[2:30] Good evening everyone. Welcome to everyone in the chambers. It's
[2:35] good to see a good crowd here this evening. I
[2:39] would like to call this Council meeting of the Town
[2:42] of Lincoln Council of July the 27th, 2026 to order.
[2:48] And I would ask, if you are able to please
[2:50] stand for the National Animal.
[3:10] True. Patrio. Come.
[3:24] La. Croix. Des. Plus brillants.
[3:34] Exploi.
[3:56] O. We. Stand on. God.
[4:06] Thank you. We have the right people. Here this evening.
[4:09] Thank you so much. I would like to begin by
[4:16] reading a safety notice. In the event of an emergency
[4:21] please evacuate Council Chambers to the nearest exit through the
[4:24] Chamber of Doors. Obey all instructions given. And assistance if
[4:29] it's required, please see the clerk to my right. She'll
[4:33] be out there once you've evacuated the building, please gather
[4:36] in the front parking lot outside of Town Hall. Now
[4:40] please ensure you place your cell phone on silent or
[4:45] turn it off. The Town of Lincoln Council meetings are
[4:49] posted on our YouTube channel. Closed captioning is available on
[4:53] all our videos by selecting the closed captioning button on
[4:57] the bottom right of the video. The Town of Lincoln,
[5:03] being part of the Niagara region is situated on treaty
[5:06] land. This land is steeped in the rich history of
[5:10] the First Nations, such as how to Wanderonk, the Hoden
[5:14] of Shone, Diana Schnabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit
[5:18] First Nation. There are many First Nations, mati an inuit
[5:23] people from across Turtle Island that live and work in
[5:26] Niagara today. The Regional Municipality of Niagara and the Town
[5:31] of Lincoln stand with all Indigenous people past and present
[5:35] in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which
[5:38] we live. All members of Council are in attendance. And
[5:45] we have staff and attendance this evening. We also have
[5:48] representatives from the Lincoln soapbox Derby and the Lincoln Garden
[5:52] Club. And regional councillor foster is an attendance. Item 5
[6:00] is confirmation of agenda. Due to the recent flooding that
[6:04] occurred and in light of the comments from the CAO
[6:07] and members of council on this matter, I would like
[6:10] to move Council remarks to item seven on the agenda.
[6:15] Immediately before announcements by members to allow council the opportunity
[6:19] to discuss this issue at that time. I'll now ask
[6:23] for a show of hands. That is unanimous, thank you.
[6:30] Declarations of interest. Are there any declarations of interest. I
[6:36] see none. We will now consider the matter of recent
[6:40] flooding. That has occurred. And the CAO will provide some
[6:46] comments. Mr. C. Hale. Thank you, Madam Mayor. And following
[6:50] my comments, I am going to ask Director Graham to
[6:52] provide a little bit of an operational update for you
[6:56] as well. But this is one of those times where
[7:00] I'm not happy to be addressing Council. I wish I
[7:02] didn't have to speak on this particular. Item, but we
[7:06] are here. And so I will provide some comments. Staff
[7:10] meant today specifically to discuss what happened. We had been
[7:13] meeting over the weekend and following the storm up to
[7:17] and including that evening. And to review really the flooding
[7:21] event itself. But what happens next? What can we do
[7:25] next? I know I've discussed this with a number of
[7:27] members of council most recently as today. And I think
[7:32] you've heard me say a few times you've heard us
[7:34] say that this was one of those extraordinary storms. And
[7:39] generally our infrastructure performed relatively well. I say that, but
[7:45] to the resident who experienced significant flooding and there were
[7:47] many of them. That really doesn't make a difference that
[7:50] it performed well and that this was greater than 100
[7:54] - year type storms that were receiving. And so I
[7:57] say that really to say it doesn't really matter that
[8:00] our infrastructure performed well. At the end of the day,
[8:03] we need to understand where we had issues. There were
[8:07] areas with some of these micro bursts that didn't get
[8:10] hit that typically get hit. I think about Hickson. I
[8:13] think about other locations that during the storm we drove
[8:16] to. And there was actually very little rain. We need
[8:19] to understand the how this happened. And ultimately really the
[8:23] why so that we can figure out what happens next.
[8:26] You've heard us or you've seen us, whether it be
[8:29] social media or specifically reaching out to residents to gather
[8:32] information from those that were affected. Some have proactively already
[8:36] reached out. Some were going to be reaching out. And
[8:39] we really need to understand from everyone whether the flooding
[8:43] came through floor drains, whether it was their sump systems,
[8:48] the window wells, we had a lot of overland flow,
[8:52] or really if there were some other sources. And I
[8:54] think what we want to do with that is make
[8:56] sure that we're mapping that information to see what some
[8:58] of the patterns and what were some of the key
[9:00] issues. I think intuitively we know where some of those
[9:03] in Beamsville were. I heard from a number of you
[9:05] that were out that evening. Next, we're going to be
[9:08] working with our engineering consultant and primarily Niagara region to
[9:13] look at the storm and to really model how our
[9:16] systems perform. We're going to try to recreate it in
[9:19] a modelling format. Um, so that we can determine how
[9:24] we reduce it in the future. Importantly, and I think
[9:28] you've heard us talk about some of the regional infrastructure
[9:30] improvements that we're looking at on Ontario Street and in
[9:34] and around on Terio Street. Um, I think we're going
[9:37] to have to identify whether those need to be accelerated.
[9:42] Whether some of those, um, improvements, some of those projects,
[9:47] uh, would have led to reduced flooding in those particular
[9:49] areas and specifically I'm talking about the Ontario Street Pumping
[9:52] Station and the sanitary trunk main that really runs down
[9:56] from the tracks down towards the pumping station, which ends
[10:00] near Lake Ontario. And so at the end of the
[10:03] day, bottom line here is, yes, it was a massive
[10:06] storm. A lot of water in a short period of
[10:08] time. Um, but we need to make sure that if
[10:11] infrastructure needs to be accelerated, right now those works are
[10:14] scheduled for 2030. Um, if those works, do need to
[10:18] be accelerated, whether they're hours or the regions. We need
[10:21] to push to make that happen. And I do see
[10:24] Councillor Foster nodding. Um, but I think this is one
[10:27] of those things that in short order, we're going to
[10:30] determine what needs to get done. How it needs to
[10:33] get done. And if the region needs to come to
[10:36] the table, we'll be having those conversations. I've reached out
[10:38] to Deputy CAO surgy as well as Ron Trip today,
[10:42] uh, and I echoed similar comments as I'm making this
[10:45] evening. So. Turn it over to maybe director Graham if
[10:48] he's got some high level comments. He wants that. And
[10:50] then of course the members of Council. Director Graham. Through
[10:57] you, Madam Mayor. And to just build off what Mr.
[11:01] CAO had said, we really did receive an unprecedented amount
[11:06] of rainfall. Um, Beansville got hit the worst. Beensville North.
[11:12] We had about, uh, 110 millimeters of rain in 100
[11:17] minutes. And just for some context, that exceeds 100 year
[11:22] design storm that a lot of the infrastructure is designed
[11:26] for in turns in terms of its maximum service level.
[11:29] So that's why residents may have seen various stormwater management
[11:34] ponds, uh, where they may have been overflowing because that's
[11:39] the design service level that, uh, they've been, you know,
[11:42] built and designed to, to accommodate to 100 year storms.
[11:45] So we did see a lot of flooding across the
[11:49] community that probably a lot of people haven't seen before,
[11:53] just given the degree of this magnitude of this storm.
[11:56] Um, as Mr. CAO said, um, in terms of next
[12:00] steps, we are mapping, um, out every flooding report we
[12:07] receive from residents, various types of flooding. So we're mapping
[12:11] them out. We're going to be assessing them in much
[12:14] greater detail to try and learn what may have happened
[12:17] in some of those areas. We'll be working with, uh,
[12:20] our engineering consultants to also help as model some of
[12:24] the systems. Um, we have a lot of data from
[12:28] the rainfall that we can use to kind of help
[12:30] create, you know, what happened and see what we can
[12:33] learn from that. Uh, in terms of how things performed
[12:37] and identify, uh, what else can be done in the
[12:40] future to improve those situations. And we're going to be
[12:43] working very closely with our partners at the NAGA region,
[12:47] uh, as we go through this, this review. Thank you
[12:53] very much, Director Graham. Do you have anything else to
[12:56] add Mr. CAO. All right. Well, we'll open up the
[13:01] floor now to councillors. And, um, you can just go
[13:06] into the cues. You normally would, if you have, uh,
[13:09] any comments to make on this. Well, I would be
[13:19] very disappointed since you asked me, thank you very much
[13:23] Council Russell. You go ahead. We're good. Yep. Yep. Yep.
[13:33] Yep. That's the work. He's on. Thanks, Madam Mayor. Um,
[13:37] through you two staff, again, very much appreciate the opportunity
[13:41] to speak on this, uh, obviously, uh, again, being one
[13:45] of the ward one residents, we received probably the most,
[13:49] um, concerns raised in our area. I know I had,
[13:52] as of today, 99 homes, uh, that reached out to
[13:54] me directly about flooding concerns. Again, and it was all
[13:57] three. It was, um, again, sewer backup. There was overland.
[14:01] And then there was just, uh, some pump overflow. So,
[14:04] um, there is again, the wide variety across lower or
[14:08] northern ward one. I think what everybody just really wants
[14:11] to know is again, what is that plan going forward?
[14:13] So again, I talked to Councillor Bernie earlier today. I
[14:16] guess there is a motion coming forward in Grimsby. Should
[14:19] we bring forward a motion just to direct staff on
[14:23] the specifics of a report to come back? Or is
[14:26] staff already taken out on their side to, again, to
[14:29] your point about the external engineering firm coming in. Is
[14:34] that enough, um, to give you, uh, the direction on
[14:38] what to bring back to either this council or future
[14:40] council on, again, mitigation, um, again, problem solving. And just
[14:46] again, overall, what happened? Is that, uh, is that where
[14:48] we are right now? Mr. C. Hulk. Through you, Madam
[14:53] Mayor, did the council. I mean, Councillor, you know, motions
[14:56] are always something that council can look at providing us.
[14:58] I would tell you the severity of the issue, the
[15:00] amount of residents that were impacted by it. This is
[15:03] the top on our list in terms of priority. And
[15:05] so, um, I think, you know, you echoing that council
[15:09] echoing that this evening, I think is sufficient in terms
[15:11] of what staff's doing. We've already started to take action
[15:14] on a number of those. We can definitely determine what
[15:16] is the best way to make sure that that's communicated,
[15:19] both externally as well as internally so that members of
[15:22] council over the summer are kept up to speed and
[15:25] up to date in terms of what's happening. But I
[15:26] don't think the bigger issue right now than this. Today,
[15:31] probably about an hour or so, go receive a flood
[15:34] warning from NPCA now that covers the broader catchment. And
[15:38] so we were immediately, I think talking to one another
[15:40] in terms of just what other preventative measures can we
[15:43] do, what sort of communication externally needs to happen on
[15:47] that. And just to make sure that we're ready. So
[15:50] I don't think we need a formal motion. Definitely we're
[15:52] in Council's hands. Should you want that? But this is
[15:54] on the top of our list. PONNERTON Thank you for
[15:57] that. Um, second question, Madam Mayor. Again, talking to Councillor
[16:01] Micolik earlier today as well. Um, and just again, as
[16:04] far as again, terminology for disaster. Is there any metrics
[16:09] that we have either in our bylaws or our policies
[16:12] that would label something a disaster that may allow us
[16:15] to seek, um, funding from other levels of government to
[16:18] assist residents through situations like this. Again, I think if
[16:21] we're looking at 200, 300 homes potentially that were impacted
[16:25] by this. I don't know if that qualifies or if
[16:26] we even have that sort of thing in our policies,
[16:30] uh, that we could leverage. PON. Why don't I start
[16:37] that question councillor and either Dave Charlotte or Matt who
[16:41] have worked on these types of applications in the past.
[16:46] We tried the last time we had storms, uh, that
[16:48] really impacted a number of residents to look at, is
[16:51] there some provincial disaster relief funding that we could tap
[16:54] into and there wasn't. Uh, we don't have anything per
[16:57] se in our respective policies that would address this typically
[17:00] when we've had sex storms where we've had erosion or
[17:03] we've had significant land damage. We've been successful on two
[17:07] occasions actually to the tune of about three million dollars
[17:10] collectively in terms of what the province provided. Uh, I
[17:13] have reached out and spoken with, uh, the CAOs of
[17:17] St. Catherine's, uh, as well as the CAO up in
[17:20] West Lincoln and in Grimsby in terms of, you know,
[17:24] is there an opportunity to do something here? We did
[17:26] reach out to the region waiting for a bit more
[17:28] information on that. I don't believe it meets the threshold,
[17:31] um, but definitely, uh, should again, again, should, should counsel
[17:34] one, uh, provide us some direction even this evening to
[17:37] seek that out more formally. We can definitely, um, get
[17:41] you a more formal response from the provincial government on
[17:44] that. MONOC. Okay. And then just one follow up, Madam
[17:46] Mayor, three of you. Again, would there be any strength
[17:51] or to advocate at AMO for this type of thing?
[17:53] To again, either make it, again, it may be a
[17:56] more localized disaster funding model that could be tapped into
[18:00] to such things like this. Um, that again, I'm sure
[18:03] multiple municipalities across the province could probably utilise, especially again,
[18:08] as climate change starts to, again, alter some of the
[18:10] weather patterns that we've got. Is that something that, uh,
[18:13] you would suggest maybe that occurs at AMO. Through you,
[18:17] Madam Mayor, to the councillor. Absolutely. I think we can
[18:19] ask we're meeting with the ministry municipal affairs and housing.
[18:22] We can definitely add this to the list of items
[18:24] that we can have a discussion with them on. I
[18:27] agree with you. I think the threshold that is currently
[18:29] in place at the provincial government is one that is
[18:32] sometimes, um, difficult to reach or difficult to hit. It
[18:36] is when you have large scale emergencies and it was
[18:38] designed for things like tornadoes, things that are massive kind
[18:42] of climactic, um, interruptions or disruptions to communities, uh, and
[18:47] I think something like this as we start to experience
[18:49] more isolated showers and micro bursts and things like this
[18:54] that are happening, you know, in no way can we
[18:56] create infrastructure. That is of the size and scope or
[18:59] at least it would be cost prohibitive to do so
[19:01] that would be able to accommodate this amount of water.
[19:04] But when we do have issues like this, we need
[19:06] to be able to tap into funding, uh, versus people
[19:09] simply just going to their home insurance companies, which I
[19:12] know I've heard some of the challenges with that as
[19:15] well. So definitely something we can add to our ammo
[19:17] delegation list and make sure that we bring that forward.
[19:21] Okay. Thank you, Mr. Sioux. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Councillor
[19:24] Brunet, please go ahead.
[19:42] We'll move you up. In the queue. Yeah. Uh. Councillor
[19:50] Patrieva, put yourself back on, put it on and I'll
[19:52] move you up. I'll just. Move him up. I. Think
[19:56] you were next. Yep. He was. And now. We'll just
[19:59] go here. Okay. Great. Go ahead. Thank you, Madam Mayor,
[20:06] through you. Um, appreciate the opportunity to be discussing this.
[20:12] You know, obviously there's a number of families that are
[20:14] having to deal with this. And, um, I do appreciate
[20:17] the public works team and how quickly they got out
[20:20] there to talk to some of these families. That, you
[20:22] know, in some areas, uh, I spoke to a family
[20:24] today. They've been living on Green Lane since they bought
[20:27] since they purchased or built their house actually. It was
[20:29] farmland in 1979 and they built the house and, uh,
[20:34] have never had any flooding until last Monday. So, um,
[20:38] it's pretty tumultuous for some of these people to have
[20:40] to deal with it. They don't understand, um, you know,
[20:43] how the insurance work. They don't know what a claim
[20:46] involves. So I really appreciate the fact that, um, we've
[20:49] made a great effort to get out there, um, but
[20:53] my question through you, Madam Mayor, to either the CA
[20:56] or to the director or maybe just Mr. Deani is,
[21:00] um, you know, as we move forward, um, and director
[21:05] Graham kind of touched on it. Um, we have made
[21:09] some huge investments in our infrastructure. And I heard comments
[21:13] about the cherry heights'storm retention pond. I heard comments about
[21:17] the storm retention pawn at the corner of Bartlett in
[21:19] Green Lane. And normally those ponds are bone dry and,
[21:23] you know, last Tuesday, they were full to the brink.
[21:26] In reality, those, that means they're working to their full
[21:29] capacity and they're working as designed. But through you, Madam
[21:33] Mayor, to whoever wants to handle it, um, how do
[21:36] we get that communication out that, you know, the infrastructure
[21:39] that we've done on Lincoln Avenue is actually working that
[21:42] when someone sees, um, that rainwater going over the sidewalk,
[21:47] on the curb and down the middle of the road
[21:48] to the, to the culvert and to the, um, area
[21:52] by good earth, that that is by design. That's where
[21:54] we want to take the water. We want it to
[21:57] flow down there so it doesn't go east, west into
[21:59] somebody's basement. So how do we communicate that? So, you
[22:02] know, residents really understand in parallel. Uh, it doesn't, it
[22:07] doesn't ease the pain. It doesn't help, um, the stress
[22:10] of, of having to bring a contractor in and redo
[22:14] your house. But, um, in parallel. I think communication is
[22:18] really important. And education. And I'm just wondering, how do
[22:21] we get that? How do we get out that, uh,
[22:23] to the, to the general population. Mr. Sayo, would you
[22:27] hear. Three, Madam Mayor. Absolutely. And I think it's a
[22:30] good question, Council. I think we've started a little bit
[22:32] of that, but to your point, uh, is it reaching
[22:35] everyone that it needs to reach to? Not everyone's going
[22:37] to local media. Not everyone is going to our website
[22:42] or other social media channels. So I think some of
[22:44] it is really taking that old fashion approach and individually
[22:48] doing what we've started to doing. I know I've started
[22:50] doing reaching out to individuals one by one. And I
[22:53] think carrying some of that message forward, um, because you're
[22:57] right again, people are in the crux of dealing with
[22:59] an emergency in their own homes, uh, they're not logging
[23:03] on to a website to look for information or they're
[23:05] not necessarily reading their local paper. And so I think,
[23:09] uh, again, some of that's going to be just the
[23:10] individual outreach that we do. But, um, I know Dave
[23:14] and a number of his staff, uh, did work late
[23:16] and have continued to work late talking to residents specifically.
[23:20] And I think all of you are messengers in that
[23:22] as well, in terms of being able to share that
[23:24] information. So if we need to equip you as well,
[23:26] we will do that. But I don't know if anyone
[23:28] else on the team maybe wants to add something. Mr.
[23:35] Dianni, do you have any comments. Thank you, madam Mayor.
[23:39] And through you to the Councillor, just to sort of
[23:40] dovetail on what the CO indicated, uh, I think our
[23:43] communication approach over the last little bit, councillor has really
[23:46] been focused on, uh, providing obviously some empathy and understanding
[23:50] in terms of what our residents have experienced last week,
[23:53] showcasing what we're trying to do to prevent this moving
[23:56] forward, similar to the comments that the CO made in
[23:59] regards to our public work staff and they're working with
[24:01] the region. But I think in terms of next steps,
[24:03] that could be something that we will definitely look at.
[24:06] I know as a CO indicator, we had some conversations
[24:08] this morning. The communication staff in terms of how we
[24:10] can get some more messaging out there, uh, and I
[24:12] think, uh, we'll take to heart what you just said.
[24:15] So thank you. Thank you very much. Council Renee. If
[24:20] I could just follow with another question. I know that,
[24:23] um, I know Councillor Russell indicated that, um, from his
[24:27] perspective, the calls that he's getting as award one councillor
[24:31] that Beanfield was hit hard. And we agree with that.
