Township of East Garafraxa

Regular Council Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 2:00 P.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Electronic/Virtual

Council Members Present:

• Mayor Guy Gardhouse
• Deputy Mayor John Stirk
• Councillor Lenora Banfield
• Councillor Dave Halls
• Councillor Jeremy Zukowski

Staff/Consultants Present:

• Peter Avgoustis, CAO
• Dave Knight, Director of Public Works
• Alan Selby, Treasurer
• Jessica Kennedy, Clerk
• Shannon Peart, Administration/Clerk's Dept.

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1.

Opening of Meeting

Mayor Gardhouse called the meeting to order. 

2.

Approval of Agenda

• Moved by: Councillor Halls
  Seconded by: Councillor Zukowski

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The agenda be approved as circulated.

  CARRIED

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

Nothing at this time.

4.

Approval of Minutes

4.1

Council Meeting Minutes

• Moved by: Deputy Mayor Stirk
  Seconded by: Councillor Halls

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council do hereby adopt the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on August 27, 2024, as circulated.

  CARRIED

4.2

Business arising from Minutes

Nothing at this time. 

5.

Public Question Period 2:00 p.m.

Nothing at this time. 

6.

Delegation(s) / Presentation(s) / Petition(s)

Nothing at this time. 

7.

Statutory Public Meeting(s)

Nothing at this time. 

8.

Unfinished Business

8.1

Petition for Reimbursement of GRCA Review Fees

Discussion ensued regarding the request presented at the August 27, 2024, Council meeting.

The accountability of organizations concerning site-specific changes to property zoning, designations, and regulated/sensitive areas, as well as the notification provided to affected property owners, was discussed.

Council did not approve the reimbursement request. However, Council directed staff to initiate advocacy discussions with the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) regarding processes with respect to matters related to mapping changes and/or discrepancies in zoning, designations, and/or regulated areas.

Mr. Laszlo to be notified accordingly. 

9.

Notice of Motion(s)

Nothing at this time. 

10.

Staff / Consultant Report(s)

Nothing at this time. 

11.

County of Dufferin Business

11.1

Council Meeting Agenda September 12, 2024

11.2

Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2023 Annual Report

• Moved by: Councillor Zukowski
  Seconded by: Councillor Halls

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council do hereby receive the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2023 Annual Report; 

  And further that the report be posted on the Township website. 

  CARRIED

12.

Local Boards and Committees

12.1

Grand River Conservation Authority Board

12.1.1

Summary of the General Membership Meeting - August 23, 2024

12.1.2

Conservation Areas Strategy Consultation Period letter dated August 23, 2024

12.1.3

Dufferin Rural Water Quality Program Renewed

12.2

Credit Valley Conservation Authority Board

12.2.1

FCM Funding for Tree Planting Projects in East Garafraxa

• Moved by: Councillor Halls
  Seconded by: Councillor Zukowski

  WHEREAS planting trees across the Township of East Garafraxa will provide many benefits to residents, including increased forest cover and biodiversity, improved soil and water conservation, providing wildlife habitat and climate change adaptation and resiliency; and 
  
  WHEREAS Credit Valley Conservation is undertaking the Forestry Rural Tree Planting Project; and 
  
  WHEREAS Council acknowledges that Credit Valley Conservation is applying for a funding opportunity from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative for the Forestry Rural Tree Planting Project in partnership with Township of East Garafraxa; 
  
  AND FURTHER THAT Council recognizes that the lifetime contribution from the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative will not exceed $10 million for tree planting within the Township of East Garafraxa, inclusive of a maximum contribution of $1 million for infrastructure activity costs, and that if approved this project will be counted towards that limit.

  CARRIED

12.3

Grand Valley Medical and Dental Board

12.3.1

May 27, 2024 Approved Meeting Minutes

13.

General Business and Correspondence

13.1

Item(s) Extracted from the Information Items Package (if any)

Nothing at this time. 

14.

New Business

14.1

Special Council Meeting

Discussion ensued regarding scheduling a Special Council Meeting for a presentation by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) on municipal restructuring (amalgamations).

Could be held during a Regular Council meeting if appropriate. Discussion also took place regarding the meeting format and public participation. It is anticipated that the public will have multiple opportunities to provide comments throughout the exploratory process. Initial meeting to be held in the Fall 2024. 

14.2

Resident Letter dated July 24, 2024

15.

Closed Meeting

Closed Meeting was held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:02 p.m. 

Shannon Peart, Administration, Alan Selby, Treasurer and Dave Knight, Director of Public Works left the meeting prior to the Closed Meeting and did not return. 

Councillor Banfield joined the Closed Meeting and was in attendance for the remainder of the open session. Deputy Mayor Stirk left the Closed Meeting following the adjournment and did not return to the open session. 

 

• Moved by: Deputy Mayor Stirk
  Seconded by: Councillor Zukowski

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: a Closed Meeting of Council be held pursuant to Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reason(s): 

  15.1 Organizational Structure and Compensation Review
  Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board
  employees; and Labour relations or employee negotiations.

  15.2 Adoption of Closed Meeting Minutes

  CARRIED

16.

Rise and Report from Closed Meeting

• Moved by: Councillor Halls
  Seconded by: Councillor Banfield

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council do hereby resume regular business in Open Session. Staff instructed in accordance with Closed Meeting discussions. 

  CARRIED

17.

By-Law(s)

Nothing at this time. 

18.

Confirming By-Law

• Moved by: Councillor Halls
  Seconded by: Councillor Zukowski

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Leave be given to introduce a By-Law, being a By-Law for the Proceedings of Council of the Corporation of the Township of East Garafraxa at its Meeting Held on September 10, 2024, and that it be given the necessary readings and be passed and numbered 36-2024. 

  CARRIED

19.

Adjournment

Council Meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.

• Moved by: Councillor Banfield
  Seconded by: Councillor Halls

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council do now adjourn to meet again for the Regular Electronic Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., or at the call of the Chair.

  CARRIED