The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg

Council Meeting

MINUTES

Monday, May 10, 2021

4:30 P.m. - 10:30 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

ATTENDANCE:

• Mayor Molnar
• Deputy Mayor Beres
• Councillor Esseltine
• Councillor Gilvesy
• Councillor Luciani
• Councillor Parker
• Councillor Rosehart

Staff:

• Kyle Pratt, Chief Administrative Officer
• Michelle Smibert, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk
• Sheena Pawliwec, Director of Finance/Treasurer
• Paul Groeneveld, Acting Fire Chief
• Chris Baird, Director of Recreation, Culture and Parks
• Carlos Reyes, Director of Operations and Development
• Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner
• Amelia Jaggard, Deputy Clerk

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1.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m.

2.

Closed Session (4:30 p.m.)

• Resolution # 2021-219
  Moved By: Councillor Esseltine
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  THAT Council move into Closed Session to consider personal matters about identifiable individuals, including Town employees and a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

  Carried

2.1

Adoption of Agenda

2.2

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

2.3

Adoption of Closed Session Council Minutes

2.4

Reports

2.4.1

239 (2) (b) personal matters about identifiable individuals, including municipal or local board employees;

2.4.2

239 (2) (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board;

2.5

Back to Open Session

3.

Adoption of Agenda (6:00 p.m.)

• Resolution # 2021-220
  Moved By: Councillor Parker
  Seconded By: Councillor Luciani

  THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Council meeting of May 10, 2021, with the addition of agenda item 11.1 Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee Re: RCP 21-12 Cemetery By-Law Final Draft Update, and with agenda item 14.7.1. staff report RCP 21-12 being dealt with before agenda item 12, be approved.

  Carried

4.

Moment of Silence

5.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

No disclosures of pecuniary interest were declared.

The Mayor recognized National Nurses Week and National Police Week and thanked front line workers for their service.

6.

Adoption of Council Minutes of Previous Meeting

• Resolution # 2021-221
  Moved By: Councillor Rosehart
  Seconded By: Councillor Gilvesy

  THAT the minutes of the Council meeting held on April 26, 2021 and the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on May 3, 2021, be approved.

  Carried

7.

Presentations

8.

Public Meetings

9.

Planning Reports

10.

Delegations

11.

Deputation(s) on Committee Reports

11.1

Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee Re: RCP 21-12 Cemetery By-Law Final Draft Update

Christine Nagy, Chair, Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee, appeared before Council to provide support for the proposed Cemetery By-Law. 

Opportunity was provided for comments and questions from Council. 

• Resolution # 2021-222
  Moved By: Councillor Luciani
  Seconded By: Deputy Mayor Beres

  THAT the delegation from Christine Nagy regarding the Cemetery By-Law be received as information;

  AND THAT this information be referred to item 14.7.1 staff report RCP 21-12, for consideration.

  Carried

  Item 14.7.1 was dealt with next.

  
  

12.

COVID-19

Mayor Molnar provided information regarding the Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) Same Day Vaccination List for eligible individuals requiring their first dose. More information can be found on the SWPH website.

The Mayor provided a local update and shared a message from Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital leadership.

13.

Information Items

13.1

Statistics Canada Re: 2021 Census

13.2

City of Burnaby Re: Day of Action against Asian racism

• Resolution # 2021-224
  Moved By: Deputy Mayor Beres
  Seconded By: Councillor Luciani

  THAT Council receive the correspondence from Statistics Canada dated April 22, 2021 and the correspondence from the City of Burnaby dated April 26, 2021, as information.

  Carried

14.

Staff Reports

14.1

Chief Administrative Officer

14.1.1

CAO 21-05 Tillsonburg Police Services Board Composition

Staff noted that the Oxford County CAO's will have to meet and prepare one joint application for submission.

Staff confirmed that each municipality will still negotiate individual service contracts with the OPP regardless of local detachment board compositions.

• Resolution # 2021-225
  Moved By: Councillor Gilvesy
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  THAT the Council of the Town of Tillsonburg receives staff report CAO 21-05 Tillsonburg Police Services Board Composition as information;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council directs the selection of Option “A” including a composition of 5 members.

  Carried

14.2

Corporate Services

14.3

Economic Development

14.3.1

EDM 21-16 Surplus Land Declaration - Alleyway between Charles St and Nelson St

• Resolution # 2021-226
  Moved By: Councillor Esseltine
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  THAT Council receives report EDM 21-16 Offers to Purchase – Alleyway between Charles Street and Nelson Street;

  AND THAT a By-Law be brought forward to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to enter into an agreement of purchase and sale with Peter Leliveld and Ruth Leliveld for the property described as the North part of the Alleyway between Charles Street and Nelson Street, and to be described by a new reference plan;

  AND THAT a By-Law be brought forward to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to enter into an agreement of purchase and sale with Ray Jones, Teresa Jones, Tejaun Jones and Jeffrey Jaques for the property described as the South part of the Alleway between Charles Street and Nelson Street, and to be described by a new reference plan.

