Middlesex Centre Council Minutes

Regular Meeting of Council

Wednesday, November 06, 2024 at 9:30 A.m. - 11:30 A.m.

Hybrid Council Meeting (Virtual and In-Person)

13168 Ilderton Road / Virtual

Ilderton, Ontario, N0M 2A0

COUNCIL PRESENT:

• Mayor DeViet
• Deputy Mayor Brennan
• Councillor Shipley
• Councillor Aerts
• Councillor Cates
• Councillor Berze
• Stephanie Bergman - Manager of Planning and Development

REGRETS:

• Jean Coles

STAFF PRESENT:

• Michael Di Lullo - Chief Administrative Officer
• Arnie Marsman - Director of Building Services / Chief Building Official
• Colin Toth - Director of Emergency Services / Fire Chief
• Tiffany Farrell - Director of Corporate Services
• James Hutson - Municipal Clerk
• Megan Kamermans - Deputy Clerk
• Sophie Baysarowich, Communications & Legislative Services

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor DeViet calls the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Members of the public are invited to participate in this meeting of Council by attending the meeting in-person at the Ilderton Community Centre located at 13168 Ilderton Rd, Ilderton, ON N0M 2A0.

Members of the public may also access the meeting which will be live-streamed on our Middlesex Centre YouTube channel or by contacting the Municipal Clerk to receive a registration link to join the meeting electronically.

Members of the public wishing to appear as a delegation can register for the meeting by visiting middlesexcentre.ca/participating-council-meetings or by contacting the Municipal Clerk at [phone] by 4:30 p.m. on the Monday of the week of the scheduled meeting. All requests to delegate are subject to the provisions of the Middlesex Centre Procedure By-law.

Members of the public can choose to delegate in-person or by electronic participation. Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

2.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Municipality of Middlesex Centre recognizes that we are gathering on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Leni-Lunape Peoples. We acknowledge the enduring presence of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people on this land and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect.

Our neighbouring First Nations communities which continue to live as sovereign Nations include the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Munsee Delaware Nation.

3.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There are no additions to the agenda to note for the November 6, 2024 council meeting.

4.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There are no Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest to note for the November 6, 2024 council meeting. 

5.

DELEGATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

5.1

Ontario Provincial Police Costs 2025

Ross Stuart, Ontario Provincial Police is in attendance to provide on overview of the Ontario Provincial Police Costs for 2025.

5.2

Selectpath – Benefits

Kevin Routley, Selectpath is in attendance to provide a presentation on benefits.

5.3

Providence Reformed Collegiate

Mike Vander Deen, Will Nywening and students from Providence Reformed Collegiate are in attendance to provide a delegation to council.

• Resolution # 2024-288
  Moved by: Councillor Berze
  Seconded by: Councillor Cates

  THAT council receive the Providence Reformed Collegiate presentation for information

  AND THAT staff be directed to prepare a staff report regarding the request and report back to Council.

  CARRIED

5.4

United Way Community Update

Kelly Ziegner, the United Way is in attendance to provide an update presentation.

6.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

6.1

Minutes of the October 16, 2024 Council Meeting

• Resolution # 2024-289
  Moved by: Councillor Shipley
  Seconded by: Councillor Berze

  THAT the minutes of the October 16, 2024 meeting of Council be adopted as printed.

  CARRIED

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Resolution # 2024-290
  Moved by: Councillor Cates
  Seconded by: Councillor Aerts

  THAT Consent items 7.1 through 7.8 listed on the November 6, 2024 agenda be adopted as recommended.

  CARRIED

7.1

Municipal Staff Appointments to Boards

• THAT Report CAO-27-2024 re: Municipal Staff Appointments to Boards be received for information.

7.2

Canada Community-Building Fund

• THAT Report CAO-24-2024 re: Canada Community-Building Fund be received for information.

7.3

Status Update for 13211 Ilderton Road (Former CIBC Property)

• THAT Report CAO-29-2024 re: Status Update for 13211 Ilderton Road (Former CIBC Property) be received for information.

7.4

Update to Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards and Committees

• THAT Report CLK-10-2024 re: Update to Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards and Committees be received;

  AND THAT Council approve the amendments to the Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards and Committees as included in Appendix ‘A’ of this report.

7.5

Accounts Receivable Write Off Approval

• THAT Report CPS-51-2024, re: 2024 Accounts Receivable Write off Approval be received;

  AND THAT the write off totalling $55,989.80 on fire services accounts receivable be approved.

7.6

Capital Budget to Actual Q3 2024

• THAT Report CPS-52-2024, re: Capital Budget to Actual Q3 2024 report be received as information.

7.7

Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund 2025

• THAT Report CPS-54-2024, re: Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund 2025 report be received for information.

7.8

Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund 2025

• THAT report CPS-55-2024, the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund 2025 report be received.

8.

STAFF REPORTS

8.1

Update to Complaint Handling Policy and R-Zone Policy

James Hutson, Municipal Clerk is in attendance to provide an overview of the Staff Report. 