[24:34] But we've also, we've also been aware of a district
[24:38] in Vineland and Tolman Drive. And they experience quite a
[24:41] bit of flooding. So I'm wondering, um. I'm wondering what
[24:45] the thoughts are on that specifically. I know we've had,
[24:49] you know, we've had that on our radar. We've been
[24:51] hearing it at ward meetings. We've been hearing it at,
[24:54] uh, the Moses Rittenhouse open houses. And some of those
[25:00] residents have been looking for some assistants. So I'm just
[25:04] wondering if through Madam Mayor, the CEO could speak to
[25:07] that specifically. POND. To the Councillor. I think your right
[25:14] councillor. Tollman is one of those, um, areas in our
[25:17] community and Vineland. That is the hardest hit and has
[25:20] been the hardest hit. And I think you've heard me
[25:22] say on a number of occasions. If I'm prioritizing capital
[25:25] investments over the next number of years, Tollman's probably on
[25:28] the top of the list in terms of what needs
[25:30] to get done. Uh, some of that work is conditional
[25:32] on the region. Uh, but I think we need to
[25:34] look at what can be phased, what we can do
[25:37] in advance of the regional work. And I think every
[25:40] time we have issues like this, the region does need
[25:42] to be brought up to speed. No different than what
[25:45] we're going to do on Ontario Street. And the pumping
[25:48] station in terms of 2030. Again, knowing that everyone's got
[25:51] an infrastructure deficit in infrastructure shortfall. And we have limited
[25:54] amounts of money. But to me, Tollman Drive remains the
[25:58] top priority that we need to start advocating for and
[26:01] prioritize when we look at capital works into 2027 and
[26:05] beyond. PONO PO Thank you, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Councillor.
[26:10] Councillor Pechiriva, please go ahead. Yeah. Thank you, your worship.
[26:17] Um, and I'm going to kind of go down the
[26:19] same tact as Council Brene and Councillor Russell. I'm going
[26:24] to start off first with AMO. Um, we had some,
[26:27] uh, success a few years ago when we advocated about
[26:31] the change of the state of emergency. When it dealt
[26:34] with social issues like mental health, addiction and homelessness. And
[26:38] I think this is a great opportunity to come and
[26:41] say, you know, as not only we experience it, but
[26:46] other areas of the province, be it an ice storm
[26:49] or flooding or fire. These things are here and now.
[26:55] And we can say that, you know, they're reaching thresholds
[26:59] of 100 year storms, but when they happen every couple
[27:01] of years, that someone's reality. So I think it's, I
[27:05] think it's very important that that becomes top of the
[27:07] list for our ammo delegations. Um, secondly, with respect to
[27:13] communication, um, I think we need to maybe take a
[27:19] little bit of a pivot. Um, to try to separate
[27:24] the three causes, right? So we've got overland flow. We've
[27:27] got sewer backup. And then we've got, um, like streams,
[27:33] creeks. And they're three distinctive possibilities. So whether we maybe
[27:38] use an insert because it's, it's still hot on the
[27:43] press. The Council priorities. And I know it's all printed,
[27:48] but a little insert in there on, okay, this is
[27:52] what she can do to combat yourself against, um, sewage
[27:57] backup, right? Backflow prevention. And maybe we develop a little
[28:00] program with, with, um, some money going back. Um, with
[28:05] respect to overland flow, you know. Keep your swales clear.
[28:10] Don't put a shed in it. Don't put a raised
[28:12] garden bed in it. And things like that, like, much
[28:16] like when the fires have hit out west, you've got
[28:19] a fireproof your home. So you don't have these shrubs
[28:21] that are flammable close to the home. And do a
[28:25] whole, um, uh. Communication. Program around that on arming our
[28:31] residents with what they can do and then how we
[28:33] can help them to get there. And I think the
[28:35] third one and the most important from, from my standpoint,
[28:39] having stood out there and watched the water rushing down,
[28:43] uh, the creek beside lencos. And then through the brand
[28:46] new box culvert and around it like Council Bernet said,
[28:50] it went down Lincoln Avenue. It went down the curb.
[28:52] That's where we wanted to go. But people don't know
[28:55] that the, the creeks are their responsibility. To keep them
[29:01] clear. So whether we, we maybe adopt them as a
[29:06] municipal drains or some oversight or work with Councillor Foster
[29:09] and the conservation authority to develop some type of program
[29:13] to educate and help the residents keep these things clear.
[29:18] Because it only becomes top of mind when something like
[29:22] this happens. Like there was a resident on Green Lane
[29:26] that had flooding overland flooding. And you could see the
[29:29] brown water right up to the back. So this poor
[29:32] gal got hit from the back from the stream overflowing
[29:36] and then got hit from the front. From the water
[29:39] rushing down Green Lane because she was in the dip.
[29:43] And, um, you know, she's looking after a brother who's
[29:47] ill in the house. She had six inches of water
[29:49] in the basement. So you can't call her because her
[29:52] modems cooked. And then she had another four steps down
[29:58] to like a sub basement. That freezers and chests. And
[30:04] it was heartbreaking to see it. And, you know, she
[30:08] couldn't try to contact the insurance and things like that.
[30:12] And I know we've all been diligent to on posting
[30:16] things, but, you know, we had the map come out.
[30:19] And I think Council Russell posted. And I was about
[30:21] to post. And then it starts, well, where is, where
[30:23] am I? Why am I not there? So what kind
[30:26] of does more bad than good if we can kind
[30:30] of regroup on all this and, and get some messaging
[30:33] out? Cause it's, it's up to us to control the
[30:35] narrative. That's the thing that really bothered me that, you
[30:38] know, the infrastructure's not, not working. And we've spent money
[30:42] on parks and trails and not looked after this. Well,
[30:45] that's not true. Right. So just need to be a
[30:50] little more diligent now in the messaging. I think we've
[30:53] got through the compassionate part. And that's still got to
[30:57] be there. And it's still always going to be there.
[30:59] But, you know, how can we help and what can
[31:01] we do. To prevent it. Through you, Madamer, all good
[31:11] points, Councillor, and all things that, um, are in progress,
[31:14] both in terms of the community newsletter, as well as
[31:17] a number of other things. So, um, every, everyone from
[31:20] our climate, uh, environmental coordinator to operation staff are working
[31:24] on providing some of those updates. I think you provided
[31:26] some good suggestions in terms of other things that we
[31:29] can be doing more proactively. I think, you know, I
[31:32] can tell you we probably had, um, a little under
[31:35] two dozen people. You know, following the storm, um, uptake
[31:40] the backflow preventer program and the grants that we have,
[31:44] uh, for residents on that. And I think, um, the
[31:46] more people that are aware of that program and the
[31:48] funding available, uh, for each individual home that wants to
[31:51] put in that backflow preventer, I think the better. Uh,
[31:54] and so we have talked about if we're over prescribed
[31:56] how we're going to address that. And I think we've
[31:58] got a plan in terms of, uh, the conversations that
[32:01] director tunicatis, Graham and I have had recently knowing that,
[32:04] uh, already we had had over 20 people subscribed to
[32:07] that. So a number of ways I think we're going
[32:09] to try to get the information out. And so I
[32:11] appreciate your comments. And, and that's terrific. And two, I
[32:14] just want to highlight the fact too that that staff
[32:17] was out there during the storm. I mean, there was,
[32:19] uh, you know, the fire truck at the corner of
[32:21] Green Lane pumping. Mr. Neubauer was up at King Street
[32:25] and Lincoln Avenue and was witnessing the water rushing firsthand.
[32:31] And that, you know, people that have put in, you
[32:36] know, contact information that, uh, staff is doing everything they
[32:40] can to reach out. And then those circumstances too, when,
[32:43] you know, their telephone line isn't working that they'll make
[32:46] every effort to go and knock on the door. And,
[32:49] you know, go with a compassionate year and that. So
[32:52] thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Uh, through
[33:01] you to our CEO. Yeah. Thank you, Councillor Russell for
[33:04] bringing it up. Disaster conversation when I spoke to you
[33:12] earlier today. I did consider this to be a disaster
[33:15] similar to any disaster where there's excessive water. With sewage,
[33:21] I can't even imagine the scope of that disaster is
[33:24] I've not experienced that one. Um, thank you Council Brunet
[33:27] for bringing up the vine land issues and Tolman. I
[33:31] think the more of us that recognise that area is
[33:34] being a problem area. The stronger the argument would be
[33:37] for the region to and ourselves to step up and
[33:41] take this, um, matter seriously in the future. Um, with
[33:47] regards to. This, we're always hearing about, unprecedented storm. These
[33:52] unprecedented storms seem to be happening quite frequently. And I'm
[33:56] going to ask our director of planning. What sort of
[33:59] data. Our engineers using when it comes to stormwater, sewer
[34:06] water management. Uh, how outdated is this? Is this, um,
[34:11] are the specs or the stats from 90 years ago
[34:14] that this is happening almost on a regular basis to
[34:17] the point where residents can't get insurance anymore. Does this
[34:25] do these specifications or acceptances need to be reviewed and
[34:30] updated? I've asked this before. Mr. Brooder. Yeah, thanks. Through
[34:36] you, Madam Mayor. Yeah, it's a good question. I mean,
[34:39] when we look at designs of new developments and new
[34:44] development, when I say new developments, that can range from,
[34:46] you know, a new house being built and a drainage
[34:48] plan associated with that to a larger subdivision. Um, there
[34:52] are design standards that need to be, you know, undertaken
[34:55] and fulfilled specifically. I don't want to go too far
[34:58] into the technical details, but, you know, we look at,
[35:02] or the design engineers look at, okay, what's happening on
[35:05] the site before the development happens. Usually there's already some
[35:08] type of drainage pattern water coming in, leaving the site.
[35:11] Um, that's supposed to be kind of maintained or, or
[35:15] held capacity and flow ice so that what happens after
[35:19] the development, um, water leaving the site is the same
[35:22] as it was before. And the means of doing so.
[35:25] I heard stormwater management ponds, um, sometimes there's underground storage
[35:28] tanks. Sometimes there's upsized pipes under the ground to kind
[35:31] of hold that water and discharge it slowly. So you
[35:34] can match the pre - development levels. What the issue
[35:36] is, is all these design parameters are associated with what
[35:40] we call in the industry a hundred year storm on
[35:43] the max side of things in terms of capacity. Well,
[35:45] I think, you know, we can all acknowledge, um, that
[35:48] those are happening a lot more frequently than every hundred
[35:51] years these days, um, because of a variety of factors.
[35:55] Um, the hundred year design is something that is industry
[36:00] - wide at the moment. You're right. It's been industry
[36:03] - wide for quite some time now. It's something the
[36:05] industry is looking at in the context of climate change
[36:08] and adaptation. But, you know, there haven't been new standards
[36:12] developed yet. I think it's a little bit, it's a
[36:14] very big undertaking because it applies very broadly. I'm not
[36:18] sure what the implications are from an insurance perspective, but
[36:21] that's what I can tell you is that, um, those
[36:25] particular standards have been in place for quite some time
[36:27] and they are being looked at because the recognition. You
[36:30] take that storm. We got, you know, probably even a
[36:32] little better than a hundred year design storm in like
[36:34] an hour and a half. So, you know, these are
[36:37] the types of things that need to be looked at
[36:38] because of the, uh, increased frequency of these events. Appreciate
[36:42] that answer. I think it's not so climate change. I
[36:45] think it's an adaptation. I think we need to adapt
[36:48] ourselves to expect these sorts of, uh, instances to occur
[36:53] more often. You live in Florida. You don't have a
[36:56] basement. I don't even know if I would want to
[36:59] basement if I was living in an area that would
[37:01] have flooding, especially this sort, you know, is frequently is
[37:05] what I'm hearing. Um, another question I have is to
[37:10] ourselves and to our CAO, like with respect to the
[37:14] timeline of reviewing this with the region. And this sort
[37:18] of thing. There's developments, new developments that are going to
[37:21] be asking more of our existing or current infrastructure. Do
[37:28] we, do we just keep going with all of that?
[37:31] Like, um, do we put a pause on that? Do
[37:34] we wait and look at this before we move forward
[37:37] with future parking lots, future, um, condominium, future, anything.
[37:51] Through humanity, the councillor. Anytime we have a new development,
[37:56] uh, small or large and direct or brooder can definitely
[38:00] chime in. In those particular cases, we're doing those types
[38:04] of studies and modelling to determine, does the addition of
[38:08] eight new homes, 10 new homes, uh, 50 new condos
[38:13] impact our water systems. Maybe to go back to the
[38:16] 100 year storm, 100 year storm doesn't mean it's necessarily
[38:18] going to occur one in 100 years. What it means
[38:20] is that historically there was a one percent chance of
[38:24] that storm occurring to that severity. And so I think
[38:27] we could all, or we would all determine when we
[38:29] look at, you know, rainfall statistics, that it's based on
[38:34] PAST observations, not future observations. And I think what we're
[38:38] seeing more now, uh, is the fact that how do
[38:41] our other systems work that support it? I've said it
[38:44] before and I think Councillor Brunet hit this particular point.
[38:48] Uh, it is inconceivable to think that we could build
[38:51] every pipe or culvert or pumping station, um, to handle
[38:55] every possible storm. The costs would be enormous. And that's
[38:58] just not how municipalities, um, you know, look at kind
[39:02] of modern flood resilience. I think what we need to
[39:04] do is determine are all our systems working well together
[39:07] is the overland flowing is the influention that we're looking
[39:12] at addressed. Our stormwater management PON's acceptable. And so I
[39:17] use that example to talk to you about now moving
[39:20] forward. What do we do with developments that are coming
[39:23] towards us are coming online. I think we need to
[39:26] continue to update and look at whatever town and regional
[39:29] improvements can reduce that particular impact. But I don't know
[39:34] if director brooder may have, you know, something to add.
[39:38] I think he may be able to chime in in
[39:39] terms of how we look at individual projects, uh, our
[39:42] individual homes, but adding a few homes, you know, isn't
[39:46] necessarily what's going to impact the system. We need to
[39:48] look at it at a much more macro level. PONO
[39:51] Mr. Brooder. Thank you, Mayor Easton. Um, yeah, I think
[39:56] another thing to consider, I agree, you know, we definitely
[40:00] have to exercise a high level of diligence when it
[40:03] comes to new developments, which we are. Um, we're trying
[40:05] to look at larger catchment areas too. When we get
[40:08] a development application, not just that specific property trying to
[40:11] figure out the overall drainage patterns in the area and
[40:13] go from there. But one thing I did want to
[40:15] highlight an additional point that I think might get lost
[40:17] in this is I know we're talking about new development
[40:19] and the extra contributions in terms of the impacts of
[40:22] the overall drainage system, but also I would add a
[40:25] lot of these design standards requiring this control on site
[40:28] for new development for some of the existing and longstanding
[40:30] land uses that are already there and have been there
[40:32] for years. That wasn't there. So I think that's a
[40:35] whole other factor that goes into this. Some of the
[40:37] existing properties, developments that have happened. I don't know, you
[40:41] know, decades ago that are there now. Um, I would
[40:44] contend with you that even though, yes, we're seeing the
[40:47] severity of storms happen more often than perhaps they used
[40:50] to. I would also say though that the standards, although
[40:52] we talked about may need to be updated, they're still
[40:55] more stringent than they were when a lot of other
[40:57] developments went in years ago. So I think that's an
[40:59] important point too when you're considering kind of existing land
[41:02] uses already there to new development. And it's just a
[41:04] little bit of a clarification I wanted to make. I
[41:09] appreciate that. I just, you know, when we talk about
[41:11] the future and we talk about, you know, this and
[41:13] that, that's part of the adaptation or that's part of
[41:16] the, uh, the new norm that I think we all
[41:19] need to look at, not just arm municipality, but any
[41:22] municipality that, uh, sees a dark rain cloud, um, so
[41:28] those are my comments. And the other thing is just
[41:30] like, you know, there's even in Jordan itself, there was
[41:32] a, there was, there was an individual that, you know,
[41:35] he got flooded out because the surface water on a,
[41:38] on a quite a pretty recent, um. Parking lot that
[41:43] was constructed, you know, saying that this has never happened
[41:46] before, this and that. And it's just, it's tough. To.
[41:53] Knock on this person's door, knowing what they're experiencing. And,
[41:58] you know, having the answer, well, everything, everything meets standards.
[42:02] Well, some people are going to disagree with that. So
[42:05] that's, that's why I'm bringing these sorts of questions up
[42:09] at this time. Thank you. Councillor Renema. Thank you, Madam
[42:17] Mayor. Uh, so my question is about, I have attended
[42:21] on your behalf and with you, um, some great lakes,
[42:24] St. Lawrence, um, cities initiatives, um, conference and some, um,
[42:30] uh, some other events. And obviously, uh, one of the
[42:33] things that's talked about is water and how to control
[42:36] water. Um, I think the, you know, if you look
[42:40] back over the last 10 years, Canada wide, the crazy
[42:44] sort of flooding events, really intense flooding events. So, um,
[42:48] I'm wondering if there's any wisdom advice on a precedent
[42:52] that that group can provide. But my question is, Councillor
[42:57] Miklick brought up insurance and Councillor Russell brought up AMO.
[43:02] So I'm wondering if that's something that we can look
[43:05] at discussing at AMO with the Ministry of Finance about,
[43:08] you know, asking what that looks like. Canada - wide
[43:13] and locally and how people are being affected by the
[43:15] flooding and getting ahead of it and seeing if they're
[43:18] anticipating any issues. And if the ministry can do to
[43:21] assist. Because if you can't get insurance, that's tough. Mr.
[43:24] CAO, would you have anything that you could add now.
[43:30] Three, Madam Mayor, to Council Regime. I think when we
[43:32] look at the work that the Great Lakes in St.
[43:34] Lawrence cities initiative, uh, is doing, I mean, they are
[43:39] doing a lot of work, as you will know, being
[43:41] our rep on there around municipal climate adaptation. Some of
[43:45] the infrastructure vulnerability issues. And specifically, uh, the watershed based
[43:51] stormwater management. I think continuing to advocate and bringing some
[43:55] of those voices to the table when we're at AMO.
[43:58] I think it's going to be critical. Um, as we
[44:00] move forward. And so I think, you know, we take
[44:02] that comment, councillor, I think in addition to the other
[44:05] comments, this evening. I think we need to be looking
[44:07] at those particular issues and looking at the whole watershed
[44:12] in particular, as well as some of the vulnerability assessments
[44:15] that I know the Great Lakes in St. Lawrence cities
[44:18] initiative is encouraging us to undertake with them. PONO Thank
[44:24] you. Thank you very much, Councillor. And, um, maybe we
[44:30] could just give regional Councillor Foster a little heads up
[44:36] so that he could make a few comments regarding the
[44:38] NPCA on some of these matters when you present your
[44:41] report tonight. If there's an. Okay, we move on now
[44:46] to Councillor Reimer. Go ahead, Councillor. Thank you, Madam Mayor.
[44:50] Uh, a couple of questions. Um, first, maybe to Director
[44:54] Brooder, um, I think it's important that we are investigation
[44:58] determines the actual cause of some of these things. I
[45:00] know people who have, who have been affected by it
[45:03] aren't really going to care. But I think as far
[45:05] as a determining, um, sometish happened already. And it's hard
[45:10] to understand, but, but drainage, overland drainage. That's almost impossible
[45:13] to gauge that for a hundred year storm. Right. So
[45:15] if it's overland, we still need to know about it.
[45:18] But I think the important thing is, and I'll ask
[45:20] Director Bruder this, uh, the sewage backup. Was it not
[45:23] discussed at higher levels or is it not part of
[45:26] the building code already that some newer builds or possibly
[45:30] will have those as part of the building code. And
[45:33] their sewers and new houses or not. Sewage backup. Yeah.
[45:39] Sanitary sewage backup. Dr. Bruder, sorry. Didn't explain. Yeah. Our
[45:43] senators sewage would have the backplow for vendor as part
[45:45] of the building code. PONOSIN, that's correct. Councillor, they would
[45:50] with the newer buildings. Yes. They'd be subject to the
[45:52] newer building code requirements, which require that. Okay. To touch
[45:55] on maybe something as a follow - up May Reese
[45:58] and just something that Councillor Pachiva, maybe some, some type
[46:01] of program we could offer, you know, we've done that
[46:03] in the past with other things. Um, to help those
[46:07] who don't have that requirement. Any idea what time of
[46:09] year that or what the year that became in, uh,
[46:12] Councillor Root or Councillor Hooter. Director Rooter. What year did
[46:16] that come in the Ontario building code just so people,
[46:18] people would know when their house was built that they
[46:20] have that protection in there. Through you, Mary said. And
[46:25] I'm not exactly sure. Councillor, when that would have come
[46:27] in, it'd be, it would have been in place for
[46:28] a little while now though. Like I upwards of a
[46:30] decade for sure that it would have been. I think
[46:32] it's 10 years, but I wasn't sure the exact year.
[46:34] Yeah. Around there. Okay. So thank you for that. I
[46:36] just wanted to thank also staff for, um, there are
[46:40] attentiveness on that day. I was in contact with director
[46:42] agreement a couple of times on that day. And he
[46:43] responded to a couple of instances. One, he knew about
[46:46] already. But the other one he was, he was right
[46:48] on top of it. And since staff out to, to
[46:51] act. So that was, uh, that was good to see.
