HomeMy WebLinkAbout050125 Council Highlights
May 1, 2025
Council Highlights
Development Charges Presentation
Council received a presentation from Byron Tan (Watson and Associates) regarding
development charges. Development charges are a fee levied on new development at
the time when a building permit is issued. This ensures that new development is not
subsidized by existing landowners.
Bayham already has development charges in place for water and wastewater. These
potential new development charges would be for fire services, parks and recrea tion,
and roads.
Council provided some general input on the proposed development charges. A
Report will be returning to Council on May 15 for Council to provide additional input
so the Background Study can be finalized and published.
Additional Well for SCC
The Manager of Public Works presented a Report regarding an additional well for
the Straffordville Community Centre to primarily service the expansion. The
current well is insufficient to service a new expansion. Council directed a test well
and hydrogeological study be conducted as a part of the installation. The test
well will be studied to determine the flow rate, which will then be used to finalize
the design for the SCC expansion.
Rezoning Applications
Council received three (3) reports regarding Zoning By-law Amendments:
Rezoning Application ZBA-07/25 Banman 55541 Main Street
Rezoning Application ZBA-08/25 North Urban Homes Inc. 9405 Plank Road
Rezoning Application ZBA-11/25 Beard 55197 Green Line
All three applications were approved by Council. By-laws to authorize the
amendments were approved later in the meeting.
2026 Municipal Election Method
Council received for a second time a Report from the Clerk regarding the Method of
Vote for the 2026 Municipal Election. This Report was deferred from the April 17,
2025 meeting so councillors could seek additional information prior to making a
decision. The Report discussed the historical vote patterns and methods for the
previous Bayham election, and then spoke to the costs associated with various vote
methods based on 2026 estimates. Staff recommended proceeding with
internet/telephone voting in 2026 to improve election accessibility and reduce overall
costs.
While the Report recommended a shift to internet/telephone voting, Council opted to
reject this option and instead passed a motion to proceed with traditional paper
ballots again in 2026 at a cost of twice the recommended option.
Municipal Assistance
Council received a Report on the first intake of 2025 Municipal Assistance
applications. $9,000 is budgeted for 2025 Municipal Assistance. Staff received
financial requests totaling $12,300.
Council opted to approve facility and material requests for all events. Council decided
to not fund the Santa Claus Parades, saving $3,000. Council pro-rated the remaining
financial requests to 80 percent of the requests. $7,440 was allocated at the meeting,
with $1,560 remaining for the second intake or for municipal usage for matters such
as traffic control, if needed.
IT Services
The Clerk presented a Report on IT services, seeking Council’s support to re-align
our shared service from Elgin County/Stronghold to Zouling Technologies. Zouling
Technologies is used by five other lower-tier municipalities in Elgin County including
Malahide and Aylmer.
Council supported staff’s recommendation, and a by-law and agreement for a two-
year term will be brought back to Council at a later date.
Second Transfer Payment Agreement – Fire Protection Grant
The CAO presented a second Report about the Fire Protection Grant and
requirement to enter into a transfer payment agreement to additional funds of
$361.73 as a program residual. The funds are to be used to support minor capital
upgrades in support of cancer prevention and firefighter safety.
Council adopted a by-law for the transfer payment agreement. The planned minor
upgrades to both fire halls will take place in 2025.
For further details, view the meeting agenda and minutes HERE
and watch the YouTube live-stream HERE
DATED at the Municipality of Bayham this 5th day of May, 2025.
Municipality of Bayham
PO Box 160
56169 Heritage Line
Straffordville, ON N0J 1Y0
Telephone: 519-866-5521