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Good afternoon everyone and welcome to
our regular meeting for uh Monday, July

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13th. Uh I'm going to call the meeting
to order now and invite everyone to rise

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for O Canada.

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Now I'm going to invite uh Deputy Mayor
Keveny to read our land acknowledgement.

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Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and good
afternoon, everyone. We would like to

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begin by acknowledging that we are
meeting on the traditional lands and

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treaty territory of the Sin Ojiway
nation which includes the Chipawas of

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Naywash unseated First Nation and the
Chipawas of Sin First Nation. We also

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recognize the Matei whose ancestors
shared this land and these waters. We

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extend our gratitude to all Anesab and
Matei peoples and their descendants,

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past, present, and future, who continue
to care for and inhabit these lands and

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tend these waters.
>> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um, now I just

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invite you to join me in a moment of
silent reflection on our business today.

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Thank you.
Uh is there any disclosure of pecuniary

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interest around the horseshoe? I see
none, but uh should it uh occur to you,

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please bring it up when that time comes.
Um announcements.

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Deputy Mayor, we can usually count on
you to uh [laughter]

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bring
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, I try to keep

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uh up with what's happening in the
community and there's always lots going

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on in Meford. So, just a couple of
things today. Um on behalf of Bogner

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Hall, they are hosting coffee houses now
and I think I mentioned this uh when

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they first began, but they've become so
successful already, averaging 36

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attendees and they have poets and
musicians, storytellers, standup

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comedians, you name it. The next event
is uh Sunday, July the 19th from 2 until

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4:00 at the Bogner Community Center. And
the event is by donation. So just uh

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come and pay what you can. They do keep
the bar open and this will be a

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recurring event every month. So it's a
great time had by all.

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Uh secondly, on the 15th of uh July
coming up this week, is the annual pork

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chop barbecue out in Bogner. So, just uh
keep that in mind as well. And that's uh

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beginning at 5:00. And on the 17th is
the Rotary annual fish fry right down at

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the Rust Bumpstead Rotary Pavilion.
Tickets are $30 and available at Grandma

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Lambs or from any Rotarian. There's two
of us in the room, past President Bill

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and myself. And the menu is pickaro,
baked potatoes, coleslaw, all the

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fixings and pies from grandma lambs for
desserts. Uh the bar is open there as

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well. And do come out and help Rotary
support uh the community. All this all

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the funds that we raise go right back
into projects uh right here in the

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municipality of Meford and some
international projects as well. But come

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on out and enjoy the fish fry on the
17th. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

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» Councelor Renis.
>> Thank you very much. Um, we have uh the

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Great Lakes Matei Fish Fry being held uh
by the the council uh that's based out

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of Bowen Sound on Saturday, July the
20th. I've been um every year for the

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past couple of years. The fish is uh
highly recommended. It's excellent. Um

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the day after uh the Rotary Fish Fry. Uh
lunch starts uh at 12 and tickets are

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$20 per person or $60 for a family.
>> Council Yurig.

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» Thank you, Mr. Mayor, sorry I don't have
another fish right. Um, MIFF is its 20th

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anniversary and so as I've said before,
Tiff is a a series that's running

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throughout the uh leadup to myth in
September and this evening uh is the

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third of four films that are being shown
um in that 20th anniversary slot. Uh

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it's called Holy Days and it shows at
700 p.m. tonight at Meford Hall and

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tickets are only $20. So, uh, we would
appreciate anybody coming out to

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support, uh, Tiff and you can find more
information at mefordculture.ca.

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» U, councelor Greenfield.
>> Thank you, uh, Mayor Kentner. Yes, I

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have a couple items to mention. Uh, they
both pertain to the historic Leaf

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Church. I'm sure everyone knows where
that is located. Saturday evening, July

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18th at uh 700 p.m.
uh a group entertaining. They're called

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the Seventh Town. They're a Celtic folk
band from your PEI.

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Uh they include pipes and drums. And uh
the uh performance will be uh will be

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outside unless uh uh weather insists
that uh it should go inside. And then on

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Saturday, July 25th at 7:30 also at the
uh Leath Church. And this is one I think

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everybody should be interested in taking
in. It's the Maple Reserve Barberhop

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Quartet.
Uh, how exciting is that? Tickets are

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available through the Roxy Theater
ticket office in Oldtown. Thank you.

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» Excellent. [clears throat] Anyone else
on our side of the horseshoe? Um, anyone

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on the other side have something to
offer? Yes. Uh, Director Carbert.

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» Uh, thank you, your worship. Um, this
will be posted online and through the

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municipal website this week, but also on
site. The Georgian Trail will be closed

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between Sworthmore Drive and Christy
Beach Road on Thursday and Friday in

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order for engineering work to be
completed on structure 129. Um they'll

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have a large drilling rig in there. So
we can't accommodate both pedestrian

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bikes and the drilling rig. So the trail
will be closed and unfortunately there

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is no alternative route uh around this
trail section. So, if all goes well,

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it'll be finalized Friday night and
everything will be returned to normal on

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Saturday morning again.
>> Thank you. Anyone else? Um, well, I have

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a very pleasant duty myself at this
point in time and I'm just going to uh

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read this um tribute and then I'm going
to go go down there and meet this young

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lady. Uh, this is uh to Doris Rose. Dear
Doris, on behalf of the council of the

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municipality of Meford, it is our great
pleasure to extend our sincere

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congratulations to you on your selection
for the Herbert Smith Freeh Hills Kramer

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Portrait Award 2026 at the National
Portrait Gallery in London, England.

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This remarkable honor reflects your
extraordinary talent, dedication to your

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craft, and the international impact of
your artistic practice. To be chosen for

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one of the world's leading exhibitions
of contemporary portrait painting is an

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exceptional achievement and one that
brings great pride to the municipality

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of Meford. Your selected work, Stripes,
is a powerful example of the creativity,

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technical skill, and personal insight
that defines your practice. We also

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recognize the meaningful role you play
in our local arts community through your

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studio work here in Meford and your
efforts to make art education more

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accessible. Your success on an
international stage is an inspiration to

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artists and residents alike and a
reminder that creative excellence can

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flourish in communities of every size.
Please accept our heartfelt

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congratulations on this well-deserved
recognition. We wish you continued

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success as the exhibition opens in
London and tours across the United

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Kingdom. Yours sincerely and it's signed
by uh myself as mayor uh Deputy Mayor

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Keveny and every member of this council.

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Now we uh move on to public
participation. Uh members of the public

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are encouraged to provide council with
their comments and questions.

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Presentations must be pre-arranged with
legislative services before the agenda

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is released and will be limited to 10
minutes. If a member of the public

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wishes to make a deputation on items on
the council agenda or to ask a public

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question of council, they may do so
either in person at the council chambers

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or remotely via Zoom. Members of the
public wishing to make a deputation or

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to ask a public question are encouraged
to register in advance with legislative

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services by 10 in the morning on the day
of. And you can do that by contacting

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deputy clerk@me.ca CA or calling
519-5381060

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extension 1100. An email with access
information will be sent to those who

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register for remote participation.
Deputations are limited to 5 minutes and

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public questions are limited to two
minutes. The public can watch this

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meeting live via the Municipality of
Meford's YouTube channel

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www.mmeford.ca/youtube.

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We have no uh presentations today, but
we do have some deputations.

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And uh first I'm going to call uh Gina
Jawarski who is speaking tonight item

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91A which is consideration of sale and
disposition of municipal properties.

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Someone turn uh Gina's uh
microphone there.

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» Okay.
Okay.

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» I don't
>> Is that all right? I don't see. Is there

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microphone on? Good. Okay, fine. Just go
right ahead. Thank you.

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» Okay. Thank you. So, good afternoon,
mayor, members of council, and staff. My

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name is Gina Juniper Jorski, and I'd
like to thank you for the opportunity to

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speak regarding the proposed disposal of
the Aken Street Road allowance. I'm here

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as the owner of the adjoining property,
but also as someone whose family has

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been connected to this land for
generations. In 1969, my father served

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severed these properties and registered
them with the town. I have the original

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survey certificate available which shows
the lots as they were created with the

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road allowance intended to provide
future access. These lots remain legally

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registered today. However, they cannot
be developed because the road identified

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on the survey has never been provided.
There are two lots that are legally

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registered behind 244 Aken Street. Our
road allowance is a public asset. Once

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it's sold, it may be impossible to
recover if future community needs needs

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to change.
This neighborhood continues to grow.

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There's a large vacant property across
from our home that may one day be

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developed. Memorial Park is located at
one end of Aken Street. The old high

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school is located at the other. And the
street already experiences significant

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pedestrian and vehicle traffic. There is
also an existing stop sign intersection

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at this location which demonstrates that
the road allowance was considered part

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of the future road network. Before
removing this opportunity, I believe

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council should carefully consider
whether this connection may be needed in

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the future for traffic flow, emergency
access, pedestrian safety, or municipal

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servicing. Looking ahead, a new school
is planned for the former track

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property, and the future use of the old
high school has yet to be determined.

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While access from Aken Street to the
former high school property has been

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closed, future changes to the area may
result in increased traffic being

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directed onto Richmond Street and then
back through Eliza Street to access

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alternate exits. If Aken Street becomes
congested during school related traffic

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times, maintaining future road options
may be an an an important consideration.

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Disposing of this road allowance could
limit future solutions and may

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contribute to further traffic pressures
on surrounding streets. Concerns that

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council has already heard from residents
when you had your past meetings

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regarding whatever is happening at the
old high school. I also asked council to

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consider the history of this property. A
previous council considered disposing of

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the same road allowance and ultimately
chose to retain it. I respectfully asked

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what has changed since that decision.
I also question why only one part of the

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portion of the road allowance is being
considered for disposal while the

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section fronting Eliza Street is not. I
need to understand the reason for this

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distinction. Uh and I believe it's
important before making any irreversible

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decision regarding public land. While my
concerns are about the future of the

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community, I also need to acknowledge
that this decision would have a direct

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negative impact on my property. The two
registered lots created in 1969 were

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established with the understanding that
the road allowance would provide future

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access. Removing that possibly affects
the future use, value, and development

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potential of my property.
Finally, I was never formally informed

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that this proposal would be coming
before council. I became aware of it

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only by reviewing the council agenda
myself. I believe decisions involving

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public land should include meaningful
consultation with those most directly

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affected. For those reasons, I
respectfully ask council to postpone any

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decision to dispose of this road
allowance until its historical purpose,

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future municipal needs, access
considerations, and long-term planning

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implications have been fully reviewed. I
believe good planning requires us to

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think beyond today's need. Once this
land is sold, the opportunity to use it

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for the benefit of future generations
may be gone forever. I thank you for

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your time and consideration.
>> Thank you very much. Uh is any counselor

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have a question for the speaker
and I'm just going to ask uh CEO

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Everett, did you wish to respond at all
at this time?

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» Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. In regards to
response, um the report laid out what

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the process was uh in regards to
reaching out once council uh approves

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that report. There will be
correspondence going out to the adjacent

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land owners to understand if there are
any concerns. Uh there have been some

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communications in this regard. Um and at
this point, council's not disposing of

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the land as yet.
>> Okay. Thank you very much.

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Uh the next speaker is uh Jean Burch and
she is also uh speaking to item uh 91A.

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Um, I live in the same vicinity as Gina
does and of course uh I've been taking

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care of a piece of property that ab
butts the land uh the road allowance for

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a number of years. At one time I did my
husband and I did ask to buy it and we

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were informed it had been made part of
the road allowance.

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So, uh, at any time in the future that
you want to sell the road allowance, I

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think I should be given consideration to
buy the piece of property adjoining it.

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It's not big enough for a building lot.
Uh

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also uh
I would like to ask

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is there any way
that you can

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open up the back road of the cemetery?
I think you need to for emergency

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reasons because of the amount of people
that live down my way. And we don't have

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a great deal of roads down there to get
out if there was ever an emergency.

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And I'd like to I I have uh asked
Shirley about it before on occasion. Um

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so I I'd really like to know something
about that.

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» I see staff making some notes. So, thank
you very much.

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» Thank you.
>> Um,

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» third speaker is uh Patrick McDonald uh
also speaking to uh 91A.

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Mayor Kentner, deputy mayor, counselors,
staff. Um, I'm speaking specifically to

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uh the inclusion of uh block,
pardon me, Kingston Beach Road plan

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block A to B on the list of properties
recommended for sale and and uh

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disposal.
Um,

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I am owner and resident at lot 17 plan
731 at Kingston Beach. that's otherwise

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known as 113 Kingston Beach.
My understanding and belief is that a

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pre-existing
easement

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which exists
uh from May 1986

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for block A and the shore road allowance
for the purpose of obtaining water from

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the wellhead located on block A would
prelude

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uh the inclusion of this
um piece of property in the municipal

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municipalities plan for disposal. That
easement was granted by Sidnham Township

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00:22:20,559 --> 00:22:31,039
Council to my father and passed to me
when I purchased the family home. Uh

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indeed, that well on block A supplies
water to other users in the subdivision,

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a total of three others. To my
knowledge, it's not clear to me in what

212
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I've been able to read that municipal
staff were aware of this infrastructure

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00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:55,360
uh on the uh block A property or the
40-year-old legal easement or the shore

214
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well and water lines. And in my opinion,
that would preclude its inclusion in as

215
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a property for uh for disposal.
I would ask whether or not that was

216
00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:14,400
considered in
um staff's decision to include it in the

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package of properties to be disposed of.
>> I think that perhaps the CEO ever can

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00:23:16,799 --> 00:23:23,840
respond to that now.
>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um as I

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00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:27,840
mentioned in the last my my previous
response, going through this process

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will allow us to have that communication
with residents. Um I'm sure over the

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years there are a number of of different
easements that have been put in place.

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00:23:34,799 --> 00:23:43,760
Uh I was not aware of of of this
situation. Um however this is why the

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process works. We we basically get
information from residents. Um and again

224
00:23:46,559 --> 00:23:52,880
I want to stress council has not
disposed of these lands. This is the

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early stages of consideration of
disposal of lands.

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00:23:55,120 --> 00:24:03,120
» Thank you.
And uh we have a final uh speaker uh

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00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:08,400
Darcy Chapman. Uh if you would come
forward, I think you're quite familiar

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00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:11,039
with our facilities here. Welcome back.
Thank you, your worship, council.

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00:24:10,186 --> 00:24:16,799
[clears throat]
Uh so yeah, I'm I'm here for the the

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00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:21,440
same uh agenda item. Um I'd first like
to start by saying that I recognize that

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00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:25,600
council passed a budget this year that
included a million half dollars in

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00:24:23,039 --> 00:24:29,360
revenue for land sales. So, if you don't
find land to sell, you're going to have

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00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:35,520
an operating budget deficit. So, I know
that this is why this is this is a a big

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00:24:31,919 --> 00:24:38,799
deal. Uh I certainly question why the
million half dollars was included in the

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00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:42,640
operating budget because we by the looks
of the the 94 properties that were

236
00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:45,679
provided to council. Many of them can't
be sold. So, where we're going to come

237
00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:50,480
up with a million and a half dollars
every year going forward uh is is

238
00:24:47,679 --> 00:24:53,440
certainly a question. Um, some of the
properties I have no problem with, but

239
00:24:51,919 --> 00:24:59,600
there are five that I take great
exception to. Um, Kingston Beach, Sunset

240
00:24:56,880 --> 00:25:04,320
Beach, and Queens Bush. Uh, all three of
those properties were reviewed eight,

241
00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:09,440
nine years ago. Um, I question whether
staff actually went and did any kind of

242
00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:12,720
a site tour. I've actually walked all
three of those properties. There were a

243
00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:16,559
number of staff that came to those
meetings. There were actually members of

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00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:20,960
council that came to those those on-site
meetings as well. Those properties uh to

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00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:25,360
the best of my knowledge do have
encumbrances on them. They either have

246
00:25:23,039 --> 00:25:31,919
deemed access for back lots or they do
have uh things like um wells like the

247
00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:37,919
the gentleman just noted. Um more
importantly, uh having waterfront lots

248
00:25:35,360 --> 00:25:42,080
that the municipality owns is not
something that we should sell. It is a

249
00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:46,240
massive asset. These things should be
kept for for public use. They should

250
00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:51,120
actually be improved upon. they we
should be looking at creating small

251
00:25:47,919 --> 00:25:55,520
parkquetses with a handful of uh parking
spaces and actually providing access to

252
00:25:53,760 --> 00:25:59,120
the waterfront for more locations. We
already know that the locations that we

253
00:25:57,120 --> 00:26:03,200
have do get overwhelmed. So something
very simple like a Leath Beach idea

254
00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:06,640
would be perfect at these locations. It
would actually mean maybe that we could

255
00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:09,840
uh you know put something out there to
the public that they can go and access

256
00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:13,039
these locations. It would get the people
to actually go and drive around the

257
00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:16,240
municipality and see different areas of
the municipality. So, I don't think

258
00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:18,640
these three properties should be sold at
all. They actually need to be kept in

259
00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:25,279
the public trust and they should be
improved upon. The other two are uh

260
00:26:21,679 --> 00:26:32,400
Ridge Road and Susan Street. Uh council
over the last 12 to 18 months has put in

261
00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:37,760
significant investment into industrial
and commercial lands. Uh you're now

262
00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:44,159
looking at making a decision to sell
industrial lands and I don't understand

263
00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:50,320
why. Uh these are fully serviced
industrial lots. Uh they take no

264
00:26:47,760 --> 00:26:53,120
investment of public money whereas the
property that you've recently just

265
00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:58,320
purchased is going to take millions and
millions of dollars to put underground

266
00:26:55,840 --> 00:27:01,440
infrastructure and roads onto them. The
these properties are available. If

267
00:27:00,320 --> 00:27:05,360
they're going to be if they're already
usable or can be used, uh, council

268
00:27:04,159 --> 00:27:09,360
should be going through the process with
planning staff, legal, engineers,

269
00:27:07,679 --> 00:27:12,720
whoever the case may be to actually make
sure that these things are available for

270
00:27:11,279 --> 00:27:15,840
use and that they can be easily
marketed. Whereas the land that you've

271
00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:19,039
just bought right now will need
significant investment in multiple years

272
00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:24,000
to even get close to being actually
market ready. So, I mean, the question

273
00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:28,720
that I have, this this came up at the
last meeting. Councelor Bell was the

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00:27:25,919 --> 00:27:31,840
only one who who mentioned anything at
the meeting. He said, you know, that

275
00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:37,120
these are the kinds of discussions that
happen in in close session. Uh he was

276
00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:41,200
very comfortable with the decisions uh
that were made based on the on the

277
00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:44,640
conversation that happened with staff.
The rest of the council stayed, Mom. I

278
00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:48,559
know you weren't at that meeting, but
the rest of the members of council that

279
00:27:46,159 --> 00:27:51,520
were here didn't speak to it. So, we
don't actually know what was talked

280
00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:54,720
about in the closed session and and the
rest of the members of council didn't

281
00:27:53,200 --> 00:28:00,240
voice their opinion as to why that they
thought that this was a good idea or a

282
00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:05,520
bad idea. Uh so it it lends to my
question about transparency to the point

283
00:28:02,799 --> 00:28:10,720
that on this exact agenda, you also have
a report coming forward uh to talk and

284
00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:15,760
take a look at the tiny homes situation
on those two properties uh um that I

285
00:28:13,360 --> 00:28:21,760
just mentioned on Ridge Road and Susan
Street. It seems fairly presumptive to

286
00:28:18,799 --> 00:28:26,000
me that uh the CEO mentioned at the last
meeting that there's a 120 meter radius

287
00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:29,360
around each property. The property
owners need to be advised of the

288
00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:32,640
potential for the disposition. Yet, at
this meeting, you have a report from

289
00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:37,919
staff coming forward to start the
process of a request for information for

290
00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:43,760
tiny homes on those locations. I think
your your cart is many miles ahead of

291
00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:48,080
the horse on on this one already. Uh,
you know, another property that was not

292
00:28:45,360 --> 00:28:51,679
discussed uh was property number 24 from
the council package, which is uh uh the

293
00:28:50,159 --> 00:28:55,520
Collingwood West and Parker Street
property. Uh it is a piece of property

294
00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:59,520
that is used I know for the fall fair
but generally primarily just for

295
00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:03,200
parking. It's a a one two-day event and
that's the only time the property gets

296
00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:09,919
used for. It's in close proximity to
other um high residential uh areas

297
00:29:06,880 --> 00:29:13,440
walkability to the arena to the curling
club much closer to the downtown. I

298
00:29:12,159 --> 00:29:18,559
don't understand why that property
wasn't looked at uh for a tiny homesuh

299
00:29:16,159 --> 00:29:22,080
type of development versus properties
that are already zoned industrial and

300
00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:29,120
are already serviced. Thank you for your
input, Darcy. Um, did I didn't hear a

301
00:29:27,039 --> 00:29:35,159
question. Uh, you've raised many issues
and I'm sure they will be dealt with by

302
00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:35,159
council. So, thank you.

303
00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:45,039
» Did anyone wish to ask a public
question? Uh we've just gone on on our

304
00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:50,640
agenda today is a review of our uh uh
our protocols and I we're going to

305
00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:54,159
rename public questions public input so
that people don't have to go to the

306
00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:58,880
trouble of framing a question because
usually that results in a speech. So

307
00:29:56,960 --> 00:30:02,559
anyway, I just want to make people aware
that change may be approved today and in

308
00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:08,159
the meantime there will be an
opportunity for people to uh ask a

309
00:30:04,559 --> 00:30:11,840
question uh in our public meetings. Um,
I'm going to move on to council

310
00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:19,440
inquiries.
Any inquiries from council today?

311
00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:23,600
I see none. So, uh, at this point, uh,
I'm going to move to item nine, motions

312
00:30:21,279 --> 00:30:28,080
and bylaws for decision, and there are
nine matters on our consent agenda

313
00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:31,679
today. Items in this list have been
before committee of the whole for

314
00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:36,320
discussion. Council may choose to pass
these items and/or bylaws with one

315
00:30:33,840 --> 00:30:40,159
motion. A member may also request an
item or items be pulled for separate

316
00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:44,320
consideration.
Item A is consideration of sale and

317
00:30:42,399 --> 00:30:49,919
disposition of municipal properties.
Item B, a commercial business occupying

318
00:30:47,039 --> 00:30:54,640
municipal land. Item C is a special
event licensing agreement with the

319
00:30:51,600 --> 00:31:02,000
Meford Chamber of Commerce. Item D is
2025 non-budgeted year-end transfers.

320
00:30:58,000 --> 00:31:06,320
Item E is the 2025 yearend surplus. Item
F is to declare land surplus and

321
00:31:04,399 --> 00:31:12,080
transfer ownership of Georgian Beach
Lane. Item G is an addendum to the

322
00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:17,840
inaugural meeting of the 2026 through
2030 term of council. Item H is to

323
00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:22,799
finalize the procedural bylaw review and
item I is to pass the new procedural

324
00:31:20,159 --> 00:31:28,640
bylaw. Does any counselor wish to pull
any of these items for further

325
00:31:24,159 --> 00:31:34,200
discussion today? Uh councelor Bell.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

326
00:31:30,799 --> 00:31:34,200
Item A.

327
00:31:35,440 --> 00:31:48,080
» Okay. Thank you. Uh any other uh
in that case uh we can uh take item A uh

328
00:31:44,559 --> 00:31:54,399
out and um can I have a motion to
approve uh everything in uh item 91 with

329
00:31:52,000 --> 00:32:02,000
the exception of A.
Deputy mayor, a seconder, a councelor

330
00:31:57,039 --> 00:32:07,360
Yurig. Any discussion? All in favor? Uh
any opposed? So that is carried

331
00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:10,640
unanimously. Thank you very much. And uh
at county council, we usually come back

332
00:32:09,039 --> 00:32:15,200
to the item that was pulled at the end
of the day, but I don't know as we have

333
00:32:13,279 --> 00:32:18,799
to be guided by county council in this.
Uh so I'll defer to the clerk.

334
00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:23,760
» Thank you, your worship. At this point,
we would return to 9.1A

335
00:32:21,919 --> 00:32:27,120
um and complete the the consent agenda
discussion.

336
00:32:24,399 --> 00:32:31,039
» So can I have uh a motion to uh put it
on the floor?

337
00:32:29,120 --> 00:32:35,200
Councelor
Bell and a seconder councelor

338
00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:39,919
Greenfield. So go ahead and we'll
discuss this.

339
00:32:37,840 --> 00:32:46,559
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
So um it is absolutely correct that when

340
00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:52,799
this came up I did say that I felt very
comfortable with what uh council had

341
00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:58,880
received from information from uh staff
pulling together a report um without

342
00:32:56,000 --> 00:33:04,799
disclosing anything uh truly out of the
closed session since the general public

343
00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:14,200
uh can obviously read the list of
properties uh they were absolutely the

344
00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:14,200
properties that uh council looked at to

345
00:33:14,720 --> 00:33:24,799
tell the general public.
Council received maps about what those

346
00:33:22,159 --> 00:33:30,799
properties were, how big those
properties were, listed in hectares,

347
00:33:28,159 --> 00:33:36,320
which I converted over to acres being a
little bit old school. took a look at

348
00:33:33,519 --> 00:33:41,120
all of those properties that staff had
analyzed and looked at for development

349
00:33:38,799 --> 00:33:47,120
or not for development.
But to be absolutely clear, as our CIO

350
00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:52,880
had said uh to one of the questions,
there was nothing specifically on any

351
00:33:49,600 --> 00:33:57,440
one of those properties that would have
said anything like, "Oh, on this

352
00:33:55,840 --> 00:34:01,200
property, you know, there's a little
garden shed painted in the corner." We

353
00:33:59,679 --> 00:34:05,519
we didn't read about any little garden
sheds. We didn't read about whether or

354
00:34:03,519 --> 00:34:12,480
not there was a well that was located on
there for anybody close by put in from a

355
00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:20,320
historical point of view. Um we didn't
get anything like um say from Sidenham

356
00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:27,200
St. Vincent uh councils or the town of
Meford uh former councils what was

357
00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:33,839
presented was exactly what's before us
today a series of properties which when

358
00:34:31,679 --> 00:34:39,760
staff had analyzed the size of them
where they're located council got a look

359
00:34:36,639 --> 00:34:46,320
at that big package we took a look at it
and I am very happy to hear uh that even

360
00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:51,679
if uh council says this afternoon uh
that we will proceed on doing something

361
00:34:48,399 --> 00:34:57,920
here. Um I take it then each and every
one of these will be sent out so that at

362
00:34:55,440 --> 00:35:02,079
a council if there is something that's
going on specifically at those

363
00:34:59,920 --> 00:35:08,960
properties this council can make a
decision to say uh we will for not do

364
00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:14,079
that particular item for a very specific
reason but that's not this afternoon. Is

365
00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:18,000
that clear?
>> Uh thank you Mr. Mr. From here to

366
00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:23,040
councelor Bell, that's absolutely clear.
Uh there is no no decision to sell

367
00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:27,839
dispose of at this point. It was just
clearly um identifying potential

368
00:35:25,680 --> 00:35:31,000
properties that could be considered in
the future.

369
00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:37,520
» Deputy Mayor.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And just uh as

370
00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:40,480
follow up to councelor Bell's comments,
I just wanted to first of all thank the

371
00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:45,280
residents that have joined us today and
have shared information with us because

372
00:35:43,119 --> 00:35:49,520
we're we're learning as well the
specifics about these pieces of property

373
00:35:47,119 --> 00:35:53,680
and I appreciate that the CEO is sharing
more about the process of how this will

374
00:35:51,359 --> 00:35:59,200
go forward. So my question I think for
staff in the matter is if if we find out

375
00:35:57,359 --> 00:36:03,839
uh issues about any of these particular
properties, is there an opportunity to

376
00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:08,079
go back and review the land inventory
and and to look perhaps at other pieces

377
00:36:06,400 --> 00:36:12,640
because we acknowledge that we did put a
number in the budget being fairly

378
00:36:10,240 --> 00:36:17,200
comfortable that we could uh um
potentially dispose of some of these

379
00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:23,040
pieces of land in 2026.
>> Uh you Mr. Mayor to the deputy mayor.

380
00:36:19,920 --> 00:36:27,920
Absolutely. I think you know from a from
a process perspective before the

381
00:36:25,359 --> 00:36:33,680
municipality can actually consider
disposing lands need to be declared

382
00:36:30,880 --> 00:36:38,079
surplus to the municipal needs. So we're
in the early stages council has every

383
00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:44,079
opportunity even if you were to declare
it surplus and then afterwards you

384
00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:50,720
decided not to sell that's council's
prerogative. um council has a land

385
00:36:47,359 --> 00:36:55,680
disposition policy uh that identifies
the process to go through to potentially

386
00:36:53,200 --> 00:37:02,640
dispose of of property. So, it's very
very clear, but I think the public um uh

387
00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:07,200
having the information that you know
even if something was declared surplus

388
00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:14,240
does not force the hand of council to
dispose of it. Um this is um the

389
00:37:12,720 --> 00:37:21,119
question in regards to are there other
lands. Um I think the report identified

390
00:37:17,280 --> 00:37:25,839
that this is phase one of of the process
um throughout the entire municipality.

391
00:37:23,040 --> 00:37:30,480
There is a number of opened and unopened
road allowances. And I say open road

392
00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:35,200
allowances could just be because they
could be considered open. They're not

393
00:37:33,200 --> 00:37:40,000
you can't use them but they've never
been they've never been closed. Um

394
00:37:38,079 --> 00:37:45,760
there's a number of road allowances that
this next phase in 2027 will consider

395
00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:49,920
going through a similar process to
identify. Are there any road allowances

396
00:37:48,160 --> 00:37:56,720
that you know make sense for the
municipality to um to dispose of um

397
00:37:54,079 --> 00:38:03,680
unopen road allowances typically 66 ft
wide so they would be building lots. Um

398
00:38:00,000 --> 00:38:09,280
but again um and and I'm very aware and
and I I really appreciate the comments

399
00:38:06,480 --> 00:38:15,040
uh raised by the public. One thing that
doesn't get made any more of is land. Um

400
00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:20,960
so staff is taking that very very
seriously. Um I will say that the

401
00:38:18,079 --> 00:38:26,400
municipality will benefit from an actual
strategic review of the inventory to

402
00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:31,920
then determine whether or not something
makes sense to sell. Um the last thing

403
00:38:29,359 --> 00:38:36,640
staff wants is knee-jerk uh
recommendations. Um that put us in

404
00:38:34,400 --> 00:38:41,280
positions where you know we've sell we
sell something and you know five six

405
00:38:39,119 --> 00:38:45,839
seven years later you look and think why
why why would we ever have sold that? Um

406
00:38:43,760 --> 00:38:54,400
so the intention of this is to be very
very strategic and and if there is land

407
00:38:48,880 --> 00:38:58,000
that is available to sell um then uh
those are the recommendations that staff

408
00:38:56,320 --> 00:39:03,920
would be coming forward with. But
ultimately it's a council's decision.

409
00:39:02,079 --> 00:39:11,200
» If there are no further comments on
that, we should vote on uh uh the item

410
00:39:07,839 --> 00:39:17,119
before us. And um I will call a
question. All in favor?

411
00:39:13,680 --> 00:39:25,760
Any opposed? That is unanimous. And that
takes care of u the uh uh first item on

412
00:39:21,280 --> 00:39:33,119
the uh the u consent agenda.
Uh did we vote on all the others? We

413
00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:38,240
did. Right. Then that's that's good. Um
we uh also have two new items for

414
00:39:36,160 --> 00:39:44,480
consideration today. Uh the
recommendation for U 92A

415
00:39:42,720 --> 00:39:50,079
is
uh be it resolved that bylaw 2026-55

416
00:39:47,839 --> 00:39:53,760
being a bylaw to delegate certain duties
respecting the implementation of the

417
00:39:51,839 --> 00:39:59,119
administrative penalty system to the
director of legislative services by

418
00:39:56,000 --> 00:40:03,040
amending bylaw 40-204
to add schedule D be taken as read a

419
00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:07,119
first, second, and third time and
finally passed. Can I have a mover and

420
00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:12,480
seconder for this? Councelor Greenfield
and Councelor Forter. Thank you. Uh any

421
00:40:10,160 --> 00:40:17,119
discussion on this?
Go ahead, Councelor Fter.

422
00:40:15,599 --> 00:40:22,000
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh and through
you. Um I just wanted to get a little

423
00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:25,200
bit of clarification with regards to uh
something on this. I have no problem

424
00:40:23,200 --> 00:40:30,240
with the delegated authority. Um,
however, with regards to delegating the

425
00:40:27,680 --> 00:40:34,160
setting of things like penalty amounts,
um, I just don't really see any kind of

426
00:40:32,000 --> 00:40:40,240
guard rails or anything like that where
it completely removes, um, council, uh,

427
00:40:36,960 --> 00:40:45,520
from this. Um, so I just wanted to know,
do we consider setting the penalty

428
00:40:41,920 --> 00:40:50,960
amounts uh, for this um, bylaw to be an
administrative function or more of a

429
00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:55,599
policy function? Um because my concern
would be if there's any changes to the

430
00:40:53,280 --> 00:40:59,359
penalties and we don't find about out
about it till we get our reports. There

431
00:40:57,520 --> 00:41:03,200
could be major changes and penalties
that could be in place for several

432
00:41:01,040 --> 00:41:07,520
months um without council not even being
aware of any of these changes. So just

433
00:41:05,520 --> 00:41:12,560
curious to know how do we ensure that
for council we are um implementing the

434
00:41:10,720 --> 00:41:16,480
right guard rails to make sure that
there is the proper level of

435
00:41:14,640 --> 00:41:20,480
administrative function but also the
policy control that is ultimately

436
00:41:18,240 --> 00:41:26,079
council's responsibility. Just looking
for some comment on that please.

437
00:41:22,480 --> 00:41:30,160
» I'm going to go to clerk.
>> Thank you worship and through to

438
00:41:27,440 --> 00:41:34,079
councelor forer. Um Holly is not able to
be here today so I will try my best to

439
00:41:31,839 --> 00:41:38,000
explain. Um,
initially what my my first comment would

440
00:41:36,160 --> 00:41:43,599
be is actually the legislation provides
those guardrails because the um the

441
00:41:40,880 --> 00:41:47,200
penalties can't be considered punitive
um and are really restricted by what's

442
00:41:45,359 --> 00:41:52,400
reasonable and required to promote
compliance. And so our intention um

443
00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:55,599
should council um move forward with a
delegated authority in this area would

444
00:41:53,920 --> 00:41:59,280
be to set penalties that are comparable
to our neighbors um who have done the

445
00:41:57,839 --> 00:42:03,839
benchmarking and and that would be our
process. Um certainly these would be

446
00:42:01,599 --> 00:42:08,240
transparent penalties that would be put
up on the website as part of the final

447
00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:12,000
bylaw that's posted. And so there's a
transparency component to that. Um all

448
00:42:10,560 --> 00:42:16,640
members of the public should be able to
see that the penalties in this area. Um

449
00:42:14,480 --> 00:42:19,680
so I I don't know if that offers uh too
short of an explanation, but I think

450
00:42:18,240 --> 00:42:24,000
both the legislation and the
transparency piece um really help to

451
00:42:22,240 --> 00:42:30,119
ensure everything is in line with what's
required and and reasonable in that

452
00:42:26,560 --> 00:42:30,119
respect. Thank you.

453
00:42:30,319 --> 00:42:38,319
Anyone else wish to uh speak? And I'm
going to call the uh vote. All in favor?

454
00:42:36,319 --> 00:42:42,359
Any opposed? And that is carried
unanimously. Thank you.

455
00:42:44,640 --> 00:42:51,119
The uh next item is uh that council of
the municipality of meford uh approve

456
00:42:49,599 --> 00:42:54,119
heritage permit application
heritage-01-2026

457
00:42:55,200 --> 00:43:04,800
um on 36 Psych Street South by Aowski uh
with the following conditions. One, that

458
00:43:02,319 --> 00:43:09,680
the final materials and colors to be of
to the satisfaction of planning staff.

459
00:43:07,280 --> 00:43:13,839
Two, that the brick facade be conserved
and retained as proposed.

460
00:43:12,079 --> 00:43:17,760
osed with new brick materials to be
integrated with the original brick.

461
00:43:16,079 --> 00:43:21,680
Three, that any future signage be
subject to applicable sign bylaw

462
00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:25,200
requirements. And four, that the works
generally conform to the plans and

463
00:43:23,599 --> 00:43:29,760
renderings submitted with the
application. Can I have a mover and

464
00:43:27,200 --> 00:43:34,560
seconder, please? Moved by councelor,
seconded by councelor Andis. Very good.

465
00:43:32,400 --> 00:43:40,280
Um, discussion,
questions. I'll start with councelor

466
00:43:37,280 --> 00:43:40,280
Greenfield.

467
00:43:40,800 --> 00:43:49,680
Thank you, Marshall. Um, well, when I
first started reading through this

468
00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:59,119
report, I I was uh quite uh quite
enthused by the uh the renovations and

469
00:43:53,520 --> 00:44:07,040
the uh the upgrades. I uh uh
picked up on the uh use of uh more

470
00:44:03,359 --> 00:44:14,160
traditional line masonry to do any uh uh
masonry repairs. and uh uh putting in

471
00:44:11,920 --> 00:44:21,680
the middle window again brings it back
to uh I think a a very attractive, very

472
00:44:18,480 --> 00:44:27,280
acceptable storefront.
However,

473
00:44:24,319 --> 00:44:33,920
then I got down to looking at the
entrance way

474
00:44:29,599 --> 00:44:43,680
and I saw two steps
and I would be remiss if I did not bring

475
00:44:39,280 --> 00:44:48,560
up the accessibility problems here.
Um,

476
00:44:46,480 --> 00:44:52,880
I know I'm
been beating this drum often in the past

477
00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:59,680
few years and I'm going to beat it
again. This is a this is an opportunity.

478
00:44:56,720 --> 00:45:03,599
Yes, it will
cost

479
00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:10,640
the manager, the owner of this operation
more money. But there's an opportunity

480
00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:15,599
here to recess that doorway, create a
ramp, make this

481
00:45:13,440 --> 00:45:21,000
facility
um accessible. I I'm just

482
00:45:22,079 --> 00:45:31,839
I endorse the heritage features trying
to maintain them. I I'm 100% for that.

483
00:45:28,400 --> 00:45:37,680
But when it comes to accessibility, why
can't we collaborate and cooperate the

484
00:45:35,040 --> 00:45:42,960
two of them together when something like
this comes forward? We're we're missing

485
00:45:40,319 --> 00:45:48,160
an opportunity here.
And we've missed it in other areas too.

486
00:45:46,160 --> 00:45:52,000
We're supposedly a community of
well-being

487
00:45:50,160 --> 00:46:01,359
uh
accepting everyone regardless of their

488
00:45:56,960 --> 00:46:06,240
physical needs. And here's an example
where we're not not doing that or at

489
00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:11,440
least I I don't see it in this
application. So

490
00:46:09,119 --> 00:46:16,880
that's where I'm at. uh your worship. Uh
as I say, other than that, I'm I'm quite

491
00:46:14,319 --> 00:46:22,160
all right with it, but I I I have to
mention this and and this is the the

492
00:46:19,599 --> 00:46:30,160
accessibility issue to our downtown
businesses is not getting better.

493
00:46:25,839 --> 00:46:32,720
We have opportunities to help and we're
ignoring them.

494
00:46:31,520 --> 00:46:38,000
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you for that passionate,

495
00:46:34,160 --> 00:46:43,440
deservedly passionate comment. Um, does
anyone want to respond to that or at

496
00:46:40,560 --> 00:46:47,359
least speak to
Yeah, let's call on staff here to uh

497
00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:52,400
help us out a bit.
>> Hi there. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, so

498
00:46:50,560 --> 00:46:56,560
that is something that the heritage
advisory committee did bring up um at

499
00:46:54,800 --> 00:47:01,760
their meeting for this application as
well. Um and so our standpoint is that

500
00:47:00,079 --> 00:47:09,599
when someone applies for a heritage
permit application,

501
00:47:03,839 --> 00:47:15,200
um we c we can require them to uh keep
or upkeep the steps in as good condition

502
00:47:12,720 --> 00:47:19,280
as they can. Um if they were submitting
a building permit application to

503
00:47:16,720 --> 00:47:24,240
renovate Jake Scrapand Go restaurant,
then that's something where AODDA

504
00:47:21,200 --> 00:47:31,119
compliance could come into effect. Um if
it's council's wishes, we could amend

505
00:47:27,359 --> 00:47:36,480
um the recommendation. Um but from from
the planning staff perspective, uh we

506
00:47:34,000 --> 00:47:41,520
would just require them to maintain
those steps in as good condition as they

507
00:47:38,720 --> 00:47:44,720
can.
What I don't understand is that I

508
00:47:43,200 --> 00:47:50,960
thought that we're well past the
deadline for u um

509
00:47:48,880 --> 00:47:57,119
structural changes to provide
accessibility and I I don't understand

510
00:47:53,680 --> 00:48:04,680
why uh the proponent isn't isn't
required uh in some way to conform to

511
00:47:59,520 --> 00:48:04,680
the provincial legislation. Am I wrong?

512
00:48:05,359 --> 00:48:14,640
Uh if I may your worship, um the trigger
to uh make something like a door, excuse

513
00:48:12,513 --> 00:48:18,240
[clears throat] me, accessible really
only comes up on under the Ontario

514
00:48:16,640 --> 00:48:24,640
building code when specific
modifications are being made. So, um

515
00:48:22,400 --> 00:48:29,280
existing B business owners aren't
compelled to make accessibility

516
00:48:26,720 --> 00:48:35,200
improvements unless they're already
altering that item. So, for example,

517
00:48:33,040 --> 00:48:39,680
removing a washroom and and replacing it
or renovating, then the new the replaced

518
00:48:37,520 --> 00:48:45,520
version would have to meet accessibility
standards. I'd look to a facilities

519
00:48:42,240 --> 00:48:52,240
expert um to to help me out there, but
um really they would have to be altering

520
00:48:49,359 --> 00:48:57,200
the entrance um for us to be able to
trigger under the code an accessibility

521
00:48:55,119 --> 00:48:59,920
um improvement, if that makes sense.
>> I'm going to ask other members of

522
00:48:58,480 --> 00:49:03,839
council to weigh in here for their
opinion. I'll come back to you after

523
00:49:02,319 --> 00:49:07,680
everyone's spoken and I'm going to start
with councelor Yurig.

524
00:49:05,680 --> 00:49:12,720
» Thank you Mr. Mayor and thank you
councelor Greenfield for bringing up.

525
00:49:09,680 --> 00:49:17,760
We're all extremely sympathetic to um
AODA standards and would love to see

526
00:49:15,359 --> 00:49:22,720
more in the downtown h have that happen.
I guess my question is the obviously the

527
00:49:19,920 --> 00:49:26,480
logistics of it because I'm presuming if
that was looking at the diagram or at

528
00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:32,160
the picture if that was going to happen
it obviously can't shut out forward.

529
00:49:28,480 --> 00:49:37,200
have to be side and the and the gradient
of any ramp has to be fairly long

530
00:49:34,960 --> 00:49:44,079
obviously to accommodate the uh
standard. Is there room even to do that

531
00:49:40,400 --> 00:49:47,680
on that building? Um because it's then
going to jut into the driveway to the

532
00:49:45,920 --> 00:49:51,200
part of it or to the left it's going to
be the building. So has it even been

533
00:49:49,440 --> 00:49:58,599
looked into to determine whether or not
a ramp would even be able to manage to

534
00:49:54,880 --> 00:49:58,599
work in that environment?

535
00:50:00,160 --> 00:50:09,200
um through your worship. Uh I think that
you've just pointed out sort of the the

536
00:50:05,040 --> 00:50:15,520
catch, right? Um while we all um hold um
accessibility um and heritage to a high

537
00:50:13,119 --> 00:50:20,240
standard and high importance, uh in a
historic downtown like ours, space is

538
00:50:17,920 --> 00:50:26,240
very limited and the existing sort of
logistics really really tend to to come

539
00:50:22,960 --> 00:50:33,440
into play. So, um the applicant in this
case hasn't uh applied to to alter their

540
00:50:30,640 --> 00:50:39,200
um their entrance. So, we can't compel
them to do so. Again, uh even though we

541
00:50:36,160 --> 00:50:43,599
do really prioritize accessibility. So,
um looking forward to our our new CIP

542
00:50:41,680 --> 00:50:49,440
coming into force and effect so that we
can um help add um you know funds to to

543
00:50:47,359 --> 00:50:53,440
help incentivize those changes because
again in these historic buildings those

544
00:50:51,520 --> 00:50:57,920
represent significant potentially
significant changes. So um I think

545
00:50:56,400 --> 00:51:01,520
you've you've hit the nail on the head
there.

546
00:50:59,359 --> 00:51:06,000
» So that sort of truncates discussion
unless somebody let's hear what you have

547
00:51:04,319 --> 00:51:12,960
to say anyway and councelor Renis.
>> Thank you. Um

548
00:51:08,720 --> 00:51:19,359
yeah, I I complet um I completely
uh sympathize uh with with with with the

549
00:51:16,079 --> 00:51:24,240
idea. Um I worry that at this point we
don't have the structures in place to be

550
00:51:21,520 --> 00:51:29,760
able to enforce something that large on
uh what is essentially the update of you

551
00:51:26,640 --> 00:51:32,640
know in in appearance. Um so and that's
essentially what I'm hearing from. we're

552
00:51:31,200 --> 00:51:38,160
not getting into like structural
building, but I do think that there

553
00:51:35,440 --> 00:51:43,440
might be the opportunity then for future
discussions to require accessibility

554
00:51:41,040 --> 00:51:48,640
requ uh
or accessibility considerations to be

555
00:51:45,680 --> 00:51:54,079
part of our heritage permitting process.
Um I've been to had the fortune to be in

556
00:51:51,839 --> 00:52:00,559
other parts of the world and uh take
courses uh designed around um how to

557
00:51:58,319 --> 00:52:06,400
include uh various forms of physical
disability um in in some locations that

558
00:52:04,000 --> 00:52:12,720
have been built on for at this point a
thousand years and in cultures where

559
00:52:09,520 --> 00:52:16,400
heritage is extremely important.
and they've come up with some very

560
00:52:14,079 --> 00:52:23,040
creative solutions uh around the world
to make very historical buildings uh

561
00:52:20,400 --> 00:52:26,400
meet modern accessibility standards. I
presume that maybe their larger

562
00:52:24,960 --> 00:52:29,920
government tax structures are different
and allow for that so that a small

563
00:52:28,000 --> 00:52:33,920
municipality could apply for money to be
able to do that. But looking at this

564
00:52:32,160 --> 00:52:38,800
building on Google Maps right now on
street view, I'm seeing that for

565
00:52:35,680 --> 00:52:42,400
example, uh the spa next door is kind of
more at grade and then the building kind

566
00:52:40,640 --> 00:52:46,880
of comes across and the sidewalk drops
down making that adding a step uh just

567
00:52:45,359 --> 00:52:51,040
from one front door to the the
neighboring front door. And I've seen a

568
00:52:48,880 --> 00:52:54,640
solution where essentially the ramp is
added along the front of the building.