[46:54] Um, I'm glad to hear we have a, an engineering
[46:59] firm looking at these, again, going back to the causes,
[47:04] um, and I would hope that they're not only looking
[47:07] at the causes, but also some solutions. Um, and I
[47:11] can't help but thinking we, we struggle, um, these last
[47:14] two occurrences happened. One happened in 2025 and early April
[47:17] and the last one in July. And we struggle getting
[47:21] water off the escarpment basically to the lake. Right? Except
[47:25] we have King Street, John Street, Green Lane, the CN
[47:28] tracks and the QW on the way. That's, that's all
[47:30] it's in the way. And then we, and now we're
[47:32] talking with the NAGA irrigation initiative project. And we're going
[47:35] to pump it all back up again for the farmers.
[47:38] So it just seems, I hope there's some outside the
[47:41] box thinking that, that we could somehow coordinate those two
[47:44] retention PONs are there for a purpose. And they do
[47:46] function very well. Maybe we expand some of those to
[47:49] help some of our, you know, there is a, it
[47:52] won't help every situation, but I think it will, it
[47:54] will lead to a, uh, a positive effect, especially in
[47:57] some of our trouble areas. If we could combine some
[47:59] of those, um, and suggest that to the engineering firm,
[48:02] that would be great. And one of the questions Mayor
[48:05] Eason, if I may, to David, uh, David Graham, with
[48:09] our infiltration and INI program, which has gone extremely well
[48:14] in other municipalities are copying, um, I can't help but
[48:17] think some areas would have been worse off than they
[48:19] were. Um, does it help? We've talked about advocating at
[48:23] AMO. Does that, uh, our program? Does that help us
[48:28] or hinder us if we were to ask for money,
[48:31] um, through infrastructure rehab program or something like that. Trying
[48:35] to think of another way, another way to the money.
[48:38] Um, the work, do you think, director Graham. Director Graham.
[48:45] Three, Madam Mayor to the Councillor. Uh, I think that's
[48:48] a great idea. Um, I think what it demonstrate that
[48:52] we're doing what we can. We're trying to be proactive
[48:55] in mitigating flooding with our, uh, INI reduction program. I
[49:01] think council has done a lot of good work with
[49:04] investing in that. Um, I know when we do our
[49:08] modelling assessment of the storm, the flooding would have been
[49:11] a lot worse if we wouldn't have done the INI
[49:14] work that we've been doing over the last, uh, number
[49:17] of years to help remove excess flow from the sewers.
[49:20] So I think that's important to note. But, um, yeah,
[49:23] I think it would be viewed councillor as, you know,
[49:26] we're doing what we can to help. When you're making
[49:30] that ask. Thank you, Director Graham. And. I think in
[49:37] our messaging too as well, I think some people misunderstand
[49:40] that backup situation. We talk about infiltration, but I don't
[49:44] think they put two and two together. That stormwater is
[49:47] in our sanitary sewage. That's why that happens. It's not
[49:49] everybody uses the washroom more. Right. Like there's, there's a,
[49:52] there's a reason why. And that's, that helps. There's lots
[49:55] of reasons why that happens. It shouldn't be. There should
[49:57] be zero issues with your standard territory sewer when the
[49:59] reigning, right? It just doesn't, that's not the way things
[50:01] work. But I think in our messaging somehow we could
[50:04] get creative and kind of encourage people not to put
[50:06] some pumps in the sanitary sewer and those kind of
[50:08] things. Like that's all those add up. Right. So downspouts,
[50:12] all that kind of stuff. So thank you very much,
[50:14] Marrison. P Councillor and Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Timmer is
[50:21] your next. Thank you very much, Maryston. So when you're
[50:25] at the bottom of the queue, most of my questions
[50:26] have been answered. And, um, I'm, I'm really happy that
[50:30] we're having this discussion because there was a lot of
[50:33] misinformation. And I think we're kind of clearing a lot
[50:35] of that up here tonight. And, um, the, um, the
[50:40] points of Tolman Drive being added to the priority list
[50:43] for 2027 budget is, is really a good thing. That's
[50:47] coming out of a terrible situation. Um, you know, I
[50:50] had family and friends as well that were affected by
[50:52] the flooding. It's, it's one of those things that we
[50:57] didn't predict. And, um, hopefully through the review, we'll learn
[51:01] if the areas that we can correct. And we can,
[51:04] um, make some changes moving forward. Um, I think communication
[51:08] is key though. And I think it's been a very
[51:10] good discussion tonight. So I don't have any further questions.
[51:14] Uh, AMO, the delegation of AMO makes a lot of
[51:16] sense. Perhaps the kind of disaster relief funding available that
[51:21] we could apply for. I'm not sure on that. But
[51:24] I'll leave that up to our staff. And, uh, that's
[51:27] it. That's my comments for tonight. Thank you, Mayor Easton.
[51:30] Thank you very much. Thank you, Councillor Timmers. And Councillor
[51:33] Russell and Councillor Patriva. I'm looking for a unique, not
[51:37] never heard before this evening. And, uh, one shot each.
[51:41] Okay. Go ahead, Councillor Russell. Pressure's on. Thanks, Madam Mayor.
[51:46] Three of you to staff. Again, kind of touching on
[51:50] what Councillor Pachiriva and Council Bernet had mentioned earlier, but
[51:53] not to the same degree. Um, there are a number
[51:55] of hotspots that we are well known throughout the Town
[51:58] Town of the Drive. Golden Horseshoe estates, um, again, some
[52:02] of the areas along John, some of the areas along
[52:03] Green Lane along both creeks. Is there a way to
[52:07] prioritize, um, some of the staff work to make sure
[52:11] that, again, the ditching, things that we can take care
[52:14] of ourselves without any external funding, or acetical contractors, that
[52:17] we can prioritize that in the next little while, um,
[52:20] again, if it's ditching, if it's creek maintenance and removing
[52:23] trees, uh, some of that debris, I know director graham
[52:26] has already done that again on again a number of
[52:29] occasions that we've reached out. But is there something that
[52:31] we could do on a more grand scale to try
[52:33] to make sure and mitigate this as much as possible?
[52:36] Or is there any service in, again, requesting additional funds
[52:41] for external contractors to come in and start doing some
[52:44] of that ditching along some of those either North Sorth
[52:49] corridors where we are getting a lot of funneling, um,
[52:52] and at some of the pinch points where we are
[52:53] seeing some of that overland pooling. Is there any, any
[52:56] thoughts to that whether or not we should focus or
[52:59] prioritize that. Go ahead, Mr. C. Dale. The amount of
[53:02] mayor to the councillor. Councillor, I think you're, you know,
[53:06] in a lot of ways echoing the conversation, uh, Dave
[53:09] Frank Buffalino and I had earlier today. We are prioritizing
[53:12] those areas now in light of just the most recent
[53:15] flood watch that we received. There are things that we're
[53:17] going to be doing. I see Dave nodding. And so
[53:20] I would suggest to you, um, we're going to be
[53:22] prioritizing those areas. And I think looking at, um, putting
[53:26] our resources where they need to be right now, uh,
[53:29] for the foreseeable future till we can get some of
[53:31] this work done. Okay. And just one quick follow up.
[53:33] Is that something we can do in - house or
[53:34] do we need any external assistance. Through you, Madam Mayor,
[53:38] to the Councillor. I see Dave nodding. I think most
[53:40] of it can be done in - house if we
[53:41] do. We'll be sure to update Council and probably go
[53:44] out and seek those external resources or go to some
[53:47] more municipal partners. But I'm comfortable to say I think
[53:50] we can do most of that in - house. Okay.
[53:52] Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Councillor Pachiriva, go ahead,
[53:56] please. Thank you, worship. And, um, you know, I was
[53:59] perusing the, um, the ammo program. And lo and behold,
[54:05] on Sunday at one o'clock, uh, ministry of the environment,
[54:11] practicing leadership in a flooding, a municipal exercise workshop. So
[54:18] in a realistic flooding exercise and workshop municipal leaders and
[54:20] staff will navigate escalating impacts on critical infrastructure, public safety,
[54:25] municipal services and community recovery while working through the decisions
[54:29] leader's face during a flooding event. Participants will experience how
[54:33] municipal exercise is encouraged discussing mutual aid, prioritizing resources and
[54:39] collaborating with provincial and community partners, participants will also get
[54:43] hands - on experience working with the provincial supports available
[54:46] to municipalities before, during, and after an emergency. So I
[54:51] think that if, um, if director Deanny can arrange that,
[54:56] um, session for us, the, I'm drawing a blank on
[55:00] what we call them. Delegation. Delegation, thank you, Anna. Uh,
[55:06] Councillor Murray, that it's, it's, you know what, it's right
[55:11] there. It's set on a T for us. So. Let's
[55:14] make it happen. And I plan to get there to
[55:17] attend this. So I'll take copious notes. Very good. Thank
[55:20] you, your worship. Thank you very much. Did you have
[55:23] anything more to say? I know through you, Madame Mayor.
[55:25] I just know Paul's making notes. So I think he
[55:27] heard the Councillor Loud and Claire. Very good. I'm glad
[55:30] everybody's on the ball here. So, um, interesting. I have
[55:36] a couple of comments. Besides some possible, um, input from
[55:42] NPCA. Although I'm sure the staff have already been talking
[55:45] with them. But the, um, I'll be very interested to
[55:50] know whether or not the emergency team at the ministry
[55:55] that it's really, I think it's a year and a
[55:59] half or, I don't think it's quite two years old.
[56:03] So I don't know what the state of all their
[56:06] policies is. Councillor Pechiriva, you brought this up. So we,
[56:11] um, we could speak with Kathy McGrath about that. And,
[56:17] um, if there's, um, if there's an opportunity for us
[56:22] to have a side meeting, not necessarily a delegation, but
[56:25] a side meeting with one of the key staffers from
[56:29] that ministry that might be helpful as well. Yeah. I'm
[56:38] happy to hear the comments about the I and I
[56:40] reduction because we've spent a great deal on that. But
[56:43] once again, it comes back to communication. How well do
[56:47] people understand it? It kind of makes your shake your
[56:49] head when the roof leaders going into the sewers. And
[56:54] then you end up at the backup. So that's, that's
[56:56] a little bit of a mystery. But again, this is
[57:00] new. There's a lot of things about this that are
[57:03] new. This was a great discussion. Thank you, Councillors, for
[57:05] bringing forward all of your suggestions ideas. And, uh, further
[57:11] and detailed discussions about what was actually going on during
[57:16] the night of the 21st. All right. We'll move on
[57:21] now to number eight, which is announcements by members. We
[57:25] seem to have been doing an awful lot of attending
[57:27] of this that. And the other thing you are limited
[57:31] to three items. And let's start the queue.
[57:41] Okay. I don't see anything. Oh, we do. Councillor Mickelo,
[57:48] go ahead. Thank you very much. I thought it was
[57:50] worthy noting that, uh, we attended several members of council
[57:54] attended the, uh, the designation of the old oak tree
[57:59] and Victoria Avenue celebrating the, um, anniversary of the old
[58:03] oak barn. Yeah. 400 year old tree. I never thought
[58:11] we would dedicate her. I never thought we designate a
[58:15] tree, you know, as a, as a, as a municipal
[58:20] leader, but, uh, it was a, it was a well
[58:22] attended celebration. I thought, uh, everyone did an excellent job.
[58:27] There's cupcakes for everyone while we were at it. It
[58:30] was, uh, it was a beautiful day. So I just,
[58:33] uh, wanted to make sure that that didn't skate through
[58:35] without a comment. Quite right Council Brunet. Thank you, Madam
[58:43] Mayor. Very quickly, um, I was pleased to, uh, to
[58:47] travel down to the Niagara Parks power plant last Thursday,
[58:51] July 23rd as a board member for NAGA Peninsula Energy.
[58:55] Uh, there was a funding announcement that, um, staff had
[58:58] been working on this application for probably 18 to 24
[59:01] months. And, uh, we were successful in receiving 2. 7
[59:05] million dollars to support the modernization of our electrical distribution
[59:10] system across Niagara. Why is this important? Well, we've been
[59:15] having a lot of power outages. And there has been
[59:19] a lot of discussion about, um, Niagara Penitential Energies, um,
[59:23] investment. Um, Councillor Timmers and I both sit on the
[59:27] board. We've been along with you, Madam Mayor recently up
[59:31] to the Spring Creek Transformer station where they're investing 38
[59:36] million dollars up there to ensure that, uh, we meet
[59:39] the requirements for power. Uh, this doesn't, um, this doesn't
[59:44] mean that we're not taking these power outages seriously. Uh,
[59:48] we are, because the businesses and there are residents that
[59:52] have been impacted by the outages that have been occurring.
[59:55] And as we talk about flooding, uh, power outages seem
[59:58] to be happening on more frequent basis as well. So
[1:00:01] I thought it was important to, uh, to point out
[1:00:03] that, uh, we were successful in receiving 2. 7 million
[1:00:06] dollars from the federal government, um, MP Chris Biddle was
[1:00:11] on hand to bring information from, uh, from that, uh,
[1:00:16] that funding stream, uh, and Niger Penitential Energy is contributing
[1:00:21] an additional 3. 5 million dollar. So thank you, Madam
[1:00:28] Mayor. Thank you very much. And, uh, that's a very
[1:00:31] important. Very important comment, uh, very important area that more
[1:00:37] and more people are talking about Councillor Timurs. There we
[1:00:44] go. Thank you, Marison. Um, I just wanted to add
[1:00:47] a little bit, um, about the grand oak tree. You
[1:00:51] know, I've been on the heritage committee since I was
[1:00:53] elected to council and Councillor Brenier sits on that with
[1:00:56] me as well. And for about 10 years, I think
[1:01:00] people got tired of me talking about the grand oak
[1:01:03] tree. And we finally were able to designate that tree.
[1:01:07] And I just wanted to make the comment that it's
[1:01:09] the first tree in the town of Lincoln to be
[1:01:12] designated. So it's pretty special. And, um, it's designated through
[1:01:16] the Ontario heritage act. So it will always be protected.
[1:01:21] And the history and the beauty of that tree is
[1:01:24] just phenomenal. So if there hasn't seen the grand oak,
[1:01:28] you definitely need to go down there and take a
[1:01:29] picture of it. But I was so unhappy that I
[1:01:32] had to miss it. I was travelling at that time.
[1:01:35] So I missed it after 10 years. And I want
[1:01:38] to thank Monica Colquier, our staff who really, um, did
[1:01:42] a lot of the heavy lifting and helped to make
[1:01:45] this happen. So anyway, thank you for allowing me to
[1:01:48] make those comments, Mary soon. Thank you very much. Now
[1:01:55] we move on to item number nine, and that is
[1:01:58] proclamations. We have no proclamations this evening. Idem 10 is
[1:02:05] recognition and achievements. And our first item for recognition and
[1:02:09] achievements is the recognition of the Town of Lincoln sponsorship
[1:02:14] of the Lincoln Soapox Derby. And we have Gourd Gary,
[1:02:19] Lion Gorry, Lion Kenseuthward in attendance. Gentlemen, please come forward.
[1:02:24] If you have a few words that you'd like to
[1:02:26] say. Thank you, your
[1:02:36] worship. Members of Council, Administration. Uh, our presentation is going
[1:02:40] to be much shorter than it has been in the
[1:02:42] past. As you know, your worship, it's been about two
[1:02:45] and a half hours. Each presentation previously. Anyway, um. I
[1:02:50] think there was some wine involved in it, too. Could
[1:02:52] have been, could have been. Um, we, uh, we want
[1:02:56] to thank the Town of Lincoln for its participation with
[1:03:01] the soapbox Derby. This is our, um, this was our
[1:03:04] ninth year this year. We had a couple of years
[1:03:06] out with COVID, of course. It went off splendidly well
[1:03:12] this year. We had no accents whatsoever. We added one,
[1:03:17] one element this year. Uh, to the Derby. And that
[1:03:22] is a PIT crew and racer day. And we do
[1:03:25] that two weeks prior to the soapbox Derby. On PIT
[1:03:29] crew and racer day, we tear all of the cars
[1:03:30] down. We make sure all of the steering linkages are
[1:03:33] correct. We make sure that the, uh, the brakes are
[1:03:35] working. That the pads are, are there. We seem to
[1:03:38] be going through many more brake pads now than we
[1:03:41] ever did in the past. And the reason for that
[1:03:43] is really simple. We seem to have much smaller children.
[1:03:48] And as you know, we wait the cars up so
[1:03:50] that they are 200 pounds. The car, the driver and
[1:03:54] additional weights. We have made the decision that we're going
[1:03:57] to bring that back to 175 pounds, uh, this coming
[1:04:02] year. Simply so that we don't have to add so
[1:04:04] many weights and it'll keep the brake pads a little
[1:04:07] bit longer. We can get through an entire Derby day
[1:04:10] with the, uh, with the brake pads intact. So with
[1:04:13] that, just a couple of things. I said that the
[1:04:19] Derby went off splendidly well. One of the things for
[1:04:23] me that was the greatest aspect of the Derby this
[1:04:26] year is that I had my partner in the, in
[1:04:29] the Derby in full functioning mode this year. Um, most
[1:04:33] of you or many of you will recognise that Ken
[1:04:38] was suffering from Guy and Bari syndrome last year. And
[1:04:42] if you don't know what that is, take a look.
[1:04:44] It's debilitating. He's way ahead of schedule. And I'm, I'm
[1:04:48] so very thankful for that. Can starts the, uh, the
[1:04:53] races. We have a new announcer on that now. He's
[1:04:58] a police officer. So that kind of keeps everything sorted
[1:05:01] out. And, um, and Evan does, or Kevin does a
[1:05:06] tremendous job with that. Um, Ken's wife, Jennifer, my wife
[1:05:10] Colleen, uh, do the, uh, the scoring for every race.
[1:05:15] And to give you an idea of how. Tightly contested
[1:05:24] the soapbox Derby is. The difference between. Number one racer
[1:05:30] and number two racer, Ken, this year was just about
[1:05:34] one third of a second. On two heats, one third
[1:05:40] of a second on two heats. So they, they, uh,
[1:05:44] the kids, um, they're into it. There's no question about
[1:05:47] that. We'd like to see every member of Council at
[1:05:50] the Derby. We had, uh, we had four members of
[1:05:52] council. Your worship, you were excused this year, of course.
[1:05:55] You had that tree come through the roof and all
[1:05:57] that good stuff. Uh, we'd like to see some administrative
[1:06:00] people there too. And, um, and, uh, those of you
[1:06:05] in the gallery, come take a look at the soapbox
[1:06:07] Derby. It's a whole bunch of fun. Right, Tony? So
[1:06:10] with that, we have, uh, we have some presentation that
[1:06:13] we would like to make. And we have some gifts.
[1:06:16] So your worship, if you would come forward for just
[1:06:20] a moment, that's that one there. Yeah. That's the wine.
[1:06:32] Get a hand. On this. So. Here, do you put
[1:06:37] the. Photographer here. So on behalf of the Lincoln Soapox
[1:06:45] Sturm Association, we want to thank you for your dedication
[1:06:48] and support to the soapbox Derby the last, uh, since
[1:06:52] the beginning. And we look forward to the town being
[1:06:55] our title sponsored in the future as well. Thank you
[1:06:58] very much. And we have a souvenir t - shirt
[1:07:08] for you. Thank. You. Guaranteed to fit. Maybe. And we
[1:07:15] have a, uh, we have a t - shirt for
[1:07:18] all members of council as well. They all the same
[1:07:21] size? No, perfect. They're all sized accordingly, I think. Thank
[1:07:31] you all. Thanks very. Much.
[1:08:34] I can't tell you. I mean, many people in this
[1:08:37] room have volunteered for many, many, um, special events over
[1:08:42] the years. So you know how much work it is.
[1:08:44] To start something from the ground up. And let me
[1:08:47] tell you, they've done a great job. So it's a
[1:08:51] wonderful opportunity for youth. And, um, they do have some
[1:08:56] big racers. And the first couple of years, Ken and
[1:09:00] I can I, but, uh, Gordon, I used to race
[1:09:04] each other, but I swear he let me win. But
[1:09:06] it was kind of fun. I'd never done anything like
[1:09:08] that before. Okay. Um. Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.
