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:
  • Rob Browning, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Bill Dakin, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
  • Mark Ortiz, Director of Engineering & Public Works
  • Brad Bigrigg, 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)
  • Heather Lalonde, Director of Economic Development & Community Engagement
Others Present:

  • Jake DeRidder, Senior Development Coordinator

1.
Roll Call

 

Mayor Grantham confirmed Council attendance noting that Councillor Pelkman was attending virtually.

2.
Call to Order/Approve Agenda

 
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: the June 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be approved as amended to remove By-law No. 68-25 and By-law No. 69-25.

    Carried

3.
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

 

Councillor Donna Pammer declared a pecuniary interest on Item 11.1.1 - Application for Zoning By-law Amendment for 450 Head Street, as the property owner is a member of the Strathroy District Chamber of which she is employed.

4.
Presentations/Delegations/Petitions

 

4.1
Derek Carter, Resident

 

Derek Carter, Resident, was present to speak to the road conditions on Beech Street.

5.
Public Meeting

 

5.1
Public Meeting No. 1

 

5.1.1
Motion to open the public meeting

 
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the public meeting to consider an application for Temporary Zoning Extension By-law Amendment for the property located at 311 Ellor Street, Strathroy, ON be hereby opened.

    Carried

5.1.2
Report to be presented by the Planner, BBP-2025-48

This item has attachments. 
1.ZBA9-2025 311 Ellor Street Planning Evaluation Report .pdf
2.ZBA9-2025 311 Ellor St_Application_Redacted.pdf
3.Site Plan 311 Ellor Street ,Strathroy ,ON, N7G2L5_cp_17592359570836.pdf

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

 

None.

5.1.4
Comments and questions from Members of Council

 

The following Members of Council spoke: Councillor Kennes, Deputy Mayor McGuire, Councillor Derbyshire and Councillor Willsie

  • Moved byCouncillor Derbyshire
    Seconded byCouncillor Willsie

    THAT: this agreement terminates with the sale of either property.

    Carried

5.1.5
Motion to close the public meeting

 
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the public meeting to consider an application for Temporary Zoning Extension By-law Amendment for the property located at 311 Ellor Street, Strathroy, ON be hereby closed.

    Carried

5.1.6
Decision/Resolution

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Report BBP-2025-48 regarding rezoning application ZBA 9-2025 for 311 Ellor Street, Strathroy, be received for information, and further;

    THAT: Application ZBA 9-2025 temporary rezoning be approved, and further;

    THAT: Staff be directed to bring forward a temporary use agreement and Temporary Use Zoning By-law Amendment.

    Carried

6.
Approval of Minutes

 

6.1
Regular Council Meeting Minutes – May 20, 2025

This item has attachments. 
1.Post-Meeting Minutes - CM_May20_2025 - English.pdf
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the Regular Council Meeting minutes of May 20, 2025 be approved as written.

    Carried

7.
Consent Items

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Derbyshire

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

    Carried

7.1
Communications

 

7.2
Reports from Departments

 

7.3
Reports from Boards and Committees

 

8.
Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Consent Agenda)

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Derbyshire
    Seconded byMayor Grantham

    THAT: Council support the Chatham-Kent Resolution for opposition of this section of Bill 5.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council receive Item 7.1.2 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council receive Item 7.2.1 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Willsie

    THAT: Council receive Item 7.2.2 for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council receive Item 7.2.3 for information.

    Carried

9.
Notice of Motion

 

9.1
Mayor Colin Grantham

 
  • Moved byMayor Grantham
    Seconded byCouncillor Pammer

    THAT: staff be directed to complete a land needs analysis for a Municipal Complex in Mount Brydges, such complex to include but not limited to a future arena and firehall.

    Carried

9.2
Councillor Brian Derbyshire

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Derbyshire
    Seconded byCouncillor Willsie

    THAT: based on the change in leadership at Fire Services, Council dissolve the Fire Services Advisory Committee effective June 2, 2025 and if it's needed in the future, the new Chief at the time can decide whether they want us to have it imposed upon.

    Loss

10.
Communications

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Pammer
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council receive the communication item for information.

    Carried

11.
Reports from Departments

 

11.1
Building and Planning

 

11.1.1
Application for Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA-19-2024) 450 Head Street North, Strathroy Owner: 2430680 Ontario Ltd. (Tyler Damen) - BBP-2025-49

This item has attachments. 
1.ZBA19-2025 450 Head Street Planning Evaluation Report .pdf
2.Ltr to Strathroy re 450 Head Street Comments.pdf
3.ZBA19-2024 450 Head St Planning Justification Report.pdf
4.ZBA19-2024 450 Head St Servicing Report.pdf
5.ZBA19-2024 450 Head St Site Plan.pdf
6.ZBA19-2024 450 Head St Application_Redacted.pdf

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

  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Report BBP-2025-49 regarding rezoning application ZBA 19-2024 for 450 Head Street North be received for information, and further;

    THAT: rezoning application ZBA 19-2024 for 450 Head Street North be approved, and further;

    THAT: By-law No. 71-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws Section of the Agenda for consideration and approval.

    Carried

11.2
Engineering and Public Works 

 

11.2.1
Beech Street Reconstruction Update - EPW-2025-29

This item has attachments. 
1.Beech Street Reconstruction Update.pdf

Mark Ortiz, Director of Engineering & Public Works, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byCouncillor Derbyshire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: this be moved to the upcoming budget.

