The Corporation of the Town of Grand Valley

Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 4:00 P.m. - 6:00 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:

• Meghan Townsend, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
• Matthew Bos, Director Public Works
• Steven Freitas, Director of Finance/Treasurer
• James Allen, Recreation Facilities Manager
• Steven Krepps, Planning and Office Coordinator
• Donna Tremblay, Deputy Clerk/Communications Coordinator

Others Present:

• Justin Foreman, Grand Valley Fire Chief

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1.

Call to Order and Roll Call

Mayor Soloman called the meeting to order at 4:20 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: 2025-03-01
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts the agenda dated Tuesday, March 11, 2025 as amended, with the addition of an urgent item, being a By-law to amend Schedule A to By-Law 2017-46 Community Safety Zone, in accordance with section 6.1(1) of the Town's Procedure By-Law.  

  CARRIED

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

3.1

S. Soloman - Rental Lease with Tom Tindall (1976) Limited, 2025-051

Related to owner of property discussed.

4.

Closed Meeting - 5:00 p.m.

• Resolution: 2025-03-14
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council resolve itself into a meeting that is closed to the public at 5:21 p.m. pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001, section 239(2)(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board regarding land use needs for provision of Town services.

  CARRIED
• The following items were discussed:

4.1

Call to Order

4.2

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

4.3

Closed Meeting Minutes

4.3.1

February 11, 2025 Closed Minutes

4.3.2

February 25, 2025 Closed Minutes

4.4

Items for Discussion

4.4.1

Land Use Needs for Provision of Town Services , 2025-053

5.

Open Meeting - 4:00 p.m.

6.

Rise and Report

Council rose from its closed meeting at 6:48 p.m. and reported as follows:

• Resolution: 2025-03-15
  Moved by: L. Dart
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the closed minutes of the February 11 and 25 Closed Meetings be approved. 

  CARRIED
• Resolution: 2025-03-16
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Confidential Report - Town Land Needs, 

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs the CAO to proceed with the following as discussed:

  • Create a Land Purchase reserve to save toward land purchases
  • Continue with sale of gravel pit in Southgate, use proceeds to repay the operating account for the purchase of 15 Amaranth Street East, and then place balance of funds in the Land Purchase Reserve to fund future land purchases. 
  • Contact the Library Board to see if either the Town owned site at 23 Mill or 242 Water Street is suitable.  
  • Explore on the potential site for the Fire Department, after conversation with Burnside for potential conflicts with other land use matters, and report back to Council with a needs list and requirement for the next 50 years 
  • Explore and report on the use of the Amaranth Gravel Pit as a snow dump.
  • Explore and report on the existing building at 5 Main Street North as suitable for a municipal building. 
  CARRIED
• Resolution: 2025-03-17
  Moved by: L. Dart
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs the CAO to proceed with the purchase of land as discussed. 

  CARRIED

7.

Approval of Previous Minutes

Council discussed the minutes. There were no amendments. 

• Resolution: 2025-03-02
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the February 25, 2025 Regular and Special Council - 2025 Budget Meetings be approved as circulated.

  CARRIED

7.1

February 25, 2025 - Council Minutes

7.2

February 25, 2025 - Special Council - 2025 Budget Minutes

8.

Announcements

There were no announcements.

9.

Deputations/Presentations

• Resolution: 2025-03-03
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: P. Latam

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to Joanne Stevenson, CEO Grand Valley Public Library, to address Council.

  CARRIED

9.1

4:05 p.m. - Joanne Stevenson, CEO Grand Valley Public Library - Request to install Solar Panels on the Library/Municipal Building

Councillor Dart arrived at 4:05 p.m.

Joanne Stevenson, CEO, Grand Valley Public Library appeared before Council to provided information regarding the library's request to install solar panels on the Library/Municipal Building. 

Council discussed the information presented and provided questions regarding installation and maintenance. 

Councillor Jonker provided details regarding criteria, installation and responsibilities.  

• Resolution: 2025-03-04
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the deputation from Joanne Stevenson, CEO Grand Valley Public Library.

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to pursue the grant and come back with more details if successful.  

  CARRIED

10.

Public Questions

There were no public questions.

11.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

12.

Staff Reports

12.1

CAO/Clerk 

12.1.1

2024 Statement of Council and Local Board Member Remuneration and Expenses Paid, 2025-035

Meghan Townsend, CAO/Clerk presented the report.  

Council discussed the report. Mayor Soloman and Deputy Mayor Rentsch sought clarification regarding their other expenses. Ms. Townsend provided clarification. Council requested staff post a copy of the Report on the Town's website. Staff advised a copy of the report will be posted. 

Councillor Latam inquired as to time requirements to conduct community engagement on a review of Council remuneration.  CAO Townsend advised remuneration reviews are conducted prior to the May 2026 Candidate Nomination Period.

• Resolution: 2025-03-05
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report 2024 Statement of Council and Local Board Member Remuneration and Expenses Paid, for information purposes.

  CARRIED

12.1.2

Proceeds from Sale of Road Allowance, 2025-047

Meghan Townsend, CAO/Clerk presented the report. 

Council discussed the report. There were no questions.

• Resolution: 2025-03-06
  Moved by: L. Dart
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report – Proceeds from Sale of Road Allowance for information purposes.