  Carried

14.4

Finance

14.4.1

FIN 21-12 Council Remuneration and Expenses

• Resolution # 2021-227
  Moved By: Councillor Parker
  Seconded By: Councillor Gilvesy

  THAT Council receives report FIN 21-12 2020 Council Remuneration and Expenses as information.

  Carried

14.5

Fire and Emergency Services

14.6

Operations and Development

14.6.1

OPD 21-19 Airport Hangar Land Lease Hangar G9

• Resolution # 2021-228
  Moved By: Councillor Luciani
  Seconded By: Deputy Mayor Beres

  THAT Council receives report OPD 21-19 Airport Hangar Land Lease Hangar G9 as information;

  AND THAT a By-Law be brought forward to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with Euclid Benoit for the West half of Hangar G9;

  AND THAT a By-Law be brought forward to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with 1467246 Ontario Inc. for the East half of Hangar G9.

  Carried

14.6.2

OPD 21-20 Hangar Land Lease Agreement Taxiway G1 Lot 4

• Resolution # 2021-229
  Moved By: Councillor Gilvesy
  Seconded By: Councillor Rosehart

  THAT Council receives report OPD 21-20 Hangar Land Lease Agreement Taxiway G1 – Lot #4 as information;

  AND THAT a By-Law to authorize a Land Lease Agreement for Taxiway G1 Lot 4 with Ewart McLaughlin, and to repeal By-Law 2020-044, be brought forward for consideration.

  Carried

14.7

Recreation, Culture and Parks

14.7.1

RCP 21-12 Cemetery By-Law Final Draft Update

There was discussion regarding flower beds and potted plants. Staff noted that the Town would reserve the right to remove anything in contradiction to the By-Law.

There was discussion regarding when grave stone toppers are permitted during the year. 

The proposed by-law indicates that the Town is not responsible for any watering or maintenance of live plants and flowers or artificial decorations.

Staff noted that the passing of this by-law will be shared through the Town's communication platforms.

• Resolution # 2021-223
  Moved By: Councillor Esseltine
  Seconded By: Councillor Luciani

  THAT report RCP 21-12 Cemetery By-Law Final Draft Update, be received as information;

  AND THAT Council agrees with the recommendations provided by the Parks, Beautification and Cemeteries Advisory Committee;

  AND THAT the attached By-Law to govern the operations of the Tillsonburg Cemetery, and to repeal By-Law 3640, be brought forward for approval at the May 25, 2021 Council meeting.

  Carried

  Item 12 was dealt with next.

  
  

15.

New Business

16.

Consideration of Committee Minutes

16.1

Committee Minutes

• Resolution # 2021-230
  Moved By: Deputy Mayor Beres
  Seconded By: Councillor Luciani

  THAT Council receives the Accessibility Advisory Committee minutes dated April 6, 2021 and the Physician Recruitment and Retention Advisory Committees minutes dated April 29, 2021 and the Town Hall Steering Committee minutes dated April 14, 2021, as information.

  Carried

17.

Motions/Notice of Motions

Staff noted the proposed program would not impact tax payers as a whole and recommended that the motion also indicate the program would be penalty.  

• Resolution # 2021-231
  Moved By: Councillor Gilvesy
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  THAT Council endorse and request that Staff implement a property tax deferral for anyone who cannot make payments in May due to financial restraints recognizing that lockdowns, layoffs and shuttered businesses are creating undue hardships;

  AND THAT the deferral program be similar in nature to the one that was implemented in 2020;

  AND THAT the deferral be interest free and penalty free and that payments are deferred to August, 2021 at which time pending the status of lockdowns may be revisited for an extension;

  AND THAT the Town of Tillsonburg Council recognize that only the Town’s portion of taxes can be deferred by said Council and hereby request that this resolution be forwarded to the County of Oxford for consideration of deferring County property tax due in May to support those that may not be in the financial position to meet the current deadlines.

  Carried

• It was suggested that the resolution also be circulated to the Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. 