569
00:52:52,960 --> 00:52:57,440
Um you know, in this case it might be a
little need to be more creative because

570
00:52:56,079 --> 00:53:03,920
there's a door to the apartments above
it seems. But um there are solutions uh

571
00:53:00,400 --> 00:53:09,440
to to be able to do that. Um
so if we're when we you know maybe maybe

572
00:53:06,880 --> 00:53:14,000
for the next council maybe we included
in our recommendations for the next

573
00:53:10,880 --> 00:53:17,680
council to make that a part of our
heritage permitting because heritage

574
00:53:15,920 --> 00:53:21,599
buildings are going to be inaccessible
pro most likely and so if anyone's going

575
00:53:19,760 --> 00:53:25,440
to be doing any work on them at all we
should be requiring this.

576
00:53:24,240 --> 00:53:30,720
» Thank you. This is very valuable
contribution. Councelor Bell, was your

577
00:53:27,680 --> 00:53:35,520
hand up?
Councelor Bell. No. Okay, fine. Sorry.

578
00:53:33,520 --> 00:53:38,960
Um, Deputy Mayor, and then I'll go back
to Councelor Greenfield.

579
00:53:37,680 --> 00:53:42,240
» Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I
appreciate the discussion. I was going

580
00:53:40,480 --> 00:53:46,079
to mention accessibility, but Harley did
it much more descriptively than I ever

581
00:53:44,079 --> 00:53:51,040
could. So, I'm glad we're addressing
this for this particular building. Um,

582
00:53:48,640 --> 00:53:55,839
I'm wondering in relation to the steps,
because I appreciate the challenge that

583
00:53:52,960 --> 00:54:01,599
we face with them. Um, is there a
potential for us to require a temporary

584
00:53:58,960 --> 00:54:05,359
ramp that could be just, you know, set
down if someone wanted to enter the

585
00:54:03,440 --> 00:54:10,160
business who required that with a
walker, wheelchair, whatever the concern

586
00:54:07,839 --> 00:54:14,319
might be, something that just could be
brought out of the business, set down

587
00:54:11,760 --> 00:54:18,559
over the steps on that very temporary
basis so that individual could get in

588
00:54:16,000 --> 00:54:25,240
and out. Are we allowed to require
anything of that nature?

589
00:54:22,240 --> 00:54:25,240
Sure.

590
00:54:27,280 --> 00:54:36,000
Um through you, Mr. Mayor. Um that's a a
good solution on a temporary basis. Um I

591
00:54:34,480 --> 00:54:41,440
think staff would need to look into
those required clearances for sidewalk

592
00:54:38,480 --> 00:54:47,920
as well. I believe it's 1.5 m of
clearance is required and I'm not too

593
00:54:43,359 --> 00:54:52,079
sure um how it would affect um how large
the ramp would need to be and if we

594
00:54:49,839 --> 00:54:57,200
would maintain that required walking
clearance on the sidewalk as well. Um

595
00:54:55,599 --> 00:55:01,079
but it's something that staff could
could look into further.

596
00:55:01,440 --> 00:55:09,280
» Go ahead councelor Greenfield. Thanks
again and your worship and thank you

597
00:55:05,440 --> 00:55:16,720
Helina and uh uh director K uh for your
comments and I

598
00:55:11,839 --> 00:55:24,400
um you know first of all I I I know this
is a

599
00:55:18,640 --> 00:55:31,839
a difficult storefront to to do uh uh
a lot of things with. When I mention a

600
00:55:28,559 --> 00:55:39,440
ramp, I the AODDA
ramps are a mile long and I wasn't

601
00:55:36,559 --> 00:55:46,240
really thinking about that. I I was
thinking about, okay, we'd have to take

602
00:55:42,880 --> 00:55:50,640
a recessed doorway and a lot a number of
our heritage buildings did have recessed

603
00:55:48,799 --> 00:55:58,520
entranceways.
um a ramp of even a steeper

604
00:55:55,520 --> 00:55:58,520
grade.

605
00:55:59,119 --> 00:56:07,200
Someone could
push someone in a wheelchair up into the

606
00:56:04,799 --> 00:56:13,040
building or someone with a walker I
think could get up into it. They can't

607
00:56:10,000 --> 00:56:18,559
do that with those two steps.
Um, going back to I I don't understand

608
00:56:16,559 --> 00:56:24,640
why the community improvement plan and
accessibility are not directly tied. Uh,

609
00:56:22,480 --> 00:56:30,079
like I think any community improvement
plan uh grant or loan application that

610
00:56:28,240 --> 00:56:35,119
comes forward
if if they have accessibility features

611
00:56:33,359 --> 00:56:41,200
to them, they should there should be a
an asterct right behind it saying, "Hey,

612
00:56:37,920 --> 00:56:48,480
this is this is special. this is uh this
is one one vote for your uh uh for your

613
00:56:45,200 --> 00:56:54,400
application and I don't think we've done
that in the past and to me in the future

614
00:56:50,960 --> 00:56:59,139
it's uh it's essential. So okay I've
made my point. Thank you. Thanks. And

615
00:56:57,599 --> 00:57:04,799
I'm just going to add that
[clears throat] uh I've seen uh many u

616
00:57:02,079 --> 00:57:11,599
facade improvements take place in our
downtown core with no sympathy for the

617
00:57:08,000 --> 00:57:19,680
heritage of our heritage district. So,
uh I want to compliment the uh proponent

618
00:57:14,160 --> 00:57:25,040
here for u uh thinking about how um a
part especially that block of uh of

619
00:57:22,319 --> 00:57:29,359
psych street which is you know not as
built up and has more you know diverse

620
00:57:27,680 --> 00:57:34,480
buildings on it. It's nice to see
something that salutes heritage in

621
00:57:31,599 --> 00:57:38,319
meford and uh I want to congratulate him
and uh I'm going to call the vote. All

622
00:57:36,400 --> 00:57:44,400
in favor?
Any opposed? That is carried unanimously

623
00:57:41,599 --> 00:57:50,799
and now we can move uh into committee of
the whole at 155. Uh could I have a

624
00:57:47,920 --> 00:57:57,559
mover and seconder? Deputy mayor and
councelor Yuri. Thank you very much. And

625
00:57:53,680 --> 00:57:57,559
the first item is

626
00:57:57,599 --> 00:58:04,240
um under library services that committee
of the whole receive report library

627
00:58:02,559 --> 00:58:09,599
2026-01
mered public library annual report 2025

628
00:58:07,599 --> 00:58:14,799
for information purposes. And I'm going
to turn the microphone over to uh to

629
00:58:11,280 --> 00:58:19,760
Lynn CEO. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Move and second. We didn't do

630
00:58:16,880 --> 00:58:25,599
that. Moved by councelor for seconded by
councelor Andis. Thank you very much.

631
00:58:21,200 --> 00:58:32,240
All in favor? Oh go. Okay. Boy after
four years if [laughter]

632
00:58:27,920 --> 00:58:35,040
I pity my follower. Okay. Uh go ahead
and

633
00:58:32,960 --> 00:58:39,280
» thank you so much. Uh, thank you. Your
worship, deputy mayor, counselors,

634
00:58:37,280 --> 00:58:44,559
including the M meford public library
board, council reps, GR, uh, councilors

635
00:58:42,319 --> 00:58:50,480
Greenfield and Forer,
uh, and M, my municipal colleagues for

636
00:58:47,280 --> 00:58:55,520
the opportunity for Chair Grafton and I
to present the Meford Public Library

637
00:58:52,559 --> 00:58:59,599
2025 annual report.
The annual report supports transparency

638
00:58:57,680 --> 00:59:04,400
and promotes knowledge of the importance
of the Meford Public Library within our

639
00:59:02,079 --> 00:59:11,280
community and helps to clarify what
we've spent, what we do, why we do it,

640
00:59:08,720 --> 00:59:16,000
and how we do it. Uh, it takes a village
to run the Meford Public Library from

641
00:59:13,520 --> 00:59:22,240
from council right on down to our valued
users who supply great feedback to their

642
00:59:19,599 --> 00:59:27,520
public library. Uh Mephford Public
Library celebrates 100 years uh this

643
00:59:24,880 --> 00:59:32,960
year in 2026. Uh but the building will
be 6 years old, believe it or not, uh on

644
00:59:30,480 --> 00:59:37,839
November 20th. Uh so we thank our
facilities manager, Steve Burgess, and

645
00:59:35,520 --> 00:59:42,480
his dedicated team for keeping the
building in shape both inside and out.

646
00:59:40,960 --> 00:59:47,119
And we also would like to thank the
parks and recreation uh department and

647
00:59:44,640 --> 00:59:51,599
their wonderful garden volunteer uh who
helps keep the parkquette and the

648
00:59:48,960 --> 00:59:58,160
surrounding gardens in order
uh for for our story times, our library

649
00:59:54,480 --> 01:00:03,040
programs and the public to enjoy. I'd
like to introduce uh Chair Kim uh Kim

650
01:00:00,640 --> 01:00:06,760
Grafton uh our board chair who would
like to say a few words.

651
01:00:14,720 --> 01:00:23,119
Good afternoon, Mayor Kentner, Deputy
Mayor Shirley Keveny, counselors, fellow

652
01:00:20,160 --> 01:00:28,640
board members on council, and town
municipal staff. Welcome to the annual

653
01:00:26,240 --> 01:00:33,599
report of the Meford Public Library. As
chair of the library board, it is a

654
01:00:30,799 --> 01:00:37,359
pleasure to be celebrating a 100red
years of library service in our

655
01:00:36,079 --> 01:00:40,799
community.
I would like to take a moment to

656
01:00:38,960 --> 01:00:47,680
acknowledge the contribution of my
fellow Meifford Public Library board

657
01:00:43,280 --> 01:00:52,480
members, our library CEO, Lynn Fasnado,
and our great library team. Their

658
01:00:50,319 --> 01:00:56,480
innovative leadership provides a public
space that creates opportunities for

659
01:00:54,640 --> 01:01:01,520
people of all ages to learn,
collaborate, and connect. Community

660
01:00:59,280 --> 01:01:06,640
partnerships are essential to our
success and we again welcomed financial

661
01:01:04,720 --> 01:01:12,240
support from the friends of the Meford
Library, the Rotary Club, individual

662
01:01:09,760 --> 01:01:17,280
donors, the Municipality of Meford
Council, the province of Ontario through

663
01:01:15,119 --> 01:01:23,440
the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and
Gaming, and the Ontario Library Service.

664
01:01:20,720 --> 01:01:29,040
And I would like to just bring to your
attention

665
01:01:25,359 --> 01:01:34,240
some of that sponsorship.
During the budget process this year, uh

666
01:01:32,480 --> 01:01:40,640
there was some discussion about the
library seeking sponsorship

667
01:01:37,119 --> 01:01:46,720
and I would like to bring to your
attention that the Meford Public Library

668
01:01:43,280 --> 01:01:50,559
has benefited from sponsorship for many
years from the Friends of the Meford

669
01:01:48,640 --> 01:01:55,440
Library as well as the Rotary Club of
Meford. The Rotary Club sponsored

670
01:01:53,359 --> 01:02:01,119
equipment and licensing for the youth
area in our new library, as well as for

671
01:01:58,640 --> 01:02:05,599
Wi-Fi routers, which is ongoing to this
day.

672
01:02:03,040 --> 01:02:13,920
The Friends of the Meford Library have
supported us since 1994.

673
01:02:09,920 --> 01:02:19,000
This year alone, they sponsored our
library to a tune of $31,159.89.

674
01:02:21,200 --> 01:02:29,520
Their financial support doubles the
funding available for programming.

675
01:02:26,960 --> 01:02:36,000
It enables author events and enhances
services and resources. In our budget,

676
01:02:32,960 --> 01:02:42,160
we have $3,500
each for our children's programming and

677
01:02:39,200 --> 01:02:49,000
our adult programming.
The Friends of the Mayford Library

678
01:02:44,480 --> 01:02:49,000
provide an additional $3,11566

679
01:02:49,280 --> 01:03:00,240
for the children's program and $5,278
for adult programs. And that's just a

680
01:02:56,880 --> 01:03:06,040
small portion of that $31,000.
In essence, they double our budget for

681
01:03:03,040 --> 01:03:06,040
programming.

682
01:03:07,200 --> 01:03:15,440
We have major sponsorship. We have had
within our community the support from

683
01:03:12,880 --> 01:03:20,559
these organizations and they greatly
enhance the services and programs that

684
01:03:17,280 --> 01:03:24,640
would not exist without them. And I just
want to take that opportunity to

685
01:03:22,640 --> 01:03:29,039
reinforce that that we already have
sponsorship and and it is very

686
01:03:27,520 --> 01:03:33,920
important.
We also welcome partnerships from local

687
01:03:31,359 --> 01:03:38,319
cultural and economic stakeholders who
helped contribute to the diverse mix of

688
01:03:36,160 --> 01:03:45,200
programming that included life
directions, the YMCA of Owen Sound,

689
01:03:41,920 --> 01:03:50,240
bright shores, adult learning center. We
have elder law series, income tax

690
01:03:47,440 --> 01:03:55,440
clinics, gardener and residence series,
and the ever popular story time

691
01:03:52,240 --> 01:04:01,039
sessions, STEM and craft events for
youth and teens, author events, book

692
01:03:58,160 --> 01:04:08,720
clubs, puzzle exchanges, just to name a
few. An average of 65 programs a month

693
01:04:05,280 --> 01:04:16,240
for all ages. And I would also like to
just hold so that everything doesn't

694
01:04:11,039 --> 01:04:22,880
pull off. This is for July and August.
This alone is our children's programming

695
01:04:19,599 --> 01:04:27,599
Monday to Sunday. And every day there
are four to five programs running. And

696
01:04:26,000 --> 01:04:32,720
that's that's just a quick little
snapshot. And again, that's just our

697
01:04:30,079 --> 01:04:38,400
youth programs. Our adult programs are
also running concurrent to this. So our

698
01:04:35,280 --> 01:04:43,760
library provides a very valuable space
in our community

699
01:04:41,200 --> 01:04:49,680
and a vast array of resources await at
the library from fishing rods, room

700
01:04:46,079 --> 01:04:55,520
rentals to tech help. The meford public
library was featured in the January 2025

701
01:04:52,799 --> 01:05:01,760
edition of connecting the sound magazine
in an article entitled the little

702
01:04:57,599 --> 01:05:08,160
library that could. 100 years in Meford
Public Library is a shining example of a

703
01:05:05,200 --> 01:05:13,280
hub of learning, care, and connection. A
space where everyone can belong and it

704
01:05:10,400 --> 01:05:18,640
enables our community to thrive. And I
would like to take a moment just to read

705
01:05:14,960 --> 01:05:24,799
a little excerpt. And this is from a
library patron involved in our writing

706
01:05:21,920 --> 01:05:29,119
circle program at the library. And I'm
not going to read it all. It is on I

707
01:05:26,559 --> 01:05:36,000
believe available if you wanted to read.
But I just I love her her her story here

708
01:05:33,119 --> 01:05:40,240
and this is a short excerpt out of it. I
now have the time in my winter chapter

709
01:05:38,079 --> 01:05:46,240
to explore more which brings me great
joy. This Meford library is new to me

710
01:05:43,920 --> 01:05:52,960
and its offerings have awakened,
enriched, fed and nurtured my current

711
01:05:50,079 --> 01:05:58,640
curiosities and I love to enter its
sliding doors to again lead me to a

712
01:05:55,599 --> 01:06:03,119
world of topics that tickle my fancy.
Such a joyous feeling

713
01:06:01,200 --> 01:06:08,240
likened to wanting more and more of a
favorite bon bon.

714
01:06:05,359 --> 01:06:14,160
Hail to the library. May it remain a
place of community and learning for all.

715
01:06:11,039 --> 01:06:18,319
And that just tickles my fancy that uh
someone wrote about the library in a

716
01:06:16,079 --> 01:06:23,200
program at our library sponsored by our
library.

717
01:06:20,640 --> 01:06:29,440
The coming year holds a promise of new
programs and exciting events. With

718
01:06:26,319 --> 01:06:34,559
municipal elections this fall, there
will be a change in our board. I have

719
01:06:32,240 --> 01:06:39,039
served on the last eight years and it
has been an honor and a privilege to

720
01:06:37,039 --> 01:06:46,799
serve on this board and work with our
amazing library team. I can't say enough

721
01:06:42,559 --> 01:06:52,760
at the energy, the love that they put
into everything that they do there. They

722
01:06:49,039 --> 01:06:52,760
go above and beyond.

723
01:06:52,799 --> 01:07:00,000
There's been some wonderful milestones.
As Lynn mentioned, we're coming up to

724
01:06:56,720 --> 01:07:04,559
six years on our new library, and it is
just such a shining example in our

725
01:07:02,400 --> 01:07:08,960
community of of what we can do when we
all collaborate

726
01:07:06,400 --> 01:07:14,240
to do the right thing.
I will be sad to be leaving the board,

727
01:07:12,079 --> 01:07:21,839
but I hope that the many gains that we
have made and all the wonderful assets

728
01:07:19,280 --> 01:07:25,319
continue to be used, enjoyed, and thrive
in our community.

729
01:07:25,760 --> 01:07:32,640
we say it's a little hard. It's that's I
value our library very very much and our

730
01:07:30,559 --> 01:07:38,280
board has been a wonderful board that
has been very uh very

731
01:07:38,400 --> 01:07:46,640
passionate about how and what we do.
I would like to thank my fellow board

732
01:07:44,160 --> 01:07:51,200
members, our staff
and council for your investment in our

733
01:07:49,119 --> 01:07:56,480
library which continues to be the
cornerstone of the social infrastructure

734
01:07:53,359 --> 01:08:00,799
in our community. I have enjoyed working
and learning alongside our amazing team

735
01:07:58,559 --> 01:08:07,200
of staff and more board members for the
last eight years and wish that the

736
01:08:03,839 --> 01:08:14,520
future of our library continues to be a
happy and prosperous one.

737
01:08:10,799 --> 01:08:14,520
turn back to L.

738
01:08:18,880 --> 01:08:25,440
» Thank you so much, Chair Grafton, for
those kind words. And Chair Grafton has

739
01:08:23,440 --> 01:08:30,560
worked diligently as well these last
eight years to uh make the Meford Public

740
01:08:28,000 --> 01:08:35,960
Library the place to be. Plus, she works
very hard on the ministerial library

741
01:08:32,400 --> 01:08:35,960
board as well.

742
01:08:38,719 --> 01:08:43,159
I don't know what to say after all of
that.

743
01:08:43,679 --> 01:08:50,000
Um, going over to our report. Um, the
first thing that we do is our vision and

744
01:08:47,920 --> 01:08:54,799
mission statement. Uh, everything we do
at Meford Public Library fall under

745
01:08:52,400 --> 01:08:59,679
these two very important statements as
found in the Meford Public Library

746
01:08:56,560 --> 01:09:04,239
strategic plan 2022. Plus, uh, the
board's strategic plan is also in

747
01:09:02,000 --> 01:09:11,199
influenced by council's strategic
priorities. uh helping to ensure that we

748
01:09:07,040 --> 01:09:15,319
have similar visions for our users um
and members of our community.

749
01:09:19,600 --> 01:09:28,159
Next page are our revenues.
I wanted to mention that the donation

750
01:09:24,400 --> 01:09:33,040
lines of $11,252
uh these include uh individual donations

751
01:09:30,960 --> 01:09:38,640
uh donate uh monies collected from
donation bids bins around the located

752
01:09:35,600 --> 01:09:45,279
around the library and uh also from uh
the me sorry the friends of the meford

753
01:09:41,759 --> 01:09:50,880
library uh donations. uh the friends pay
for li uh library items uh usually to um

754
01:09:49,040 --> 01:09:57,760
they make a check out to the to the
library to cover the costs. Uh this is

755
01:09:53,679 --> 01:10:03,760
why uh and this revenue line is only
11,252

756
01:09:59,520 --> 01:10:08,480
whereas on page 7 uh the we and as chair
uh Grafton has mentioned that they

757
01:10:05,679 --> 01:10:13,520
donated over $31,000 of items to the
library in 2025. And the reason this

758
01:10:10,719 --> 01:10:17,840
donation line is uh smaller is because
those are the ones that uh we have

759
01:10:15,280 --> 01:10:24,320
purchased as staff and the friends have
reimbursed us. So uh fees and charges of

760
01:10:20,960 --> 01:10:30,080
$78.99. These include printing, faxing,
scanning, proctoring fees, uh late fees,

761
01:10:27,760 --> 01:10:35,440
uh lost and damaged items and that type
of uh information. Uh interl loan

762
01:10:33,199 --> 01:10:40,719
postage rebate. uh we get an annual
rebate from the Ontario Library Service

763
01:10:38,080 --> 01:10:47,440
for postage uh to ship books to uh
within to other libraries within the

764
01:10:42,560 --> 01:10:53,679
province. And in 2025 we shipped out 772
books to other libraries and we received

765
01:10:50,000 --> 01:10:59,280
for our patrons who um who uh looked for
books within the system 787

766
01:10:56,880 --> 01:11:04,080
u books came in. uh the programming
revenues of 1625. These are revenues

767
01:11:01,920 --> 01:11:08,800
generated to cover costs of our
programming um that are not covered

768
01:11:06,640 --> 01:11:13,280
either through our budget or through the
friends of the ME for library

769
01:11:10,000 --> 01:11:17,440
sponsorship. Uh room rentals uh these
are fees collected for room bookings uh

770
01:11:15,600 --> 01:11:23,360
for businesses and for-profit
organizations. Uh public library

771
01:11:20,239 --> 01:11:29,120
operating grant of 23935
uh which has not changed in over 30

772
01:11:26,000 --> 01:11:33,440
years. that is uh comes to us every year
from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture

773
01:11:30,800 --> 01:11:37,679
and Gaming, which is the the uh ministry
responsible for Ontario Public

774
01:11:34,960 --> 01:11:42,000
Libraries. And I just wanted to also
mention that the special events uh the

775
01:11:40,480 --> 01:11:46,719
11,000
plus that we uh were from the Allen

776
01:11:44,159 --> 01:11:52,320
Doyle event of last October, it was a
sellout, so it uh created uh some good

777
01:11:49,600 --> 01:11:56,960
revenues for the Meford Library. And we
received uh from the Ministry of

778
01:11:53,760 --> 01:12:01,520
Tourism, Culture, and Gaming in 2025 the
uh summer experience uh opportunities

779
01:11:59,440 --> 01:12:04,520
grant for our summer student last
summer.

780
01:12:07,040 --> 01:12:17,040
Here we go. Um expenses. We've uh any
expenses that have uh the FOM supported

781
01:12:14,560 --> 01:12:21,120
brackets uh next to it indicates that
the FOML um have contributed

782
01:12:19,425 --> 01:12:25,440
[clears throat] items in this category
of expenses.

783
01:12:22,960 --> 01:12:31,440
Uh advertising uh these are expenses
such as ads and any MPL logo uh items

784
01:12:29,360 --> 01:12:37,440
that we have such as tote bags and thank
you cards and that kind of thing. Um

785
01:12:33,840 --> 01:12:44,239
that was 500 uh sorry that was $631 last
year. Uh association fees are for

786
01:12:41,120 --> 01:12:48,400
Ontario Library um association
memberships for both board and staff. Uh

787
01:12:46,800 --> 01:12:54,320
these memberships are important because
they uh give us a heck of a discount on

788
01:12:50,640 --> 01:13:00,320
our uh um on our uh courses that we take
through the OA to improve our library

789
01:12:56,320 --> 01:13:04,400
services. We also um spend money on the
Ontario Municipal Public Library

790
01:13:02,080 --> 01:13:09,360
Organization and the Federation of
Ontario Public Libraries um and also

791
01:13:06,960 --> 01:13:14,159
something called access copyright and
that is a license to enable public

792
01:13:11,920 --> 01:13:21,840
libraries to uh have the public and
staff uh photocopy uh various items with

793
01:13:17,199 --> 01:13:27,600
that uh uh that we do as a service.
Uh books is our capital item. We spent

794
01:13:24,320 --> 01:13:31,840
last year $36,417.
Um, and that's just not for books.

795
01:13:29,280 --> 01:13:37,679
That's also for movies and also uh
barcodes for items, any circulation bags

796
01:13:34,560 --> 01:13:43,199
to uh to enable uh something to
circulate and book repair items, cover

797
01:13:40,480 --> 01:13:48,320
jackets, that kind of thing. Um, the
clothing is for staff logo clothing, PPE

798
01:13:46,400 --> 01:13:52,480
like silicon gloves and also sun
sunscreen, which is very important for

799
01:13:50,400 --> 01:13:57,520
uh staff to wear when we go on um
outreach. uh outside are e resources.

800
01:13:55,600 --> 01:14:03,679
They're heavily sponsored by the Ontario
Library Service. Uh these include Libby,

801
01:14:00,239 --> 01:14:09,840
Ancestry, Mango, World Book, Novelist.
Um and uh we also spend on our own and

802
01:14:06,560 --> 01:14:14,719
we have non-sponsored um e- resources
called Biblio and Hoopla. Those are

803
01:14:11,679 --> 01:14:21,440
downloading movie and book services. And
uh we pay that. We don't have a u the

804
01:14:18,159 --> 01:14:26,480
opportunity for a uh discount in those
but these are all renewed annually as

805
01:14:23,679 --> 01:14:32,239
well and our events uh was our signature
author event uh for Alan Doyle which was

806
01:14:29,679 --> 01:14:36,080
sponsored um the booking at the hall was
sponsored by the friends of the meford

807
01:14:33,760 --> 01:14:40,480
library uh facilities maintenance this
is the amount spent by our by our

808
01:14:38,080 --> 01:14:45,520
manager to maintain the building hydro
heat water cleaning etc and um the cost

809
01:14:43,760 --> 01:14:50,480
of the debenture for the new library
building is also included in that

810
01:14:47,280 --> 01:14:56,159
amount. Uh information technology uh
large budgeted by our IT department uh

811
01:14:54,000 --> 01:15:01,600
this includes Wi-Fi, all computers,
software um that runs them, public and

812
01:14:59,199 --> 01:15:08,400
staff networks, photocopy machines,
phones, internet backups, email, etc. We

813
01:15:05,040 --> 01:15:12,719
could not uh function uh without our IT
uh people. So, thank you to Mark Ian and

814
01:15:10,719 --> 01:15:17,040
his team. uh the library computer
hardware software line. Uh that's uh

815
01:15:15,120 --> 01:15:22,159
staff also purchase our own hardware
soft software that run outside of the IT

816
01:15:19,520 --> 01:15:27,600
department. Uh these are things such as
um our inter our integrated library

817
01:15:24,560 --> 01:15:33,280
system Koha. Uh our the catalog book uh
carousel that's on our um catalog

818
01:15:31,040 --> 01:15:38,239
librarian which runs our public access
computers. uh all the RFID licenses that

819
01:15:36,320 --> 01:15:42,400
run our alarm system and our inventory
system, our Zoom Chromebook software,

820
01:15:40,719 --> 01:15:47,040
and everything's renewed annually as
well. That's why you'll see it every

821
01:15:43,600 --> 01:15:51,600
year uh on on the budget estimates. Uh
other expenses, they include staff

822
01:15:48,960 --> 01:15:57,199
items. Uh uh uh Friends of Meford
Library purchased uh the 2500 U

823
01:15:54,960 --> 01:16:02,960
membership cards from that line last
year. They also uh bought Nintendo games

824
01:16:00,080 --> 01:16:09,679
for us in 2025. These games are quite
expensive. So, we um we look at them to

825
01:16:06,000 --> 01:16:13,840
help us uh keep that uh inventory fresh.
Uh we also purchased a square terminal.

826
01:16:11,679 --> 01:16:19,920
Thank goodness, now we have debit at the
library. Uh we also uh bought a new

827
01:16:16,719 --> 01:16:23,760
collar printer um and a summer student
desk for our summer student in our staff

828
01:16:21,920 --> 01:16:27,760
office, which we never had, and we
bought those from individual uh

829
01:16:25,360 --> 01:16:33,520
donations in 2025.
uh programming out of the 7,000 budgeted

830
01:16:30,560 --> 01:16:36,880
yearly for all programming. This is uh
heavily sponsored by the friends of the

831
01:16:34,960 --> 01:16:42,480
Meford Library and we couldn't offer the
same quality and quantity of programming

832
01:16:39,440 --> 01:16:46,480
without their support. Um and the
expenses also include the Owens Sound

833
01:16:44,320 --> 01:16:53,440
and North Union Public Library annual
cost for library services which was a

834
01:16:48,880 --> 01:16:59,040
little over I think 154 last year 158476
sorry about that. And um of course the

835
01:16:56,480 --> 01:17:02,360
largest expense would be the salaries
and benefits.

836
01:17:05,360 --> 01:17:11,440
Um as chair Grafton had mentioned about
the uh friends of the meford library

837
01:17:09,040 --> 01:17:15,440
this year in the report we added uh an
extra page uh just uh to highlight uh

838
01:17:14,400 --> 01:17:20,000
everything that the friends of the
meford library have bought for us. uh

839
01:17:18,320 --> 01:17:24,560
because uh just looking at numbers on a
spreadsheet doesn't really give you the

840
01:17:21,199 --> 01:17:28,239
the true uh idea of what they do for us.
And in fact, the if you go down to the

841
01:17:26,320 --> 01:17:33,679
netshed, they've got this uh page
highlighted uh uh in in the uh netshed

842
01:17:31,679 --> 01:17:38,400
for the public to see where the money
that they um that they buy used

843
01:17:36,480 --> 01:17:42,800
generally used books for goes to within
the the year. Uh they buy hard copy

844
01:17:41,040 --> 01:17:47,199
newspapers, Globe and Mail, Toronto
Star, Meford Independent. These are read

845
01:17:45,360 --> 01:17:52,080
daily and our beautiful living room area
of the library. Uh this old school form

846
01:17:49,600 --> 01:17:56,719
of information is still going strong and
and it's a welcomed addition to

847
01:17:54,159 --> 01:18:00,800
ourformational resources. If we uh
forget to pick up the newspapers, uh we

848
01:17:59,280 --> 01:18:03,679
will have a patron with five minutes
asking where they are. So we have to

849
01:18:02,080 --> 01:18:08,480
pick them up at Rexel. They come in
through there. Uh the TD summer reading

850
01:18:06,080 --> 01:18:13,280
program, it gets a great boost by the
friends supplying uh fantastic prizes

851
01:18:10,800 --> 01:18:17,920
for participants. Uh it's great to read,
but it's uh it's uh but a chance to win

852
01:18:15,760 --> 01:18:22,320
a great prize makes it even better,
especially when you're young. Um uh

853
01:18:20,480 --> 01:18:26,640
Ontario Public Library Week also gets a
boost for prizes supplied by the Friends

854
01:18:24,080 --> 01:18:32,320
of the Meford Library. Uh they purchased
oversized bookends for our junior

855
01:18:29,199 --> 01:18:36,400
picture books back in 2025. Um these are
the largest items in the library.

856
01:18:34,719 --> 01:18:41,120
They're almost larger than most
reference books. Uh and the most popular

857
01:18:38,560 --> 01:18:45,520
item within the junior collection. Uh so
thanks to the FL they now uh sit neat

858
01:18:44,000 --> 01:18:50,800
and tidy on the shelves. They were
falling over and it was uh not uh not a

859
01:18:49,120 --> 01:18:56,640
pretty sight sometimes. So now they're
all neat and tidy. Uh inventory one

860
01:18:53,920 --> 01:19:00,480
really helps um us find uh lost books
within the library and also helps with

861
01:18:58,320 --> 01:19:06,000
our inventory
extremely um it works with our libraries

862
01:19:03,280 --> 01:19:11,840
RFID tag system. Uh video games are
expensive. the friends help keep this

863
01:19:08,239 --> 01:19:16,640
collection fresh and um and as mentioned
before the friends have sp sponsored our

864
01:19:14,400 --> 01:19:24,080
membership cards since we first
automated in 2005 I believe uh so we're

865
01:19:20,640 --> 01:19:28,560
now on our third uh library system um
which houses our uh the inventory of our

866
01:19:26,000 --> 01:19:32,000
books and our patrons database and the
friends have provided cards for this

867
01:19:30,480 --> 01:19:36,800
every step of the way. So, we're very
they're they're very expensive and we

868
01:19:34,080 --> 01:19:41,280
really appreciate that they um that they
help us out in this fashion. Uh and as

869
01:19:39,360 --> 01:19:46,000
mentioned by Chair Grafton, they've also
sponsored five of our Wi-Fi hotspots

870
01:19:43,840 --> 01:19:49,840
which uh are flying off the shelves
especially this summer. We've got

871
01:19:47,440 --> 01:19:54,239
campers coming in, people at Memorial
Park. We've got people up in cottages

872
01:19:51,840 --> 01:19:58,159
for the summer. So they uh uh that and
the Ontario parking passes uh are

873
01:19:56,620 --> 01:20:05,040
[clears throat] and the um parking
passes are hot hot ticket items in the

874
01:20:00,480 --> 01:20:10,080
in the summertime. Uh we go this is my
favorite page statistics. This is Neford

875
01:20:08,000 --> 01:20:17,920
by the numbers. These statistics will
provide a snapshot of the 2025 usage

876
01:20:13,920 --> 01:20:23,280
here at Neford Public Library. Um 2025
saw almost 84,000 visitors through our

877
01:20:20,400 --> 01:20:28,080
doors. Uh this equates to about when you
think about it 84,000 questions from

878
01:20:26,560 --> 01:20:34,159
something as simple as where are the
washrooms to how do you print? Can I

879
01:20:31,520 --> 01:20:38,800
have a book recommendation? And the
staff do a tremendous job in helping to

880
01:20:36,480 --> 01:20:41,600
provide this top-notch service. You
never know what you're going to get when

881
01:20:39,840 --> 01:20:48,239
they come in the door, but we hate to
say no, so we do love to to help out any

882
01:20:44,400 --> 01:20:53,600
way that we can. Uh we registered 804
new patrons in 2025.

883
01:20:51,040 --> 01:20:59,679
uh with staff giving most a tour of the
building and a warm welcome. Uh almost

884
01:20:56,640 --> 01:21:06,880
73,000 materials checked out uh from a
collection the size of 31,769

885
01:21:03,360 --> 01:21:13,760
items. Uh the replacement value uh of
items circulated was over $1.3 million.

886
01:21:10,560 --> 01:21:20,320
So a yearly budget of 40,000 uh returns
over uh 1.3 million in usage. Uh so this

887
01:21:17,679 --> 01:21:27,360
dollar value does not include um the
free meeting room spaces uh the free or

888
01:21:23,520 --> 01:21:32,719
lowcost 789 programs offered and
attended by almost 12,000 users and most

889
01:21:30,239 --> 01:21:39,040
importantly uh the feeling of being in a
bright modern beautiful facility that

890
01:21:36,000 --> 01:21:43,360
values diversity, inclusion,
confidentiality and equality has no

891
01:21:41,760 --> 01:21:47,760
price tag in my opinion. That is
priceless.

892
01:21:45,280 --> 01:21:52,000
Uh MPL is proud to supply up-to-date
technology for its users. Thanks in part

893
01:21:50,080 --> 01:21:56,560
to the municipal IT department who
worked uh diligent diligently to keep

894
01:21:54,560 --> 01:22:02,000
both the public and the staff networks
running. Uh we've got two systems so

895
01:21:59,280 --> 01:22:07,440
takes a lot of uh a lot of maintenance.
Uh the 15,610

896
01:22:04,400 --> 01:22:11,360
computer users reap these benefits. uh
volunteers run the tech center and

897
01:22:09,360 --> 01:22:17,440
helped 339
people in 2025 with tech questions and

898
01:22:14,880 --> 01:22:21,920
we thank our dedicated volunteers. Uh
this number doesn't include the mirage

899
01:22:19,199 --> 01:22:27,360
of technology questions posed to staff
on a daily and almost hourly basis. Uh

900
01:22:25,120 --> 01:22:32,880
the e library which includes more than e
uh it includes more than ebooks. Uh our

901
01:22:29,760 --> 01:22:39,520
e library contains uh movies, magazines,
learning and language courses. uh saw

902
01:22:35,679 --> 01:22:45,320
almost 40,000 downloads in 2025. Uh and
the online catalog with over 44,000

903
01:22:42,320 --> 01:22:45,320
searches.

904
01:22:47,120 --> 01:22:53,760
Uh this is a fun page, most circulated
items in 2025. This is just a sample of

905
01:22:52,080 --> 01:22:58,320
the of the popular titles that
circulated then. Uh even with the many

906
01:22:56,000 --> 01:23:02,800
different movie streaming services
available to folks now uh now these

907
01:23:00,639 --> 01:23:06,400
days, our movie discs are still going
strong in circulation. I know some of

908
01:23:04,880 --> 01:23:11,199
the local libraries are taking them out
of the collection because they're not

909
01:23:07,920 --> 01:23:14,880
circulating, but uh I think uh if we did
that right now, it wouldn't uh wouldn't

910
01:23:13,280 --> 01:23:21,360
benefit our users. They're they're very
very popular. The old discs still

911
01:23:17,760 --> 01:23:26,800
around. Uh membership uh who makes up
our membership. Um well, I've added uh

912
01:23:24,800 --> 01:23:31,040
we've added the footnote explaining uh
how we actually calculate the active

913
01:23:29,120 --> 01:23:35,679
card holders. I know it's been a
question um uh that many libraries we

914
01:23:34,159 --> 01:23:41,040
want the ministry wants to make sure
that we we tally every library tallies

915
01:23:38,480 --> 01:23:45,840
their active card holders the same way.
So an active membership is a member with

916
01:23:43,040 --> 01:23:50,320
an unexpired card within the last two
years. So that's how we uh do our active

917
01:23:48,719 --> 01:23:54,480
memberships and that's how we reported
to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and

918
01:23:52,320 --> 01:23:59,840
Gaming every year.
So it's not based uh on if they check a

919
01:23:56,719 --> 01:24:03,920
book out. uh this is based on the expiry
date because pe people use their cards

920
01:24:01,600 --> 01:24:08,080
for many reasons. Uh that doesn't
necessarily give us a statistic to

921
01:24:06,080 --> 01:24:12,159
measure. Uh for example, if they use
their card for a meeting space or if

922
01:24:09,840 --> 01:24:16,880
they tend a program uh these are counted
in number only not end user. So, you

923
01:24:14,320 --> 01:24:21,679
know, we uh we take uh statistics of how
many bookings were in the uh rooms rooms

924
01:24:19,440 --> 01:24:26,880
per month, but we don't exactly pinpoint
who who does what um for confidentiality

925
01:24:24,880 --> 01:24:31,360
and and also because we only wanted a
grand total anyway. Uh using u people

926
01:24:29,280 --> 01:24:35,280
that use their card to access any e-
resource such as Ancestry, Libby,

927
01:24:33,040 --> 01:24:39,360
Hoopla, uh they don't get re registered
individually as well. They get

928
01:24:36,639 --> 01:24:44,480
registered um just as a lump sum number
at the end of the month. Excuse me. Uh

929
01:24:42,400 --> 01:24:48,719
from the membership uh chart, you can
see that uh card holders from the Blue

930
01:24:46,480 --> 01:24:54,320
Mountains and Grey Highlands enjoy
reciprocal card agreements um with us

931
01:24:51,440 --> 01:24:59,199
and our our um members can go and get
free cards over at uh Grey Highlands and

932
01:24:56,639 --> 01:25:03,280
Blue Mountains libraries as well. And
non non-residents as well that live

933
01:25:01,280 --> 01:25:10,080
outside these zones also get a free
membership at Chifford Public Library.

934
01:25:05,199 --> 01:25:15,520
We don't charge uh uh non-resident fees
uh with the 5,235

935
01:25:12,719 --> 01:25:21,360
uh uh municipal municipality of meford
residents having an active card in 2025.

936
01:25:19,520 --> 01:25:27,120
Uh this indicates based on the
population data um the last census uh

937
01:25:24,239 --> 01:25:32,560
that almost 47% of residents hold an
active card. Um this just this indicates

938
01:25:30,480 --> 01:25:38,360
a large commitment to the Meford Public
Library by our community and we we are

939
01:25:35,040 --> 01:25:38,360
most grateful.

940
01:25:38,880 --> 01:25:45,760
Uh here we have uh three pillars of
service are very important to uh the

941
01:25:44,159 --> 01:25:51,280
Meford Public Library. That's
engagement, innovation, and

942
01:25:47,840 --> 01:25:55,040
collaboration. Uh in 2025, uh Meford
Public Library embrace em embraced

943
01:25:53,040 --> 01:25:59,520
diversity and inclusion with their
rainbow book club and its spin-off

944
01:25:56,960 --> 01:26:04,320
Rainbow Crafts. Uh selected library
staff and board trustee Elgen Peekchuk

945
01:26:01,840 --> 01:26:09,040
presented a seminar on inclusion and
safe uh library spaces and rural

946
01:26:06,400 --> 01:26:14,480
libraries at the OA super conference in
January 2025. So that started the year

947
01:26:11,840 --> 01:26:18,320
off on a great note. Um, health and
safety is very important to the library

948
01:26:16,320 --> 01:26:21,840
and the municipality of Meford as a
whole. Uh, the library thanks the

949
01:26:20,080 --> 01:26:27,440
municipality uh for the training
opportunities and first aid uh joint

950
01:26:24,400 --> 01:26:32,719
health and safety training uh the the
new composition of the joint health and

951
01:26:29,120 --> 01:26:37,600
safety um program. It's all uh points to
a real commitment in health and safety.

952
01:26:34,639 --> 01:26:41,679
Our library board uh is responsible for
everybody in according to our safety and

953
01:26:39,440 --> 01:26:46,320
security and library policy are also
extremely are are responsible for

954
01:26:44,239 --> 01:26:52,080
everyone in the library as well. So they
also thank the municipality for their uh

955
01:26:48,800 --> 01:26:56,800
health and safety commitment as well.
uh staff training very important uh in

956
01:26:54,320 --> 01:27:01,280
order to keep staff aware of trends in
books and technology, AI, intellectual

957
01:26:59,679 --> 01:27:05,840
freedom
um everything and training is important

958
01:27:03,280 --> 01:27:10,000
on how we deal with unruly patrons and
other social issues which are becoming

959
01:27:08,239 --> 01:27:15,040
all too common in a lot of public
libraries uh such as homelessness,

960
01:27:12,239 --> 01:27:21,280
addiction. Uh so we're training
frontline staff to how to help in these

961
01:27:17,920 --> 01:27:27,280
uh in these uh unfortunate condition
conditions that can happen. Uh here we

962
01:27:23,600 --> 01:27:33,840
go. Oh, sorry.
Next pillar of service is uh innovation.

963
01:27:31,199 --> 01:27:38,639
Uh it is crucial that the library um
keeps relevant in its community with

964
01:27:36,000 --> 01:27:42,960
within innovation. Innovation is what uh
patrons want in order to access

965
01:27:40,480 --> 01:27:47,440
up-to-date items and to access quality
programming uh to keep them learning on

966
01:27:45,199 --> 01:27:52,880
how to use the latest technology, how to
use e- reser resources and how to make

967
01:27:49,679 --> 01:27:56,480
the most of of their library membership.
Technology is changing quickly and the

968
01:27:54,800 --> 01:28:01,600
library needs to be ready with trained
staff who can shift services and keep

969
01:27:58,800 --> 01:28:05,920
ahead of this fast-paced technology
based world. innovation is necessary

970
01:28:04,080 --> 01:28:10,480
necessary so that staff can use the most
recent technology in order to serve the

971
01:28:08,080 --> 01:28:16,000
public. Uh we are also active on our
social media and our newsletter. We have

972
01:28:13,120 --> 01:28:19,520
almost 4,000 um subscribers to our
newsletter that goes out monthly. So

973
01:28:17,520 --> 01:28:27,360
that's a real commitment uh and it's
fantastic uh u community support and uh

974
01:28:24,719 --> 01:28:33,679
so
thank you. Uh collaboration

975
01:28:31,360 --> 01:28:37,920
that takes two pages because the uh we
would um collaboration and partnerships

976
01:28:36,000 --> 01:28:44,080
is what makes the tr uh the library
truly public. Partnerships contribute to

977
01:28:40,800 --> 01:28:48,719
learning services our inventory items.
Um, it can make a visit to the library

978
01:28:46,159 --> 01:28:53,360
fun, interesting, create social
opportunities for others. Uh, the list

979
01:28:51,280 --> 01:28:57,120
is endless on our collaboration pages.
We collaborate with our municipality,

980
01:28:55,120 --> 01:29:02,320
social services,
uh, uh, legal firms, the list goes on.

981
01:29:00,400 --> 01:29:07,360
It's just, uh, an amazing collaboration
within our community and, uh, we reach

982
01:29:05,040 --> 01:29:11,840
out to, um, people to partnership and
they reach out to us. So I think we've

983
01:29:08,880 --> 01:29:18,719
got trust within the community uh that
so that uh these social services um and

984
01:29:15,600 --> 01:29:23,440
other other um partners reach out to us
and they know that they can hold their

985
01:29:21,040 --> 01:29:28,880
uh their programs in a in a secure
confidential space. Um and there are

986
01:29:26,800 --> 01:29:33,520
also many economic benefits to our
community from our library program

987
01:29:31,040 --> 01:29:38,760
programming as most items and supplies
for programming we purchase within the

988
01:29:35,760 --> 01:29:38,760
community.

989
01:29:39,199 --> 01:29:42,199
No,

990
01:29:45,440 --> 01:29:51,280
no, I just wanted to mention the library
board. I know we're we'll be getting a

991
01:29:49,520 --> 01:29:57,600
council will appoint a new a new board
at the end of this year. So, a shout out

992
01:29:53,840 --> 01:30:03,760
to um Kim Grafton, our chair, uh Lloyd
Moore, our vice chair, Frank Ampage,

993
01:30:00,239 --> 01:30:09,199
trustee, Elegant Pekjack, trustee, Marne
Wraith, trustee, counselors, uh Brandon

994
01:30:06,880 --> 01:30:15,280
Fer, and counselors Hardy Greenfield,
our council reps on board, uh on the

995
01:30:12,400 --> 01:30:19,199
board. Uh, shout out to our staff. Uh,
Lori Pierce, children and youth

996
01:30:16,800 --> 01:30:24,320
coordinator. Amy Selei, community
outreach coordinator. Shantel Highfield,

997
01:30:21,679 --> 01:30:28,480
technical services coordinator. Ashley
Trestler, library specialist in

998
01:30:26,080 --> 01:30:34,000
circulation and interl loans. Uh,
Samantha Macintosh, library assistant,

999
01:30:31,040 --> 01:30:39,040
Rosemary Palmer, library assistant, Kim
Bley, public services clerk, and our

1000
01:30:36,880 --> 01:30:45,600
library summer student, Claire. Every
year it changes and um it's

1001
01:30:42,800 --> 01:30:50,400
we uh we enjoy having our summer
students so much and they are pivotal in

1002
01:30:47,120 --> 01:30:55,440
our TD summer reading program. But I
would also like to ones that's not on

1003
01:30:52,159 --> 01:31:01,440
this list are our valued volunteers. Uh
we we treat our volunteers as staff and

1004
01:30:58,719 --> 01:31:05,880
valuable team members. So they should uh
they are included in this list as well.

