Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

Regular Council Session

Minutes

Monday, March 17, 2025

6:00 P.m. - 10:00 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
• Deputy Chief of Fire, Prevention & Training

Also Present:

• Jennifer Pereira, Deputy Clerk/Lottery Licensing Officer (Recorder)
• Brianna Hammer-Keidel, Director of Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk
• Bill Dakin, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
• Rob Lilbourne, Director of Community Services
• Doug Payne, Director of Human Resources
• Tim Williams, Manager of Planning, County of Middlesex
• Mark Ortiz, Director of Engineering & Public Works
• Rob Browning, Chief Administrative Officer

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1.

Roll Call

The Clerk has confirmed Council attendance.

2.

Call to Order/Approve Agenda

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: the March 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be approved as circulated.

  Carried

3.

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor Pammer declared a pecuniary interest on Item 4.1 - Public Meeting No. 1 and Item 9.1.2 - Renewal of Lease Agreement with Entegrus as both are members of the Chamber of Commerce of which she is employed.

4.

Public Meeting

4.1

Public Meeting No. 1

4.1.1

Motion to open the public meeting

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the public meeting to consider a rezoning application for the property at 450 Head Street North be hereby opened.

  Carried

4.1.2

Report to be presented by the Planner

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

4.1.3

Comments in support of the proposed rezoning

Tyler Damen, Applicant spoke in support of the application.

4.1.4

Comments in opposition to the proposed rezoning

Peter & Grace Hoytema spoke to the application.
Mark and Nancy Walters spoke to the application.
Beth Hunt spoke to the application.

4.1.5

Comments and questions from Members of Council

Members generally spoke and asked question about the application.

4.1.6

Motion to close the public meeting

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Hipple

  THAT: the public meeting to consider a rezoning application for the property at 450 Head Street North be hereby closed.

  Carried

4.1.7

Decision/Resolution

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Report BBP-2025-23 regarding rezoning application ZBA 19-2024 for 450 Head Street North be received for information.

  Carried

4.2

Public Meeting No.2

4.2.1

Motion to open the public meeting

• Moved by Councillor Willsie
  Seconded by Councillor Pammer

  THAT: the public meeting to consider a rezoning application for the property at 22130 Christina Road be hereby opened.

  Carried

4.2.2

Report to be presented by the Planner.

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

4.2.3

Comments in support of the proposed rezoning

None.

4.2.4

Comments in opposition of the proposed rezoning

None.

4.2.5

Comments and questions from Members of Council

None.

4.2.6

Motion to close the public meeting

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the public meeting to consider a rezoning application for the property at 22130 Christina Road be hereby closed.

  Carried

4.2.7

Decision/Resolution

• Moved by Councillor Hipple
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Report BBP-2025-24 regarding rezoning application ZBA 5-2025 for 22130 Christina Road be received for information; and

  THAT: By-law No. 36-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws section of the agenda for approval.

  Carried

5.

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the Regular Council Meeting minutes of March 3, 2025 be approved as written, and further;
  
  THAT: the Striking Committee Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2025 be approved as written.

  Carried

5.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes – March 3, 2025

5.2

Striking Committee Meeting Minutes - February 26, 2025

6.

Consent Items

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Pammer

  THAT: Consent Agenda Items 6.1 through 6.3 be received for information.

  Carried

6.1

Communications

6.1.1

Cheque Listing - December 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025

6.2

Reports from Departments

6.2.1

Construction Update Station 1 - CS-2025-19

6.2.2

Station 2 Showers and Exhaust Fan Update - CS-2025-14

6.2.3

Seniors’ Focus Group – March Report - CS-2025-20

6.2.4

2024 Water Summary Report – Strathroy-Caradoc Distribution - EPW-2025-08

6.2.5

Annual Reporting - Wastewater Facilities 2024 - EPW-2025-09

6.2.6

2024 Board and Council Remuneration and Expense Report - FIN-2025-05

6.2.7

Market Compensation Review Project – Comparator Information - HR-2025-06

6.3

Reports from Boards and Committees

6.3.1

Museum Advisory Committee (MAC) Meeting Minutes - November 19, 2024

6.3.2

Committee of Adjustment Meeting Minutes - February 6, 2025

7.

Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion (Consent Agenda)

The following items were pulled for questions:

Deputy Mayor McGuire - 6.2.6 - 2024 Board and Council Remuneration

Councillor Willsie - 6.2.2 - Station 2 Showers

Councillor Derbyshire - 6.1.1 - Cheque Listing

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Items 6.2.6, 6.2.2 and 6.1.1 be received for information.

  Carried

8.

Notice of Motion

8.1

Councillor Brian Derbyshire

• Moved by Councillor Derbyshire
  Seconded by Councillor Hipple

  THAT: the Recognition/Service Awards Presentations, including Police Officers, Firefighters and Municipal Employees would occur as required at the start of every meeting at the call of the Chair throughout the year.

  Carried

8.2

Councillor Brian Derbyshire

• Moved by Councillor Derbyshire
  Seconded by Councillor Willsie

  THAT: any board or committee that is presenting directly to Council, the members of that board or committee are not eligible to participate in the vote.

