Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

Regular Council Session

Minutes

-
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:
  • Trisha McKibbin, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Jennifer Pereira, Deputy Clerk/Lottery Licensing Officer (Recorder)
  • Melonie Carson, Deputy Clerk/Records Management Coordinator (Recorder)
  • Bill Dakin, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
  • Rob Lilbourne, Director of Community Services
  • Doug Payne, Director of Human Resources
  • Tim Williams, Planner
  • Mark Ortiz, Director of Engineering & Public Works
Others Present:
  • Janie Vafiades

    Dave Page

    Pam Page

    Kim Cornell

    Brian Adams

    Hazel Cole

    Shirley Woodburn

    Devon Posthumus

    Heidi Drennan

    Gwen Lamoureux

    Valerie Townsley, Lower Thames Valley CA

    Mark Peacock, Lower Thames Valley CA

    June Wilton

    Agnes Minielly

    Jim Banman

    Laura VanDyk

    Nancy Koprowski

    Brad Richards

    Jim Burr

    Gary Appeldoorn

    Tony Kustermans


The Clerk has confirmed Council attendance.

Meeting began at 6:09 p.m. and due to technical difficulties the meeting was not recorded or live streamed.

  • Moved byMayor Grantham
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the agenda be amended to move the Presentation Items after the Public Meetings.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the September 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be approved as amended.

    Carried

Councillor Derbyshire declared a pecuniary interest on Item 10.4.1- Cobban Drain as it pertains to his property.

Mark Peacock, CAO of the Lower Thames Conservation Authority made a presentation to Council on the Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy.

  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: the presentation from the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority regarding the draft Preliminary Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy be received for information.

    Carried

Councillor Willsie presents the 2024 Updates on Strathroy-Caradoc Housing Corporation. He is seeking for Council direction on the loan repayments.

Councillor Derbyshire has some concerns regarding the request for consent as it was legal advice. 

Councillor Kennes wonders if Council could look at the option for the Municipality to take over the Housing Corporation.

Councillor Willsie indicates that direction is needed from Council on how SCHC will deal with the shortfall.

Councillor Brennan wonders if this should be delayed until there is more information on the amount of HST that will be issued and perhaps some consultation with the Director of Finance.

  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: the Strathroy-Caradoc Housing Corporation 2024 Council Update and Budget Update be received for information. 

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc consents to the use of the term "housing" in the registered name of the Strathroy-Caradoc Housing Corporation, and further;

    THAT: Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Consent document.

    Tabled
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council defer the consent to the next meeting on October 7, 2024.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: the Public Meeting is to consider an application for Zoning By-law Amendment and redline revision of Plan of Subdivision for the subject lands located at part of lot 17 Concession 2 South, Mt Brydges be hereby opened.

    Carried

Tim Williams, Manager of Planning presented a report on the Draft Plan of Subdivision and Rezoning Applications for Sifton Properties. The purpose of the subject information report is to provide Council and the public background information on the major redline of the draft plan of subdivision and zoning application to accompany the scheduled public meeting at the September 16, 2024 Council Meeting. The public meeting seeks to collect comments from the public and Council.  The proposal may then be amended, or additional information provide to address comments before a planning evaluation report is presented to Council. The subject lands are approximately 20.69 ha (51.13 ac) in size and are located at the northeast corner of Rougham Road and Parkhouse Drive within the Settlement Area of Mt. Brydges. 

The purpose of the subject redline revision to the subdivision and zoning by-law amendment applications are to facilitate the development of a subdivision containing 96 single detached lots, 4 townhouse blocks (with 97 units) and 1 apartment building block (with 37 dwelling units) for a total of 230 dwellings. The redline revision also proposed to remove the stormwater management pond from the plan and have it managed on the adjacent property. 

The intent of the subject report is to provide Council and the public with information regarding the proposed development, the relevant policies and regulatory context, and to summarize comments received by the public and agencies to date.

A subsequent report will be provided and will include a full policy analysis and responses to comments received related to the zoning by-law amendment application, as well as provide recommendations for Council’s consideration. The Zoning By-law amendment application will receive final consideration by Strathroy-Caradoc Council at same a future council meeting. The Redline Revision of the Draft Plan of Subdivision will receive a decision by Strathroy-Caradoc Council which will be forwarded to County Council for a final decision.

Devon Posthumus, Applicant spoke in support of the application.

Jim Banman, Resident has concerns with dewatering. He has concerns that the property will be impacted, and the construction will have impacts on water. He is requesting that he be involved in the planning process and opposes the by-law amendment change.

Brian Adams, Resident of 8594 Parkhouse Drive expresses concerns with any development being done as it will affect the quality of his property and resale value. He would like to be informed of any progress.

