Meeting #:

Date:

Monday, December 16, 2024

Time:

6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Location:

Haldimand County Administration Building - Council Chambers

Council Present

• S. Bentley, Mayor
• J. Metcalfe, Councillor
• D. Lawrence, Councillor
• R. Shirton, Councillor
• P. O'Neill, Councillor

Staff Present

• C. Case, Chief Administrative Officer
• M. Evers, General Manager, Community & Development Services
• T. Haedrich, General Manager, Engineering & Capital Works
• M. Jamieson, General Manager, Corporate & Social Services
• D. McKinnon, General Manager, Public Works Operations
• M. Merritt, General Manager, Financial & Data Services
• L. Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development & Tourism
• C. Curtis, Municipal Clerk

---

A.

Call to Order

Mayor Bentley called the Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

B.

Moment of Reflection

Mayor Bentley opened the meeting with a moment of reflection.

C.

Land Acknowledgement

Councillor Metcalfe read the Land Acknowledgement statement.

D.

Roll Call

The Mayor and all Members of Council were in attendance.

E.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

None.

F.

Approval of Previous Council Meeting Minutes

1.

Council Minutes - November 25, 2024

• Resolution 191-24
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the minutes of the November 25, 2024 Council meeting be adopted as circulated.

  CARRIED

2.

Closed Session - Council Minutes - November 25, 2024

• Resolution 192-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence

  THAT the minutes of the Closed Session of the November 25, 2024 Council meeting be adopted as circulated and remain confidential.

  CARRIED

3.

Special Council Minutes - December 5, 2024

• Resolution 193-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the minutes of the December 5, 2024 Special Council meeting be adopted as circulated.

  CARRIED

G.

Presentations of Recognition

1.

Diane Hadaway, Financial Analyst Re: Retirement Certificate

H.

Delegations

None.

I.

Approval of Committee Minutes

1.

Council in Committee Minutes - December 10, 2024

• Resolution 194-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Shirton

  THAT the minutes of the December 10, 2024 Council in Committee meeting be adopted as circulated.

  CARRIED

2.

Closed Session - Council in Committee Minutes - December 10, 2024

• Resolution 195-24
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill

  THAT the minutes of the Closed Session of the December 10, 2024 Council in Committee meeting be adopted as circulated and remain confidential.

  CARRIED

3.

Report of the September 10, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

• Resolution 196-24
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Shirton

  THAT the report of the September 10, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be received.

  CARRIED

4.

Report of the September 19, 2024 Haldimand Museums Advisory Board Meeting

• Resolution 197-24
  Moved By: Councillor Lawrence
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the report of the September 19, 2024 Museums Advisory Board meeting be received.

  CARRIED

5.

Report of the October 24, 2024 Haldimand O.P.P. Detachment Board Meeting

• Resolution 198-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the report of the October 24, 2024 Haldimand O.P.P. Detachment Board meeting be received.

  CARRIED

6.

Report of the October 28, 2024 Heritage Haldimand Meeting

• Resolution 199-24
  Moved By: Councillor Lawrence
  Seconded By: Councillor Shirton

  THAT the report of the October 28, 2024 Heritage Haldimand meeting be received.

  CARRIED

7.

Report of the September 11, 2024 Trails Advisory Committee Meeting

• Resolution 200-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the report of the September 11, 2024 Trails Advisory Committee meeting be received.

  CARRIED

8.

Report of the June 6, 2024 Youth Advisory Committee Meeting

• Resolution 201-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the report of the June 6, 2024 Youth Advisory Committee meeting be received.

  CARRIED

J.

Unfinished Business

None.

K.

New Business

1.

EDT-08-2024 Update to Report EDT-05-2024 and Moratorium on Wind Development in Haldimand County

L. Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism responded to questions from Council regarding:

• Whether there have been ongoing requests regarding new wind power developments; and
• Time limits on the moratorium on permits for new industrial wind turbines.

• Resolution 202-24
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Shirton
  1. THAT Report EDT-08-2024 Update to Report EDT-05-2024 and Moratorium on Wind Development in Haldimand County be received;
  2. AND THAT Recommendations 1 through 7 as presented in Report EDT-05-2024 Independent Electricity System Operator Long Term 2 Request for Proposal Municipal Support Resolutions excluding any support for wind development be approved;
  3. AND THAT Council may request proponents to delegate at a future Council meeting for information purposes only once the required criteria has been met and the Blanket Municipal Support Letter has been prepared;
  4. AND THAT the 2013 Moratorium on Wind Farms remain in effect;
  5. AND THAT the Blanket Municipal Support Resolution and Blanket Municipal Support Letters shall not apply to or be issued for any industrial wind turbines in Haldimand County.
  CARRIED
• Resolution Clean Version
  1. THAT Report EDT-08-2024 Update to Report EDT-05-2024 and Moratorium on Wind Development in Haldimand County be received;
  2. AND THAT Report EDT-05-2024 Independent Electricity System Operation Long Term 2 Request for Proposal  – Municipal Support Resolutions be received;
  3. AND THAT a Blanket Municipal Support resolution for the development, construction and operation of Long-Term Reliability Projects proposed to be located within Haldimand County for the purposes of the requirements of the IESO LT2 (Capacity and Energy) RFP be approved;
  4. AND THAT authority be delegated to the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a Blanket Municipal Support Confirmation Letter for projects seeking a contract through the IESO LT2 RFP process demonstrating that the Proponent has successfully met all criteria;
  5. AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer be authorized to execute the necessary agreements associated with the approved criteria;
  6. AND THAT the Community Benefit Contribution as outlined in this report apply to all future projects contemplated in Haldimand County under the LT2 RFP process;
  7. AND THAT staff report back to Council outlining comprehensive principles and recommendations related to all community support contributions received;
  8. AND THAT an amended User Fees and Service Charges By-law, that reflects the proposed changes in this report, be approved at a future Council meeting;
  9. AND THAT Council may request proponents to delegate at a future Council meeting for information purposes only once the required criteria has been met and the Blanket Municipal Support Letter has been prepared;
  10. AND THAT the 2013 Moratorium on Wind Farms remain in effect;
  11. AND THAT the Blanket Municipal Support Resolution and Blanket Municipal Support Letters shall not apply to or be issued for any industrial wind turbines in Haldimand County.