1005
01:31:06,639 --> 01:31:14,880
uh reviewing the year and planning the
future. Uh in closing, um I want to uh

1006
01:31:12,560 --> 01:31:19,679
I've thanked all our stakeholders.
There's just so many. That's why my uh

1007
01:31:16,800 --> 01:31:23,760
it's two pages long. My my thank you. Uh
I talk about uh in my uh report I talk

1008
01:31:22,000 --> 01:31:28,719
about the challenges of AI and
intellectual freedom. That is something

1009
01:31:25,920 --> 01:31:33,920
not going away. Uh AI affects can
affects books uh our e- resources. So

1010
01:31:31,760 --> 01:31:39,760
it's something that we really um have to
stay on top of. Uh we certainly don't

1011
01:31:35,920 --> 01:31:44,880
want um an algorithm telling us what
books we need to buy for our our our

1012
01:31:42,480 --> 01:31:50,639
database. We need to have people with
passion and heart to um to create items

1013
01:31:48,400 --> 01:31:55,280
for the library.
Uh we are looking forward to our 100th

1014
01:31:52,800 --> 01:32:00,239
anniversary celebrations this year and
another signature author event which has

1015
01:31:57,440 --> 01:32:05,040
which we've just booked on November 9th.
I'm not going to tell you who it is yet.

1016
01:32:02,880 --> 01:32:12,280
Uh and and we are also looking forward
to working with a new council and a new

1017
01:32:07,520 --> 01:32:12,280
library board at the end of this year.

1018
01:32:17,120 --> 01:32:26,080
Here's our contact us page. Uh, I want
to thank you, council,

1019
01:32:24,000 --> 01:32:31,520
uh, your worship, deputy mayor,
municipal colleagues, uh, chair Grafton,

1020
01:32:29,440 --> 01:32:39,040
the Meford Public Library board council
reps, uh, Greenfield and Forer, uh, and

1021
01:32:35,520 --> 01:32:43,440
the Meford Public Library staff. uh they
are a dedicated team who are committed

1022
01:32:41,040 --> 01:32:48,480
to me for public library both past,
present and future and a team that will

1023
01:32:46,320 --> 01:32:53,440
help ensure that we remain the community
hub and the place to be. Um but I thank

1024
01:32:51,440 --> 01:32:59,280
most of all the public users of the
Mford Public Library. Um by coming

1025
01:32:55,920 --> 01:33:03,600
through our doors, providing feedback,
positive or negative, we learn from

1026
01:33:01,120 --> 01:33:09,360
everything. uh taking out a membership,
donating funds, and more puts the public

1027
01:33:06,560 --> 01:33:13,280
into your Meford Public Library. Thank
you for taking the time today to listen

1028
01:33:11,360 --> 01:33:17,360
to Chair Grafton and I describe the
beautiful community hub called the

1029
01:33:14,960 --> 01:33:21,840
Meford Public Library, and we look
forward to your next visit. Thank you so

1030
01:33:20,320 --> 01:33:26,800
much.
>> Thank you, Lynn. Does anyone have any

1031
01:33:23,760 --> 01:33:30,239
questions or comments for Lynn, Deputy
Mayor?

1032
01:33:28,560 --> 01:33:34,400
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And first of all,
and I just want to say a huge thank you

1033
01:33:32,480 --> 01:33:38,400
for everything that the library provides
to this community. It's amazing. I often

1034
01:33:36,800 --> 01:33:42,400
take advantage of the meeting spaces and
I don't know what I'd do without them.

1035
01:33:40,239 --> 01:33:47,040
But a very special note of appreciation
to Chair Grafton and thank you for your

1036
01:33:45,120 --> 01:33:51,840
intense passionate commitment to the
library over these past years and I know

1037
01:33:48,880 --> 01:33:55,920
you'll be no stranger going forward. Um
I just wanted to ask one question

1038
01:33:53,520 --> 01:34:02,000
though, Lynn. You mentioned the uh Wi-Fi
routers um and how often they are looked

1039
01:33:59,440 --> 01:34:05,520
out. Do you actually have enough of
those at this point?

1040
01:34:03,520 --> 01:34:10,800
» Uh I was just discussing that with our
IT uh department actually last week. Uh

1041
01:34:08,960 --> 01:34:14,960
I think they're moving over to another
company. So they've already replaced

1042
01:34:13,360 --> 01:34:20,880
some of the SIM cards in them because
they they've been going strong for 5

1043
01:34:17,760 --> 01:34:25,920
years now, almost six years. So, we may
I might investigate investigate buying a

1044
01:34:23,760 --> 01:34:31,040
few more units as well because there are
two actually that uh actually went out

1045
01:34:28,880 --> 01:34:37,520
and never came back unfortunately. So,
we have um from the we started with 11

1046
01:34:34,480 --> 01:34:42,400
and we have actually nine that are are
um being circulated.

1047
01:34:40,480 --> 01:34:46,400
» And if I may, Mr. Mayor, a followup.
Thank you for that, Lynn. And just uh

1048
01:34:44,480 --> 01:34:50,480
noting that perhaps it's something the
Rotary Club would just like to know

1049
01:34:48,000 --> 01:34:54,320
about uh that you might be interested in
some additional routers. And and just

1050
01:34:52,639 --> 01:34:59,440
one last thing, um you mentioned the
volunteers, but I just have to uh

1051
01:34:56,880 --> 01:35:03,520
express gratitude for the gardeners who
do an incredible job, those girls out

1052
01:35:01,840 --> 01:35:07,520
there every morning and the watering and
the weeding and and I tell them every

1053
01:35:05,840 --> 01:35:13,199
year the gardens look better and better.
So a special shout out to them.

1054
01:35:09,440 --> 01:35:19,040
» Absolutely. Thank you. Anyone else wish
to make a comment? Uh then thank you

1055
01:35:15,760 --> 01:35:22,560
again so much. Very comprehensive and uh
uh straight up for the library for sure.

1056
01:35:21,360 --> 01:35:27,440
» Thank you so much.
>> Under community services um the

1057
01:35:25,040 --> 01:35:33,280
recommendation is Oh, we have to vote to
accept this for uh for it's okay but we

1058
01:35:30,800 --> 01:35:37,920
we want to accept this for information
purposes.

1059
01:35:34,960 --> 01:35:43,040
Uh all in favor?
Uh any opposed?

1060
01:35:40,719 --> 01:35:48,239
I'm going to assume that councelor Andis
is very in favor of the library here.

1061
01:35:46,960 --> 01:35:50,960
» Thank you your worship. Just for
clarity, we will not be counting his

1062
01:35:49,600 --> 01:35:57,840
vote in this as he did not.
>> Okay. So then it is unanimous among

1063
01:35:53,520 --> 01:36:03,360
those of us who are in the horseshoe. Um
so under uh community services uh the

1064
01:36:00,480 --> 01:36:07,840
recommendation is that uh uh committee
of the whole recommend council of the

1065
01:36:05,840 --> 01:36:13,600
municipality of meford enact a bylaw to
repeal and replace schedule Q of the

1066
01:36:10,560 --> 01:36:19,440
2026 fees and charges bylaw and I'll
call on director uh carpet to uh

1067
01:36:17,440 --> 01:36:25,040
yes mover and second. Thank you again.
Um so uh a mover

1068
01:36:22,480 --> 01:36:31,920
councelor for a seconder councelor Bell
all in favor don't need to do that. Okay

1069
01:36:28,480 --> 01:36:37,199
questions or uh and I think we should
hear from director Carver here.

1070
01:36:35,440 --> 01:36:41,040
» Thank you your worship and I can be
relatively quick with this one. Uh this

1071
01:36:39,440 --> 01:36:46,639
is another kind of housekeeping item
that I'm bringing to council's

1072
01:36:42,320 --> 01:36:52,719
attention. Um, we require the 2026 fees
and charges schedule Q, uh, to be

1073
01:36:49,760 --> 01:36:56,400
updated in order for us to issue our
renewals for the arena advertising

1074
01:36:54,480 --> 01:37:01,280
program. Uh, the amount that was
included in the original fees and

1075
01:36:58,480 --> 01:37:06,320
charges bylaw was incorrect for this
year. And had we have issued our

1076
01:37:03,280 --> 01:37:10,239
renewals at that rate, we would result
in a approximate loss of $7,500 to

1077
01:37:08,719 --> 01:37:15,920
$8,000
uh, due to this. So the original bylaw

1078
01:37:13,040 --> 01:37:19,360
included kind of a blanket fee whereas a
system that has been in place for

1079
01:37:17,280 --> 01:37:24,880
approximately 5 years now actually has a
tiered pricing system so that the more

1080
01:37:22,800 --> 01:37:31,440
prime locations particularly behind the
home and the players or home players and

1081
01:37:26,960 --> 01:37:36,320
away players bench are uh 4003 or $400
and $350 and the end boards are cheaper

1082
01:37:34,159 --> 01:37:39,520
than that but they are all still
significantly higher than what was

1083
01:37:37,760 --> 01:37:44,400
included in the bylaw. So we felt it
appropriate to bring this back to get

1084
01:37:41,520 --> 01:37:48,480
this rectified so that we can issue the
renewal letters for this upcoming season

1085
01:37:46,800 --> 01:37:51,600
and in order to maintain consistency
from year to year. So last year we

1086
01:37:50,159 --> 01:37:55,360
charged the higher rates if we brought
it back down to the amount in the bylaw.

1087
01:37:53,679 --> 01:37:59,920
This year we would lose the money but
then also have um some negative flicity

1088
01:37:58,480 --> 01:38:03,119
next year when we turn around and put
that put it back up to the proper rate.

1089
01:38:01,600 --> 01:38:06,960
So we thought we'd bring this to council
right now.

1090
01:38:04,560 --> 01:38:11,119
» Any questions for Brady?
You ready to vote? Well, go ahead,

1091
01:38:08,560 --> 01:38:16,480
councelor Bell.
>> Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Thanks for the

1092
01:38:13,199 --> 01:38:23,280
report. So, you have mentioned uh
verbally that you want to have this in

1093
01:38:19,679 --> 01:38:30,239
place before you start asking personnel
that wish to advertise.

1094
01:38:26,000 --> 01:38:34,639
So, no one has paid $150 at this point.
when they see what you're going to

1095
01:38:31,760 --> 01:38:40,800
charge them, should council do this this
afternoon, they will be told these

1096
01:38:37,280 --> 01:38:45,040
prices on the right hand column.
To councelor Belu, your worship, yes, we

1097
01:38:43,440 --> 01:38:50,639
have not issued our renewals for the
2026 2027 season. Um, if council

1098
01:38:48,639 --> 01:38:54,320
approves the report today, the bylaw
will come back in two weeks and then

1099
01:38:52,159 --> 01:38:57,320
those renewal letters will go out that
week.

1100
01:38:58,400 --> 01:39:06,480
Okay, seeing no more questions, I'm
going to call the uh item. All in favor?

1101
01:39:03,520 --> 01:39:10,159
Any opposed? Though that is carried
unanimously.

1102
01:39:08,239 --> 01:39:13,760
Um under corporate services the
recommendation is that the committee of

1103
01:39:11,840 --> 01:39:19,600
the whole recommend council of the
municipality of meford approve uh one

1104
01:39:16,639 --> 01:39:23,600
option three as per the staff report and
two establishing a capital budget of

1105
01:39:21,679 --> 01:39:27,840
$47,500
to be funded by the information

1106
01:39:25,360 --> 01:39:31,920
technology reserve fund. I'm going to
ask director Dinsmore to uh speak to

1107
01:39:30,080 --> 01:39:37,360
this one. I'll move her in a second.
Let's do that right away. Um, Deputy

1108
01:39:34,880 --> 01:39:43,199
Mayor and Councelor Yurig.
All in favor? No. Okay. Uh, please go

1109
01:39:41,679 --> 01:39:46,639
ahead.
Uh, thank you, your worship. So, I'll

1110
01:39:44,639 --> 01:39:50,159
just quickly, excuse me, [clears throat]
run through the three options that staff

1111
01:39:48,159 --> 01:39:54,159
have put in front of council for their
consideration with option three being

1112
01:39:51,920 --> 01:39:57,679
the one currently recommended by staff.
So, under option one, it would be the

1113
01:39:55,840 --> 01:40:03,119
basic level of investment that would be
required to allow council to participate

1114
01:40:00,639 --> 01:40:06,719
remotely. Um, so it it would allow for
hybrid participation by council members.

1115
01:40:05,440 --> 01:40:11,040
In addition, there would be some
upgrades made when other presenters are

1116
01:40:09,119 --> 01:40:14,800
making presentations to council. So
right now you can either see what

1117
01:40:12,800 --> 01:40:19,040
they're presenting or the person. You'd
be able to see both. Um, making it a

1118
01:40:16,800 --> 01:40:22,719
little bit more interactive.
Option two.

1119
01:40:21,280 --> 01:40:26,960
And each one as I go through each one of
these options, what comes in option one

1120
01:40:24,800 --> 01:40:29,600
you get if you go with option two. What
comes in options one and two you get

1121
01:40:28,320 --> 01:40:33,520
when you go to option three. So they
build off of each other.

1122
01:40:31,360 --> 01:40:37,920
Uh option two looks to at looks to
improve the overall audio quality within

1123
01:40:36,320 --> 01:40:40,960
council chambers and uh more
specifically for those who are

1124
01:40:39,280 --> 01:40:47,280
participating online and for those who
are viewing council online. And again,

1125
01:40:43,920 --> 01:40:52,080
it allows for better um better
presentations and better content um

1126
01:40:50,320 --> 01:40:55,440
viewing for for those that are
participating in the council meeting.

1127
01:40:53,920 --> 01:40:58,880
And then option three, which is the
highest AV investment and the one again

1128
01:40:57,280 --> 01:41:03,119
that staff are recommending at this
time. Uh the the main part of this one

1129
01:41:01,360 --> 01:41:07,520
is it improves the backup storage of all
recorded meetings which um is very

1130
01:41:05,920 --> 01:41:14,320
important because as everybody's aware
these are uh permanent records of the

1131
01:41:10,639 --> 01:41:18,480
municipality. Uh it also allows for a
little bit better public viewing while

1132
01:41:16,719 --> 01:41:22,080
um the public is in this room. some of
the TVs would be made a little bit

1133
01:41:19,840 --> 01:41:26,159
larger, would be angled out so that um
it's a little bit easier for every for

1134
01:41:24,080 --> 01:41:31,280
everybody here to to see what's going on
and be able to view presentations that

1135
01:41:28,080 --> 01:41:37,040
are being made by staff and uh and other
other third parties. So, with that, I

1136
01:41:33,600 --> 01:41:41,600
will uh I'm available for any questions.
>> Councelor Yuri,

1137
01:41:39,280 --> 01:41:46,080
» thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you,
Sam. It' be inappropriate for me to go

1138
01:41:43,440 --> 01:41:51,040
over and hug you. So, um I'll just say
thank you very much for the report and

1139
01:41:48,239 --> 01:41:56,960
for the elacrity that it came in. Uh I
will wholeheartedly uh recommend we

1140
01:41:53,840 --> 01:42:01,199
proceed with option C3 as recommended
and uh thank you for the very quick work

1141
01:41:59,440 --> 01:42:05,679
on this because I know we've asked for
for a long time but we did sort of ask

1142
01:42:03,840 --> 01:42:11,199
for this to come or I asked for this to
come back quickly and I appreciate that.

1143
01:42:08,800 --> 01:42:15,280
» Councelor Ford.
Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. It's for you.

1144
01:42:13,199 --> 01:42:19,679
Um, I definitely agree that some
upgrades do need to be done. However, I

1145
01:42:17,440 --> 01:42:24,880
just find that we're being asked to
spend money without seeing equipment

1146
01:42:22,560 --> 01:42:29,440
costs or what these operating costs
include. Like I find it's way too high

1147
01:42:26,639 --> 01:42:33,360
level. Um, I'd really like to see more
detail to see what we're actually

1148
01:42:30,960 --> 01:42:37,119
spending money on. Um, it's also not
very clear. You know, you get everything

1149
01:42:35,440 --> 01:42:42,800
from option one to option two to option
three, but like what is that? So, I just

1150
01:42:39,840 --> 01:42:47,760
find that I'm not comfortable voting not
knowing what exact products or equipment

1151
01:42:45,679 --> 01:42:54,080
we're voting for and the reasons behind
it. I also don't have any information

1152
01:42:50,639 --> 01:42:57,920
with regards to what type of um service
agreements that might be with any of

1153
01:42:55,920 --> 01:43:02,880
this hardware. If there's software and
there's technology, there might be some

1154
01:42:59,760 --> 01:43:06,239
subscription fees. Um, I also don't know
who this consultant was. Is this the

1155
01:43:04,800 --> 01:43:09,920
individual that's selling us this
product or how are we going about buying

1156
01:43:08,320 --> 01:43:12,800
this product and who are we buying it
from? I just find there's a lot of

1157
01:43:11,600 --> 01:43:16,639
information that I'm just not
comfortable moving forward without that.

1158
01:43:14,480 --> 01:43:20,239
So maybe you can help me with that, but
I I would have loved to see a more

1159
01:43:18,560 --> 01:43:24,159
detailed list of the equipment and the
services like just more specific to see

1160
01:43:22,159 --> 01:43:28,199
what that money actually where that's
coming from. Thank you.

1161
01:43:28,719 --> 01:43:33,760
» Thank you. And through you. So, as staff
went through this, we actually went

1162
01:43:32,000 --> 01:43:37,600
through our purchasing policy to ensure
that we were getting quotes correctly.

1163
01:43:35,600 --> 01:43:41,760
Um, I believe only one bid was received
on this work. The reason that I've left

1164
01:43:39,600 --> 01:43:46,320
it high level is we do start to get into
the area of proprietary information.

1165
01:43:43,600 --> 01:43:53,280
We're not specifically allowed to say
for exact types of things that um how

1166
01:43:50,080 --> 01:43:57,360
much individuals are charging us. Um,
that's why when we put large tenders in

1167
01:43:56,000 --> 01:44:02,080
front of council, we leave it as one
number. Um, because to go into much more

1168
01:43:59,600 --> 01:44:05,760
detail is actually giving out
confidential information. Uh, I'm happy

1169
01:44:04,400 --> 01:44:09,440
to bring back a little bit more of a
breakdown if that's what council would

1170
01:44:07,119 --> 01:44:14,239
like to see. Um, we could also look at
going into close session to to walk

1171
01:44:11,840 --> 01:44:17,480
through exactly what would be offered by
the consultant.

1172
01:44:19,199 --> 01:44:24,639
» Deputy Mayor.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh first of all,

1173
01:44:22,960 --> 01:44:29,280
I'd like to rename this the councelor
URIG report because this has been uh on

1174
01:44:27,440 --> 01:44:33,760
Rob's mind for a long time. So I
appreciate seeing this in front of us

1175
01:44:30,719 --> 01:44:38,000
today. Um in my mind in relation to the
breakdown that councelor Ford has

1176
01:44:35,440 --> 01:44:43,520
requested and I appreciate uh your
desire to do that, but I look at this as

1177
01:44:40,480 --> 01:44:48,000
being operations and kind of
understanding the role of council and

1178
01:44:45,520 --> 01:44:53,199
governance and the role of staff in
executing the desires of council. If we

1179
01:44:50,960 --> 01:44:57,360
look back at our budgeting process and
you could pick anything, but if we look

1180
01:44:55,119 --> 01:45:03,760
at the new financial software for
example, um you know, we didn't see that

1181
01:45:00,320 --> 01:45:08,719
level of information. So, I just think
it's it's interesting and a good

1182
01:45:06,000 --> 01:45:12,800
opportunity for us to kind of explore,
you know, what's what's appropriate for

1183
01:45:10,400 --> 01:45:17,119
us to see and what is, you know,
completely operations for staff. So,

1184
01:45:15,199 --> 01:45:22,400
some more information on that might be
uh good to have. Uh but Sam, my question

1185
01:45:19,679 --> 01:45:26,639
for you. Um we talk about council on
this report. So just review with us

1186
01:45:24,560 --> 01:45:31,360
again in terms of committees, whatever
the committees look like in the next

1187
01:45:28,239 --> 01:45:36,239
term. Um will this uh upgrade be
available for uh committee meetings as

1188
01:45:33,840 --> 01:45:40,080
well as council?
>> Uh through uh thank you through you, Mr.

1189
01:45:38,159 --> 01:45:43,520
Mayor. So because the any committee
meeting that would happen in this room,

1190
01:45:41,920 --> 01:45:46,639
all of this technology would be
available for those committee meetings.

1191
01:45:45,360 --> 01:45:50,560
We would have to ensure that it's
through the procedural bylaw that all of

1192
01:45:48,960 --> 01:45:56,400
it is allowed. But yes, anything that
would happen in this room could take

1193
01:45:52,719 --> 01:46:02,400
full advantage of this new equipment.
>> Going to call the question. All in favor

1194
01:45:59,920 --> 01:46:05,440
any sorry
just can we start again here? I don't

1195
01:46:04,000 --> 01:46:09,600
know if you heard I'm I'm calling a
question. All in favor of accepting the

1196
01:46:07,360 --> 01:46:16,960
report.
So we have one, two, three, four, five,

1197
01:46:13,280 --> 01:46:23,199
six in favor. Those opposed?
Okay, one opposed. And I declare the

1198
01:46:19,679 --> 01:46:29,040
motion carried. Um the next
recommendation is uh from uh development

1199
01:46:26,400 --> 01:46:32,880
services. Um it's that committee of the
whole recommend council of the

1200
01:46:30,480 --> 01:46:36,400
municipality of meford one direct staff
to initiate a request for

1201
01:46:34,560 --> 01:46:42,719
pre-qualification
RFPQ process for the three surplus

1202
01:46:39,679 --> 01:46:47,520
residential parcels identified and two
endorse exploration of a tiny home

1203
01:46:44,880 --> 01:46:51,040
community model subject to feas may be
bigger pardon

1204
01:46:48,480 --> 01:46:56,960
» thank you we just uh missed D under
corporate services the 2027 to 2031

1205
01:46:54,239 --> 01:47:02,320
capital facility capital program Okay.
Uh do you want me to finish this and go

1206
01:46:59,040 --> 01:47:07,520
back to that or don't? Okay. We'll start
over here. The recommendation is uh and

1207
01:47:04,400 --> 01:47:11,360
this is uh from um uh corporate services
that committee of the whole recommend

1208
01:47:09,440 --> 01:47:17,280
council of the municipality of meford
approve option X which we will determine

1209
01:47:14,800 --> 01:47:26,960
as we move forward. uh as outlined in
report uh uh corporate services uh 2027

1210
01:47:22,880 --> 01:47:31,679
to 2031 and that is a facilities capital
program and again I'm going to turn it

1211
01:47:28,480 --> 01:47:35,760
over to director Dinsmore. Sorry. Yes,
let's get a mover and seconder to have

1212
01:47:33,360 --> 01:47:43,760
it on the table. Um it's moved by
councelor for seconded by

1213
01:47:39,920 --> 01:47:48,480
sorry thank you councelis. Um,
and let's proceed.

1214
01:47:46,719 --> 01:47:52,560
» Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I'll just
quickly explain why why I wrote the

1215
01:47:50,960 --> 01:47:56,320
recommendation the way I wrote it and
didn't staff haven't actually made a

1216
01:47:54,560 --> 01:48:00,800
recommendation in this case. And we're
looking for direction from from council

1217
01:47:57,920 --> 01:48:04,800
on that part. At this point, staff
didn't feel it was within our

1218
01:48:02,719 --> 01:48:09,600
responsibility or within our right to
make a recommendation. Um we're looking

1219
01:48:06,639 --> 01:48:14,480
for guidance and a um we're looking for
guidance from council on how we go about

1220
01:48:11,679 --> 01:48:19,040
putting together the 2027 to 2031
capital budget for the five specific

1221
01:48:17,280 --> 01:48:22,400
facilities mentioned in this in this
report. I just want to quickly highlight

1222
01:48:20,560 --> 01:48:27,600
those facilities. Um they're the
administrative offices at 21 and 15

1223
01:48:24,800 --> 01:48:32,239
trail the blue dolphin pool the council
chambers. So just this building we're

1224
01:48:29,920 --> 01:48:36,480
not including the uh patrol a and then
the meford stent community center and

1225
01:48:34,239 --> 01:48:41,600
arrange. So this report is specifically
focused on those five five facilities

1226
01:48:39,600 --> 01:48:46,239
that are currently owned and operated by
the municipality. Uh I just want to

1227
01:48:43,760 --> 01:48:50,000
quickly outline chart one. Um chart one
gives some gives some basic information

1228
01:48:47,840 --> 01:48:54,400
about the facilities, what year it was
constructed, what a replacement value is

1229
01:48:52,080 --> 01:48:59,040
in 2024 and what their current facility
condition index is. And then tied to

1230
01:48:56,800 --> 01:49:03,360
that would be what condition that asset
is considered to be in. So when you look

1231
01:49:00,880 --> 01:49:07,040
at it, the the the newest facility is
the one we're sitting in right now,

1232
01:49:04,480 --> 01:49:11,199
which is still over uh over 30 years
old. So some of these facilities are are

1233
01:49:09,119 --> 01:49:16,520
quite old, 15 Trobridge being a bit of
an outlier at, you know, coming up to

1234
01:49:13,040 --> 01:49:16,520
100 years old.

1235
01:49:17,199 --> 01:49:23,119
Staff have put together two options for
council's consideration today. And and

1236
01:49:21,360 --> 01:49:26,960
what we're looking for is to direct us
on how to build the capital budget. So

1237
01:49:25,040 --> 01:49:31,679
we're not specifically asking for
council to approve $12.6 6 million

1238
01:49:29,840 --> 01:49:34,719
today. But what we're doing is looking
to see if you would like to see that

1239
01:49:33,199 --> 01:49:39,280
type of information and those type of
capital projects put into the 2027 to

1240
01:49:37,520 --> 01:49:44,159
2031
capital program.

1241
01:49:42,159 --> 01:49:48,639
So within the the facility condition
assessments done on those five

1242
01:49:45,679 --> 01:49:54,159
facilities, the 12.6 million was
identified of work that needs to be done

1243
01:49:50,480 --> 01:49:59,520
over the next 3 to 5 years. The main
pieces of that of that amount are roof

1244
01:49:57,920 --> 01:50:03,679
replacements and parking lots. They're
rather expensive. Um, and a lot of these

1245
01:50:01,679 --> 01:50:07,600
facilities, specifically specifically
the arena, are getting to that age where

1246
01:50:06,000 --> 01:50:11,920
some significant dollars are going to be
needed to invested into that facility to

1247
01:50:10,159 --> 01:50:16,639
get it to its full useful life of
roughly 80 years for a facility. So, so

1248
01:50:15,040 --> 01:50:21,119
option one is looking at just continue
to budget the projects as they need to

1249
01:50:19,440 --> 01:50:25,440
be done at the price that they need to
be done at. Um, some pros to this

1250
01:50:23,600 --> 01:50:29,600
approach would be it's a lower capital
cost than option two and it maintains

1251
01:50:27,840 --> 01:50:33,760
the level of service that council has
set with minimal impact on the operating

1252
01:50:32,239 --> 01:50:37,760
budget.
Uh, some of the cons that we've outlined

1253
01:50:35,280 --> 01:50:44,239
is after the 12.6 million, there still
will be a 55year-old arena and a

1254
01:50:40,560 --> 01:50:48,400
66-year-old outdoor pool. Uh, the
capital works will be like for like with

1255
01:50:46,320 --> 01:50:52,880
no improvements to the facility. So, as
an example, the dressing rooms at the

1256
01:50:50,480 --> 01:50:58,320
arena are a bit of a a cause for concern
due to their size. Investing this type

1257
01:50:55,520 --> 01:51:02,960
of money won't make those dressing rooms
bigger, won't make that facility more

1258
01:51:00,080 --> 01:51:07,119
user friendly. It will basically operate
the same way it does today. Um, the

1259
01:51:05,360 --> 01:51:10,400
investment will not greatly increase the
operating efficiencies of those

1260
01:51:08,560 --> 01:51:15,040
facilities. So, we would continue to see
the similar hydro bills, natural gas

1261
01:51:13,040 --> 01:51:19,760
bills, things like that. and we would
continue to operize in a decentralized

1262
01:51:17,600 --> 01:51:25,639
administration. So right now there is
administration at at least four

1263
01:51:21,440 --> 01:51:25,639
facilities throughout the municipality.

1264
01:51:26,000 --> 01:51:32,639
Option two would be to look at explore
multi-use facility.

1265
01:51:30,480 --> 01:51:37,119
So in the report I specifically talked
about bucketing everything together

1266
01:51:34,480 --> 01:51:40,639
administration and recreation.
going through a study like this, it may

1267
01:51:39,040 --> 01:51:46,960
make more sense that administration is
kept separately. Maybe here out to this

1268
01:51:44,080 --> 01:51:50,480
piece of property and the recreations
are bucketed together. Um, or maybe it

1269
01:51:49,360 --> 01:51:55,679
does make the most sense that
everything's put into one central

1270
01:51:52,239 --> 01:52:00,400
facility. We can see throughout kind of
our neighboring municipalities when you

1271
01:51:57,360 --> 01:52:04,159
go to Sagen Shores, the arena, the pool,
and the administration facilities are

1272
01:52:02,239 --> 01:52:07,840
together. Um when we go somewhere like
Stainer, you've see you can see the

1273
01:52:05,920 --> 01:52:13,880
library is with the arena. So there's
lots of different examples of what other

1274
01:52:09,760 --> 01:52:13,880
municipalities have done

1275
01:52:14,320 --> 01:52:19,760
within the within this recommendation.
Staff would be looking at budgeting

1276
01:52:17,440 --> 01:52:23,599
about $200,000 to complete this
assessment. This assessment would

1277
01:52:21,760 --> 01:52:28,400
include a lot of public and council
outreach to gather what the community

1278
01:52:25,679 --> 01:52:32,960
wants and what the community needs. Um a
concept development. So, you know, a

1279
01:52:30,000 --> 01:52:36,880
high level concept of what potentially
could be built, what type of amenities

1280
01:52:35,199 --> 01:52:40,239
the building would include, and whether
it would be, you know, one or two

1281
01:52:38,320 --> 01:52:44,000
facilities.
And then a a you know, a central part

1282
01:52:42,320 --> 01:52:48,480
would be a funding strategy. How are we
going to pay for for a facility of this

1283
01:52:46,000 --> 01:52:53,440
size? Um looking at possible grant
opportunities, looking at a potential

1284
01:52:51,119 --> 01:52:57,280
partnerships with, you know, the YMCA.
We have a partnership with them with the

1285
01:52:54,719 --> 01:53:00,400
Blue Dolphin uh pool right now. also
looking potentially at the Department of

1286
01:52:58,960 --> 01:53:05,679
National Defense and whether there would
be any any appetite for a partnership

1287
01:53:02,800 --> 01:53:10,480
there. So, this study would would dig
into those a lot more to see if there

1288
01:53:07,360 --> 01:53:13,760
was possibilities there.
Um, some pros of this approach would be,

1289
01:53:12,400 --> 01:53:18,400
you know, your consolidation of your
three administration hubs into one

1290
01:53:15,520 --> 01:53:22,000
administration center. Um, increased uh
energy efficiencies. We would be looking

1291
01:53:20,159 --> 01:53:26,560
at, you know, making these buildings as
close to net zero as possible. uh a

1292
01:53:24,880 --> 01:53:30,320
potential for additional services to be
offered to the public including walking

1293
01:53:28,239 --> 01:53:33,520
track, multisport gymnasium, and
exercise center. We would also be

1294
01:53:32,080 --> 01:53:37,440
potentially looking at bringing the pool
indoors. Then it can be used all year

1295
01:53:35,280 --> 01:53:41,440
round rather than just the summer
months. And then the ability to

1296
01:53:39,360 --> 01:53:46,400
repurpose current facilities or that
land that those facilities sit on. Um

1297
01:53:43,840 --> 01:53:52,159
some cons to this this option would be
there's a large, you know, capital cost.

1298
01:53:49,599 --> 01:53:57,280
This is the larger capital cost option.
It's hard to say exactly what a facility

1299
01:53:54,719 --> 01:54:02,480
like this would cost. Um I did put into
the report you probably would be looking

1300
01:53:59,440 --> 01:54:06,880
at the $60 to $80 million mark. Um I
believe that's what God has recently

1301
01:54:04,480 --> 01:54:10,719
spent on their facility. And then there
would be a significant impact on the

1302
01:54:08,400 --> 01:54:14,560
operating budget with additional staff
uh requirements. You you know if there

1303
01:54:12,480 --> 01:54:19,520
is a pool that's open all year round, we
need pool attendance. Um having the

1304
01:54:17,760 --> 01:54:23,840
facility just simply cleaned at the end
of every day and things like that. So we

1305
01:54:21,199 --> 01:54:28,239
would see large operating impacts.
Again, that would be picked up within

1306
01:54:25,840 --> 01:54:34,239
that study about what the ongoing impact
would be on the uh municipal tax rate.

1307
01:54:31,199 --> 01:54:38,880
So with that, I'll uh I'll pause and
I'll am available for any questions.

1308
01:54:37,360 --> 01:54:44,639
» I'd like to thank you very much for the
report uh Sam. It it is probably the

1309
01:54:42,000 --> 01:54:50,000
most important discussion we may have uh
in our term here and uh I regret that we

1310
01:54:47,520 --> 01:54:55,360
only have maybe you know 40 minutes or
something to devote to it but at this

1311
01:54:51,920 --> 01:55:00,000
time um councelor Yuri you can start.
>> Thank you Mr. Mayor and thank you Sam.

1312
01:54:57,440 --> 01:55:03,040
Yeah it's a big one obviously um I know
you go out and you talk to a lot of the

1313
01:55:01,360 --> 01:55:06,639
public and a lot of people that have
certainly talked to me about it

1314
01:55:05,040 --> 01:55:11,840
everybody would love the concept of the
multi-use facility assessment. So, um,

1315
01:55:10,000 --> 01:55:15,920
it's interesting when you said 60 to 80
because I did started to look at a lot

1316
01:55:13,679 --> 01:55:18,400
of research around as well and it was
interesting because I was really

1317
01:55:17,280 --> 01:55:22,960
thinking that would probably be more
like in the 80 to 120 realistically and

1318
01:55:21,760 --> 01:55:26,159
you looked at a lot of the other
competitors. Godidge was one but a lot

1319
01:55:24,880 --> 01:55:30,239
of the other ones were certainly higher
than that. So, I guess the question is

1320
01:55:28,000 --> 01:55:34,560
twofold. One is I mean obviously it's
not just this because trying to do this

1321
01:55:31,920 --> 01:55:38,159
in concert with another maj major
purchase i.e. wastewater plant somewhere

1322
01:55:36,800 --> 01:55:42,000
down the road is two big chunks of
change to bite. Um you did mention about

1323
01:55:40,480 --> 01:55:46,080
partnerships and one thing you didn't
mention in there and when we go to AMO

1324
01:55:44,159 --> 01:55:51,840
and Roman places like that they always
talk about um cooperation between

1325
01:55:48,960 --> 01:55:58,239
municipalities not just working with
like the um DoD or Y but literally

1326
01:55:56,080 --> 01:56:01,760
looking at like a Blue Mountains or or
Grey Highlands who are neighboring who

1327
01:56:00,159 --> 01:56:06,800
might also benefit from a poolled
facility like that. So hopefully that

1328
01:56:03,520 --> 01:56:12,480
would come into vogue as well. But my
question is that when you talked about

1329
01:56:09,360 --> 01:56:17,280
budgeting 200,000 for 2027, seems to me
that we already did budget like a couple

1330
01:56:14,320 --> 01:56:24,400
hundred,000 to look at the harbor and
the urban meford kind of um master plan.

1331
01:56:22,239 --> 01:56:30,159
This to me, even though this doesn't
fall under those two geographical

1332
01:56:27,360 --> 01:56:35,199
probably locations, it seems to me that
this is a big part of that overall

1333
01:56:33,119 --> 01:56:37,840
conversation because not only with the
harbor, what it's going to look like and

1334
01:56:36,400 --> 01:56:42,719
how it's going to, you know, be assessed
for the benefit of for all, but the

1335
01:56:40,960 --> 01:56:46,480
urban downtown, but this becomes almost
a third part. This becomes almost a

1336
01:56:44,480 --> 01:56:51,920
triumphant. And I was just wondering, is
there a way that that should be melded?

1337
01:56:50,159 --> 01:56:56,639
So, if we're going to get a consultant
to look at that anyway, should we be

1338
01:56:54,800 --> 01:57:00,560
doing that as well? Because in the
public, it almost seems like we would be

1339
01:56:58,320 --> 01:57:03,920
doing a public input to talk about those
things and then we were doing a public

1340
01:57:02,320 --> 01:57:08,000
input to talk about that and there's a
lot of overlap. So, there is there a way

1341
01:57:06,159 --> 01:57:13,800
that we could kind of combine those
agencies and and have that as a much

1342
01:57:10,400 --> 01:57:13,800
larger conversation.

1343
01:57:16,159 --> 01:57:22,480
» Uh, thank you and through you, Mr.
Mayor. Uh both really great questions

1344
01:57:20,239 --> 01:57:25,440
and great points and yes we would to
kind of answer your first part we would

1345
01:57:23,920 --> 01:57:29,840
look to our surrounding municipalities
to see if there were any partnership uh

1346
01:57:28,159 --> 01:57:32,639
that could be done there. One that jumps
out to me would be Chadzsworth who's

1347
01:57:31,199 --> 01:57:37,520
recently decided not to move forward
with an arena. Um yes we could look at

1348
01:57:36,480 --> 01:57:41,199
something like that. The way I
structured this with that was that this

1349
01:57:39,119 --> 01:57:45,840
would come back through the 2027 budget
process to be considered by council at

1350
01:57:44,320 --> 01:57:50,080
that time and if approved staff would
then move forward with it. So, we can do

1351
01:57:48,320 --> 01:57:54,719
kind of one of two things. We can either
bring this one forward and potentially

1352
01:57:52,960 --> 01:57:59,920
look at approving something like this
today with final approval by council on

1353
01:57:56,800 --> 01:58:03,760
the 27th because the harbor downtown
project has not been initiated to date.

1354
01:58:02,159 --> 01:58:07,360
Um, so we could look at, you know,
increasing that budget, changing that

1355
01:58:05,360 --> 01:58:12,560
scope and and bundling this all
together. or we could go the other way

1356
01:58:10,159 --> 01:58:18,320
and leave this for the 2027 budget
deliberations and not do the downtown

1357
01:58:14,880 --> 01:58:22,960
harbor until 2027. Um, so I would leave
that up to council's direction and how

1358
01:58:20,400 --> 01:58:26,719
they wanted to handle it.
>> Deputy Mayor,

1359
01:58:24,880 --> 01:58:30,960
» thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I appreciate
both the report and your comments,

1360
01:58:28,800 --> 01:58:34,239
Director Dinsmore. And I guess too it
would be depend on the consultants who

1361
01:58:32,719 --> 01:58:39,520
were hired whether or not they had the
skill set to look at recreation

1362
01:58:36,400 --> 01:58:43,520
facilities and you know the downtown and
harbors. So that that would remain to be

1363
01:58:41,679 --> 01:58:46,320
seen. But I'm I'm just really pleased
that we're having the opportunity to

1364
01:58:44,960 --> 01:58:50,239
have this discussion. I think it's
important that we give consideration to

1365
01:58:48,000 --> 01:58:55,360
the future of these facilities. I mean
we know that wreck facilities are a draw

1366
01:58:52,560 --> 01:58:59,599
to communities and and uh I know friends
in God would say that their wreck

1367
01:58:57,360 --> 01:59:03,760
complex has helped them attract doctors.
So that there's some merit in that as

1368
01:59:01,840 --> 01:59:07,520
well for us to consider and you
mentioned uh you know various facilities

1369
01:59:05,679 --> 01:59:12,159
and it would be my assumption you'd also
be looking at pickle ball courts and

1370
01:59:09,360 --> 01:59:16,560
partnering with that organization and I
know the lawnballing group are concerned

1371
01:59:14,159 --> 01:59:20,080
about you know potential future flooding
again and and you know could they be

1372
01:59:18,400 --> 01:59:25,280
part of this. So I think there's just
lots of opportunity to uh to build upon

1373
01:59:22,639 --> 01:59:29,520
what's been uh said here today. So, I'm
I'm just excited to see this come

1374
01:59:27,199 --> 01:59:34,480
forward into the 2027 budget and to have
an opportunity to to explore and I think

1375
01:59:32,159 --> 01:59:38,400
you've you've touched on, you know, how
we might continue to maintain current

1376
01:59:36,800 --> 01:59:42,000
facilities in the process because it
will take a number of years to bring

1377
01:59:39,840 --> 01:59:46,080
this to fruition, but I think we would
want to be very mindful of what

1378
01:59:44,480 --> 01:59:50,320
investments we made in our existing
facilities, but we would need to keep

1379
01:59:47,679 --> 01:59:53,840
them uh limping along. So, thank you
very much, Sam. I

1380
01:59:51,440 --> 02:00:00,000
» think councelor Bell, you're next.
Thanks, Mr. Mayor. So, uh, the report is

1381
01:59:57,760 --> 02:00:06,159
something that, uh, I guess in the back
of mind of, uh, current council members.

1382
02:00:03,520 --> 02:00:10,400
We've seen reports where our long-term
debentures on a lot of facilities have,

1383
02:00:08,719 --> 02:00:15,679
uh, got themselves now that they're
getting almost paid off, but I don't

1384
02:00:12,960 --> 02:00:20,400
think any of us here thought that, you
know, we're not going to incur costs on

1385
02:00:18,159 --> 02:00:27,520
those buildings just because we've got
the main debenture paid for. Um, as far

1386
02:00:24,480 --> 02:00:34,719
as direction today, um, I think sitting
here that if we tell staff to maintain a

1387
02:00:30,960 --> 02:00:41,920
status quo, uh, this this major subject
matter, uh, will definitely be in front

1388
02:00:37,760 --> 02:00:46,560
of the new council. And when we consider
the number of people who are our

1389
02:00:43,599 --> 02:00:51,840
taxpayers, we run with about $22 million
of tax supported money. Um I mean we

1390
02:00:49,679 --> 02:00:57,599
talked about the need for the wastewater
treatment plant. I mean the needs and

1391
02:00:54,719 --> 02:01:03,119
the desires of this community.
Name the percentage higher than what our

1392
02:01:00,159 --> 02:01:08,800
purse can actually handle. So that is
the big discussion really in my mind.

1393
02:01:06,320 --> 02:01:16,159
This is a service level that we need to
do and uh I appreciate comments about

1394
02:01:13,119 --> 02:01:21,360
looking to other municipalities.
What do they need? what they don't have,

1395
02:01:18,639 --> 02:01:26,800
what they could have. But I think when I
see numbers like this and we just had a

1396
02:01:24,239 --> 02:01:33,360
report about how much money we've got in
our reserves. Um and then given the

1397
02:01:30,400 --> 02:01:41,760
dynamics of of of our society where
we're at today. Um,

1398
02:01:37,360 --> 02:01:47,040
not not to say that the rural people
don't appreciate things that might be

1399
02:01:44,080 --> 02:01:51,840
available to them, but when we start
talking about these tens of millions of

1400
02:01:50,000 --> 02:01:55,760
dollars
and we really have to come up with a

1401
02:01:54,239 --> 02:02:01,599
decision
on how we promote or how we get

1402
02:01:59,840 --> 02:02:09,280
feedback,
buy in. Should a future council do this?

1403
02:02:06,080 --> 02:02:14,719
I think that this this subject matter is
just saying that I've met people

1404
02:02:11,679 --> 02:02:21,040
recently that their service level that
they've experienced in other places in

1405
02:02:16,960 --> 02:02:26,080
Ontario is top shelf and then I tell
them that we've got a beer budget

1406
02:02:23,760 --> 02:02:31,360
and that's kind of where we're at. We
need to be in our means because we can

1407
02:02:27,840 --> 02:02:36,639
overstep our our own ability to repay.
we can overstep that immediately

1408
02:02:34,239 --> 02:02:43,199
and I don't think we should do that and
I think that this major subject matter

1409
02:02:39,599 --> 02:02:47,520
is is for the future council and uh for
my myself today if you need something to

1410
02:02:46,000 --> 02:02:53,920
move forward to know what you need to
put in for opening remarks for 2027

1411
02:02:51,599 --> 02:02:58,239
for the mayor at that time to consider
what that might look like I think I'd

1412
02:02:56,320 --> 02:03:01,360
like to just say status quo this
afternoon and we can start there in the

1413
02:03:00,239 --> 02:03:06,880
future
Thanks.

1414
02:03:03,119 --> 02:03:12,400
» Um, councelor Greenfield.
>> Thank you, your worship. Thanks, uh, Mr.

1415
02:03:09,280 --> 02:03:18,080
Timsmore for bringing this forward. Um,
I have a couple of concerns with this.

1416
02:03:15,280 --> 02:03:24,320
First, first of all, just a comment. We,
not too long ago, we had a facility

1417
02:03:21,199 --> 02:03:31,280
report from,
I'm sure if it was Hamson or Watson, uh,

1418
02:03:27,199 --> 02:03:39,119
one of those two. uh and uh I'm I'm
hoping that report could be utilized

1419
02:03:36,400 --> 02:03:46,400
somewhat uh for anything in the future.
Uh there was quite a bit of detail in

1420
02:03:41,119 --> 02:03:55,440
there and uh and uh
I estimates on the longevity ahead of

1421
02:03:51,119 --> 02:04:02,400
some of our buildings. I uh
when I first read this, I thought

1422
02:04:00,000 --> 02:04:09,679
and I still think I I think this is a
decision that should be left for the

1423
02:04:04,480 --> 02:04:17,360
next council uh to make. uh we are going
to have some new members on that uh on

1424
02:04:13,280 --> 02:04:26,159
that establishment and this is a huge hu
potentially huge huge uh investment uh

1425
02:04:22,400 --> 02:04:34,800
obligation. We know something does have
to be done. Uh some of our facilities,

1426
02:04:31,040 --> 02:04:42,080
a number of them are uh uh getting on
the uh uh

1427
02:04:38,480 --> 02:04:49,760
the the old side of their uh of their
tenure. Uh certainly the the pool uh

1428
02:04:47,280 --> 02:04:56,239
even the the St. the Meford St. Vincent
Community Center uh which is

1429
02:04:53,440 --> 02:05:03,679
approximately 50 years old. We have to
remember the the arena

1430
02:05:00,560 --> 02:05:10,320
before what we have now, it only lasted
25 years. So

1431
02:05:06,639 --> 02:05:14,599
if you compare the two, this one's quite
an age. I guess

1432
02:05:15,119 --> 02:05:24,880
I certainly there should be cost
efficiencies of combining

1433
02:05:22,560 --> 02:05:30,480
everything into
one huge complex.

1434
02:05:28,320 --> 02:05:35,520
But
again, when I first read this, I

1435
02:05:32,639 --> 02:05:42,400
thought, hey, this is, you know, where
this is all have to be located.

