The Corporation of the Town of Grand Valley

Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 10:00 A.m. - 1:00 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
• Councillor Paul Latam

Staff Present:

• Matthew Bos, Director Public Works
• Steven Freitas, Director of Finance/Treasurer
• Mark Kluge, Manager of Planning
• 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 10:01 a.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.

• Resolution: 2025-10-26
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves waving section 10.10(a) of the Town of Grand Valley's Procedure By-Law, 2024-10, as amended, to permit a member of council to participate electronically in more than four (4) Council meetings per year. 

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 2025-10-27
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves Councillor Paul Latam to participate electronically. 

  CARRIED
• Donna Tremblay, Deputy Clerk conducted a roll call.

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• Resolution: 2025-10-28
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts the Regular Council Meeting agenda and any addendums dated Tuesday, October 28, 2025 as circulated.

  CARRIED

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

No pecuniary interest was declared.

4.

Closed Meeting - 10:05 a.m.

• Resolution: 2025-10-29
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council resolve itself into a meeting that is closed to the public at 10:05 a.m. pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001, under the provisions of Section 239(2)(b) and (e) personal matters about an identifiable individual and litigation or potential litigation. 

  CARRIED
• The following items were discussed:

4.1

Call to Order

4.2

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

4.3

Items for Discussion

4.3.1

Property Matter

6.

Rise and Report

Councillor Dart arrived in closed session at 10:36 a.m.

Council rose from its closed meeting at 10:45 a.m. and reported as follows:

• Resolution: 2025-10-30
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council received information regarding a Property Matter;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to proceed as discussed in closed session. 

  CARRIED

7.

Approval of Previous Minutes

8.

Announcements

There were no announcements.

9.

Deputations/Presentations

9.1

Town of Grand Valley Years of Service Recognition

9.1.1

Jordyn Beam - 5 years

Mayor Soloman and Council recognized and congratulated Jordyn Beam on her five years of service with the Town of Grand Valley.  

10.

Public Questions

Donna Tremblay, Deputy Clerk, advised Council that a request had been received from the Deaken Drive residents for Council to defer the public question submitted by Katrinia Gosselin to a future meeting, to enable residents to attend as delegates.  

10.1

Katrinia Gosselin - Concerns Regarding Deaken Drive Micro Surfacing

• Resolution: 2025-10-32
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council defers, at the request of Deaken Drive residents, the Public Question received from Katrina Gosselin - Concerns regarding Deaken Drive Micro Surfacing, to a future Council meeting.

  CARRIED

11.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

12.

Staff Reports

12.1

Director of Finance/Treasurer

12.1.1

Treasurer’s Update, 2025-176

Steven Freitas, Director of Finance presented the report. 

Council discussed the report and requested that a reminder of the due date for the November 12th Tax installment be shared on social media and the Town's website. 

• Resolution: 2025-10-33
  Moved by: L. Dart
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

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

  CARRIED

12.2

Director of Public Works

12.2.1

2025-2026 Snow Clearing MOU with Thomasfield Homes, 2025-175

• Resolution: 2025-10-34
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives Report – 2025-2026 Snow Clearing MOU with Thomasfield Homes,

  AND FURTHER THAT Council authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for snow clearing as attached to this report and directs staff to prepare and present the necessary by-law for passing.

  CARRIED

12.3

By-Law and Property Standards Enforcement

12.3.1

By-law Enforcement Status Update – September 2025, 2025-174

• Resolution: 2025-10-35
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives Report – By-Law Enforcement Status Update – September 2025, for information purposes

  CARRIED

12.3.2

Fence Variance Report – 10 Mayberry, 2025-177

Mark Kluge, Manager of Planning presented the report. 

Council discussed the report including Fence and Pool Enclosure By-Law regulations regarding access to utilities.

• Resolution: 2025-10-36
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Report No. 2025-177, Request for Variance of the Fence and Pool Enclosure By-Law, 2020-31, as amended, with respect to the property municipally known as 10 Mayberry Crescent (Roll # 110927) be received;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council approves a variance to section 5. (5.1), of the Fence and Pool Enclosure By-law 2020-31, as amended, to permit construction of a fence beyond the 2 m (6 feet) beyond the rear wall of the dwelling sidewall, to a distance of 11.15 m, 36.5 feet, with respect to the municipal property known as 10 Mayberry Crescent (Roll #110927).

