The Corporation of the Town of Essex

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, April 03, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location: Essex Municipal Building, 33 Talbot Street South and by livestream at https://www.youtube.com/user/EssexOntario

Present:

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

Also Present:

• Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services
• Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services
• Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services
• Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services
• Shelley Brown, Acting Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services
• Abbie Woods, Legislative Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services
• Lauryn Smith, Youth Council Member
• Colin Pyne, Youth Council Member

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

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Bondy 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

Mayor Bondy welcomed Colin Pyne and Lauryn Smith, Youth Council Members, to their first meeting.

Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services, announced that Colchester Harbour was awarded as the Best Anglers Attraction in the Best of Windsor-Essex Awards 2023.

4.

Closed Meeting Report

Shelley Brown, Acting Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services provided a report on the Closed meetings held on March 23, 2023 and April 3, 2023.

She reported that Council met in Closed session on March 23, 2023 at 9:00 AM to receive education and training pursuant to Section 239 (3.1) of the Municipal Act, s.o. c. 25 as amended. At this meeting, Council discussed their strategic priorities for the 2022-2026 term of Council.

She also reported that Council met in Closed session on April 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM to receive education and training pursuant to Section 239 (3.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, s.o. c. 25 as amended. At this meeting, Council received education regarding Development Charges, including the purpose of Development Charges, the Development Charges Act and the Town of Essex Development Charges By-Law. Council also received education on More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 and its potential impacts on the Municipality.

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 April 3, 2023

• R23-04-118
  Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley
  Seconded By Councillor Matyi

  That the published agenda for the April 3, 2023 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as amended to include the addendum regarding Agenda Item 14.2.

  Carried

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for March 20, 2023

• R23-04-119
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held March 20, 2023 be adopted as circulated.

  Carried

7.2

Special Council Meeting Minutes for March 20, 2023

RE: To Consider a Proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision

• R23-04-120
  Moved By Councillor Verbeek
  Seconded By Councillor Allard

  That the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held March 20, 2023 be adopted as circulated.

  Carried

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Rodney Ferriss, 3300 County Road 20

RE: Road Name Change

Rodney Ferriss, 3300 County Road 20 stated that the road that his property is situated on does not have an official name. He asked Council to consider naming the road as emergency services may find it difficult to find his house in the event of an emergency. He also noted that postal services have difficulty finding his home for deliveries.

Rick Arnel, Fire Chief, Essex Fire and Rescue Services stated that Fire Services have additional information pertaining to the location of this property, enabling them to locate it in an emergency. 

Councillor McGuire-Blais asked whether there is an official name for the road where Rodney Ferriss' property is located and why his address is in Amherstburg. Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services replied that the name of the road in the Town of Essex records is the Malden-Colchester Townline Road and further, that postal codes and mailing addresses are determined by Canada Post.

Councillor McGuire-Blais asked which Municipality would be notified of an emergency at this property, whereby Rick Arnel confirmed that Essex Fire and Rescue Services would be dispatched.

• R23-04-121
  Moved By Councillor Verbeek
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor Shepley

  That the delegation by Rodney Ferriss, 3300 County Road 20 regarding changing the name of Concession Road 7 in the Town of Essex be received; and

  That Council direct Administration to prepare a report to Council regarding the road name change of Concession Road 7.

  Carried

8.2

Councillor Garon and Councillor McGuire-Blais

RE: Update on Festival and Events Ontario ("FEO") Conference

Councillor Garon reported that he, Councillor McGuire-Blais and the Vice-Chair of the Fun Fest Committee, Richard Tapping, attended the Festival and Events Ontario Conference in Niagara Falls last month. He noted that the theme of the Conference was "Celebrate: Passion, Progress, and Performance" and that the Conference was celebrating the opportunity to host events throughout the province after the pandemic.

Councillor McGuire-Blais reported that inclusivity and diversity were common themes discussed at the Conference and that she would like to consider inviting Indigenous communities to participate in the Town of Essex events and festivals.

• R23-04-122
  Moved By Councillor Allard
  Seconded By Councillor Matyi

  That the update regarding the Festival and Events Ontario Conference presented by Councillor Garon and Councillor McGuire-Blais, be received.

  Carried

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Community Services-2023-03

RE: Special Event Notice – McGregor Music Festival – June 11, 2023

• R23-04-123
  Moved By Councillor Verbeek
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor Shepley

  That Community Services Report-2023-03 entitled Special Event Notice – McGregor Music Festival – June 11, 2023, prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services, dated April 3, 2023 be received;

  That Council approve a temporary noise exemption in accordance with Noise By-Law #2038 from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sunday June 11, 2023, at Co-An Park to accommodate the entertainment for the McGregor Music Festival; and

  That Council approve the McGregor Music Festival for Significant Event Status for the purposes of applying for their Special Occasion Permit (SOP) for their event on June 11, 2023.

