CORPORATION OF THE

MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE

COUNCIL MINUTES

-
Held in Council Chambers, 285 County Road 44
PRESENT
  • Mayor Nancy Peckford
  • Deputy Mayor John Barclay
  • Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan
  • Councillor Kristin Strackerjan
  • Councillor Deb Wilson
Staff Present
  • Hillary Geneau, Director of Corporate Services
  • Chloe Preston, Municipal Clerk
  • Mary Remmig, Deputy Clerk
  • Mark Guy
Others Present
  • Joe Petschnig, Facilities Superintendant

    Cathy Ashby, Dave Habberjam, Tricia Habberjam, Kenneth Mews, Rilla Seward-McShane, Chris Witt


Mayor Nancy Peckford called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.

The land acknowledgement was read by Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan.

  • C-2024-308
    Moved byDeb Wilson
    Seconded byKristin Strackerjan

    Be it resolved that: 

    The Council agenda for October 15, 2024 be approved as presented. 

    CARRIED

None.

None at this time. 

Tricia Habberjam delivered a presentation to Council on the operations of the North Grenville Repair Cafe and requested proclamation of International Repair Day on October 19, 2024.

  • C-2024-309
    Moved byKristin Strackerjan
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    WHEREAS the third Saturday in October was established as International Repair Day was in 2017;

    AND WHEREAS International Repair Day is intended to promote the value and importance of repairing things instead of throwing away or replacing;

    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of North Grenville proclaim October 19, 2024 as International Repair Day. 

    CARRIED

Cathy Ashby and Rilla Seward-McShane were present representing House of Lazarus. Cathy Ashley delivered an overview of the work of House of Lazarus specifically highlighting the support provided to North Grenville residents. Cathy Ashby requested Council's consideration of a $10,000 investment to House of Lazarus annually for the next 10 years. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay and Mayor Nancy Peckford requested more information of on collaborations with other local organizations. 

Cathy Ashby provided an overview.  

Mayor Nancy Peckford asked when the new foodbank location will be constructed following the tragic fire. 

Cathy Ashby advised of the organization's financial situation leading up to construction phase. 

Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan asked if the organization has reached out to other municipalities they have conducted work within for additional donations. 

Cathy Ashby confirmed. 

  • C-2024-310
    Moved byDeb Wilson
    Seconded byKristin Strackerjan

    Be it resolved THAT Council

    1. Accept the report "House of Lazarus - North Grenville Connection" for information purposes; AND 

    2. Direct staff to include considerations for the multi-year request from House of Lazarus into the 2025 budget (and beyond).

    CARRIED
  • C-2024-311
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    Be it resolved that:

    The following consent agenda items be approved as presented:

    • Regular Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2024 (See item J.1);
    • Beulah Road Assumption (See item K.1.1.); 
    • Downtown Kemptville Community Improvement Plan Update (See item K.3.3.); and, 
    • Board Meeting Minutes (See item L.1).
    CARRIED AS AMENDED
  • C-2024-311
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    Be it resolved:

    THAT the Regular Meeting Minutes for the meeting of Council on October 1, 2024 be approved as presented. 

    CARRIED AS AMENDED
  • C-2024-311
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    THAT Council enact By-Law 87-24 to amend By-Law 54-02, being a By-law to Establish Municipal Highways in the Township of North Grenville, to include an unmaintained portion of the Beulah Road road allowance between Limerick Road and Black Road.

    CARRIED AS AMENDED
  • C-2024-311
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    THAT Council pass and enact By-Law 86-24 to amend By-Law 24-21 to make minor amendments to the Downtown Kemptville Community Improvement Plan Guidelines.

    CARRIED AS AMENDED
  • C-2024-311
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    Be it resolved:

    THAT the following meeting minutes for Local Boards be accepted for information:

    • North Grenville Public Library Board - June 13, 2024;
    • Old Town Kemptville BIA Board of Management - June 19, 2024;
    • Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Board of Directors - July 25, 2024; and, 
    • South Nation Conservation Authority Board of Directors - July 18, 2024.
    CARRIED AS AMENDED

This item was removed from the consent agenda. See agenda item K.6.2. for discussion of Council. 

Acting Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Ashley Cuthbert delivered an overview of the staff report. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay highlighted the profile book developed by staff and asked if it was available at reception for the public. 

Coordinator Ashley Cuthbert confirmed the availability of copies at the front desk and on the municipal website. 

Councillor Deb Wilson suggested the profile book be available as part of the welcome package for new residents. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford asked of the recommendations for improvement, which five staff thought should be prioritized. 

Director of Corporate Services, Hillary Geneau noted that the list was not provided in a prioritized list and staff have not had the opportunity to review the recommendations in detail for feasibility. However, the judges noted that similar comments are repeated in other communities. 

Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan asked if a landscaping plan was considered as part of the Highway 43 redevelopment and whose responsibility it would be to maintain the landscaping in this area. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford believes there is a landscaping plan and suggested posing the maintenance question at the Highway 43 information session on November 6. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay advised that the BIA will support the recommendation for a tree policy. 

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan thought there was opportunity to discuss certain recommendations in more detail across many different departments, such as the tree policy recommendation. 

  • C-2024-312
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    THAT Council receive the 2024 North Grenville evaluation and rating from Communities in Bloom Ontario;

    AND THAT Council direct staff to consider the feedback in preparing future work plans and budgets.

