The Corporation of the Town of Grand Valley

Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 10:00 A.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, 5 Main Street North, Grand Valley

Council Present:

• Mayor Steve Soloman
• Deputy Mayor Philip Rentsch
• Councillor James Jonker

Council Absent:

• Councillor Lorne Dart
• Councillor Paul Latam

Staff Present:

• Meghan Townsend, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
• Matthew Bos, Director Public Works
• Steven Freitas, Director of Finance/Treasurer
• James Allen, Recreation Facilities Manager
• Mark Kluge, Town Planner
• Brad Haines, By-Law Enforcement Officer
• Donna Tremblay, Deputy Clerk/Communications Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order and Roll Call

Mayor Soloman called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Mayor Soloman announced that the meeting is being livestreamed and publicly broadcast with the recording of the meeting to be available on the Town's website. 

Councillor Paul Latam and Councillor Lorne Dart provided regrets. 

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• Resolution: 2024-10-33
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts the agenda and any addendums dated Tuesday, October 22, 2024 as circulated.

  CARRIED

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

No pecuniary interest was declared.

4.

Approval of Previous Minutes

Council discussed the Minutes.  There were no amendments.

4.1

October 8, 2024 Council Minutes

• Resolution: 2024-10-34
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the October 8, 2024, Regular Council Meeting be approved as circulated.

  CARRIED

5.

Announcements

Mayor Soloman acknowledged October 20-26 as Local Government Week and thanked municipal staff.

6.

Deputations/Presentations

6.1

10:05 am - Town of Grand Valley Years of Service Recognition

6.1.1

Presentation - Tim Benham - 5 years

Mayor Soloman presented Tim Benham, Roads Employee, with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his 5 years of service to the Town of Grand Valley.

6.2

10:20 am Proposal of Municipal Housing Development 

• Resolution: 2024-10-35
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to Daniel Segal, to address Council.

  CARRIED

6.2.1

Virtual Presentation - Daniel Segal, Segal Construction 

Mr. Daniel Segal, Segal Construction, attended virtually before Council to outline Segal Construction's proposal to develop attainable municipal housing in Grand Valley and requested an opportunity engage with the Town to explore these housing options.

Council discussed Mr. Segal's proposal.

• Resolution: 2024-10-36
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs staff to engage with Segal Construction to explore options to implement attainable housing solutions in Grand Valley and report back to Council in Q1 of 2025.

  CARRIED

7.

Public Questions

There were no public questions.

8.

Unfinished Business

8.1

Remembrance Day Ad Hoc Committee

Mayor Soloman provided an update on the Committee's discussions which included reading of fallen soldier's names and the laying of wreaths during the November 11th Remembrance Day Ceremony. 

8.2

Grand Valley Santa Claus Parade - Verbal Discussion

Meghan Townsend, CAO/Clerk sought Council's input and suggestions for participation in Grand Valley's Santa Claus Parade. 

Council discussed options and will provide ideas for their participation to staff.

9.

Staff Reports

9.1

CAO/Clerk 

9.1.1

Council Memo - Community Centre Capital Project Agreement Status, 2024-085

Meghan Townsend, CAO/Clerk provided a summary of the Council Memo and attachments.

Council discussed the agreement terms and concerns of the other member municipalities. 

CAO Townsend requested clarification in her direction on the project.  Council discussed and advised staff to proceed as previously directed.

• Resolution: 2024-10-37
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Council Memo Community Centre Capital Project Agreement Status.

  CARRIED

9.1.2

Report - 2025 Draft Council Meeting Schedule, 2024-080, 2024-080

Donna Tremblay, Deputy Clerk provided a summary of the report outlining the proposed 2025 schedule changes and proposed re-organization of closed items on Council Agendas.  

Council discussed both the proposed meeting schedule and agenda reconfiguration. Council requested the proposed July 8th meeting date be rescheduled to July 22nd to allow for a balance of time between meetings, should the August meeting not take place. 

• Resolution: 2024-10-38
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report – 2025 Draft Grand Valley Council Meeting Schedule;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council approves the draft 2025 Grand Valley Council Meeting Schedule in accordance with Attachment 1, as amended;

  AND FURTHER that Council directs staff to provide Public Notice of the approved Council meeting dates by listing the dates on the Council and Committee Calendar in accordance with By-Law Number 2007-56, Public Notice By-Law;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to prepare and present the necessary By-law to amend the Town’s Procedural By-law for Council’s approval.

  CARRIED

9.2

Treasurer

9.2.1

Report - Treasurer's Update, 2024-086

Steven Freitas, Director of Finance/Treasurer provided a summary of the Report.  He outlined items which had not been included in previous update reports including assessment reviews, updates on accounts receivables for property taxes and non-property tax receivables and payables.

Council discussed the Report.

• Resolution: 2024-10-40
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the Report – Treasurer’s Update for information purposes.

