Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Time:

9:30 A.m. - 4:30 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
• T. Borland, Supervisor, Risk Management & Legal Services
• L. Friesen, Manager, Legal & Support Services
• M. Lloyd, Property Coordinator
• K. Schmitz, Manager, Community Development & Partnerships
• A. Unyi, Supervisor, Heritage & Culture
• S. Van Dalen, Manager, Planning & Development
• C. Curtis, Municipal Clerk

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A.

Call to Order

Mayor Bentley called the Council in Committee meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

B.

Land Acknowledgement

Mayor Bentley read the Land Acknowledgement statement.

C.

Roll Call

The Mayor and all Members of Council were in attendance.

D.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

None.

E.

Public Meeting for Planning Applications

Mayor Bentley, Vice-Chair of Public Meeting for Planning Applications, remained the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

Prior to commencing the public meeting, the Chair explained the meeting, delegation and appeal process. It was noted that decisions made by Committee at this meeting would be given final consideration at the December 16, 2024 Council meeting.

1.

PDD-29-2024 Zoning By-law Amendment Application to Rezone Lands to Residential with a Special Exception – Byleveld, Cayuga

S. VanDalen, Manager, Planning & Development presented the report.

Committee asked questions and received answers from staff regarding the current zoning of the property, and the current regulations regarding accessory structures and secondary suites in residential zones.

There being no one else present to speak either for or against this application, deliberations concluded with the introduction of the following recommendation.

• Recommendation 1
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence
  1. THAT Report PDD-29-2024 Zoning By-law Amendment Application to Rezone Lands to Residential with a Special Exception – Byleveld, Cayuga be received;
  2. AND THAT application PLZ-HA-2024-099 to amend the Haldimand County Zoning By-law HC 1-2020 to rezone the subject lands from the “General Commercial (CG)” Zone to the “Urban Residential Type 1-B – Holding (R1-B(H))” Zone with Special Exception R1-B.4 be approved for the reasons outlined in Report PDD-29-2024;
  3. AND THAT the application is considered to be consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, conforms to the Haldimand County Official Plan, and has sufficient regard to matters of Provincial interest under the Planning Act, 1990;
  4. AND THAT the by-law attached to Report PDD-29-2024 be approved at a future Council meeting.
  CARRIED

G.

Motions of Consent

None.

H.

Departmental Staff Reports

1.

Community and Development Services

Councillor Lawrence, Chair of Community and Development Services, assumed the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

1.

PDD-28-2024 Conservation Authorities 2025 Municipal Levies

• Recommendation 2
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Mayor Bentley

  THAT Report PDD-28-2025 Conservation Authorities 2025 Municipal Levies be received.

  CARRIED

2.

PDD-30-2024 Servicing Allocation – 2024 Year End Update and Recommendations

S. VanDalen, Manager, Planning & Development provided an overview of the report.

• Recommendation 3
  Moved By: Mayor Bentley
  Seconded By: Councillor Shirton
  1. THAT Report PDD-30-2024 Servicing Allocation – 2024 Year End Update and Recommendations be received;
  2. AND THAT Haldimand County Water and Wastewater Treatment Capacities included as Attachment 1 to Report PDD-30-2024 be accepted as the basis for servicing allocation recommendations;
  3. AND THAT these proposals are deemed to be consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024, and other matters of provincial interest;
  4. AND THAT the Servicing Allocation proposals recommended in Attachment 2 to Report PDD-30-2024, deemed to conform to the Haldimand County Servicing Allocation Policy and By-law 1073/10, be approved.
  CARRIED

3.

CDP-15-2024 Heritage and Culture – Public Arts and Culture Strategy Development Update

A. Unyi, Supervisor, Heritage & Culture provided an overview of the report.

• Recommendation 4
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Mayor Bentley

  THAT Report CDP-15-2024 Heritage and Culture – Public Arts and Culture Strategy Development Update be received.

  CARRIED

4.

EDT-05-2024 Independent Electricity System Operation Long Term 2 Request for Proposal – Municipal Support Resolutions

Committee discussed the moratorium on wind turbines, citing multiple concerns regarding:

• The utility/efficiency of wind turbines in energy production;
• Potential negative health effects on nearby residents; 
• The use of agricultural lands for their construction; and
• The effect of wind turbines on aquifers.

Committee asked questions and received answers from staff regarding the restrictions on installation of ground mounted solar operations.

Committee referred the report back to staff to make updates regarding the continuation of the moratorium on wind turbines.

