The Corporation of the Town of Grand Valley

Special Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 2:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, 5 Main Street North, Grand Valley

Council Present:

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

Council Absent:

• Councillor Paul Latam

Staff Present:

• Steven Freitas, Director of Finance/Treasurer
• Matthew Bos, Director Public Works
• James Allen, Recreation Facilities Manager
• 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 2:16 p.m.

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

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• Resolution: 2025-10-45
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts the Special Council Meeting agenda and any addendums dated October 28, 2025 as circulated/amended

  CARRIED

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

No pecuniary interest was declared.

6.

Staff Reports

6.1

Preliminary 2026 Budget Discussion, 2025-180

Mayor Soloman provided opening remarks. 

Steven Freitas, Director of Finance Treasurer provided a summary of progress of the approved 2025 Capital Projects, 2026 budget considerations and preparation for the 2026 capital budget forecast and known 2026 property tax levy impacts.

Director Freitas advised today's meeting was to obtain Council's direction an input on their vision, goals and priorities for 2026 in order for staff to finalize the 2026 draft capital and operating budgets and to seek Council's direction regarding format for the November 26, 2025 Public Budget Meeting.

Mayor Soloman thanked Director Freitas for his presentation and requested Council provide their input and requests for 2026 Budget planning. 

Council discussed 2026 capital projects and Public Budget meeting format and provided comments.

• Resolution: 2025-10-46
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report – Preliminary 2026 Budget Discussion;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to prepare a budget that includes all items deemed necessary to maintain the current level of service and include the cost to tender and build the southeast sewage pumping station;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council holds a budget information night on November 26, 2025.  The format to be similar to 2024;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council authorizes the expenditures necessary for the 2026 public budget meeting to be paid from the Council Seminars and Workshops budget.

  CARRIED

7.

Confirm Proceedings

• Resolution: 2025-10-47
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to introduce a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Special Council Meeting held on October 28, 2025 and that it be given the necessary readings and be passed and numbered as By-Law 2025-56.  

  CARRIED

8.

Adjournment

• Resolution: 2025-10-48
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn this Special Council Meeting at 3:32 p.m.  

  CARRIED