  CARRIED

9.3

By-Law Enforcement

9.3.1

By-Law Enforcement Status Update - September, 2024, 2024-087

Brad Haines, By-Law Enforcement provided a summary of his report, including his proactive enforcement with reminders that overnight winter parking restrictions commence on November 15th.  Mr. Haines advised the Town has secured a POA Prosecutor to assist with prosecution matters in POA Court and during a consultation which the Prosecutor it was identified the current Agreement and Designation with AgapiK9 is not sufficient to permit them to issue POA Offence Notices under Dog Control By-Law and Dog Owners Liability Act. This has resulted in the dismissal of a recent charge.  Staff will be reviewing the matter, with further information to come forward to Council. 

Council discussed the report, providing comments and questions as to the nature of the property standards complaints and whether complaints have been provided in writing. Staff advised that complaints have been received in writing and outlined the nature of the property standards complaints.

• Resolution: 2024-10-41
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives Report – By-Law Enforcement Status Update – September 2024, for information purposes.

  CARRIED

9.4

Parks and Recreation

9.4.1

Report - Recreation Update, October, 2024, 2024-075

James Allen, Recreation Facilities Manager, provided a summary of his update report advising the multi-use pad line painting has been completed and the pad is being well used and the splash pad season has wrapped-up.

He provided Council with details on the amenities that will be included in the Community Centre addition project.

Council discussed the update report and inquired as to outdoor programing and drop-in baseball.  Staff advised basketball is a new drop-in program and the Boswell diamond continues to be used for drop-in baseball. 

• Resolution: 2024-10-42
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report - Recreation Update, October 2024 for information purposes.

  CARRIED

9.5

Planner

9.5.1

Sale of a portion of the Rural Right Of Way adjacent to 321339 Concession Road 6-7 Roll #122600, 2024-081

On the Consent of Council this matter was brought forward following item 9.1.2.  

Mark Kluge, Town Planner provided a summary of the Report summarizing staff's direction from Council to speak with legal council regarding a potential sale of the Town's road allowance property.  Mr. Kluge advised, the Town solicitor's comments were included in his report including the requirement for a reference plan which the requestors have completed and provided to Staff. 

Council discussed the report and inquired as to legislative requirements and timing to complete the sale.  Staff provided a summary of the legislative steps and anticipated timing. 

• Resolution: 2024-10-40
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives Report – Sale of a Portion of the Rural Right of Way (ROW) adjacent to 321339 Concession Road 6-7 Roll #122600, 2024-081, dated October 22, 2024;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs Town Staff proceed with the sale of the ROW adjacent to 321339 Concession Road 6-7 (Roll #122600) as per Town By-law 2006-47;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs the process to sell the ROW commence after receipt of the required Reference Plan outlining the lands to be sold.

  CARRIED

9.6

Public Works Director

There were no reports from the Public Works Director.

10.

Public Meeting

There were no public meetings.

11.

Pending Items

There were no pending items.

12.

Correspondence

12.1

Township of Melancthon - Request for County of Dufferin Annual Budget funding for additional Policing resources

Council discussed the correspondence.

• Resolution: 2024-10-43
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the correspondence listed on the Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Council Agenda.

  CARRIED

13.

Council Updates

Mayor Soloman advised he attended the 162 Anniversary Celebration of the Church of Christ on Sunday, October 20th. The celebration included a service with the Church Minister who presided over the church in the year of the Grand Valley tornado in attendance.

Mayor Soloman advised he will be attending a meeting with CAO Townsend with the Grand Valley Agricultural Society Board members on Wednesday, October 23rd, with updates regarding the meeting to be provided at a future Council meeting.

14.

County Council Report

Mayor Soloman advised County Standing Committee meetings are scheduled for this Thursday, October 24th.  

15.

Boards and Committees

15.1

Minutes

• Resolution: 2024-10-44
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Board and Committee Minutes listed on the Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Council Agenda. 

  CARRIED
• The following minutes were received:

15.1.1

Business Improvement Area Board of Management Minutes - September 17, 2024

15.1.2

Grand Valley and District Public Library Minutes - September 11, 2024

Councillor Jonker provided information regarding the Grand Valley Public Library minutes. He advised registration for adult programing and kids "Lets Get Cooking" programs reach capacity consistently and suggested the community centre expansion include a reasonably sized commercial kitchen as it would be well used.  He advised that the Board had also received a presentation from the Building Committee regarding their Report.  CAO Townsend advised the Library Building Committee will be attending Council's December 10th meeting to provide a presentation.

15.1.3

Grand Valley and District Community Centre Minutes - September 9, 2024

Mayor Soloman advised rental space has been provided at the Community Center for a skate sharpening business.

15.2

Recommendations

There were no Board and Committee recommendations.

16.

New Business

There was no new business.

17.

Notice of Motion

There was no Notices of Motion.

18.

By-laws

There were no By-Laws.

19.

Closed Session (if required)

There was no closed meeting.

20.

Closed Meeting Summary

There was no closed meeting summary.

21.

Confirm Proceedings

21.1

2024-XXX A By-law to confirm the Proceedings of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grand Valley at its Meeting held on October 22, 2024

• Resolution: 2024-10-45
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to introduce a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 and that it be given the necessary readings and be passed and numbered as By-Law 2024-44.  

  CARRIED

22.

Adjournment

• Resolution: 2024-10-46
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn this meeting of Council at 11:40 a.m. to meet again for a Regular Meeting on November 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. or at the call of the Mayor. 

  CARRIED