Laura VanDyk, Resident of 8551 Parkhouse Drive has concerns with it being placed beside environmentally protected land as well as putting an apartment block would increase the density of the area. She expresses concerns with the increase to traffic and the lack of sidewalks. She also adds that this location would not be close to any amenities or schools. She has also witnessed turtles who reside in that location and has concerns the construction will have effects on the wildlife. 

Councilor Willsie wonders about the stormwater going into the environmentally protected area, he expresses his concerns with the traffic pattern and indicates the design and traffic flow will have to be reviewed to make it better for the residents.

Councillor Derbyshire wonders about the stormwater management pond that they have requested to be removed and if this is the only pond. Manager of Planning, Tim Williams indicates that the water is coming from the East and runs through the Westdell property.

Councillor Pelkman shares that there is still work to be done on these lands. 

Mayor Grantham also has concerns with traffic and wonders if the property from Goldleaf will also feed into this stormwater management. Manager of Planning, Tim Williams incubates that it would not.

  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the Public Meeting is to consider an application for Zoning By-law Amendment and redline revision of Plan of Subdivision for the subject lands located at part of lot 17 Concession 2 South, Mt Brydges be hereby closed.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive report BBP-2024-106 for Redline of Draft Plan of Subdivision 39T-SC1901 and ZBA 8-2024 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Willsie

    THAT: the Public Meeting is to consider an application for a Zoning By-law Amendment for the property located at 8824 Falconbridge Dr, Mt Brydges hereby opened.

    Carried

Tim Williams, Manager of Planning presented a report on the Application for Rezoning By-law Amendment for the property at 8824 Falconbridge Drive. 

 The consent application proposed the severance of a dwelling surplus to a farm operation as a result of a farm consolidation. The application was conditionally approved by the Committee of Adjustment on November 3, 2022. The subject zone change application proposes to re-zone the ‘lands to be severed’ to a site-specific ‘Agricultural Small Holdings (A2-39) Zone’ and to re-zone the ‘lands to be retained’ to a site-specific ‘Agricultural Purposes Only (A3-11) Zone’ in order to satisfy one of the consent conditions. The lands within the ‘Environmental Protection (EP) Zone’ are not proposed to be changed. The subject lands comprise approximately 49.23 ha (121.65 ac) of agricultural land located on the north side of Falconbridge Drive between Adelaide Road and Springwell Road in the former Township of Caradoc. Surrounding land uses are predominately agricultural and rural residential in nature. The severed lands, being the residential lot, are approximately 0.43 ha (1.1 ac) in size and contain a single detached dwelling on private services. Access to the dwelling is via a newly constructed driveway off Falconbridge Drive. The retained lands also contain a provincially significant wetland and area regulated by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. Staff are supportive of the proposed rezoning as it is considered to be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement; conforms to the Official Plans of both the County of Middlesex and the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc; and represents sound land use planning.

 

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: the Public Meeting is to consider an application for a Zoning By-law Amendment for the property located at 8824 Falconbridge Dr, Mt Brydges hereby closed.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Willsie
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: Council receive report BBP-2024-107 Application for Zoning By-law Amendment - 8824 Falconbridge Drive for information, and further;

    THAT: Zoning By-law Amendment Application ZBA 11-2024 be approved.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: the meeting minutes of September 3, 2024  be approved as written.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council receive report EPW-2024-68 Kovacs Drain Branches 2024 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: Council adopt the Engineers Report for the Kovacs Drain Branches 2024, and give first and second reading to provisional By-law No. 87-24 for the project.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council receive the communication items for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Derbyshire

    THAT: staff be directed to make changes to the Payment Listing Report.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council approve the Temporary Noise Exemption Request for Trout Haven Park.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Derbyshire
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council approve the Temporary Noise Exemption Request for the Melbourne Tractor Pull.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Willsie
    Seconded byCouncillor Derbyshire

    THAT: Staff be directed to make multiple reports per department to make it easier to read.

    Carried

Mayor Grantham vacated the Chair in order to present his Notice of Motion at 7:53 p.m.

Councillor Brennan wonders what a new building condition report would cost and can the 2019 report be used with the adjustments for inflation. 

Councillor Pelkman comments that the previous Council did not close the Seniors Centre, the Seniors Centre Board closed to the lack of programming and consistency of availability.

Councilor Derbyshire feels that the parking lot on the left of the Seniors Centre should stay as it is crucial to our downtown parking.

Councillor Kennes indicates that he received a petition from the Seniors in the community and it has been submitted to Clerk. He feels that it is important to look at alternatives and agrees that the downtown parking is needed.

Mayor Grantham withdrew his notice of motion.