1436
02:05:39,840 --> 02:05:46,199
That's in the urban area on on the
services. Um,

1437
02:05:46,239 --> 02:05:53,199
we could have
an administration office in the rural

1438
02:05:51,679 --> 02:06:00,159
area.
uh this I I I

1439
02:05:56,560 --> 02:06:06,159
hope that is kept in mind. We could have
a council chambers

1440
02:06:02,400 --> 02:06:16,320
in the rural area. We are a big
geographical municipality. So um

1441
02:06:11,360 --> 02:06:22,800
those are my two concerns. one is uh
I'm not I feel uneasy for this council

1442
02:06:20,000 --> 02:06:27,040
to commit to something and and I know
it's in its infancy, but even then

1443
02:06:25,440 --> 02:06:31,520
there's there's going to be a record of
that. Miss Miss Wilton Seiguel is going

1444
02:06:29,119 --> 02:06:38,320
to make sure this this gets in the
record. So that's my first problem. And

1445
02:06:34,639 --> 02:06:46,400
the second problem is I
I I I really hope in a in an attempt to

1446
02:06:42,560 --> 02:06:52,000
reach out to our rural residents, uh it
is not a given

1447
02:06:48,480 --> 02:06:57,760
something like all all of these services
have to be downtown mefort

1448
02:06:55,760 --> 02:07:02,239
thinking.
>> I'm looking to uh councelor Anderson,

1449
02:07:00,639 --> 02:07:06,400
councelor Ford, do you wish to speak to
this? So, go ahead, please.

1450
02:07:05,199 --> 02:07:10,400
» Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I
appreciate the discussion here, and I'm

1451
02:07:08,000 --> 02:07:14,800
sort of in line with um councelor
Greenfield and councelor Bell is that um

1452
02:07:12,560 --> 02:07:19,119
I this is a very important decision. I
think it'd be best to leave this to the

1453
02:07:16,239 --> 02:07:21,920
next term of council to decide. Um and
so, I'll just leave it at that for now.

1454
02:07:20,400 --> 02:07:24,480
Thank you,
>> Councelor.

1455
02:07:23,840 --> 02:07:28,800
Thank you, [clears throat]
Mr. Mayor. Uh similarly, I think it

1456
02:07:26,639 --> 02:07:33,280
would be best for the next council to
decide though while we're talking about

1457
02:07:31,280 --> 02:07:38,079
it. I guess it might be helpful to sort
of put my thoughts in. Thinking of cost

1458
02:07:36,400 --> 02:07:43,199
efficiency, I worry about whether or not
that would be uh sort of scrubbed by

1459
02:07:40,480 --> 02:07:50,560
having to pay a huge debt uh to be able
to do it. Um, so I don't I I'm not sure

1460
02:07:46,159 --> 02:07:56,880
that that would be uh,
you know, a sort of like a useful um,

1461
02:07:53,360 --> 02:08:01,280
argument for it, but I just don't feel
that we're a municipality that's big

1462
02:07:58,560 --> 02:08:06,239
enough to to sort of justify a project
that large. Um, especially considering

1463
02:08:03,920 --> 02:08:11,760
um, we're struggling to figure out how
we're going to get the water treatment

1464
02:08:08,400 --> 02:08:17,040
um, situation uh, sorted. Um, I think
this is something that would be very

1465
02:08:13,040 --> 02:08:22,079
nice to have. Um, but I I just don't
think we're there. I don't think that

1466
02:08:18,639 --> 02:08:26,639
that's what this municipality is. Um, I
think we're very lucky to have the

1467
02:08:23,280 --> 02:08:31,920
services and and um options uh that we
have, the recreation options that we

1468
02:08:28,480 --> 02:08:36,159
have. Um, and keeping them going is is
expensive and we it it's known to be

1469
02:08:34,639 --> 02:08:40,239
expensive. Talking to members of the
community, it comes up a lot about how

1470
02:08:38,320 --> 02:08:46,159
expensive it is. But if we then double
down on something that is

1471
02:08:43,119 --> 02:08:50,639
massively expensive, uh I just I I don't
know that that would that would sit well

1472
02:08:48,800 --> 02:08:56,719
um with with with a lot of the
municipality, a lot of our a lot of our

1473
02:08:52,320 --> 02:09:00,800
neighbors. Um so yeah, today I would I
would be most comfortable uh seeing what

1474
02:08:58,960 --> 02:09:05,840
the ne voting to see what the next
council thinks.

1475
02:09:03,199 --> 02:09:11,199
» Um I just [clears throat] I I'd like to
weigh in on this as well. So, uh, do we

1476
02:09:08,960 --> 02:09:15,679
want to u uh do you have something you
want to start answering? I I I'd like to

1477
02:09:13,360 --> 02:09:22,239
just make three points if I could. This
is coming from somebody who's lived in

1478
02:09:17,360 --> 02:09:28,000
Meford since 19 uh 56.
And uh I was a young man then, I'm an

1479
02:09:25,199 --> 02:09:32,400
old man now. And so it's I I just want
to share with you how from my

1480
02:09:30,000 --> 02:09:37,440
perspective how this looks. U the first
thing is I I see two projects. I think

1481
02:09:34,800 --> 02:09:41,280
that uh I would divide recreation uh
which is multifaceted and and

1482
02:09:39,679 --> 02:09:44,960
administration. I would divide those
into two projects and I would say that

1483
02:09:43,599 --> 02:09:49,840
uh it's important that the
administration perhap it can maybe go uh

1484
02:09:47,599 --> 02:09:54,800
rural or urban. Uh I think there are
real merits in in having it in the urban

1485
02:09:51,840 --> 02:09:59,280
center. Uh but I think that uh if if
we're going to look at involving uh

1486
02:09:57,119 --> 02:10:06,000
other communities, uh we should be very
open to uh a rural destination for a a

1487
02:10:03,360 --> 02:10:11,360
rec center. Um the second thing I want
to say is uh I regret to inform you that

1488
02:10:09,040 --> 02:10:15,119
I do not I don't have a lot of
confidence that our boundaries will

1489
02:10:12,960 --> 02:10:20,480
always be what they are today. I think
the Ford government is likely going to

1490
02:10:17,360 --> 02:10:26,000
change things uh before it is done and
um we may be part of a we may be either

1491
02:10:23,920 --> 02:10:30,719
a much smaller municipality than we are
now or or part of a great big

1492
02:10:28,719 --> 02:10:36,159
amalgamation and I have no idea what
might be coming. And the third thing is

1493
02:10:32,880 --> 02:10:40,159
with respect to councelor Bell's points,
um

1494
02:10:38,400 --> 02:10:45,760
I think it's very important to realize
that a lot many many millions of dollars

1495
02:10:43,520 --> 02:10:51,440
are coming to municipalities of all
sizes for these recreational projects.

1496
02:10:49,119 --> 02:10:57,040
And if we don't have a plan and if we
don't have a vision for where we're

1497
02:10:53,119 --> 02:11:03,280
going, uh we won't be we won't be
getting our fair share.

1498
02:10:59,760 --> 02:11:08,079
And if we wait for uh the next council
or it waits for the next council, uh I'm

1499
02:11:06,320 --> 02:11:13,040
not sure those funds will continue to be
available. And from what I have seen,

1500
02:11:10,719 --> 02:11:19,920
it's critically important that uh
improvements to uh to our uh our pool

1501
02:11:17,040 --> 02:11:27,199
and to our arena are something that we
can't start soon enough to deal with.

1502
02:11:24,480 --> 02:11:30,000
Um I guess we'll go around one more time
and then we'll come back to staff. Thank

1503
02:11:28,800 --> 02:11:32,880
you, Council Eric.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you for

1504
02:11:31,280 --> 02:11:38,639
your last comment because the one thing
I did want to say, and I and I do 100%

1505
02:11:35,679 --> 02:11:43,920
appreciate the concern about the overall
massive expense. To that regard, I will

1506
02:11:41,360 --> 02:11:49,520
say the problem being is is to your
point twofold. One is the further you

1507
02:11:47,119 --> 02:11:54,000
kick it down the road, a few years ago,
a wastewater plant would have cost us

1508
02:11:51,199 --> 02:12:00,000
$30 million. Now, it's going to cost us
$120 million. this put off another 5 10

1509
02:11:57,520 --> 02:12:04,480
years what is it going to cost then to
do it and at that point when does your

1510
02:12:02,320 --> 02:12:09,199
actual facilities become end of life and
then what do you do but I can still

1511
02:12:06,480 --> 02:12:12,639
think moreover to your point again as
well about boundaries may potentially

1512
02:12:11,040 --> 02:12:17,360
shifting but I think that's why it's
also paramount and I again cannot stress

1513
02:12:15,199 --> 02:12:23,920
enough how many
um at how many conferences you hear it

1514
02:12:20,960 --> 02:12:29,679
is so vital that municipalities need to
get together to try and share costs to

1515
02:12:27,040 --> 02:12:32,800
to to share these kind of facilities
because you're right, Blue Mountains

1516
02:12:31,599 --> 02:12:35,920
can't afford this by themselves,
Chadzsworth can't afford it by

1517
02:12:34,000 --> 02:12:40,239
themselves, Greyhound, but if you put it
together, then you all can maybe take a

1518
02:12:38,239 --> 02:12:44,880
bite out of it and do it. So that's why
I just think and without taking a step

1519
02:12:43,280 --> 02:12:48,320
forward and I'm fine with it being in
the next council, if we're putting it

1520
02:12:46,239 --> 02:12:52,159
forward literally six months for that
conversation, I have no problem with

1521
02:12:49,920 --> 02:12:55,840
that. But I have real concerns about it
getting kicked further and further and

1522
02:12:53,840 --> 02:13:00,639
further out and it gets more expensive
and then then you're in a situation

1523
02:12:57,760 --> 02:13:03,760
where we just may not have any at some
point down the road. So your point is so

1524
02:13:03,232 --> 02:13:08,960
[snorts]
apt I think that if you don't at least

1525
02:13:06,079 --> 02:13:13,199
plan for it, you will not have the
availability to potentially do it.

1526
02:13:11,040 --> 02:13:17,280
That's why at least a plan I think to
look at what could be done is more

1527
02:13:15,840 --> 02:13:21,360
important than sitting back and going ah
let's just put band-aids on everything.

1528
02:13:19,440 --> 02:13:25,239
I think councelor Greenfield, I don't
think he's spoken yet, please.

1529
02:13:26,000 --> 02:13:33,440
» Okay, deputy mayor.
>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And yeah, I

1530
02:13:31,760 --> 02:13:37,520
think we all recognize that this is a
multi-year process that is going to have

1531
02:13:35,520 --> 02:13:42,560
some really difficult decisions attached
to it. But I just want to clarify what

1532
02:13:40,320 --> 02:13:48,960
is being asked of us here today, which I
believe if I'm correct, Director

1533
02:13:43,840 --> 02:13:54,320
Dinsmore, is to um provide a
recommendation to yourself to include in

1534
02:13:51,280 --> 02:13:58,960
the 2027 budget $200,000
to undertake a study to give some

1535
02:13:57,040 --> 02:14:03,360
direction to the next council as to what
they might be looking at in terms of

1536
02:14:01,280 --> 02:14:06,480
recreation facilities, administration
facilities, and and they would be

1537
02:14:05,119 --> 02:14:10,400
charged then with making those
decisions. Am I correct in uh that

1538
02:14:09,199 --> 02:14:14,320
assumption?
>> Uh thank you and through you Mr. Mayor.

1539
02:14:11,920 --> 02:14:19,679
Oh 100%. This report is looking for some
direction on what to include in the 2027

1540
02:14:16,560 --> 02:14:24,239
budget. It is not appro preapproving the
2027 budget. Um without this report

1541
02:14:23,199 --> 02:14:29,520
there may not have been anything
included in the 2027 budget except for

1542
02:14:26,719 --> 02:14:34,719
maybe some facility capital requirements
just for that in year. Um staff wanted

1543
02:14:32,960 --> 02:14:40,000
to take a bit of a holistic approach to
this. So what could happen as an example

1544
02:14:37,440 --> 02:14:44,000
if council was to go with option one the
status quo and staff puts in the 15

1545
02:14:42,400 --> 02:14:48,880
million or 12 million over the five
years we could get to 2027 the new

1546
02:14:47,280 --> 02:14:53,280
council is making the decision they
could at that point say no no take all

1547
02:14:51,040 --> 02:14:57,760
that out put the $200,000 and we want to
do the study and that would be allowed.

1548
02:14:55,520 --> 02:15:02,159
So we're not making any decisions. What
we're doing is giving the next council a

1549
02:14:59,679 --> 02:15:06,320
starting point for how they want these
recreational facilities and

1550
02:15:03,599 --> 02:15:12,320
administrative facilities to operate. Um
I will just make one quick comment on uh

1551
02:15:08,480 --> 02:15:16,239
the mayor's point. All new grants coming
from the province and the federal

1552
02:15:14,000 --> 02:15:19,760
government include a must be shovel
ready, right? Must be ready to go

1553
02:15:18,560 --> 02:15:24,880
whether it's ready to go with the
engineering or ready to go with the um

1554
02:15:22,000 --> 02:15:30,400
the actual construction. So having the
public consultation, which is what that

1555
02:15:26,880 --> 02:15:36,560
200,000 really would be done so we know
what we're building, um would allow us

1556
02:15:33,280 --> 02:15:41,520
better would give us better information
for those grant applications

1557
02:15:39,040 --> 02:15:46,560
because we would know what we want to
include. Um staff have made no

1558
02:15:44,159 --> 02:15:51,679
assumptions as to what a recreational
facility includes. It may include a

1559
02:15:49,119 --> 02:15:55,840
pool, it may not. We don't know. Um, we
again we we would like to go through

1560
02:15:53,360 --> 02:16:00,320
this process to figure out what the
community wants and what it's going to

1561
02:15:58,320 --> 02:16:04,079
cost the community. I was always told
that if you ask someone if they want a

1562
02:16:01,920 --> 02:16:07,199
Ferrari, they're going to say yes until
you tell them how much it's going to

1563
02:16:05,199 --> 02:16:10,079
cost. And that's what this is doing,
right? If we went out to the public

1564
02:16:08,880 --> 02:16:14,000
right now and said, "Do you want an
indoor gym? Do you want an indoor pool?

1565
02:16:11,840 --> 02:16:18,320
Do you want a new arena?" Everybody is
going to say yes. But we need to make

1566
02:16:15,599 --> 02:16:23,520
sure that everybody knows what that will
do for their annual property taxes.

1567
02:16:21,040 --> 02:16:28,079
Without this 200,000, it's very hard to
answer that question.

1568
02:16:26,000 --> 02:16:29,840
» I'm going to go to councelor Renis and
I'll come back to you, councelor

1569
02:16:29,119 --> 02:16:33,519
Greenfield.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, you've changed

1570
02:16:32,399 --> 02:16:38,000
my thinking a little bit. So, I
appreciate that. It sounds to me like we

1571
02:16:36,000 --> 02:16:43,760
need to go with option two to make it
possible for the future council to make

1572
02:16:40,319 --> 02:16:48,719
that decision. So in that case um I
could change my thinking and go with

1573
02:16:45,920 --> 02:16:54,399
option two.
>> Uh councelor Greenfield.

1574
02:16:51,760 --> 02:17:02,719
» Thanks uh thanks to worship and uh
thanks again Mr. Dinsm. Uh I'm still uh

1575
02:16:58,080 --> 02:17:13,359
uneasy about this. Uh I I
it's it's wonderful to look at

1576
02:17:07,359 --> 02:17:21,519
the big picture uh forward vision. Uh
I I'm just not sure if our municipality

1577
02:17:17,040 --> 02:17:26,000
is quite there yet. And I'm somewhat
afraid that by

1578
02:17:23,840 --> 02:17:29,920
looking at too many of these big ticket
items,

1579
02:17:27,760 --> 02:17:39,200
there may be
an exclusion of the basics.

1580
02:17:34,240 --> 02:17:43,479
We've got streets. We've got roads
that are not in good shape.

1581
02:17:43,760 --> 02:17:53,319
basic transportation items that gets
everybody from home to work to to

1582
02:17:49,679 --> 02:17:53,319
pleasure hopefully.

1583
02:17:53,840 --> 02:18:04,000
lot of this we've talked about grants
and yes there are grants out there but

1584
02:18:00,160 --> 02:18:12,479
you've got 444 municipalities in Ontario
reaching out for them and uh the chances

1585
02:18:08,880 --> 02:18:20,160
of uh our municipality they are as good
as any of the others but there aren't

1586
02:18:15,439 --> 02:18:26,399
444 huge grants out there I'm sure that
we're talking about maybe a $20 million

1587
02:18:22,719 --> 02:18:32,800
OP PP station that we may get a grant
for some of it. Uh

1588
02:18:30,000 --> 02:18:38,960
we're trying to dredge a harbor and it's
at least a half a million dollars just

1589
02:18:35,120 --> 02:18:44,880
to get started on the dredging.
Um

1590
02:18:40,880 --> 02:18:50,080
I I really I mean it's it's great to
have a vision. It's great to have

1591
02:18:48,080 --> 02:18:54,880
uh
some kind of an idea of where you want

1592
02:18:51,840 --> 02:19:01,280
to go, but I I don't think we're there
yet. I I think we've got uh

1593
02:18:58,559 --> 02:19:05,840
we're looking at third base, and I don't
think we've got the first base yet. So,

1594
02:19:03,760 --> 02:19:10,000
I
I I just think it's premature. I think

1595
02:19:08,000 --> 02:19:17,599
it's it's great to have a discussion.
Yes, we know something has to be done

1596
02:19:13,840 --> 02:19:23,679
likely within the next 101 15 years, but
um I'm not content to uh uh get into

1597
02:19:22,399 --> 02:19:26,000
something today.
>> Thank you.

1598
02:19:24,080 --> 02:19:29,840
» I think that CEO Everett would like to
speak.

1599
02:19:26,719 --> 02:19:35,280
» Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh just from a
few years of in the community services

1600
02:19:31,920 --> 02:19:40,319
and recreation aspect, um doing a
feasibility study, you know, it's a it's

1601
02:19:37,840 --> 02:19:45,840
a good start. Um, councelor Greenfield
mentions we're on third base. I' I'd say

1602
02:19:42,639 --> 02:19:51,120
we're still in the dugout. Um, and and
trying to get an idea of where we need

1603
02:19:47,519 --> 02:19:57,520
to go. Um, I could provide a a lengthy,
very lengthy list of the facilities that

1604
02:19:54,080 --> 02:20:01,280
need dramatic investment that we have
today. whether it be a tennis court,

1605
02:19:59,760 --> 02:20:05,920
whether it be a waterfront, whether it
be a campground. Um,

1606
02:20:04,240 --> 02:20:15,040
there's a lot of our facilities that are
extremely deficient in where they need

1607
02:20:09,120 --> 02:20:21,200
to be. Um, having an idea of what the
future of a of a pool is, an arena is,

1608
02:20:18,720 --> 02:20:26,640
um, I would have to say a feasibility
study would have to look at is it even a

1609
02:20:24,319 --> 02:20:34,319
meer? Like you have to look at your your
neighbors. Um the days of doing your own

1610
02:20:31,520 --> 02:20:39,840
facility, in my opinion, are long gone
because each municipality can't bear the

1611
02:20:36,399 --> 02:20:45,840
cost. Um I can tell you the the arena uh
the new new complex in Wasaga Beach cost

1612
02:20:42,800 --> 02:20:50,640
about $60 million. Uh in 2021, I believe
it was budgeted for $43 million. By the

1613
02:20:48,880 --> 02:20:56,240
time it was constructed, it was at 60
million. Over a course of two years, it

1614
02:20:52,960 --> 02:21:01,040
it increased. Um,
we need to get a vision though. Uh, we

1615
02:20:58,479 --> 02:21:08,080
need to really reflect on what we have
today. Um, because, you know, I've been

1616
02:21:05,439 --> 02:21:12,960
here just over a year now and I'm really
starting to recognize that what we

1617
02:21:11,040 --> 02:21:17,120
thought some facilities just needed in
repairs,

1618
02:21:14,800 --> 02:21:25,359
they're they really need complete re
redu. um they've they've had some um

1619
02:21:22,399 --> 02:21:31,120
facial surgery on them um but the bones
and the structure are gone. When you're

1620
02:21:28,160 --> 02:21:39,600
talking about facilities that are 1966,
1930 something um they do not owe the

1621
02:21:35,359 --> 02:21:43,680
municipality anything. Um, but it it is
really a time that we need to look at

1622
02:21:41,760 --> 02:21:49,680
what are the nice to haves to councelor
Bell's point. Uh, and what what the

1623
02:21:46,560 --> 02:21:55,600
needs truly are. I I've heard lots about
our roads. Um, and I would have to say

1624
02:21:53,840 --> 02:22:00,880
that that's got to be one of the
priorities. I think the why I like this

1625
02:21:58,479 --> 02:22:05,600
report coming forward
today was not so much that this council

1626
02:22:03,600 --> 02:22:10,240
was being put in a position to make a
decision that the future council was

1627
02:22:07,680 --> 02:22:15,920
going to be tied to. I think it's a
really good report for the future

1628
02:22:12,080 --> 02:22:21,600
council to understand going into 2027
and the next term of council

1629
02:22:18,960 --> 02:22:25,520
the issues that they're going to have.
Um that's that's what I'm looking

1630
02:22:24,160 --> 02:22:33,359
forward to. I believe that's what
staff's job is is to really put it into

1631
02:22:28,800 --> 02:22:40,640
the public um uh information in the
public sphere to understand that we need

1632
02:22:37,200 --> 02:22:44,560
to build this municipality. Um and we
need to sort of

1633
02:22:43,040 --> 02:22:48,399
really take a look at what are the
services that we're providing and what

1634
02:22:46,319 --> 02:22:55,280
we need to provide because we can't be
everything to everyone. Um so um I think

1635
02:22:52,560 --> 02:23:01,359
2027 having that discussion in in in a
budget uh deliberation irregardless if

1636
02:22:58,160 --> 02:23:06,319
it's fa is if it's uh status quo or not
um I think this discussion has served

1637
02:23:04,000 --> 02:23:12,319
the next term of council well already if
people are thinking about running and

1638
02:23:09,040 --> 02:23:16,800
you know the public's listening to this
um I very rarely go into the arena

1639
02:23:15,040 --> 02:23:22,000
without somebody saying to me oh when
are we going to get a new rink this this

1640
02:23:19,439 --> 02:23:27,680
puts it at least on the radar. Um
because to be honest with you, I we

1641
02:23:24,640 --> 02:23:32,240
wouldn't need a double rink. Um I think
there's huge benefit if you were to take

1642
02:23:30,000 --> 02:23:36,560
a look at replacing a pool. You wouldn't
replace it with an outdoor pool, right?

1643
02:23:34,640 --> 02:23:41,359
There are there are some things that in
my opinion from the recreation field are

1644
02:23:39,120 --> 02:23:45,760
just given. Why why would you invest in
building an outdoor pool when at the end

1645
02:23:43,520 --> 02:23:51,200
of the day you invest and you cover it
and you get year- round use? So I think

1646
02:23:48,560 --> 02:23:55,680
the feasibility study like it it helps
us and it helps us even I will say the

1647
02:23:54,000 --> 02:23:59,439
feasibility study is not going to be
shovel ready. It that's not going to

1648
02:23:57,359 --> 02:24:05,760
give you a shovel ready project. It's
just going to give you the idea of what

1649
02:24:02,479 --> 02:24:11,439
the facility needs to be made up of. So
then you can start your engineering on

1650
02:24:08,640 --> 02:24:16,720
having an actual shovel ready. the in
the last two points, nothing in Sam's

1651
02:24:14,399 --> 02:24:22,560
report was dictating whether or not this
was going to be in a rural area or an

1652
02:24:19,200 --> 02:24:28,800
urban area. Nothing in Sam's report also
identified that the end the end product

1653
02:24:26,080 --> 02:24:35,120
wasn't the existing facility.
It was just can we focus on what do we

1654
02:24:32,240 --> 02:24:40,880
need in the future? Um, I've seen way
too many municipalities do these do

1655
02:24:37,840 --> 02:24:47,600
these uh studies and it becomes just a
wish list and you get nothing. Calling

1656
02:24:44,399 --> 02:24:52,960
was a great example. 20 25 years ago I
think it was they they were looking at

1657
02:24:49,359 --> 02:24:58,080
Fiser Field um and they opened up what
everybody wants and they missed all

1658
02:24:54,800 --> 02:25:01,760
their funding opportunities and and you
know at the end of the day they missed a

1659
02:25:00,399 --> 02:25:06,479
really opportunity really big
opportunity to centralize things. um

1660
02:25:04,640 --> 02:25:11,040
were here
like town of Blue Mountains and and

1661
02:25:08,960 --> 02:25:14,960
calling with they just over the last two
years looked at doing a feasibility

1662
02:25:12,399 --> 02:25:19,920
study and ended up deciding not to
partner. Um so there's lots of there's

1663
02:25:18,160 --> 02:25:24,800
lots of information that we have to look
at. And the last piece just in regards

1664
02:25:21,760 --> 02:25:28,880
to the harbor and downtown emerging
those I personally think that would be

1665
02:25:26,560 --> 02:25:33,200
the wrong thing because again that would
be assuming that what we're talking

1666
02:25:30,880 --> 02:25:38,160
about would be in the rural or in the
urban downtown area. Um I think the two

1667
02:25:35,920 --> 02:25:42,880
could go hand inand 100% but I think
they're completely separate projects.

1668
02:25:40,640 --> 02:25:48,880
» So now to proceed I need some advice
from clerk Wilton Seagull. Um and here's

1669
02:25:46,319 --> 02:25:54,640
the question. Uh the recommendation is
option X. We also have option one and

1670
02:25:51,840 --> 02:25:59,760
option two. Uh will I look for a motion
uh for option one first and vote on that

1671
02:25:57,600 --> 02:26:03,520
and then
Thank you, Risha. My recommendation to

1672
02:26:01,439 --> 02:26:06,960
council would be that if um a member of
council feels that option one or option

1673
02:26:05,520 --> 02:26:12,880
two is their preference that they put
forward an amending motion to replace X

1674
02:26:09,840 --> 02:26:16,000
with one and council can discuss that or
alternatively if a member of council

1675
02:26:14,560 --> 02:26:19,840
feels that option two should be
discussed. Um they would put forward an

1676
02:26:17,840 --> 02:26:23,760
amending motion for replacing it with
option two and then the debate can be

1677
02:26:22,080 --> 02:26:28,160
had and the vote can be taken at that
time.

1678
02:26:24,800 --> 02:26:35,280
And to be clear, option one is u to move
forward uh spending uh 12 uh.6 million I

1679
02:26:32,399 --> 02:26:42,800
think it is on uh repairs to existing
facilities and option two is to budget

1680
02:26:38,319 --> 02:26:47,520
200,000 for the 2027 um budget uh to
have a study of uh requirements for

1681
02:26:45,200 --> 02:26:52,080
these facilities.
Councelor Yurig.

1682
02:26:49,600 --> 02:27:00,000
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I on that basis
would recommend I would move that it be

1683
02:26:55,040 --> 02:27:04,720
option two. Been to too many act
conferences recently where Stratford

1684
02:27:02,240 --> 02:27:08,160
took big swings and ended up hitting
home runs. If you don't have a you don't

1685
02:27:07,040 --> 02:27:13,600
have a map, you're not going to get
anywhere.

1686
02:27:10,720 --> 02:27:18,000
Um and is there a second for that? Are
you seconding that? Thank you. Okay. And

1687
02:27:16,319 --> 02:27:21,040
does everybody understand uh we're going
to call a vote on whether or not you

1688
02:27:19,600 --> 02:27:26,319
agree with option two, which is to
budget $200,000 for a study which will

1689
02:27:23,840 --> 02:27:29,840
give staff the direction they need to uh
help the next council move forward on

1690
02:27:28,160 --> 02:27:35,760
this whole issue. That's how I interpret
it. Anyway, um um anyone have a question

1691
02:27:34,160 --> 02:27:38,080
about what we're going to vote on?
Councelor

1692
02:27:36,160 --> 02:27:41,600
» Renis
more of a more of a comment. I'm just uh

1693
02:27:40,160 --> 02:27:46,399
wanted to say out loud that I'm sort of
approaching this like uh we spoke about

1694
02:27:43,359 --> 02:27:51,359
earlier today in uh item on the agenda
9.1A

1695
02:27:48,560 --> 02:27:55,200
uh where the report wasn't about
disposing of land. It was about

1696
02:27:53,200 --> 02:27:59,120
considering it as an opportunity talking
to uh you know neighboring properties

1697
02:27:57,120 --> 02:28:04,160
talking to the community uh and
exploring that option. So I'm seeing

1698
02:28:01,760 --> 02:28:08,720
nods from from staff. So option two to
me is essentially the same sort of

1699
02:28:05,600 --> 02:28:13,920
process. Um, and so I uh would be happy
to support that.

1700
02:28:11,040 --> 02:28:19,280
» Then are you ready to vote uh for option
two? Uh, all in favor?

1701
02:28:17,120 --> 02:28:25,040
Those opposed?
I think those in favor have won the day

1702
02:28:22,479 --> 02:28:32,640
and um
and the vote was uh 5 to two. Correct.

1703
02:28:28,960 --> 02:28:36,160
Okay. Um uh my my apologies your worship
for interrupting but because that was an

1704
02:28:34,319 --> 02:28:39,760
amending motion we do need a final vote
on the main motion. So now the main

1705
02:28:37,840 --> 02:28:43,040
motion will be that council uh committee
of the whole recommend council of the

1706
02:28:41,040 --> 02:28:48,240
municipality of meford to approve option
two uh as outlined in report and then

1707
02:28:45,840 --> 02:28:52,319
that will move on to
>> can I uh I didn't need a mover and

1708
02:28:50,160 --> 02:28:59,680
seconder for this. No. Okay then uh you
but you want to vote. So are we voting

1709
02:28:55,280 --> 02:29:03,600
to confirm option two? All in favor
the bigger pardon

1710
02:29:01,439 --> 02:29:09,760
» the whole report. Okay. And those
opposed and it's the same 52 vote I

1711
02:29:06,640 --> 02:29:16,960
believe. Okay.
So now um and I I'm going to make people

1712
02:29:13,520 --> 02:29:22,880
aware that at 4:30 or thereabouts we are
going to um have a recess because we

1713
02:29:20,880 --> 02:29:27,120
have a planning public meeting at 5:00
this afternoon. And um I'm just hoping

1714
02:29:25,520 --> 02:29:33,520
we can get through the majority of our
agenda uh with the time that is left. So

1715
02:29:30,640 --> 02:29:37,439
at this uh point um under development
services the recommendation is that

1716
02:29:35,280 --> 02:29:41,280
committee of the whole recommend council
of the municipality of meford one direct

1717
02:29:39,439 --> 02:29:45,520
staff to initiate a request for
pre-qualification

1718
02:29:42,800 --> 02:29:50,640
RFPQ process for the three surplus
residential parcels identified and two

1719
02:29:48,399 --> 02:29:55,120
endorse exploration of a tiny home
community model subject to feasibility

1720
02:29:52,800 --> 02:29:59,600
and market response and number three
direct staff to report back with results

1721
02:29:57,200 --> 02:30:06,479
and next steps. a mover in a second,
please. Deputy mayor Kiny and seconded

1722
02:30:03,120 --> 02:30:11,680
by councelor Bell. Thank you.
Um and u maybe you should speak to this

1723
02:30:09,359 --> 02:30:15,920
because it is uh really your project and
I congratulate you on the the way this

1724
02:30:13,760 --> 02:30:20,640
has been brought forward and and a lot
of work went into it and uh a lot of

1725
02:30:18,240 --> 02:30:23,040
your personal contacts to to see about
the feasibility of this. So go right

1726
02:30:22,240 --> 02:30:26,880
ahead.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. I'm

1727
02:30:24,560 --> 02:30:31,920
happy to uh to speak to this report and
I want to thank Director KN for all of

1728
02:30:29,359 --> 02:30:35,680
her efforts in uh in bringing that to us
so expeditiously. So with this I'm just

1729
02:30:34,319 --> 02:30:40,399
very very pleased to have this
conversation today and uh I certainly

1730
02:30:38,479 --> 02:30:46,240
can confirm that there is a great deal
of interest from our residents in seeing

1731
02:30:43,439 --> 02:30:51,760
this project move forward. I've heard
from people of all ages that uh they

1732
02:30:49,600 --> 02:30:56,160
feel this is a really really good
project for me. I think it's exciting.

1733
02:30:54,479 --> 02:31:01,439
We could be the first community in Gray
County to have a full uh tiny home

1734
02:30:58,640 --> 02:31:05,520
community in our backyard and I I see it
as um you know structured in such a way

1735
02:31:04,000 --> 02:31:08,960
that the homes are affordable and that
it's wellmaintained and that it's a

1736
02:31:07,120 --> 02:31:13,359
place that people can be proud to call
home and I know there's also interest

1737
02:31:11,280 --> 02:31:19,040
from the development community in
looking at the opportunity to respond to

1738
02:31:15,280 --> 02:31:22,560
this RFI. So, I uh am just feeling quite
confident that uh we can see all of this

1739
02:31:21,120 --> 02:31:26,399
come to fruition. And we understand
there's a lot of steps in the process

1740
02:31:24,080 --> 02:31:31,520
that was mentioned earlier today by a
presenter. We understand we're a long

1741
02:31:28,319 --> 02:31:35,439
way yet from uh from actually making
this happen. But, uh you know, this is

1742
02:31:33,359 --> 02:31:39,840
this is where we start. I like the
location because it's walkable to uh to

1743
02:31:38,000 --> 02:31:44,160
downtown. And I think that's uh that's
important for Tiny Homes. And uh I'm

1744
02:31:42,399 --> 02:31:48,960
just uh very very pleased to see this
moving forward. And thank you again to

1745
02:31:45,760 --> 02:31:52,880
you Amy.
>> Um so councelor Ford and then councelor

1746
02:31:51,920 --> 02:31:57,280
Bell.
>> Uh thank you Mr. Mayor and through you

1747
02:31:54,720 --> 02:32:00,240
and uh appreciate Deputy Mayor with this
initiative and so I just looking for a

1748
02:31:59,200 --> 02:32:05,520
little bit of clarification because I
love the idea of a tiny home community.

1749
02:32:02,560 --> 02:32:09,359
But is the goal of this to provide
affordable housing to residents or is

1750
02:32:07,920 --> 02:32:13,040
the goal to provide a tiny home
community? Because where I struggle with

1751
02:32:10,880 --> 02:32:16,479
that is in the report there are more
affordable options. Tiny homes aren't

1752
02:32:14,880 --> 02:32:19,920
technically more affordable. You're just
buying a smaller home, so it's less

1753
02:32:18,399 --> 02:32:25,280
money, but in terms of cost per square
foot, it may actually be more expensive.

1754
02:32:22,399 --> 02:32:29,680
Um, so my question is, is our goal to
provide more affordable housing to

1755
02:32:28,080 --> 02:32:33,600
people who need it, or is the goal
simply to provide a tiny home community

1756
02:32:31,840 --> 02:32:36,080
so we can say we have a tiny home
community and all the good things that

1757
02:32:34,800 --> 02:32:39,200
come with that? And I'm not trying to
say that to speak down of it because I

1758
02:32:37,520 --> 02:32:43,600
think it's a great initiative. I'm just
not really sure what the objective is

1759
02:32:41,120 --> 02:32:47,280
for this tiny bid project. Are we
considering other types of developments

1760
02:32:45,600 --> 02:32:51,520
that have been referenced in the report
itself or is it tiny home take it or

1761
02:32:49,920 --> 02:32:54,560
leave it? I just kind of want to know
what the direction is of this

1762
02:32:52,800 --> 02:32:58,319
initiative. Uh because that's going to
sort of dictate the feedback that I

1763
02:32:56,000 --> 02:33:03,840
have. Uh so I just I just appreciate uh
knowing what the what the end goal is of

1764
02:33:01,120 --> 02:33:06,640
the the tiny home initiative here.
>> Please. Yes,

1765
02:33:05,040 --> 02:33:10,960
» Mr. Mayor. If I may, I'd be happy to
respond to councelor Porter. And I think

1766
02:33:08,319 --> 02:33:14,880
to some degree it's it's both. I mean a
tiny home as you suggested it is a

1767
02:33:12,720 --> 02:33:18,880
smaller home. So therefore the price tag
is likely in the affordable range and we

1768
02:33:17,600 --> 02:33:22,800
have no idea at this point whether
they're owned or leased or rented or

1769
02:33:20,640 --> 02:33:27,680
lifelased or land leased or there's just
so many different ways that it could be

1770
02:33:24,720 --> 02:33:32,640
set up. So there's no idea at this point
what that could look like. But yeah the

1771
02:33:30,080 --> 02:33:37,120
in in my mind I see it as providing
affordable living. But yes, definitely

1772
02:33:34,560 --> 02:33:41,280
the the community aspect of a tiny home
community where there are, you know, a

1773
02:33:38,800 --> 02:33:44,640
central gathering place and there's uh
fire pit and there's trails and and

1774
02:33:43,120 --> 02:33:50,640
community garden and that sort of thing
where people can can congregate. I see

1775
02:33:47,120 --> 02:33:54,319
it as being that real community, but you
know, are we tied to an actual tiny home

1776
02:33:52,800 --> 02:33:59,040
community or could it be a pocket
community? Or there's there's different

1777
02:33:56,160 --> 02:34:02,240
ways of of setting up small homes,
whether it's, you know, a tiny home on

1778
02:34:00,720 --> 02:34:06,800
its own little lot with its own little
driveway or whether it's a pocket

1779
02:34:04,160 --> 02:34:11,200
community where houses are side by and
the driveway goes along behind them and

1780
02:34:09,120 --> 02:34:15,840
that keeps the front, you know, very
very clean. Um, I think there's I'm just

1781
02:34:14,399 --> 02:34:20,319
interested to see when we get the
responses to the RFI what suggestions

1782
02:34:18,560 --> 02:34:26,640
come back from the development community
as to what it could look like. So

1783
02:34:22,080 --> 02:34:31,520
there's in my mind not tied to any one
look or format in my head. I just I just

1784
02:34:28,800 --> 02:34:33,760
want to see what the options are. Does
that help?

1785
02:34:32,160 --> 02:34:39,840
» Yes.
>> Councelor Bell.

1786
02:34:35,920 --> 02:34:44,880
» Thanks, Mr. Mayor. So, um, this council
may have, uh, forgot that, uh, I brought

1787
02:34:42,479 --> 02:34:50,240
forward a motion, uh, that was, um,
adopted unanimously to advance to our

1788
02:34:48,240 --> 02:34:55,040
building community that they look at the
Ontario building code what it says to be

1789
02:34:53,040 --> 02:35:00,880
the minimal requirements in order to
have a dwelling. Same thing. So, one of

1790
02:34:58,880 --> 02:35:05,520
the issues that I just did just with
math, you know, talking about whether

1791
02:35:02,720 --> 02:35:08,760
you're $300 a square foot or $400 a
square foot,

1792
02:35:08,800 --> 02:35:18,479
14 ft by 14 ft at $400 a square foot is
$78,000 for something and I think

1793
02:35:15,760 --> 02:35:23,120
somebody would be quite ridiculously
to spend that kind of money for that

1794
02:35:20,800 --> 02:35:27,840
kind of square footage, which is like a
garden shed. So then I just said, "Well,

1795
02:35:25,680 --> 02:35:33,359
let's do something 20 by 25." And you
get up there. Well, you're at $200,000.

1796
02:35:31,359 --> 02:35:38,479
Haven't bought the land. What's the
service land underneath that? So, it

1797
02:35:36,000 --> 02:35:42,960
doesn't take long to hit that $400,000
mark. And you have to get a builder

1798
02:35:40,560 --> 02:35:47,200
who's wants to do this. So, the
initiative about doing it, I'm all for

1799
02:35:45,200 --> 02:35:53,680
it. I'm interested to see what the
building community can do with this. But

1800
02:35:50,240 --> 02:36:00,240
then I looked up what a um all seasons
trailer 8 by40 320 square feet you can

1801
02:35:57,920 --> 02:36:04,640
live in it all year round you have your
own spot but now I'm talking about a

1802
02:36:01,760 --> 02:36:07,760
trailer park so what is it that we
really want to see here and I think

1803
02:36:06,319 --> 02:36:13,680
that's the point from my fellow
counselor for is it a series of really

1804
02:36:10,800 --> 02:36:19,040
small dwellings maybe for one or two
individuals what are we trying to do so

1805
02:36:16,720 --> 02:36:24,800
I think opening it up to the building
community is the right thing to do. Let

1806
02:36:22,080 --> 02:36:29,200
them tell us if it can be done because
we just had an open house on Highway 26

1807
02:36:27,359 --> 02:36:35,920
not long ago. I think they're
advertising opening units at 585,000.

1808
02:36:33,359 --> 02:36:40,399
That's where they're at. So, we're
trying to cut that. And if we have it in

1809
02:36:38,080 --> 02:36:45,040
our mind to cut it in half, how can we
get somebody into a place for 300 or

1810
02:36:43,359 --> 02:36:48,720
350,000?
So that's what the building community is

1811
02:36:46,800 --> 02:36:54,319
going to tell us about this, whether
there's even any appetite to do it. So I

1812
02:36:52,399 --> 02:37:00,160
welcome it. I'm going to vote for it,
see what happens with it. But um it's

1813
02:36:57,280 --> 02:37:04,319
interesting because um you know, you do
have to pay for the labor and I don't

1814
02:37:02,800 --> 02:37:09,840
think any construction company's going
to take a cut. Very rarely you're going

1815
02:37:07,439 --> 02:37:14,000
to need three 400,000 to do a square
footage. So that's the point.

1816
02:37:12,800 --> 02:37:18,080
» Go ahead.
My apologies for interrupting your

1817
02:37:15,520 --> 02:37:23,200
worship. I have noticed that there is um
on the agenda uh the reports

1818
02:37:21,600 --> 02:37:26,880
recommendation has been updated and
isn't reflected in the agenda index. So

1819
02:37:25,120 --> 02:37:30,640
I wondered if I could just display ask
Allison to display if you're looking at

1820
02:37:29,040 --> 02:37:35,840
the report you're seeing the
recommendation. I think that was

1821
02:37:32,319 --> 02:37:41,200
changed. Um and the index if you look at
the index is is different. So, I just

1822
02:37:38,240 --> 02:37:44,640
want everybody um on council to be sure
we're looking at the same

1823
02:37:42,479 --> 02:37:48,960
recommendation. So, if I could just ask
that that be displayed. Um it's a

1824
02:37:47,200 --> 02:37:55,359
slightly different recommendation with
the same theme um but definitely not the

1825
02:37:52,880 --> 02:38:01,600
same if you've looked at the index. So,
those who use um who are looking at the

1826
02:37:58,560 --> 02:38:05,359
report specifically, that recommendation
has not changed from when you read the

1827
02:38:03,600 --> 02:38:10,880
report.
Does that make sense?

1828
02:38:08,240 --> 02:38:14,880
So I just again to be to be clear what
council is considering this is correct.

1829
02:38:12,800 --> 02:38:20,800
The index has been updated but it may
not have been reflected if you had been

1830
02:38:16,399 --> 02:38:25,840
looking at it um during this meeting.
So this differs I think Mayor Kentner

1831
02:38:23,200 --> 02:38:30,240
from your index because
>> you don't have the report. So if you go

1832
02:38:27,520 --> 02:38:36,359
to the item to the report in your binder
>> that recommendation is right.

1833
02:38:32,000 --> 02:38:36,359
» Thank you. Okay I'll do that.

1834
02:38:40,800 --> 02:38:48,960
You can see just a bit of reading
for these council meetings. So, um we're

1835
02:38:46,720 --> 02:38:55,280
looking at um three points in the
recommendation here and they're on the

1836
02:38:50,960 --> 02:38:59,040
the uh on the screen there now.
Um

1837
02:38:57,040 --> 02:39:05,120
did you wish to speak to that at point
or or is it something else? Okay, let's

1838
02:39:03,040 --> 02:39:12,800
go to councelor Greenfield.
Thank you. Um, okay. I I I noticed this.

1839
02:39:09,760 --> 02:39:18,560
I I thought we were doing an RFI and
then we've got different different

1840
02:39:14,880 --> 02:39:25,359
acronym here. Um,
so I'm wondering

1841
02:39:21,520 --> 02:39:31,439
I I I was quite comfortable with an RFI.
I thought it was a great idea. Um, tiny

1842
02:39:28,560 --> 02:39:38,319
homes do seem to be catching on. Um,
they seem to be popular. I uh uh looked

1843
02:39:35,680 --> 02:39:42,960
on Google and I couldn't find anything
negative about tiny home communities and

1844
02:39:41,040 --> 02:39:47,920
I I thought that was kind of
interesting.

1845
02:39:45,120 --> 02:39:55,880
Um but
anyway, um so the request for

1846
02:39:52,880 --> 02:39:55,880
pre-qualification

1847
02:39:56,080 --> 02:40:06,560
um can can you explain that a little bit
further? Like to me it's the request for

1848
02:40:02,720 --> 02:40:13,319
information was fairly general. Uh is
this more specific? Is this going to

1849
02:40:10,319 --> 02:40:13,319
uh

1850
02:40:13,600 --> 02:40:21,600
reduce the the potential number of ideas
that are coming forward or potential

1851
02:40:19,359 --> 02:40:24,640
number of proposals? Can can you help me
on that?

1852
02:40:22,880 --> 02:40:29,120
» Go ahead, director K.
>> Uh thank you and through your worship to

1853
02:40:26,640 --> 02:40:33,600
councelor Greenfield. Uh so the original
notice of motion from deputy mayor

1854
02:40:31,200 --> 02:40:39,680
Kibney had indicated um the
pre-qualification idea and so as I was

1855
02:40:36,960 --> 02:40:45,439
crafting the report I thought that the
number of questions that that still um

1856
02:40:43,439 --> 02:40:50,000
were sort of in the ether on the nature
of the project, the viability of the

1857
02:40:47,280 --> 02:40:55,760
project uh might warrant sort of backing
up and doing a request for for interest

1858
02:40:53,040 --> 02:41:00,240
instead. Um, and that would allow us to
sort of reach out to the community, the

1859
02:40:58,080 --> 02:41:04,960
development community, and get a little
more information on from their expert

1860
02:41:02,720 --> 02:41:10,640
perspectives, um, you know, what goes
into their consideration,

1861
02:41:07,280 --> 02:41:15,040
how viable is this, um, in their minds
and and maybe they're they hold

1862
02:41:12,800 --> 02:41:20,640
information that we don't have by virtue
of not being uh, expert developers. So,

1863
02:41:17,920 --> 02:41:25,040
I sort of backed up on that. Um, and
then I embedded that in my

1864
02:41:22,479 --> 02:41:31,200
recommendation back to council if that
sort of makes sense.

