The Corporation of the Town of Essex

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location: Essex Municipal Building, 33 Talbot Street South

Present:

• Mayor Sherry Bondy
• Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley
• Ward 1 Councillor Joe Garon
• Ward 1 Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais
• Ward 2 Councillor Kim Verbeek, Virtual
• Ward 3 Councillor Brad Allard, Virtual
• Ward 3 Councillor Jason Matyi
• Ward 4 Councillor Rodney Hammond

Also Present:

• Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer
• Joseph Malandruccolo, Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk
• Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services
• Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services
• Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services
• Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services
• Cassandra Roy, Legislative Clerk
• Lauryn Smith, Youth Council Member
• Cole Foster, Youth Council Member

​Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 519-776-7336 extension 1100 or 1101.

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1.

Call to Order

Deputy Mayor Shepley called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations (comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples), and of the Huron-Wendat Peoples. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

3.

National Anthem

4.

Closed Meeting Report

Joe Malandruccolo, Director, Legal & Legislative Services/Clerk reported that on January 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM Council moved into Closed Session as permitted to do so pursuant to Section 239 2(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, c. 25. as amended to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

There were no declarations of conflict of interest noted at this time.

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for January 13, 2025

• R25-01-001
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That the published agenda for the January 13, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adopted with the following amendment:

  That By-Law 2396, being a by-law to provide for the 14th Concession East Drain and branch be added to Agenda Item 19.1.2 to reflect the published Addendum.

  Carried

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for December 16, 2024

• R25-01-002
  Moved By Councillor Garon
  Seconded By Councillor McGuire-Blais

  That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held December 16, 2024 be adopted as circulated.

  Carried

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Dane Sanford, Owner of Sanford and Son Super Market

RE: Parking Concerns on Walnut Street near Sanford and Son Super Market's east entrance 

Dane Sanford, Owner of Sanford and Son Super Market explained that the delivery trucks exit toward the residential side of Walnut Street and the delivery trucks maneuver around the corner by jack-knifing or driving into resident's driveways to avoid the parked vehicles. He presented photos and stated that his business requires more room for the trucks to turn in and out of the parking lot during the hours of 6:00 AM until 3:00 or 4:00 PM.

Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services, noted that the two residential properties on Walnut Street South only have one vehicle driveways.

Council discussed the request and directed Administration to implement and erect no parking signs on Walnut Street South near Sanford and Son Super Market.

• R25-01-003
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Councillor McGuire-Blais

  That the delegation by Dane Sanford, Owner of Sanford and Son Super Market, regarding parking concerns on Walnut Street South near Sanford and Son's Super Market be received.

  Carried
• R25-01-004
  Moved By Mayor Bondy
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That Council direct Administration to erect no parking signs at the intersection of Walnut Street South and County Road 20 East to the light post at 20 Walnut Street South; and

  That Council direct Administration to amend the parking by-law to authorize such restriction.

  Carried

8.2

Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA)

RE: Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) 2025 Draft Budget

Tim Byrne, CAO/Secretary Treasurer, Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) provided Council with the 2024 highlights including the approval of the new storm water standards for the entire region, the completion of the coastal hazards mapping for the entire shoreline and further highlighted ERCA's efforts in responding to the significant flooding in our region.

Mr. Byrne announced that ERCA was awarded the single largest grant from the federal government for a conservation authority outside the Golden Triangle for $14 million dollars and stated that $6.3 million dollars will be used to reestablish our watershed stewardship programing that deals with 75% of the watershed in rural areas of this region.

He further announced the completion of the Clean Water Green Space's 20-year summary and thanked municipalities across the region for their contributions that totaled 14.8 million dollars with an additional 15.2 million dollars contributed from ERCA for a 30 million dollar investment to acquire at risk properties threatened by development and undertake reforestation/restoration throughout the region in future years.

Mr. Bryne provided an overview of the 2025 budget and noted the global increase is slightly under 3%. 

• R25-01-005
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That Council allow the delegate Tim Byrne, CAO/Secretary Treasurer, Essex Region Conservation Authority, an additional 5 minutes.

  Carried
• R25-01-006
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Councillor Garon

  That the presentation by Tim Byrne, CAO/Secretary Treasurer, Essex Region Conservation Authority, regarding the Draft 2025 Budget be received; and

  That the correspondence from the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) dated December 13, 2024 containing the ERCA 2025 Draft Budget, Discussion and Analysis be received.

