The Corporation of the Township of Huron-Kinloss

Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, August 07, 2024

Time:

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers

Members Present

• Don Murray, Mayor
• Jim Hanna, Deputy Mayor
• Larry Allison, Councillor
• Ed McGugan, Councillor
• Carl Sloetjes, Councillor

Members Absent

• Shari Flett, Councillor
• Scott Gibson, Councillor

Staff Present

• Jennifer White, Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk
• Jodi MacArthur, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jeff Bradley, Fire Chief
• Mike Fair, Director of Community Services
• John Yungblut, Director of Public Works

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Murray called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None disclosed. 

3.

Delegations

3.1

Point Clark Pickleball Club

Doug Powers with the Point Clark Pickleball Club addressed Committee of the Whole with a request for dedicated pickle ball courts in the community of Point Clark.  

Doug represented a dedicated, committed and passionate group of "picklers" seeking dedicated courts specifically in Point Clark.  

Powers noted that Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, and dispelled the myth that pickleball was for retirees only, and that youth was the fastest growing segment in new pickleball players.  

Powers requested that the temporary courts on the paved parking lot be replaced with dedicated courts with appropriate playing surfaces and fencing. 

The Point Clark Pickleball Club is encouraging residents to complete the Parks and Trails Survey Parks and Trails Plan | Have Your Say HK.

The Club suggested a willingness to run a pickleball program for the Township including coaching and training programs if the Township desired.  Powers noted that the Club is willing to participate and engage in a variety of ways to help see this project proceed, including fundraising, planning, obtaining sponsorship or planning, and formalizing the club to minimize liability. 

Committee of the Whole thanked the Club for presenting and noted that Council and Staff will continue to engage with the club as the process continues.  

3.2

Maitland Valley Conservation Authority

Ed McGugan, Chair of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) Board of Directors, and Phil Beard General Manager MVCA provided Committee of the Whole with an overview of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority Watershed Strategy.

Developing a Watershed Strategy by December 31 of 2024 is requirement of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries.  

The Strategy is developed to align with the existing agreements with municipalities to end in 2026.   Beard provided a summary of the strategy to Committee of the Whole. 

The work plan focuses on 2024 - 2026 the following objectives:
1. Help our member municipalities reduce the potential for loss of life, property damage and social disruption in flood and erosion prone areas.
2. Assisting member municipalities and landowners to develop and to implement soil and water conservation systems that help keep soil and nutrients on the land and out of watercourses and Lake Huron.
3. Ensure that the management of our conservation areas sets high standards of conservation practices and are safe for the public to use.
4. Develop a stable financial base so we can help our member municipalities to develop a healthy, resilient, and prosperous watershed.

McGugan discussed urban flood prone areas and the importance of protecting the residents and property in these areas.  McGugan discussed flood and erosion control structures and the need to develop an asset management plan for essential infrastructure.  Flood Plain Mapping is expected to be updated, and the MVCA will be working with the Township to complete this. 

McGugan discussed the areas that MVCA is intending to restore to prevent erosion and improve the health of soils.  Beard spoke about the watershed health program and the importance of having data to ensure sound approaches to project and resource management.  

McGugan and Beard emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across all levels of government to create a healthy environment.  

The MVCA is seeking feedback from Council and the public on the Strategy by September 30th.  Visit www.mvca.on.ca for further information or to comment on the Strategy.

Committee of the Whole thanked the MVCA for their presentation and the work they do within the community.   Committee inquired about the impact of the emerald ash borer and what residents could do to contribute to forest management.  Beard indicated that the MVCA had formed a Forest Advisory Committee to work on this collaboratively with scientists and other agencies. 

Committee discussed source water protection and the health of wells on private property.  Beard suggested advocacy to protect private well health.      

4.

Staff Reports

4.1

Building & Planning

a.

Building Statistics July 2024, BLD-2024-08-17

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 01
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole receives Report BLD-2024-08-17, prepared by Michele Barr, Deputy Chief Building Official.

  Carried

4.2

By-law Enforcement

a.

Municipal By-Law Enforcement Status Report July 2024, BLE-2024-08-11

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 02
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report BLE-2024-08-11, as prepared by Heather Falconer, Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer.

  Carried

4.3

Fire Department

a.

Emergency Management Summary July 2024, FIR-2024-08-17

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 03
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report FIR-2024-08-17 prepared by Mel Moulton, Emergency Services/ Health & Safety Coordinator-CEMC.

