Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

Regular Council Session

Minutes

Monday, October 06, 2025

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

Hybrid Meeting (Council Chamber and Virtual)

Strathroy-Caradoc Municipal Office

52 Frank Street, Strathroy, Ontario

Present:

• Mayor Colin Grantham
• Deputy Mayor Mike McGuire
• Councillor John Brennan
• Councillor Frank Kennes
• Councillor Steve Pelkman
• Councillor Donna Pammer
• Councillor Sandi Hipple
• Councillor Greg Willsie
• Councillor Brian Derbyshire

Also Present:

• Rob Browning, Chief Administrative Officer
• Bill Dakin, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
• Rob Lilbourne, Director of Community & Development Services
• Doug Payne, Director of Human Resources
• Mark Ortiz, Director of Engineering & Public Works
• Steve Beasley, Director of Fire Services/Fire Chief
• Tim Williams, Manager of Planning, County of Middlesex
• Jennifer Pereira, Director of Legal & Legislative Services/Clerk
• Melonie Carson, Deputy Clerk/Records Management Coordinator (Recorder)

Others Present:

• Jake DeRidder, Manager of Growth and Development

  Paul Shipway, Middlesex County CAO

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1.

Roll Call

Mayor Grantham confirmed Council attendance noting that all members were present.

2.

Call to Order/Approve Agenda

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the October 6, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be approved as amended to add an explanation of the cheque run of September 23rd after In-Camera.

  Carried

3.

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor Pammer declared a pecuniary interest on Item 9.2.1 - Soft Drink Vending Proposal as Ricco Foods is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

4.

Delegations, Community Presentations and Petitions

4.1

Middlesex County Local Council Update 2025

Middlesex County CAO Paul Shipway was present to speak to the Middlesex County Local Council Update 2025.

4.2

1st Strathroy Scouts and 1st Mount Brydges Scouts

Strathroy Scouts and Mount Brydges Scouts were in attendance to speak and provide a brief presentation and promote Apple Day which is taking place on October 17-18, 2025. Apples were presented to members of Council, with the opportunity to make a donation.

5.

Public Meeting

5.1

Public Meeting No. 1

5.1.1

Motion to open the public meeting

• Moved by Councillor Willsie
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: the public meeting to consider an application for Zoning By-law Amendment for the property located at 25 Head Street, Strathroy, be hereby opened.

  Carried

5.1.2

Report to be presented by the Planner, BBP-2025-90

Tim Williams, Manager of Planning, County of Middlesex, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

5.1.3

Comments and inquiries by the public for the proposed rezoning

The following members of the public spoke: William Aryus

5.1.4

Comments and questions from Members of Council

The following Council Members spoke: Councillor Brennan, Councillor Pelkman, Councillor Willsie

5.1.5

Motion to close the public meeting

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the public meeting to consider an application for Zoning By-law Amendment for the property located at 25 Head Street, Strathroy, be hereby closed.

  Carried

5.1.6

Decision/Resolution

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Report BBP-2025-90 regarding rezoning application ZBA 15-2024 for 25 Head Street, Strathroy, be received for information.

  Carried

6.

Approval of Minutes

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes – September 15, 2025

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the Regular Council Meeting minutes of September 15, 2025 be approved as written.

  Carried

7.

Consent Agenda

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: Consent Agenda Items 7.1.3, 7.3.1, 7.3.2 and 7.3.3 be received for information.

  Carried

7.1

Communications

7.1.1

Woods Edge Subdivision - Stormwater Management Ponds

7.1.2

Bluewater Recycling Association - Q3 Board of Directors Meeting Highlights

7.1.3

Middlesex-London Board of Health Meeting Summary - September 18, 2025

7.2

Reports from Departments

7.2.1

Operation of Electric Kick Scooters - EPW-2025-49

• Moved by Councillor Pammer
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Council direct staff to work together with Strathroy-Caradoc Police and Middlesex County to develop a draft by-law that will align with requirements of the Ontario electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters) pilot program.

  Carried
• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: Council ask staff to search for any prior motion in regards to the use of e-kick scooters in the municipality and report back to Council.