[1:09:18] The next item on the agenda is the Mayor's Metal
[1:09:22] Recipients. And, um, we have, um. We have, we're doing
[1:09:27] these in a number of different ways. Tonight, we actually
[1:09:30] have, um, the garden club here, represented it from the
[1:09:34] garden club, Lincoln Garden Club. But we also will be
[1:09:37] going out and visiting people where they work and visiting
[1:09:43] people, um, on their farms, uh, to recognise the contributions
[1:09:49] that they make to our community. So not everybody's coming
[1:09:52] into the chambers. However, tonight we have Angela Collixto from
[1:09:59] the, uh, Lincoln Garden Club in attendance to receive this
[1:10:03] award on behalf of the garden club. The Lincoln Garden
[1:10:07] Club is a registered nonprofit organisation and there are part
[1:10:12] of district nine of the Ontario horticultural association. They've been
[1:10:17] in town since the 1990s, the early 90s. And even
[1:10:21] though they shy from standing in the spotlight, they've been
[1:10:26] keeping the tome beautiful for many years as well as
[1:10:29] inspiring new generations of gardeners. The club has made up
[1:10:33] of passionate gardeners, very knowledgeable people and volunteers who care
[1:10:38] about the community and they provide educational opportunities for young
[1:10:41] people. And they selectively choose spots around the town that
[1:10:47] they beautify. The club sponsors scholarships at Niger College and
[1:10:53] the Niger Park School of Horticulture. And in 1992, they
[1:10:58] donated. A greenhouse to the Beamsville District Secondary School and
[1:11:04] sponsored a scholarship for horticultural student each year. They donate
[1:11:10] plants left over from an annual plant sale, which is
[1:11:13] held each May. Now just imagine what it must be
[1:11:16] like to be a small group of people who do
[1:11:20] things like donating a greenhouse. How would you do that?
[1:11:24] This is not a small thing. And it is so
[1:11:27] important to our community, which is so embedded in agriculture.
[1:11:33] And to sponsor a scholarship really remarkable initiatives and quite
[1:11:37] dedicated community members for sure. They have planted and maintained
[1:11:43] gardens across the area. Including balls falls conservation centre, as
[1:11:48] well as here at Town Hall. They also maintain a
[1:11:53] garden at the experimental farm on the Vineline Research Innovation
[1:11:56] Centre site. And we're instrumental in the Millennium Forest Project
[1:12:01] at that site. They are also a valued partner with
[1:12:05] the Town of Lincoln for the Lincoln and Bloom Garden
[1:12:08] Recognition Program. Angela, it's so great to have you here
[1:12:13] with us tonight. If you would come forward.
[1:12:35] Just go. Right in here. I actually just want to
[1:12:40] thank the Town Blincon for the recognition that we're getting
[1:12:47] tonight. And that I'm speaking for on behalf of the
[1:12:49] Lincoln Garden Club, an horticultural society. And I also want
[1:12:53] to thank the ton of Lincoln for being one of
[1:12:56] our partners in crime. Uh, for the projects that we
[1:13:00] have undertaken. I would like to invite all of you
[1:13:04] to see the Millennium Forest, which is one of our,
[1:13:08] um, flagship projects. And unlike the other speaker, you have
[1:13:14] to wait until the next soap Derby. This time you
[1:13:17] can just go to the Millennium Forest anytime you want
[1:13:21] and enjoy the 135 or 137 trees now, uh, and
[1:13:27] I think there are no two or probably the only
[1:13:30] two trees that have, uh, you know, in other words,
[1:13:35] what I'm saying is there are no two trees available
[1:13:39] that are the same in the forest except for probably
[1:13:42] a couple, uh, but having said that, thank you again.
[1:13:47] And I'm delighted to receive this and it will filter
[1:13:50] down to our members. PONO POUTONO.
[1:15:09] Is just reminding me that they don't just plant flowers
[1:15:12] and select and plan gardens, which they did here all
[1:15:15] across the front of the town hall. But they also
[1:15:19] designed the signage that went up. Because they, um, they
[1:15:24] wanted to make sure that as time went by, that
[1:15:27] people understood how these things were dealt with. Can I
[1:15:30] just add. One sometime for not to say. That the.
[1:15:33] Town. Going. On right now. And everyone
[1:15:43] is invited to send pictures. To the town you're entitled
[1:15:48] to send at least 10 per person. And at the
[1:15:52] end of the program or the event, like maybe around
[1:15:56] end of August, we will have a random draw for.
[1:16:01] Crisis. And. Everyone that's submitted pictures. Are invited to. A
[1:16:07] town picnic. On climbing. Centre. At the early part. Of
[1:16:11] September. Right? Yeah. So please, please send your pictures. Thank
[1:16:17] you very much. Thank you, Angela. So there you're all
[1:16:21] inspired. Pictures and food. Very good. All right. Um. We'll
[1:16:31] move on now to item number 11, which is delegations
[1:16:36] and presentations. And I'd like to invite regional councillor Rob
[1:16:40] Foster to come forward to the podium. And I must
[1:16:45] say that, um, since regional, uh, councillor Foster has been
[1:16:52] our regional representative. He has missed very, very, very few
[1:16:57] meetings. He is here at almost every Council meetings. So
[1:17:00] thank you very much for having such a good attendance
[1:17:03] record. Rob. Thank you, Mayor Easton. And, uh, so I'll
[1:17:08] put a timer on because I have about a 20
[1:17:10] minute thing tonight. So. First off, just from the earlier
[1:17:19] conversations, I wanted to say on behalf of chair foster,
[1:17:25] um, they were very happy with the heritage committee designating,
[1:17:29] uh, the grand oak as well. Um, I'm very, very
[1:17:32] proud of the fact that my son, um, stepped up,
[1:17:36] um, into that particular role. It really fits well with
[1:17:40] his educational background. And a lot of the work that,
[1:17:43] uh, that he's done for the town and for the
[1:17:46] NPCA in the past. So anyway, that was a great
[1:17:49] event. Um. I want to talk a little bit about,
[1:17:52] um, the discussion around water. Um, that you guys had
[1:17:55] earlier. So, um, I wanted to start with the I
[1:17:58] and I program and, uh, I think, um, you brought
[1:18:01] it up Councillor Reimer. I don't know if you did
[1:18:04] as well. Councillor Patrieva, but the, um, Mayor Easton and
[1:18:09] I, uh, spent a lot of time saving that program
[1:18:11] at the region. Um, that was one of the ones
[1:18:14] that was on the chopping block about a year and
[1:18:17] a half ago as we were going into budget. And
[1:18:19] so ourselves along with the mayor of Fortiri, did a
[1:18:24] lot of work on that to make sure that the
[1:18:26] INI program continued on. And just for the sake of
[1:18:30] the audience, the eye and I program really is taking
[1:18:33] a look at downspouts that are going into the sewer
[1:18:37] systems that shouldn't be going into it. Um, the leakage
[1:18:40] that's going on within all of our programs within the
[1:18:43] thing. And. I give the town of Lincoln full credit
[1:18:48] and I look back to my days on Town Council
[1:18:50] as well for making that a priority to make sure
[1:18:53] that we have a solid water system. The event itself,
[1:18:58] um, I was sitting at home, um, listening to the
[1:19:04] rain literally pounding, um, on the roof. Um, my neighbourhood
[1:19:09] was really quite lucky. Um, we didn't really have much.
[1:19:12] I don't think there was, there was much overture in
[1:19:14] your area too, Adam. But, um, it was interesting because
[1:19:19] everything worked as designed, um, through the back of our
[1:19:23] area, um, so much rain came down, um, the flooding
[1:19:27] came up in the back of my property. But then
[1:19:31] it drained away within like about three hours. So, so
[1:19:34] everything worked in that area the way that it was
[1:19:37] supposed to, which was, which was terrific, um, as I'm
[1:19:41] watching it. And I'm like, oh, okay. Well, sooner or
[1:19:43] later, uh, it may raise my neighbour, a couple of
[1:19:46] neighbours had, uh, water issues in their homes because the
[1:19:49] rain pounded on their homes and ways that had never
[1:19:51] been pounded on before, um, and so they had leakage
[1:19:55] coming through spots that, um, our houses were all built
[1:19:59] in 1988. So there was places that just need to
[1:20:02] repair. So now they're going to have to take a
[1:20:04] look at it with their homes. Um. The day of
[1:20:10] flooding, I was in discussion with regional staff, uh, from
[1:20:15] about an hour and a half after once I realised
[1:20:18] what had been going on with it. Um, and, uh,
[1:20:21] I talked to Phil Lambert down at, uh, the region
[1:20:26] who's responsible for, um, the wastewater management in particular. And
[1:20:32] it was overwhelming. And it wasn't just in beamsville and
[1:20:35] it wasn't just in violin. It was in St. Catharines.
[1:20:38] They had, uh, they had flooding. They had grimsby as
[1:20:41] well. Um, opposite side of the peninsula, by the way,
[1:20:47] there was nothing. There was, there was practically nothing hit
[1:20:49] there. So really bizarre, um, storm to say the least,
[1:20:54] um, as I put this back up so I can
[1:20:56] read it. I didn't know you guys were going to
[1:21:00] talk about this tonight. So sorry. Garbage collection councillors, a
[1:21:06] few of you reached out to me on the garbage
[1:21:09] collection. Um, I got in touch with Mr. Copoulos. Um,
[1:21:13] he was already, um, well down the road with staff
[1:21:16] at the region to, uh, look at doing some extra
[1:21:20] work. Uh, I know there's some disappointment with some people
[1:21:23] in town about, uh, some extra garbage collection not being
[1:21:26] done in their area. But, um, what did get put
[1:21:31] in place is no additional costs that's coming into play
[1:21:34] for us. So I believe staff from the town and
[1:21:39] the region talked about it. And so the worst hit
[1:21:42] areas were the ones that, um, that the extra garbage
[1:21:46] pickup was doing. So, um, so that piece of the
[1:21:49] puzzle. I like some of the comments earlier about, um,
[1:21:56] communication. Both the NPCA, which issued the flood warnings once
[1:22:03] they realised what was going on. Um, and also, um,
[1:22:09] the, uh, the region and the town. I thought the
[1:22:12] town actually was able to get out good communication when
[1:22:15] it was all said and done. Boy, the social media
[1:22:18] stuff that went on that was just false and wrong.
[1:22:21] So, um, for goodness sakes, if you're going to be
[1:22:24] going and trying to figure out what's happening, be very
[1:22:27] cautious of where you're getting information from, uh, particularly social
[1:22:31] media. Conjecture is not fact. So, um, I think we
[1:22:36] should keep that in mind. PONO. Just the last thing
[1:22:41] on this for you. So the NPCA Mary Easton brought
[1:22:44] it up. So. We all have to remind ourselves a
[1:22:48] little bit. The province of Ontario has made significant changes
[1:22:51] to the way planning works. Um, and most of the
[1:22:56] onus on planning has come back onto the shoulders of
[1:22:59] lower area municipalities. We saw that happen. The region is
[1:23:03] right out of, uh, the game when it comes to
[1:23:05] zoning and when it comes to planning. There is an
[1:23:08] official plan at the region, but that is taken care
[1:23:13] of by this local area municipality. So you guys are
[1:23:16] the ones that make the enforcement things. When it comes
[1:23:19] to environmental things within the community, that also comes into
[1:23:23] play. You have to be aware of that when you're
[1:23:25] looking at any of the subdivisions that are being built,
[1:23:29] your staff, that's one of the very first things that
[1:23:31] they go through and deal with is they're looking at
[1:23:33] these things. Um, the NPCA is a commenting agency. And
[1:23:38] so when it comes to various areas that are going
[1:23:41] into play, I do like the idea. I think it
[1:23:44] was Councillor Patriva said, you know, maybe getting the NPCA
[1:23:47] involved with, with understanding how to make sure we have
[1:23:51] our ditches done properly, all this other type of stuff.
[1:23:55] Not a problem. And in fact, I think they would
[1:23:56] be, uh, I know for a fact, they would be
[1:23:59] quite happy to have those discussions to come in and
[1:24:02] through. Um. But there's not much you can do when
[1:24:06] you have four and a half inches of rain in
[1:24:09] an hour and a half. And I think, um, everybody
[1:24:12] just has to sometimes take a step back and realise
[1:24:16] this stuff happens. Um, anyway, those are my comments on
[1:24:19] that, Mary Easton, for that. Thank you very much, Councillor,
[1:24:25] for taking that off the cough. I appreciate it. Yeah.
[1:24:27] Um. So I got some really boring stuff to talk
[1:24:30] about. Um, DC, uh, once again, um, so the region
[1:24:36] is in the middle of doing the DC bylaw review.
[1:24:43] I'm part of that committee, but we haven't met yet.
[1:24:45] We did meet as a council back. Was it about
[1:24:49] a month ago, Mayor Easton, I believe. And the whole
[1:24:52] idea is that it has to be upgraded based on
[1:24:55] all of the new things that are actually coming into
[1:24:57] play with development charges. Um, all of us are going
[1:25:01] to be talking to all of these ministries when we
[1:25:04] get to Ottawa for the AMO conference on what a
[1:25:08] lot of these things really mean and how they come
[1:25:10] into play. There's supposed to be a new DC charge
[1:25:13] bylaw in place by October of this year for Niagara.
[1:25:16] Um, I do not see us meeting that, uh, that
[1:25:19] timeline. Um, but. We shall see. Um, work has to
[1:25:24] be done with that. Um, I put on to my
[1:25:28] notes. Just to let you know that, um, DCs are
[1:25:32] going to play a pretty important part of the South
[1:25:37] Niagara wastewater treatment plant. The first phase, which is worth
[1:25:41] about 35 million or something like that at this point
[1:25:43] in time. That's going to be 90 percent DCs that
[1:25:46] are coming into play with that. That's the engineering. That's
[1:25:50] the full design that's coming into play. And that's well
[1:25:53] on the road, by the way, as well. But the
[1:25:56] funding package is going to come from DCs. We're going
[1:26:00] to have the new dollar figure coming forward to us.
[1:26:04] And I, what did I say when I first started
[1:26:07] talking about this with everyone, uh, they came in with
[1:26:10] 320 million originally. And I said, it's going to be
[1:26:14] well more than a half a billion before this is
[1:26:17] all said and done. Well, once again, I was right.
[1:26:20] Um, uh, 509 million is the latest figure that we're
[1:26:24] looking at. I still am a strong believer that it's
[1:26:27] going to hit about 600 million before it's all said
[1:26:30] and done. This is a significant investment that's being done
[1:26:33] in Niagara. So, um, anyway, that's, that's on the go.
[1:26:38] Um. The couple of things that are coming up, uh,
[1:26:42] what is today, today's Monday. Coming up Thursday night, um,
[1:26:47] so nobody's ever happy with DCs, by the way. There's
[1:26:52] a, and I have a false hit on my statement
[1:26:55] here. So you can stroke off Niagara Falls and say
[1:26:58] St. Catherine's. But we had a request coming back because
[1:27:03] of a new hotel being built in St. Catharines. And
[1:27:07] they feel they shouldn't have to pay DCs because it's
[1:27:10] the first new hotel in 50 years. Well, okay. So
[1:27:14] now regional counsel has to make a decision on it.
[1:27:18] Um, the city of St. Catharines is willing to give
[1:27:22] up the DC money. Um, through the programs that are
[1:27:25] there. But, um, we've exhausted the funds for this year
[1:27:28] already. Um, on the DC side of things. So, um,
[1:27:32] and that was part of our cost saving piece of
[1:27:35] the puzzle that we did through our budget process this
[1:27:37] year. Um, being aware that they should be, um, they
[1:27:41] should be, uh, capped. Um, the business in well and
[1:27:47] that has funds that they're requesting an incredibly interesting business.
[1:27:54] But again, it's been capped out. So we're going to
[1:27:58] have to have a long discussion Thursday night. I'll be
[1:28:00] quite fascinated to see how that shakes out. I'm going
[1:28:03] to be interested to see how, uh, differing areas of,
[1:28:07] uh, of Niagara vote on this particular issue Thursday night.
[1:28:11] So. That's it for me tonight. Thank you very much,
[1:28:18] Councillor. And councillors. We do have two questions. So I'll
[1:28:23] go ahead Councillor Murray. Thank you very much, Mayor Easton.
[1:28:27] Three through you to Councillor Foster. Thanks for the good
[1:28:31] information on the DCs. I wanted to get a little
[1:28:33] bit more clarity if I could on the last note
[1:28:36] that you had the deferral of the DCs. So, um,
[1:28:39] when you say that the funds are not available with
[1:28:42] maxed out use, my understanding of that. So please do
[1:28:44] correct me if I'm wrong is that the region said
[1:28:46] we will defer or are removed X number of dollars
[1:28:51] of DC funds for this fiscal year. And that has
[1:28:54] been maxed out. Is that what you're saying? So. We
[1:29:00] had a pretty significant budget year that came into play.
[1:29:04] And by the way, whoever is going to be the
[1:29:07] next mayor of this municipality, whoever it is that's going
[1:29:10] on, this is going to be the big issue that's
[1:29:14] going on at the region is how to go and
[1:29:18] actually deal with these pieces of the puzzle. Like DC
[1:29:21] charges like the tax instrumental grants that are coming into
[1:29:24] play. To be perfectly frank, we can't afford it. Okay.
[1:29:28] Um, we do not have the taxation base across the
[1:29:31] board to handle this. Um, so the problem for us
[1:29:35] is going to be what should or shouldn't be being
[1:29:39] a part of this. We made a decision back, I
[1:29:42] think it was Mayor Easton about four years ago where
[1:29:45] we said, no, we're going to be shifting to affordable
[1:29:48] housing and we're going to be shifting to a variety
[1:29:50] of things. And we had a council that overrode the
[1:29:53] whole thing. They basically said, nope, nope, we're going to
[1:29:56] continue with the way that we're doing it. Much to
[1:29:59] our votes being the opposite. Um, but they, they continued
[1:30:03] on with the, with the process of handing out money
[1:30:05] the way they are. The, the problem is, is that
[1:30:08] it makes up a significant portion of the regional budget
[1:30:11] now. And it's not going away. It is continuing on,
[1:30:17] I would say a trajectory that looks kind of like
[1:30:19] a lunar takeoff type of thing. Okay. So, um, so
[1:30:26] they're in asking for a DC grant. It's a deferral.
[1:30:35] They've got coming into play, but also, um, you know,
[1:30:39] these things they're looking at actually not wanting to pay
[1:30:43] DC's in certain situations. And unfortunately, you know, maybe two
[1:30:50] years ago, it would have been a slam dunk. It
[1:30:52] would not have even been thought about as it was
[1:30:54] going through. But we had to put a cap in
[1:30:58] place for this week. Cannot continue spending the way that
[1:31:01] we have been spending on this much to the chagrin
[1:31:04] of some of the municipalities here in Niagara. Thank you
[1:31:09] very much for that. So, so then, um, I just
[1:31:12] see that as an enormous challenge, luckily not my challenge
[1:31:16] to solve as I'm not on regional counsel. But, but
[1:31:18] this idea that some, some, um, new developments, businesses are
[1:31:24] otherwise two years ago didn't have to pay DCs. And
[1:31:27] now that's, we don't have a, uh, a comparability of
[1:31:33] relief. So remember with these grants, this is not a
[1:31:36] matter of not paying DCs. It's you and I as
[1:31:39] taxpayers are paying the DC value that comes into play.
[1:31:43] There's nothing to do with, with them, you know, sort
[1:31:46] of being able to walk away. It's the businesses that
[1:31:48] are getting the break. They're getting a grant. Okay. And
[1:31:51] that's coming directly out of yours and my taxpayers money
[1:31:55] that's going into the region. Okay. Is it fair? I
[1:31:59] actually think it's grossly unfair that's coming into play. Is
[1:32:02] it needed? Well, you know, it depends who you talk
[1:32:05] to. You know, um, there's maybe a lot of good
[1:32:08] economic develop reasons for going and doing this stuff. But
[1:32:12] this is the type of thing that we have to
[1:32:14] balance every day as politicians. You guys have to do
[1:32:18] it. I've watched your council the last eight years as
[1:32:21] the Regional Councillor. And I've admired the way that you
[1:32:23] guys have approached a lot of these issues. You've taken
[1:32:26] a look at balancing the economic development aspects of things,
[1:32:31] but also making sure that it's, you know, affordable for
[1:32:34] taxpayers. Boy, it's a real fine line that you have
[1:32:38] to go through and deal with this stuff. It's the
[1:32:40] exact same thing at the region. Um, we've had to.