  AND FURTHER authorizes the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) to issue the Special Events Permit for Lucknow’s Music In The Fields when permit conditions are met.

  Carried

b.

Fire and Emergency Services Report July 2024, FIR-2024-08-18

Committee inquired about the Open Air Burning complaint noted in the report.  The Fire Chief explained that although a permit had been issued, there was no signage at the road which resulted in the burn being reported.  Staff are investigating providing signage to support these permits.  

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 04
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report FIR-2024-08-18 prepared by Jeff Bradley, Fire Chief.

  Carried

4.4

Community Services

a.

Ice Allocation Policy, CS-2024-08-31

Committee of the Whole confirmed that no changes were required as a result of consultations with user group.  Staff confirmed that the Lucknow Recreation Department has been included in the consultations and is aware of the proposed policy. 

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 05
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives Report CS-2024-08-31 prepared by Mike Fair, Director of Community Services;

  AND FURTHER that a by-law be brought forward to adopt the Ice Allocation Policy as presented.

  Carried

b.

Community Services Programming Update August 2024, CS-2024-08-32

Committee of the Whole inquired about the growth of pickleball in the community.  Staff noted that it has continued to grow at a steady rate, but courts have only been in place for 3-4 years.  Committee inquired about whether nets were fundraised or from the Township budgets. Staff explained that a pickleball membership fee is charged to recover costs associated with the courts and nets.  

Staff is requesting feedback from the community in the current parks and trails survey on the location of pickleball courts, having identified some potential areas already.  

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 06
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receive for information Report CS-2024-08-32 prepared by Elyse Dewar, Administrative Assistant/Program Coordinator.

  Carried

c.

Community Services August 2024 Status Report, CS-2024-08-33

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 07
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CS-2024-08-33 prepared by Mike Fair, Director of Community Services.

  Carried

4.5

Public Works

a.

Sunset Pl Remediation (2), PW-2024-08-33

Committee of the Whole confirmed that Staff are proposing an urban cross section as an upgrade to the original subdivision design.

Staff confirmed that any property already enclosed would need to be lowered for grading purposes, and can't be incorporated into a new proposal, and had been done without engineering or permission or consultation with Staff. 

Committee inquired about the infiltration function as part of the current setup and whether that had been considered in the new proposal.  Staff noted that the downstream impact was investigated and is not expected to be impacted by the new design.  

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 08
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives Report PW2024-08-33 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works,

  AND FURTHER directs Staff to develop a cost sharing proposal to enclose ditches along Sunset Pl. to be included in the 2025 budget deliberations.

  Carried

b.

Transportation August 2024, PW-2024-08-34

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 09
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report PW-2024-08-34 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works.

  Carried

c.

Water-Wastewater August 2024, PW-2024-08-35

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 10
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report PW2024-08-35 prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works.

  Carried

d.

Waste Management August 2024, PW-2024-08-36

Committee of the Whole inquired about whether Staff had investigated the costs associated with contracting removal of waste from the Township. 

Staff confirmed that this had been investigated for the Huron landfill waste disposal site but is currently considered cost prohibitive.  Staff continue to investigate alternate measures such as this, as part of the waste management strategy for the Township.  

Committee discussed issues at the Huron Landfill that have been identified by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and the challenges experienced by small, rural municipalities in complying with standards in a fiscally responsible manner.  

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 11
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report PW-2024-08-36, prepared by John Yungblut, Director of Public Works.

  Carried

4.6

Business & Economic Development

a.

Rural Economic Development Fund August 2024, BED-2024-08-14

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 12
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report BED-2024-08-14, prepared by Michelle Goetz, Manager of Strategic Initiatives;

  AND FURTHER authorizes the appropriate by-law be brought forward to confirm the execution of the funding agreement.

  Carried

b.

Economic Development Status Update August 2024, BED-2024-08-15

Committee inquired about visitor attendance at the Point Clark Lighthouse.  Attendance figures will be reported in status updates at the end of the season. 

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 13
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report BED-2024-08-15, prepared by Amy Irwin, Economic Development Officer.

  Carried

4.7

Chief Administrative Officer

a.