A copy of correspondence received is on file with Clerk's division

• Resolution # 2024-291
  Moved by: Councillor Berze
  Seconded by: Councillor Shipley

  THAT Report CLK-09-2024 re: Update to Complaint Handling Policy and R-Zone Policy be received;

  AND THAT Council approve the revised Complaint Handling Policy and revised R-Zone Policy dated November 6, 2024 appended to Report CLK-09-2024.

  CARRIED

9.

NOTICE OF MOTION

There are no Notices of Motion to note for the November 6, 2024 council meeting.

10.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Resolution # 2025-294
  Moved by: Councillor Aerts
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Brennan

  THAT the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre receives Correspondence items 10.1 through 10.6 as information.

  CARRIED

10.1

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority - Freeze Fees Memo

• Resolution # 2024-293
  Moved by: Councillor Shipley
  Seconded by: Councillor Cates

  
  THAT the Council for the municipality of Middlesex Centre support the request initiated by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) with respect to reversing the decision of the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry of Ontario, Graydon Smith, to freeze the fees conservation authorities can charge in regard to planning, development, and permitting fees.

  AND THAT the Mayor for the Council of the municipality of Middlesex Centre be authorized to sign on to a letter of support prepared on behalf of the elected leaders of the municipalities of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).

  CARRIED

10.2

Middlesex-London Board of Health and Committee - 2025 Meeting Dates

10.3

Bluewater Recycling Association (BRA) Board of Directors Meeting Highlights - October 17, 2024

10.4

Ontario Provincial Police Costs 2025

• Resolution # 2024-292
  Moved by: Councillor Cates
  Seconded by: Councillor Aerts

  THAT the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre supports Resolution No. 229 of the Municipality of Tweed and calls on the Ontario Government to immediately implement sustainable funding for small rural municipalities by reabsorbing the cost of the Ontario Provincial Police Force back into the provincial budget with no cost recovery to municipalities.

  AND THAT the Mayor for the Council of the Municipality of Middlesex Centre be authorized to circulate a resolution of support addressed to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Solicitor General, Minister of Finance, and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all Municipalities in Ontario.

  CARRIED

10.5

Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) Update

10.6

Ministry of Energy and Electrification - Ontario's Affordable Energy Future

11.

COUNTY COUNCIL UPDATE

Deputy Mayor Brennan provided an update on the County Council meeting held on October 22, 2024.  For further information on this agenda please visit the County of Middlesex website:  https://www.middlesex.ca/local-government/meeting-dates-and-agendas

12.

CLOSED SESSION

• Resolution # 2024-295
  Moved by: Councillor Cates
  Seconded by: Councillor Shipley

  THAT the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre adjourn to closed session at 11:12 a.m. pursuant to Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended to discuss the following matters:

  Section 239 (2)(b)  personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (CAO Performance Review and Staffing Update);

  CARRIED

12.1

CALL TO ORDER

12.2

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

12.3

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

12.3.1

Minutes of the October 16, 2024 Closed Session

12.4

CLOSED SESSION ITEMS

12.4.1

Staffing Update

12.4.2

CAO Performance Review

12.5

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution # 2024-298
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Brennan
  Seconded by: Councillor Cates

  THAT Council rise from closed session and return to open session at 12:51 p.m.

  CARRIED

  During the closed session Council received a staffing updated and discussed the annual performance review for the Chief Administrative Officer and provided direction to staff.

  
  

13.

OTHER BUSINESS

13.1

Court of Revision Membership– Ilderton Municipal Drain No. 1

• Resolution # 2024-299
  Moved by: Councillor Cates
  Seconded by: Councillor Shipley

  THAT Councillor Hugh Aerts be appointed to the Court of Revision for the Ilderton Municipal Drain No. 1, to replace Councillor Debbie Heffernan with the Court of Revision scheduled for November 20, 2024.

  CARRIED

14.

BY-LAWS

• Resolution # 2024-300
  Moved by: Councillor Cates
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Brennan

  THAT By-laws 2024-086 through By-law 2024-089 be adopted as printed.

  CARRIED

14.1

2024-086

Being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to Establish a Code of Conduct for Council, Local Boards and Advisory Committees and to repeal the existing Code of Conduct.

14.2

2024-087

Being a By-law to appoint an Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre and to repeal By-law 2019-003.

14.3

2024-088

Being a By-law to appoint a Municipal Investigator for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre and to repeal By-law 2017-154.

14.4

2024-089

Being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to adopt and confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council of the Municipality of Middlesex Centre at the Council Meeting held on November 6, 2024.

15.

ADJOURNMENT

• Resolution # 2024-301
  Moved by: Councillor Berze
  Seconded by: Councillor Aerts

  THAT the Council for the Municipality of Middlesex Centre adjourns the November 6, 2024 Council meeting at 12:54 p.m.

  CARRIED