• Recommendation 5
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Mayor Bentley
  1. THAT Report EDT-05-2024 Independent Electricity System Operation Long Term 2 Request for Proposal  – Municipal Support Resolutions be received;
  2. 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;
  3. 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;
  4. AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer be authorized to execute the necessary agreements associated with the approved criteria;
  5. 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;
  6. AND THAT staff report back to Council outlining comprehensive principles and recommendations related to all community support contributions received;
  7. 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;
  8. AND THAT the Moratorium on Wind Farms, approved in 2013, be repealed.
• Amendment:
  Recommendation 6
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT Report EDT-05-2024 be referred to the December 16, 2024 Council meeting pending requested revisions from staff.

  CARRIED

5.

EMS-06-2024 Adoption of the Haldimand County Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan

• Recommendation 7
  Moved By: Mayor Bentley
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill
  1. THAT Report EMS-06-20244 Adoption of the Haldimand County Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan be received;
  2. AND THAT the by-law attached to Report EMS-06-2024 be approved at a future Council meeting;
  3. AND THAT the Annual Emergency Management Program Statement of Completion be signed by the Mayor and Community Emergency Management Coordinator, and be submitted to the Ontario Fire Marshal and Emergency Management.
  CARRIED

6.

Other Business

None.

2.

Public Works Operations

Mayor Bentley resumed the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

1.

Other Business

None.

3.

Engineering and Capital Works

Councillor Metcalfe, Chair of Engineering and Capital Works, assumed the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

1.

Other Business

None.

4.

Financial and Data Services

Councillor O'Neill, Chair of Financial and Data Services, assumed the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

1.

FIN-M06-2024 Tax Arrears Analysis and Collection Results on Properties Eligible for Tax Sale

​​This item was deferred for consideration until after the Closed Session portion of the meeting.

2.

Other Business

None.

5.

Corporate and Social Services

Councillor Shirton, Chair of Corporate and Social Services, assumed the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

1.

CSS-03-2024 Update on Voluntary Health Merger and Appointment of Council Member to Board of Health

Both Mayor Bentley and Councillor Metcalfe submitted their names for appointment.  Councillor Metcalfe withdrew his name from consideration.

• Recommendation 8
  Moved By: Mayor Bentley
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill
  1. THAT Report CSS-03-2024 Update on Voluntary Health Merger and Appointment of Council Member to the new Board of Health be received;
  2. AND THAT Mayor Bentley be appointed to the new Board of Health for Grand Erie Public Health, effective January 1, 2025.
  CARRIED

2.

LSS-05-2024 Road Closure and Conveyance of Lane Between Lot 5 and Lot 6, Selkirk

M. Lloyd, Property Coordinator, provided an overview of the report.

Committee asked questions and received answers from staff regarding the loss of public access to the waterfrontage.

• Recommendation 9
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Mayor Bentley
  1. THAT Report LSS-05-2024 Road Closure and Conveyance of Lane Between Lot 5 and Lot 6, Selkirk be received;
  2. AND THAT the subject lands, as shown in yellow hashmarks on Attachment #1 to LSS-05-2024 and legally described as PIN 38211-0350 (LT); Lane Between Lot 5 and Lot 6; Plan 8242 Except HC138556, Haldimand County, and PIN 38211-0349 (LT); Part Lane Between Lot 5 and Lot 6; Plan 8242 as in HC138556, Subject to Interest of the Municipality; Haldimand County, be stopped up, closed and declared surplus to all County needs;
  3. AND THAT the PINs, legally described above, be sold to the abutting landowner, 14898010 Canada Inc., for a purchase price of $11,000 plus HST plus costs of conveyance inclusive of Haldimand County’s legal fees;
  4. AND THAT public notice of the proposed closure and conveyance be given;
  5. AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute all necessary documents;
  6. AND THAT a by-law be passed to authorize the closure and conveyance at a future Council meeting.
  CARRIED

3.

LSS-18-2024 Provincial Offences – Outstanding Revenue and Collection Strategy Update

L. Friesen, Manager, Legal & Support Services provided an overview of the report.

T. Borland, Supervisor, Risk Management & Legal Services responded to questions from Committee regarding:

• Whether outstanding fines are attached to driver's licenses;
• The long term strategy for recovering outstanding collections;
• Guidelines regarding write-offs for older unpaid fines;
• Requests to break down of types of fines as related to revenue;
• Recoveries of funds from fines paid in other municipalities;
• Fines for overweight trucks on the Caledonia bridge; and
• Clarification regarding where fines are registered versus where the offence occurred.

• Recommendation 10
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Mayor Bentley
  1. THAT Report LSS-18-2024 Provincial Offences – Outstanding Revenue and Collection Strategy Update be received;
  2. AND THAT Council supports the go-forward collection strategy for outstanding fines, as outlined in Report LSS-18-2024;
  3. AND THAT Provincial Offences ticket statistics, updates and write-offs be included as an annual Council report to replace the ticket statistics that are currently provided monthly in the Council Information Package.
  CARRIED

4.

