Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

Regular Council Session

Minutes

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Electronic Meeting - Zoom
Absent with Notice:
  • Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden
  • Deputy Mayor Brad Richards
  • Councillor Neil Flegel
  • Councillor John Brennan
  • Councillor Sandi Hipple
  • Councillor Frank Kennes
  • Councillor Steve Pelkman
  • Councillor Marie Baker
  • Councillor Larry Cowan
Others Present:
  • Brianna Hammer-Keidel, Deputy Clerk/Communications Co-ordinator (Recorder)


  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byCouncillor Baker

    THAT: Council accept the petition and authorize Spriet Associates to prepare an engineer's report on this matter.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byDeputy Mayor Richards

    THAT: Council accept the petition and authorize Spriet Associates to prepare an engineer's report on this matter.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Cowan
    Seconded byCouncillor Flegel

    THAT: Council accept the petition and authorize Spriet Associates to prepare an engineer's report on this matter.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Cowan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council accept the tender from Robinson Farm Drainage for $48,250.00 excluding HST, $54,522.50 including HST, to complete the construction of the McCracken Municipal Drain.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: Council accept the tender from McNally Excavating for $60,512.92 excluding HST, $63,379.60 including HST, to complete the construction of the Augerman Drain.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Richards
    Seconded byCouncillor Baker

    THAT: Council receive the communication items for information.

    Carried

A virtual community open house is planned regarding a proposed multi-unit residential development on a portion of vacant land located at 22647 Adelaide Road, Mount Brydges. Residents may join or watch the open house virtually on Thursday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m.

A virtual community open house and a separate virtual statutory public meeting are planned regarding Phase 1 of the Official Plan Review (Scoped Settlement Boundary Review - Strathroy). Residents may join or watch the open house virtually on April 28 at 6:00 p.m., or join or watch the virtual public meeting on May 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Monthly Board of Health update for March 2021.

Correspondence expressing concern for global warming and the reduction of farmland.

Resolution regarding advocacy for reform of Joint and Several Liability.

Support of Niagara Region resolution regarding Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act.

Support of Niagara Region resolution regarding homelessness, mental health, and addiction in Niagara.

Resolution regarding Bill C-21, an Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms).

Support of Town of Orangeville resolution regarding Bill 257.

  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: the report regarding the COVID-19 Recovery Funding Update be received for information and filed.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council receive and file the Q1 Financial Update Report.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Baker

    THAT: Council receive the report for information, and further;

    THAT: Council confirm a preference for donating a portion of 61 Brennan Drive to Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation in accordance with Option A lot configuration.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Flegel
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council receive the Building & Planning Capital Status Update report for information.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Baker

    THAT: the Gemini Wall Repair Tender Award report be received for information, and further;

    THAT: Council approve the awarding of the tender to Elgin Contracting and Restoration Ltd., for a value of $67,000.00 plus HST.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Baker
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive the Additional Capital Projects – Canada Community – Build Fund report for information and further;

    THAT: Council direct staff to direct funds available from the Canada Community – Build Fund totaling $635,000.00 towards the projects listed below:

    • Upgrade pea stone in Mt. Brydges Playgrounds to current accessibility standards - $80,000.00
    • Construction of a full-size Tennis Court and two Pickleball Courts in Mt. Brydges - $130,000.00
    • Municipal Share - All Wheels Skate Park - $425,000.00
    Carried

While members of Council noted a hesitancy to implement an additional charge due to pandemic concerns with workers entering homes, staff indicated that a small number of the refusals were due exclusively to the pandemic. The project has been taking place throughout the pandemic with great care, with residents receiving approximately six separate contacts requesting that an appointment be booked. Another notice would be sent regarding the implementation of the Manual Reading Fee, which would be separately noted on future water bills.