[1:32:44] And by the way, and I will, because nobody else
[1:32:49] would do it. I'm going to pat myself on the
[1:32:50] back because, um, I will tell you at the region,
[1:32:54] we have had some incredibly good tax years from the
[1:32:58] regional department's point of view. We have put through taxation
[1:33:02] that is not unreasonable. Um, uh, I would suggest you
[1:33:07] there may be certain aspects of Niagara region that we'll
[1:33:12] call it maybe policing. That has certainly caused a lot
[1:33:15] of grief. Um, in the taxation area. So. But it's
[1:33:20] a matter of balancing all this stuff. This is what
[1:33:21] we do. This is why we get elected as people
[1:33:24] on these things. And by the way, you know, like
[1:33:27] I'm really quite sad that, um, the regional councillor position
[1:33:30] is going away. In the last, I'm sorry I'm wandering
[1:33:36] away from your question, but, um, in the last two
[1:33:39] weeks, um, I have taken so many calls on so
[1:33:44] many issues. Within the municipality, the pieces that flow over
[1:33:50] into the NPCA, all these other types of things. And
[1:33:53] it's like there's certainly is an awful lot of things
[1:33:59] that regional councillors do do. Thank you very much, Councillor.
[1:34:03] Thank you, Mayor said. Councillor Pachiri vote. Please stick to
[1:34:10] the report. Thank you. Your swan song.
[1:34:29] Okay. Very good. Um, so following along in the standard,
[1:34:34] the first one about the hotel in St. Catherine's. That's
[1:34:38] a deferral. So they're willing to pay the DCs, but
[1:34:42] just defer the payment. Is it for. Because I never
[1:34:47] read, like, is it for five years? Is it 10
[1:34:49] years? And then how does that over, how does that
[1:34:51] affect, um, the situation. So knowing that they're coming, I'm
[1:34:57] not too sure about the business and well on, but
[1:35:00] yeah, just, just curious from your standpoint. PONO, I would
[1:35:04] suggest you that both of them really are not happy
[1:35:06] about paying DC. So that's what the crux of the
[1:35:11] matter is. So we're going to have a fascinating meeting
[1:35:14] this upcoming Thursday night talking about that. So. Because like
[1:35:19] sometimes regional council can be pretty exciting. So I might
[1:35:22] tune in Thursday night. And like you say, um, the
[1:35:25] shortfalls picked up by you and I, and the people
[1:35:28] in the room. Yep. Absolutely. Okay. Thank you. Thank you
[1:35:32] very much. And Councillor Mickeluck, you're next. Thank you through
[1:35:41] you two Councillor Prosser. So, um, with respect to that
[1:35:46] wastewater treatment plant. And yeah, 360 million that revokes you
[1:35:53] mentioned. And then now it's 508. We're thereabouts. And you're
[1:35:57] saying that it's probably going to end up being 600
[1:36:00] million. You mentioned something about DC's funding a certain amount.
[1:36:06] But what is that formula look like? Who's paying for
[1:36:09] this wastewater treatment plan. They're getting a significant, uh,
[1:36:20] they're given a significant expectation, you know, come tax time.
[1:36:24] Who's paying for this, uh, treatment plan. Well, I would,
[1:36:30] I would start by saying I'm not the absolute master
[1:36:35] at this whole financial wizardry that goes on in and
[1:36:39] around DCs. And how municipalities make use of them as
[1:36:42] they move into the future. But the reality is, is
[1:36:45] that, and the thinking process is, um, developers and development
[1:36:51] pays for development. That's what we have followed along. And
[1:36:55] that's one of the, one of the pieces is DCs
[1:36:58] that come into play with that. And so we know
[1:37:01] that there's going to be literally thousands of homes built
[1:37:05] and thorled. And in Niagara on the lake and in
[1:37:08] the edge of St. Catherine's and in Niagara Falls that
[1:37:12] are going to be coming into play where DCs are
[1:37:15] going to be coming into play with those, uh, those
[1:37:17] places being built. And so there's sometimes, um, again, perhaps
[1:37:25] maybe Mr. Kirkopoulos can explain it better than me. But
[1:37:28] sometimes there's, um, situations where essentially you're borrowing from the
[1:37:33] future to go and make all of these things work.
[1:37:36] So, um, so that, that piece of the puzzle, um,
[1:37:40] is well laid out. Um, and by the way, that
[1:37:45] South Niagara wastewater treatment plant has to be built. It
[1:37:49] has to be built for the whole development process that's
[1:37:53] going on within that part of Niagara. So, um, I'm
[1:37:57] sorry. I don't know if I answered your question, Mike,
[1:37:59] but, um, no, it's just, it's, it's a. We're almost
[1:38:05] talking like a 200 dollar, 200 million dollar difference from
[1:38:09] what we originally, um, were expecting. And we had not
[1:38:14] even really there yet. So I think though, and if
[1:38:17] I, if I can jump in over top, you just
[1:38:19] for a second, you know, the, the, the 320 million
[1:38:23] that, we started with was, what was that 2029 when
[1:38:29] that came into play. So there was this little thing
[1:38:31] called COVID came into play. And, you know, the cost
[1:38:34] of everything has gone up. And we take a look
[1:38:36] at this now from, from all of our own buying
[1:38:40] and handling point of view, the cost of everything have
[1:38:42] gone up dramatically. So it doesn't surprise me that it's
[1:38:46] hitting that. And it wouldn't surprise me if it goes
[1:38:49] higher. Um, I think that's just the reality of, of,
[1:38:53] uh, today's construction environments. You know, I'm just trying to
[1:38:58] make sure there's a benefit to the existing taxpayers. Through
[1:39:02] all of this. That's what I'm searching for. Through you
[1:39:07] Mayor, another question and it dances around the NPCA discussion.
[1:39:12] And, you know, I've talked on the side with Councillor
[1:39:15] Reimer or Deputy Mayor Reimer for a minute. What role
[1:39:20] does the NPCA have with respect to private properties, their
[1:39:25] ditches, their watersheds, their maintenance. You know, they're, they're importance.
[1:39:31] They're impact to getting that water to Lake Ontario. I
[1:39:36] know that the NPCA has governing authority over development. And
[1:39:43] I don't know. Uh, you're shaking your head. Yeah. So
[1:39:46] do they have any influence? Do they have any strength
[1:39:49] in when we ourselves as a municipality or looking at
[1:39:51] this sort of thing trying to get the water to
[1:39:53] Lake Ontario. Could the NPCA influence or.
[1:40:05] So the Niagara Peninsula conservation authority like all conservation authorities
[1:40:10] are there for the conservation protection and, you know, understanding
[1:40:16] the water that's coming into play? I mean, we're involved
[1:40:19] with, uh, with the lakeshore, um, uh, NPCA has been
[1:40:25] an actor participant in the group that Mary Easton is
[1:40:29] involved with, you know, making sure that, um, all of
[1:40:33] these water courses are known and understood and are functioning
[1:40:37] properly. But they don't do everything. Okay. Like, um, you're
[1:40:42] getting into an area that's kind of interesting. Once you
[1:40:44] start talking about drains, um, within a municipality. Drains have
[1:40:49] a certain context that comes into play and how they
[1:40:52] behave and how the municipality has to deal with that.
[1:40:55] Private landowners have going through their particular properties. You know,
[1:41:01] we don't have a bunch of people at the NPCA
[1:41:03] that are going out and going to private landowners and
[1:41:06] saying, you know, you shall dig your ditch out here
[1:41:10] because otherwise it's not working property. That's not the way
[1:41:12] that any of that stuff works. Um, we do the
[1:41:17] NPCA does a lot of mapping. They do an awful
[1:41:19] lot of understanding of what the environmental protection areas are.
[1:41:23] They make sure that the municipality anytime Matin is team,
[1:41:27] um, require assistance on the planning side of things and
[1:41:31] how water is going to run. And the courses and
[1:41:33] stuff like that, the NPCA is a commenting agency and
[1:41:37] all those things. But, um, that's, that's pretty much as
[1:41:41] far as it goes, Mike. So just follow up to
[1:41:44] that. Perhaps should that be part of the NPCA's role
[1:41:49] moving forward in the future. To work on those sorts
[1:41:54] of things. And two, look at. And two. Address these
[1:42:01] sorts of things. Interesting idea. I can tell you, and
[1:42:06] I know Mayor Easton knows, um, we're going through this
[1:42:09] with the conservation authority. The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority is
[1:42:14] being amalgamated into the Western Lake Ontario region conservation authority.
[1:42:21] Um, I happened to be one of the members of
[1:42:25] the transition team that's coming into play with that. Um,
[1:42:29] as is the CAO, Leilani Li Yates, who you guys
[1:42:32] have had here a few times, Top Notch CAO, I
[1:42:35] might add, uh, but we're working with Hamilton. We're working
[1:42:38] with Hallton when we're working with the credit Valley to
[1:42:41] go and put together what this new conservation area, conservation
[1:42:45] association area is going to look like. Um, the problem
[1:42:48] is really pushing things on the planning side of things.
[1:42:51] Okay. Like that's, I think that's their fundamental bottom line.
[1:42:55] This is what we want to do. We want to
[1:42:57] make sure we have consistent planning. We want to make
[1:42:59] sure that the conservation area is there to back up
[1:43:02] what it is that's going on in that particular area.
[1:43:05] So not a bad idea. I like that. That'd be
[1:43:09] an idea I would take along. So thank you. If
[1:43:11] you could, just because like when we talk planning that
[1:43:13] we're talking in this case existing, uh, down the, you
[1:43:17] know, down the stream sort of stuff, but, uh, up
[1:43:20] the stream has to rely on making sure that down
[1:43:22] the stream works. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Thank
[1:43:25] you very much. Councillor Reimer. You're the last speaker. Go
[1:43:31] ahead. Thank you, Mayor Sin. Um, thanks Rob for being
[1:43:35] here again tonight. Just with regards to our, we talked
[1:43:38] about the last time you hear our favourite discussion is
[1:43:40] wastewater treatment plant. Is that any portion of that qualify
[1:43:46] for provincial funding through Hughes funding or is there, is
[1:43:50] there something else through the bill and escapes me? Maybe
[1:43:54] director brooder members which one it does because the bills
[1:43:57] come out. But for building homes faster. Is there something
[1:44:01] where that applies to? And just, is it, is it
[1:44:04] better for the reason to do it or does it
[1:44:06] demissalies play? Like where does that line, you know, where's
[1:44:09] that line come? We talked a little bit about on
[1:44:11] a practical level where it's infrastructure start. But for funding,
[1:44:15] can they also apply for their peace, uh, through you,
[1:44:19] Mary's. So actually that's a great question because it kind
[1:44:24] of circles off the whole evening. Thank you. Um, it
[1:44:27] goes back to the original discussion boat flooding and all
[1:44:30] this type of stuff. Region's responsible for the trunk lines
[1:44:33] that are coming into play. So when everything is exiting
[1:44:37] out of the town system, that's being fired off to
[1:44:40] the wastewater treatment plants. The water system, um, the region
[1:44:45] provides water up to the connection with the, with the
[1:44:48] local air municipality to go and do all that type
[1:44:51] of stuff. So, um, your question on, uh, sorry, with
[1:44:57] the, I took right off top. Yeah. Sorry. With the
[1:45:01] funding. Is it does it qualify for any of the
[1:45:03] provincial bills that they put down. They usually attach a
[1:45:06] funding model or opportunity with it. Of course it does.
[1:45:10] Like this, it's something that should ideally be funded. The
[1:45:15] problem is, is that, um, there is so much infrastructure
[1:45:20] deficit in the province of Ontario. It's, we're seeing some
[1:45:24] of these programs they're putting out. And it seems to
[1:45:27] be going into certain parcels, um, we haven't seen any
[1:45:33] yet towards the wastewater treatment plant. But the region has
[1:45:38] been doing a good job, um, and the local municipalities
[1:45:41] have been doing a good job. Of doing the advocacy
[1:45:43] with this, um, with the province. So, um, personally, I
[1:45:49] foresee good news coming along here at some point in
[1:45:51] time. But it's likely going to have to be other
[1:45:54] government funding that's really going to go and do that.
[1:45:57] So, okay. All right. Thanks Council Frost. Thank you, Marison.
[1:46:01] We could say councillor that, uh, the DC, the program,
[1:46:06] the phase one program, that it is a form. Because
[1:46:09] if I recall, within the last year, there have been
[1:46:12] many petitions to the province. And there has been no
[1:46:16] package that they get actually advertised as suitable and applicable
[1:46:22] for the wastewater treatment plant. However, the DC funding for
[1:46:29] the phase one is one that we're all contributing to.
[1:46:34] Because as you recall, we didn't select a particular project
[1:46:39] because of the way we had done our business differently.
[1:46:41] And we had received a great deal of provincial funding
[1:46:45] and federal funding. So however, we are participants in the
[1:46:55] South Niagara Wastewater treatment plan to the level of 90
[1:46:59] percent with remaining temper cell That's for the region as
[1:47:04] a whole. So there, but it's, um, it's not a
[1:47:09] package that people have been going around selling. In fact,
[1:47:12] that basket has been quite empty of money. I think
[1:47:16] it was just nothing. Thank you, thank you very much
[1:47:20] Councillor Foster. And thank you again for your commitment to
[1:47:24] this council and for the excellent work that you've been
[1:47:29] doing at the region, how you've applied yourself to things
[1:47:32] that matter to length. Well, thank you very much, Mayor
[1:47:34] Easton. I do appreciate that. And I got to tell
[1:47:36] you one of the highlights of being the regional councillor
[1:47:39] is coming and talking to you guys. So it really
[1:47:42] shows how boring my life really is. Thanks, guys. All
[1:47:48] right. Thank you, Rob. So there'll be no for the
[1:47:53] discussion. I have a motion moved by Councillor Pachiriva, seconded
[1:47:56] by Councillor Reimer. The Council receive and file for information
[1:48:00] the following delegation regional Councillor Foster and Madam Clerk. Would
[1:48:04] you please open the vote. Thanks, Madam Mayor. And the
[1:48:06] vote's open. Yes.
[1:48:16] I'll close that boat. And that carries, thank you. The
[1:48:21] motion is carried and we move on to item number
[1:48:23] 12. Um, items for just consideration. There are none this
[1:48:27] evening. And we move on now to the motion to
[1:48:30] approve previous Council minutes, considering the Council Minutes of July
[1:48:35] 6th, 2026, to members of Council have any questions. They're
[1:48:42] being none. I have a motion moved by Councillor Reimer,
[1:48:44] seconded by Councillor Murray. The Council approved the minutes of
[1:48:48] the following meetings with Council Council Minutes of July 6,
[1:48:51] 2026. Madam Clerk, would you please open the vote. PONOTA's
[1:48:56] Open? PONO. I'll close that vote. That carries. The motion
[1:49:05] is carried. We move on now to recommendations from standing
[1:49:08] committees and consider the following committee of the whole minutes
[1:49:12] of July 13, 2026. Do members of Council have any
[1:49:16] questions. PONOTONO. Seeing none, I have a motion move by
[1:49:22] Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor Brene that Council approved the
[1:49:26] following recommendations from standing committees, Committee of the whole minutes
[1:49:30] of July 13, 2026. Madam Clerk, would you please open
[1:49:34] the vote. PONTON.
[1:49:44] Close it and that carries. Thank you. That motion is
[1:49:48] carried and we move on to item number 15, which
[1:49:52] is notice of motion. And we are now considering notice
[1:49:56] of motion brought forward by Councillor Pachiriva, seconded by Councillor
[1:50:00] Timmers that was introduced at the last meeting and will
[1:50:04] be brought forward this evening for consideration. Councillor Pachiriva, would
[1:50:10] you please provide comments. Thanks for worship. Um, Councillor Timmers
[1:50:18] and I are pleased to bring this motion forward because
[1:50:20] we believe Affordable Housing is one of the most important
[1:50:23] issues facing our community today. As the municipality, we may
[1:50:27] not have all the answers, but we do have an
[1:50:29] opportunity to be part of the solution. The motion does
[1:50:33] not approve a housing project tonight and set it as
[1:50:35] staff to explore whether a portion of the form of
[1:50:38] BDSS precinct could support a nonprofit Affordable Housing Development as
[1:50:43] part of the broader master planning process. Any future proposal
[1:50:46] would still come back to council following technical analysis, community
[1:50:50] engagement, and partnershipsions. And I just wanted to dispel to
[1:50:54] something out there, uh, in the community. Again, it's about
[1:50:58] controlling the narrative. The town of Lincoln is not building
[1:51:01] a building. They're not being landlords. They're not operating a
[1:51:04] building. What is happening is, um, the motion is the
[1:51:09] biggest impediment to building one of these is the land.
[1:51:13] And that's what we have. So a third party like
[1:51:17] indwell, the YWCA, Bethlehem Housing, they will build an operator
[1:51:22] or in pork Colbert where it's port cares. And they
[1:51:26] built an operated, the facility. The former BDSS property. Is
[1:51:33] a unique community asset. And we have a responsibility consider
[1:51:38] how can best serve Lincoln, not just today, but for
[1:51:41] future generations. Exploring affordable housing alongside recreation, community services, and
[1:51:47] other community needs is a thoughtful and responsible step forward.
[1:51:53] Um. I look forward to hearing my colleagues thoughts. And
[1:51:58] I hope you'll support this motion. Thank you, worship. Thank
[1:52:02] you very much, Councillors. And I will read the motion.
[1:52:09] Whereas some of the most important work undertaken by local
[1:52:12] government is creating the conditions for people to thrive. And
[1:52:16] that begins with ensuring residents have access to a safe,
[1:52:20] stable, and affordable place to call home. And whereas access
[1:52:24] to Affordable Housing remains a significant and growing need in
[1:52:28] the town of Lincoln and throughout Niagara. And as fundamental
[1:52:32] to supporting a healthy, inclusive and economically resilient community. And
[1:52:38] whereas increasing the supply, diversity and affordability of housing, is
[1:52:43] a strategic priority of the province of Ontario and the
[1:52:46] Town of Lincoln. With municipalities playing a critical role in
[1:52:51] facilitating housing opportunities through planning, partnerships, and the strategic use
[1:52:56] of municipal assets. And whereas innovative partnerships, strategic use of
[1:53:03] surplus municipal lands and a shared commitment between governments, community
[1:53:09] organisations, and housing providers can help address one of the
[1:53:13] most pressing challenges facing communities today. And whereas the former
[1:53:19] Beamsville District secondary school, BDSS site, represents a unique municipal
[1:53:25] asset with the potential to support a mixed - use
[1:53:29] community hub that responds to identified community priorities, including recreation,
[1:53:35] community services, and Affordable Housing. And whereas the successful delivery
[1:53:41] of Affordable Housing will require a strong partnerships with non
[1:53:45] - profit housing providers, senior levels of government, and the
[1:53:50] broader community, together with appropriate funding opportunities and a development
[1:53:55] model that ensures long - term financial sustainability. And whereas
[1:54:00] staff have commenced preliminary analysis and discussions, including mapping out
[1:54:06] and expression of interest, EOI, regarding the feasibility of incorporating
[1:54:12] affordable housing as part of the long - term redevelopment
[1:54:15] of the BDSS site. Now, therefore it resolved that Council
[1:54:23] affirm its commitment to advancing Affordable Housing Opportunities within the
[1:54:28] Town of Lincoln by directing staff to reserve and evaluate
[1:54:33] a suitable portion of the BDSS precinct for a potential
[1:54:37] non - profit Affordable Housing Development, including exploring innovative partnerships
[1:54:42] with non - profit housing providers, senior levels of government
[1:54:47] and community partners with the location, size, development model, funding
[1:54:52] opportunities, and partnership arrangements to be determined through the master
[1:54:57] planning expression of interest process. Technical analysis, community engagement, and
[1:55:04] future council consideration and approval. I will allow, ask our
[1:55:12] clerk to open the boat. Oh, we have a big
[1:55:16] board here. All right, we're going to start. You have
[1:55:20] something for the DSA Councillor Pechirita. Nothing for you. Okay.
[1:55:26] Councillor Renejema, go ahead. Oh, thank you. Thank you, Madam
[1:55:30] Chair. So I'm reading, so I know that we talked,
[1:55:36] I think it was July 13th or something like that
[1:55:38] about, um, or is earlier June, in June, about the
[1:55:43] next step is that we will be releasing an EOI,
[1:55:46] an expression of interest out to the community. Um, that's
[1:55:49] referred to in this motion. Um, so I'm thinking the
[1:55:54] intent. And correct me if I'm wrong, is to make
[1:55:57] sure that in that ELI, there is very clear direction
[1:56:01] that a portion of this property is going to be,
[1:56:05] um, focus on affordable housing. Um, I'm wondering what. Is
[1:56:15] going to come out of this motion at this point
[1:56:17] though, because, um, I was hearing that, um, staff is
[1:56:21] just going to evaluate a suitable portion of, uh, evaluate
[1:56:25] the BDSS precinct to find a suitable portion of land
[1:56:30] for Affordable housing. But then I see the word. To
[1:56:33] reserve and evaluate. So is, are we just asking staff
[1:56:37] to evaluate the property for a suitable portion of land
[1:56:40] to be designated for Affordable housing? Are we asking them
[1:56:44] to reserve it and designate it for it? So as
[1:56:47] the decision going to be made before the EOI goes
[1:56:49] out, um, what portion of the property is going to
[1:56:52] be used for Affordable Housing? Or is it just going
[1:56:54] to be sort of a suggestion? We'd evaluated this is
[1:56:57] what we're thinking. And are we thinking this. Out of
[1:57:01] this motion will happen this term. That makes sense. Yes.