1865
02:41:28,560 --> 02:41:37,600
» Go ahead. Uh,
thanks. Thanks, Amy. Uh, just two more

1866
02:41:34,960 --> 02:41:44,080
questions. Um
I I'm I'm assuming

1867
02:41:40,560 --> 02:41:52,319
municipality still has the usual site
plan agreement uh opportunities controls

1868
02:41:48,160 --> 02:41:57,760
or wish lists. Um and
the the next one is

1869
02:41:55,040 --> 02:42:04,800
the neighbors neighbor involvement
public involvement is are we too soon

1870
02:42:01,359 --> 02:42:12,319
for that or uh I'm hoping that will come
into play somewhere down the road

1871
02:42:09,359 --> 02:42:19,120
» again through your worship um certainly
so not unlike the CIO's process for um

1872
02:42:16,399 --> 02:42:22,960
divestature of public property or or
municipal property, there would be a

1873
02:42:21,200 --> 02:42:29,200
public engagement process for that
aspect alone if we were to consider sale

1874
02:42:26,479 --> 02:42:34,000
of of municipal lands. But on top of
that, knowing that that any development

1875
02:42:31,840 --> 02:42:39,040
on these parcels will require planning
act approvals, we will engage the public

1876
02:42:37,040 --> 02:42:43,359
um in accordance with the planning act
on top of that. So they may be sort of

1877
02:42:41,520 --> 02:42:49,600
concurrent processes, but you sort of
have two um double requirements to be

1878
02:42:46,960 --> 02:42:54,640
able to engage engage the public on on
this proposal.

1879
02:42:52,560 --> 02:42:58,399
» Okay, deputy mayor.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I want to come

1880
02:42:55,920 --> 02:43:03,840
back to councelor Bell's comments just
for a couple of examples in relation to

1881
02:43:00,720 --> 02:43:09,600
costing of these homes. And I mean they
can be high-end or they can be, you

1882
02:43:06,880 --> 02:43:13,920
know, regular normal uh materials like
uh you know, arborite countertops

1883
02:43:11,040 --> 02:43:19,040
instead of stone sort of thing. But um
there was a model home in Collingwood

1884
02:43:15,760 --> 02:43:24,720
last uh year that I went to see at uh
the Home Hardware location and it was I

1885
02:43:21,359 --> 02:43:28,880
think $320 square ft with a selling
price of $150,000

1886
02:43:26,880 --> 02:43:32,880
and a separate bedroom and a nice little
kitchen with a stone countertop and you

1887
02:43:31,120 --> 02:43:39,040
know washer and dryer, full bathroom and
so on and so forth. Um Quality Homes is

1888
02:43:35,920 --> 02:43:46,000
making tiny homes. Um and I went to see
them. The smaller one is just over 500

1889
02:43:43,120 --> 02:43:51,040
square ft and you know full separate
bedroom, full closet, kitchen again with

1890
02:43:48,960 --> 02:43:57,520
stone countertops, electric fireplace,
lots of amenities. Um and that one at

1891
02:43:53,920 --> 02:44:01,760
just over 500 ft² sells for 199,000 and
you still have to, you know, put it on

1892
02:43:59,840 --> 02:44:07,760
your lot and hook up the servicing and
so on. But just to give us a sense of of

1893
02:44:04,640 --> 02:44:12,479
costs, um I just found that interesting.
But I think the important thing for us

1894
02:44:10,000 --> 02:44:16,000
to remember today is that you know
there's no cost in what we're doing at

1895
02:44:14,000 --> 02:44:19,359
this point. We're just looking for
interest from the development community

1896
02:44:17,680 --> 02:44:24,319
so that we have some proposals to
consider. So if we move this forward

1897
02:44:21,600 --> 02:44:28,880
today, no cost to the municipality. It's
just put it out there and uh allow this

1898
02:44:27,120 --> 02:44:33,680
council or the next council to have an
opportunity to give consideration to uh

1899
02:44:31,520 --> 02:44:38,240
whatever proposals come before it. So I
just thought it was important to note

1900
02:44:35,439 --> 02:44:41,520
the financial side of this today.
>> Councelor Fer.

1901
02:44:40,000 --> 02:44:44,720
» So thank you Mr. Mayor and through you.
So just a quick question. So and I have

1902
02:44:43,279 --> 02:44:49,680
no problem supporting this just to see
what comes back but will the um the bids

1903
02:44:48,240 --> 02:44:54,800
or the information we get from the
developers will it just be tiny home

1904
02:44:52,479 --> 02:44:58,960
specific? I apologize if I missed that.
um or are we going to be asking

1905
02:44:56,240 --> 02:45:02,960
developers to provide their, you know,
most affordable options for the best use

1906
02:45:00,880 --> 02:45:06,880
of the land that that we're providing or
that is available? Um so I just like to

1907
02:45:05,279 --> 02:45:10,720
know um if if we're only going to be
getting tiny home bids that might be

1908
02:45:08,880 --> 02:45:15,040
limited in scope uh in terms of
evaluating what other options could be

1909
02:45:12,720 --> 02:45:18,399
used for that land. Um so what what
would that look like? And are we going

1910
02:45:16,800 --> 02:45:23,040
to be opening up to more than just tiny
home offerings? Like let's say stacked

1911
02:45:20,479 --> 02:45:27,200
town houses um for example. Um would
that be something that we would expect

1912
02:45:24,720 --> 02:45:30,479
accept a bid or a proposal um from a
developer who might be able to offer

1913
02:45:28,479 --> 02:45:33,479
that but not necessarily specific tiny
homes?

1914
02:45:35,359 --> 02:45:45,120
» Uh I think I can help through your
worship. Um with the information I have

1915
02:45:40,560 --> 02:45:50,319
today, I likely would um you know craft
um the requests for uh interest or

1916
02:45:47,680 --> 02:45:55,600
information with the thought that tiny
homes is sort of the objective. But um

1917
02:45:53,600 --> 02:46:01,200
you know if it's council's wish that we
sort of neutralize it a wee bit and and

1918
02:45:58,800 --> 02:46:07,920
um put the request for interest out
noting that um we'd be happy to receive

1919
02:46:04,240 --> 02:46:14,840
you know suggestions of other forms. Um
you know we can certainly do that. I'm

1920
02:46:09,680 --> 02:46:14,840
I'm in your hands uh in that regard.

1921
02:46:16,000 --> 02:46:23,359
» Yes. Okay. And thank you Mr. Mayor. Be
brief and thank you for that director K.

1922
02:46:21,040 --> 02:46:26,479
Um, and so my my only reason for that
line of question questioning was I just

1923
02:46:25,040 --> 02:46:29,920
didn't want to limit our options to just
tiny homes. If we do determine that

1924
02:46:28,080 --> 02:46:34,240
there could be better use of that space
and ultimately if our goal is to make

1925
02:46:31,920 --> 02:46:38,479
best use of that land and develop it for
the benefit of the maximum number of

1926
02:46:36,000 --> 02:46:41,439
people, I'd certainly like to benefit
more people than less people,

1927
02:46:40,000 --> 02:46:47,439
particularly if we can still make it
affordable to them. Um, so, um, not to

1928
02:46:44,720 --> 02:46:51,600
sort of derail this initial tiny home,
um, initiative, but I really think it

1929
02:46:49,439 --> 02:46:54,399
would be in our best interest to see to
challenge the developers to see what

1930
02:46:53,120 --> 02:46:58,640
they can do to provide affordable
housing of all kinds on that land and

1931
02:46:57,439 --> 02:47:01,279
put the challenge out to them and see
what they can come back. And of course,

1932
02:46:59,840 --> 02:47:04,880
we don't have to commit to anything we
don't want to, but I think um, you know,

1933
02:47:03,680 --> 02:47:07,920
let's leave it in the minds of the
creative developers and see what they

1934
02:47:06,319 --> 02:47:11,840
they could uh, they could pull out of
their hat. Um, so that's just a

1935
02:47:09,680 --> 02:47:14,960
suggestion. Um, and I don't know if I
have any support for that, but I would

1936
02:47:13,120 --> 02:47:18,880
certainly suggest considering making an
amendment to um, opening the scope a

1937
02:47:17,279 --> 02:47:22,479
little bit uh, rather than just tiny
homes um, to, you know, just to my

1938
02:47:21,279 --> 02:47:25,760
comments. So, I just don't know if any
of my fellow counselors think that

1939
02:47:23,760 --> 02:47:30,560
that's a pragmatic thing to be doing or
not, but I'll leave it to you guys.

1940
02:47:28,319 --> 02:47:34,800
» Did you wish to speak, councelor Andis?
>> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I

1941
02:47:32,000 --> 02:47:37,920
would support councelor Ford's idea. I
love the idea of tiny homes. I know a

1942
02:47:36,399 --> 02:47:42,880
lot of people that would be interested
in moving into one and and uh enjoying

1943
02:47:40,160 --> 02:47:48,479
their life there. Um but I think that if
we're going to go for an initiative to

1944
02:47:45,120 --> 02:47:54,080
give good affordable um you know
cost-effective options um it

1945
02:47:52,319 --> 02:48:02,720
I it doesn't sit well with me to to look
at one specific type. Um, so yeah, I I

1946
02:47:58,800 --> 02:48:08,240
would want to prioritize uh cost
efficiency versus the style.

1947
02:48:05,680 --> 02:48:12,160
» And I I'm tempted to, you know, got a
mover in a secondary there. Uh I just I

1948
02:48:10,640 --> 02:48:16,399
have never heard of an affordable
stacked townhouse. I've never heard of

1949
02:48:14,319 --> 02:48:23,439
an affordable townhouse. I've never
heard of an affordable uh single uh uh

1950
02:48:19,359 --> 02:48:29,439
dwelling uh or or a duplex. uh does
somebody have affordable like what is

1951
02:48:25,520 --> 02:48:35,600
the number? Uh it's way below uh um
attainable and uh we have trouble

1952
02:48:32,160 --> 02:48:40,319
getting the standard size houses into
the attainable category.

1953
02:48:38,640 --> 02:48:44,800
So go ahead.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I think those

1954
02:48:42,720 --> 02:48:51,520
are great points. So if the building
community comes back and all of their

1955
02:48:47,040 --> 02:48:55,279
non-tiny options are uh financially not
considerable by us for for these

1956
02:48:53,200 --> 02:48:59,200
purposes then great the decision is
absolutely made from a financial

1957
02:48:56,720 --> 02:49:05,920
perspective. Um but if they come back
with a model that um does does work and

1958
02:49:03,920 --> 02:49:11,279
does make sense and could provide sort
of achieve the goal here um at least as

1959
02:49:09,120 --> 02:49:15,279
I interpret um deputy mayor Keven's
goals um if we achieve that through a

1960
02:49:13,840 --> 02:49:19,840
different option then that would be
great to councelor Bell's point of um

1961
02:49:18,240 --> 02:49:24,720
you know just looking at kind of square
footage costs um I think it is

1962
02:49:23,120 --> 02:49:29,279
incredible that Lonal is doing it for
the prices that they are doing it Um,

1963
02:49:27,840 --> 02:49:33,120
and if we can drive that down even
further, kind of however we however a

1964
02:49:31,200 --> 02:49:37,840
builder is able or a developer is able
to achieve that, um, I would want to

1965
02:49:35,520 --> 02:49:41,439
consider and I would want to look at,
um, I don't build houses, so I don't

1966
02:49:39,359 --> 02:49:43,600
know what they might come up with, but,
um,

1967
02:49:42,240 --> 02:49:49,600
» so I think we got a mover and a
seconder, uh, um, and that we should

1968
02:49:46,800 --> 02:49:53,840
proceed. Can you uh, develop a motion
for their

1969
02:49:52,160 --> 02:49:56,560
» uh, thank you. I wonder if councelor
Ford is able to offer a little bit more

1970
02:49:55,279 --> 02:50:01,520
clarity in the wording that he would
like reflected to replace

1971
02:49:59,359 --> 02:50:08,319
um as I'm understanding it the tiny home
development with something more broad.

1972
02:50:06,720 --> 02:50:12,720
» Yes, thank you Mr. Mayor through you. if
I may. Um, so just going off the top of

1973
02:50:10,880 --> 02:50:17,279
my head, I'm not exactly sure how I'd
word it, but I would be open to

1974
02:50:14,720 --> 02:50:22,880
receiving any and all suggestions from
developers on how they could provide

1975
02:50:20,160 --> 02:50:27,200
their best affordable housing option,
whatever that looks like. Um, you know,

1976
02:50:25,520 --> 02:50:30,479
I would say there's nothing, you know,
off the table because if it doesn't,

1977
02:50:28,800 --> 02:50:34,720
like to what councelor Anna said, if it
doesn't fit our criteria and it's not a

1978
02:50:33,040 --> 02:50:38,000
good fit for whatever reason, we simply
just dismiss it and we move on to the

1979
02:50:36,319 --> 02:50:40,960
next. Uh, but I just think we need to
broaden the scope a little bit and put

1980
02:50:39,359 --> 02:50:44,399
the challenge out to the developers and
see if they can get creative and provide

1981
02:50:42,960 --> 02:50:49,359
us with some options that maybe we
haven't considered. Um, so if you can

1982
02:50:47,760 --> 02:50:54,000
magician that a little bit, Margaret,
I'd appreciate that. But that would be

1983
02:50:50,880 --> 02:50:57,479
sort of the the gist of my uh my motion
there. Thank you.

1984
02:50:59,200 --> 02:51:05,800
» Um, until we get this motion on the
floor, please uh we'll just

1985
02:51:22,160 --> 02:51:26,720
Thank you, Rishop. I might just be a
minute. I just wanted to confer with our

1986
02:51:25,200 --> 02:51:31,279
director of development services to make
sure that the wording would be

1987
02:51:28,960 --> 02:51:35,920
» appropriate. I'm sorry.
>> Do you want me to declare a two-minute

1988
02:51:33,359 --> 02:51:39,680
recess?
Well, why don't we do that? We've been

1989
02:51:37,279 --> 02:51:45,000
at the table a long time here, so a
two-minute recess. We'll reconvene at

1990
02:51:42,000 --> 02:51:45,000
3:51.

1991
02:51:47,120 --> 02:51:50,120
355.

1992
03:01:50,800 --> 03:01:57,040
just having a little challenge
reconvening this council but I think and

1993
03:01:55,040 --> 03:02:02,080
then we did we gave us you gave us an
inch we took a mile I'm sorry however uh

1994
03:02:00,319 --> 03:02:07,520
I think we are ready to proceed and
we've got a motion here uh moved by

1995
03:02:05,120 --> 03:02:13,279
councelor for seconded by councelor and
uh that the motion be amended by adding

1996
03:02:10,640 --> 03:02:19,520
and or affordable housing options
following development in clause one. So

1997
03:02:16,960 --> 03:02:23,319
clause one then
is going to read

1998
03:02:28,800 --> 03:02:34,399
my apologies that's how it would read.
It's a little bit tricky when it's in

1999
03:02:31,760 --> 03:02:38,000
isolation. So that's um an example if it
were to pass how it the main motion

2000
03:02:36,240 --> 03:02:42,319
would read. But that's not how the main
motion reads now with the red.

2001
03:02:40,399 --> 03:02:45,319
» Is that agreeable to the mover and
secondary?

2002
03:02:45,520 --> 03:02:52,000
» Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And through um
for now, yeah, I think that sort of sums

2003
03:02:50,000 --> 03:02:56,240
up what I what I was thinking initially,
but I know um there likely be some

2004
03:02:54,720 --> 03:03:00,240
comments from members around the table
that would maybe help improve the

2005
03:02:58,000 --> 03:03:03,200
wording if anybody has any ideas. Um, I
know the wording is really tricky, but I

2006
03:03:01,920 --> 03:03:07,040
think that is a very good starting point
and I welcome everybody's input to see

2007
03:03:04,800 --> 03:03:10,479
if there's um a good final product that
we uh that we can all look at.

2008
03:03:08,880 --> 03:03:15,359
» Okay.
So, um

2009
03:03:12,800 --> 03:03:17,120
other uh comments, suggestions that
deputy may

2010
03:03:15,840 --> 03:03:22,800
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I'll I'll
start it off and I'll just um uh I

2011
03:03:20,800 --> 03:03:26,880
appreciate the intent and I'm fine with
that. I think my concern is the word

2012
03:03:24,880 --> 03:03:33,600
affordable because we don't have an
actual definition in me for what is

2013
03:03:30,720 --> 03:03:38,640
considered affordable. We know it's 30%
of someone's income, but that doesn't

2014
03:03:35,520 --> 03:03:44,720
necessarily give us a dollar amount to
again define uh what we're looking for

2015
03:03:41,520 --> 03:03:50,319
here. So, I'm looking for um other
wording which I think council can help

2016
03:03:47,439 --> 03:03:53,359
us with um that would replace the word
affordable.

2017
03:03:52,240 --> 03:03:58,640
So you
>> here, Mr. Mayor. Um I was thinking

2018
03:03:56,000 --> 03:04:02,880
something along the lines of saying um
costefficient

2019
03:04:00,319 --> 03:04:08,240
uh housing options or housing models and
then in uh the request

2020
03:04:06,080 --> 03:04:19,120
um essentially explain that we'd like to
see um you know a a a good balance uh of

2021
03:04:13,920 --> 03:04:25,200
final cost and cost per square foot. Um,
and then that sort of I think still

2022
03:04:22,160 --> 03:04:31,040
probably guides towards uh a tiny home
um option. Um, and I'm sure there there

2023
03:04:29,200 --> 03:04:38,000
will be a lot of really really great uh
great great offerings. Um, but then it

2024
03:04:33,439 --> 03:04:43,960
also allows for um other other ideas to
come in uh that still serve as sort of

2025
03:04:39,920 --> 03:04:43,960
the the overarching goal.

2026
03:04:46,479 --> 03:04:51,279
Go ahead.
>> Just to clarify, so the motion that

2027
03:04:49,120 --> 03:04:56,160
councelor Ford would then be bringing
instead to to clarify the wording. I

2028
03:04:54,800 --> 03:05:00,960
there are two ways we could do this, but
if if you're tableabling the motion

2029
03:04:57,920 --> 03:05:05,439
right now, it would be andor coste
effective housing options rather than

2030
03:05:03,359 --> 03:05:09,760
andor affordable housing options is what
you'd like. The alternative is of course

2031
03:05:07,520 --> 03:05:15,279
to vote on this one. We vote it down and
then we have another motion. to to go

2032
03:05:12,960 --> 03:05:18,240
ahead if that's what you're wanting to
work on.

2033
03:05:16,399 --> 03:05:22,319
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And if I if I may,
yes, I like um the wording from

2034
03:05:19,920 --> 03:05:25,040
councelor Anis, but I think it's it's
smarter wording to use than using the

2035
03:05:23,920 --> 03:05:28,080
the term affordable.
>> Okay.

2036
03:05:25,439 --> 03:05:33,200
» Thank you.
I just go on record that I would be uh

2037
03:05:30,160 --> 03:05:39,040
you know um much more inclined to uh
consider a motion down the road to uh u

2038
03:05:36,479 --> 03:05:44,319
uh make a a similar call for truly
affordable housing in Meford where we

2039
03:05:41,120 --> 03:05:48,880
would perhaps uh we we do have a a
pretty considerable surplus of land in

2040
03:05:46,399 --> 03:05:54,399
the community and we could uh perhaps
designate a more suitable parcel and

2041
03:05:51,520 --> 03:06:01,760
offer it for truly affordable housing.
Uh I just don't want to chase um uh tiny

2042
03:05:57,920 --> 03:06:06,560
home uh builders away from uh the
proposal that we're making at this

2043
03:06:03,359 --> 03:06:09,560
point. That that's my concern about uh
this

2044
03:06:11,840 --> 03:06:19,439
um at least CEO Everett, you maybe have
some thoughts to help us through this?

2045
03:06:16,160 --> 03:06:24,160
» Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um and again,
the direction I think is is fine. and it

2046
03:06:21,520 --> 03:06:29,760
gives staff all the guidance that they
require. I think one of the pieces that

2047
03:06:26,479 --> 03:06:35,680
I just want to be mindful of that
included in an RFI is identifying how

2048
03:06:33,840 --> 03:06:39,800
the long-term
affordability criter

2049
03:06:42,880 --> 03:06:51,760
is with affordable housing in my opinion
is real estate. Real estate is a free

2050
03:06:48,640 --> 03:06:55,520
market. It only is affordable at the
first purchase

2051
03:06:53,600 --> 03:07:00,399
that you can turn it over and make
double your money. So there has to be

2052
03:06:58,000 --> 03:07:07,040
the element within any development
agreement that they have to prove how

2053
03:07:03,920 --> 03:07:12,240
how the the unit how the property is
going to continue to be within that

2054
03:07:09,600 --> 03:07:19,359
affordable criteria. That's the only way
this works. Um or else, you know, the

2055
03:07:15,520 --> 03:07:24,515
developer, whoever is they they may be
in at a certain level, but it's that new

2056
03:07:22,479 --> 03:07:28,000
homeowner who flips it who gets
[clears throat] to make the money. And

2057
03:07:25,920 --> 03:07:32,399
and that's where typically these things
fall off the rail. There are ways of

2058
03:07:30,240 --> 03:07:37,359
doing it. The question is whether or not
the industry wants to go down that road

2059
03:07:35,439 --> 03:07:42,080
because there isn't necessarily the
money that they would make at the end of

2060
03:07:39,439 --> 03:07:46,560
the rainbow. But if it's truly about,
you know, making these units attainable

2061
03:07:44,800 --> 03:07:51,760
or affordable or whatever the word we
want to use, having that mechanism in

2062
03:07:49,120 --> 03:07:56,560
place part of the RFI is incredibly
important so they know what the rules of

2063
03:07:53,359 --> 03:07:59,680
the game are going in. Thank you,
>> Deputy Mayor.

2064
03:07:58,160 --> 03:08:04,000
» Uh, thank you very much, Mr. mayor and I
completely agree with what our CEO is

2065
03:08:01,439 --> 03:08:12,560
saying and I'm wondering to that intent
do we also need um at this point in time

2066
03:08:08,160 --> 03:08:16,399
to include in the RFI any incentives
that might be on the table through our

2067
03:08:14,479 --> 03:08:21,439
CIP
um because you know that the side of

2068
03:08:19,600 --> 03:08:25,040
this the financial side of this is
critically important and so I think

2069
03:08:23,120 --> 03:08:29,040
that's a question developers are going
to come back with you know what what

2070
03:08:27,439 --> 03:08:36,000
skin are we going to have in the name,
so to speak. So, what's in our CIP that

2071
03:08:32,319 --> 03:08:39,120
could assist in keeping these homes? I
know we're going to use the word

2072
03:08:36,960 --> 03:08:43,760
affordable even though we're talking
about doing this in a different way, but

2073
03:08:41,520 --> 03:08:48,160
I think we all understand in our minds
where we're trying to get to here is

2074
03:08:45,520 --> 03:08:53,040
that yeah, we want these price points to
be doable for for people who are looking

2075
03:08:50,960 --> 03:08:56,720
for this minimalistic type of living and
we want them to stay that way. So I

2076
03:08:55,120 --> 03:09:01,520
think that's generally how it works is
that the municipality participates in

2077
03:08:59,120 --> 03:09:08,080
some fashion. So director Ken, what's in
our CIP that could support this

2078
03:09:06,399 --> 03:09:13,040
through your worship? I'm happy to
answer that question. So there's a few

2079
03:09:10,240 --> 03:09:19,120
ways uh to look at this. thinking of our
our new uh CIP that unfortunately is

2080
03:09:16,319 --> 03:09:27,040
currently under appeal, but thinking of
when the CIP does come into force, um it

2081
03:09:23,120 --> 03:09:33,600
would be uh an option under the CIP for
council to be able to offer lands uh at

2082
03:09:30,240 --> 03:09:39,520
a discount or for free um if that if
that is um of interest to council. Um

2083
03:09:37,680 --> 03:09:45,279
otherwise there are other incentive
programs that could be offered to the

2084
03:09:41,680 --> 03:09:50,880
developer. Um if for example um the
units constructed were for purpose-built

2085
03:09:47,439 --> 03:09:56,479
rental um then there are incentives uh
available there are um planning and

2086
03:09:52,960 --> 03:10:02,640
building uh application fee uh rebates
and that kind of thing. So um depending

2087
03:09:58,640 --> 03:10:09,200
on how we wanted to look at it um and on
exactly the type of of development that

2088
03:10:05,200 --> 03:10:14,160
is before us ultimately um the CIP uh
once it comes into force would

2089
03:10:10,800 --> 03:10:21,439
definitely be available um for uh the
developer or council to use um to sort

2090
03:10:18,000 --> 03:10:24,680
of bolster this financially. So hope
that helps.

2091
03:10:25,200 --> 03:10:34,479
So um are we going to alter this clause
uh as uh the mover and secondary have

2092
03:10:31,680 --> 03:10:38,880
asked?
>> Um

2093
03:10:36,080 --> 03:10:43,600
your worship it has been um it has been
updated to what councelor Ford would

2094
03:10:40,720 --> 03:10:46,560
like to have as the motion for the
amending

2095
03:10:45,120 --> 03:10:49,520
clause.
>> So and or cost effective housing

2096
03:10:48,720 --> 03:10:53,040
options.
>> Okay. All right. Uh, is there any more

2097
03:10:51,600 --> 03:10:56,040
discussion or can we vote on this
motion?

2098
03:10:56,319 --> 03:11:06,359
And I will call the vote. All in favor?
And that is uh

2099
03:11:03,359 --> 03:11:06,359
unanimous.

2100
03:11:07,040 --> 03:11:14,160
Um,
so let's uh come back to pardon. Yeah,

2101
03:11:12,399 --> 03:11:19,120
we have to go back to the original here.
And uh we've

2102
03:11:16,880 --> 03:11:24,800
um
and it's already on the floor. We but

2103
03:11:21,439 --> 03:11:28,240
we've added this to it. So I just call a
vote on this as it was worded now.

2104
03:11:26,880 --> 03:11:32,399
Correct.
>> I I would say uh if if there are no

2105
03:11:30,560 --> 03:11:36,720
other changes to this motion, then it
would be appropriate to um to have the

2106
03:11:35,200 --> 03:11:39,359
vote on the final main motion. Thank
you.

2107
03:11:37,600 --> 03:11:42,720
» And I don't see any discussion on that.
So let's go ahead and vote. All in

2108
03:11:41,040 --> 03:11:46,518
favor?
and any opposed. So that is carried

2109
03:11:45,279 --> 03:11:52,080
unanimously and thank you everyone.
[clears throat] I hope everyone is you

2110
03:11:48,319 --> 03:12:00,319
know satisfied with that. Um the next uh
item is uh uh with director

2111
03:11:57,120 --> 03:12:03,680
Peridge Mabid here uh the recommendation
that committee of the whole recommend

2112
03:12:01,840 --> 03:12:09,040
council of the municipality of meford
one direct staff to bring forward a

2113
03:12:06,399 --> 03:12:14,880
bylaw to implement a 40 km speed limit
on municipal roads in urban meford. Two,

2114
03:12:12,399 --> 03:12:20,000
request the county of Gray to consider
implementing a 40 kilometer speed limit

2115
03:12:16,960 --> 03:12:25,760
on Grey Road 7 from Psych Street South
to Mir Street. And three, authorize the

2116
03:12:22,880 --> 03:12:29,760
treasurer to transfer $40,500
from the roads, street lights, and

2117
03:12:27,359 --> 03:12:34,240
drainage reserve fund to fund signage
and communications. Can I have a mover

2118
03:12:31,760 --> 03:12:40,240
and second for this?
Councelor Fer and Councelor Greenfield.

2119
03:12:36,399 --> 03:12:45,439
Thank you. Um, discussion on this.
Um this uh did you wish to speak to it

2120
03:12:43,359 --> 03:12:50,720
Tori?
>> Um through your worship I'd be happy to.

2121
03:12:47,920 --> 03:12:57,680
Um through our transportation master
plan um it did provide a recommendation

2122
03:12:53,600 --> 03:13:04,240
to bring forward to council um a 40 km
hour speed limit in our urban

2123
03:12:59,279 --> 03:13:11,279
boundaries. Um the there were changes to
um the Highway Traffic Act in 2017 that

2124
03:13:08,800 --> 03:13:17,120
allow for municipalities to establish an
entire area uh at a speed limit of less

2125
03:13:14,319 --> 03:13:21,040
than 50 km an hour. Um previously you
would have had to have signed all the

2126
03:13:18,800 --> 03:13:26,800
roads within those areas and now you can
create these gateway speed limit signage

2127
03:13:23,279 --> 03:13:31,760
that um uh allow for that lower speed
limit within uh larger areas. without

2128
03:13:30,239 --> 03:13:35,760
the additional signage. And so
municipalities have been looking to

2129
03:13:34,000 --> 03:13:40,880
reduce speed limits in some of their
urban areas through this new um ability

2130
03:13:38,640 --> 03:13:45,120
through the highway traffic act. Um and
so with that recommendation in the

2131
03:13:42,960 --> 03:13:50,239
transportation master plan um we wanted
to bring it forward to council um to see

2132
03:13:47,680 --> 03:13:56,399
if there was appetite to complete this
within our urban area. Um, as a part of

2133
03:13:54,000 --> 03:14:00,160
the report, we've also identified some
alternative options. Um, and those

2134
03:13:58,800 --> 03:14:05,840
included some things that could be done
alongside this reduction as well as um

2135
03:14:03,760 --> 03:14:11,359
items that could be done instead of it.
And so, um, we could look at adding as

2136
03:14:08,399 --> 03:14:15,600
well um those um reduced speed limits in
our rural settlement areas in

2137
03:14:13,040 --> 03:14:18,960
conjunction with the urban area. Um,
instead of doing this, we can continue

2138
03:14:17,359 --> 03:14:23,200
to look at specific speed limit
reductions. Um and alongside it

2139
03:14:21,680 --> 03:14:29,600
obviously there's always the ability to
complete traffic calming um as it helps

2140
03:14:26,080 --> 03:14:35,520
with more of the enforcement of the
change speed limits. Um and so staff

2141
03:14:33,359 --> 03:14:41,040
have identified um the cost of the
signage as well as a communications plan

2142
03:14:38,479 --> 03:14:47,279
um if uh council wishes to proceed with
the implementation of this. Um and we

2143
03:14:43,359 --> 03:14:52,720
estimated it would cost about um $40,000
um and feel that it would um provide

2144
03:14:50,560 --> 03:14:55,840
great benefit from a safety perspective
as there have been many studies that

2145
03:14:54,000 --> 03:15:03,439
have shown that reducing the speed limit
even that 10 km an hour um provides a a

2146
03:14:59,439 --> 03:15:08,800
significant um decrease in um fatalities
on our roadways.

2147
03:15:05,520 --> 03:15:13,600
» Thank you very much. Um, comments or
questions on this?

2148
03:15:11,920 --> 03:15:17,439
Deputy Mayor.
>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, and I

2149
03:15:15,760 --> 03:15:21,040
appreciate Director Perry May bringing
this forward to us because we all hear

2150
03:15:19,279 --> 03:15:24,640
about speeding every day. We're hearing
about this issue, not just in Mayford,

2151
03:15:22,800 --> 03:15:29,760
it's in the county. It's everywhere.
People just can't seem to slow down

2152
03:15:26,239 --> 03:15:33,760
these days. So, um, but from what I'm
hearing in the community, you know,

2153
03:15:31,359 --> 03:15:37,760
lowering to 40 is great, but what's
going to happen to enforce it? If this

2154
03:15:35,359 --> 03:15:42,160
is not enforced, then people are still
going to drive at whatever speed they

2155
03:15:39,760 --> 03:15:46,800
normally do. So, I just want to
understand if there's been conversation

2156
03:15:44,239 --> 03:15:51,760
at this point with the OP, you know, if
council agrees to do that, can we count

2157
03:15:48,880 --> 03:15:58,160
on them to have a presence in our urban
area to make sure that people understand

2158
03:15:54,080 --> 03:15:58,160
that we mean business moving to 40

2159
03:15:58,560 --> 03:16:04,960
through your worship. I have reached out
to the OP but haven't received comment

2160
03:16:02,399 --> 03:16:09,120
to date with regards to this program. Um
I also didn't mention I have reached out

2161
03:16:06,479 --> 03:16:14,399
to the county and the MTO as well. Um
and um depending on council's wishes,

2162
03:16:12,160 --> 03:16:19,680
there's potential appetite to comm to to
change speed limits within their

2163
03:16:16,720 --> 03:16:24,880
roadways as well. Um obviously we're we
are recommending that the school zone u

2164
03:16:22,160 --> 03:16:28,640
mimic the municipal roadways. Um but
there is an ability to to ask for

2165
03:16:26,880 --> 03:16:32,880
additional they would review it on their
end and and we wouldn't necessarily be

2166
03:16:30,720 --> 03:16:38,000
able to provide any more input on that.
Um but to date there hasn't been

2167
03:16:34,960 --> 03:16:44,720
additional input from the OP. I do know
in the past when um we have implemented

2168
03:16:42,080 --> 03:16:51,359
um specific areas that are community
safety zones, the OP did identify that

2169
03:16:48,160 --> 03:16:57,760
um having those varied speed limits all
over the the urban area um wasn't they

2170
03:16:55,760 --> 03:17:04,399
weren't able to enforce because some
areas were would have been 40 and some

2171
03:16:59,760 --> 03:17:09,200
of them would have been 50. Um, and so I
um I hope that they do provi to provide

2172
03:17:08,080 --> 03:17:12,960
us some input because it would be
helpful to understand if the blanketed

2173
03:17:11,040 --> 03:17:20,880
um 40 is more helpful for them to
enforce um than um lo varying locations

2174
03:17:17,840 --> 03:17:24,640
throughout the municipality.
>> Council,

2175
03:17:22,560 --> 03:17:29,040
thank you, Mr. Mayor.
As much as it would be a nice thought to

2176
03:17:26,239 --> 03:17:32,640
think that I'm I'm just gonna and I'll
bring it up at the next OP board

2177
03:17:30,880 --> 03:17:37,200
meeting, but I'm going to say the
likelihood of them actually sitting in

2178
03:17:34,399 --> 03:17:42,239
Meford and enforcing it would be pretty
minimal at best. They have to cover a

2179
03:17:40,160 --> 03:17:47,359
very large area with a very limited
amount of officers. And the real reality

2180
03:17:45,200 --> 03:17:50,560
is every municipality would love to have
the police sitting in their community

2181
03:17:49,279 --> 03:17:56,239
just sitting there watching for
speeders. The reality is that's probably

2182
03:17:53,359 --> 03:18:01,600
not very likely. So they are, as Tori
has said, they're they're hoping um and

2183
03:17:59,200 --> 03:18:05,200
they will have obviously spot
availability, but they're hoping that

2184
03:18:03,680 --> 03:18:09,359
lowering speed limits is a
responsibility and you will get X amount

2185
03:18:07,439 --> 03:18:13,200
of the population that aders and you
know that you're going to get X that

2186
03:18:10,720 --> 03:18:17,359
doesn't and you you kind of work around
that. I do like the idea of other caling

2187
03:18:15,680 --> 03:18:22,800
measures in areas that we know are
concerning um because that is again

2188
03:18:20,000 --> 03:18:29,120
something that they also recommend um at
those meetings um as ways to try and

2189
03:18:25,359 --> 03:18:33,600
help curb um constant speeding areas of
problems. So, but I will bring it up at

2190
03:18:31,200 --> 03:18:38,800
next OP board meeting and ask as well.
But yeah, past conversations don't lead

2191
03:18:35,920 --> 03:18:42,239
towards that.
>> Councelor Bell.

2192
03:18:40,640 --> 03:18:46,080
» Thanks, Mr. Mayor. sort of put a point
on this. I'm really not interested in

2193
03:18:43,840 --> 03:18:50,720
dropping the speed limit at all. I think
we've seen that this council has uh

2194
03:18:48,319 --> 03:18:57,120
heard from neighborhoods like Ridge Road
in particular. They came, they talked

2195
03:18:53,600 --> 03:19:01,359
and uh council moved to do a reduction
in that particular area. The report says

2196
03:18:59,840 --> 03:19:07,200
that even when you do something like
that, the traffic flow basically is the

2197
03:19:03,600 --> 03:19:10,000
same. But uh I certainly I certainly
just don't want to see us just do a

2198
03:19:08,720 --> 03:19:15,840
blanket statement that you're going to
slow right down when you come into the

2199
03:19:12,080 --> 03:19:19,760
town of Meford. And then more than that,
a recommendation to go out, you take a

2200
03:19:17,840 --> 03:19:22,239
look at Annen. You go out to Annen and
you're there and you're going over the

2201
03:19:20,960 --> 03:19:25,680
hill and you're heading down to Le and
it's 80 km an hour and you're going to

2202
03:19:23,920 --> 03:19:30,479
change that to that. They're not going
to like that for a minute. And then out

2203
03:19:27,680 --> 03:19:33,760
at Woodford up at the going around that,
you're going to be in trouble. And then

2204
03:19:32,000 --> 03:19:37,120
the little spot that's just outside of
that, I'm not going for that. And I'm

2205
03:19:35,200 --> 03:19:41,520
not going to do the one down in Bogner
either. They're out at Rockford. So, as

2206
03:19:39,600 --> 03:19:46,000
far as dropping the speed limits down to
40 kilometers an hour,

2207
03:19:44,319 --> 03:19:50,560
I'm just not interested in doing that.
If people want to come and tell us that

2208
03:19:48,160 --> 03:19:55,840
their roads a problem, I'll entertain
the conversation then.

2209
03:19:53,840 --> 03:19:59,840
» Councelor at least deputy mayor.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And just uh to

2210
03:19:57,680 --> 03:20:03,680
councelor Bell's comments. I think the
more we have some at 40 and some at 50,

2211
03:20:01,920 --> 03:20:07,760
then there's confusion out there as
drivers may not be paying really close

2212
03:20:06,319 --> 03:20:11,680
attention to, you know, which road
they're on. But we've heard about

2213
03:20:09,439 --> 03:20:16,880
Bayfield several times and the concern
around the new splash pad and the little

2214
03:20:14,000 --> 03:20:20,880
beach that we need to undertake some
traffic calming measures there and one

2215
03:20:18,640 --> 03:20:24,239
of those would be a reduction in speed
and I do believe at some point other

2216
03:20:22,640 --> 03:20:30,239
trafficcoming measures are coming for
that particular section. Um but just in

2217
03:20:27,680 --> 03:20:34,080
respect to Bogner um at the Bogner board
meeting last week, I did bring forward

2218
03:20:32,560 --> 03:20:38,239
uh the mention that this report was
coming up before council and the members

2219
03:20:36,000 --> 03:20:42,880
of the board suggested that they would
like to see the speed limit drop to 40

2220
03:20:40,080 --> 03:20:46,000
in that urban section of Bogner where
kids are going back and forth between

2221
03:20:44,239 --> 03:20:50,560
the community center and the uh
ballpark. So, I think we're going to get

2222
03:20:48,560 --> 03:20:54,880
different answers from uh different
members of the community, but I I would

2223
03:20:52,720 --> 03:20:59,120
like to ask Tori then when you have that
conversation with the OP and and the

2224
03:20:57,120 --> 03:21:04,720
same with councelor Urick if if that
information could come back to council

2225
03:21:01,840 --> 03:21:10,319
to uh to help us understand their
willingness in uh in supporting if this

2226
03:21:07,359 --> 03:21:14,800
passes the uh reduction to 40. I think
you know if it goes to 40 at least then

2227
03:21:12,640 --> 03:21:20,000
it's clear that that's what it is all
over town not just on some roads because

2228
03:21:17,439 --> 03:21:25,200
you're right on ridge you know I guess
the hope always is if the speed limit is

2229
03:21:22,800 --> 03:21:29,359
50 you know that they're drive 60 if
it's 50 they'll drive you know if it's

2230
03:21:27,279 --> 03:21:33,760
40 they'll drive 50 I mean that's kind
of typically how people drive so at

2231
03:21:31,279 --> 03:21:37,520
least you slow it down potentially a
little bit but uh anyway I'll leave that

2232
03:21:36,000 --> 03:21:41,920
with you Tori to let us know when you
get a response

2233
03:21:39,760 --> 03:21:48,399
Councelor Porter.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And through you,

2234
03:21:44,640 --> 03:21:51,520
um I kind of look at it like um a pound
an ounce of prevention is better than a

2235
03:21:49,920 --> 03:21:56,160
pound of cure. And if this is an
initiative that can make um our road

2236
03:21:54,080 --> 03:21:59,760
safer and if it could even save one
life, um I would just hate for there to

2237
03:21:58,560 --> 03:22:03,680
be an instance where we had an
opportunity to make our road safer by

2238
03:22:01,520 --> 03:22:08,160
reducing the speed and then there was a
tragic event and then we have to live

2239
03:22:05,680 --> 03:22:11,680
with that. Um, I agree not everybody's
going to follow the speed limit, but to

2240
03:22:09,600 --> 03:22:15,439
the deputy mayor's, um, point is that if
you lower it, um, it will hopefully

2241
03:22:13,840 --> 03:22:19,200
bring down the average speed that, uh,
people are traveling on. But there are

2242
03:22:17,359 --> 03:22:24,560
statistics that do back this up that if
you reduce from 50 to 40, risk of

2243
03:22:21,600 --> 03:22:29,600
pedestrian death is decreased by 35%.
Um, and so I I I'm in favor of this. If

2244
03:22:27,520 --> 03:22:33,760
it can save one person's life, um,
that's to me that's that's a step in the

2245
03:22:31,920 --> 03:22:36,880
right direction. Community safety is
something we should take very seriously

2246
03:22:35,200 --> 03:22:40,160
and I would hate to be in a reactive
situation where we had a chance to do

2247
03:22:38,399 --> 03:22:42,720
something and something bad happened.
Um, so I'll I'll be in favor of this

2248
03:22:42,000 --> 03:22:48,160
one. Thank you,
>> Councor Greenfield.

2249
03:22:44,720 --> 03:22:54,960
» Thank you, Worship. Um, I'm in favor of
uh dropping the speed limit in the

2250
03:22:49,920 --> 03:23:01,120
settlement areas uh down to 40. Um
the the only one that we can do

2251
03:22:58,560 --> 03:23:07,680
individually would be Woodford. Uh since
all the others involve county roads that

2252
03:23:03,600 --> 03:23:14,000
would be up up to the county. Uh and I
was actually wondering about not today

2253
03:23:11,680 --> 03:23:20,560
necessarily but in the future uh
introducing another area and that is

2254
03:23:17,680 --> 03:23:25,680
that's in a a hamlet that we no longer
call a hamlet but I still think of as a

2255
03:23:23,200 --> 03:23:30,960
hamlet and that's Gersville. And as you
turn off County Road 7 and go east on

2256
03:23:28,080 --> 03:23:39,439
Gersville there are just quite a number
of residential uh uh dwellings there.

2257
03:23:34,880 --> 03:23:48,720
And uh uh I I think that would perhaps
be another place in the future. But I no

2258
03:23:43,520 --> 03:23:54,319
uh I I think the uh uh in conversation
recently with some good folks out at

2259
03:23:50,800 --> 03:24:00,399
Leaf they uh they suggested and and this
pertain to the Beayshore road uh that

2260
03:23:57,279 --> 03:24:06,880
the speed limit on it should be 40
kilometers. So, I' uh um I'd like to see

2261
03:24:04,080 --> 03:24:12,800
it dropped. Uh yes, it's going to
involve enforcement. Uh like any any and

2262
03:24:10,880 --> 03:24:19,359
all other enforcement, I think we'll do
the best job we can, but uh uh as the

2263
03:24:16,080 --> 03:24:24,960
deputy mayor says, uh you know, 60 means
50. 70 means 60. So, there is some

2264
03:24:23,600 --> 03:24:28,880
benefit.
I'm definitely voting in favor of this

2265
03:24:26,800 --> 03:24:33,920
motion for the simple reason that uh I
could give you a list as long as my arm

2266
03:24:30,720 --> 03:24:39,200
of the uh municipalities that are um
agitating to have the speed limit

2267
03:24:35,760 --> 03:24:46,239
lowered. U there's you know Leath is
just one of many and I think that uh

2268
03:24:41,760 --> 03:24:51,120
this is um the it we'll just be faced
with peacemealing this you know over and

2269
03:24:48,880 --> 03:24:56,880
over and over again. So that's that's my
reason for supporting it anyway. And and

2270
03:24:52,960 --> 03:25:02,640
I I also subscribe to councelor Ford's
idea. Those statistics are pretty

2271
03:24:59,600 --> 03:25:09,120
compelling. Uh how much safer uh
pedestrians and people in automobiles

2272
03:25:05,920 --> 03:25:15,120
are uh when the speed limit is 40 versus
50 in um in in the builtup areas.

2273
03:25:13,760 --> 03:25:20,399
Councelor Andis.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. just um I

2274
03:25:18,960 --> 03:25:27,600
appreciate the [clears throat] spec uh
statistics on how changing the speed

2275
03:25:23,359 --> 03:25:36,640
affects um rates of of of incidences.
I'm just curious though if we have data

2276
03:25:30,560 --> 03:25:40,399
on how unsafe our roads actually are. Um
cuz I I feel like I'm just voting to

2277
03:25:38,640 --> 03:25:45,520
reduce a number, but for all I know, it
could be very minimal anyway. And I uh

2278
03:25:43,200 --> 03:25:52,399
agree that um you know saving even one
life um is uh you know desirable but um

2279
03:25:50,560 --> 03:25:55,399
I just I I would like to know that
background

2280
03:25:58,160 --> 03:26:04,800
» um through your worship. I guess safety
on roads can be measured through many

2281
03:26:03,120 --> 03:26:11,680
different
um

2282
03:26:06,720 --> 03:26:18,000
metrics. Um, I did review our current
um, average speed and 85th percentile

2283
03:26:14,960 --> 03:26:22,239
speeds on our urban roadways um, as I
was preparing this report. And it was

2284
03:26:19,760 --> 03:26:28,640
actually really interesting to see that
a majority of our roads um, already have

2285
03:26:25,920 --> 03:26:31,760
speeds below 50 kilometers an hour and
so this change of speed limit might

2286
03:26:30,319 --> 03:26:36,880
actually be more in tune to what people
are actually traveling on the roads. Um

2287
03:26:34,800 --> 03:26:41,520
however there are locations where we do
get residents identifying um on a

2288
03:26:39,359 --> 03:26:45,359
regular basis concerns with speeds and
two of the ones that we have in recent

2289
03:26:43,040 --> 03:26:50,319
years made changes to our Miller Street
and Pearson and Ridge Road um which

2290
03:26:47,439 --> 03:26:55,520
we've dropped to that 40 km an hour. Um
through our traffic count data, we have

2291
03:26:52,640 --> 03:27:01,279
seen um slight reductions in average
speed in those two locations because of

2292
03:26:57,359 --> 03:27:06,640
the um the items that were done on those
two roads. both um some traffic calming

2293
03:27:03,520 --> 03:27:14,520
as as well as that reduction in speed.
Um and so um again it it it varies. Um

2294
03:27:14,560 --> 03:27:17,560
we

2295
03:27:17,600 --> 03:27:23,680
additional data was requested from
council. We can definitely look into

2296
03:27:20,720 --> 03:27:30,560
other avenues of assessing safety on our
roadways. Um but it from looking at

2297
03:27:28,000 --> 03:27:36,319
other municipalities um you know and as
kind of discussed here um that if the

2298
03:27:33,520 --> 03:27:42,080
speed uh is reduced or the speed limits
reduced you know um on average

2299
03:27:39,840 --> 03:27:48,080
municipalities are seeing those
reduction in speeds overall and so um I

2300
03:27:46,319 --> 03:27:53,200
don't see why we wouldn't see similar
trends that other municipalities are

2301
03:27:50,000 --> 03:27:56,880
seeing um which then lend to those um
statistics that are identified in the

2302
03:27:54,800 --> 03:27:59,359
report.
>> Council Randis,

2303
03:27:57,760 --> 03:28:04,640
» it's a followup. Thank you. Um then I'm
I'm wondering also if there's a comment

2304
03:28:01,439 --> 03:28:09,600
on um how changing the speeds like this
would affect traffic flow. Um cuz it's

2305
03:28:08,080 --> 03:28:13,120
things are going to get busier over time
and so if we make a a step now that's

2306
03:28:11,760 --> 03:28:19,200
going to change the speed essentially
forever uh you know functionally um what

2307
03:28:16,479 --> 03:28:23,279
what the impacts of that could be. And
just thinking about residents who

2308
03:28:21,439 --> 03:28:27,359
comment on speed. I know a lot of people
personally who will comment on everybody

2309
03:28:25,359 --> 03:28:31,359
blowing by their house and you know say
oh my road is in a raceway and then get

2310
03:28:29,600 --> 03:28:36,880
in a car and speed past somebody else's
house. So I don't like I appreciate

2311
03:28:35,120 --> 03:28:40,880
their concerns and there are some roads
that are you know the way they're built

2312
03:28:38,720 --> 03:28:45,680
and designed lends itself to people kind
of ripping through like I think Ridge is

2313
03:28:42,800 --> 03:28:48,160
a great example. Bayfield is kind of an
interesting example because I feel like

2314
03:28:46,960 --> 03:28:51,600
most people on Bayfield aren't looking
at the road, they're looking at the

2315
03:28:49,439 --> 03:28:56,640
water, which you know, slower speeds
probably good for that. Um, but for the

2316
03:28:54,399 --> 03:29:01,680
most part,
I feel like everything's pretty safe.