Other Business

None.

6.

Corporate Affairs

Mayor Bentley, Chair of Corporate Affairs, resumed the Chair for this portion of the meeting.

1.

CLE-17-2024 Haldimand O.P.P. Detachment Board Terms of Reference

• Recommendation 11
  Moved By: Councillor Lawrence
  Seconded By: Mayor Bentley
  1. THAT Report CLE-17-2024 Haldimand O.P.P. Detachment Board Terms of Reference be received;
  2. AND THAT the Terms of Reference, as attached to Report CLE-17-2024, be referred to the O.P.P. Detachment Board for further review and to seek input from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on shared costs regarding professional development.
  CARRIED

2.

CLE-20-2024 Council Appointments as of December 16, 2024

• Recommendation 12
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill
  1. THAT Report CLE-20-2024 Council Appointments as of December 16, 2024 be received;
  2. AND THAT Councillor Shirton be appointed Deputy Mayor from the period of December 16, 2024 to November 14, 2025;
  3. AND THAT the following temporary appointments for Chairs and Vice Chairs for the following Business Divisions of Council in Committee for Haldimand County be made for the period from December 16, 2024 to the following Council meeting after the two vacant Council seats have been filled:
     • Public Meeting for Planning Applications:
       • Chair Councillor O'Neill
     • Public Works:
       • Chair Councillor Shirton
       • Vice-Chair Councillor Lawrence
     • Financial & Data Services:
       • Vice-Chair Councillor Lawrence
  4. AND THAT the by-law attached to Report CLE-20-2024 to appoint the Deputy Mayor be approved at a future Council meeting.
  CARRIED

3.

CLE-M02-2024 Annual Policing Report

• Recommendation 13
  Moved By: Councillor Lawrence
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill

  THAT Memorandum CLE-M02-2024 Annual Policing Report be received.

  CARRIED

4.

Other Business

None.

Mayor Bentley called a recess at 10:45 a.m.

Committee resumed at 11:00 a.m.

F.

Presentations and Consideration of Related Reports (11 a.m.)

1.

CDP-18-2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy – Presentation of Final Report and Draft Recommendations

Steve Langlois, Principal Planner, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants provided an overview of the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy.

Mayor Bentley called a recess at 11:02 a.m. Committee resumed at 11:05 a.m.

Committee asked questions and received answers from the consultant regarding:

• The issues surrounding the construction and maintenance of indoor pool facilities; and
• Survey results in Dunnville regarding indoor pool use and associated costs.

Committee asked questions and received answers from staff regarding the financial impacts of the construction of an indoor pool, and which funds may be used for construction.

K. Schmitz, Manager, Community & Development Services clarified the rationale behind the report, and what next steps would be necessary to proceed with future construction projects.

Committee requested that staff update the recommendation to ensure it did not preclude investigation into the construction of an indoor pool, and that the item be deferred to later in the meeting to allow staff time to make the requested changes.  

• Recommendation 14
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence
  1. THAT Report CDP-18-2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy – Presentation of Final Report and Draft Recommendations be received;
  2. AND THAT the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy, attached to Report CDP-18-2024, be approved;
  3. AND THAT the recommendations associated with implementation and next steps, as outlined in Report CDP-18-2024, be approved.
• Amendment:
  Recommendation 15
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT consideration of Report CDP-18-2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy – Presentation of Final Report and Draft Recommendations be deferred until after the next presentation.

  CARRIED

2.

FCA-02-2024 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan Update

Noel Cheeseman, Director, Strategic Energy Solution, Jupiter Energy Advisors Inc. was present virtually and provided an overview of the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan.

Committee asked questions and received answers from the consultant regarding:

• The impact of the recent US election on the plan; and 
• Funding sources for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Staff responded to questions from Committee regarding whether these recommendations were included in planning for the new Hagersville Active Living Centre.

Mayor Bentley called a recess at 12:24 p.m. Committee reconvened at 12:54 p.m.

• Recommendation 16
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Shirton
  1. THAT Report FCA-02-2024 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan Update be received;
  2. AND THAT the proposed Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan for Haldimand County, attached to Report FCA-02-2024, be approved as required by O. Reg. 25/23: Broader Public Sector: Energy Reporting and Conservation and Demand Management Plans.
  CARRIED

I.

Delegations and Consideration of Related Reports (1 p.m.)

Mayor Bentley called a recess at recess at 12:59 p.m. 

Committee reconvened at 1:01 p.m.

1.