  Carried

7.3

Reports from Boards and Committees

7.3.1

Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) Meeting Minutes - June 10, 2025

7.3.2

Tri -Township Arena Board Meeting Minutes - August 14, 2025

7.3.3

Museum Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - June 24, 2025

8.

Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Consent Agenda)

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Consent Agenda Items 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 be received for information.

  Carried

9.

Reports from Departments

9.1

Building and Planning

9.1.1

Application for Zoning By-law Amendment 494 Darcy Drive, Strathroy Justin Tadgell c/o Zelinka Priamo Ltd. - BBP-2025-91

Tim Williams, Manager of Planning, County of Middlesex, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Hipple

  THAT: Zoning By-law Amendment application ZBA 11-2025 be approved, and further;
  
  THAT: By-law No. 110-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws Section of the Agenda for consideration and approval.

  Carried

9.1.2

Applications for Official Plan Amendment (OPA 2-2024) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA 4-2024) - 101 Hull Road and 6 Locke Heights - BBP-2025-92

Tim Williams, Manager of Planning, County of Middlesex, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

• Moved by Councillor Willsie
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: Report BBP-2025-92 be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Willsie
  Seconded by Councillor Pammer

  THAT: Council ask staff to look into and report back to Council on the possibility of converting Hull Road and an adjacent parallel road, either Kittridge Ave East, or Pannell Lane, into opposite-direction one-way streets to create a loop and alleviate some of the traffic concerns associated with the current and future traffic volume on Hull Road with 2-way traffic.

  Carried
• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Amendment No. 22 to the Official Plan of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (Application OPA 2-2024) which would amend the natural hazard boundary line for the lands municipally known as 101 Hull Road in Strathroy be adopted and forwarded to the County of Middlesex for consideration and approval, and further;
  
  THAT: the rezoning application, ZBA 4-2024 which would rezone the lands municipally known as 101 Hull Road, Strathroy from ‘Low Density Residential (R1) zone’ to site specific ‘High Density (R3-28) zone’ as amended by staff, be approved, and further;
  
  THAT: By-law No. 108-25 and By-law No. 109-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws Section of the Agenda.

  Carried

9.1.3

Plan of Subdivision Extension – 39T-1901 Sifton Properties Limited (Mt. Brydges - BBP-2025-93

Tim Williams, Manager of Planning, County of Middlesex, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the County of Middlesex be forwarded notice that the Council of Strathroy-Caradoc recommends approval of a three-year extension of the draft plan of subdivision for 39T-SC1901.

  Carried

9.1.4

Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - Development Charge Reduction Policy - BBP-2025-99

Jake DeRidder, Manager of Growth and Development, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Council approves the Development Charge Reduction Policy, and further;
   
  THAT: By-law No. 112-25 Development Charge Reduction Policy be referred to the By-law section of the Agenda for approval.

  Loss
• Moved by Councillor Pammer
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Council ask staff to come back with the addition in the eligibility criteria of something that would promote affordable or attainable housing.

  Carried
• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: Council ask staff to return with a document that pulls together initiatives 1 through 7 showing the timelines and with that, bring the same recommendations back. 

  Carried

9.1.5

Declare Surplus Lands – 273 Frances Street - BBP-2025-100

Jake DeRidder, Manager of Growth and Development, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Pammer

  THAT: By-law No. 96-25 - Declare Surplus Lands 273 Frances St be referred to the By-law section of the Agenda for approval, and further;
  
  THAT: Staff come back with options to proceed for sale.

  Carried

9.2

Community Services

9.2.1

Soft Drink Vending Proposal - CS-2025-49

Councillor Pammer declared a pecuniary interest on this item and left the meeting.

Rob Lilbourne, Director of Community and Development Services, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

• Moved by Councillor Pelkman
  Seconded by Councillor Hipple

  THAT: Council direct staff, in accordance with Schedule B, Item 12 of the Municipality’s Purchasing Policy, to enter into negotiations with the Ricco Foods regarding the provision of soft drink vending services in municipal recreation facilities, and further;
  
  THAT: staff return to Council with a proposed agreement for Council’s review and approval.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Pelkman
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: Council take a recess at 8:48 p.m.