    Carried

11.3
Fire Services 

 

11.3.1
Fire Station Locations - FIRE-2025-06

This item has attachments. 
1.Fire Station Locations.pdf

Brad Bigrigg, Fire Chief, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: Council receive report FIRE-2025-06 for information and further;

    THAT: Fire Station 2 continue to be located in or near the Mount Brydges settlement area, and further;

    THAT: Fire Station 3 continue to be located in or near the Melbourne settlement area.

    Carried

11.3.2
 Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-law (Replace and Repeal By-law 07-18) - FIRE-2025-08

This item has attachments. 
1.Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-Law (Repeal and Replace By-law No. 07-18).pdf
2.By-law No. 59-25 - Fire Department Establishing and Regulating By-law Final.pdf

Brad Bigrigg, Fire Chief, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byCouncillor Willsie
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: this be deferred to the next meeting to get the redline version for review.

    Carried

11.4
Chief Administrative Officer 

 

11.4.1
Head Street Dam Removal Cost Share for Strathroy-Caradoc - CAO-2025-11

This item has attachments. 
1.Head Street Dam Removal Cost Share for Strathroy-Caradoc.pdf
2.Potential Removal of the Head Street Dam in Strathroy Summary.pdf
3.Next Steps Cost Breakdown and Timing.pdf
4.Proposed Contribution Sources.pdf

Rob Browning, CAO, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive report CAO-2025-11, Head Street Dam Removal Cost Share for Strathroy-Caradoc for information, and further;

    THAT: Council pre-approve the amount of $38,985.00 in the 2026 Budget and the amount of $33,391.00 in the 2027 Budget payable to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority for Strathroy-Caradoc’s share of the cost of this project. These payments would be conditional on the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority receiving the grant from Water and Erosion Control Infrastructure (WECI) Grant in the total amount of $144,500.00. 

    Carried

11.4.2
Escribe – Vote Manager - LLS-2025-07

This item has attachments. 
1.Escribe - Vote Manager.pdf

Jennifer Pereira, Director of Legal & Legislative Services/Clerk, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: Council receive Report LLS-2025-07 for information, and further;

    THAT: Council direct staff to proceed with the purchase and implementation of the Vote Manager Module for Escribe at a cost of $4055 plus HST.

    Carried

11.5
Economic Development

 

11.5.1
HAF Accelerator Fund Update May 2025 - ED 2025-05

This item has attachments. 
1.HAF Accelerator Fund Update Report.pdf
2.Report on Surplus Lands.pdf
3.List of Surplus Lands_March 11 2024 (1).pdf

Jake DeRidder, Senior Development Coordinator, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: Council receive report ED 2025-05 - HAF Accelerator Fund Update May 2025 for information, and further;
     
    THAT: Council approve the one parcel of land for consideration for Affordable Housing project located at Bella and Francis Street in Strathroy.

    Carried

11.5.2
Economic Development Strategic Plan RFP Results - ED-2025-06

This item has attachments. 
1.Economic Development Strategic Plan Tender Results.pdf

Heather Lalonde, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement, was present to speak to the report and answer questions from members.

  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive Report ED-2025-06 for information, and further;

    THAT: Council approve reallocation of funds for the development of industrial lands feasibility opinion. 

    Carried

12.
County Council Report

 

Deputy Mayor McGuire noted that the search for the CAO continues.

13.
Announcements and Inquiries by Members

 

14.
Schedule of Meetings

 
  • Council Workshop - Monday, June 9, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Committee Room, 2nd Floor)
  • Regular Council Meeting - Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber/Hybrid)
  • Council Workshop - Monday, June 23, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Committee Room, 2nd Floor)
  • Regular Council Meeting - Monday, July 7, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. (Council Chamber/Hybrid)

15.
In Camera

 
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT:  Council move into closed session at 8:18 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 May 20, 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 (Adelaide-Metcalfe Servicing); and further; 

    THAT: Council take a short recess.

    Carried

16.
Open Session Resume

 
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Closed Session adjourn at 8:54 p.m. and Open Session resume.

    Carried

17.
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 May 20, 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 (Adelaide-Metcalfe Servicing) (direction was given to staff).
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: the direction in Closed Session be approved.

    Carried

18.
Consideration of By-laws

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor McGuire

    THAT: By-law No. 70-25, By-law No. 71-25, By-law No. 72-25, and By-law No. 73-25 receive first, second and third and final reading.

    Carried

18.1
By-law No. 70-25

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 70-25 - ZBA 9-2025 311 Ellor Street.pdf

A by-law to amend By-law No. 43-08, being the Comprehensive Zoning By-law of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (311 Ellor Street)

18.2
By-law No. 71-25

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 71-25 - ZBA19-2024 450 Head Street .pdf

A by-law to amend By-law No. 43-08, being the Comprehensive Zoning By-law of the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc (450 Head Street)

18.3
By-law No. 72-25

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 72-25 - Appoint Building Inspectors.pdf

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

18.4
By-law No. 73-25

This item has attachments. 
1.By-law No. 73-25 - Confirming By-law - June 2, 2025.pdf

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

19.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor McGuire
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: the June 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting adjourn at 8:56 p.m.

    Carried
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