  • Moved byMayor Grantham
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council ask staff to bring a report back to the second meeting in October with an efficient, timely and effective way of having a building assessment completed on 137 Frank Street.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council receive report FIN-2024-16 Section 357 Application for 114 Albert Street, Strathroy, for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: the application for Thames Valley Children’s Centre’s leased space at 114 Albert Street, Strathroy, be approved for processing for a -$2,115.27 credit to the tax account.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive Report FIN-2024-18 - Q2 Financial Update for Information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Willsie
    Seconded byCouncillor Derbyshire

    THAT: Council direct Staff to update the Finance Status Report with proposed net transactions listed in the budget as we know at that time.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: Report BBP-2024-105 regarding PLC 2-2024 be received by Council for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council pass By-law No. 88-24 regarding Part Lot Control Exemption with respect to the subject lands Parts 1 and 2 on plan 33R-21893, Strathroy, as generally illustrated in Attachment 2, and to expire two (2) years following passing by Council, and further;

    THAT: the By-law be forwarded to the County of Middlesex for approval.  

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council receive Report BBP-2024-108 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council approve the Proposed Street Name List.  

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council receive report CS-2024-36 Advertising Agreement – Jr. B Rockets for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council approve an advertising agreement with the Strathroy Jr. B Rockets for a 3-year term, and further;

    THAT: Council forward By-law No. 92-24 authorizing an advertising agreement with the Strathroy Jr. B. Rockets to the Consideration of By-laws section of the agenda for approval.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Willsie
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Report CS-2024-37 Gemini HVAC 2 Replacement Award be received for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council approve the awarding of the HVAC 2 Replacement to Air Design Services of London, ON for the value of $33,197.25 including HST.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Report CS-2024-38 Backstop Replacement Tender – Jays Care Foundation Award be received for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council approve the awarding of the Backstop Replacement Tender to Simpson Fence of London, ON for the value of $60,512.59 plus HST.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: Council receive report EPW-2024-65 Tender Award – Municipal Drain Maintenance – Cobban Drain Branch 1 1994 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council award the Cobban Drain Branch 1 1994 drain maintenance tender to H.E. Construction Inc. in the amount of $20,746.60 excluding HST.   

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive report EPW-2044-66 Tender Award – Municipal Drain Maintenance – Pierce-Pettit Drain 198 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council award the Pierce–Pettit Drain 1981 drain maintenance tender to H.E. Construction Inc. in the amount of $28,271.40 excluding HST.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council receive report EPW-2024-67 Tender Award – Municipal Drain Maintenance – Parker Drain 1988 and Parker Drain 2006 Main Drain and Branch A Open Portion for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council award the Parker Drain 1998 and Parker Drain 2006 Main Drain and Branch A Open Portion drain maintenance tender to H.E. Construction Inc. of Thamesville, Ontario in the amount of $25,268.10 excluding HST.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council receive report EPW-2024-71 Beech Street – Engineering Services Award for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council award the Engineering Services to BM Ross and Associates Limited in the amount of $69,516 excluding HST, and further;

    THAT: Council approve $12,500 for Hydrogeological Investigation and Permit to Take Water application, and further;

    THAT: Council approve $10,000 for HST and Contingency Allowance, and further;

    THAT: the additional $18,250 required for the project come from the Future needs Reserve.

    Carried

Councillor Pelkman attended the Water and Wastewater Public Meeting and was pleased with the great information.

Councilor Derbyshire and Deputy Mayor McGuire welcomes the new Director of Engineering, Mark Ortiz to the Municipal Team.

Mayor Grantham addresses the Fleabane weeds. He indicates that we need to figure out a solution as these weeds effect our agriculture. He adds that perhaps this be referred to the County to be claimed as a noxious weed.

  • Special Council Meeting (Service Delivery Review) - Tuesday, October 1 @ 5:00 p.m. - Council Chamber/Hybrid
  • Regular Council Meeting - Monday, October 7 @ 6:00 p.m. - Council Chamber/Hybrid
  • Regular Council Meeting - Monday, October 21 @ 6:00 p.m. - Council Chamber/Hybrid
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council recess for 10 minutes. 

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    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 3, 2024);
    • 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 (OLT Appeal of Refusal of ZBA 09-2024 for 22226 Adelaide Road).
    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Closed Session adjourn at 9:48 p.m. and Open Session resume.

    Carried

Mayor Grantham reports 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 3, 2024);
  • 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 (OLT Appeal of Refusal of ZBA 09-2024 for 22226 Adelaide Road).
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: the direction in Closed Session be approved.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: By-law No. 87-24 receive first and second reading only.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: By-law No. 88-24, By-law No. 91-24, By-law No. 92-24, By-law No. 93-24 and By-law No. 94-24 receive first, second and third and final reading.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: the September 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting adjourn at 9:51 p.m.

    Carried
No Item Selected