  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: Council receive the Water Meter Program Status Update report for information, and further;
    THAT: Council approve the addition of a Manual Meter Reading Fee of $75.00 per read for water accounts.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Hipple
    Seconded byCouncillor Cowan

    THAT: Council receive the Water Monitoring Station 3 (Mount Brydges) Rehabilitation report as information, and further;

    THAT: Council direct staff to complete the Engineering, Design and Tendering for rehabilitation of Monitoring Station 3, including an emergency generator, and further;

    THAT: Council award a sole sourced Engineering Services contract to RV Anderson Ltd with an upset limit of $132,000 (excluding HST) for design and tendering of Monitoring Station 3 rehabilitation including emergency generator and Mt Brydges Reservoir Drawings, and further;

    THAT: Council approve a budget of $736,500 from the water capital reserves for the rehabilitation construction.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Brennan

    THAT: Council receive the report regarding the status of capital projects within the Engineering & Public Works department for the first quarter.

    Carried
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Richards
    Seconded byCouncillor Baker

    THAT: By-law 22-21 receive first, second and third and final reading.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: By-law 23-21 receive first, second and third and final reading.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Hipple

    THAT: By-law 24-21 receive first, second and third and final reading.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Flegel
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: By-law 25-21 be deferred until the Public Meeting scheduled for Council's May 3, 2021 meeting.

    Carried
  • Moved byCouncillor Pelkman
    Seconded byCouncillor Cowan

    THAT: By-law 26-21 receive first, second and third and final reading.

    Carried

None.

Deputy Mayor Richards reported that Middlesex County Council last met on April 13 and the London Community Foundation made a presentation. A presentation was also made by the Middlesex Economic Resiliency Task Force, which through surveys has found great exhaustion among local business owners trying to keep up with changing regulations. A letter will be drafted to the province in support of local business owners.

Councillor Cowan received a phone call from an acquaintance who had a positive experience receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic run at the Mount Brydges Community Centre, and passed on the good word to the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

Councillor Baker encouraged everyone to get their vaccine when eligible so lives can go back to normal.

Councillor Kennes confirmed that the municipality is not involved with ongoing road work on Hickory Drive. The Councillor asked residents to be patient for just a little longer, as brighter days are ahead.

Deputy Mayor Richards noted that the Bluewater Recycling Association annual report was available. Residents are asked not to put masks and animal waste in recycling bins; those items should go in the garbage bin instead.

Councillor Flegel encouraged others to try to remain positive through a negative time, and to continue to do their best.

Councillor Pelkman noted how nice it was to see the street sweeper out and about; he also requested that the portable digital speed signs be shifted over to Queen Street to reduce speeding.

Councillor Brennan has received a COVID-19 vaccine. The Councillor is noticing activity in commercial areas of the north end, particularly lots of heavy truck traffic on Second Street. He inquired about trying to divert heavy truck traffic away from Head Street.

Councillor Hipple apologized for intermittent internet connectivity during the meeting. The Councillor also thanked the Mount Brydges Lions Club for providing a drive thru rib dinner and encouraged people to be kind.

Chief Administrative Officer Tranquilli noted that the Traffic Committee has been investigating a designated truck route. The CAO acknowledged the work of municipal employees through past year, as the pandemic has provided a challenging environment to be working in. The CAO reminded the community that everyone is working very hard, and doing their very best with the decisions directed from province and health unit. The CAO invited questions from the public at any time; at this time he had not yet heard from the public in regards to the Open House scheduled for later this week.

Mayor Vanderheyden noted the demand for immediate answers on social media, when staff are moving as quickly as they can. The Mayor encouraged residents to support one another. A scheduled garbage clean-up day has been postponed due to recent provincial restrictions, but residents were encouraged to pick up trash while on their own walks in celebration of Earth Day. The Mayor commemorated National Volunteer Week, thanking volunteers and noting that volunteering is a great way to lend a hand to the community, to build yourself up, and to build the community up.

  • Monday, May 03, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Monday, May 17, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Monday, June 07, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Monday, July 5, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Moved byDeputy Mayor Richards

    THAT: the meeting move into closed session to discuss matters related to the security of property of the municipality, personal matters, and a procedural matter to approve in camera meeting minutes, as permitted by Section 239 of the Ontario Municipal Act and Council’s Procedure By-law.

    Carried

Mayor Vanderheyden reported that matters were discussed relating to the security of property of the municipality, personal matters, and a procedural matter to approve in camera meeting minutes, as permitted by Section 239 of the Ontario Municipal Act and Council’s Procedure By-law.

  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: the meeting adjourn at 7:30 p.m.

    Carried
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