  Resolution # 2021-232
  Moved By: Councillor Gilvesy
  Seconded By: Councillor Parker

  THAT the Town of Tillsonburg respectfully requests that all citizens and the business community adhere to health guidelines and covid-19 safety measures as set out by the Province of Ontario and Southwestern Public Health;

  AND THAT the Town of Tillsonburg recognizes the undue hardships that have been placed upon our citizens and business community with many members of the community struggling both financially and emotionally due to lockdowns, stay home orders and layoffs;

  AND THAT the Town of Tillsonburg respectfully requests that the Province of Ontario continues and enhances the financial supports available to small businesses and industries as well as provide clarification on the appeal process to those denied The Ontario Small Business Grant to help confront the economic repercussions caused by the current stay at home measures and shuttered businesses;

  FURTHERMORE the Town of Tillsonburg acknowledges that it has been identified through scientific studies, communication from medical experts, the science table, and the Premier, that outdoor activities that allow for social distancing and ability to follow safety protocols have been identified to have low risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Medical experts maintain that the physical and mental health benefits of these activities outweigh the risks associated with keeping outdoor activities closed;

  AND THAT the Town of Tillsonburg respectfully asks that the Province of Ontario and Premier Ford reconsider the opening of outdoor recreational facilities;

  AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to Premier Ford, Minister of Health Hon. Christine Elliot, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Culture and Tourism Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Finance Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Ernie Hardeman and the Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Association of Municipalities Ontario.

  Councillor Gilvesy called for a recorded vote.

  Councillor Gilvesy - Yes

  Councillor Luciani - Yes

  Mayor Molnar - Yes

  Councillor Parker - Yes

  Councillor Rosehart - Yes

  Deputy Mayor Beres - Yes

  Councillor Esseltine - Yes

  Carried

  
  

• Mayor Molnar asked that Deputy Mayor Beres assume position as Chair. 

  Mayor Molnar requested that the following notice of motion be included on the May 25, 2021 Council agenda. 

  Resolution #
  Moved By: Mayor Molnar

  WHEREAS on February 8, 2021 Council adopted a Media Relations Policy as contained in Report CLK 21-05;

  AND FURTHER that it is desirous that a policy is available to set guidelines and standards to ensure the appropriate use and management of social media on behalf of the Municipality of the Town of Tillsonburg;

  THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, that Council directs Staff to provide a Draft Social Media Policy for consideration.

  Mayor Molnar resumed position as Chair. 

  
  

18.

Resolutions/Resolutions Resulting from Closed Session

19.

By-Laws

19.1

By-Law 2021-050, to authorize the use of internet and telephone voting for the 2022 Municipal Election

19.2

By-Law 2021-051, to authorize an agreement of purchase and sale with Peter Leliveld and Ruth Leliveld

19.3

By-Law 2021-052, to authorize an agreement of purchase and sale with Ray Jones, Teresa Jones, Tejaun Jones and Jeffrey Jaques

19.4

By-Law 2021-053, to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with Euclid Benoit

19.5

By-Law 2021-054, to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with 1467246 Ontario Inc.

19.6

By-Law 2021-055, to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with Ewart McLaughlin and to repeal By-Law 2020-044

• Resolution # 2021-233
  Moved By: Councillor Parker
  Seconded By: Councillor Luciani

  ​THAT By-Law 2021-050, to authorize the use of internet and telephone voting for the 2022 Municipal Election; and

  By-Law 2021-051, to authorize an agreement of purchase and sale with Peter Leliveld and Ruth Leliveld; and

  By-Law 2021-052, to authorize an agreement of purchase and sale with Ray Jones, Teresa Jones, Tejaun Jones and Jeffrey Jaques; and

  By-Law 2021-053, to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with Euclid Benoit; and

  By-Law 2021-054, to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with 1467246 Ontario Inc.; and

  By-Law 2021-055, to authorize a Land Lease Agreement with Ewart McLaughlin and to repeal By-Law 2020-044, be read for a first, second, third and final reading and that the Mayor and the Clerk be and are hereby authorized to sign the same, and place the corporate seal thereunto.

  Carried

20.

Confirm Proceedings By-law

• Resolution # 2021-234
  Moved By: Councillor Rosehart
  Seconded By: Councillor Gilvesy

  THAT By-Law 2021-049, to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council meeting held on May 10, 2021, be read for a first, second, third and final reading and that the Mayor and the Clerk be and are hereby authorized to sign the same, and place the corporate seal thereunto.

  Carried

21.

Items of Public Interest

The Tillsonburg Farmers' Market is now open Saturday mornings at the Station Arts Centre.

The Community Living Flag will be flown at the South Broadway Park for the week of May 11 to May 14 in celebration of Community Living Month. 

The Walk for Alzheimer's will be held the last weekend in May 2021 to coincide with the national Walk for Alzheimer's events month. 

The Mayor thanked the Kinsmen Club of Tillsonburg and staff for installing the Kinsmen fountain in Lake Lisgar. 

Upcoming Council meetings include:

• Monday, May 17, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of holding public meetings for planning applications.
• Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. regular meeting.

22.

Adjournment

• Resolution # 2021-235
  Moved By: Councillor Luciani
  Seconded By: Deputy Mayor Beres

  THAT the Council meeting of May 10, 2021 be adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

  Carried