2317
03:28:58,800 --> 03:29:06,399
So, I don't see a need to reduce it just
because.

2318
03:29:03,200 --> 03:29:08,880
Um, but I'm also cognizant of, you know,
we'll obviously feel terrible if we

2319
03:29:07,680 --> 03:29:12,160
don't do it in something it was
something preventable. So, I I don't

2320
03:29:10,640 --> 03:29:16,319
know. I just I feel like I need a a
better sense of that side of this the

2321
03:29:13,680 --> 03:29:21,040
equation before I would feel comfortable
um just deciding right now to change all

2322
03:29:18,319 --> 03:29:25,359
the speed limits.
>> Tori, please.

2323
03:29:22,080 --> 03:29:31,920
» Um through your worship to speak to um
traffic flow. Um

2324
03:29:28,479 --> 03:29:37,520
Miller Street is one of our busiest um
municipal roadways within the

2325
03:29:33,600 --> 03:29:43,520
municipality. Um, and there has been no
change in traffic flow when we've

2326
03:29:39,279 --> 03:29:48,239
reduced the speed limit to um from 50 km
an hour to 40. There there I I'm not

2327
03:29:45,680 --> 03:29:52,000
aware of any any changes to or like
issues that that created. Um, Pearson

2328
03:29:50,640 --> 03:29:56,640
and Ridge is another really good
example. Um it also has a higher traffic

2329
03:29:54,560 --> 03:30:00,560
flow in comparison to a lot of our uh
municipal roads and again there's been

2330
03:29:58,479 --> 03:30:05,600
no um traffic concerns identified with
regards to um flow or or the amount of

2331
03:30:03,359 --> 03:30:12,239
traffic that we're now seeing. Um and
those um the amount of vehicles on those

2332
03:30:08,640 --> 03:30:16,960
roads have also continued to um increase
over time and again the the change in

2333
03:30:15,040 --> 03:30:20,399
speed limit hasn't affected how the the
flow of the traffic is occurring on

2334
03:30:18,479 --> 03:30:24,640
those roads. So using those two as an
example within our own municipality, I

2335
03:30:22,960 --> 03:30:29,600
don't see that the the roads that would
have less flow would be of concern. Um

2336
03:30:27,680 --> 03:30:34,399
and this is part of the reason why staff
have identified keeping those arterial

2337
03:30:31,680 --> 03:30:41,040
roads. So both um Nelson Street as well
as Highway uh Psych Street, Highway 26

2338
03:30:37,760 --> 03:30:47,359
at that 50 km an hour. Um so that you
know those are and designed to be higher

2339
03:30:44,640 --> 03:30:53,439
flow uh roads and and accept more
traffic and so to keep those at the 50

2340
03:30:49,200 --> 03:30:58,000
kmter an hour so that um cars can still
um travel um through our municipality

2341
03:30:55,920 --> 03:31:04,239
and and through downtown Meford and not
experience any negative um impacts um

2342
03:31:01,920 --> 03:31:09,680
due to changes but then on our on our
less on our lower volume roads um have

2343
03:31:07,040 --> 03:31:12,800
have that reduction in speed. Councelor
Yuri.

2344
03:31:10,720 --> 03:31:17,840
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, councelor
Andis, just maybe help you a little bit.

2345
03:31:14,800 --> 03:31:23,040
Statistically, the OP 25 annual report
last year, uh, in 2023 there were four,

2346
03:31:20,880 --> 03:31:29,520
2024 there were nine. In 2025, there
were 11 fatalities. So, that's all of

2347
03:31:25,760 --> 03:31:36,239
Gray Bruce area. So, are we a high high
area of, you know, literally fatalities?

2348
03:31:33,279 --> 03:31:43,439
No. Having said that speeding in 2023
there were 2004

2349
03:31:38,239 --> 03:31:49,680
uh issued uh 2024 1936 25 1927 it's
coming down and they do attribute that

2350
03:31:45,840 --> 03:31:56,160
as well to a more coverage by OP uh more
actual more actual OP coverage but again

2351
03:31:53,279 --> 03:32:00,399
they do say that yes reducing speed is
helping in that factor because be the

2352
03:31:58,080 --> 03:32:06,000
more you can make aware the more people
actually do somewhat so if you can get a

2353
03:32:03,600 --> 03:32:10,800
percentage slowing down contributes to
the overall. So, take those stats for

2354
03:32:08,800 --> 03:32:13,200
what it's worth.
>> Councelor Andis,

2355
03:32:11,680 --> 03:32:19,040
» thank you. Um, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh,
to councelor Yurig, just wondering then,

2356
03:32:15,680 --> 03:32:23,920
um, are are those stats applied to like
urban settlement areas or are they just

2357
03:32:21,040 --> 03:32:30,399
across the counties?
Okay.

2358
03:32:26,880 --> 03:32:36,479
» Um, I'm going to call the vote if people
are ready. Um all in favor

2359
03:32:34,399 --> 03:32:44,479
opposed.
Well, that is a 5 to2 vote. Uh thank you

2360
03:32:39,359 --> 03:32:49,840
very much. Now um we have a planning
public meeting coming up at 5:00 p.m.

2361
03:32:46,399 --> 03:32:54,080
this afternoon and uh our
council chambers are already beginning

2362
03:32:51,680 --> 03:32:59,279
to fill for that meeting. So I'm going
to uh temporarily adjourn. Uh go ahead

2363
03:32:57,840 --> 03:33:02,239
tell us what we should be doing.
>> Thank you. I was just going to comment

2364
03:33:00,960 --> 03:33:05,680
that it might be an appropriate time for
a motion to extend the proceedings

2365
03:33:04,000 --> 03:33:09,920
because typically we have a 3 and 1 half
hour and it's 4:30 now. So, we'll have a

2366
03:33:07,920 --> 03:33:14,880
motion to extend and then if if council
wants to continue or take a recess prior

2367
03:33:12,000 --> 03:33:20,160
to the 5:00, we'll reorganize the agenda
to move the planning public meeting up

2368
03:33:17,359 --> 03:33:21,760
for when uh the 5:00 because we are in
the middle of the the regular council

2369
03:33:21,439 --> 03:33:25,600
meeting.
>> You want to bear on, right?

2370
03:33:23,200 --> 03:33:29,600
» So, no, sorry. My first my first item
would be uh if we could have a motion to

2371
03:33:27,359 --> 03:33:34,479
extend the meeting that would be great
and then um it's sort of council's wish

2372
03:33:32,319 --> 03:33:39,840
if we want to work through one more
report or if we want uh if council

2373
03:33:36,560 --> 03:33:43,200
wishes to take a 25minut uh break then
that might be appropriate as well to let

2374
03:33:41,439 --> 03:33:48,479
people come in. There are actually three
items uh left on the con on the uh

2375
03:33:46,479 --> 03:33:53,760
committee of the whole agenda and they
are pretty u um they're not

2376
03:33:51,520 --> 03:33:58,319
controversial and I imagine we could uh
you know cover that before we adjourned.

2377
03:33:56,160 --> 03:34:03,520
So uh let's uh do that but I need a
motion to uh continue beyond uh 4:30

2378
03:34:00,800 --> 03:34:08,560
this afternoon. Uh councelor Urick and
councelor Greenfield all in favor.

2379
03:34:06,640 --> 03:34:15,840
Any opposed? That is carried unanimously
and we'll move on to u um legislative

2380
03:34:12,880 --> 03:34:22,080
services. Um
sorry

2381
03:34:17,439 --> 03:34:29,600
uh item G which is an award report
is the next one on uh the index.

2382
03:34:25,120 --> 03:34:34,880
» Oh right. Okay. Um [laughter]
the way it is uh presented here it looks

2383
03:34:31,840 --> 03:34:40,399
like uh it's the uh the report we just
passed proposed speed limit is in caps

2384
03:34:37,520 --> 03:34:45,120
right above it. Sorry. So then uh four
items and this one again is not I don't

2385
03:34:42,560 --> 03:34:49,600
think contentious. The recommendation is
uh that committee of the whole recommend

2386
03:34:46,880 --> 03:34:55,279
council of the municipality of meford
approve the award of tender uh

2387
03:34:52,160 --> 03:35:01,600
transportation 2026-16
supply and delivery of various fuel and

2388
03:34:57,600 --> 03:35:09,560
oil products to 9412401
heating limited um that's Brian's fuel

2389
03:35:05,120 --> 03:35:09,560
at a tendered cost of $2,791,387

2390
03:35:10,640 --> 03:35:18,479
including the municipality's non-ref
refundable allocation of HST over a

2391
03:35:16,160 --> 03:35:22,800
5-year agreement and to authorize the
Marin clerk to enter into the necessary

2392
03:35:20,560 --> 03:35:29,279
agreement. Can I have a mover and second
councelor Bell and Councelor Greenfield?

2393
03:35:25,359 --> 03:35:33,600
Thank you. Um,
does anyone wish to speak to this from

2394
03:35:31,120 --> 03:35:38,560
staff? Tori,
>> through your worship. Thank you. Um,

2395
03:35:36,720 --> 03:35:45,120
this is a standard award report for us
to proceed with um a new fuel contract.

2396
03:35:41,680 --> 03:35:50,960
Um just some key things to note. Um
while we only received one bid, um we do

2397
03:35:49,200 --> 03:35:58,560
feel that it is quite competitive in
reviewing the last um uh tendering

2398
03:35:54,640 --> 03:36:04,479
process. Um we did when we did receive
multiple bids. Um the successful bid was

2399
03:36:02,000 --> 03:36:09,359
2 cents under rack rate while this bid
is um between seven and 9 cents below

2400
03:36:07,439 --> 03:36:14,560
rack rate. So it will reduce what we're
currently spending. um which we see

2401
03:36:11,840 --> 03:36:19,840
quite favorable. Um the other benefit is
we won't need to transition any of the

2402
03:36:16,399 --> 03:36:25,680
existing infrastructure we have with um
Brian's fuel. So there's benefit as well

2403
03:36:22,080 --> 03:36:30,160
to have that continuity. Um um but
otherwise if you Oh, the only other

2404
03:36:27,520 --> 03:36:35,840
thing I did want to note is while this
um is presented in yearly costs, it's

2405
03:36:32,960 --> 03:36:42,319
very much based on what fuel prices are.
And so everything is based on rack rate.

2406
03:36:39,359 --> 03:36:46,560
um in May when this went out as a tender
um the rack rate was higher than what

2407
03:36:44,880 --> 03:36:51,760
we're seeing today. I looked at to see
and I have as I was preparing this

2408
03:36:48,399 --> 03:36:59,120
report and so for example um the regular
fuel rack rate today is um $125 is what

2409
03:36:56,080 --> 03:37:04,960
and but in the um tendering process it
was identified as an example at $147. So

2410
03:37:02,960 --> 03:37:12,319
um obviously we know things right now
are going up and down um with what is

2411
03:37:08,479 --> 03:37:19,120
happening around the world um but um
these specific um bigger um bucket items

2412
03:37:16,960 --> 03:37:24,479
per year um doesn't mean that we'll
actually spend that. It will change with

2413
03:37:21,520 --> 03:37:28,399
what the industry costs are.
>> Councelor Greenfield.

2414
03:37:26,479 --> 03:37:33,359
» Thanks your
thank you through you to Victoria. Uh

2415
03:37:31,200 --> 03:37:42,640
thanks. I I'm wondering a couple of
things. First of all, uh is the turmoil

2416
03:37:39,520 --> 03:37:48,239
uh in the Middle East. Uh one of the
reasons why we only got one bid, could

2417
03:37:45,840 --> 03:37:54,399
that be a factor on that? And I guess
the other reason is is is this

2418
03:37:51,680 --> 03:37:59,040
absolutely fixed rate? Is is there are
there any straight of door moves

2419
03:37:56,399 --> 03:38:06,640
conditions involved in this or is this
going to be the the five-year number

2420
03:38:03,760 --> 03:38:12,160
» through your worship? Um there's a
potential that the uncertainty in the

2421
03:38:08,640 --> 03:38:20,080
industry is why we only received one um
bid, but um obviously we um don't know

2422
03:38:16,160 --> 03:38:25,120
if that that is the the reason. Um the
um so the contract is set up that the

2423
03:38:22,720 --> 03:38:32,479
the rate we pay is based on the Toronto
rack rate. So yes, whatever happens um

2424
03:38:28,160 --> 03:38:38,560
with pricing um in for for fuel in based
in Toronto um that is the price we pay.

2425
03:38:35,120 --> 03:38:43,200
And so um depending on if fuel costs
increase or decrease, this contract will

2426
03:38:40,720 --> 03:38:47,439
increase and decrease with those. And as
I had stated um as of today, those costs

2427
03:38:46,000 --> 03:38:50,720
are actually lower than what we tendered
this out as. So if we were to have

2428
03:38:49,200 --> 03:38:54,160
tendered this today, this report would
have looked slightly different with

2429
03:38:51,760 --> 03:38:58,399
slightly lower costs. Um but we all know
that there's uncertainties around this

2430
03:38:56,080 --> 03:39:03,520
as of right now. Um but this is how
these are set up is that yes, it is

2431
03:39:00,239 --> 03:39:10,720
based on um the fluctuating costs. Um
and what we will be spending is um that

2432
03:39:06,880 --> 03:39:14,319
7 to 9 cents below what those costs are.
um whereas in our current contract we

2433
03:39:12,479 --> 03:39:19,439
were spending two cents below what those
costs are. So regardless of those costs

2434
03:39:17,359 --> 03:39:23,960
we will be seeing a cost savings between
the last contract and this contract

2435
03:39:25,200 --> 03:39:33,120
» councelor for thank you Mr. Mayor and
through you and I guess this would be to

2436
03:39:29,920 --> 03:39:37,040
Tori. Um so the prices um that are
provided here below the Toronto rack

2437
03:39:34,880 --> 03:39:41,520
rate does that represent the complete
delivered price or are there other

2438
03:39:38,640 --> 03:39:46,560
charges like fees fuel search charges is
is that an all-in price or

2439
03:39:44,880 --> 03:39:51,200
» um through worship that this is the
all-in price that we would be seeing um

2440
03:39:48,560 --> 03:39:53,920
on our invoices.
>> Yes.

2441
03:39:52,000 --> 03:39:59,840
» Uh thank you Mr. Mayor for indulging me.
And so obviously this contract does have

2442
03:39:56,239 --> 03:40:04,000
the option to extend for five one-year
uh terms. Um is that something after the

2443
03:40:02,560 --> 03:40:08,600
5 years that would come back to council
or who has the authority to extend that?

2444
03:40:10,560 --> 03:40:17,520
» Um depending on the price, but yes, this
price is

2445
03:40:15,600 --> 03:40:22,479
it because of the price of this it would
be coming to council because it's over

2446
03:40:18,960 --> 03:40:26,080
that threshold of the $200,000.
Any

2447
03:40:24,160 --> 03:40:31,279
other questions?
Going to call a vote. All in favor? Any

2448
03:40:28,800 --> 03:40:39,120
opposed? So as carried unanimously.
Thank you. Um the next item is um

2449
03:40:36,319 --> 03:40:43,279
uh for legislative services.
The recommendation is that uh the

2450
03:40:41,439 --> 03:40:47,760
committee of a whole recommend council
of the municipality of Meford one enact

2451
03:40:45,359 --> 03:40:52,399
a bylaw to adopt a policy governance
framework and two direct staff to

2452
03:40:50,319 --> 03:40:58,239
undertake a review of the municipality's
existing policies and bring forward a

2453
03:40:54,880 --> 03:41:04,479
policy inventory and review schedule for
council's consideration as outlined in

2454
03:41:00,399 --> 03:41:09,279
report legislative services 2026-09.
mover in a second, please. Councelor, at

2455
03:41:06,560 --> 03:41:14,960
least deputy mayor and councelor Bell.
Um,

2456
03:41:11,600 --> 03:41:18,000
do you wish to speak to that? Uh, clerk.
>> Thank you, your worship. I I think

2457
03:41:16,479 --> 03:41:20,720
probably Allison and I are prepared to
take any questions. I just want to

2458
03:41:19,439 --> 03:41:25,920
comment that probably this is the
clerkiest clerk report ever to have a

2459
03:41:23,359 --> 03:41:28,640
policy of policies. So, if if uh there
are any questions, we're happy to take

2460
03:41:27,200 --> 03:41:33,279
them. Thank you.
>> Okay.

2461
03:41:30,960 --> 03:41:38,560
So, you you'll take our questions. Okay.
Uh so councelor Bell.

2462
03:41:35,840 --> 03:41:44,720
» Thank you Mr. Mayor. So um the
background uh comments the very first

2463
03:41:42,160 --> 03:41:48,000
paragraph
when I read this I have to ask the

2464
03:41:46,560 --> 03:41:51,600
question has this council been doing
something which staff feels is improper

2465
03:41:50,080 --> 03:41:56,640
because we got reminded what the
municipal act says about council making

2466
03:41:54,000 --> 03:42:01,600
the decisions and staff implementing
those decisions and I believe that we

2467
03:41:59,120 --> 03:42:05,760
have been doing that going down and
reading it further that says we've got

2468
03:42:03,520 --> 03:42:10,399
policies that we're doing that are not
right that we need to review them. I'm

2469
03:42:08,160 --> 03:42:14,960
just interested as why why was the
municipal act quoted on the

2470
03:42:13,200 --> 03:42:20,080
responsibilities of roles and
responsibilities of council and staff if

2471
03:42:18,080 --> 03:42:25,680
what we're really doing is saying we've
got some policies that simply need to be

2472
03:42:22,640 --> 03:42:30,359
reviewed. I just didn't know why we were
reminded of our duty.

2473
03:42:30,479 --> 03:42:36,000
» Thank you for the question and through
you Mr. Mayor. Um I would note that the

2474
03:42:34,880 --> 03:42:39,279
background of course serves as
background not only to council but to

2475
03:42:37,600 --> 03:42:42,880
the public and to anyone else that might
be reading the report. And so while of

2476
03:42:41,040 --> 03:42:47,439
course council is well apprised of their
role um as it comes to the division of

2477
03:42:45,680 --> 03:42:52,160
responsibility that maybe is not so
obvious to the casual reader or follower

2478
03:42:49,760 --> 03:42:56,880
of council agendas. Um the other piece
that I'll note is that um the the idea

2479
03:42:54,880 --> 03:43:02,720
of a policy governance policy is to
really lay out in plain terms how we are

2480
03:43:00,640 --> 03:43:06,880
working to move our policy aims forward.
And so having that background and having

2481
03:43:04,479 --> 03:43:12,160
the ability to say this is why and this
is really the legislated root of why

2482
03:43:09,439 --> 03:43:16,800
we're making our decisions this way um
is the reason that you see that

2483
03:43:13,439 --> 03:43:22,239
citation. Um the reference a little bit
further on to the policy cleanup that

2484
03:43:18,880 --> 03:43:26,160
needs to be done um is specific both to
the policies that have been before

2485
03:43:23,840 --> 03:43:29,920
council. And so I would say there are
policies that are on the books now that

2486
03:43:27,600 --> 03:43:33,520
council has adopted by bylaw that
perhaps do live in the role of staff and

2487
03:43:31,760 --> 03:43:38,000
that's on staff. Council didn't pull
those out of their own hat, right? Staff

2488
03:43:35,439 --> 03:43:41,359
presented them to them to um to adopt.
And so what we want to do is just take a

2489
03:43:39,680 --> 03:43:44,960
full a wholesome look at all of the
policies that exist currently and make

2490
03:43:43,600 --> 03:43:48,239
sure that we've put them in the right
bucket in the administrative bucket or

2491
03:43:46,479 --> 03:43:51,840
the governance bucket and make sure that
we are continuing to review those going

2492
03:43:50,239 --> 03:43:57,160
forward so that we don't have policies
on the books that are out ofd or

2493
03:43:54,160 --> 03:43:57,160
inappropriate.

2494
03:43:57,600 --> 03:44:03,040
» Other questions?
Deputy mayor.

2495
03:44:01,199 --> 03:44:08,160
» Um just two quick things if I may, Mr.
Mayor. First of all, I'm pleased to see

2496
03:44:05,760 --> 03:44:11,760
that our legislative department is able
to bring this forward. It tells us that

2497
03:44:09,760 --> 03:44:14,880
we've got, you know, staff in place, the
capacity to undertake a project such as

2498
03:44:13,760 --> 03:44:18,640
this because I'm sure it's something
that kind of stayed on the edge of a

2499
03:44:16,720 --> 03:44:22,640
desk for a while. So, that's very
reassuring. But, um, from what you just

2500
03:44:20,800 --> 03:44:28,560
told us, Allison, I'm wondering, are you
also reviewing any, um, counselor

2501
03:44:25,760 --> 03:44:32,080
motions that may not have seen, uh,
themselves come to fruition at this

2502
03:44:30,239 --> 03:44:37,040
point? and may some of those then fall
into these categories where they will

2503
03:44:34,319 --> 03:44:41,840
end up now being reviewed and and as you
suggested land in the appropriate staff

2504
03:44:39,120 --> 03:44:45,760
person's bucket.
>> Thank you. And through the mayor, um I

2505
03:44:43,680 --> 03:44:48,800
believe that is our intention that um
prior to the end of this term of

2506
03:44:47,040 --> 03:44:53,279
council, we will have a look at all of
the outstanding counselor motions that

2507
03:44:50,960 --> 03:44:57,359
have come forward um and we will report
back to council about the disposition of

2508
03:44:55,199 --> 03:45:00,880
those. So, does that actually belong in
staff's bucket? Have we achieved it or

2509
03:44:59,279 --> 03:45:06,399
is it still on someone's work plan and
we're waiting to get there?

2510
03:45:03,199 --> 03:45:11,040
» Okay, any other comments, questions? I'm
going to call the vote. All in favor?

2511
03:45:09,040 --> 03:45:15,560
Any opposed? And that is carried
unanimously. Thank you, Allison.

2512
03:45:17,760 --> 03:45:27,520
And we have one more here which is um
the recommendation is uh that committee

2513
03:45:25,120 --> 03:45:34,800
of the whole receive report legislative
services 2026-10 access to information

2514
03:45:30,800 --> 03:45:42,800
and privacy update. Mover and a seconder
councelor and deputy mayor kiny um do

2515
03:45:39,199 --> 03:45:45,840
you wish to speak to that one Allison?
>> No thank you I'll just accept your

2516
03:45:44,000 --> 03:45:51,199
questions if there are any. Are there
any questions? It's pretty

2517
03:45:47,680 --> 03:45:57,279
straightforward. All in favor?
Any opposed? That's carried unanimously.

2518
03:45:54,720 --> 03:46:01,520
And now, uh, we're going to hear, uh,
from Deputy Mayor Keven on, uh, an

2519
03:45:59,600 --> 03:46:07,600
update on County Council.
>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, county

2520
03:46:03,840 --> 03:46:12,399
council last met on July the 9th. Uh,
the agenda was on the shorter side. Um,

2521
03:46:10,239 --> 03:46:17,600
and it began with a request from
councelor McQueen to pull the minutes of

2522
03:46:15,199 --> 03:46:23,279
the prior meeting for further discussion
of the urban roads transfer report. Uh,

2523
03:46:20,800 --> 03:46:28,560
staff had incorporated points raised by
council at our last meeting and uh, I

2524
03:46:26,319 --> 03:46:34,239
believe in terms of our own situation
that uh, uh, to put it bluntly, it's as

2525
03:46:31,680 --> 03:46:38,520
good as it's going to get. Um, Meford
will now receive $2,453,431

2526
03:46:39,279 --> 03:46:46,479
in transitional funding over the next 10
years for the two sections coming our

2527
03:46:44,399 --> 03:46:52,399
way, which as we know was Grey Road 7
from Mir Street Highway 26 and Grey Road

2528
03:46:49,359 --> 03:46:58,560
12 from Gardener to Sykes.
a bylaw um supporting uh the appointment

2529
03:46:56,479 --> 03:47:05,359
of Sue Murray as acting treasurer and
Garrett Reed as deputy treasurer uh was

2530
03:47:01,920 --> 03:47:09,199
passed. Uh recently, Mary Lou Spicer,
who's been with the county for 24 years

2531
03:47:07,279 --> 03:47:12,800
in the finance department, has uh
retired.

2532
03:47:10,800 --> 03:47:17,520
A second bylaw is passed to adopt
amendment 30 to the Gray County official

2533
03:47:15,199 --> 03:47:21,279
plan affecting lands in Normandy
Township in the municipality of West

2534
03:47:19,359 --> 03:47:26,399
Gray, changing that zoning from
agricultural to agricultural with

2535
03:47:23,279 --> 03:47:31,359
exception and that will allow um
residential lot creation.

2536
03:47:29,040 --> 03:47:35,359
Manager of transportation Trevor Ryton
presented a video to council and I

2537
03:47:33,680 --> 03:47:39,439
wonder if this is something we could do.
It was really quite wonderful. Um, and

2538
03:47:37,439 --> 03:47:44,800
the video overviewed all of the
completed capital projects uh from 2025

2539
03:47:42,800 --> 03:47:54,319
and they included 5 kilometers in
Southgate, 5.3 km on Grey Road 14, 11.1

2540
03:47:49,760 --> 03:48:00,640
km on Grey Road 2, 9.7 on Grey Road 25,
6.6 km on Grey Road 119, and 10 culbert

2541
03:47:58,399 --> 03:48:05,600
replacements on Grey Road 30 at a total
cost of $13 million. But it was just

2542
03:48:03,520 --> 03:48:10,720
really great to see all of the work that
had been done. Council heard the

2543
03:48:08,080 --> 03:48:16,640
presentation of the 2025 audit completed
by MNP. Uh the audit must be approved by

2544
03:48:14,239 --> 03:48:20,800
council before the rep final report can
be signed. The auditors found no

2545
03:48:18,960 --> 03:48:26,560
deficiencies and provided a clear
opinion on the county's financial

2546
03:48:22,319 --> 03:48:31,279
position as of December the 31st, 2025.
The next report brought an update to the

2547
03:48:28,640 --> 03:48:35,920
Bruce Gay Duffren Wellington transit
study. This regional working team is

2548
03:48:33,760 --> 03:48:40,239
studying a unified transit plan for the
four counties. This is the largest

2549
03:48:38,080 --> 03:48:44,560
public transit collaboration currently
underway in the province. It was decided

2550
03:48:42,800 --> 03:48:48,640
that information would continue to be
gathered over the summer with existing

2551
03:48:46,319 --> 03:48:53,760
routes continuing during the study
period uh along with the addition of the

2552
03:48:51,199 --> 03:48:58,560
Owens Sound to Wyon route number five so
people can get to Sabo Beach. Ridership

2553
03:48:56,800 --> 03:49:02,319
and potential funding sources will be
assessed with report coming to the new

2554
03:49:00,319 --> 03:49:07,439
council to determine the next steps on
public transit. The updated official

2555
03:49:05,120 --> 03:49:11,840
plan for the settlement areas of Durham
and Newad and the municipality of West

2556
03:49:09,439 --> 03:49:15,600
Gray was adopted with staff stating the
plan met requirements of the Gray County

2557
03:49:13,760 --> 03:49:19,840
official plan and the provincial
planning statement with the land use

2558
03:49:17,120 --> 03:49:23,600
schedules conforming to both. The
corporate financial update revealed a

2559
03:49:21,680 --> 03:49:29,600
few deficits to budget such as an
unexpected boiler favor. I'm sorry, a

2560
03:49:26,239 --> 03:49:34,319
boiler failure at Sydnham campus and the
unpredicted severity of our past winter

2561
03:49:31,920 --> 03:49:39,199
season. The planning department at Gray
County is also operating in a shortfall

2562
03:49:36,800 --> 03:49:44,239
as we are in Meford with fewer than
anticipated applications underway.

2563
03:49:42,080 --> 03:49:49,359
Um, again, Councelor McQueen from Grey
Highlands pulled a letter from the uh uh

2564
03:49:47,359 --> 03:49:53,680
Grey Highlands to the county requesting
support for consideration of physical

2565
03:49:51,359 --> 03:49:57,439
traffic calming measures for the hamlet
of Kimberly. So, this really fits in

2566
03:49:55,840 --> 03:50:03,040
with what we were talking about earlier
in in relation to speed reductions.

2567
03:50:00,239 --> 03:50:07,760
After a very significant discussion, a
motion was passed to have staff

2568
03:50:05,439 --> 03:50:12,800
investigate options for physical traffic
calming measures for all hamlets and

2569
03:50:10,080 --> 03:50:17,520
builtup areas across Gray County, uh,
not just those in Kimberly. So, I think

2570
03:50:14,880 --> 03:50:21,359
this will benefit all of us. And as we
know, speeding is a major problem

2571
03:50:19,120 --> 03:50:25,680
everywhere. But we do hear that physical
barriers such as what they have in Bruce

2572
03:50:23,760 --> 03:50:29,279
County and areas like Terara actually
make a difference in slowing drivers

2573
03:50:27,279 --> 03:50:33,760
down. So I thought that might be a
solution to consider for Bayfield

2574
03:50:30,880 --> 03:50:38,479
Street. And Mr. Mayor, that's it, unless
you wanted to add anything.

2575
03:50:35,600 --> 03:50:43,359
» Not really. Um, is there any other uh
boards or commissions to be heard from

2576
03:50:40,479 --> 03:50:48,000
uh at this meeting?
Okay. Then uh I am ready to entertain a

2577
03:50:45,760 --> 03:50:51,199
motion to uh move out of committee of
the whole.

2578
03:50:49,680 --> 03:50:57,359
Councelor Yurig and councelor
Greenfield. Thank you. Um and that would

2579
03:50:53,760 --> 03:51:04,560
be at 4:49 p.m.
And uh all in favor?

2580
03:51:00,560 --> 03:51:09,359
Any opposed? That's there we are. So I
think at this point uh we have a number

2581
03:51:07,199 --> 03:51:15,040
of items that remain on the agenda for
today and we're going to recess and uh

2582
03:51:12,399 --> 03:51:21,680
come back to those items following the
public planning meeting scheduled at

2583
03:51:16,880 --> 03:51:26,160
5:00 this afternoon. So um uh with that
uh we will

2584
03:51:24,319 --> 03:51:32,520
be
>> yes we will we will recess until 5:00.

2585
04:02:34,399 --> 04:02:43,199
I would invite anyone who is um
attending the meeting tonight to come in

2586
04:02:38,640 --> 04:02:48,439
and find a seat um and see if we have
there are some seats at the front and

2587
04:02:44,720 --> 04:02:48,439
some at the rear there.

2588
04:03:02,000 --> 04:03:10,920
Yeah, there are some seats right at the
very front on this side

2589
04:03:06,640 --> 04:03:10,920
and some at the front here.

2590
04:03:13,040 --> 04:03:22,680
Uh ple please come in and sit down if
you're going to attend the meeting.

2591
04:03:18,399 --> 04:03:22,680
There are some seats in the front there.

2592
04:04:17,680 --> 04:04:26,640
Okay, it is slightly after 5:00 uh 502
and I want to welcome everyone and uh

2593
04:04:23,760 --> 04:04:33,120
thank you for coming tonight. Uh this is
a important uh uh public meeting and uh

2594
04:04:30,720 --> 04:04:38,720
we are always pleased to see our gallery
filled. Uh this meeting is to learn

2595
04:04:36,160 --> 04:04:43,920
about a proposal to amend the land use
planning permissions applying to certain

2596
04:04:41,040 --> 04:04:49,199
lands in the municipality of Meford.
Council is legally required to make

2597
04:04:46,479 --> 04:04:54,399
decisions that conform to the county and
local official plans. Our policies

2598
04:04:52,080 --> 04:04:59,680
encourage us to reach out to community
stakeholders to gather information. We

2599
04:04:57,520 --> 04:05:04,960
have a variety of legal tools available
to us that we can apply to development

2600
04:05:02,319 --> 04:05:09,840
to help us manage change in a positive
manner with as minimal an impact as

2601
04:05:07,199 --> 04:05:16,160
possible. And your insights can be part
of what forms or informs our direction.

2602
04:05:13,840 --> 04:05:20,640
Those in attendance for today's meeting
will have an opportunity to speak in

2603
04:05:18,080 --> 04:05:25,120
person or remotely if pre-registered
through Zoom. This meeting is not

2604
04:05:23,199 --> 04:05:30,239
structured as a dialogue between
speakers and the applicant. However, the

2605
04:05:28,160 --> 04:05:35,279
applicant may take the opportunity to
respond to comments toward the end of

2606
04:05:32,479 --> 04:05:40,479
the meeting if they wish. Note that any
uh or in many cases formulating

2607
04:05:37,600 --> 04:05:45,359
responses actually may require staff to
carry out research after the meeting on

2608
04:05:42,880 --> 04:05:49,760
the matters raised and provide answers
following the meeting or through their

2609
04:05:47,439 --> 04:05:55,040
report to council.
So, I'll call this uh uh today's public

2610
04:05:52,640 --> 04:06:00,560
meeting to order. It's a public meeting
to consider a zoning bylaw amendment for

2611
04:05:57,680 --> 04:06:05,680
lands at 245690
Side Road 22 in Meford.

2612
04:06:03,600 --> 04:06:10,399
This meeting is a mandatory part of the
planning process which has been set out

2613
04:06:07,760 --> 04:06:14,960
by the planning act. Based on the rules
of the act, there must be at least 20

2614
04:06:12,399 --> 04:06:20,080
days notice given to residents within
120 mters of the property. Notice of the

2615
04:06:18,000 --> 04:06:25,920
zoning bylaw amendment was issued on
June 23rd, 2026, giving the required 20

2616
04:06:23,920 --> 04:06:30,080
days notice.
So, first of all, I'm going to call on

2617
04:06:27,680 --> 04:06:33,840
Helina Fashionado, planner at the
municipality of Meford to give us a

2618
04:06:32,239 --> 04:06:38,160
brief presentation about this
application to provide us with any

2619
04:06:36,000 --> 04:06:42,800
public and agency comments that have
been received to date. Helena,

2620
04:06:41,120 --> 04:06:45,760
» thank you. Through you, Mr. Mayor.
>> Please move that microphone up really

2621
04:06:44,399 --> 04:06:51,520
close. Can you hear me?
>> Yes, that's much better. Perfect. Okay.

2622
04:06:48,640 --> 04:06:56,239
So, this is a zoning bylaw amendment
application for a temporary use

2623
04:06:53,439 --> 04:07:00,000
extension. Um, so the purpose of this
public meeting is to hear a presentation

2624
04:06:58,319 --> 04:07:04,479
from planning staff with some of the
details about the planning application.

2625
04:07:02,720 --> 04:07:08,880
Uh, provide an opportunity for the
applicant to speak on their behalf about

2626
04:07:06,319 --> 04:07:13,560
their proposal and to provide a forum
for the public to comment on this

2627
04:07:10,560 --> 04:07:13,560
proposal.

2628
04:07:14,560 --> 04:07:23,279
So here are some details about the
proposal. Uh so on November 13, 2023,

2629
04:07:20,720 --> 04:07:27,199
a bylaw 2823-70
was passed which reszoned a portion of

2630
04:07:25,439 --> 04:07:33,199
the subject property to permit the
following temporary uses. So a motor

2631
04:07:30,640 --> 04:07:38,479
vehicle repair garage and accessory
outdoor storage. So this temporary use

2632
04:07:35,760 --> 04:07:44,239
was granted for a period of 3 years and
it will expire on November 13th, 2026.

2633
04:07:41,760 --> 04:07:48,080
So, November of this year, the applicant
has requested an extension of the

2634
04:07:46,080 --> 04:07:53,000
existing temporary use of the property
for a further period of 3 years.

2635
04:07:53,439 --> 04:08:00,960
And so, here on the screen is a little
bit more detail of the bylaw that was

2636
04:07:57,520 --> 04:08:06,160
approved uh coming up on 3 years ago.
So, the temporary use is motor vehicle

2637
04:08:03,120 --> 04:08:13,040
repair garage and outdoor uh storage
accessory to the repair garage. Um the

2638
04:08:09,520 --> 04:08:18,319
maximum amount of garage bays is two and
the total permitted area of the

2639
04:08:14,880 --> 04:08:23,040
temporary use is 4,200
uh square meters. The maximum number of

2640
04:08:20,800 --> 04:08:28,319
vehicles on site to be serviced at one
time is 10. And then an additional

2641
04:08:25,680 --> 04:08:32,840
maximum number of parking spaces for
customers and employees is 15.

2642
04:08:34,880 --> 04:08:42,560
Um so the planning act legislative
authority um so under the planning act

2643
04:08:40,479 --> 04:08:48,880
section 39 a temporary use can be
granted by a council of a m municipality

2644
04:08:46,000 --> 04:08:55,439
um for any purpose is otherwise prohibit
sorry prohibited by the zoning bylaw.

2645
04:08:52,479 --> 04:09:00,239
Um, so a temporary use bylaw must define
the area where the use can occur and be

2646
04:08:57,439 --> 04:09:05,720
for a maximum of three years and council
may grant further periods of not more

2647
04:09:02,239 --> 04:09:05,720
than three years.

2648
04:09:07,040 --> 04:09:13,080
So here are the subject lands on side
road 22

2649
04:09:15,359 --> 04:09:22,560
and it is in an agricultural area. The
surrounding lands are predominantly

2650
04:09:19,760 --> 04:09:28,120
agricultural with some residential
and the lands are approximately 30

2651
04:09:24,319 --> 04:09:28,120
hectares in area.

2652
04:09:29,840 --> 04:09:35,760
So the county of gray official plan
designates the lands as special

2653
04:09:33,040 --> 04:09:40,800
agriculture and hazard lands and the
permitted uses in this area are

2654
04:09:37,760 --> 04:09:45,840
agricultural in nature.
Um, and the county official plan, it's

2655
04:09:43,520 --> 04:09:51,080
important to note that they only permit
one extension of a temporary use bylaw.

2656
04:09:53,279 --> 04:10:00,479
And then the MEF official plan mirrors
those policies of the county. Uh, so the

2657
04:09:58,239 --> 04:10:05,920
designation is special agricultural and
environmental protection. Um, and the

2658
04:10:03,199 --> 04:10:10,840
predominant use is agriculture and
agricultural related uh uses.

2659
04:10:14,080 --> 04:10:20,000
So here's a snippet of the zoning of the
subject lands. Uh so it's special

2660
04:10:18,239 --> 04:10:26,800
agriculture and environmental
protection. And if you can see it on the

2661
04:10:22,080 --> 04:10:32,080
screen, the black square or shape um is
the permitted area for the temporary use

2662
04:10:29,199 --> 04:10:37,600
on the property.
And so the special agricultural area

2663
04:10:34,560 --> 04:10:43,600
permits once again agricultural uses and
those related uses um including home

2664
04:10:40,960 --> 04:10:48,960
industries and a home industry use
cannot include a home or sorry a motor

2665
04:10:46,239 --> 04:10:53,040
vehicle repair shop. Um the proposed
uses are also outside of the EP

2666
04:10:51,199 --> 04:10:56,040
environmental protection area of the
property.

2667
04:10:58,319 --> 04:11:05,840
So the zoning requested um so a portion
of the lands were reszoned from special

2668
04:11:03,040 --> 04:11:11,359
agriculture to special agricultural with
a temporary use. Um so it's limited to

2669
04:11:08,800 --> 04:11:15,760
the area identified on the map. Um and
it's limited to 3 years but could be

2670
04:11:13,279 --> 04:11:19,399
extended on request which is what the
applicant has done.

2671
04:11:20,800 --> 04:11:28,720
And here is a sketch uh from the
original temporary use uh proposal. Um

2672
04:11:27,040 --> 04:11:34,160
so this is what the applicant would like
to continue to use. Um so there's an

2673
04:11:31,439 --> 04:11:40,359
existing drive shed on the property. Um
and then they've proposed a parking area

2674
04:11:37,040 --> 04:11:40,359
as well.

2675
04:11:44,560 --> 04:11:51,520
So here is where we are in the
application process. So we've received

2676
04:11:48,479 --> 04:11:55,920
the application. um completed an initial
review and deemed the application

2677
04:11:53,680 --> 04:12:00,479
complete. Uh so we're now at the public
meeting stage. Um so following this,

2678
04:11:58,880 --> 04:12:04,640
we'll take all the information from
council, from members of the public, the

2679
04:12:02,319 --> 04:12:09,920
applicant. Um and we'll complete our
review and provide a recommendation to

2680
04:12:06,960 --> 04:12:14,080
council in a staff report. Um and it's
important to note that to follow our

2681
04:12:12,000 --> 04:12:20,560
prescribed timelines, we will be
bringing an or a recommendation report

2682
04:12:16,160 --> 04:12:27,960
to council on July 27th. Um so we ask
any members of the public to provide

2683
04:12:22,479 --> 04:12:27,960
comments um as soon as possible.

2684
04:12:29,920 --> 04:12:37,680
So here's how to keep engaged in the
process. Um so you can submit comments

2685
04:12:34,960 --> 04:12:42,080
to planning me.ca.
Um and you can also make a request in

2686
04:12:39,600 --> 04:12:46,120
writing to planning@me.ca to be notified
of the decision rendered.

2687
04:12:48,479 --> 04:12:54,080
And so that concludes the end of the
presentation. We have received some

2688
04:12:52,160 --> 04:12:59,199
comments to date and I'll just summarize
them now. Um so we have received

2689
04:12:56,479 --> 04:13:03,760
comments from uh some members of the
public. Um and they have been shared

2690
04:13:01,359 --> 04:13:08,000
with council and will be addressed as
part of the staff recommendation report.

2691
04:13:06,319 --> 04:13:12,000
Um, and to summarize, some comments
expressed concerns about the business

2692
04:13:09,760 --> 04:13:16,319
using more of the site than permitted,
operating outside of business hours, and

2693
04:13:14,159 --> 04:13:19,840
not complying with planning policies and
bylaws.

2694
04:13:18,239 --> 04:13:24,479
Written comments were also received in
support of the business and of the

2695
04:13:21,439 --> 04:13:28,080
temporary use extension.
And that's a summary of the comments

2696
04:13:25,920 --> 04:13:33,439
received so far. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Helina. [clears throat] I I

2697
04:13:30,880 --> 04:13:38,960
understand the applicant John Bolsink is
present today to speak about his

2698
04:13:35,439 --> 04:13:44,040
application. Uh John, yeah, do you want
to step up to the microphone at the

2699
04:13:40,399 --> 04:13:44,040
podium there, please?

2700
04:13:50,319 --> 04:13:56,080
» Good evening, mayor, deputy mayor,
counselors,

2701
04:13:53,680 --> 04:14:01,120
everybody here. It's uh great to see
everybody.

2702
04:13:58,479 --> 04:14:06,720
It's been three long years,
I'm not going to lie, and it hasn't been

2703
04:14:03,199 --> 04:14:09,680
very fun. Um,
I didn't think I'd be here for three

2704
04:14:08,239 --> 04:14:14,720
years. I was promised that within these
three years I'd have a new building, and

2705
04:14:11,680 --> 04:14:18,399
it has not happened. Um,
we've had some struggles. We're working

2706
04:14:16,319 --> 04:14:22,960
with the municipality diligently to try
and work through, resolve, get a

2707
04:14:20,399 --> 04:14:29,040
resolution for the problems. Um, but in
the meantime, we require a little more

2708
04:14:25,120 --> 04:14:35,680
time. um you know
so that we can move forward and get the

2709
04:14:31,760 --> 04:14:40,000
new building built. Um
yeah, it's been hard for me. We have a

2710
04:14:37,680 --> 04:14:43,279
lot of customers, a lot of people um to
try and get

2711
04:14:41,840 --> 04:14:48,560
customer service to give the quality
service that we used to have with a

2712
04:14:44,880 --> 04:14:52,159
smaller facility, smaller um footprint,
all that kind of stuff. It's been really

2713
04:14:50,000 --> 04:14:55,120
really difficult.
You know, trying to follow all the rules

2714
04:14:53,600 --> 04:14:57,920
and trying to follow everything has has
been really, you know, it's been it's

2715
04:14:56,640 --> 04:15:02,319
been really stressful and it's been
really tough, but we're making it work.

2716
04:15:00,720 --> 04:15:05,199
Um,
you know, with everybody's support and

2717
04:15:03,600 --> 04:15:09,520
help, it's been it's been pretty good. I
mean, that's why that's why we do it. So

2718
04:15:07,680 --> 04:15:14,680
many great people in me. It's it's
pretty awesome.

2719
04:15:11,680 --> 04:15:14,680
Um,

2720
04:15:15,680 --> 04:15:20,960
with respect to the neighbors and
everything else, I've been adamant to my

2721
04:15:19,040 --> 04:15:27,520
staff to be respectful to all the
neighbors and, you know, we tried our

2722
04:15:24,000 --> 04:15:31,040
best to keep noise down. You know,
I mean, it's not always easy. I mean, my

2723
04:15:30,399 --> 04:15:34,560
customers, [clears throat] they just
drop stuff off. I have no real control

2724
04:15:32,560 --> 04:15:38,399
of a lot of stuff. Yeah, there's a few
too many vehicles there.

2725
04:15:36,880 --> 04:15:43,520
We have purchased a new facility in
Owens sound and that's probably going to

2726
04:15:42,080 --> 04:15:47,520
take quite a bit of heat off the meford
one here. We have a lot of customers

2727
04:15:44,640 --> 04:15:50,880
that come from over in Owens sound. So
we're working really hard to get that up

2728
04:15:49,199 --> 04:15:54,800
and going. That's probably going to be
open in about two weeks.