  Carried

10.2

Community Services-2023-04

RE: Special Event Notice – Essex Fun Fest – July 6 to 9, 2023

• R23-04-124
  Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That Community Services Report-2023-04 entitled Special Event Notice – Essex Fun Fest – July 6 to 9, 2023 prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services, dated April 3, 2023, be received;

  That Council approve a temporary noise exemption under Noise By-Law #2038 from 3:00 PM to 1:00 AM on Thursday July 6, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Friday July 7, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Saturday July 8, 2023, and from 11:00AM until 6:00PM on Sunday July 9, 2023, at the Essex Centre Sports Complex to accommodate the entertainment for the Essex Fun Fest;

  That Council approve closing Fairview Avenue West between 360 Fairview Avenue West (Essex Civic Centre) and Hanlan Street, and Hanlan Street from Fairview Avenue West to Victoria Street in Essex Centre between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM for the Essex Fun Fest Parade with the lineup prior to the event taking place at the Essex Civic Centre; and

  That Council approve the Essex Fun Fest for Significant Event Status for the purposes of applying for their Special Occasion Permit (SOP) for their event on July 6 to 9, 2023.

  Carried

10.3

Community Services-2023-05

RE: Special Events Resource Team (SERT) Update

• R23-04-125
  Moved By Councillor Hammond
  Seconded By Councillor McGuire-Blais

  That Community Services Report-2023-05 entitled Special Event Resources Team (SERT) Update prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services, dated April 3, 2023, be received.

  Carried

11.

Reports from Youth Members

Colin Pyne and Lauryn Smith, Youth Council Members introduced themselves to Council.

12.

County Council Update

Mayor Bondy reported that the Essex County Library Board will be investigating the Bibliotheca Open Plus Program at the Harrow branch to determine its efficacy. 

13.

Correspondence

13.1

Correspondence to be received

• R23-04-126
  Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That all of 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

Township of Lucan Biddulph

RE: Future accuracy of permanent Register of Electors

13.1.2

The Corporation of the Town of Cobourg

RE: Homelessness and Unsheltered Persons

13.1.3

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

RE: Amendments to Ontario Regulation 161/17 under the Public Lands Act

13.1.4

Municipality of Dutton Dunwich

RE: Letter of Support regarding taxation of Short-Term Rental Units

13.1.5

E.L.K Energy Incorporated and Entegrus

RE: Management Services Agreement between E.L.K Energy Inc. and Entegrus Inc.

13.1.6

Attorney General

RE: Modernization initiatives in Ontario's Provincial Offences Act ("POA") courts

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

RE: More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022

• R23-04-127
  Moved By Councillor Hammond
  Seconded By Councillor Verbeek

  That Council invite the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing to the Town of Essex to discuss the correspondence dated March 23, 2023 received from the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and 

  That the letter dated December 1, 2022 from Mayor Bondy regarding Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 be sent to the New Democratic Party of Ontario.

  Carried

14.

Committee Meeting Minutes

• R23-04-128
  Moved By Councillor McGuire-Blais
  Seconded By Councillor Allard

  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

Business Improvement Area ("BIA") Meeting Minutes - February 21, 2023

14.2

Committee of Adjustment Meeting Minutes

At the adoption of the amended agenda, Council added the Addendum pertaining to the February 14, 2023 Committee of Adjustment meeting minutes.

14.2.1

November 14, 2023

14.2.2

February 14, 2023

14.3

Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee Meeting Minutes - February 8, 2023

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

18.

Reports and Announcements from Council Members

Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer reported that E.L.K Energy Incorporated would be completing a scheduled service at the intersection of Maidstone, Arthur, and Gosfield on Sunday, April 16, 2023 between the hours of 4:00 AM - 8:00 AM.

19.

By-Laws

19.1

By-Laws that require a third and final reading

19.1.1

By-Law 2232

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the March 20, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex.

• R23-04-129
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor Shepley

  That By-Law Number 2232 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the March 20, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on April 3, 2023.

  Carried

19.2

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

19.2.1

By-Law 2233

RE: Being a by-law to enter into an Agreement with Ann Bezaire to perform the duties of Superintendent and Caretake for certain cemeteries in the Town of Essex

• R23-04-130
  Moved By Councillor Allard
  Seconded By Councillor Verbeek

  That By-Law Number 2233 being a by-law to enter into an Agreement with Ann Bezaire to perform the duties of Superintendent and Caretaker for certain cemeteries in the Town of Essex be read a first, a second and a third time and finally passed on April 3, 2023.

  Carried

19.2.2

By-Law 2239

RE: Being a by-law to appoint a Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk for the Town of Essex

• R23-04-131
  Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley
  Seconded By Councillor McGuire-Blais

  That By-Law Number 2239 being a by-law to appoint a Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk for the Town of Essex be read a first, a second, and a third time and finally passed on April 3, 2023.

  Carried

19.3

By-Laws that require a first and second reading

19.3.1

By-Law 2238

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the April 3, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• R23-04-132
  Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley
  Seconded By Councillor Garon

  That By-Law Number 2238 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the April 3, 2023 Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on April 3, 2023.

  Carried

20.

Adjournment

• R23-04-133
  Moved By Councillor Allard
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That the meeting be adjourned at 6:45 PM.

  Carried