on
that list, then I would suggest we're in the process.
Of doing an official plan review. And that. They could
request to be on that list, and if they can
provide the background information. That supports that. Then we'd be
happy. To look further at that. Just to clarify, this
list is a list of potential. Historically significant properties. There's
another step under the Ontario Heritage act to actually be
designated as a heritage property. Under the Ontario Heritage Act.
So we have not done that. There are no properties
designated that way in the municipality, but the official plan
does list properties that it considers to be of potential
heritage value. Any other questions regarding. The adoption of the
plan. Councilor. Motion to accept, except.
Second by council Ferguson. Any questions? All in favor? Thank
you. Port 9.7 is. The. Cost. Apportioning memorandum of understanding
what the St. Clair Conservation authority. Outlines there what programs
that we would be looking to fund outside of the
perm. So, you, worship. This report is similar to the
one you received for the established Bayfield. However, to a
much lesser dollar value based on. Our apportionments within each
watershed. As council recalls, the conservation authorities have been their
funding has been cut back a fair bit through. A
couple of different pieces of legislation. This report pertains to
what they call category three projects, which are projects that
they would like to offer. Within our municipality, but ones
that we need to agree to and provide some funding
for, not 100% of the funding, but some funding for
so. They're totally optional. We can opt out and say,
no, we don't want any of those tree planting education.
That type of thing in Lampton shores. Staff's recommending that
we go ahead with the agreement, the same as we
did with the assault bay field. Frankly, we don't think
we can provide that programming. For the roughly $10,000 that.
They are able to offer it to us for. So
happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Councilor Scott. We'll
move that one. Second. Council McGuire. Any other
questions? All in favor? Thank you. 9.8 is the ymca
agreement for the operating of the shores arena suncorps wellness
center. Moved by councilor Ferguson, second mike, deputy mayor Sageman,
any questions? All in favor? Thank you. 9.9. I see
Councilor Bailey has filed. A. No war in the water.
Is the large vibrancy fund. Projects be received for information.
Moved by council McGuire, second by councilor Wilcox. Any questions,
Councilor Woodcocks. So the large projects in question are coming
to the next meeting through your worship from. Was my
error. I apologize. Through the mayor? Yes. There will be
a report presented at the next council meeting. That will
refer to the request from the art center. Thank you.
Any other questions? All in favor? Thank you. Nine point
ten. Is the request for? The community vibrancy. Small projects,
and the list is there. And Councilor Bailey has filed
a notice of declaration. For the. Sunset. Sounds good enough.
Recommendations there that we approve. $36,561.85. Moved by
Councilor Scott, second by councilor Guire. Any questions on those?
Councilor Woodcocks. So one of the. That's your worship. Segregated
reserve fund created from the vibrancy fund. So what percentage
of the total fund is that right now. Okay. Roughly
does not. Have to look it up. But this was
presented previously to counsel. But that being said, those numbers
could be altered or changed at council's will in the
future, more or less. Whatever. Through your worship. Yes, council
has the discretion to do that. Mr. Scott. Any money
that still comes in from next era, are we apportioning
half of it? To the investment and half of it
to the funds. That can be used. Is that our
ongoing plan? You, worship. Yes, it was the plan. Thank
you. Any other questions on those? All in favor?
Thank you. Item nine. Point. Just to be clear, I'm
not sure, maybe I may assert. I thought you had
moved the 36,561. Oh, yes, I'm sorry. We just would
like a little some direction on a couple of other.
Everything. My bad.
Mr. Scott. Use your microphone, please.
Use your microphone, please. Are we doing them individually or
are we going to? Because some are asking to provide
direction, some are asking to segregate and then 50%. So
I think that we should be looking at them individually.
As opposed to passing them all at once. Right now.
We've approved the 36,561. The next. That is the request
for the forest Friday friends for $8,575. Maguire, second by
Councilor Ferguson. Any questions? All in favor? Thank you. That
council provide direction on the late submission from the West
Coast Lions for requested of $9,900. Move by Councilor Dodge.
Second by Councilor Scott. Any questions? All in favor? That
segregated reserve fund be created with $1,135,450 from the vibrancy
Reserve Fund for funding the small vibrancy projects. Move by
deputy Mayor Sageman, second by council McGuire. Any questions? All
in favor? Thank you. That 50% of the annual amount
received from next therapy allocated to the segregated fund. My
councilor Ferguson. Second by Councilor Scott. Any questions? All in
favor? Thank you. Moving on. Nine point eleven. Regarding the
supplementary tax write off. Tax billings and write offs be
approved. Move by councilor Wilcox. Seconded by Councilor Ferguson. Any
questions on that report? Seeing none. All in favor? Thank
you. Nine point. Twelve. Is the assessment retirement. Obligation policy
be received and that the assessment retirement. Policy. Obligation policy.