2729
04:15:53,359 --> 04:15:58,239
Still waiting on a few things to get
going there. So

2730
04:15:57,040 --> 04:16:02,960
we definitely don't have enough room
where we are and I [clears throat] have

2731
04:16:00,159 --> 04:16:09,120
my employees and they need some room to
work. You know, we we support quite a

2732
04:16:04,880 --> 04:16:11,520
few people. We support quite a few
customers and people to give them the

2733
04:16:10,399 --> 04:16:15,040
service that they require and the
service that they want. I mean, we do a

2734
04:16:13,920 --> 04:16:17,840
lot of different service in a lot of
regular shops. I mean, we do a lot of

2735
04:16:16,560 --> 04:16:21,040
repair. We do engine rebuilds,
transmission rebuilds. Therefore,

2736
04:16:19,199 --> 04:16:24,560
turnaround times on vehicles is a little
longer than most. We're not just doing

2737
04:16:22,800 --> 04:16:29,199
replacements.
Um, you know, we do a wide variety of of

2738
04:16:27,359 --> 04:16:33,040
things. And it's it's it's tough to try
and satisfy everybody. It's tough to try

2739
04:16:30,960 --> 04:16:36,640
and satisfy.
You know,

2740
04:16:35,199 --> 04:16:40,000
we need to make money. We need to get
our shop built. I mean, there's been

2741
04:16:38,479 --> 04:16:43,600
hurdles
and we're getting through them. You

2742
04:16:42,080 --> 04:16:47,840
know, one big hurdle was, you know,
everybody thought my shop my my my old

2743
04:16:45,600 --> 04:16:52,080
shop was contaminated. It all got dug up
as if it was contaminated.

2744
04:16:49,920 --> 04:16:56,319
In the end, it wasn't contaminated.
Well, there's a big issue there. Um, you

2745
04:16:55,120 --> 04:17:01,040
know, just because things are an
automotive shop doesn't mean they're

2746
04:16:57,680 --> 04:17:05,439
contaminating everything. I mean oil's
oil is not not toxic. They actually put

2747
04:17:03,279 --> 04:17:11,520
oil in in they put petroleum and
fertilizer if you can believe that and

2748
04:17:07,600 --> 04:17:14,399
it's spread on fields, you know. So, you
know, we we do our best. If we have

2749
04:17:13,040 --> 04:17:20,159
little spills from vehicles, we clean
them up. We use oil dry, dispose of it.

2750
04:17:18,640 --> 04:17:23,840
You know, we're busy. We're busy. We're
busy working. It's hard to satisfy

2751
04:17:21,600 --> 04:17:27,359
everybody. But, you know, as far as the
tires go, there's been a big change in

2752
04:17:25,600 --> 04:17:31,439
January as far as tire pickup and
recycling. the government have stopped

2753
04:17:29,199 --> 04:17:36,000
some funding on the recycling. I spoke
with Paul Vickers's MPP. He's looking

2754
04:17:34,080 --> 04:17:40,720
into solutions for that. I spoke with
the um tire recyclers and there is a new

2755
04:17:38,800 --> 04:17:45,359
recycler coming but he won't be up and
ready for a couple of months. All the

2756
04:17:42,800 --> 04:17:50,319
shops in this area all have a backlog of
tires including the municipality.

2757
04:17:48,640 --> 04:17:53,439
So, you know, all the you know, a lot of
this stuff's out of our control. You

2758
04:17:52,159 --> 04:17:56,000
know, we can't just start jumping in
ditches everywhere. And that's probably

2759
04:17:54,640 --> 04:17:59,520
what's going to start happening if the
government just doesn't start picking

2760
04:17:57,359 --> 04:18:05,120
stuff up. I mean, everybody pays for
recycling. It's not happening. But

2761
04:18:02,880 --> 04:18:09,800
again, it's out of our control. We do
our best.

2762
04:18:06,800 --> 04:18:09,800
Um,

2763
04:18:11,120 --> 04:18:16,000
um,
yeah, I'm really hoping that when we get

2764
04:18:14,479 --> 04:18:19,840
this new facility going, it'll take a
lot of pressure off the 22 side road and

2765
04:18:18,000 --> 04:18:23,920
maybe a lot of pressure off the off the
neighbors there. Um, far as the road

2766
04:18:22,319 --> 04:18:26,960
getting wrecked, the military uses the
road now because the road across the top

2767
04:18:25,439 --> 04:18:30,720
of the Hogsback is closed. So, the
military comes around there every day.

2768
04:18:28,800 --> 04:18:37,279
One afternoon, I count 14 military
vehicles, dunk trucks, loaders,

2769
04:18:34,159 --> 04:18:42,479
their patrol vehicles. Like, you see
them all the time, you know. So, it's

2770
04:18:39,760 --> 04:18:45,600
not just Johnny B that wrecks the road.
And the road was patched up in the front

2771
04:18:44,000 --> 04:18:49,359
of our shop before we got there. Well,
it's still patched up and hasn't been

2772
04:18:46,880 --> 04:18:55,439
patched up any further.
So, I really don't feel that the whole

2773
04:18:52,159 --> 04:19:02,399
road issue is is our fault either. Um,
but yes, it's busier. So,

2774
04:18:59,520 --> 04:19:08,000
um,
yeah, I don't know. You know, I've been

2775
04:19:05,520 --> 04:19:10,880
patient. I've been waiting. I've been
We've all been doing our due diligence

2776
04:19:09,520 --> 04:19:15,680
to try and get this thing off the
ground. you know, we're struggling with

2777
04:19:13,600 --> 04:19:19,359
there's there's there's a bunch of
things that that are going on that I

2778
04:19:17,040 --> 04:19:23,120
can't talk about here, but it'll all
come together in the end, I think. And I

2779
04:19:21,520 --> 04:19:25,840
appreciate the municipality support.
Appreciate all the friends and family

2780
04:19:24,479 --> 04:19:29,359
and everybody's support because I
wouldn't be here without them. And if I

2781
04:19:28,000 --> 04:19:32,239
didn't have this much support, I
probably wouldn't even start this three

2782
04:19:30,560 --> 04:19:36,560
years ago.
But I appreciate everybody trying hard.

2783
04:19:34,560 --> 04:19:41,000
I know it's difficult and but we'll get
through it. And

2784
04:19:41,199 --> 04:19:48,640
yeah, I'm I'm so excited to have a new
shop and I think everybody else is too.

2785
04:19:47,279 --> 04:19:52,120
Anyway, thanks everybody.
>> Thank you, John.

2786
04:19:57,600 --> 04:20:03,359
» There there have been u uh
pre-registrations to speak at this

2787
04:20:01,359 --> 04:20:10,359
public meeting uh by members of the
public. So, first I'm going to call to

2788
04:20:05,600 --> 04:20:10,359
the microphone Dave and Kathy Wilcox.

2789
04:20:23,120 --> 04:20:27,520
» Good afternoon. Can everybody hear me?
Okay.

2790
04:20:25,199 --> 04:20:30,640
» I just move the microphone down a bit.
Yes. And speak right up close to it.

2791
04:20:29,199 --> 04:20:32,560
» Good afternoon. Can everybody hear me?
Okay. Now,

2792
04:20:31,680 --> 04:20:37,840
» good. Thank you.
>> Okay. I'd like to begin by

2793
04:20:35,279 --> 04:20:43,279
introducing myself. I'm Dave Wilcox and
over here to my left is my wife Kathy.

2794
04:20:40,960 --> 04:20:48,720
We live at 245689
Side Road 22 which is directly across

2795
04:20:45,760 --> 04:20:55,840
from the subject property.
We were opposed to the initial reszoning

2796
04:20:52,159 --> 04:21:00,560
which granted Johnny bees a temporary
three-year permit to operate his

2797
04:20:58,000 --> 04:21:06,800
business across directly across the
road. We are also opposed to this

2798
04:21:03,520 --> 04:21:11,760
application for a three-year extension.
Our concerns are as follows.

2799
04:21:09,840 --> 04:21:18,159
A heavy increase in the amount of
traffic on side road 22.

2800
04:21:14,800 --> 04:21:23,199
We requested a traffic count be done 3
years ago. I would like to know from the

2801
04:21:20,159 --> 04:21:27,199
municipality if there has ever been a
traffic count done.

2802
04:21:26,120 --> 04:21:31,040
» [clears throat]
>> The number two issue is dangerous

2803
04:21:29,199 --> 04:21:35,760
driving at the entrance to the business
as vehicles do not stop when exiting the

2804
04:21:33,359 --> 04:21:43,279
driveway. We've seen many near
collisions there, including me twice.

2805
04:21:40,720 --> 04:21:47,680
Speeding vehicles on side road 22. That
was also an issue three years ago. It

2806
04:21:45,840 --> 04:21:54,000
was mentioned that maybe the speed limit
on the side road be reduced to 70 km an

2807
04:21:51,920 --> 04:21:58,720
hour. I have not heard seen anything
like that. I don't know that that would

2808
04:21:55,760 --> 04:22:03,520
really fix anything because the vehicles
are doing at least 100 kilometers an

2809
04:22:00,560 --> 04:22:09,920
hour. So what difference does it make if
you reduce it by 10?

2810
04:22:06,239 --> 04:22:14,640
And uh excessive noise and car alarms at
all hours. There's noise coming from

2811
04:22:12,640 --> 04:22:20,960
that place
24 hours a day. Car alarms banging

2812
04:22:19,279 --> 04:22:25,279
carrying on. I know Johnny has a
business to look after, but he also has

2813
04:22:23,439 --> 04:22:30,399
business hours that he's supposed to
operate between. And that is very much

2814
04:22:27,680 --> 04:22:34,960
extended. At night, if I leave my
windows open, sometimes I can't sleep

2815
04:22:32,960 --> 04:22:39,760
because all I hear is banging and car
alarms.

2816
04:22:36,560 --> 04:22:44,640
And we live in a rural area, which we
don't shouldn't have to put up with.

2817
04:22:42,880 --> 04:22:48,239
One of our my biggest concerns is
contamination into the protected water

2818
04:22:46,720 --> 04:22:51,760
course.
It was mentioned years ago that water

2819
04:22:50,159 --> 04:22:55,680
samples were going to be taken. Has
council taken any or has the

2820
04:22:53,520 --> 04:23:01,680
municipality taken any water samples to
see about contamination?

2821
04:22:58,960 --> 04:23:06,800
We've heard nothing.
Decline declining property values for

2822
04:23:03,840 --> 04:23:12,080
all the budding land owners. That's
that's a huge thing. You guys extend

2823
04:23:09,760 --> 04:23:15,680
this another three years. got six years
where

2824
04:23:13,680 --> 04:23:20,080
the the value of everybody's property, a
bunning land owner's property is down.

2825
04:23:18,319 --> 04:23:25,040
And if somebody wants to sell, well, you
now you don't want to sell till after

2826
04:23:21,760 --> 04:23:29,680
Johnny be has moved away because
your land value is going to increase

2827
04:23:26,960 --> 04:23:33,840
immensely
and general [clears throat]

2828
04:23:30,960 --> 04:23:38,880
non-compliance to all municipal bylaws.
Examples of this are the number of

2829
04:23:36,399 --> 04:23:42,399
vehicles on site in various states of
repair and disrepair.

2830
04:23:43,017 --> 04:23:47,439
» [clears throat]
>> They're supposed to have a maximum of 10

2831
04:23:45,199 --> 04:23:54,880
vehicles on site.
I've counted up as many as 93 on site

2832
04:23:52,560 --> 04:24:00,479
and that's a lot more than 10. I don't
know why he needs to have 93 vehicles on

2833
04:23:57,520 --> 04:24:05,960
site in a special agricultural area and
many of those vehicles are outside of

2834
04:24:02,239 --> 04:24:05,960
the permitted area.

2835
04:24:07,920 --> 04:24:18,560
tires being stored in properly outside.
As far as I know, most people that have

2836
04:24:15,840 --> 04:24:23,920
businesses, they have containers that
the tires are stored in.

2837
04:24:21,760 --> 04:24:29,680
There's these are just being stored
outside and are

2838
04:24:26,560 --> 04:24:33,199
an eyes sore and I've already mentioned
operating outside of normal business

2839
04:24:31,520 --> 04:24:38,239
hours.
This is just a very generalized list of

2840
04:24:35,680 --> 04:24:42,640
concerns, many of which have been what
many of which were brought forward to

2841
04:24:39,920 --> 04:24:46,319
council before the initial resoning. We
are very frustrated that some of these

2842
04:24:44,479 --> 04:24:50,720
concerns have never been dealt with by
the municipality.

2843
04:24:48,640 --> 04:24:58,239
We really feel that the municipality has
dropped the ball on this subject.

2844
04:24:53,920 --> 04:25:05,840
And in closing, we we hope the council
will take some of this information

2845
04:25:03,359 --> 04:25:10,560
into account when making their decisions
on this matter. Thank you very much.

2846
04:25:08,640 --> 04:25:16,920
» Thank you.
>> The uh second party to speak is Lynn

2847
04:25:13,920 --> 04:25:16,920
Piery.

2848
04:25:31,600 --> 04:25:39,120
My name is Lynn Piery and I'm here
speaking on behalf of my husband and

2849
04:25:35,680 --> 04:25:44,640
myself. We live right next door to
Johnny Bees and Extreme Excavating.

2850
04:25:42,479 --> 04:25:48,800
Before I address council, I would really
like to

2851
04:25:46,720 --> 04:25:55,840
talk to Mr. Bullsync, the property
owner, and those who support them.

2852
04:25:51,439 --> 04:26:02,479
Please listen to what I have to say.
I would not be standing here today

2853
04:25:59,359 --> 04:26:07,199
fighting this extension if the rules had
been followed. There were restrictions

2854
04:26:04,560 --> 04:26:14,319
set out in that temporary reasonzoning
and they have just flaunted all of they

2855
04:26:11,279 --> 04:26:19,439
obliterated the rules. Further, in
addition, for the past 3 years, I've

2856
04:26:16,640 --> 04:26:25,439
experienced an ongoing campaign of
harassment and attempts to intimidate

2857
04:26:22,159 --> 04:26:30,319
me. I served 22 years as a member of our
Canadian Armed Forces. I'm not easily

2858
04:26:28,159 --> 04:26:36,159
intim intimidated, but you can keep
trying. Like this gentleman who was

2859
04:26:33,279 --> 04:26:41,760
staring at me prior to the meeting and
this gentleman who just stands right

2860
04:26:39,120 --> 04:26:48,800
behind us.
You can tell me to go back to the city.

2861
04:26:45,760 --> 04:26:51,800
» You can dump your crap at the end of my
driveway.

2862
04:26:58,560 --> 04:27:07,120
Um, I just want to make a comment here.
Um,

2863
04:27:04,479 --> 04:27:13,359
we really want to have a a
>> I'm I'm just here to speak my peace,

2864
04:27:09,439 --> 04:27:19,600
Mayor. I'm I had a really nice, very
polite

2865
04:27:14,960 --> 04:27:24,080
uh well-crafted speech written, but
>> this note in my mailbox, am I allowed to

2866
04:27:22,560 --> 04:27:27,359
say what it says on here in chamber
council?

2867
04:27:24,800 --> 04:27:34,399
» I would not. No. And what I'm saying is
uh I we in order to have a a a

2868
04:27:31,359 --> 04:27:37,359
reasonable discussion of the application
uh

2869
04:27:34,960 --> 04:27:40,800
» I need to discuss the escalating and
ongoing harassment.

2870
04:27:38,880 --> 04:27:44,960
» Okay. And but can you do that in a way
that you do not uh incite people to uh

2871
04:27:43,600 --> 04:27:52,640
you know because then we're going to
have a riot and not appropriate.

2872
04:27:47,520 --> 04:27:56,159
» People have incited me. I'm here because
you dump your crap at the end of my

2873
04:27:54,239 --> 04:28:02,720
driveway. You tell me to go back to the
city and call me a very nasty name.

2874
04:28:00,960 --> 04:28:08,239
Um
you honk your horn at midnight.

2875
04:28:06,080 --> 04:28:14,319
You leave nasty notes in my mailbox. you
and I'm not going to stop. So that's why

2876
04:28:10,560 --> 04:28:21,199
I'm here because of your
No, you can't. This is my turn to speak.

2877
04:28:18,159 --> 04:28:27,120
» This is why you're hearing it, honey.
This is why I'm here because of your

2878
04:28:24,479 --> 04:28:34,319
escalating harassment and intimidations
and Mr. Bullsyncs and the property

2879
04:28:29,439 --> 04:28:38,880
owners disregard for any rules. So to
Mayor Kentner,

2880
04:28:36,239 --> 04:28:45,279
Deputy Mayor Cavini, members of the
municipal staff and council, here's the

2881
04:28:42,640 --> 04:28:51,680
nitty-gritty of what I've come to say. I
have composed, but not yet sent 28

2882
04:28:48,640 --> 04:28:57,840
emails to various county, provincial,
and federal government entities and

2883
04:28:54,319 --> 04:29:02,720
other groups. I've email I have them in
my drafts. Environment ministers, health

2884
04:29:00,319 --> 04:29:09,000
ministers, even their critics in
opposition, I have 28 emails sitting

2885
04:29:06,000 --> 04:29:09,000
there.

2886
04:29:11,840 --> 04:29:18,960
Should you decide to extend the
temporary reszoning by as much as 10

2887
04:29:16,000 --> 04:29:23,680
minutes, I will press send on all of
that and then I will submit my complaint

2888
04:29:21,120 --> 04:29:26,479
to the Ontario Land Tribunal. I do have
three other plans up my sleeve, but I

2889
04:29:25,199 --> 04:29:31,040
don't I won't use them. I call them
nuclear options, and I don't want to go

2890
04:29:28,720 --> 04:29:35,520
scorched earth if I if I if I don't, but
I will not stop. And another thing, the

2891
04:29:33,439 --> 04:29:41,680
property in question must be cleaned up
and have clean water and soil samples by

2892
04:29:37,760 --> 04:29:48,560
midnight on November 13th. I will not
stop. Thank you for your time.

2893
04:29:45,439 --> 04:29:51,560
Thank you. Uh the next speaker is Greg
Hart.

2894
04:29:51,600 --> 04:29:54,600
Somebody

2895
04:29:55,120 --> 04:29:59,560
gets disabled, they need to say.

2896
04:30:00,720 --> 04:30:08,239
» Mr. Mayor, before I start, I have worked
very hard on my presentation and I know

2897
04:30:06,159 --> 04:30:11,040
that you have a fivem minute limit.
>> Sorry,

2898
04:30:08,880 --> 04:30:16,399
» you have a five minute limit on
presentations. If I go 30 seconds over,

2899
04:30:14,239 --> 04:30:22,239
would you indulge me?
>> I for 30 seconds. Of course I would. I

2900
04:30:19,840 --> 04:30:26,880
think we've indulged I appreciate that
very much. I just wanted to make that

2901
04:30:23,920 --> 04:30:32,960
clear first because it is a very
important subject as you know.

2902
04:30:29,040 --> 04:30:38,239
» So, Mr. Mayor, members of council, I'm
here on behalf of John Bolsync to

2903
04:30:35,439 --> 04:30:43,600
express my support for his efforts to
complete the rebuilding of Johnny Bee's

2904
04:30:40,800 --> 04:30:48,640
auto and return his business to its
longtime home in Meford. Three years

2905
04:30:46,399 --> 04:30:53,920
ago, Johnny Bee's was auto was
devastated by a fire. It was a tragic

2906
04:30:51,359 --> 04:30:58,800
day for John, his family, his employees,
and our entire community. Johnny Bees

2907
04:30:56,880 --> 04:31:04,560
has served the Meford community
faithfully for many years. Earned the

2908
04:31:01,279 --> 04:31:09,760
trust and loyalty of c of countless
customers. For many of us, John was more

2909
04:31:07,279 --> 04:31:14,560
than just a mechanic. He was someone we
relied on to keep our family safely on

2910
04:31:12,080 --> 04:31:19,120
the road. Following the fire, the
community rallied around John. Council

2911
04:31:16,800 --> 04:31:23,520
members, mayor, local businesses,
residents, and surrounding communities

2912
04:31:21,040 --> 04:31:28,880
all expressed their support and their
desire to see Johnny's rebuilt. There

2913
04:31:26,800 --> 04:31:34,239
was a shared belief that this important
local business belonged to in Meford and

2914
04:31:31,600 --> 04:31:40,479
should return as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, 3 years later, that goal

2915
04:31:37,120 --> 04:31:45,359
has still not been achieved. Johnny has
invested substantial time and money into

2916
04:31:43,040 --> 04:31:49,760
this project. Professional engineers
have prepared plans. Contractors have

2917
04:31:48,080 --> 04:31:54,880
completed work. The building
foundation's been in place for over a

2918
04:31:51,920 --> 04:31:59,199
year. Structural steel is ready to be
erected. Yet another permit is still

2919
04:31:57,279 --> 04:32:04,159
required before construction can
proceed. So the question in many people

2920
04:32:02,080 --> 04:32:11,199
in this community in their minds is
simple. Why has this process taken so

2921
04:32:07,279 --> 04:32:15,920
long? The challenge has been continuity
within the building department. I'm sure

2922
04:32:13,840 --> 04:32:20,720
over the past three years, Meford has
experienced turnover in a senior

2923
04:32:17,760 --> 04:32:26,640
administration and in building
leadership. Every transition inevitably

2924
04:32:23,840 --> 04:32:32,720
requires new staff to become familiar
with existing files, reviewing

2925
04:32:28,880 --> 04:32:38,640
preisions, and ensuring compliance with
acceptable and applicable legislation.

2926
04:32:36,399 --> 04:32:43,359
While that is understandable, act
applicants should not bear the cost of

2927
04:32:40,640 --> 04:32:48,080
unnecessary delays resulting from
organizational change.

2928
04:32:46,000 --> 04:32:52,560
Large commercial projects are complex.
They often require revisions, technical

2929
04:32:50,239 --> 04:32:59,439
reviews, and compliance with Ontario
building code, and no one disputes that.

2930
04:32:56,159 --> 04:33:04,719
However, every requested revision
results in additional engineering work,

2931
04:33:02,159 --> 04:33:10,639
additional costs, additional time. When
reviews extend over months rather than

2932
04:33:07,279 --> 04:33:14,480
weeks, these costs continue to grow.
Inflation has increased construction

2933
04:33:12,561 --> 04:33:20,080
costs dramatically over the past four
years. Delays making rebuilding s uh

2934
04:33:17,840 --> 04:33:26,719
delays make rebuilding significantly
more expensive for any building builder

2935
04:33:23,520 --> 04:33:30,959
business owner. I'm sorry. John has
shown remarkable patience throughout

2936
04:33:28,480 --> 04:33:36,080
this process. He's asked for and
received council's approval to

2937
04:33:32,799 --> 04:33:40,719
temporarily relocate his business on
concession 22 so he could continue

2938
04:33:38,879 --> 04:33:46,080
serving his customers while rebuilding
was underway. At that time everyone

2939
04:33:43,520 --> 04:33:52,959
understood this was intended to be a
temporary solution not a permanent one.

2940
04:33:49,840 --> 04:33:59,600
So today 3 years later Johnny be's auto
remains in a temporary location.

2941
04:33:56,959 --> 04:34:03,359
Why? Well, the situation affects more
than one person. It affects his

2942
04:34:01,520 --> 04:34:08,080
employees. It affects his customers. It
affects the nearby residents.

2943
04:34:06,320 --> 04:34:14,400
Every successful small business
contributes jobs, tax revenue, economic

2944
04:34:11,119 --> 04:34:18,160
activity, and community stability.
Helping an established local business

2945
04:34:16,480 --> 04:34:23,439
return to its permanent location
benefits every

2946
04:34:20,480 --> 04:34:28,959
So, I'm not here to criticize municipal
staff. I recognize they have demanding

2947
04:34:25,760 --> 04:34:35,039
jobs and must ensure every project
complies with applicable legislation.

2948
04:34:32,959 --> 04:34:40,080
But what I'm asking for is
accountability,

2949
04:34:36,639 --> 04:34:44,480
communication, and a sense of urgency.
There are outstanding dis if there are

2950
04:34:42,000 --> 04:34:49,039
outstanding deficiency, let John know
exactly what they are. If additional

2951
04:34:46,879 --> 04:34:54,799
information's required, provide a
checklist. If timelines can be

2952
04:34:51,920 --> 04:35:00,240
established, communicate them with them.
Most importantly, assign someone to

2953
04:34:57,359 --> 04:35:05,760
shepherd this file from beginning to
completion so it does not continue to

2954
04:35:02,240 --> 04:35:10,799
stall as responsibilities shift between
departments or personnel or even the

2955
04:35:08,639 --> 04:35:14,879
municipal election.
Council has the opportunity to

2956
04:35:12,639 --> 04:35:19,680
demonstrate that Meford supports local
business. This is not asking about

2957
04:35:17,279 --> 04:35:24,240
special treatment. It's about ensuring
that respectful business owners who have

2958
04:35:22,160 --> 04:35:29,760
worked in good faith for the last three
years receive fair, efficient, and

2959
04:35:26,719 --> 04:35:33,920
timely service. As we approach another
municipal election, I believe residents

2960
04:35:31,680 --> 04:35:39,359
will be watching closely to see how
council supports businesses that choose

2961
04:35:36,639 --> 04:35:44,879
to invest in our community.
John's ready. The contractor's ready.

2962
04:35:42,639 --> 04:35:49,520
His building materials are ready. His
customers are waiting. Now, it's time

2963
04:35:47,359 --> 04:35:56,080
for this approval process to move
forward forward. Excuse me. I

2964
04:35:52,879 --> 04:36:02,080
respectfully ask council to direct staff
to make this project a priority,

2965
04:35:59,199 --> 04:36:07,680
identify any remaining requirements,
establish a clear path forward for

2966
04:36:04,879 --> 04:36:13,039
permit approval, and to help bring
Johnny's bees back to where it belongs

2967
04:36:10,719 --> 04:36:16,760
in the town of Meph.
Thank you for your future.

2968
04:36:23,760 --> 04:36:29,561
The next next speaker is uh Michelle
Whitmer.

2969
04:36:39,520 --> 04:36:46,279
» Yep. Is Michelle Witmore here? Yes.
Okay.

2970
04:36:51,920 --> 04:36:58,000
Just while you're getting ready to to
take the mic there, I I'm just going to

2971
04:36:55,600 --> 04:37:02,879
share with you that uh you know, members
of council and staff uh are coming to

2972
04:37:00,400 --> 04:37:08,080
this meeting with an open mind and uh to
hear from the public, both those who are

2973
04:37:05,199 --> 04:37:13,119
in favor and those who are not. And no
decision is going to be made tonight. So

2974
04:37:10,719 --> 04:37:18,160
be aware of that, please. Uh go ahead,
Michelle.

2975
04:37:15,119 --> 04:37:23,199
Mayor, council, good afternoon. I'm
Michelle Whitmore, a friend and a

2976
04:37:20,400 --> 04:37:29,920
business associate associate of John
Bullsync and of Johnny Bee's Auto. Thank

2977
04:37:26,480 --> 04:37:35,039
you for having me here today. I wish to
speak to you about hardship.

2978
04:37:32,480 --> 04:37:41,279
Due to the fire in May of 2023, the
family business known as Donnie Bees has

2979
04:37:38,160 --> 04:37:48,240
had to deal with stress causing health
issues and undue financial hardships

2980
04:37:44,959 --> 04:37:53,439
that they have faced
due to not being able to rebuild for the

2981
04:37:50,480 --> 04:37:58,240
last three years. I would like to remind
everyone that they have faced many

2982
04:37:55,840 --> 04:38:04,240
refusals for rebuilding. They have
submitted and planned on rebuilding

2983
04:38:01,199 --> 04:38:10,080
since the day the fire happened. But due
to circumstances beyond their control,

2984
04:38:07,199 --> 04:38:14,719
they are still waiting on approval.
With the generosity of a customer and a

2985
04:38:12,480 --> 04:38:21,119
friend, a place was found for a
temporary solution. With the support of

2986
04:38:17,199 --> 04:38:27,600
the township varants, they were able to
retain partial business while awaiting a

2987
04:38:24,639 --> 04:38:32,879
building permit.
They were requesting an additional

2988
04:38:29,439 --> 04:38:37,680
variance to sustain some income for
their family and employees. This

2989
04:38:35,520 --> 04:38:43,600
variance would be for an additional 3
years if accepted by council. I would

2990
04:38:41,359 --> 04:38:48,719
like for the mayor to understand the
losses are still happening to this small

2991
04:38:46,080 --> 04:38:54,240
business. They cannot have their convict
license which allows buying and selling

2992
04:38:51,199 --> 04:38:59,920
of cars. The body shop for repairs is
not available due to the temporary

2993
04:38:57,039 --> 04:39:05,600
location. The business is struggling
financially, losing approximately 50% of

2994
04:39:03,119 --> 04:39:11,760
their business revenue. It's only
covering cost. They are unable to

2995
04:39:08,400 --> 04:39:15,840
satisfy their customers base due to so
many limitations.

2996
04:39:14,000 --> 04:39:22,959
This small business has always been
compliant with rules, regulations,

2997
04:39:19,680 --> 04:39:28,160
government policies and procedures.
As with any business, they are licensed

2998
04:39:26,400 --> 04:39:32,959
requirements.
Examples are easer, which is the

2999
04:39:30,959 --> 04:39:39,200
environmental
env for used cars, drive on so they can

3000
04:39:36,320 --> 04:39:44,320
do a safety on your car, tire
stewardship,

3001
04:39:40,798 --> 04:39:50,958
business licenses. These are all things
that they have to pay and maintain with

3002
04:39:48,320 --> 04:39:54,680
or without
a solid site.

3003
04:39:54,798 --> 04:40:02,958
There is only a temporary trailer for
office space and no room to grow from

3004
04:39:59,440 --> 04:40:08,400
this location. The bottom line is they
require their new permit for rebuild or

3005
04:40:05,760 --> 04:40:16,160
they require this location for longer
term or the financial hardship will

3006
04:40:11,600 --> 04:40:23,200
cause more tragedy than the fire itself.
People will be out of work with nowhere

3007
04:40:18,160 --> 04:40:31,760
to go. A family, a solid family in this
community needs the compassion of this

3008
04:40:27,040 --> 04:40:34,480
council to accept this as a need to this
community.

3009
04:40:33,440 --> 04:40:37,718
Thank you.
>> Thank you.

3010
04:40:41,120 --> 04:40:46,360
Finally, finally, I'm [clears throat]
going to call on Ken Jolly.

3011
04:40:52,400 --> 04:40:59,200
Good evening everyone. My name is Ken
Jelly and I'm here not as Johnny's

3012
04:40:56,480 --> 04:41:03,600
friend but I'm but myself because I'm a
customer and I'm a business owner and I

3013
04:41:01,600 --> 04:41:07,840
need my mechanic.
Just like thousands of other customers

3014
04:41:05,360 --> 04:41:12,320
and other businesses rely on him. The
local economy is intertwined in having a

3015
04:41:09,840 --> 04:41:16,718
reliable vehicles to run our businesses
to get to and from work. Not approving

3016
04:41:14,480 --> 04:41:22,080
this extension has huge economic
recourse with the entire community and

3017
04:41:19,760 --> 04:41:27,440
would devastate the bullings.
We all know what we are here to discuss.

3018
04:41:25,040 --> 04:41:32,240
But do we know why? Why are the bulls
still operating on side road 22? They

3019
04:41:30,320 --> 04:41:36,080
don't want to be there. Some of the
neighbors don't want them there. Their

3020
04:41:34,160 --> 04:41:41,360
customers don't want them there. But yet
they're stuck there. The bulls have done

3021
04:41:38,718 --> 04:41:46,400
everything that they can be done not to
be there. The site plan was done years

3022
04:41:43,760 --> 04:41:51,760
ago. An engineered steel building sits
on the Highway 26 site ready to be

3023
04:41:49,280 --> 04:41:57,520
erected. And there's been and has been
there for quite some time. A concrete

3024
04:41:53,760 --> 04:42:02,320
foundation was approved. Sits ready. No
building permits, no way to leave side

3025
04:42:00,080 --> 04:42:08,400
road 22 and let the neighborhood go back
to normal. So why in 3 years, 1 month,

3026
04:42:05,440 --> 04:42:12,798
19 days does he not have a permit? Does
bureaucracy really take this long? Is a

3027
04:42:11,280 --> 04:42:18,400
town really trying all that hard to
remedy the situation? Everyone would be

3028
04:42:15,680 --> 04:42:22,560
happier if he wasn't there. So here we
are asking for an extension for the bull

3029
04:42:20,480 --> 04:42:26,638
sinks to be where no one wants them to
be, where they don't want to be. All

3030
04:42:25,200 --> 04:42:31,120
because they are still waiting for a
building permit. Now I'm aware of the

3031
04:42:29,280 --> 04:42:36,240
say no to Johnny B petition from the
neighbors who don't want the bull sinks

3032
04:42:33,760 --> 04:42:40,400
on side 22. to the organizers of the
petition. You do know the bulls are on

3033
04:42:38,798 --> 04:42:44,718
the same you and the bulls are on the
same side. You could be allies. You

3034
04:42:43,040 --> 04:42:48,638
could be helping each other get get him
back to where he should be. Have you

3035
04:42:47,040 --> 04:42:53,280
ever asked the town why they're taking
so long with the permits?

3036
04:42:50,958 --> 04:42:56,718
I understand that temporary zoning for
this property had a timeline on it. And

3037
04:42:55,360 --> 04:43:01,680
when it was first granted, it should
have been tons of time to get permits to

3038
04:42:59,680 --> 04:43:06,080
get the build done. But with it soon
expiring, it's only logical to grant an

3039
04:43:03,840 --> 04:43:11,280
extension since the town is the only
reason he is still there. The site plan

3040
04:43:08,798 --> 04:43:15,840
done, engineered building done,
foundation ready. Unfortunately, there

3041
04:43:13,360 --> 04:43:21,680
will be a few people that don't like
this decision. And yes, your your

3042
04:43:18,240 --> 04:43:26,878
opinions matter. However, you are few
and we are many that need Johnny B. He

3043
04:43:24,718 --> 04:43:31,440
is our mechanic. He keeps several
thousand people on on the road. He keeps

3044
04:43:29,280 --> 04:43:39,400
many businesses going with without him
the whole town suffers. Many businesses

3045
04:43:34,878 --> 04:43:39,400
excuse me, I'm talking.

3046
04:43:40,240 --> 04:43:45,920
There are many people that need Johnny
B. He is our mechanic. He keeps several

3047
04:43:43,920 --> 04:43:50,080
thousand people on the road. He keeps
bis many businesses going. Without him,

3048
04:43:47,760 --> 04:43:55,520
the whole town suffers. Many businesses
will suffer. The whole community will

3049
04:43:51,680 --> 04:43:59,760
suffer. Unfortunately, the few
for the few the greater good to for the

3050
04:43:57,520 --> 04:44:04,878
community is granting the extension.
Democracy says there's only one choice.

3051
04:44:02,638 --> 04:44:09,360
Logic says there is only one choice. So
the town council, you have one choice to

3052
04:44:07,200 --> 04:44:13,040
make. Approve the extension and the
extension should remain in place until

3053
04:44:11,120 --> 04:44:17,760
he has a permit and can move forward and
get back to his place on Highway 26

3054
04:44:15,200 --> 04:44:20,760
where everyone wants him to be. Thank
you.

3055
04:44:29,440 --> 04:44:39,160
Uh you uh Yes. Well, I did call you. Uh
but anyway,

3056
04:44:34,718 --> 04:44:39,160
» yes. Okay. No, you go right ahead.

3057
04:44:45,200 --> 04:44:53,280
» Hi, I'm Kathy Wilcox. to live across the
road from Johnny Bees. So, my my

3058
04:44:51,440 --> 04:44:58,480
question is,
it was a three-year term. My question to

3059
04:44:56,160 --> 04:45:05,280
everybody here that hates our guts and
calls us horrible names and leaves dead

3060
04:45:00,560 --> 04:45:11,520
things in our uh mailboxes. Um, those
people, I'd like to ask when did it

3061
04:45:08,240 --> 04:45:16,638
become aware to Johnny that this meeting
was coming up? Last week or three years

3062
04:45:14,958 --> 04:45:22,878
ago? because he's had a lot of
opportunity to make some actions to

3063
04:45:19,440 --> 04:45:26,000
assist himself in that interim. He knew
these permits were being denied. Well,

3064
04:45:24,560 --> 04:45:32,320
what did he do a year ago when they were
being denied? Anything? No, he just

3065
04:45:28,480 --> 04:45:38,638
waited for today. Right.
So,

3066
04:45:34,718 --> 04:45:46,560
my my concerns are I see
um so many people walking up and down

3067
04:45:43,040 --> 04:45:50,638
the side road. Um
they're walking. They're they're coming

3068
04:45:48,160 --> 04:45:54,878
to a halt. There was there were people
three people on the road the other night

3069
04:45:52,000 --> 04:45:58,400
and a woman screaming at her children to
stop because they were coming and

3070
04:45:56,160 --> 04:46:03,760
someone's flying out of Johnny Bees. And
John, it's not you that's doing the

3071
04:46:00,240 --> 04:46:07,200
driving. I'm not saying that. But there
people are asking for respect. But what

3072
04:46:05,520 --> 04:46:11,040
about us?
What about any health issues that we

3073
04:46:08,798 --> 04:46:16,798
have? What about our what about our
hardships that we have? our health, our

3074
04:46:13,520 --> 04:46:20,718
finances, every like we don't feel hor
this is a horrible situation for

3075
04:46:18,718 --> 04:46:24,798
everyone to be in. And if you refer back
to three years ago, I said this and

3076
04:46:23,280 --> 04:46:30,000
stressed it that it was an is a
situation for council and it still is.

3077
04:46:28,320 --> 04:46:35,200
So, we're not here screwing around with
anybody. And we're not hoping somebody

3078
04:46:31,520 --> 04:46:40,798
does that to us, but there is dog
and and a dead bird left in my mailbox.

3079
04:46:38,480 --> 04:46:46,480
And my poor neighbor here with the most
recent spelling of C go back to Toronto

3080
04:46:44,240 --> 04:46:51,120
on a on a slip of paper that my husband
and I delivered to everybody's mailboxes

3081
04:46:48,718 --> 04:46:56,878
to say, "Come and help us out." because
there were walkers and joggers and

3082
04:46:52,958 --> 04:47:03,200
bikers and hikers and kids on um ATVs
and golf carts and I was almost struck

3083
04:47:00,560 --> 04:47:08,798
three times in front of my mailbox in
the same day right there. So, I don't

3084
04:47:07,200 --> 04:47:13,520
know what else to say. We're not trying
to pick on anyone and just like stop the

3085
04:47:11,840 --> 04:47:17,520
nonsense going on across the road from
us. This is horrible for all of us.

3086
04:47:15,840 --> 04:47:22,480
Everybody has health issues. Everybody
has their finances.

3087
04:47:19,520 --> 04:47:28,080
Nobody feels like anyone's being
horrible except I would say

3088
04:47:25,760 --> 04:47:32,638
the posi that showed up three years ago
and those of which the posi are here

3089
04:47:29,920 --> 04:47:37,120
again. Some of you know some of you are
great to deal with others it's just a

3090
04:47:34,560 --> 04:47:42,320
lynch mob and as the mayor said earlier
if it doesn't settle down it's going to

3091
04:47:38,798 --> 04:47:47,680
become that and I also am not afraid and
intimidated. So if you're going to pull

3092
04:47:45,600 --> 04:47:52,560
that nonsense, Lynn has and her husband
have my support as well as my husband's.

3093
04:47:50,320 --> 04:47:58,958
So we're on speed doll for each other.
Something happens, I'll be over. And so

3094
04:47:55,440 --> 04:48:04,240
my husband and our little itty bitty dog
who who now has to be fearful of a huge

3095
04:48:01,760 --> 04:48:09,360
Rottweiler that was across the road from
Johnny Bees the other night. And I don't

3096
04:48:06,240 --> 04:48:13,360
know why the man was there. I asked him
what he was getting paid because my

3097
04:48:10,878 --> 04:48:18,400
suspicions were he was hired as security
because I've never seen the man or that

3098
04:48:15,200 --> 04:48:26,560
dog ever before. So now there's OP
involve it. And and at the OP showed up

3099
04:48:21,840 --> 04:48:30,080
and said, "Oh, um um by the way, um you
told them you're not a police or you're

3100
04:48:27,920 --> 04:48:34,320
a police officer." Said, "Yes, I am."
Well, no, you're retired. I said, "No,

3101
04:48:31,600 --> 04:48:38,480
somehow I missed my party. So I am an
active officer. So, anybody in case you

3102
04:48:36,320 --> 04:48:44,000
need me at any point. So, I'll be there
to assist Lynn as well for any issues in

3103
04:48:41,040 --> 04:48:47,840
that regard. Um, and if she needs any
protection, I'll be there before

3104
04:48:45,280 --> 04:48:51,840
probably my brothers in blue show up.
But I don't know what else to say other

3105
04:48:49,120 --> 04:49:00,878
than John. I really feel bad for you. I
just really do. So, I thank you.

3106
04:48:57,600 --> 04:49:05,120
It's uh my uh duty to also inquire if
there's anyone who didn't pre-register

3107
04:49:02,958 --> 04:49:11,440
who would like to uh take the microphone
and uh uh state their views.

3108
04:49:09,760 --> 04:49:15,280
Go ahead.
>> Please, please give us your name and

3109
04:49:14,240 --> 04:49:20,240
address. And
>> absolutely. Hi, my name is Tim Wallace.

3110
04:49:17,920 --> 04:49:26,080
Uh me and my beautiful wife moved here
recently uh about a year and a half ago

3111
04:49:23,600 --> 04:49:31,440
and we came under the worst thing
possible obviously car trouble and I

3112
04:49:29,680 --> 04:49:36,080
know there's a lot of tensions high. I
know a lot of people care and I think

3113
04:49:33,600 --> 04:49:41,680
there's a lot of passion and I think
there's passion because there's a good

3114
04:49:37,920 --> 04:49:47,040
man over here. There's a guy who is the
reason I've been able to work feed my

3115
04:49:44,480 --> 04:49:52,080
family. I've seen him put roofs over
people's houses. I've seen him jump

3116
04:49:49,600 --> 04:49:56,240
through hoops with you guys and with
everybody else. And it's always for the

3117
04:49:54,638 --> 04:50:04,480
good.
And so all I ask here is let's let's put

3118
04:50:00,638 --> 04:50:08,400
the shame aside. Let's let's put away
whatever we're holding in that has

3119
04:50:06,878 --> 04:50:13,200
stopped
whatever silly building permits stops a

3120
04:50:11,280 --> 04:50:17,360
man that does this much good for a
community.

3121
04:50:15,040 --> 04:50:23,360
I I can't believe paper gets in the way
of that. And I know there's some good

3122
04:50:20,798 --> 04:50:27,520
shops around,
but the amount of lengths he's gone

3123
04:50:25,680 --> 04:50:33,040
through in the trouble he's been
through, I I couldn't ask more. Please,

3124
04:50:31,040 --> 04:50:40,680
please give him his permits. Please let
him keep working cuz it's

3125
04:50:36,400 --> 04:50:40,680
people around here trying to get by.

3126
04:50:45,600 --> 04:50:52,638
What I what I can say is that this
meeting is not about his permit. It is

3127
04:50:49,760 --> 04:51:00,080
about uh the application uh to extend
the uh the uh use of the uh the land.

3128
04:50:56,958 --> 04:51:04,718
But I I will ask CIO ever, do you wish
to respond to the concerns about the

3129
04:51:02,718 --> 04:51:08,958
permit at all? Is there anything you can
say tonight?

3130
04:51:06,480 --> 04:51:12,718
» Uh through you, Mr. Mayor. Um, as far as
the permit, I believe that that is with

3131
04:51:10,878 --> 04:51:16,798
the uh the planning department as well
as the building department. Um, and that

3132
04:51:14,878 --> 04:51:20,638
process is underway and has been for
quite some time. So,

3133
04:51:18,718 --> 04:51:28,400
» okay.
Uh, I have to ask um council if uh you

3134
04:51:24,878 --> 04:51:33,280
have any questions uh for anyone.
Sorry. Oh, did you do you wish to speak?

3135
04:51:32,000 --> 04:51:36,878
» I I do.
>> Please go ahead. Please go ahead. I'm

3136
04:51:35,200 --> 04:51:40,160
sorry. I I thought I had everyone who
had registered or and asked for anyone

3137
04:51:38,718 --> 04:51:45,200
who hadn't.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. My

3138
04:51:42,878 --> 04:51:51,680
name is John Greer. I'm a former
resident of Neford. Uh several people in

3139
04:51:49,200 --> 04:52:01,120
the chamber here know me. I've known me
since my family moved here in 2016.

3140
04:51:56,080 --> 04:52:06,320
Um, I I have to say that I'm a car guy
and people come to me for guidance and

3141
04:52:03,440 --> 04:52:13,680
advice, including my family and friends.
Um, I have recommended and people have

3142
04:52:10,000 --> 04:52:17,760
come and had service performed at the
former location and also at the current

3143
04:52:16,160 --> 04:52:26,480
location
and they come from downtown Toronto to

3144
04:52:22,718 --> 04:52:33,840
get work done here. There is a reason
why after having the tragic loss of that

3145
04:52:30,798 --> 04:52:41,520
facility that people continue to seek
out Johnny B and his cadre of mechanics

3146
04:52:39,040 --> 04:52:48,240
and it's because there's tremendous
value but there's also someone mentioned

3147
04:52:45,040 --> 04:52:53,760
it a sense of urgency.
As I sat here and listened, I thought

3148
04:52:51,280 --> 04:53:00,080
about what my wife experienced in
December. Ice storm,

3149
04:52:57,200 --> 04:53:05,680
an infant, a four-year-old, our
daughter,

3150
04:53:01,760 --> 04:53:10,798
and my wife in her vehicle, and the
driver's window goes down and won't go

3151
04:53:08,718 --> 04:53:18,400
back up.
on the way to the airport.

3152
04:53:14,798 --> 04:53:25,360
Imagine her horror having to deal with
that. And the infant was 4 months old.

3153
04:53:23,280 --> 04:53:30,718
Turn around.
Go to Jollibee's.

3154
04:53:27,440 --> 04:53:37,200
He stopped everything he was doing.
Disassembled the door. Took the window

3155
04:53:33,760 --> 04:53:43,520
out. Broken cables inside. clamped it
all in with uh a pair of vice grips and

3156
04:53:41,200 --> 04:53:52,080
in less than 20 minutes my wife is on
her way and still adept.

3157
04:53:48,638 --> 04:53:57,120
I support the business regardless of
where it's located. I'd love to see him

3158
04:53:54,798 --> 04:54:02,638
be able to pursue the growth of the
business. But I have to tell you, if you

3159
04:54:00,320 --> 04:54:08,958
don't already know,
the service he provides, like many other

3160
04:54:05,280 --> 04:54:16,878
services in the town of Meford,
it's a metaphor for why I came here.