  Carried

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Verbal Report by Doug Sweet, CAO

RE: Holiday Garbage Pickup

Doug Sweet, CAO, provided a verbal report on the holiday garbage collection and provided solutions that the Town has implemented to prevent future issues with the garbage collection calendar.

• R25-01-007
  Moved By Mayor Bondy
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That the verbal report by Doug Sweet, CAO, regarding the holiday garbage pickup be received.

  Carried

10.2

Capital Works and Asset Management-2025-01

RE: Update on Driveway at 33 Irwin Avenue

• R25-01-008
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Councillor Garon

  That Capital Works and Asset Management Report-2025-01 entitled Update on Driveway at 33 Irwin Avenue by David McBeth, Manager, Capital Works and Asset Management, dated January 13, 2025, be received; and

  That Council approve the construction for approximately 600mm (2’) of additional driveway with a 300mm (1’) flare on the south side of the existing driveway at 33 Irwin Avenue from the Irwin Avenue Reconstruction project budget.

  Carried

10.3

Planning-2025-01

RE: ZBA-10-24 (0 Maidstone Avenue West, Essex Centre)

• R25-01-009
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Mayor Bondy

  That Planning Report-2025-01 entitled ZBA-10-24 (0 Maidstone Avenue West, Essex Centre) prepared by Ian Rawlings, Junior Planner, dated January 13, 2025 be received; and
  That By-Law Number 2400, being a By-Law to amend By-Law 1037, the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law for the Town of Essex, be read a third time and finally passed on January 13, 2025.

  Carried

10.4

Capital Works and Asset Management-2025-02

RE: CLI-ECA Amherstburg Access Agreement, Ducharme Lane

Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services provided an overview of the CLI-ECA Amherstburg Access Agreement and stated that Administration is recommending that Council authorize this agreement.

• R25-01-010
  Moved By Councillor Hammond
  Seconded By Mayor Bondy

  That Capital Works and Asset Management Report-2025-02 entitled CLI-ECA Amherstburg Access Agreement, Ducharme Lane prepared by Erica Tilley, Assistant Manager, Capital Works and Asset Management dated January 13, 2025, be received; and

  That Council authorizes Administration to enter into the Authorization Agreement for Phase 2 of the Ducharme Lane Development with the Town of Amherstburg as attached.

  Carried

11.

Reports from Youth Members

12.

County Council Update

• R25-01-011
  Moved By Councillor Hammond
  Seconded By Mayor Bondy

  That the County of Essex, Regular Meeting minutes listed in Agenda Item 12, be received.

  Carried

12.1

County of Essex, Regular Council Meeting Minutes - November 20, 2024

13.

Correspondence

13.1

Correspondence to be received

• R25-01-012
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Mayor Bondy

  That all of the correspondence listed in Agenda Item 13.1 be received and, where indicated, to further share such information with the community using suitable methods of communication.

  Carried

13.1.1

City of Toronto

RE: Paid Plasma Free Zone

13.1.2

The Municipality of Kincardine

RE: Property Taxation Implications Related to Non-Market Valuation of Electricity Industry Properties

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

The Corporation of the Town of Cobalt

RE: Resume the Assessment Cycle

• R25-01-013
  Moved By Councillor Verbeek
  Seconded By Councillor McGuire-Blais

  That the correspondence from the Corporation of the Town of Cobalt dated December 11, 2024, regarding the assessment cycle be received and supported; and

  That a letter of support be sent to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Rural Ontario Municipalities Association, Municipalities Property Assessment Corporation and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

  Carried

13.2.2

Arts, Culture, and Tourism Committee

RE: Appointment of Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee Member

• R25-01-014
  Moved By Mayor Bondy
  Seconded By Councillor Matyi

  That the application by Devika Thunnaru Kandi to be appointed to the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Committee be received and supported.

  Carried

14.

Committee Meeting Minutes

• R25-01-015
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That the Committee Meeting minutes listed in Agenda Item 14, together with any recommendations to Council noted therein, be received, approved and adopted as circulated.

  Carried

14.1

Court of Revision - December 5, 2024

14.2

Personnel Committee - December 10, 2024

Recommendations to Council:

PC-24-14
Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley, Vice Chair
Seconded By Sherry Bondy, Mayor

That the Personnel Committee recommend to Council the adoption of the Flextime Policy as presented in HR Report 2024-06 for a trial period of 18 months, by resolution at the next regular Council meeting.