Pardon me. Be approved. Move by Councilor Dodge, second by
Councilor Bailey. Any questions on that report? All in favor?
Thank you. 9.13. Is an experience Ontario grant program. Who
by councilor Wilcox, second by deputy mayor Sageman. Any questions
on the report? Councilor Bailey. So we apply on behalf
of. In cooperation, as leads for the candidate, a committee
for Grand Bend. If will the decision one way or
the other. Impact. Anything in the budget. I think we
talked about needing extra washrooms that time, that day. Are
we? Able to rob from Peter when we pay Paul.
Through your worship. I'll just add the director fir and
I have been working with the committee. And going over
their budget to make sure they have enough funds to
provide what they need for the program. The intent would
be, if we're the lead on this, we maintain the
funds until they prove to us the expenses. Any other
questions? All in favor? Thank you. 9.15.
We have an updated 2024 fees and charges by law,
which outlines our new fees going forward. Moved by councilor
Bailey. Second by Councilor Ferguson questions Councilor Bailey. Do we
wish to put a date on discussing parking? That's a
big chunk of the bylaw revenues. And so it seems
to me it's a rampant conversation piece about the 15
August and maybe. We could. When are we slated to
review the specifics on parking rates and regulations? You, Mr.
Mernt, is to have the discussion before the May 15
implementation of parking rates. So. It'd be probably February or
March. Supplementary. What about it? As it impacts on budget,
would it be prudent to have it? At that. Within
that, it's a big chunk of change. Should we do
it before budget or during budget? Ultimately
council's decision, when they'd like to do it, I would
suggest. It will probably take a bit of work on
those staff parts and council parts to mix it. Right
into the middle of budget discussions. Might protract our deliberations,
but it's up to council. Whatever they like. I almost
hate to say this. So when we travel, we're in
Niagara on the lake and the on street parking was
515 an hour. I almost wet myself. And then at
Sabble beach, it's $7 an hour, and I hate to
think that they get all the value in grand bend
and don't have to pay for it. So if there's
a push comes to shove, if we can get parking
revenues instead of on the mill rate. Perhaps that's the
best way to go. That's an opinion and a question.
Should we go and review the parking fees first before.
We do it as budgeter and have an intent to
raise the parking revenues. There.
's a motion on the floor right now.
You can add to it if you like. I guess
the ad would be subsequent to reviewing parking. Rates before
budgets finalized. I'm looking for help on this one.
Second or for that motion? Council mcguire. Do we need
further explanation or consultation? Discussion. So, you, worship. Just. I'm
just looking at the calendar, so I believe if I'm.
Not mistaken. Our first budget meetings, the 15th, so I
don't think reviewing before is an option. We could present
something. At that budget meeting. That at least could outline
what other places are doing and that type of thing.
We come back on Tuesday the second. So we really
only don't even have two weeks. Prior to that meeting.
And then we'll need an agenda for that meeting by
the Thursday. So. I don't see it'll be tough enough
to get it into the agenda for that meeting, let
alone having the discussion beforehand. Through you.
I'm thinking that if we're given the option of saying
the mill rate, the tax increase can go down if
the parking rates go up. That's a palletable way to
make some decisions. If we have an understanding that there
is room to raise our rates if we have to.
Not that we have to. If. We don't need to,
but. We've got capital expenditures related to parking. Somewhere along
the line. This might be the opportunity to do it.
Council woodocks. So, just so I understand, we're talking about
increasing the parking rates a significant amount to. Decrease mill
rate for taxes. Nice word, but parking, if you get
it too expensive, you may scare people away. So you
see. An uptick, then you see a downfall. And parking
is not guaranteed revenue. One thing taxes are. Guaranteed revenue.
The buildings there, people are paying taxes on it. Parking
you get if people come. So I don't think we
rely on the parking revenues the year we collect them
for. The budget year. They're in. Those revenues. We find
out at the end of the year how much money
that was. So we're kind of basing our budget off
the year before. Not what it might be that year.
So I don't see any urgency. Different from the timeline.