3161
04:54:14,160 --> 04:54:23,360
This is a fabulous community and I hope
you make a decision to continue to

3162
04:54:19,680 --> 04:54:29,040
support a business like John's. And
while I'm here, I want to say

3163
04:54:25,120 --> 04:54:34,718
congratulations to you on making that
new newly renovated park down by the

3164
04:54:32,000 --> 04:54:39,200
harbor. You've got some really happy
campers down there. That's a great

3165
04:54:36,638 --> 04:54:42,240
decision to do that. So, good on you.
>> Could Could we get your name before you

3166
04:54:40,878 --> 04:54:44,718
leave the microphone? I don't think we
got it there.

3167
04:54:42,878 --> 04:54:50,600
» John Greer. Oh, yeah. I live in
Thornbury now.

3168
04:54:46,480 --> 04:54:50,600
» Thank you, John. Thank you.

3169
04:54:53,280 --> 04:54:58,840
So, members of council, do you have
questions of anyone?

3170
04:54:59,280 --> 04:55:06,638
» Oh, okay.
>> I'll be I'll be

3171
04:55:04,240 --> 04:55:11,840
» um I'm Andrea Wallace. That would be
wife to Timothy Wallace that spoke

3172
04:55:08,480 --> 04:55:17,440
earlier. We are fairly new to me, so a
lot of the hubbhub we haven't heard

3173
04:55:13,600 --> 04:55:22,638
about and just coming into it now. Um, I
wanted to speak to you on my side of

3174
04:55:20,718 --> 04:55:28,400
things where really I just stay at home
with the kids, but very much my vehicle

3175
04:55:25,760 --> 04:55:35,360
is almost like a third person in my
marriage. If that vehicle isn't working,

3176
04:55:32,000 --> 04:55:39,040
my family with my three kids can't be
successful. I really can't do what I

3177
04:55:37,440 --> 04:55:45,120
need to do with them at home if he is
not providing financially what I need to

3178
04:55:41,360 --> 04:55:49,920
do it. Um, not only that, we have had so
many vehicle troubles, countless since

3179
04:55:47,520 --> 04:55:55,360
we've been here. And the effect that
that has on my family

3180
04:55:52,480 --> 04:55:58,320
and our like not only financially, but
our mindset when our vehicle isn't

3181
04:55:57,120 --> 04:56:02,400
working, knowing that we're going to
struggle to provide is something that if

3182
04:56:01,040 --> 04:56:08,160
you haven't gone through it, I can't
explain to you. It is terrifying. But

3183
04:56:06,080 --> 04:56:12,080
one thing that has been saving during
all of that is the relationship that my

3184
04:56:09,920 --> 04:56:17,600
husband built with Johnny Bees in such a
short period of time. Um, he is able to

3185
04:56:15,840 --> 04:56:22,480
take his vehicle there. He is able to
get peace of mind even without getting

3186
04:56:19,760 --> 04:56:27,040
his vehicle fixed that day and be able
to come home and have a successful night

3187
04:56:24,718 --> 04:56:31,200
with the family. That is so so so
important to me. If that is gone, if

3188
04:56:28,798 --> 04:56:36,798
that is lost, I will not have that. I
might have to consider leaving. In terms

3189
04:56:34,240 --> 04:56:40,958
of the res residence, I am a mom at home
with my kids all day. I can only imagine

3190
04:56:38,878 --> 04:56:47,200
how annoying that can be for you. I
think that the best force of all of that

3191
04:56:44,480 --> 04:56:51,920
anger and all of that ability that you
guys have down that on that street

3192
04:56:49,840 --> 04:56:56,080
should be put into putting him where he
wants to be and where you don't want him

3193
04:56:53,600 --> 04:56:59,840
to be. Nobody wants him to be there. I
don't care personally because I don't

3194
04:56:57,440 --> 04:57:05,600
live there, but I can understand how
that can really, really affect you. And

3195
04:57:02,480 --> 04:57:11,440
I see how much power is down on that
street to make change happen. I think if

3196
04:57:08,080 --> 04:57:19,440
you can think realistically
a little peaceful that maybe together

3197
04:57:15,520 --> 04:57:22,798
something better can happen. Um, while
you're thinking about that, obviously

3198
04:57:21,520 --> 04:57:28,000
you guys are all going to get really
really angry at uh 10 cars being above,

3199
04:57:26,798 --> 04:57:31,600
but think about [clears throat] it from
again a realistic standpoint. That is

3200
04:57:30,080 --> 04:57:36,718
not possible. When was the last time you
went to a successful auto shop with less

3201
04:57:33,760 --> 04:57:42,080
than 10 cars there?
>> The restriction went.

3202
04:57:39,760 --> 04:57:48,878
» I appreciate you for that comment. Thank
you again. We would still have that

3203
04:57:44,000 --> 04:57:52,958
fight if there were 11 there. So again,
I applaud their success and their

3204
04:57:50,718 --> 04:57:57,840
ability to have those cars. I know that
some of the parts that have come from my

3205
04:57:55,120 --> 04:58:02,480
car at cheaper rates have been from some
of those sitting cars and I appreciate

3206
04:58:00,080 --> 04:58:07,280
that because those rates are coming out
at a price that I I can afford anything

3207
04:58:04,878 --> 04:58:14,320
else. I cannot afford it. I cannot I
cannot survive. So please let Johnny be

3208
04:58:11,680 --> 04:58:19,120
stay. And I think someone mentioned
before, let him stay and continue the

3209
04:58:17,120 --> 04:58:26,000
fight to go back. That's what he's
trying to do. He's not fighting to stay.

3210
04:58:22,480 --> 04:58:32,240
Let him stay so he can continue to fight
to go back and be out of your hair. And

3211
04:58:30,638 --> 04:58:36,480
I'm sorry that the people are putting
things in your mailbox. We all know

3212
04:58:33,760 --> 04:58:41,520
that's not John Lee's. I would hate for
people to be upset about things that if

3213
04:58:38,718 --> 04:58:46,160
I was I run a small day home, so I've
got kids running through. If those kids

3214
04:58:44,080 --> 04:58:51,200
in my care were doing terrible, terrible
things, I would hate to be held

3215
04:58:48,798 --> 04:58:53,040
personally accountable for it.
>> Can we just get your name for the

3216
04:58:52,638 --> 04:58:55,360
record?
>> Oh, Andrea. Andrea Wallace.

3217
04:58:54,878 --> 04:58:59,878
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Andrea Wallace.

3218
04:58:56,718 --> 04:58:59,878
» Thank you.

3219
04:59:03,360 --> 04:59:08,480
So, we're just a few minutes away from
six o'clock. So, I'm going to ask, is

3220
04:59:06,638 --> 04:59:16,638
there anyone else in the gallery that
would like to speak to the uh matter?

3221
04:59:13,600 --> 04:59:22,240
speak now or forever hold your peace.
Uh, okay. Uh, council, uh, do we have

3222
04:59:19,200 --> 04:59:25,760
questions? Uh, deputy mayor.
>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. I do have a

3223
04:59:24,000 --> 04:59:30,718
question and I I will get to it, but I
just want to start by thanking everyone

3224
04:59:28,240 --> 04:59:35,680
for being here. I know this is a very
emotional issue and as council we are

3225
04:59:33,920 --> 04:59:40,798
grateful to hear all of your comments
and to allow us to have that information

3226
04:59:37,840 --> 04:59:46,160
as we go forward with a decision on this
extension. But I think I can speak for

3227
04:59:43,760 --> 04:59:50,798
all of us in saying that May 25th, 3
years ago, was a devastating day in this

3228
04:59:48,560 --> 04:59:55,920
community when that fire happened. It
was it was horrible and everybody's

3229
04:59:53,920 --> 05:00:00,718
heart went out to John and his family
and and it was just an awful thing that

3230
04:59:58,718 --> 05:00:04,080
happened and and the people that were
working in the shop and depended on the

3231
05:00:02,400 --> 05:00:08,480
shop for their livelihoods and the
people whose cars were there and lost

3232
05:00:05,760 --> 05:00:12,718
their cars and and just so many terrible
things that were a result of that fire.

3233
05:00:10,638 --> 05:00:18,160
So, just know [clears throat] that that
is a day that will never be forgotten in

3234
05:00:14,638 --> 05:00:23,680
this community. But I just um wanted to
come back and ask John a question if I

3235
05:00:20,080 --> 05:00:26,718
may, Mr. Mayor. Um John, you mentioned
Would you Is it okay if I ask John to

3236
05:00:25,600 --> 05:00:30,520
come back to the podium?
>> Yes.

3237
05:00:27,520 --> 05:00:30,520
» Yes.

3238
05:00:33,600 --> 05:00:39,120
Thank you, John. Um when you first
spoke, you mentioned about buying a

3239
05:00:37,600 --> 05:00:43,360
property in Owens Sound.
>> Yes. And I'm wondering if you could give

3240
05:00:40,958 --> 05:00:47,760
council and everyone present a little
bit more clarity about because we we've

3241
05:00:46,080 --> 05:00:52,400
heard about the number of cars on the
lot and we understand that that is a

3242
05:00:50,080 --> 05:00:56,878
concern for the for the neighbors. Can
you share with us in your mind as you

3243
05:00:55,120 --> 05:01:01,360
work through the process of moving a
piece of your business to Owens Sound

3244
05:00:59,120 --> 05:01:05,360
what impact that is likely to have on
the number of cars remaining on your lot

3245
05:01:03,440 --> 05:01:11,840
going forward?
>> Um yes, we purchased the property in

3246
05:01:07,440 --> 05:01:15,280
Owens Sound. Um therefore we can um the
idea was to get our business back up and

3247
05:01:13,760 --> 05:01:21,680
running maybe closer to its full
potential and not um have backlog here

3248
05:01:18,000 --> 05:01:25,520
at the shop in Weepford. Um
it's the only way to you know really try

3249
05:01:24,080 --> 05:01:28,400
to deal with things we you know to some
of the vehicles that we need to work on.

3250
05:01:26,878 --> 05:01:32,480
It's tough to do in the shop that we're
at now and you know I mean customers

3251
05:01:30,638 --> 05:01:36,958
have been very patient this and that and
all those vehicles there aren't mine. Um

3252
05:01:35,040 --> 05:01:40,400
some of them are related to the farm
that's there. this and that. So, you

3253
05:01:38,798 --> 05:01:45,200
know, there's there's a few vehicles,
whatever, but probably a fair a fair

3254
05:01:43,040 --> 05:01:50,680
amount uh we're thinking probably like,
you know, maybe 50% of it is going to go

3255
05:01:47,280 --> 05:01:50,680
to sound.

3256
05:01:50,718 --> 05:01:55,840
You know, we have employees there.
That's a six bay shop there. Um we'll be

3257
05:01:54,320 --> 05:01:59,120
able to do the turnaround times a lot
better there than we can here. Um and

3258
05:01:57,760 --> 05:02:02,718
that was the whole idea behind it, just
so we can service our customers a little

3259
05:02:00,638 --> 05:02:05,440
bit better. And we have quite a few
customers that are kind of living over

3260
05:02:04,240 --> 05:02:09,360
that way and they're ecstatic about
that. They don't have to come so far

3261
05:02:06,718 --> 05:02:12,878
now. So, it's good.
Yeah, we're just in the process of

3262
05:02:10,958 --> 05:02:16,160
fixing that that place up and giving it
a nice facelift and uh you know, we're

3263
05:02:14,878 --> 05:02:21,520
doing a lot. It's going to look really
good and uh yeah, we'll be able to carry

3264
05:02:19,680 --> 05:02:28,240
uh carry a fair chunk of the business
over there. Okay. Councelor Yuri,

3265
05:02:26,080 --> 05:02:33,600
» thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll echo Deputy
Mayor and thank everyone for coming out.

3266
05:02:30,240 --> 05:02:40,000
Obviously, contentious issues
bring emotions and not not a lot of fun.

3267
05:02:37,440 --> 05:02:45,920
So, just a question and a comment. The
question is, so if permits were go, you

3268
05:02:44,718 --> 05:02:52,000
were ready to go. Yeah.
>> How long would it take you to actually

3269
05:02:49,200 --> 05:02:53,840
be back in your old location?
>> One year.

3270
05:02:52,878 --> 05:02:57,680
» It would take you one year
>> to build it. Maybe a little less.

3271
05:02:55,920 --> 05:03:01,600
» Okay. Thank you. All my contractors have
been very good. They're ready to rock

3272
05:02:59,040 --> 05:03:04,718
and roll and they said they'll work
exceptionally hard. I mean, the

3273
05:03:02,878 --> 05:03:08,718
foundation's in that that that part was
the hard part. Um, that's in there. The

3274
05:03:07,280 --> 05:03:11,200
metal building's ready. Everything's
ready. If we get the go-ahad, it could

3275
05:03:10,240 --> 05:03:16,400
happen very quick.
>> Good. And I just the comment is I just

3276
05:03:14,798 --> 05:03:20,320
I'm sorry if there's any reflection on
you sort of some of the stuff that's

3277
05:03:18,560 --> 05:03:24,958
happening that's super superfluous
because any h any and and again people

3278
05:03:23,600 --> 05:03:29,840
could disagree, but there shouldn't be
the harassment. There shouldn't be

3279
05:03:27,120 --> 05:03:34,320
literally things happening that sound
like they're happening. And I know it's

3280
05:03:31,760 --> 05:03:38,080
not you. And I I hope that people can be
a little bit more respectful cuz we all

3281
05:03:36,080 --> 05:03:43,120
want to see you get back to where you
should be. And there are ways to do that

3282
05:03:40,080 --> 05:03:46,718
without um being less than professional.
>> Yep. 100%. No, we always try to be 100%

3283
05:03:45,280 --> 05:03:53,360
professional. I tell my staff to do that
as well. And um that's all I can ask

3284
05:03:49,120 --> 05:04:00,958
for. Thank you very much. Anyone else on
council wish to ask John anything?

3285
05:03:58,718 --> 05:04:05,680
» Okay. Well, uh, thank you again, John.
>> Thank you. Um,

3286
05:04:04,080 --> 05:04:09,840
» I want to thank everyone for attending
this meeting and sharing your thoughts

3287
05:04:07,360 --> 05:04:14,480
on this application. This matter will
now be referred back to development

3288
05:04:11,680 --> 05:04:18,240
services to follow up on any additional
information required from the applicant

3289
05:04:16,400 --> 05:04:21,680
based on the matters that were raised
tonight.

3290
05:04:19,600 --> 05:04:25,280
Once staff are satisfied that they have
all the necessary information needed to

3291
05:04:23,760 --> 05:04:29,520
provide a recommendation on the
applications, a detailed planning report

3292
05:04:27,840 --> 05:04:34,000
will be brought back to council to
assist us in our decision-making. This

3293
05:04:31,920 --> 05:04:39,680
report will evaluate how the proposal
does or does not satisfy the provincial,

3294
05:04:37,040 --> 05:04:44,240
county, and municipal policies that must
be considered as part of council's

3295
05:04:41,760 --> 05:04:48,638
decision. It will also explore the
various public and agency comments

3296
05:04:46,560 --> 05:04:52,878
received regarding the application.
noting those tools which may be applied

3297
05:04:50,718 --> 05:04:57,760
in order to address concerns raised and
to mitigate potential impacts on nearby

3298
05:04:55,280 --> 05:05:02,080
properties.
And I just want to remind you if you

3299
05:04:59,840 --> 05:05:07,040
would like to receive notice uh of a
future decision on this file, please

3300
05:05:04,638 --> 05:05:13,520
provide your uh contact information to
the planning services division by email

3301
05:05:10,160 --> 05:05:20,080
and the address is planning meford.ca.
That's all lowercase planning meford.ca.

3302
05:05:17,600 --> 05:05:25,200
And with that, again, thank you for your
attendance. Thank you for uh allowing us

3303
05:05:22,718 --> 05:05:29,080
to have a a civil conversation. And I'll
declare this meeting adjourned.

3304
05:17:27,440 --> 05:17:35,520
Well, good evening everyone. We're uh
back in session. Uh we had our 5:00 uh

3305
05:17:33,200 --> 05:17:41,120
public planning meeting with an
absolutely uh packed gallery and uh

3306
05:17:38,638 --> 05:17:48,000
we've concluded that and uh so we're
going to resume um our council meeting

3307
05:17:44,560 --> 05:17:52,480
and uh finish it.
But first I have to

3308
05:17:50,638 --> 05:17:55,718
find where we left off. So just give me
one second.

3309
05:18:08,160 --> 05:18:17,520
So uh on the agenda we are on uh item 11
councelor motions. Is there any notice

3310
05:18:14,160 --> 05:18:24,560
of motion tonight?
Uh okay as uh we have one motion for

3311
05:18:20,638 --> 05:18:30,440
decision and uh it's h by councelor
Greenfield. Would you like to uh present

3312
05:18:27,280 --> 05:18:30,440
your motion?

3313
05:18:40,718 --> 05:18:48,638
» All right. Yes, your worship. Thank you.
I would like to move the motion.

3314
05:18:46,798 --> 05:18:55,000
» Yeah. And so if you read it and we'll
get a second for it. Is that all right?

3315
05:18:50,560 --> 05:18:55,000
Is that the order of uh

3316
05:19:00,080 --> 05:19:07,440
» Yes.
Yes. I I will move it, but I can't

3317
05:19:05,600 --> 05:19:09,600
present it until I get a secondary. Can
I?

3318
05:19:07,840 --> 05:19:14,320
» No, I think you can present it and then
we get a second for further motion.

3319
05:19:11,840 --> 05:19:18,878
Nobody may second it.
So,

3320
05:19:15,360 --> 05:19:24,000
» thank uh yes. Uh I'll read it. Uh the
worship. Um

3321
05:19:21,280 --> 05:19:29,920
uh whereas the council of Miss Pyford
appreciate the presentation of June

3322
05:19:26,160 --> 05:19:34,958
22nd, 2026 by the Escarment Corridor
Alliance and the suggestions expressed.

3323
05:19:32,798 --> 05:19:40,958
Therefore, be it resolved that council
recognizes the importance of broad

3324
05:19:37,840 --> 05:19:45,840
ecological connectivity
as a foundation of resilient growth,

3325
05:19:43,360 --> 05:19:51,440
ecosystem services, and climate
resilience. And the council acknowledges

3326
05:19:48,798 --> 05:19:57,280
that land within the municipality
form part of an emerging and connected

3327
05:19:54,400 --> 05:20:04,160
ecological corridor across the southern
Georgia Bay region and that the

3328
05:20:00,718 --> 05:20:08,718
municipality continue to promote natural
heritage preservation

3329
05:20:06,638 --> 05:20:15,680
and protect the municipality's
ecological systems through its decisions

3330
05:20:11,920 --> 05:20:21,200
on land use, conservation, development
and infrastructure. ure matters in

3331
05:20:18,320 --> 05:20:27,120
accordance with our own mefort official
plan.

3332
05:20:23,760 --> 05:20:31,520
» Is there a second for the motion? Uh,
councelor Yuring. Thank you.

3333
05:20:29,280 --> 05:20:35,680
» U, do you want to speak to it? Uh,
councelor Greenfield.

3334
05:20:33,040 --> 05:20:41,600
» Well, thanks. Uh,
hopefully it's fairly self-explanatory.

3335
05:20:38,160 --> 05:20:47,120
Um, I just want to mention that people
who live here, whether they've been here

3336
05:20:44,718 --> 05:20:53,760
for a long time or a short time, uh,
visitors, uh, uh, regardless often say

3337
05:20:51,040 --> 05:21:01,120
they're attracted by our natural
surroundings, our natural beauty. uh

3338
05:20:56,798 --> 05:21:05,440
Georgia Bay, the uh many hills, valleys,
and uh many of the hills in our

3339
05:21:03,680 --> 05:21:10,638
municipality
are shaped around uh the Niagara

3340
05:21:08,878 --> 05:21:16,560
Escarment.
I uh I didn't realize that the Niagara

3341
05:21:14,000 --> 05:21:21,520
scarment starts near Rochester, New
York, and goes up through Ontario,

3342
05:21:20,800 --> 05:21:27,040
[clears throat]
dips down below the water at Tuba Murray

3343
05:21:25,200 --> 05:21:31,840
at the end of the Bruce, and then comes
up again, goes across Manatulan Island

3344
05:21:29,600 --> 05:21:37,840
to Sue St.
goes westward through northern Michigan

3345
05:21:35,520 --> 05:21:44,240
and then [clears throat]
starts to cut back down south near Green

3346
05:21:40,878 --> 05:21:50,560
Bay, Wisconsin. It actually terminates
not that far north of the city of

3347
05:21:46,958 --> 05:21:57,520
Chicago. So, it's a it it's quite a
quite a structure. Um I it's been with

3348
05:21:54,718 --> 05:22:03,760
us for over 400 and some million years
and uh I'm hoping we can u maintain it

3349
05:22:00,560 --> 05:22:09,920
for that many more. So I I like to think
that the municipality meford will do its

3350
05:22:06,560 --> 05:22:16,000
part in protecting and preserving this
uh this ecological beauty that uh that

3351
05:22:13,360 --> 05:22:20,240
we have with us. Thank you.
>> Any uh questions? [clears throat] Uh or

3352
05:22:18,638 --> 05:22:24,480
I'm just going to call a vote then. All
in favor? Oh, sorry.

3353
05:22:22,560 --> 05:22:29,600
Sorry about that. Um yeah, through you,
Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Um

3354
05:22:27,280 --> 05:22:36,480
Harley, I was wondering
um just thinking kind of through the

3355
05:22:32,160 --> 05:22:41,440
course of today how to um
maybe give this a little more teeth. Um,

3356
05:22:39,280 --> 05:22:49,680
and a thought that popped into my head
while um just kind of going through the

3357
05:22:43,600 --> 05:22:58,080
day today was to add um another uh that
line um that basically uh direct staff

3358
05:22:54,160 --> 05:23:03,280
to include uh a natural heritage impacts
section on staff reports. Um because

3359
05:23:01,200 --> 05:23:07,360
that way I think that could help us
contextualize all of our future

3360
05:23:05,040 --> 05:23:11,360
decision-m. we do financial impacts and
then it it at least gives us the

3361
05:23:09,680 --> 05:23:18,080
opportunity to consider what the natural
heritage impacts are um of um decisions

3362
05:23:15,120 --> 05:23:23,440
that we're making. Um and I don't know
if that's something that would best fit

3363
05:23:19,760 --> 05:23:29,920
in a motion like this or perhaps in some
other uh motion or or bylaw, but um I'd

3364
05:23:28,400 --> 05:23:37,440
just like to hear your thoughts on that
as a way to implement it.

3365
05:23:34,000 --> 05:23:41,000
I'm not opposed to having that uh uh
additional clause.

3366
05:23:41,840 --> 05:23:50,718
» And are you going to speak to the the
site or second it? Go ahead then.

3367
05:23:47,360 --> 05:23:55,840
Councelor Bell.
>> Thanks to uh Councelor Greenfield. So

3368
05:23:53,280 --> 05:24:02,000
the um the group that's been formed
fairly recently and uh do you know what

3369
05:23:59,920 --> 05:24:05,920
they do with the farmland that they get?
Do they take it out of production just

3370
05:24:03,680 --> 05:24:12,520
to turn it into
natural environment or do they allow

3371
05:24:07,920 --> 05:24:12,520
agriculture to continue? Do you know?

3372
05:24:13,040 --> 05:24:17,878
I as I understand their

3373
05:24:18,080 --> 05:24:28,520
their direction is to work with
agriculture to

3374
05:24:23,920 --> 05:24:28,520
be more pro

3375
05:24:29,600 --> 05:24:41,120
not as not just protective but more more
preservation for egg lands. uh to uh

3376
05:24:39,600 --> 05:24:47,360
help
influence

3377
05:24:44,080 --> 05:24:53,520
how agricultural production can continue
successfully

3378
05:24:49,360 --> 05:25:04,160
uh and and and protect the the
environment also. Now I I I don't think

3379
05:24:59,200 --> 05:25:08,480
they're anti- fertilizer or anti-spray.
I don't think that's the type of thing

3380
05:25:06,240 --> 05:25:19,200
they're into, but I think they're just
more into uh um

3381
05:25:13,280 --> 05:25:24,560
you know, new new initiatives and uh uh
I mean there's new stuff out there in

3382
05:25:21,120 --> 05:25:29,680
agriculture all the time, too. New uh
new ideas, new incentives. And I think

3383
05:25:27,440 --> 05:25:37,760
that's what they're uh I think that's
what they're uh looking for. I I don't

3384
05:25:33,040 --> 05:25:43,680
think they're looking to take uh
20 20 hectares of protective soybean

3385
05:25:41,600 --> 05:25:52,080
corn producing
uh land and planted in trees. uh if if

3386
05:25:49,520 --> 05:25:58,958
indeed there was
uh I guess the owner of that property

3387
05:25:55,680 --> 05:26:06,000
no longer wanted to produce agriculture
products, they'd be interested in in an

3388
05:26:01,760 --> 05:26:11,920
alternative. But I I I don't see that.
Um

3389
05:26:07,600 --> 05:26:17,200
give me quite like I I'm not a member of
the advocacy group. I can only kind of

3390
05:26:14,958 --> 05:26:25,280
relate what what I've read about them.
But u

3391
05:26:20,240 --> 05:26:33,360
uh I think in today's world where we're
losing 320 acres of agricultural land a

3392
05:26:29,280 --> 05:26:40,446
day, the last thing we want to do is
restrict egg practices.

3393
05:26:37,200 --> 05:26:43,760
My opinion. Uh can I just ask if I
[clears throat] may because I missed the

3394
05:26:41,520 --> 05:26:50,560
presentation uh personally but I thought
this had to do partly with um um

3395
05:26:47,920 --> 05:26:56,480
maintaining uh the corridors that are
used by wildlife.

3396
05:26:52,958 --> 05:27:00,798
Is that a different organization?
>> Um yeah, I can I can speak to that just

3397
05:26:58,958 --> 05:27:05,120
um having had like past interactions
with the organization though not a

3398
05:27:02,400 --> 05:27:07,920
member. Um so there's kind of two
organizations that are operating in our

3399
05:27:06,560 --> 05:27:11,040
area that have very similar names.
There's the Escarpment Biosphere

3400
05:27:09,200 --> 05:27:16,638
Conservancy and the Escarpment Corridor
Alliance. This one being the Escort

3401
05:27:12,958 --> 05:27:20,718
Escarment Corridor Alliance. Um, and
kind of similarly, they um kind of uh

3402
05:27:19,440 --> 05:27:25,440
look at things as a as a land
conservancy and they do own land and

3403
05:27:22,798 --> 05:27:31,280
have greater degrees of protections uh
on the land that they own. Uh but they

3404
05:27:28,480 --> 05:27:37,360
sort of their main drive is to uh
basically um try to map out areas of

3405
05:27:35,760 --> 05:27:42,160
protected land, whether it's land they
own themselves or a municipality owns or

3406
05:27:39,600 --> 05:27:47,680
it's already um a conservation area or
something like that. And while those

3407
05:27:45,040 --> 05:27:53,440
individual pockets of land are useful
for wildlife um and other forms of

3408
05:27:50,400 --> 05:27:59,200
natural [snorts] heritage, uh they their
function for wildlife is limited unless

3409
05:27:56,718 --> 05:28:04,558
they are connected to other protected
areas. Uh because if deer deer in the

3410
05:28:02,718 --> 05:28:08,320
whole area are going to do well, they're
going to move between uh different

3411
05:28:06,718 --> 05:28:12,000
conservation areas, but they need a way
to get there. Uh and so that's what this

3412
05:28:10,400 --> 05:28:15,920
organization is looking at. So that
might be okay well if you know we're

3413
05:28:14,160 --> 05:28:19,840
redeveloping something how can we make
sure that there uh you know is preserved

3414
05:28:17,760 --> 05:28:26,240
wood lot at the back so that animals can
still continue to move across it or if

3415
05:28:22,558 --> 05:28:32,240
uh you're uh you know redesigning or or
working um uh agricultural land how do

3416
05:28:29,120 --> 05:28:36,558
you keep your uh hedro uh in good
condition and you know maybe consider

3417
05:28:34,718 --> 05:28:40,638
not getting rid of it so that there
continues to be corridors and channels

3418
05:28:38,160 --> 05:28:45,600
for wildlife to move through. Uh and
that's sort of the biggest sort of

3419
05:28:42,080 --> 05:28:51,280
conceptual uh goal uh is I've understood
it directly from uh the CEO

3420
05:28:49,600 --> 05:28:56,320
» councelor Yurig.
>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um well councelor

3421
05:28:54,080 --> 05:29:03,120
Anders I agree in principle with your
additional that um my question I guess

3422
05:28:59,680 --> 05:29:07,520
is and probably to the CEO is um are we
equipped to do that? uh because at the

3423
05:29:05,920 --> 05:29:12,480
end of the day uh a lot of the
environmental processes are specialized

3424
05:29:10,878 --> 05:29:18,320
uh and I just want to make sure that if
we're going to do something like that,

3425
05:29:14,480 --> 05:29:23,040
how does that impact staff a workload b
cost? Because if we're now having to go

3426
05:29:20,480 --> 05:29:27,840
out and get consultants to do and maybe
rubber stamp everything that's kind of

3427
05:29:24,878 --> 05:29:33,360
happening in conjunction with that, that
puts a different wrinkle on it. So I'll

3428
05:29:29,280 --> 05:29:39,360
kind of leave that one to uh Mr. Ever.
>> Yes. Do you Mr. Mayor to council York, I

3429
05:29:35,760 --> 05:29:46,638
would agree. And it's not so much the
resourcing. I would say we we want to be

3430
05:29:42,240 --> 05:29:52,638
careful of having those types of headers
within our reports and presupposing the

3431
05:29:50,558 --> 05:30:00,000
planning process, right? Because the
planning process is going to require

3432
05:29:55,280 --> 05:30:03,040
potentially a natural heritage study. So
if that's going to be part of the

3433
05:30:01,440 --> 05:30:09,840
process, I think there's ways that we
can strengthen that requirement. But um

3434
05:30:07,280 --> 05:30:15,440
I would be it would be worrisome for me
to think that every report's going to

3435
05:30:12,400 --> 05:30:21,520
have it. We can we can identify it as
yeah we think that there there may be

3436
05:30:18,400 --> 05:30:28,718
some natural impact or but I think the
planning process is the process that

3437
05:30:25,200 --> 05:30:34,480
directs that and quite frankly puts the
cost on the applicant to do that study

3438
05:30:32,878 --> 05:30:40,080
because it's not something that the
municipality should have to bear the

3439
05:30:37,120 --> 05:30:44,320
cost of on behalf of the taxpayers when
the planning process would actually have

3440
05:30:41,920 --> 05:30:49,200
the applicant
get that consultant to do that work as

3441
05:30:46,160 --> 05:30:52,878
part of their application.
>> Councelor Bell.

3442
05:30:51,120 --> 05:30:57,440
» Thank you again, Mr. Mayor. So, that's
my major concern.

3443
05:30:55,120 --> 05:31:01,280
You have uh property and your neighbors
got property and you have things that

3444
05:30:59,120 --> 05:31:04,958
are transpiring and wildlife that are
moving and then all of a sudden you come

3445
05:31:03,600 --> 05:31:10,240
in and you want to do a building
somewhere and put a shed up for house

3446
05:31:07,600 --> 05:31:13,680
your combine and then you find out that
somebody somewhere else who doesn't even

3447
05:31:12,000 --> 05:31:17,120
live here has made a decree on your
property has got a listing on it that

3448
05:31:15,280 --> 05:31:21,280
you can't even do anything with it. The
prime example of that is Anancy. All of

3449
05:31:20,000 --> 05:31:26,000
a sudden you go and you make an
application. You find out that somebody

3450
05:31:23,520 --> 05:31:30,320
down in Toronto has set a computer
screen, multiplied things up and said,

3451
05:31:28,638 --> 05:31:32,878
"Oh, gee, look at that. That'd be a
great thing. They'll make you a Nancy

3452
05:31:31,680 --> 05:31:38,400
and you can't even do anything. It's
your own bush. So, this is the problem

3453
05:31:35,040 --> 05:31:41,920
that I have with with groups that come
that say you're going to take this

3454
05:31:39,840 --> 05:31:47,760
property and you're going to take it.
What are you going to do with it?"

3455
05:31:44,320 --> 05:31:52,878
Councelor Yurig and I we Grace Sable we
we've heard so many times about if you

3456
05:31:49,760 --> 05:31:57,680
have a wet land what it used to be for a
farmer to do the agriculture and how

3457
05:31:55,440 --> 05:32:02,798
close they could get and they've changed
that now. So actually the farmer can

3458
05:31:59,920 --> 05:32:07,440
recuperate more land because land is so
important to have to put into the food

3459
05:32:04,480 --> 05:32:13,440
chain. So we've seen that kind of thing.
There's other groups that exist that if

3460
05:32:10,400 --> 05:32:17,280
a farmer ever signs on with them, they
have lost the pres the right to even go

3461
05:32:15,520 --> 05:32:22,320
on the land. And I don't want to name
that name in this council meeting. But

3462
05:32:20,000 --> 05:32:25,600
that's what happens. They come to the to
the farm and they say, "Wouldn't you

3463
05:32:24,000 --> 05:32:31,200
like to do this? This is all great. It
sounds all lovely." They just signed it

3464
05:32:27,840 --> 05:32:36,080
away. And so that's my my reservation on
it. Now, this council will remember what

3465
05:32:34,320 --> 05:32:42,160
I clearly told that group when they came
here. I told them if they can help us

3466
05:32:40,480 --> 05:32:48,558
with what we're doing with the major
changes in grace conservation. I told

3467
05:32:45,280 --> 05:32:54,480
them power to them to help us to do
that. But this saying that we're going

3468
05:32:51,760 --> 05:33:00,878
to embrace that to me it just makes
another level of a hidden bureaucracy

3469
05:32:58,080 --> 05:33:05,120
that can hit somebody that owns We've
had some farmers here this afternoon

3470
05:33:02,638 --> 05:33:10,798
that got tens of thousands of acres and
he sat in that back row. Biggest farmer

3471
05:33:07,840 --> 05:33:15,600
we've got in Sydam Township. Okay. And I
don't want to see him someday or someone

3472
05:33:12,878 --> 05:33:20,638
like him make an application and go
where in the heck did this come from?

3473
05:33:17,840 --> 05:33:24,440
and we've done it. So, I'm a little
reserved on this.

3474
05:33:24,480 --> 05:33:33,680
My my fellow forer, councelor for knows
that I I care about sustainability and I

3475
05:33:30,320 --> 05:33:39,120
and I care about our environment, but to
me, whose fingers are in whose pie and

3476
05:33:36,638 --> 05:33:44,558
how deep do they go? So, I'm a little
reserved on it, that's all.

3477
05:33:42,638 --> 05:33:50,520
» Okay. Are we ready to entertain the
question?

3478
05:33:46,718 --> 05:33:50,520
Um all in favor

3479
05:33:52,080 --> 05:33:57,400
of the motion as presented. Yes. Um

3480
05:34:00,400 --> 05:34:10,400
» yeah. Yeah. I I myself have just changed
my mind as a result of what councelor

3481
05:34:06,480 --> 05:34:12,400
Bell has said here. Uh but so
go ahead,

3482
05:34:10,798 --> 05:34:16,558
» mayor. If I may, I'm wondering if we
have enough information at this point in

3483
05:34:14,320 --> 05:34:21,680
time to make a decision on this motion
or if we need to understand a little bit

3484
05:34:19,360 --> 05:34:25,840
more about the intentions of the
alliance in terms of because I

3485
05:34:24,080 --> 05:34:29,840
appreciate councelor Bell's comments and
we would not want to do that too many of

3486
05:34:27,680 --> 05:34:36,000
our existing land owners particularly if
they're um working the land. So, do we

3487
05:34:33,760 --> 05:34:41,360
need to go back to the alliance and
request a further understanding of of

3488
05:34:38,798 --> 05:34:45,920
what uh you know terms and restrictions
they would place on lands?

3489
05:34:44,400 --> 05:34:50,400
» Uh, councelor Manis.
>> Sure. Thank you. Um, in a conversation I

3490
05:34:47,680 --> 05:34:55,440
had a after the presentation um we
discussed uh the desire uh because I was

3491
05:34:53,680 --> 05:34:58,798
just curious to learn more about how
they intend to work with the

3492
05:34:56,558 --> 05:35:03,040
agricultural community. So perhaps it
would be worthwhile to invite them back

3493
05:35:00,558 --> 05:35:07,360
to give a presentation on that aspect
specifically. Um I'm pretty sure that

3494
05:35:05,680 --> 05:35:11,920
they're still kind of in the early
fledgling stages of that program, but

3495
05:35:10,320 --> 05:35:15,600
perhaps
uh we could kind of start that

3496
05:35:14,320 --> 05:35:19,680
conversation to make sure that it's
something we would be comfortable with

3497
05:35:17,360 --> 05:35:24,480
and then if uh we in our community are
comfortable with it, then we could

3498
05:35:22,480 --> 05:35:27,520
support it more strongly or or not if
we're not comfortable. So, there's a

3499
05:35:26,878 --> 05:35:32,798
couple of [clears throat] ways to come
at this to defer or I just wonder do you

3500
05:35:30,080 --> 05:35:37,040
want to withdraw the motion until uh we
have that conversation with the

3501
05:35:34,240 --> 05:35:42,320
organization or do you want to let it or
would you be willing to have it deferred

3502
05:35:39,200 --> 05:35:45,120
until we hear from and I'm going to get
some direction from the clerk which will

3503
05:35:44,000 --> 05:35:48,718
be much more
>> No, no, thank you worship. My suggestion

3504
05:35:46,958 --> 05:35:52,718
might actually be to postpone the motion
because we can put a reason in there and

3505
05:35:50,878 --> 05:35:56,878
then that gives count that gives staff
direction to go and see if they will

3506
05:35:54,558 --> 05:36:01,760
present again to the the comment rather
than trying to get formal direction to

3507
05:35:58,878 --> 05:36:07,360
go and ask them separately. Uh so if we
postpone to allow time um until such

3508
05:36:04,638 --> 05:36:12,440
time as the they are invited and and we
can deal with it that way I would maybe

3509
05:36:09,440 --> 05:36:12,440
suggest.

3510
05:36:13,680 --> 05:36:24,160
So over to you, Councelor Greenfield.
>> Um, yeah, that that's fine. If uh we

3511
05:36:19,920 --> 05:36:32,200
want to uh postpone any decision until
staff gets more uh

3512
05:36:27,440 --> 05:36:32,200
more direction, I uh

3513
05:36:32,320 --> 05:36:42,600
I I don't know. To me, it seems fairly
straightforward. Do we do we want to

3514
05:36:37,920 --> 05:36:42,600
conserve protect what we've got?

3515
05:36:44,718 --> 05:36:52,958
And I really have my doubts if this
council is is really all that concerned

3516
05:36:50,000 --> 05:36:58,558
in it. And that disappoints me big time.
To me, this is fairly straightforward.

3517
05:36:55,600 --> 05:37:03,080
This is trying to preserve something for
my grandkids, for your grandkids.

3518
05:37:03,920 --> 05:37:10,680
» Okay. I'm sorry that [clears throat]
so I'm

3519
05:37:11,216 --> 05:37:15,798
[laughter] I'm in a corner here.

3520
05:37:17,440 --> 05:37:23,680
» Well, and I
>> Yeah, I'll undertake to make sure that

3521
05:37:20,798 --> 05:37:30,160
we come back to this uh and and get the
information that we can make a maybe a

3522
05:37:26,080 --> 05:37:37,120
little more qualified judgment on. Um
so, moving on. Um and thank you for

3523
05:37:32,958 --> 05:37:42,320
helping us there. Um adoption of uh
minutes. We've got u the recommendation

3524
05:37:40,718 --> 05:37:47,600
uh that council of the municipality of
Meford hereby adopt the minutes of the

3525
05:37:44,240 --> 05:37:54,638
council meetings held on June 17, 2026,
June 22nd, 2026 and June 29th, 2026 and

3526
05:37:52,320 --> 05:38:01,440
the closed meetings held on June 17,
2026 and June 29, 2026. A mover and a

3527
05:37:58,798 --> 05:38:09,360
seconder. Councelor Urick and Deputy
Mayor. Um is there any discussion? Uh

3528
05:38:06,718 --> 05:38:16,718
I'll call vote. All in favor accepting
those minutes. Thank you. Um that was

3529
05:38:12,400 --> 05:38:21,440
unanimous. Uh the communications uh
uh reports there are a number of them

3530
05:38:18,480 --> 05:38:26,798
there. Anyone wish to bring any any of
these forward to discuss in any way?

3531
05:38:24,878 --> 05:38:30,878
Councelor Yur.
>> Mr. Mayor, I'm not sure about the actual

3532
05:38:28,958 --> 05:38:33,760
A, B, and C, but of D on the
correspondence list. I just had one

3533
05:38:32,240 --> 05:38:36,240
thing.
>> Sorry,

3534
05:38:34,480 --> 05:38:38,638
» I don't have anything on A, B, or C, but
I do have something on the

3535
05:38:37,120 --> 05:38:42,320
correspondence list under D.
>> Oh, okay. If that would be great. Please

3536
05:38:41,120 --> 05:38:47,120
bring it forward then.
>> Okay. Um, on the correspondence list, we

3537
05:38:45,440 --> 05:38:51,680
it would be if you anybody has that
pulled up, it's page 71. It's just

3538
05:38:48,718 --> 05:38:56,480
Peterborough County. Uh interesting one
that because uh there was they brought

3539
05:38:54,080 --> 05:39:00,878
forward a motion
uh that where the province of Ontario

3540
05:38:59,040 --> 05:39:05,680
shifted responsibility of the municipal
election voters list from impact to

3541
05:39:04,000 --> 05:39:13,840
elections Ontario by amending the
municipal elections act. Um their

3542
05:39:09,760 --> 05:39:17,920
concern is that many of the elector
lists presented by elections Ontario

3543
05:39:15,520 --> 05:39:21,600
have discrepancies in voter counts from
the 2022 municipal election.

3544
05:39:20,080 --> 05:39:26,878
specifically in the number of eligible
non-resident property owners which are

3545
05:39:24,400 --> 05:39:31,120
significantly lower than the 22 numbers.
So what the recommendation was is that

3546
05:39:29,520 --> 05:39:36,240
they're urging the province of Ontario
to immediat immediately encourage

3547
05:39:33,280 --> 05:39:41,040
prioritization of the review of data
specifically related to non-resident

3548
05:39:38,240 --> 05:39:46,080
property owners to ensure voter lists
are as accurate as possible prior to

3549
05:39:43,040 --> 05:39:50,638
August 14th. Um, we all want to see
accurate voter list and I just thought

3550
05:39:48,480 --> 05:39:55,680
supporting that motion would be an easy
one to do. So, I'm putting forth that

3551
05:39:53,600 --> 05:39:59,160
request.
>> Thank you. Um,

3552
05:40:00,320 --> 05:40:06,638
is there do we need a motion to endorse
that motion? Is that what I need?

3553
05:40:05,200 --> 05:40:09,920
» Thank you, Rorip. Yes, if we have a
mover and a seconder to to support that

3554
05:40:08,718 --> 05:40:14,718
motion, then
>> uh and I I suggested this to councelor

3555
05:40:12,878 --> 05:40:21,280
Yurig. This is a very uh important thing
in my mind. Uh if uh if the province has

3556
05:40:18,320 --> 05:40:26,558
lost us a lot of uh potential voters in
the election, uh we need them to fix

3557
05:40:22,958 --> 05:40:31,360
that problem. So is there a seconder?
Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh any

3558
05:40:28,480 --> 05:40:36,400
discussion on this? U all in favor of
the motion and that any opposed? That's

3559
05:40:34,638 --> 05:40:41,280
passed unanimously. Thank you. Thank
you, Councelor Yurig. Um

3560
05:40:39,680 --> 05:40:48,160
anyone else anything on the
communications list? If not, uh we are

3561
05:40:44,240 --> 05:40:51,680
ready to uh go into a a close session.
Um

3562
05:40:49,680 --> 05:40:57,040
and uh the recommendation is that the
council of the municipality of Meford

3563
05:40:53,680 --> 05:41:03,440
does now go into a close session at 6:40
p.m. Um number one, two items uh

3564
05:41:00,878 --> 05:41:09,600
regarding a position, plan, procedure,
criteria or instruction to be applied to

3565
05:41:06,558 --> 05:41:14,718
any negotiations carried on or to be
carried on uh by or on behalf of the

3566
05:41:12,638 --> 05:41:20,958
municipality or a local board. And that
is under the open meeting exemption K

3567
05:41:17,280 --> 05:41:27,440
section 2392 of the municipal act 2001
res um respecting the meford harbor

3568
05:41:23,840 --> 05:41:33,760
dredging and a TC energy pre-development
agreement with the CAO the clerk deputy

3569
05:41:31,120 --> 05:41:38,718
CEO and director of corporate services
the director of community services and

3570
05:41:36,080 --> 05:41:44,718
manager of memorial park cemeteries and
harbor in attendance and two uh one item

3571
05:41:42,878 --> 05:41:49,200
regarding personal matters about an
identifiable individual, including

3572
05:41:46,718 --> 05:41:55,440
municipal or local board employees.
That's under open meeting exemption B of

3573
05:41:51,520 --> 05:42:01,040
section 2392 of the Municipal Act 2001,
respecting an HR matter with the CEO,

3574
05:41:58,240 --> 05:42:07,040
the clerk, the deputy CEO, and director
of corporate services in attendance.

3575
05:42:04,480 --> 05:42:11,240
And uh we will be back uh following this
meeting to report out on it.

3576
07:23:41,760 --> 07:23:52,798
All right, reporting out at 8:21 p.m. on
our closed uh session. Um council met in

3577
07:23:50,000 --> 07:23:57,840
closed session and discussed one uh two
different items related to a position,

3578
07:23:54,878 --> 07:24:03,120
plan, procedure, criteria or instruction
to be applied to any negotiations

3579
07:23:59,840 --> 07:24:07,360
carried on or to be carried on by or on
behalf of the municipality or local

3580
07:24:05,040 --> 07:24:13,440
board and with direction provided to
staff on both of those items. Uh also

3581
07:24:10,160 --> 07:24:18,320
one item related uh regarding personnel
matters uh about an identifiable

3582
07:24:15,840 --> 07:24:24,000
individual including municipal or local
board employees with no direction

3583
07:24:20,558 --> 07:24:29,440
provided to staff. Now we have a
confirming bylaw. The recommendation be

3584
07:24:26,160 --> 07:24:33,600
it resolved that bylaw 2026-56
being a bylaw to confirm the proceedings

3585
07:24:31,680 --> 07:24:37,440
of the meeting of the council of the
corporation of the municipality of

3586
07:24:35,120 --> 07:24:42,240
meford be taken as read a first second
and third time and finally passed. Can I

3587
07:24:39,680 --> 07:24:46,958
have a mover and seconder
councelor Bell and councelor Andis.

3588
07:24:44,000 --> 07:24:52,798
Thank you. Uh all in favor
any opposed? That's carried unanimously.

3589
07:24:50,478 --> 07:24:56,160
And with that we can finally conclude
today's meeting.