2.

Motion Re: Support for the Development of Nuclear Energy in the Nanticoke Industrial Area

Council asked questions and received answers from staff regarding:

• Timelines provided from the provincial government; and
• Potential implications of specifically referencing nuclear power in the motion.

• Resolution 203-24
  Moved By: Councillor Lawrence
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  WHEREAS Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy & Electrification, made an announcement on November 27, 2024 regarding Haldimand County being one of three potential sites for new energy producing projects in Ontario, to contribute to the production of energy in addressing Ontario’s forecasted energy shortfall;
   

  AND WHEREAS Ontario Power Generation, the owner of lands within the Nanticoke Industrial Park, has expressed an interest in locating energy producing facilities at this location;
   

  AND WHEREAS nuclear energy is considered a clean, safe source of energy throughout North America;
   

  AND WHEREAS a nuclear power plant has great economical potential to the community including the creation of numerous jobs with higher than average compensation, significant contributions to the local tax base and indirect economic spinoff to local businesses;
   

  BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED

  1. THAT Council supports, in principle, the development of nuclear energy in the Nanticoke Industrial Area;
      
  2. AND THAT staff be directed to obtain further information about the potential project and site selection process as it becomes available, and report back to Council.
  CARRIED

3.

CLE-21-2024 Internet Voting Procurement for the 2025 By-Election

C. Curtis, Municipal Clerk, provided an overview of the report.

Council asked questions and received answers from staff regarding:

• Why the previously used internet voting provider is unable to provide the service for the by-election;
• Whether there are alternative vendors who could provide the service; and
• Clarification on projected by-elections timelines.

• Resolution 204-24
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence
  1. THAT Report CLE-21-2024 Internet Voting Procurement for the 2025 By-Election be received;
  2. AND THAT the by-law to require that a by-election be held to fill the Ward 1 and Ward 4 Councillor vacancies and to authorize the use of internet voting for the by-election be deferred to the January 22, 2025 Regular Council meeting for approval.
  CARRIED

4.

Council Information Package 

Council requested and received clarification from staff regarding the resolution from the City of Guelph Re: Enabling Municipalities to Charge Fees for Use of Municipal Property by Gas Utilities and implications for Haldimand County..

L.

By-laws

• Resolution 205-24
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence

  THAT By-laws 1 to 2 and 4 to 7, as listed, be enacted.

  CARRIED

1.

By-law 1395-HC/24 to amend Zoning By-law HC 1-2020, as amended, for property described in the name of Byleveld

Council in Committee Report PDD-29-2024, December 10, 2024

2.

By-law 2470/24 to designate the 664 Haldimand Road 32, Canfield, in Haldimand County, to be of cultural heritage value or interest pursuant to the provision of the Ontario Heritage Act

Council in Committee Report CDP-22-2024, October 29, 2024

3.

Being a by-law to require that a by-election be held to fill the Ward 1 and Ward 4 Councillor vacancies and to authorize the use of internet voting for the by-election

Council in Committee Report CLE-19-2024, December 10, 2024

This by-law was deferred to the January 22, 2025 Council meeting.

4.

By-law 2572/24 to appoint a Member of Council to act from time to time in the place of the Mayor (Rob Shirton)

Council in Committee Report CLE-20-2024, December 10, 2024

5.

By-law 2573/24 to adopt an Emergency Management Program and a corresponding Emergency Response Plan and to repeal By-law 2320/21

Council in Committee Report EMS-06, 2024, December 10, 2024

6.

By-law 2574/24 to impose special annual drainage rates upon land in respect of which money is borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act and to repeal By-law 2559/24

Council in Committee Report FIN-08-2024, May 21, 2024

7.

By-law 2571/24 to amend Schedule “P” of By-law 2560/24 User Fees and Service Charges By-law

Council in Committee Report EDT-05-2024, December 10, 2024; and

Council Report EDT-08-2024, New Business

M.

Notices of Motion

Councillor Lawrence submitted a Notice of Motion Re: Acquisition of Land in Ward 3 for Recreational Purposes, to be considered at the January 14, 2025 Council in Committee meeting.

Councillor Lawrence submitted a Notice of Motion Re: Support for Royal Canadian Legion – Caledonia Branch 154 Pickleball Court Project, to be considered at the January 14, 2025 Council in Committee meeting.

N.

Announcements, Reports from Council Appointees to Boards and Committees

The following item was highlighted:

• Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference is in January, and one delegation request has been confirmed.

O.

Closed Session

None.

P.

Motions Arising from Closed Session

None.

Q.

Motion of Receipt

None.

R.

Confirming By-law

Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council of The Corporation of Haldimand County

• Resolution 206-24
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence

  THAT the Confirmation By-law for the December 16, 2024 Council meeting be enacted.

  CARRIED

S.

Adjournment

• Resolution 207-24
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill

  THAT this meeting is now adjourned at 6:42 p.m.

  CARRIED