    CARRIED

Director of Corporate Services, Hillary Geneau delivered an overview of the staff report. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford asked when funds are eligible to disperse to recipients. 

Director Hillary Geneau confirmed funds would be distributed following Council's decision.  

Deputy Mayor John Barclay asked for clarity on the scoring with respect to project description.

Director Hillary Geneau noted that reviewers evaluated on the basis that "there is always room for improvement".

Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan, present at the time of the evaluation, advised that a fulsome and detailed description likely would have necessitated a full score. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford asked how unsuccessful applications are handled.

Director Hillary Geneau advised that evaluation feedback was distributed to unsuccessful applicants. 

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan asked if all projects are scheduled for completion in the next 12 months. 

Director Hillary Geneau confirmed and advised that there may be some overlap with the next rough of projects funded based on timing of approval. 

Councillor Deb Wilson asked if recipients are required to submit a final report at completion. 

Director Hillary Geneau confirmed and noted the submission deadline of one month after completion. 

Councillor Deb Wilson asked if any of the recipients would be eligible to reapply. 

Director Hillary Geneau noted that the policy preference is self-sustaining projects, but recipients would be eligible to reapply. 

Following the successful motion, Mayor Nancy Peckford asked for the names of the recipients and details of the project to be named in open session. 

Director Hillary Geneau provided an overview of the successful applications. 

  • C-2024-313
    Moved byDoreen O'Sullivan
    Seconded byKristin Strackerjan

    THAT Council approve funding for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Fund in the amount of $14,083.00 for the following applications as recommended by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee:

    • Accessible Garden - $3,000
    • Prayer Events for Muslim Community - $2,083
    • Inclusive Choir - $3,000
    • Reading for All - $3,000; AND
    • 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Programming and Benches - $3,000
    CARRIED

Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture, Mark Guy, delivered an overview of the staff report. 

Deputy Mayor john Barclay asked for information regarding the relocation of the Carin. 

Director Mark Guy advised that relocation forms park of the scope of work and is expected to be a feature of the completed park. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay asked if Cash in Lieu of Parkland funds will be utilized for the project. 

Director Mark Guy understands that the project is funded by a combination of Cash in Lieu of Parkland funds and Development Charges. 

Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan requested bicycle parking be included in the design. A review of the site plan confirmed inclusion of bicycle parking. Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan recommended staff promote donations of commemorative benches for the park. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford asked which portion of the project is eligible to be funded by Development Charges. 

Director Mark Guy advised he would need to consult the Director of Planning and Director of Finance to provide a figure. 

Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan asked for an approximate commencement date for Phase 2 of the project. 

Director Mark Guy advised that a commencement date will not be determined until after Phase 1 has commenced. 

  • C-2024-314
    Moved byDeb Wilson
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    THAT Council award Tender PRC 24-43 for the Heron’s Nest Park Construction/ Installation to ASL Contractors for $323,940.50.

    CARRIED

Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture, Mark Guys delivered an overview of the staff report. He noted that, during an information session in August 2024 which staff were in attendance, staff were advised that there is no negative impact in applying for both funding streams. The recommendation from staff is to apply for the first funding stream before the deadline on October 18, 2024. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay expressed concern on the competitiveness of the funding streams and suggested deferring until more information is available. 

Director Mark Guy advised that staff thought it was imperative to bring the application forward for discussion given the number of facilities requiring work. 

Mayor Nancy Peckford also thought it would be worth waiting a bit longer to make a decision to attain additional information. She noted a special meeting of Council coming up on October 22 where the request could be reconsidered. 

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan asked for information on the state of the pool and the priorities that need to be completed. 

Facilities Superintendent, Joe Petschnig advised that facilities staff are looking to pursue a phased approach to work that allows staff to address the number of tasks over a period of time.

Mayor Nancy Peckford asked the value of Parks, Recreation & Culture reserve funds. 

Director Mark Guy agreed to have the discussion with Finance staff. He recognized that some components of the work on the pool may be able to wait, while others may not. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay requested the funding threshold for Stream 1. 

Director Mark Guy advised on a minimum project value of $150,000 and a maximum of $1,000,000.

Mayor Nancy Peckford understood that the value of funding through stream 2 could be up to $8,000,000.

Director Mark Guy advised that, under exceptional circumstances, a 70% contribution could be allotted. He clarified that the maximum eligible funding amount under Stream 2 is $10,000,000. 

Deputy Mayor John Barclay felt that it was unlikely the municipality would be awarded both funding streams.  He requested the matter be deferred to October 22 and for staff to bring forward the balance of the Parks, Recreation & Culture reserve.

  • C-2024-315
    Moved byJohn Barclay
    Seconded byDoreen O'Sullivan

    THAT Council supports a Municipality of North Grenville submission to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Funding Stream 1: Repair and Rehabilitation for outdoor pool repairs and improvements to the Kemptville Pool.

    DEFERRED
  • C-2024-316
    Moved byDoreen O'Sullivan
    Seconded byJohn Barclay

    Be it resolved that: 

    By-Law 88-24 to confirm the proceedings of Council at its regular meeting held on October 15, 2024 be adopted and passed.

    CARRIED
  • C-2024-317
    Moved byDeb Wilson
    Seconded byKristin Strackerjan

    Be it resolved that: 

    this regular meeting of Council adjourn at 8:49 p.m. 

    CARRIED
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