PC-24-15
Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley, Vice Chair
Seconded By Sherry Bondy, Mayor

That the Personnel Committee recommend to Council the adoption of the Attendance Management Policy as presented in HR Report 2024-07 by resolution at the next regular Council meeting.

14.3

Arts, Culture and Tourism - December 11, 2024

14.4

Striking Committee - December 16, 2024

Recommendations to Council:

SC24-12-003
Moved By Kim Verbeek, Councillor Ward 2
Seconded By Rob Shepley, Deputy Mayor

That the Recommendation to Council is to increase the number of Community Members on the Affordable Housing Task Force for the remainder of the current Task Force term, ending November 15, 2026, to a maximum of eleven (11) Community Members.

Carried

SC24-12-004
Moved By Rob Shepley, Deputy Mayor
Seconded By Jason Matyi, Councillor Ward 3

That the Recommendation to Council is for Jo-Ann Conrod and Rachael Mills to be the appointed members of the Affordable Housing Task Force for the term ending November 15, 2026.

Carried

SC24-12-005
Moved By Rob Shepley, Deputy Mayor
Seconded By Jason Matyi, Councillor Ward 3

That the Recommendation to Council is for Nancy Shangi to be an appointed member of the Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee for the term ending November 15, 2026.

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

17.1

The following Notice of Motion was presented at the December 16, 2024 Regular Council Meeting and is being brought forward this evening for Council's consideration:

17.1.1

Mayor Bondy

• R25-01-016
  Moved By Mayor Bondy
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That Council request a report from Administration outlining initiatives and projects completed in 2024 and planned for in 2025 that help to address flooding in the municipality.

  Carried

17.2

The following Notices of Motion are for presentment only and will be brought forward for Council's consideration at the February 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting:

17.2.1

Councillor McGuire-Blais

Moved by Councillor McGuire-Blais

That Council direct Administration to provide a report on the status of negotiations with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) on the sidewalk expansion on South Talbot from the Cypher Systems Group Greenway to Reed Street and the Hanlan Road Expansion; and

That the report should include information and timelines on the funding the Town is expected to receive from the MTO for both projects.

17.2.2

Councillor McGuire-Blais

Moved by Councillor McGuire-Blais

Whereas in 2023, Association of Municipalities Ontario (with industry partners) began advocating for a timely return to the assessment cycle given that outdated assessments can be inaccurate, increase volatility, and are not fully transparent; and

Whereas a result of this advocacy was a letter from the Minster of Finance Office, Peter Bethlenfalvy stating that a review of the property assessment and taxation system would be conducted and therefore reassessment would be deferred until such review was completed; and

Whereas to date no further information has been provided on a potential reassessment or findings on the review of the system.

Now Therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the Town of Essex direct Administration to send a letter to the local MPP office, MPAC representatives and the office of the Minister of Finance, with AMO included for receipt, requesting a status update on the property taxation and assessment review and timelines for the introduction of the next reassessment cycle.

18.

Reports and Announcements from Council Members

19.

By-Laws

19.1

By-Laws that require a third and final reading

19.1.1

By-Law 2411

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the December 16, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• R25-01-017
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That By-Law 2411 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the December 16, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on January 13 2024.

  Carried

19.1.2

By-Law 2396

RE: Being a by-law to provide for the 14th Concession East Drain and Branch (Inspiration Industrial Park Bridge) in the Town of Essex

• R25-01-018
  Moved By Councillor Garon
  Seconded By Councillor McGuire-Blais

  That By-Law 2396 being a by-law to provide for the 14th Concession East Drain and Branch (Inspiration Industrial Park Bridge) in the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on January 13, 2024.

  Carried

19.1.3

By-Law 2397

RE: Being a by-law to provide for Walker Drain Repairs and Improvements

• R25-01-019
  Moved By Councillor Hammond
  Seconded By Councillor Matyi

  That By-Law 2397 being a by-law to provide for Walker Drain Repairs and Improvements be read a third time and finally passed on January 13, 2025.

  Carried

19.2

By-Laws that require a first, second, third and final reading

19.3

By-Laws that require a first and second reading

19.3.1

By-Law 2413

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the January 13, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• R25-01-020
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Councillor Verbeek

  That By-Law 2413 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the January 13, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a first and a second time and provisionally passed on January 13, 2025.

  Carried

20.

Adjournment

• R25-01-021
  Moved By Councillor Hammond
  Seconded By Councillor Verbeek

  That the meeting be adjourned at 6:48 PM.

  Carried