[1:57:06] We'll start with CAO Crocopolis. Go ahead. Through you, Madam
[1:57:11] Mayor, to the Councillor, maybe I'll answer the last question
[1:57:13] first, Councillor. I don't see anything happening this term. This
[1:57:16] potentially is the last council meeting. And that's why I
[1:57:19] think this is before you. So I don't see anything
[1:57:21] necessarily happening this term. We are working on the parameters
[1:57:26] and generally what EOI will look like. I think when
[1:57:30] we present it to Council a few months back, we
[1:57:32] talked about that EOI going out later this year, uh,
[1:57:36] early next year, but really allowing the new council an
[1:57:38] opportunity to look at what's in that expression of interest
[1:57:42] and to have a chance to weigh into it. In
[1:57:44] terms of your question, uh, we aren't saying this amount
[1:57:47] of land needs to be designated for Affordable Housing. What
[1:57:52] we're saying is affordable housing will make up one of
[1:57:56] the things that we want to see in that broader
[1:57:58] precinct. And so I think in a lot of ways
[1:58:01] this motion, uh, reaffirms what council said, what staff said
[1:58:05] that evening when we presented that presentation. And that is
[1:58:08] a Neoy will include for all intents and purposes. A
[1:58:12] reference to Affordable Housing. Uh, there is existing. Affordable housing
[1:58:16] in that broader precinct already. This is a look at
[1:58:20] potentially expanding, not necessarily that one in particular, as I
[1:58:25] know there is some confusion in the community based on
[1:58:27] the emails I received today, but rather looking at, is
[1:58:30] there an opportunity for us to build something in that
[1:58:34] particular site. And we've always said the skin in the
[1:58:38] game for lack of a better word that the municipality
[1:58:40] has, uh, is land now in that broader precinct. PORRO.
[1:58:44] So I'm happy to hear that because that was one
[1:58:46] of the questions I had when we talked about EOI
[1:58:48] at the last meeting, you know, how are we going
[1:58:50] to shape it so that's clear that that's one of
[1:58:51] our priorities. So if that's the intent of this, then
[1:58:54] I support it. Thank you. So I just want to
[1:58:59] clarify something. Mr. CAO, would you define this as, um,
[1:59:05] simply intent. Or something much stronger than that. Through amount
[1:59:15] of mayor, I think it's, it's both. I think it's
[1:59:17] the intent. You know, an EOI needs to go out
[1:59:20] and we need to evaluate what comes back in that
[1:59:22] expression of interest. I think I said that evening on
[1:59:25] a number of occasions that I don't want to presuppose
[1:59:28] what the size is. I don't want to presuppose the
[1:59:32] type of, um, funding model, uh, the type of provider
[1:59:36] who will look at that particular site. I think the
[1:59:38] number of different options we can look at. But the,
[1:59:42] you know, its intent in directing staff, I think to
[1:59:45] very fulsomely look at this and incorporated into the EOI.
[1:59:49] Obviously that's coming back to council. Council will have the
[1:59:51] final decision. So I, you know, I think I want
[1:59:54] to put a finite point on that. Ultimately council will
[1:59:57] decide. But yes, in our expression of interest, we will
[2:00:01] include affordable housing. Okay. Very good. Thank you. Councillor Brune,
[2:00:06] go ahead. Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Through you, first
[2:00:10] of all, I wanted to thank Councillor Pachiriba and Councillor
[2:00:12] Timmers for bringing this motion forward. Uh, the number of
[2:00:15] us around the horseshoe that have sat on the, um,
[2:00:20] in different iterations of the housing committee, I think going
[2:00:23] back to 2017. So it's been a long time in
[2:00:29] the process and I want to thank all the individuals
[2:00:32] that are in the room and those that aren't in
[2:00:34] the room that are waiving the flag for affordable housing,
[2:00:38] um, throughout the community. Um, so through you, Madam Mayor.
[2:00:44] Councillor Pachiriva, um, spoke to one of the things that
[2:00:49] I wanted clarification on, uh, because I think there are
[2:00:53] a number of people, uh, within the community that are
[2:00:55] talking about the fact that the town should not be
[2:00:58] building or operating affordable housing. So, um, suffice it to
[2:01:02] say, uh, Mr. CAO that we are seeking operators and
[2:01:06] partners and we are not builders and we are not
[2:01:08] operators. Thank you, Madam Mayor, to the Councillor. That is
[2:01:13] correct. Council. So through you, Madam Mayor, I just was
[2:01:18] looking to see if the CAO or, or possibly Mr.
[2:01:21] Brooder could clarify just one thing. You know, we have
[2:01:24] heard since word got out that we purchased the land
[2:01:28] from the DSBN, you know, that the town has financial
[2:01:32] obligations. The land did not come free. Um, I think
[2:01:35] we paid, I believe, 2. 85 million dollars or somewhere
[2:01:39] in that vicinity. And we have an operating, uh, we
[2:01:42] have a loan, which I believe has a five year
[2:01:44] term. So we do have a commitment and we have,
[2:01:47] um, you know, we have debt that we need to
[2:01:49] repay. So through your metama, I'm just wondering if the
[2:01:53] CAO, and I don't want this to interfere with, you
[2:01:57] know, this motion in any way, shape or form. But
[2:01:59] for clarity purposes, um, you know, there are a number
[2:02:03] of objectives that we're trying to do here. We're trying
[2:02:06] to, uh, ensure that, you know, the BDS as precinct,
[2:02:10] uh, will, will be a site that we can make
[2:02:13] sure serves the community for the long term. And it's
[2:02:16] sustainable. Um, but there are people out there saying, you
[2:02:21] know, when will the debt be identified and when will
[2:02:24] the debt be repaid? So I'm wondering if either the
[2:02:28] CO or, um, Mr. Brooder can speak to, you know,
[2:02:32] whether these objectives, you know, can be working in parallel
[2:02:37] or just how, um, the town of Lincoln, uh, will
[2:02:42] be looking at this process moving forward. Mr. Kirkopoulos. Do
[2:02:47] you, Madam Mayor, did the councillor. And I was asked
[2:02:50] this question earlier today, Councillor, and my answer is the
[2:02:52] same. Really, it's a concurrent train as I look at
[2:02:56] it. Or two concurrent trains. They're not mutually exclusive. We
[2:03:00] realise we've got a five year window in the time
[2:03:02] on that five year window is progressing. We have a
[2:03:06] 2. 85 million dollar. It's a larger loan through IO,
[2:03:12] of which we've used the 2. 85 plus some legal
[2:03:15] fees. Uh, our priority is to pay that back. That
[2:03:18] doesn't mean we can't be looking at a small portion.
[2:03:22] Either of that site or the broader precinct. You hear
[2:03:25] me using the word precinct because in that precinct, we
[2:03:28] own other lands besides BDSS. And there are other vacant
[2:03:31] lands. And so I don't think we should presuppose it's
[2:03:33] just that site. We may want to look at what
[2:03:36] the broader precinct and determine where and if something makes
[2:03:39] sense in that particular area. So to answer your question,
[2:03:43] those aren't mutually exclusive. We will continue to look and
[2:03:46] ensure that our obligation to pay back, uh, that floating
[2:03:49] loan through infrastructure on terrio. And for everyone that doesn't
[2:03:53] know infrastructure, Ontario is not necessarily like your typical bank.
[2:03:59] It's run by the, or it is an arm's length
[2:04:02] kind of offshoot of the province of Ontario. And so
[2:04:05] the rates at which we borrow money, uh, how those
[2:04:07] are structured are very different. But I owe as the
[2:04:10] lender of the money to us. We have a five
[2:04:12] year window to pay it back. And that remains paramount.
[2:04:15] And our number one priority. At the same time, we
[2:04:18] need to look at the obligations. We have the commitments
[2:04:22] to the community to build affordable housing. There's some opportunities
[2:04:25] now with the federal government and the province of Ontario
[2:04:28] to tap into particular funding. Um, we are doing a
[2:04:31] lot of, you know, I would say work and analysis
[2:04:35] right now to determine what type of provider, what's the
[2:04:38] model look like talking to existing providers, both in Niagara
[2:04:43] and outside of Niagara that have done this existing contractors
[2:04:46] and trying to learn and ascertain what we do. And
[2:04:49] so those aren't again, mutually exclusive. You know, that is
[2:04:53] seem to be a confusing point out there for some
[2:04:55] people that we need to do one versus the other.
[2:04:58] That isn't the case. One will take a lot longer.
[2:05:00] And we will look at, you know, parsing off that
[2:05:03] site to pay back the, you know, the money that
[2:05:05] we owe prior to the five year window. I do
[2:05:13] see Director Bruder with his hand up. So he may
[2:05:15] want to chime in. Go ahead, Mr. Brooder. Thank you,
[2:05:18] Mayor Eason, through you to the Councillor. I just, I
[2:05:20] wanted to just point out one other thing. Um, you
[2:05:23] notice in the motion, we don't have any specific model
[2:05:25] or any specific parameters necessarily affordable housing opportunities can take
[2:05:31] very different shapes and forms a wide variety of them.
[2:05:34] Um, when you take that in the context of the
[2:05:36] available, um, vacant land there, we're talking about the vacant
[2:05:39] piece alone probably around seven acres or so on those
[2:05:43] lands. So I think really it presents, as our CIO
[2:05:45] stated an opportunity to look at these things concurrently, I
[2:05:48] don't think it's, it's one or the other, obviously priority
[2:05:51] is dealing with the dead peace. But that doesn't presuppose
[2:05:54] an opportunity still to manage to create an opportunity or
[2:05:57] fit in an affordable housing project that we find viable.
[2:06:00] So. Just want to clarify that point. Thank you very
[2:06:04] much. Yeah. Just, just in, in wrapping up, you know,
[2:06:09] I realise, you know, the complete transparency tonight. There's no
[2:06:13] decision being made. The decision will be made by the
[2:06:17] next council in the next term. Um, but I think
[2:06:20] this is an important step. Um, and, uh, I hope
[2:06:25] that the two proponents of this motion will be asking
[2:06:28] for a recorded vote. I think it's important that we
[2:06:31] note that, uh, and I will be supporting this. Thank
[2:06:34] you, Madam Mayor. Moving on now to Councillor Mikkelik. Thank
[2:06:43] you very much. Um, through you to staff through you
[2:06:49] two, uh, Councillor Pachiriva. What I'm looking at their where
[2:06:53] as is, um, as Councillor Brunet mentioned, like, you know,
[2:06:58] I've sat on this, um, board as well. This committee
[2:07:02] as well. Once upon a time and back then, we
[2:07:05] looked at a number of properties that we had owned
[2:07:09] at the time. These were, we were looking at surplus
[2:07:13] lands. That's where can we do something like that? You
[2:07:18] know, what sort of thing? So when I'm looking at
[2:07:20] this where as and strategic use of surplus municipal lands,
[2:07:23] I feel like the use of the word surplus in
[2:07:26] this instance is devaluing the land that we acquired. It
[2:07:33] was never surplus. It was purchased. So I'm just wondering
[2:07:37] if that use of the word surplus should be in
[2:07:41] this whereas. Because typically whereas is our standard whereas is
[2:07:46] where in this case, uh, the use of the word
[2:07:49] surplus, which this land was wired. And paid for with
[2:07:54] debt.
[2:08:10] Back. End. Okay. Thank you. Um, through you, your worship
[2:08:16] to Councillor Mickluck. The reason why surpluses is in there
[2:08:19] is because when, uh, Council Timers and I first brought
[2:08:21] this motion forward back last year, it was looking, um,
[2:08:27] we were looking at the BDSS site specifically. And then
[2:08:32] from listening to council, they said, look at the precinct.
[2:08:36] So the precinct is everything from the Lincoln Centre around
[2:08:41] to Bombery Park. So some of those lands are in
[2:08:44] essence surplus. That's why that word is in there. And
[2:08:50] around context, I don't want to get into a discussion
[2:08:53] where we go around and round and around and wordsmith.
[2:08:58] I think if the intent is there and we were,
[2:09:00] we worked with staff Councillor Timbers and I to be
[2:09:03] really strategic on this to have it open - ended.
[2:09:06] So that's why that word's there. So it's not devaluing
[2:09:11] the school property itself. But it's going from corner to
[2:09:15] corner. PONO. I'm going to ask Mr. Kropo is to
[2:09:23] comment on this as well. Go ahead. I threw you,
[2:09:25] Madam Mayor. And thanks for the opportunity, Councillor, or Madam
[2:09:29] Mayor. And to you, councillor. Just a point of clarification.
[2:09:32] The process that we undertake in order to sell land
[2:09:35] or transfer land is something that we refer to as
[2:09:38] declaring it surplus so that we can then sell that
[2:09:41] particular land. So it's not necessarily anything with respect to
[2:09:44] devaluing the land or how the land was acquired. But
[2:09:47] rather a way that municipalities under the municipal act are
[2:09:52] able to consider the sale or transfer of municipal land.
[2:09:55] So it needs to be declared surplus. And then we
[2:09:58] are able to transfer that. So, uh, I don't want
[2:10:01] you to think that in any way this devalues the
[2:10:03] land or somehow, um, looks at the land, uh, any
[2:10:08] less than it is, uh, and at the end of
[2:10:10] the day, um, puts us in a negative position. It's
[2:10:13] just the municipal act wording that is required. By my
[2:10:19] mind. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you for that clarification. I
[2:10:21] just, I just remember back in the day we were,
[2:10:24] we were like excited. We were hoping we were one
[2:10:28] of the pillars. It was one of the reasons why
[2:10:29] we acquired that, uh, BDSS site, you know. And we
[2:10:34] had surplus land, but we couldn't find any surplus land
[2:10:38] suitable at that time. Another question I have through you,
[2:10:42] um, either Councillor Patriva or our CAO is in the
[2:10:47] where eyes, in the final whereas staff have commenced preliminary
[2:10:51] analysis and discussions, including mapping out expressions of interest regarding
[2:10:56] the feasibility of incorporating affordable housing. Where are we with
[2:11:00] this? We've, we've owned the property for a year and
[2:11:05] a half now, um, we've known that we were going
[2:11:08] to acquire the property for a year prior to that.
[2:11:12] We were taking a run at acquiring prior to having
[2:11:19] the memorandum of understanding MOU. For probably, you know, we
[2:11:24] were talking about a kicking the can for two years
[2:11:26] prior to that. Where are we realistically with this, um,
[2:11:31] mapping out of an expression of interest. When can we
[2:11:34] actually expect this. Go ahead, Mr. C. A. POULO. Through
[2:11:40] you, Madam Mayor, to the Councillor, I'll start and turn
[2:11:42] it over to Matt. And I know, um, you know,
[2:11:44] Matt's been working on the various planning items and the
[2:11:47] specifics in terms of some of the modelling and identifying
[2:11:51] the site and what that site would look like. Um,
[2:11:53] but a lot of that analysis is just that councillor,
[2:11:56] uh, we are looking at the site. You're right. We've
[2:11:58] had the site since January of 2025 in our hands.
[2:12:02] Um, there were a number of processes that the school
[2:12:05] board needed to go to. We've been doing a lot
[2:12:07] of engagement since then. I'm not going to rehash the
[2:12:09] presentation from two months ago as it relates to BDSS.
[2:12:15] And, you know, the broader precinct and some of our
[2:12:16] actions other than to say, uh, that we are working
[2:12:20] on that EOI. And it will be ready probably the
[2:12:22] first thing that the new council will look at the
[2:12:25] minute you're sworn in, uh, and we have a few
[2:12:27] dates in front of you. That'll be one of the
[2:12:28] first things that we bring forward. Uh, but I'll turn
[2:12:31] to Director Brewer on more of the specifics or the
[2:12:34] mechanics of that EOI. PONO Mr. Berter. Through Mayor East
[2:12:40] into the Councillor. Yeah. Just in addition to what our
[2:12:43] CAO just said, um, we've also had some kind of
[2:12:46] some important kind of foundational discussions with, uh, Niger Regional
[2:12:51] Housing. They've been involved in other kind of opportunities structures
[2:12:54] of agreements and whatnot, um, with other providers, I think
[2:12:58] of something like port cares and trying to model after
[2:13:00] something like that. So we've had these preliminary discussions already
[2:13:03] to understand how it works. There's a lot of moving
[2:13:05] parts, especially as you heard earlier. We're not, we're not
[2:13:09] landlords here. Our role is mostly the land. So then
[2:13:12] you have to figure out, okay, you have to have
[2:13:14] a contractor. You've got to have an operator and so
[2:13:18] on and so on. And we've had discussions with all
[2:13:19] of these. Um, with the purpose of ensuring that the
[2:13:23] information we get from those is what we can show
[2:13:26] in the EOI that we bring back to council. So
[2:13:28] we've had many of those discussions. They're productive. There is,
[2:13:33] there's a lot of good partners and staff working at
[2:13:35] Niger Regional Housing. We've been in contact with them on
[2:13:37] and off, um, for quite a while now. So, um,
[2:13:40] as our CAO said, we expect to come back early
[2:13:43] in the new term. PONO. Thank you very much. And
[2:13:48] then finally my third question. I don't think any of
[2:13:52] them have been pretty pointed. But, um, when we talk
[2:13:57] about, um, searching for a, you know, acquiring a proper
[2:14:04] suitable sort of partner with all of this, how are
[2:14:09] we going to determine what makes what looks like a
[2:14:12] good partner? What sort of matrix are we going to
[2:14:15] do? Who's going to make that decision. Let me try
[2:14:19] to ask 15 questions in one. But like how, how
[2:14:22] are we going to, how are we going to determine
[2:14:26] like differentiate a tire kicker, a dreamer and endure. Who's
[2:14:32] going to make these sorts of challenging decisions when we're
[2:14:35] talking about municipal land that has a value to, it
[2:14:38] has a cost to it moving down the road. It's
[2:14:42] just a matter of you've been dreaming on this for
[2:14:45] a while. A little bigger warship and through you to
[2:14:50] the councillor. You know, when we look at structuring the
[2:14:53] EOI moving forward, I think, you know, there's, that's the
[2:14:56] important piece. It's going to have to be the evaluation
[2:14:59] criteria. There's probably going to be, you know, a scoring
[2:15:02] system, a waiting system. It's going to be based on
[2:15:04] maybe experience of service providers and contractors that apply. Maybe
[2:15:08] it's going to be based on a performa that they're
[2:15:10] able to provide in support of their application. It's all
[2:15:13] about the quality of the application and demonstrating that there's
[2:15:16] an ability not just to undertake the initial works, but
[2:15:18] also see the project through from start to finish. Um,
[2:15:21] as for who's making those decisions, uh, I think there
[2:15:25] probably needs to be a little bit more discussion there.
[2:15:28] Um, haven't quite mapped out exactly what that looks like
[2:15:31] yet. But again, it's going to be something when we
[2:15:33] have an EOI completed that council is going to see.
[2:15:36] And they're going to be obviously involved in that decision
[2:15:39] as well before we go forward with it. But again,
[2:15:41] that EOI, in my opinion, anyway, will include some structure
[2:15:45] and some scoring criteria and waiting as it pertains to
[2:15:48] affordable housing. So we can evaluate a provider based on
[2:15:51] their track record. Um, and previous experience. PON. Thank you.
[2:15:58] And appreciate that answer. I think that's going to be
[2:16:00] a significant piece to this. I think that's going to
[2:16:02] be extremely important to get anything over the finish line
[2:16:07] or even anything to the starting lines. So, and, you
[2:16:11] know, with, it's looking like this is going to be
[2:16:14] at least three, four months from now. And then maybe
[2:16:16] another. So I'm not, I'm not, I'm not, you know,
[2:16:21] I'm not getting ready myself if I get reelected for
[2:16:23] any sort of ribbon cuttings too soon. So I want
[2:16:26] to make sure everybody here is patient with this that
[2:16:29] it doesn't happen that quickly. The fact that we're even
[2:16:33] here, I think is pretty remarkable. Thank you. Thank you
[2:16:38] very much, Councillor. I'd like to hear from the CAO.