Human Resource Status Report August 2024, CAO-2024-08-24

Staff confirmed that review indicated that the volunteer firefighters and members of Council do not meet the criteria of a Non-Full-Time employee as defined in the OMERS plan, and and do not qualify for the optional enrolment into the OMERS pension. Committee inquired if this determination was consistent with neighboring municipalities.  Staff noted that while most neighboring municipalities had made the same determination, not all municipalities had, as employment conditions could be structured differently in each municipality.   

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 14
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CAO-2024-08-24 prepared by Leanne Scott, Human Resources Generalist

  Carried

b.

Nuclear Waste Management Organization Significant Neighbouring Community Working Group Update August 2024, CAO-2024-08-25

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 15
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CAO-2024-08-25 prepared by Jodi MacArthur, Chief Administrative Officer.

  Carried

c.

NWMO Site Selection Update and Regulatory Engagement Opportunities, CAO-2024-08-26

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 16
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan
  Carried
• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 -

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CAO-2024-08-26, prepared by Mike Bartlett, Administrative Coordinator.

  Carried

4.8

Legislative Services

a.

Noise Exemption Request – 1604 Bruce Rd 1 and 677 Lakeside Trail, CLK-2024-08-29

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 17
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CLK-2024-08-29 prepared by Kelly Lush, Deputy Clerk;

  AND grants an exemption to Noise By-Law No. 2005-101 to permit music at a wedding reception from 11:00 pm on August 17, 2024, until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 1604 Bruce Rd 1, Kincardine;

  AND FURTHER grants an exemption to permit fireworks on August 10, 2024 between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. with a rain date of August 11, 2024 at 677 Lakeside Trail.

  Carried

b.

Resolutions for Consideration August 2024, CLK-2024-08-30

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 18
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information Report CLK-2024-08-30 prepared by Kelly Lush, Deputy Clerk;

  AND FURTHER THAT the Committee of the Whole support the following resolutions: a) Bruce County request to pause service level reductions,  c) Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan regarding regulations for the Importation and Safe Use of Lithium-ion Batteries and e) Prince Edward County regarding Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards funding;

  AND FURTHER direct Staff to distribute as they see fit with e) also being sent to the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility. 

  Carried

c.

Signing Authority By-law, CLK-2024-08-31

Committee of the Whole confirmed with Staff that this delegation of authority should reduce the burden to deal with administrative matters at an operational level, and reduce the requirement for a by-law to be passed by Council to authorize these matters. 

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 19
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole receive Report CLK2024-08-31 prepared by Jennifer White, Manger of Legislative Services/Clerk;

  AND FURTHER authorizes the appropriate by-law to come forward.

  Carried

5.

Correspondence Requiring Direction

• Carried

5.1

Lucknow Kinsmen Correspondence

Staff provided information that Council does not have the authority to provide an exemption to building permit fees, as they are required to be self-funding.  The required fees will need to be funded from an alternate source in the Township's operating budget.  

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 20
  Moved by: Jim Hanna
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT Council direct Staff to support the request from the Lucknow Kinsmen organization, provided that all regulatory requirements are met with respect to the event and request.

  Carried

6.

Information

• Resolution No.: 08/07/24 - 21
  Moved by: Ed McGugan
  Seconded by: Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby receives for information all items listed in Section 6.0.

  Carried

6.1

Pine River Water Monitoring Reports June 2024

7.

New Business/Council Reports

Committee of the Whole requested an update regarding the Police Services Board and how issues such as an increase in petty crime could be reported or addressed to Council.  

The Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on the electrification of the Ripley Light Industrial Park.

Committee of the Whole inquired about whether the County had plans to improve an intersection in Lucknow.  The Mayor has invited the County Director of Transportation to present to Council. 

Bruce Beach AGM occurred this Saturday.  The organization is requesting an alternative bike path along Lake Range Drive. 

These matters were referred to Staff. 

8.

Closed Session

• Resolution No.: 08/07/2024 - 22
  Moved by: Larry Allison
  Seconded by: Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council move into closed meeting at 8:37 p.m. for the purpose of considering

  1) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Chief Building Official Recruitment);

  pursuant to Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council return to regular open meeting upon completion.

  Carried

9.

Business Arising from Closed Session

The Committee of the Whole returned to open session at 8:45 p.m. The Mayor reported that a closed session was held to receive information.  

10.

Adjournment

• Resolution No.: 08/07/27 - 23
  Moved by: Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded by: Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole hereby adjourn at 8:45 p.m. 

  Carried