HomeMy WebLinkAbout062024 Council Highlights
June 20, 2024
Council Highlights
Bayham Wins EA Danby Award for Shared Services with Malahide
Correspondence was received from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks,
and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) regarding the 2024 EA Danby Award. Bayh am
and Malahide were jointly awarded the 2024 EA Danby Award in the area of
Municipal Administration (under 20,000 residents) for their Shared Services
Agreement with building and by-law enforcement services. The Mayor congratulated
the staff and councils of both municipalities for their creativity to implement a model
that increases service while saving costs.
The CAO formally accepted the award on behalf of Bayham at the recent AMCTO
Conference.
Presentation –Water/Wastewater Rate Update – Watson & Associates
Economists Ltd.
Byron Tan from Watson and Associates Economists Ltd. attended the Council
meeting virtually to present on the 2024 Water/Wastewater Rate Study. The study
included a number of components such as current and projected users on the
system, upcoming capital needs, operational requirements, reserves and reserve
transfers, all of which were used to determine the best options for new water and
wastewater rates starting in 2025.
Two scenarios were presented for the Bayham water systems (Vienna/Port Burwell,
and Richmond), with one solution for the wastewater system.
After a lengthy discussion, Council resolved to refer Scenario 1, which was the
scenario with a fully-funded system with no debt, back to staff for revisions to shift the
larger water rate increases on the Bayham system (Vienna and Port Burwell) to 2026
to accommodate Council’s desire to continue on course to retire the HMCS Ojibwa
debt in 2025. The revised Scenario 1 will return to Council in July 2024 for further
consideration.
Planning Reports
The Planning Coordinator presented a number of Reports including the following:
Rezoning Application ZBA-14/24 Paget – 11681 Elliott Road
Rezoning Application ZBA-16/24 Willow Hawk Farms Inc. – 56830 Talbot Line
Consent Applications E46-24 Friesen – 55837 Fifth Street
Development Agreement – Dan Froese Farms Inc.
Development Agreements – Janzen, and PBR Excavating Ltd.
All staff and/or Planner recommendations in the in the Reports were approved by
Council, or, in the case of the Consent Application, a recommendation of support was
provided to Elgin County. By-laws to adopt the rezonings and development
agreements were adopted later in the meeting.
Correspondence from the Straffordville Hall Foundation
Marni Wolfe of the Straffordville Hall Foundation submitted correspondence in
regards to the division of the costs associated with the Straffordville Community
Centre (recreation space versus the Municipal office).
Council resolved to direct changes to the utility allocation formula and Str affordville
Community Centre budget template for the 2025 fiscal year.
Marni Wolfe also spoke to her correspondence during the Open Forum.
Municipal Assistance – Second Intake
In accordance with the Municipality’s newly-adopted Municipal Assistance Policy,
Council received a Report from the Clerk regarding the second and final official
municipal assistance intake for 2024. Two applications were received, including a
$2,000 funding request from the Port Burwell Santa Claus Parade.
Council resolved to approve the two requests. However, no funding allocation was
given to the Port Burwell Santa Claus Parade.
Lighthouse Options Revisited
In light of recent discussions by Council around correspondence received on the Port
Burwell Lighthouse, the CAO presented a Report to Council to revisit options for the
rehabilitation of the Lighthouse. The Report brought back before Council the Class D
estimate provided by a+LINK in August 2023, along with suggestions and possible
cost implications identified in Report CAO-03/24, which Council received in February
2024.
Council resolved to seek an update to the August 2023 quote provided by a+LINK,
and obtain a further quote that considers an alterna tive cladding on the Lighthouse so
Council can consider the costs for both options before making a decision.
Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
Ontario Regulation 25/23 requires that municipalities update or create their Energy
Conservation and Demand Management Plan no later than July 1, 2024. Council
received a draft Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan from the CAO
for the 2024-2029 period. The Plan endeavours to continue the success of previous
years by continuing to seek reductions in energy consumption and associated
emissions.
Council was supportive of the Plan as presented.
The 2024-2029 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan will be posted
to the website under Plans, Reports and Studies for public consumption.
Support for Deputy Mayor Weisler’s AMO Board Nomination
Deputy Mayor Weisler was seeking Bayham Council support to run for the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board once more. She was previously
elected in 2022.
Council provided support to the Deputy Mayor, and a resolution is to be provided to
AMO in support of her campaign.
For further details, view the meeting agenda and minutes HERE
and watch the YouTube live-stream HERE
DATED at the Municipality of Bayham this 21st day of June, 2024.
Municipality of Bayham
PO Box 160
56169 Heritage Line
Straffordville, ON N0J 1Y0
Telephone: 519-866-5521