  Loss

9.

Reports from Departments

9.1

Legal and Legislative Services 

9.1.1

Municipal Appointments to the Tri-Township Arena Board of Management - LLS-2025-04

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Report LLS-2025-04 “Municipal Appointments to the Tri-Township Arena Board of Management” be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Council concurs with the Striking Committee’s recommendation to appoint William Flegel to the Tri-Township Arena Board for the balance of the term ending November 14, 2026, and further;
  
  THAT: By-law No. 33-25 amending Council’s appointments by-law be referred to the Consideration of By-laws section of the agenda for adoption.

  Carried

9.1.2

Renewal of Lease Agreement with Entegrus Powerlines Inc. - LLS-2025-06

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: Report LLS-2025-06 regarding “Renewal of Lease Agreement with Entegrus Powerlines Inc.” be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Hipple

  THAT: Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to enter into a lease agreement with Entegrus Powerlines Inc. in regards to 351 Frances Street, and further;
  
  THAT: By-law No. 35-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws section of the agenda for adoption.

  Carried

9.2

Financial Services 

9.2.1

Section 357 Application – 8418 Irish Drive - FIN-2025-04

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: Report FIN-2025-04 “Section 357 Application – 8418 Irish Drive” be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Derbyshire
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: The Section 357 Application for 8418 Irish Drive be approved for processing.

  Carried

9.3

Building and Planning

9.3.1

ZBA1-2024 Fieldcrest Planning Evaluation Report, BBP-2025-18

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: Report BBP-18-2025 regarding ZBA 1-2024 be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: the rezoning application, ZBA 1-2024, which would rezone the lands part of the lands legally known as Block 278 and Part of Block 279 Plan 33M-619, Strathroy from “Open Space (OS) zone” to site specific ‘High Density Residential (R3-25-H-1-H-5) as amended by staff, be approved, and further;
   
  THAT: By-law No. 21-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws Section of the Agenda for adoption.

  Carried

9.3.2

Buchanan Crossings – Phase 1 Subdivision Agreement - BBP-2025-26

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Report BBP-2025-26 “Buchanan Crossings – Phase 1 Subdivision Agreement” be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor McGuire

  THAT: By-law No. 32-25 be referred to the Consideration of By-laws Section of the Agenda for adoption.

  Carried

9.4

Engineering and Public Works 

9.4.1

Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) Internal Audit, External Audit and Management Review 2025 - EPW-2025-07

• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Pammer

  THAT: Council receive Report EPW 2025-07 regarding the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) Internal Audit, External Audit and Management Review Results for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Councillor Kennes
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: Council endorse the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc Water Distribution System DWQMS Operational Plan.

  Carried

9.4.2

C07 Walkers Drive Structure Replacement and C06 Saxton Road Guiderail Installation Engineering Services Tender Award - EPW-2025-16

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Report EPW-2025-16 titled “C07 Walkers Drive Structure Replacement and C06 Saxton Road Guiderail Installation Engineering Services Tender Award” be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Council awards the Engineering Services to Spriet Associates Limited for $72,130.00 plus HST and an additional $10,000 for contingency.

  Carried

9.5

Chief Administrative Officer 

9.5.1

2025 Compensation Adjustments for Elected Officials and Non- Union Staff - HR-2025-07

• Moved by Councillor Brennan
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: Report HR-2025-07 regarding “2025 Compensation Adjustments for Elected Officials and Non-Union Staff” be received for information.

  Carried
• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Brennan

  THAT: Council acknowledge the 2025 step advancements for non-union staff and approves expenditures related to the Cost-of-Living rate increase (COLA) for the non-union salary grid Bands 2-10 and council remuneration at 3.75% effective January 1, 2025, and further;

  THAT: Council approve the wage adjustment to Band 1 of the wage grid as proposed in this report to account for the increase in minimum wage over the past years and to solidify the Municipality as an employer of choice in our community for new and young workers, and further;

  THAT: Council be aware that Staff will update the non-union benefit plan to match the enhancements provided in the most recent union contract.

  Carried

10.

County Council Report

Deputy Mayor McGuire indicates that County Council met last week and shares some highlights from the meeting.

11.

Announcements and Inquiries by Members

12.

Schedule of Meetings

• Regular Council Meeting - Monday, April 07, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m.
• Regular Council Meeting - Monday, April 22, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m.

13.

Consideration of By-laws

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Pelkman

  THAT: By-law No. 21-25, By-law No. 31-25, By-law No. 32-25, By-law No. 33-25, By-law No. 34-25, By-law No. 35-25 and By-law No. 36-25 receive first, second and third and final reading.

  Carried

13.1

By-law No. 21-25

13.2

By-law No. 31-25

13.3

By-law No. 32-25

13.4

By-law No. 33-25

13.5

By-law No. 34-25

13.6

By-law No. 35-25

13.7

By-law No. 36-25

14.

Adjournment

• Moved by Deputy Mayor McGuire
  Seconded by Councillor Kennes

  THAT: the March 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting adjourn at 7:43 p.m.

  Carried