  AND FURTHER THAT utilities including gas remain accessible in accordance with section 2.2 of the Fence and Pool Enclosure By-Law.

  CARRIED

12.4

Parks and Recreation

12.4.1

Recreation Update October 2025, 2025-178

• Resolution: 2025-10-37
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the report Recreation Update October 2025 for information purposes.

  CARRIED

13.

Public Meeting

There was no public meeting.

14.

Pending Items

14.1

Update – Wastewater Flows, 2025-179

• Resolution: 2025-10-38
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Update - Wastewater Flows, 2025-179.

  CARRIED

15.

Correspondence

• Resolution: 2025-10-40
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the correspondence listed on the Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Council Agenda. 

  CARRIED

15.1

Township of Melancthon - Resolution - Public Safety - County Road 124 from Highway 10 in Shelburne to Wansborough Way

15.2

Township of Melancthon - Resolution - Harmonize all Fire By-Laws in Dufferin County

Donna Tremblay, Deputy Clerk, provided a verbal update advising the Dufferin Clerks have formed the review committee in place of the Dufferin CAO's and a meeting has been scheduled in January to meet and discuss the review with the Fire Chiefs.

Council discussed the resolution and Clerk's review committee. 

Councillor Latam left the meeting at 12:16 p.m.

• Resolution: 2025-10-39
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the resolution from Township of Melancthon - harmonizing fire By-Law across Dufferin County; 

  AND FURTHER THAT Council requests the Clerks Department report the scope of effort required after the first meeting in January to determine next steps.

  CARRIED

15.3

County of Dufferin - Response to Grand Valley Request for Road Safety Audit - Dufferin County Road 109 and 25

15.4

2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) - Delegation Registration

Council discussed delegation items. Mark Kluge, Manager of Planning suggested a delegation to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding infrastructure funding specific for rural Ontario municipalities.

Council discussed the delegation. The Manager of Planning advised he will discuss with the CAO.

Council requested this item be brought forward under unfinished business on the November 10 Agenda .   

16.

County Council Report

Deputy Mayor Rentsch's update included presentations to County Council regarding the After Action Report on the March 2025 Grand River Flood, Speed Limit Adjustment to Dufferin Road 17, and the County's application for Healthcare funding to recruit doctors. He advised the County will be hold a Budget meeting on Thursday, October 30th. 

17.

Council Updates

Councillor Jonker's update included his attendance at the October 17th Western Ontario Warden's Caucus Municipal Conference where he attended sessions regarding infrastructure development and funding, and his meeting with Michael DiPasquale, OPP Inspector, Detachment Commander where they discussed OPP visibility, speeding and community involvement.

Councillor Darts provided an update on the BIA's Masquerade on Main event which was well attended.

Mayor Soloman's update included his attendance at the Library's coffee/tea and connection where he met with residents.

18.

Boards and Committees

18.1

Board and Committee Minutes

• Resolution: 2025-10-41
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Board and Committee Minutes listed on the Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Council Agenda. 

  CARRIED

19.

New Business

Remembrance Day Ceremony 

Councillor Jonker requested a list of the songs to be sung at the ceremony. Staff undertook to provide this information.

Veteran's Crosswalk 

Councillor Jonker inquired as to whether consideration could be given to the creation of a veteran's crosswalk.

20.

Notice of Motion

There were no notices of motion.

21.

By-laws

• Resolution: 2025-10-42
  Moved by: J. Jonker
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to introduce the by-laws listed on the Tuesday, October 28, 2025 agenda as item 21.1 and that the By-law be given the necessary reading and passed and numbered as By-law 2025-54.

  CARRIED

22.

Confirm Proceedings

• Resolution: 2025-10-43
  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 28, 2025 and that it be given the necessary readings and be passed and numbered as By-Law 2025-55.

  CARRIED

23.

Adjournment

• Resolution: 2025-10-44
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn this Regular Council Meeting at 12:50 p.m. to meet again for a Special Council Meeting - Official Plan and Zoning By-law Review and Temporary Reduction Development Charges on November 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. and a Regular Council Meeting on November 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. or at the call of the Mayor. 

  CARRIED