[2:16:43] Do you matter Mayor to the Councillor? I mean, one
[2:16:44] of the things I just want to echo is that,
[2:16:47] um, council ultimately will be making a decision. We did
[2:16:51] talk about bringing the UI back sharing that with council,
[2:16:54] uh, in the term in terms of who often assesses
[2:16:58] matrices. I mean, usually that's a staff team that we
[2:17:00] put together as well as external, uh, expertise or external
[2:17:05] consultants, uh, external, um, individuals, contractors, whatever it may be.
[2:17:11] I know we've met with a few. Some is recently
[2:17:14] as this week. Um, if I look at, you know,
[2:17:17] affordable housing projects and feasibility assessment matrices, uh, I have
[2:17:21] one from the region, uh, that I've just pulled up
[2:17:24] in front of me. And, you know, just to give
[2:17:26] you an idea of assessment areas that we look at,
[2:17:28] things like affordability and community benefit, financial feasibility. Municipal, financial
[2:17:34] impact, planning and site feasibility, deliverability and readiness, infrastructure and
[2:17:40] servicing long - term affordability and developer capacity and risk.
[2:17:45] So I want to put your mind at ease councillor,
[2:17:47] or at least reassure members of council who may be
[2:17:50] having a similar thoughts, that the number of things that
[2:17:53] would go into that, um, and then this suggested weights
[2:17:56] that we have with each of those in order to
[2:17:57] make that particular assessment. So, um, we will be in
[2:18:01] front of you again, as I said, uh, with more
[2:18:03] information as we move forward. But this is a key
[2:18:05] step in moving, um, an affordability housing project forward. Thank
[2:18:12] you very much, Mr. Grakopoulos. We'll move on now to
[2:18:16] Councillor Murray. Go ahead, Councillor. Thank you very much, Mayor
[2:18:19] Easton. Through you to potentially, um, our, our, our colleague
[2:18:26] who has moved this motion or perhaps to our CAO.
[2:18:30] I think that the issue of Affordable housing is important.
[2:18:34] I think nobody in this room doesn't believe that that's
[2:18:36] true. And I think we all believe that the availability
[2:18:38] of all levels of housing in our community is what
[2:18:42] creates a whole vibrant and healthy community. However, everybody else
[2:18:47] in this room also knows that our municipal revenue systems,
[2:18:51] as in property tax levy, are not designed to fund
[2:18:54] projects like this. Now I recognise that we're not talking
[2:18:56] about funding a project. However, this is a regional provincial
[2:19:01] and even federal mandate. And they have revenue streams that
[2:19:04] are not tied directly to property values that are better
[2:19:07] suited for funding a project like this. So then what
[2:19:11] can we as municipality do? It's in this motion in
[2:19:15] that, um, we can promote affordable housing by removing barriers
[2:19:19] by working to develop partnerships by providing opportunities and by
[2:19:23] advocating to other levels of government, which we have already
[2:19:26] done and which we have already committed to continue doing.
[2:19:29] So everybody at this table has already said on more
[2:19:33] than one occasion that the BDSS precinct is our best
[2:19:36] and brightest opportunity for Affordable Housing in our Town. And
[2:19:40] that if we miss this opportunity, we have made a
[2:19:42] big mistake. We've all said that. That's not news to
[2:19:45] any of us. So staff have already initiated tasks like
[2:19:49] talking with potential partners. Affordable housing has consistently been a
[2:19:53] part of our conversations around what's going to happen with
[2:19:55] this site. An EOI regarding a feasibility has already commenced.
[2:20:00] That's, that's in this, that's in this motion. So then
[2:20:04] I have two points, two questions that I'd like to
[2:20:06] ask. First of all, is I'm not sure that I
[2:20:08] understand why now, why this? And by that I mean,
[2:20:14] we're already doing everything that this motion is asking for.
[2:20:16] We have committed. We are, we are moving forward. We
[2:20:18] have talked with partners. We are already committed to advocating
[2:20:22] at other levels of government. So everything that you're asking
[2:20:24] us to do in this motion has already been initiated.
[2:20:28] So I don't understand. What this motion creates or achieves
[2:20:32] that isn't already in place. And then the second piece,
[2:20:35] which is maybe a second question or part of the
[2:20:38] same is we have to recognise that although this is
[2:20:42] our land, land has a cost. And there's an opportunity
[2:20:45] cost for using this land for affordable housing instead of
[2:20:48] for another project. And that's fine. I think it's important
[2:20:52] that that's where we're using our funding for. But how
[2:20:55] do we anticipate offsetting that cost so that it's not
[2:20:58] downloaded onto the municipal taxpayer because we've already said our
[2:21:01] system isn't designed to do that. Okay. I'm going to
[2:21:05] start with the CAO because there's policy issues here that
[2:21:09] we should clarify. And then if it's necessary, we'll see
[2:21:13] what, um, the mover and seconder have to say. Go
[2:21:18] ahead. Through you, Madam Mayor. And I'm probably going to
[2:21:22] push it back to Councillor Pachiriva because from everything you've
[2:21:26] said, you're absolutely correct. We've begun a lot of that
[2:21:28] work. Uh, emotion and the political nature of motions. And
[2:21:34] what we've seen around this table on numerous occasions where
[2:21:37] Council wants to actually draw a line in the sand
[2:21:40] and put something forward is something that you all do.
[2:21:44] Uh, we take that direction and we move forward on
[2:21:46] it. But you're absolutely correct, Councillor, that, um, we are
[2:21:51] beginning a lot of that feasibility work. Do I need
[2:21:52] direction to do feasibility work? No. But oftentimes you direct
[2:21:55] me to do a lot of things. I don't need
[2:21:57] direction for, uh, but you do it because I think
[2:21:59] Council wants to put a finite marker forward and you
[2:22:04] want to show that you have a level of commitment
[2:22:05] towards something. And so I think the nature of this
[2:22:09] type of conversation, the importance of it. Sometimes the diametrically
[2:22:13] opposed views that we often find with projects that are
[2:22:16] a little more contentious. It means Council wants to be
[2:22:18] taking some of these steps. There are certain things legislatively
[2:22:22] as the mayor said that Council will have to have
[2:22:25] a say in in terms of when we start looking
[2:22:28] at, uh, the disposition of land, the declaration of land
[2:22:32] being surplus, how much land, um, what sort of rebates
[2:22:36] potentially we get into with affordable housing providers. And by
[2:22:40] rebates, I mean, you know, the town becomes a conduit
[2:22:43] between the region that actually provides the funding and a
[2:22:47] particular builder in order to do that. There's 25 year
[2:22:50] agreements that need to be in place and so forth
[2:22:53] that often happens. So it's not money coming from the
[2:22:55] town per se, but it is regional services, regional supports.
[2:22:59] Um, if we're out there advocating publicly, uh, sometimes having
[2:23:03] direction from council is an important piece of that. Uh,
[2:23:06] so that we're not just out there talking about a
[2:23:08] particular project without that council backing. But I'll look to
[2:23:12] Councillor PACHARIVA if he wants that. Why he feels the
[2:23:15] motion is needed now. Notwithstanding, we're doing the work already.
[2:23:21] Go ahead, Councillor Patrick. Yeah. Thanks to worship. And I
[2:23:24] think first and foremost, it closes the loop on the
[2:23:27] first notice of motion. Councillor Timmers and I brought May
[2:23:31] 26, 2025. That night council was not comfortable because our
[2:23:38] CAO and our Director of Planning weren't here. So like
[2:23:43] the CAO said work is driven by motion. And we
[2:23:49] thought it's important that it comes back. Uh, there's been
[2:23:53] groundswell in the community of Affordable Housing Lincoln of the
[2:23:57] work of our housing select committee. It provides validation to
[2:24:02] the work of not only this term, but when Council
[2:24:06] Bernet and Councillor Mickeluck and Council Rinchamora on there going
[2:24:10] back to 2017, right? It's some momentum and momentum is
[2:24:15] now growing. And the time to close all this and
[2:24:19] make it formal. Is now. And your second point about
[2:24:24] opportunity cost. I'm the biggest, and that's why we included
[2:24:29] precinct. That was the big thing that came out of
[2:24:32] that night was the word precinct. Don't tie your hands
[2:24:35] on the BDSS site. Allow it to go from the
[2:24:39] Lincoln Centre around to Bombery Park. I'm the biggest blue
[2:24:43] sky are in the world. I can dream in technicolor.
[2:24:48] And what I potentially would love to see is something
[2:24:52] similar to the Legion in Portugalzi. So maybe it's the,
[2:24:58] um, senior centre on central that's redone because it's getting,
[2:25:04] you know, that it needs work. And the housing goes
[2:25:06] on top. So then your opportunity cost is zero. Because
[2:25:12] it's not using up any land. So that's, that's why
[2:25:15] this is so open - ended. And that's why maybe
[2:25:18] these, these expressions of interest hopefully will shake some trees
[2:25:23] and have someone come with something thought - provoking that
[2:25:27] may be can solve two or three issues. So Councillor,
[2:25:31] that's why now, and that's the opportunity cost. So thank
[2:25:37] you. Thank you, Wish. Thank you. Mr. Kirkopoulis has a
[2:25:43] response. And then Councillor Murray still has the floor. So
[2:25:47] we'll be going back to her. Through you, Madam Mayor
[2:25:48] and I apologise, Councillor. I didn't answer your opportunity, cost
[2:25:51] question. I just focused on the first part of that.
[2:25:54] You know, I'm not going to pretend otherwise that there
[2:25:56] is in value and an opportunity cost to land that
[2:25:59] could be sold at fire market value. And we know
[2:26:02] what potentially fair market value looks like in there. Obviously,
[2:26:06] um, reducing that cost or eliminating it completely for affordable
[2:26:10] housing does have a cost to it. But I think
[2:26:13] the question is what creates the long - term value
[2:26:16] for the community. And oftentimes, uh, just in a conversation
[2:26:19] this morning, uh, with someone who's in this particular realm
[2:26:22] who does a lot of the construction, you know, you
[2:26:25] need to look, we do a lot of things, as
[2:26:27] you've heard me say on a number of occasions, uh,
[2:26:29] that don't necessarily either break even or generate the most
[2:26:34] revenue for what we do. I couldn't operate ice rinks
[2:26:38] and arenas at what it costs me to recoup the
[2:26:41] dollars that it costs on a per hour basis. I'd
[2:26:43] have this room more full than it is tonight if
[2:26:46] I wanted to increase them and recoup the dollars similarly
[2:26:49] for libraries and a number of other services. Now some
[2:26:52] people will not and say, well, yeah, those have been
[2:26:53] around a long time and they're the traditional services municipalities
[2:26:58] provide, but 300 and change to operate an hour of
[2:27:01] ice versus the 175 I charge. You start seeing how
[2:27:05] there's definitely a discrepancy in that. So I think the
[2:27:07] question council needs to look at is how do we
[2:27:10] create long - term value in the community? And sometimes
[2:27:12] we have to put these types of value propositions forward
[2:27:16] and how these types of value conversations. So that's how
[2:27:19] I'd answer. I think that, um, that opportunity cost question.
[2:27:25] Murray, you're a floor. Thank you. Um, I appreciate those
[2:27:28] answers. I appreciate the fulsomeness of the thought that's gone
[2:27:31] into this motion as well as the work over the
[2:27:35] last three years or two and a half years after
[2:27:38] we first of all discuss purchasing it. And then after
[2:27:40] purchasing, I would also just want to suggest to Councillor
[2:27:43] Pachirima that the previous motion that was considered before this
[2:27:46] was, was quite a bit different than this motion as
[2:27:48] well. So I just want to clarify too that, um,
[2:27:52] one of the reasons I feel like that motion didn't
[2:27:54] move forward was perhaps because it hadn't evolved as much
[2:27:56] as this one had. Um, and, and then also, um,
[2:28:01] you know, the idea of it costs to create a
[2:28:04] community service and that we all need to support, um,
[2:28:08] the better societal good. I'm on board with that. I
[2:28:11] agree with it. But I think we just need to
[2:28:13] be really cognizant and aware of what we have, what
[2:28:17] we are agreeing to pay for. And that's fine. And
[2:28:20] it's, it's good. Um, but, but let's go into it
[2:28:23] with our eyes wide open. That's just pretty much where
[2:28:26] I, where I wanted to go with that. Thank you.
[2:28:28] Okay. Thank you very much Council Murray. And I would
[2:28:32] add to that, that unfortunately we can look, um, many
[2:28:39] municipalities in Niagara and find real data. On how much
[2:28:45] it is costing them to survive through encampments. And they
[2:28:52] can certainly identify the costs. And they are overwhelming. Our
[2:28:56] opportunity costs would be gone out to the window in
[2:29:00] no time. And those are real numbers that are out
[2:29:03] there well documented. So thank you for your question. Councillor
[2:29:08] Russell. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Very quickly, um, again, I
[2:29:12] like the open endedness of this motion. Um, again, I
[2:29:15] think it does, uh, again, give us a lot of
[2:29:17] flexibility. Again, at least the next term does when, uh,
[2:29:21] they make, uh, that decision. My only question is again,
[2:29:25] when it comes to the reservation point, um, to the
[2:29:29] RCAO, do you think that when we get to that
[2:29:31] point of making the reservation and actually starting to think
[2:29:35] about the land itself, are we going to put a
[2:29:37] timeline on that, uh, use of land so that the
[2:29:41] end date. At least just to try to keep a
[2:29:44] book in so that whoever those interested parties are, they
[2:29:47] have a date to work towards instead of just having
[2:29:49] like a vacant piece of land until, um, again, for
[2:29:54] years to come, uh, while people are trying to work
[2:29:57] on the math, uh, and making sure that the model
[2:30:00] does work is they're going to be an end date
[2:30:02] that Council can reevaluate whether or not it is actually
[2:30:05] a viable, um, opportunity. Or if it's just, uh, we
[2:30:08] need to reconsider how that land gets used in the
[2:30:10] future. Do you, Madam Mayor, to the Councillor. I think
[2:30:13] we need to have, um, parameters and goalposts at Councillor.
[2:30:17] I don't think we can have moving goal post or
[2:30:19] no goal posts at all. I think it's important that
[2:30:21] we have that, um, and I think, uh, it's important.
[2:30:25] And what I heard today again, meeting with someone who's
[2:30:27] in this particular realm and who does this type of
[2:30:29] work is that sometimes it's the municipality causing the whole
[2:30:33] dog, not necessarily the private sector that's looking to do
[2:30:35] something. So I think where we can, um, the municipality
[2:30:39] needs to get out of the way. Um, once our
[2:30:40] portion is done, but absolutely we need to have, um,
[2:30:44] goalposts and timeline set on, on either end of this
[2:30:47] to ensure that the work gets done, uh, because with
[2:30:50] all work, uh, like this, uh, and we're talking about
[2:30:53] value and property values, um, time is sometimes money. Uh,
[2:30:58] and the value of property often changes as well. So
[2:31:00] we do need to have some posts so that we
[2:31:02] can start to do the necessary financial planning that we
[2:31:05] have to have. Okay. Thank you. Good, thank you very
[2:31:10] much. And next is Councillor Timmers. Go ahead. Thank you,
[2:31:14] Mary Stin. Wow. I'm going to keep it really brief.
[2:31:19] So, you know, good discussion tonight. This has been a
[2:31:21] long time coming. I've been on the, um, housing select
[2:31:25] committee. And prior to all the different committees we had
[2:31:29] around this topic since the beginning. It's been a long
[2:31:32] haul. And we've known all along what we need. The
[2:31:36] one thing, the most important thing is an X on
[2:31:39] that map. We need a spot. We need the land.
[2:31:43] So this is what we're looking for. A formal commitment
[2:31:46] with this motion. It's a good motion. I appreciate everyone's,
[2:31:51] um, work on this over the years. I want to
[2:31:54] thank the, um, housing select committee members that are here
[2:31:57] tonight. Some are online. Also, um, Affordable Housing Lincoln who
[2:32:03] started to come to our meetings and really, really did
[2:32:06] some great advocacy out in the community. And it shows
[2:32:09] by the number of people that are here tonight that
[2:32:12] they support it. So I will be supporting this motion
[2:32:15] and I would like to, um, call for a recorded
[2:32:18] vote when that happens. Thank you very much. Thank you
[2:32:21] everyone for being here tonight. Thank you Councillor Timmers and
[2:32:26] Deputy Mayor Reimer, Chair Turn. Thank you Mayor Houston. Thank
[2:32:30] you to Councillor Patrice. Even Councillor Timurus for bringing this
[2:32:33] motion forward. It is thorough and it's complete. And I
[2:32:37] support it. Um. Our purchase of BDSS has never been
[2:32:43] about being a landlords or builders. I don't remember. It's
[2:32:45] ever talking about that and are bringing it up in
[2:32:47] discussion. It's always been about taking control, showing leadership and
[2:32:51] exploring opportunities for a piece of property. Uh, like BDSS.
[2:32:56] This is something that's going to shape and affect our
[2:32:58] downtown beamsville for generations. Um, and so many decisions we
[2:33:03] make, I think we forget. It's not about the residents,
[2:33:06] not only about the residents of today. But 30 years,
[2:33:09] 40 years from now. In 20 years, they're going to
[2:33:11] look back and say, you bought this piece of property
[2:33:13] for what. It's the same as the discussion we have
[2:33:15] with Councillor Foster, both the prices going up. That cost
[2:33:19] of that property that we purchased to do all these
[2:33:22] things or these opportunities, the potential to all these things,
[2:33:25] I think is minimal. Um, I do have one question
[2:33:28] and I'm not sure if it's too early to ask
[2:33:30] this in relationship to this motion. Um, two director brooder.
[2:33:36] It's a two early to talk about a secondary plan.
[2:33:39] Is that something that we need to. Work alongside of
[2:33:42] this? Not asking at all this to be part of
[2:33:44] the motion. That's not my point. But just maybe throwing
[2:33:47] it out there. Do we not need that in order
[2:33:48] to have other, you know, like the, like commenting and
[2:33:52] things like other input on this type of thing? Or
[2:33:54] is that, or is that too early for that type
[2:33:56] of conversation through you, Mayor Easton. Go ahead, Mr. Brooder.
[2:34:02] Thank you, Mayor East. And through you to the Councillor,
[2:34:04] I don't think it's too early to bring it up.
[2:34:07] But the way I see it is I think that
[2:34:08] the next step and, you know, that's what we kind
[2:34:10] of outlined in our previous presentation. I think we have
[2:34:13] to go the eel route first. And the reason I
[2:34:16] say that is I think we have to establish from
[2:34:18] a broad level. Um, you know, what do we really
[2:34:21] want to see out of this particular site? Obviously one
[2:34:24] of the things we want to see is what's being
[2:34:25] talked about a little bit tonight. I think from there,
[2:34:27] then you go into working once you've got maybe an
[2:34:31] organisation or maybe a group of organisations that you're going
[2:34:33] to be working with on the site or what have
[2:34:35] you. Then from there, you can kind of work hand
[2:34:37] in hand to make sure you develop a policy framework
[2:34:39] that works. Obviously with public consultation being a key component,
[2:34:43] I think of the second, it's a different situation, but
[2:34:45] the secondary plan we did for prudims, for example, you
[2:34:48] know, we worked very closely with the developer team to
[2:34:50] try to come up with something that was a suitable
[2:34:53] for, you know, public benefit and for members of the
[2:34:56] community, but also in line with, uh, what was realistic
[2:35:00] for the site according to the developer. So I could
[2:35:02] see a similar process here. And a follow up, if
[2:35:06] I may, Mayor said, and, and Matt, just along those
[2:35:10] same lines then, once, let's say this EOI looking had
[2:35:12] the UI is finished and completed. And we have with
[2:35:16] the, with the land use then, you know, like as
[2:35:18] far as. Practical areas of what we're going to use
[2:35:24] or potentially use the piece of property for, then that
[2:35:26] would incorporate into our secondary plan. Does that make sense?
[2:35:30] Or is that along the. Mr. Bruder? Yeah. Um, Drew
[2:35:33] Mayor Easton. Yeah. Generally speaking, I think that's correct. Obviously
[2:35:36] when you get into that developing the actual land use
[2:35:38] policies that tie in with the EOI. Yeah. There's going
[2:35:40] to be some further refinement. You know, what happens or
[2:35:43] what submitted at the AOI stage? Is that going to
[2:35:45] be the final product? Maybe not completely, but it informs
[2:35:48] the next step, which is a little bit more detailed
[2:35:50] oriented when it comes to a secondary plan or a
[2:35:53] master plan or something like that for the site. Okay.