CLE-19-2024 Options to Fill Vacant Ward 1 and 4 Council Seats

C. Curtis, Municipal Clerk, provided an overview of the report, legislated timelines, and options to fill the vacancies.

Committee asked questions and received answers from staff regarding the possibility of shortening the timelines for a by-election, and the number, timing and locations of polling locations

• Recommendation 17
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence
  1. THAT Report CLE-19-2024 Options to Fill Vacant Ward 1 and 4 Council Seats be received;
  2. AND THAT Council selects Option ___ to fill the Ward 1 and Ward 4 Council vacancies;
  3. AND THAT, if selected, the operating costs related to Option 1 be included in the Tax Supported Operating Budget as a Council Approved Initiative.
  CARRIED
• Amendment:
  Recommendation 18
  Moved By: Councillor Metcalfe
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence

  THAT clause 2 be amended to read:

  "AND THAT Council selects Option 1 to fill the Ward 1 and Ward 4 Council vacancies;"

  CARRIED
• Recommendation Clean Version
  1. THAT Report CLE-19-2024 Options to Fill Vacant Ward 1 and 4 Council Seats be received;
  2. AND THAT Council selects Option 1 to fill the Ward 1 and Ward 4 Council vacancies;
  3. AND THAT, if selected, the operating costs related to Option 1 be included in the Tax Supported Operating Budget as a Council Approved Initiative.

1.

Darline Kinnear

D. Kinnear spoke in support of holding a by-election to fill Ward 1 and Ward 4 Council vacancies.

F.

Presentations and Consideration of Related Reports (11 a.m.)

3.

CDP-18-2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy – Presentation of Final Report and Draft Recommendations (Continued)

• Recommendation 14
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence
  1. THAT Report CDP-18-2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy – Presentation of Final Report and Draft Recommendations be received;
  2. AND THAT the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy, attached to Report CDP-18-2024, be approved;
  3. AND THAT the recommendations associated with implementation and next steps, as outlined in Report CDP-18-2024, be approved.
  CARRIED
• Amendment:
  Recommendation 19
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT the Recommendation 14 be amended to include an additional clause:

  "AND THAT the feasibility of an additional indoor aquatics centre be reviewed as part of the Comprehensive Long-Term Financial Strategy that is to be completed in 2026."

  CARRIED
• Recommendation Clean Version
  1. THAT Report CDP-18-2024 Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy – Presentation of Final Report and Draft Recommendations be received;
  2. AND THAT the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy, attached to Report CDP-18-2024, be approved;
  3. AND THAT the recommendations associated with implementation and next steps, as outlined in Report CDP-18-2024, be approved;
  4. AND THAT the feasibility of an additional indoor aquatics centre be reviewed as part of the Comprehensive Long-Term Financial Strategy that is to be completed in 2026.

J.

Unfinished Business

None.

K.

New Business

Mayor Bentley provided notice of a draft motion Re: Support for the Development of Nuclear Energy in the Nanticoke Industrial Area, to be considered at December 16, 2024 Council meeting.

L.

Reports, Inquiries, Announcements and Concerns of Councillors

The following items were highlighted:

• Christmas events in Dunnville on December 7;
• Cayuga Light-Up Night on December 6;
• Dunnville Senior Aeros game at the Dunnville arena to raise funds for charities on December 14; and
• Jarvis Light-Up Night on December 14.

M.

Closed Session

• Recommendation 20
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Metcalfe

  THAT pursuant to Section 239 (2)(c) of the Municipal Act, as amended, Council convene in a meeting at 1:51 p.m. closed to the public, to discuss:

  CARRIED
• Recommendation 21
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence

  THAT this closed meeting now adjourn at 2:02 p.m. and reconvene in open session.

  CARRIED

1.

Memorandum FIN-M07-2024 of the General Manager, Financial & Data Services with respect to Addendum to Memorandum FIN-M06-2024 Tax Arrears Analysis and Collection Results on Properties Eligible for Tax Sale

N.

Motions Arising from Closed Session

• Recommendation 22
  Moved By: Councillor O'Neill
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence
  1. THAT Report FIN-M06-2024 Tax Arrears Analysis and Collection Results on Properties Eligible for Tax Sale be received;
  2. AND THAT Memorandum FIN-M07-2024 Addendum to Memorandum FIN-M06-2024 Tax Arrears Analysis and Collection Results on Properties Eligible for Tax Sale be received and remain confidential.
  CARRIED

O.

Motion of Receipt

• Recommendation 23
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor O'Neill

  THAT the delegation from Darline Kinnear Re: Report CLE-19-2024 Options to Fill Vacant Ward 1 and 4 Council Seats be received.

  CARRIED

P.

Adjournment

• Recommendation 24
  Moved By: Councillor Shirton
  Seconded By: Councillor Lawrence

  THAT this meeting is now adjourned at 2:06 p.m.

  CARRIED