Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout020625 Council Highlights February 6, 2025 Council Highlights Delegation Regarding a Municipal Housing Corporation Daniel Segal, Segal Construction, presented to Council on the options for municipal- led housing development by way of a municipal housing corporation. This wo uld require municipal resources such as land and/or funds to acquire land, and then funds to service and construct. At this time, Council has no intention of proceeding with a municipal housing corporation and received the delegation for information. However, should Council’s wishes change in the future, there is nothing prohibiting this information returning to Council for discussion purposes. Development Reports Council received three (3) Reports on housekeeping planning matters. Council received a follow-up report from Arcadis Planning Consultants on Additional Residential Units (ARUs) as per Council direction. Council received and approved a pair of new By-laws that incorporate required updates under Bill 23. By-law Nos. 2025-007 and 2025-008 were adopted later in the meeting to put into effect new By-laws regarding parkland dedication/cash-in-lieu of parkland, and a new site plan control by-law. Council also received and authorized a subdivision agreement for the Vienna Ridge Subdivision, which will comprise eight lots on North Street in Vienna on full services. Council and staff are looking forward to seeing this project officially start. Treasury Reports Three Reports were presented by the Treasurer, including a pair of Reports addressing statutory municipal reporting requirements for Public Sector Salary Disclosure (the Sunshine List), and Council remuneration, both for the 2024 fiscal year. Council received these Reports for information and directed a letter be sent to the applicable Ministry to request that the threshold for the Sunshine List be reviewed and updated to current values. The threshold is still $100,000, which in 2024 dollars is $179,800. Council also considered and authorized an update of the Cemetery By-law. Some changes to the By-law were discussed by the Joint Cemetery Board and Council in 2023, while others were recommended by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario through their review of our draft By-law. The new Cemetery By-law is By-law No. 2025-006. Letter of Support for the CHIF Grant Program The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) opened for applications in November 2024, and will be open until March 31, 2025. Municipalities can apply for funding for water, wastewater, storm water, and solid waste projects to suppor t housing. Bayham is working with Malahide and Central Elgin on a joint application for rehabilitation of 7 kilometres of the Nova Scotia Line transmission main, which comes at an estimated cost of $21 million. Council was asked to provide a Letter of Support for this application as one of the three collaborating municipalities. Council authorized that the Mayor provide a Letter of Support. Staff are looking forward to working with Malahide and Central Elgin on this very important application for Bayham water users. 2024 Community Strategic Plan Year-in-Review The CAO presented a Report to Council on the progress staff and Council had made in 2024 regarding the 2023-2026 Community Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan sets out pillars and initiatives that guide Council over the current council term. The Report identified a number of projects that have been completed or moved significantly forward in support of Council’s initiatives, including:  Asset Management Plan compliance with legislation  Completion of various Public Works projects o Tollgate Road and Stewart Bridge o Heating/lighting/Insulation upgrades at the Works yard  Progress with the Eden Pumping Station expansion  Progress with the canoe/kayak launch in Vienna  Adoption of the Financial Plan for the wate r/wastewater systems  Adoption of the 2024-2029 Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan in accordance with legislation  Tender award of the Marine Museum accessibility upgrades  Progress on paid parking at the East Beach  Receipt of rescoping for the Straffordville Community Centre expansion through ICIP  Progress on the Official Plan Conformity Review  Adoption of new Rates and Fees, and a Social Media Policy  Updates to the Facility Rental Policy  Significant progress towards retiring the Ojibwa debt o Another $1.1 million from the Capital Budget in 2025 o Ann Street residential lots listed for sale  Grants received for Fire and Emergency Management  A very good year in shared servicing (Building and By-law Enforcement) o Won an EA Danby Award in 2024 Staff are looking forward to continued progress on Council’s initiatives in 2025. Community Emergency Preparedness Grant Received Council received a joint Report from the CAO and Fire Chief regarding receipt of the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant (CEPG). Bayham is receiving $50,000 to acquire and equip a multi-purpose emergency response trailer that will be outfitted to deploy in a variety of emergency situations through the Fire Chief. It can also be used by the Public Works department for emergency road closures and other department objectives. Bayham is appreciative of the Province of Ontario for their support of Bayham and emergency preparedness across Ontario. For further details, view the meeting agenda and minutes HERE and watch the YouTube live-stream HERE DATED at the Municipality of Bayham this 12th day of February, 2025. Municipality of Bayham PO Box 160 56169 Heritage Line Straffordville, ON N0J 1Y0 Telephone: 519-866-5521