That the director said. For when we could have this
discussion. It's a good discussion to have. I'm not saying
not to, but I don't see any real urgency before
budget to do it. And that's on that motion. But
we have another motion on the table. We're juggling. So
the other one is the fees. And I'm always good
with red and black, so was there any significant increases
on that? Fees chart. I don't think there was. It
was all so I see. Nodding. So we're good there?
And that's my input on the other motion. You, Mr.
Mayor. So we don't have two motions on the floor,
we have one on the floor moved by councilor Bailey.
It was originally seconded by Councillor Ferguson that the fees
and charges by Lopi received. And then I've added an
event that the parking rates be reviewed during budget discussions,
and we. 'd need both mover and seconder to agree
with that. And then that the fees and charges by
law be approved. Are you seconding?
Or you have a question? Sure. I want to talk
about the first part. Of the motion. Fees. It says.
They won't be too high. What are we raising on
what? We have 20 things, and they're all going up
by 1%. What's going up by 1%. I don't need
a whole list. Is there some way that we know.
What we raised. It says no water rates, no sewer
rates were affected. What are we affecting by small percentage
of raise that has nothing to do with parking in
my mind. That's why I think the motion is there
is a bylaw at the end that explains. That lists
all the parking revenue. Charges all the revenue and the
percentages increases. That's what I'm asking. So in the staff
report, we talked about just the highlighted changes. Most line
items did not change. I can go through an administration.
Administration fee schedule contains fees relating to tax and utility
counts, licensing and cemetery fees. The. Cemetery grave openings staff
are proposing increased changes on weekends, holidays and winter openings
to recover. The cost, so we're presently not covering our
staff time costs, so we're increasing. Those fees to cover
staff time. Other than that, there's no significant fee increases
proposed in administrative fees. Then going through to building and
bylaw. There have been no changes in the building fees
with the exception. Of the amount. To pay if a
building permit is withdrawn. What we found this year. That
staff have done a lot of work in processing a
building, a permit, and then. The applicant comes back and
says, I don't want that permit anymore. And we spend
lots of staff time on that, so we're changing our
process with that and the amount that can be refunded.
Other than that, there's no fee increases in building and
bylaw. At this time, like we've discussed nothing proposed for
paid parking and staff was planning on reviewing the fees
before the 2024 parking season, but that motion is on
the floor right now. Going through to fire services. There
was a few fees at it. We often get requests
for certificates and inspection reports. And then they're asked on
a rush basis, so we're charging a higher fee. For
a two day turnaround as opposed to a normal turnaround.
There were no fee increases proposed for public works planning
and development. There were no fee increases. Recreation fees have
increased 3% across the board. In previous years, I believe
they were 2% across the board, but we've looked at
them for this year at 3% again, there'll be a
review this year because that was one of council's strategic
priorities to review. Parks and recreation fees and no changes
in water, wastewater rates, fees. Thank you. So.
The motion is. The second that an amendment that we
vote on first. Or. All at once. Do it all
at once. I've just added it to the motion. The
second. That is that the parking rates be reviewed during
budget discussions. So there are three that said we have
a recorded vote. Mr. Mayor, certainly. Did you have a
question, counselor. Yes. Do we have to put it all
together, or can we just put the fees. As one
and then make another decision on the parking. Because it
seems like it's an all or nothing. We're all in.
We can do that. We'll move. That would be the
report be received and that the fees and charges bylaw
be approved. The existing. The one that. No recorder vote
necessary. Thank you. So all in favor of that? Thank
you. Councilor Bailey, you have a second motion? The motion
would be that we include a discussion of parking revenues
at budget. A secondary for that motion.
Sales. Okay. Thank you. Where am I? Okay,
9.15, the Wakefield drain they received and that spree associates
be notified of the additional petitioners to be included in
the drainage area for the Wakefield drain originally submitted by
the municipality. Moved by Councilor Dodge, second by Deputy Mayor
Sageman. Any questions on that? All in favor? Thank you.
Item ten, we do not have any notices of motions.
Item eleven, we do not have any emergent. Issues. We
do have a closed session to go into. Now or
later? Now. Okay. We will be moving into closed session
at eight. Seven. Get a motion. To move in close
session. Councilor Ferguson, Councilor McGuire, all in favor? Thank you.
Yeah, we'll take five minutes. To set up for that.
Thanks. Robbie.
You'd have to check with the clerk in order to
get on the engine. Good. How are you guys already?