[2:35:56] Thank you, Dr. Reeder. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you very
[2:35:58] much. There's no other speakers. I have a question of
[2:36:04] the CAO. This has to do with speak up Lincoln
[2:36:09] on a number of occasions tonight. There were, I think,
[2:36:13] very laudable efforts by Council to ensure and yourself to
[2:36:18] ensure that there's accurate information. Could we post, or maybe
[2:36:24] we have, I didn't check in the last few days.
[2:36:27] Could we post accurate information on speak up Lincoln in
[2:36:33] regard to the way these questions are being asked in
[2:36:37] some of the suppositions that are being made? Where do
[2:36:41] we stand with that? I think we need some, uh,
[2:36:44] we need a consistent communication access for the public. Mr.
[2:36:51] C. A. PO. To you, Madam Mayor. Um, yeah, I
[2:36:54] think the simple answer is yes. I think we can
[2:36:56] find a, it may be simpler way. Um, and maybe
[2:37:00] it's not just speak up Lincoln in terms of how
[2:37:02] we communicate this to make sure that some of those
[2:37:04] clarifications are made and captured appropriately. So. Okay. All right.
[2:37:09] And I'm just, I'm assuming that that would include providing,
[2:37:14] uh, relevant correspondence to the select committee so that they
[2:37:18] have that consistent information as well. Okay. Well, thank you
[2:37:22] very much councillors. Great questions and good discussion. And, um,
[2:37:28] I'm very, very pleased to see this motion coming forward.
[2:37:31] So the motion has been read. Madam Clerk, I would
[2:37:34] ask you, uh, open the vote. And it has been
[2:37:36] requested to be recorded. P. That's been noted. And that
[2:37:41] will show up. Thank you. And I will. Open the
[2:37:50] vote. Yes.
[2:38:02] I will close that boat. And you will see on
[2:38:06] the screen that that, uh, carries unanimously and that will
[2:38:09] be noted in the minutes. Thank you. Thank you very
[2:38:12] much, Madam Clerk. The next item on the agenda is
[2:38:16] the reports of municipal officers. And I have Mayor's report
[2:38:20] to present this evening. And, um, I would begin by
[2:38:28] saying, good evening to everyone who is listening or is
[2:38:32] in the gallery. I'm sorry. Um, as I begin my
[2:38:39] Mayor's report this evening, I first want to congratulate all
[2:38:43] of the students across Lincoln who have completed another school
[2:38:47] year. And especially those who celebrated a graduation. It is
[2:38:52] an exciting time in your lives. With new opportunities ahead
[2:38:57] and probably a little uncertainty as well. We wish each
[2:39:01] of you every success in whatever path you choose. And
[2:39:04] wherever that path may take you. I also want to
[2:39:07] acknowledge our teacher's school staff and families. These milestones don't
[2:39:12] happen with photograph deal of support along the way. And
[2:39:16] thank you for everything you do for the young people
[2:39:19] of Lincoln. The July 21st storm was discussed in some
[2:39:26] detailed this evening. However, I want to also put on
[2:39:33] record that this was an extraordinary amount of rain and
[2:39:37] wind in a very short period of time. And different
[2:39:40] parts of our community experienced it in different ways. For
[2:39:44] some families, the impacts were significant, including the flooding of
[2:39:48] homes and properties. And I know how upsetting and stressful
[2:39:52] that can be. To everyone who has affected, please know
[2:39:55] that you have been very much on the minds of
[2:39:59] all staff, all councillors. And we want to, and we
[2:40:05] hope that as the days go by, and you're provided
[2:40:09] and access the support that's available, that it eases your
[2:40:13] minds as well. I want to sincerely thank our town
[2:40:17] staff, fire department and the Nigeria region, emergency responders, and
[2:40:23] everyone who worked through difficult conditions to respond to calls
[2:40:27] flooded roads overwhelmed systems and residents who needed help. There
[2:40:33] will always be lessons from events like this. We will
[2:40:36] continue to look at our infrastructure, how our systems performed,
[2:40:41] what we can reasonably do to make Lincoln more resilient
[2:40:45] as these extreme weather events become something communities everywhere are
[2:40:50] dealing with more frequently. So please continue to report your
[2:40:54] individual circumstances and make use of the information and supports
[2:40:59] that have been made available. I think, as you've all
[2:41:03] heard tonight, all of Council was heavily involved and certainly
[2:41:09] many, many of the staff. On October the 26th, we
[2:41:14] will be having our next municipal election. And the clerks
[2:41:20] department has been very busy preparing the systems that will
[2:41:23] be needed to ensure that everyone who is eligible to
[2:41:26] vote has that opportunity. The nomination period open may one,
[2:41:31] and we are beginning to see candidates come forward from
[2:41:34] mayor and the six Councillor Positions. And I'm very happy
[2:41:38] to see some of those potential councillors sitting with us
[2:41:45] this evening. I encourage residents to become engaged and learn
[2:41:49] about the candidates and most importantly to vote. Local government
[2:41:55] touches our lives every day, often in ways people don't
[2:41:58] immediately recognise and you're participation matters. Several weeks ago, I
[2:42:04] announced that after 12 years as mayor, I will not
[2:42:07] be seeking re - election. Together with my earlier six
[2:42:11] years as award - one councillor, it has been an
[2:42:15] extraordinary privilege to have served this community for 18 years.
[2:42:20] Since making that announcement, I have received many very kind
[2:42:23] messages, conversations, and acknowledgments. Some have brought back incredible memories
[2:42:29] that I thought that I had forgotten. I'm sincerely grateful
[2:42:33] for them and for the support and consideration that has
[2:42:36] been extended to me and to my family over many
[2:42:39] years. There will be another time for me to say
[2:42:43] more about that journey. I'm sure we still have work
[2:42:45] to do if tonight's meeting is any indication. In a
[2:42:52] mode of looking back and forward recently, CAO Microcopolis provided
[2:42:57] Council with an update on the progress made against our
[2:43:00] work plan. And staff have also prepared a broader review
[2:43:04] covering this entire 2022 to 2026 term. This is something
[2:43:12] that we take very, very seriously. And when you look
[2:43:16] at everything together, Lincoln has much to be proud of.
[2:43:20] The approach we have taken has really been quite simple.
[2:43:24] Listen to the community, establish priorities. Build a strategic plan
[2:43:30] and work plan around those priorities. And most importantly, get
[2:43:35] on with delivering it. That has resulted in significant investments
[2:43:41] in roads, water, and wastewater infrastructure, parks, recreation, libraries, economic
[2:43:46] development, housing, community services, and many other areas. It is
[2:43:52] also allowed us to think differently about some of the
[2:43:54] opportunities before us and to take on projects that perhaps
[2:43:59] a municipality of our size would not traditionally have trachen
[2:44:03] on BDSS is certainly one of those opportunities. None of
[2:44:08] this happens because of one person. It happens because council
[2:44:13] establishes direction, professional staff execute that direction. Residents participate and
[2:44:19] our partners work with us. And I particularly want to
[2:44:23] acknowledge the tremendous support that Lincoln has received from other
[2:44:27] levels of government and our many partners. MPPSEM Ustrehoff MPD
[2:44:33] Nellison Regional Councillor Rob Foster, regional CAO Ron Trip and
[2:44:38] Regional Staff, along with many ministers, agencies, community organisations and
[2:44:44] others have worked with Lincoln over the years. We deliberately
[2:44:49] built a strong government relations program because of municipality, our
[2:44:55] size cannot accomplish everything on its own. Those relationships have
[2:45:01] resulted in millions of dollars of investment in Lincoln, and
[2:45:05] more importantly, projects and services that have made a difference
[2:45:09] in people's lives. The collaboration has been one of the
[2:45:14] great strengths of Lincoln. In the matter of a changing
[2:45:20] environment, there is something else I have been thinking about
[2:45:24] a great deal, particularly as we enter another municipal election.
[2:45:29] And that is the way that residents receive information and
[2:45:33] how it has changed dramatically during my time in public
[2:45:37] life. Traditional local media is much smaller than it once
[2:45:42] was. Social media has filled some of that space, but
[2:45:47] it is also created in an environment where information moves
[2:45:51] very quickly and often without the context or editorial oversight
[2:45:56] that once existed. We've talked a little bit about some
[2:46:01] of that tonight. How information can get off the track.
[2:46:07] How information could go from something that is very right
[2:46:11] to a whole lot of questions about things that have
[2:46:13] no fact base. As a municipality, we've worked very hard
[2:46:18] to communicate regularly and openly to our residents through Council
[2:46:22] meetings, staff reports, newsletter, speak up Lincoln, social media, public
[2:46:28] meetings, business communications, our new podcast, and many other channels.
[2:46:35] There's probably more information available about the work of the
[2:46:38] town today than at any other point during my time
[2:46:42] in office. That doesn't mean we always get a perfect.
[2:46:46] We don't. But the commitment to communicating openly, consistently and
[2:46:51] providing the facts has been very deliberate. Election campaigns can
[2:46:57] sometimes make this more difficult. Candidates for all naturally have
[2:47:01] different ideas and opinions. That is democracy, and it should
[2:47:05] be encouraged. But during elections, the law can also be
[2:47:09] said about decisions that have been made sometimes without the
[2:47:13] history, financial information, or the full context behind those decisions.
[2:47:19] As many of you who are watching this meeting tonight,
[2:47:22] will no one understand we have spent a great deal
[2:47:25] of time in this one meeting. Ensuring that some of
[2:47:29] those things, if not all of them, were covered as
[2:47:33] we worked our way through the agenda. My advice to
[2:47:37] council, staff, and those seeking public office is that we
[2:47:41] always take the higher road. Don't get drawn into every
[2:47:46] comment or criticism. Provide the facts. Explain the decisions. Correct
[2:47:52] misinformation when it is important to do so, and then
[2:47:56] continue doing the work. Residents deserve to understand not only
[2:48:01] what council decided, but why it was decided what alternatives
[2:48:06] were considered what it costs and what the consequences would
[2:48:10] have been if we chose a different path. We won't
[2:48:14] always agree. We aren't supposed to. And public service isn't
[2:48:19] about winning every argument. At the end of the day,
[2:48:23] we need to remember why we are here in the
[2:48:26] first place. It is because of a commitment to service
[2:48:29] and a belief that we can contribute something to the
[2:48:32] community we call home. That applies whether you are the
[2:48:36] mayor, a councillor, or someone putting their name forward for
[2:48:40] the very first time. Take the higher road, respect the
[2:48:45] institution, and remember that the community is bigger than anyone
[2:48:49] election or any one of us. That is that, in
[2:48:54] my opinion, is what public service should always be about.
[2:48:59] On the matter of leadership, many of you have heard
[2:49:03] me speak over the years about leadership around this horseshoe.
[2:49:07] Good councils need different perspectives. Different experiences and people who
[2:49:12] aren't afraid to challenge each other. Without that mixture of
[2:49:17] representation, our review of the community can become very narrow.
[2:49:21] My own approach to public service has always had started
[2:49:25] with empathy. Trying to put yourself in somebody else's shoes,
[2:49:31] understanding their circumstances, and then working toward a better outcome.
[2:49:37] Perhaps some of this comes from my background in healthcare.
[2:49:41] You learn to look at the whole system. You begin
[2:49:45] to understand how the pieces connect and think about the
[2:49:49] impact of decisions before and after they are made. Not
[2:49:53] just come up with quick solutions, throw it at the
[2:49:56] wall, and then wait and see what happens. That can
[2:50:00] be a very, very painful process for anybody that's impacted
[2:50:04] by that kind of decision - making. Municipal government isn't
[2:50:09] different than health care. Rhoads connect to growth. Growth connects
[2:50:13] to water and wastewater. Housing connects to economic development, recreation
[2:50:19] connects to health. Libraries connect to education and community. And
[2:50:24] all of it connects back to the quality of life
[2:50:27] people experience every day. So when you are having a
[2:50:31] conversation about what to take out of the budget, I
[2:50:36] can tell you that every decision positive or not positive
[2:50:41] has a major impact on somebody somewhere. And so that
[2:50:45] puts another layer of difficulty on all decisions that you
[2:50:49] will make if you sit around this table in the
[2:50:52] future. Our job, however, is to understand these connections. And
[2:50:57] whenever possible, to leave the community better than we found
[2:51:01] it. So as the next council, as Lincoln in the
[2:51:08] next council start turning the page for the next chapter.
[2:51:15] I believe the next council will inherit a municipality with
[2:51:19] a very strong foundation. There will be difficult decisions ahead.
[2:51:24] Housing, infrastructure, growth, affordability, climate resilience, financial sustainability among them.
[2:51:33] Those decisions will require thoughtful leadership, good information. And the
[2:51:38] willingness to sometimes look beyond the immediate issue to what
[2:51:42] is best for Lincoln 10 and 20 years from now.
[2:51:46] There are also cause to delaying decisions. We know this.
[2:51:50] We have experienced this within the last two to three
[2:51:53] years. Infrastructure does not become less expensive by waiting. And
[2:51:59] sometimes the greater risk is doing nothing. That is why
[2:52:03] our official plan, asset management plan, master plans and long
[2:52:08] - term financial planning are so important. They provide the
[2:52:12] roadmap that allows councils to make decisions based on evidence
[2:52:16] rather than simply the issue of the day. And I
[2:52:20] want to acknowledge that. Pending some business that may come
[2:52:24] forward in September tonight may in fact be our final
[2:52:27] regular Council meeting of this term. And if that's the
[2:52:31] case, I don't want this meeting to end without saying
[2:52:34] thank you. To my colleagues on council, all the councils
[2:52:39] from 2014, I thank you all. We've not always agreed,
[2:52:45] nor should we. But we have shared the responsibility of
[2:52:48] making decisions for this community sometimes very difficult ones. And
[2:52:53] I am very proud and you all should be very
[2:52:56] proud of what we have accomplished together. I also want
[2:53:01] to especially recognise CAO Mike and all of our senior
[2:53:06] staff, the senior leadership team, many of who have supporting
[2:53:11] roles with the mayor's office. The amount of work that
[2:53:15] happens behind the scenes is sometimes difficult for the people
[2:53:18] to see. For the public to see. These are people
[2:53:23] who have worked through emergencies, just like you had this
[2:53:26] past week. I wish you could have seen how the
[2:53:29] independently organised themselves in this building to ensure that calls
[2:53:34] were taken that information was accurate, that people that walked
[2:53:39] in unannounced were greeted and supported. It was really something
[2:53:45] to behold. They are dealing with significant growth. The challenge
[2:53:50] is significant. Changing legislation. I think the province is speaking
[2:53:56] to us more in a month than sometimes they would
[2:54:03] in a year. Financial pressures and some very ambitious projects,
[2:54:09] including the hospital. They have given counsel professional advice, sometimes
[2:54:16] advice we may not have wanted to hear and then
[2:54:19] carried out the direction of council. To Mike, in the
[2:54:23] entire senior team and really to all town staff, everyone,
[2:54:27] thank you. I have tremendous respect for the professionalism for
[2:54:31] the trades, for the commitment that you bring to Lincoln
[2:54:34] every day. I have watched, as you have counsel, Lincoln
[2:54:39] change considerably in the PAST 12 years. It has grown
[2:54:43] up. It needed to. We are in a very good
[2:54:47] place at this time. We have built infrastructure, strengthened our
[2:54:52] finances, expanded recreation and community services invested in our downtowns,
[2:54:58] built relationships with other governments, and taken on projects that
[2:55:02] at one time might have seemed beyond the reach of
[2:55:05] a municipality our size. And we did this keeping the
[2:55:09] youth of our community and the seniors of our community
[2:55:13] and the families of our community Top of mine. None
[2:55:18] of that belongs to one mayor. One council, or one
[2:55:22] CAO. It has been a team effort. I am proud
[2:55:26] of the culture we have built between Council and staff.
[2:55:31] For anyone new protected. Council should ask questions. Challenge assumptions,
[2:55:41] establish the direction of the municipality and then allow our
[2:55:45] professional staff to do the jobs we hired them to
[2:55:48] do. They're here because of your strategic initiatives. Treat them
[2:55:55] with respect. And defend their professional role. A healthy organisational
[2:56:02] culture takes years to build and can be damaged very
[2:56:05] quickly. And there are hefty costs that go along with
[2:56:09] that. For those who will sit around this horseshoe in
[2:56:13] the future, my advice is fairly simple. Think beyond the
[2:56:17] next meeting. Listen carefully, particularly to people whose experience is
[2:56:22] maybe different from your own. Understand the costs and risks
[2:56:27] of acting, but also understand the cost and risks of
[2:56:30] not acting. Leave your ego outside this building. Remember why
[2:56:36] you are sitting here. You are elected. Now you need
[2:56:40] to sit in the chair and learn about the job
[2:56:43] and be respectful of it. Because there will be many
[2:56:46] assumptions that you will come with that will not apply
[2:56:49] at all. You may be quite surprised. Remember that it
[2:56:55] isn't about any one of us. It is about leaving
[2:56:58] Lincoln a little better than we found it. I'm equally
[2:57:04] grateful. To the residents who have challenged us encouraged us
[2:57:09] participated and trusted us along the way. But if this
[2:57:13] is our last meeting around the horseshoe, I simply want
[2:57:18] to say thank you. Thank you to council. Thank you,
[2:57:21] Mike. And our senior staff. Thank you to every employee.
[2:57:27] Thank you to our community partners and other levels of
[2:57:31] government who have worked alongside us. Thank you to my
[2:57:33] family. Who have shared me with this community for a
[2:57:37] very long time. And most importantly, thank you to the
[2:57:41] people of Lincoln for giving me the extraordinary privilege of
[2:57:45] serving this community. We still have a few months left.
[2:57:49] And there is still work to do. So as we
[2:57:52] always have, let's get on with it. Thank you.
[2:58:17] Thank. You very much. I have a
[2:58:27] motion moved by Councillor Mickelik, seconded by Councillor Renema. That
[2:58:31] Council receive and file for information the following Mayor's Report.
[2:58:36] Madam Clerk, would you please open the vote. Lotus open,
[2:58:39] Madam Mayor.
[2:58:49] Cancer Timurs. That's. Okay. Thank you. I'll close that vote
[2:58:57] that carries, Madam Mayor. Thank you. The motion is carried.
[2:59:00] Item number 17 is confidential matters. We have none this
[2:59:04] evening. However, we do have two bylaws for consideration today.
[2:59:11] Do members have any questions on the Bibles.
[2:59:22] I see none. I have a motion move by Councillor
[2:59:26] Brunet. Second of I Council Russell. That leave be given
[2:59:29] to approve the following bylaws. 2026 - 41, a bylaw
[2:59:34] to establish lands legally described as one part of LOT
[2:59:39] 21 broken front concession, Clinton, designated as parts 1 and
[2:59:45] 2 on plan 30R - 16477. ST and TWR -
[2:59:53] 0612677. Lincoln. And two, part of LOT 21, broken front
[3:00:00] concession, Clinton, designated as parts 3, 4, 5, and 6
[3:00:05] on plan 30R - 16473. ST and TWR0612677.
[3:00:15] Lincoln, as part of a public highway under the jurisdiction
[3:00:19] of a corporation of the Town of Lincoln known as
[3:00:22] Blzard Drive. Bylaw 2026 - 42, a by - allowed
[3:00:27] to authorize the conveyance part of the Road Alan's Between
[3:00:30] concession 1 and concession 2 Louth. Designated as part 1
[3:00:37] on plan 30R - 15292 in the Town of Lincoln
[3:00:42] Municipality of Niagara. Madam Clerk, would you please open the
[3:00:46] vote. Vote is now open. I'll close that boat and
[3:00:55] that carries Madame Mayor. Thank you. The motion is carried.
[3:01:00] We will now confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting,
[3:01:04] and I have a motion move by Councillor Timmer, seconded
[3:01:06] by Councillor Pachiriva that leave be given to introduce by
[3:01:10] - law number 2026 - 43. A bilaud to confirm
[3:01:14] the proceedings of Council at its meeting held Monday, July
[3:01:17] the 27th, 2026, being read of first, second, and third
[3:01:21] time that bylaw number 2026 - 43 being acted and
[3:01:26] passed, and that the Mayor and Clerk sign and sealed
[3:01:29] the bed said bylaw. Madam Clerk, would you please open
[3:01:31] the vote. PONOOT OPEN.
[3:01:41] That carries. Thank you. The motion is carried. I have
[3:01:45] a motion move by Councillor Reimer, seconded by Councillor Murray.
[3:01:49] If the Council meeting on July the 27th, 2026, be
[3:01:53] adjourned at 2100 hours, I think, on the dot. And
[3:02:01] so we will ask the clerk to open the vote.
[3:02:06] Vote is open. And. I will close that boat, and
[3:02:13] that carries, thanks. All right, thank you everyone. This concludes
[3:02:18] our Council meeting for this evening.