  Carried

9.3

Economic Development

9.3.1

Municipal Communications Policy Update - ED-2025-10

The meeting resumed at 8:57 p.m.

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Council review the updated Municipal Communications Policy and provide written feedback to the Director of Economic Development and Communication by October 17, 2025, and further;
  
  THAT: the Municipal Communications Policy Update will be presented to Council at the November 3, 2025 Council Meeting.

  Carried

9.3.2

Municipal Branding Guidelines Update - ED-2025-11

• Moved by Councillor Pelkman
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Council review report and provide written feedback to the Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement by October 17,2025, and further;
  
  THAT: The Municipal Branding Guideline will be presented to Council at the November 3, 2025 Council meeting.

  Carried

10.

County Council Report

10.1

Middlesex County Highlights - September 9, 2025

10.2

Middlesex County Highlights - September 23, 2025

11.

Announcements and Inquiries by Members

12.

In Camera

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Hipple

  THAT:  Council move into closed session at 9:09 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the following:

  • One item in accordance with Council's Procedure By-law (to approve In-Camera Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2025);
  • One item pursuant to Section 239(2)(e) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, regarding litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (Insurance Claim);
  • One item pursuant to Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees (CAO Compensation).
  Carried

13.

Open Session Resume

Open Session resumed at 9:56 p.m.

14.

Report on Closed Session

Mayor Grantham reported that Council moved into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing the following:

• One item in accordance with Council's Procedure By-law (to approve In-Camera Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2025) (the meeting minutes were approved);
• One item pursuant to Section 239(2)(e) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, regarding litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board (Insurance Claim) (Council received a staff report and direction was given to staff);
• One item pursuant to Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees (CAO Compensation) (Council received a staff report and direction was given to staff).

Director Payne provided an update on the September cheque roll, noting that the accommodation for the housing allowance for the CAO which was reviewed and the cheque run which was showed in the last Council meeting is being paid directly to the Strathroy-Caradoc Housing in the amount of $2125 and the housing allowance per the CAO's contract is not being paid no longer given that the municipality is paying directly to Strathroy-Caradoc Housing. The municipality is covering the additional $125 as discussed in Council. 
Mayor Grantham noted that in regards to the $125, that was a decision that was made by himself, and in retrospect should have came to Council and sought approval and apologizes for the error of judgement.

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: the direction in Closed Session be approved.

  Carried

15.

Consideration of By-laws

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: By-law No. 96-25, By-law No. 108-25, By-law No. 109-25, By-law No. 110-25, By-law No. 111-25, By-law No. 113-25 and By-law No. 115-25 receive first, second and third and final reading.

  Carried

15.1

By-law No. 96-25

A by-law to declare the property known as 273 Frances Street to be surplus to the needs of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.

15.2

By-law No. 108-25

A by-law to adopt Amendment No. 22 to the Official Plan of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (101 Hull Road and 6 Locke Heights).

15.3

By-law No. 109-25

A by-law to amend By-law No. 43-08, being the Comprehensive Zoning By-law of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (101 Hull Road and 6 Locke Heights).

15.4

By-law No. 110-25

A by-law to amend By-law No. 43-08, being the Comprehensive Zoning By-law of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (494 Darcy Drive).

15.5

By-law No. 111-25

A by-law to authorize the execution of an agreement with The County of Middlesex (Middlesex Supports Program).

15.6

By-law No. 112-25

By-law was not approved.

15.7

By-law No. 113-25

A by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.

15.8

By-law No. 115-25

A by-law to appoint a Building Inspector for the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.

16.

Schedule of Meetings

• Regular Council Meeting - Monday, October 20, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber/Hybrid)
• Regular Council Meeting - Monday, November 3, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber/Hybrid)
• Regular Council Meeting - Monday, November 17, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber/Hybrid)

16.1

Schedule of 2026 Regular Council Meetings

• Moved by Councillor Hipple
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the 2026 schedule of Regular Council Meetings be approved.

  Carried

17.

Adjournment

• Moved by Councillor Pelkman
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: the October 6, 2025 Regular Council Meeting adjourn at 9:59 p.m.

  Carried