  CARRIED

12.1.3

Rental Lease with Tom Tindall (1976) Limited, 2025-051

• S. Soloman declared a conflict on this item. (Related to owner of property discussed.)

Mayor Soloman removed himself from the Chair. He left the Council Chambers and did not participate in discussion or voting on this item.

Deputy Mayor Rentsch assumed the Chair.  

CAO Townsend presented the report including a summary of the property location and purpose of the report. 

Council discussed the report including timelines, winter storage for recreation equipment and an earlier notice date. 

• Resolution: 2025-03-07
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report – Rental Lease with Tom Tindall (1976) Limited,

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs the CAO to contact the representatives of Tom Tindall (1976) Limited to discuss termination of the lease, with an effective date of termination being no later than May 31, 2026.

  CARRIED

  Mayor Soloman assumed the Chair.

  
  

12.1.4

CAO Progress Update, March 2025, 2025-046

CAO Townsend presented the report including a verbal update on the activation of the Automated Speed Enforcement cameras, grant applications submitted to Ontario Trillium for Community Centre renovations which were not covered under previous grant funding and the February meeting of the 40th Anniversary of Grand Valley Tornado Committee. She advised the Tornado Committee's discussions included an event at the Community Centre on May 31st with a further meeting to take place to finalize the details.  

• Resolution: 2025-03-08
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report – CAO Progress update March 2025, for information purposes.

  CARRIED

12.2

Director of Public Works

12.2.1

Public Works Update Report, 2025-050

Matt Bos, Director of Public Works presented the report which included a summary of Public Work activities, including a verbal update on the Town's receipt of a new tandem plow truck which will be scheduled to be placed into service. 

• Resolution: 2025-03-09
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Public Works Update Report March 2025 for information purposes.

  CARRIED

12.3

Manager of Planning

12.3.1

Monthly Planning Update, March 2025, 2025-045

CAO Townsend presented the report including a verbal update on the receipt of electrical servicing contracts from Hydro One for the Southeast Sewage pumping station.  

Council discussed the report with questions regarding building permits for 152 Main Street. CAO Townsend advised the Town has been advised one building permit has been received for this location.

Council inquired as to whether any appeals were received for the Hill Town Subdivision zoning application. Staff advised no appeals were received.  

• Resolution: 2025-03-10
  Moved by: L. Dart
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Report PLN 2025-045 – March 2025 Planning Update, for information purposes.

  CARRIED

12.4

Director of Finance/Treasurer

12.5

By-Law and Property Standards Enforcement

12.6

Parks and Recreation

13.

Public Meeting

14.

Pending Items

15.

Correspondence

Council discussed the correspondence. 

• Resolution: 2025-03-11
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the correspondence listed on the Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Council Agenda. 

  CARRIED

15.1

City of Toronto - Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) - Residual Waste dated February 20, 2205

15.2

Solarbank Potential for Solar Project on Brownfield/Closed Landfill Site dated February 20, 2025

15.3

Township of Melancthon - Support Resolution - Town of Shelburne -Tariffs dated February 20, 2025

15.4

Township of Amaranth Resolution - Crime Stoppers Program Funding dated February 21, 2025

16.

County Council Report

Mayor Soloman and Deputy Mayor Rentsch advised the next County Council meeting will take place on March 13th. County Council will discuss a Report on procurement and U.S. tariffs.  

17.

Council Updates

Councillor Latam advised the Community Centre Board met and were advised the tender for the Community Centre renovations has been awarded with the project to be completed by November, 2025.

18.

Boards and Committees

18.1

Board and Committee Minutes

• Resolution: 2025-03-12
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Board and Committee Minutes listed on the Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Council Agenda. 

  CARRIED

18.1.1

Grand Valley and District Fire Board Minutes - January 7, 2025

18.2

Recommendations

18.2.1

Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Annual Report on Watershed Services

19.

New Business

Councillor Latam sought Council's feedback on a resolution regarding U.S. Tariffs. Council discussed and will defer until County Council meets on the matter at their March 13th Council meeting.  

20.

Notice of Motion

21.

By-laws

See Item 2. - Adoption of Agenda. 

• Resolution: 2025-03-13
  Moved by: P. Latam
  Seconded by: J. Jonker

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to introduce the by-law added to the Tuesday, March 11, 2025 agenda as item 21.1 and that the By-law be given the necessary reading and passed and numbered as By-law 2025-19.

  CARRIED

21.1

2025-XXX Being a By-law to Amend Schedule A of By-law 2017-46, to provide for the Designation of portions of Highways as Community Safety Zones

22.

Confirm Proceedings

• Resolution: 2025-03-18
  Moved by: L. Dart
  Seconded by: P. Rentsch

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be given to introduce a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 and that it be given the necessary readings and be passed and numbered as By-Law 2025-20.  

  CARRIED

22.1

A By-Law to Confirm the Proceedings of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Grand Valley at its Regular Meeting held on March 11, 2025.

23.

Adjournment

• Resolution: 2025-03-19
  Moved by: P. Rentsch
  Seconded by: L. Dart

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn this Regular Meeting of Council at 6:55 p.m. to meet again for a Regular Meeting on March 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. or at the call of the Mayor. 

  CARRIED