The Corporation of the Municipality of

Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent Council Meeting

Monday, December 09, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, Chatham-Kent Civic Centre

315 King St W, Chatham ON

Present:

• Mayor Canniff, 
• Councillor Allin, 
• Councillor Anderson, 
• Councillor Bondy, 
• Councillor Ceccacci, 
• Councillor Crew, 
• Councillor Doyle, 
• Councillor Finn, 
• Councillor Hall, 
• Councillor Harrigan, 
• Councillor Jubenville, 
• Councillor McGrail, 
• Councillor B. McGregor, 
• Councillor C. McGregor, 
• Councillor Storey, 
• Councillor Thompson, 
• Councillor Wright, 
• and Councillor McDonald 

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest (Direct or Indirect) for Closed Session Agenda Items and the General Nature There Of

3.

Supplementary Closed Session Agenda Items

4.

Recess to Closed Session

There were no items discussed in closed session.

5.

Adjournment of Closed Session

6.

Resumption of Open Council Meeting – 6:00 p.m.

7.

Playing of the National Anthem

8.

Land Acknowledgement

9.

Approval of Supplementary Agenda

10.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest (Direct or Indirect) for Open Session Agenda Items and the General Nature There Of

a.

Councillor Crew - Hope Haven Winter Warming Centre

Her daughter is the author of the report.

11.

Recognition

a.

Artist Feature - Karen Green

b.

Recognition of the Employment and Social Services and Chatham-Kent Public Library Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs

12.

Deputations – items on current agenda

13.

Consent Agenda

The following items were placed aside for discussion and voting:

• 16(a) - Motion by Councillor C. McGregor re Motion to Support Basic Income Guarantee for Canadians
• 16(b) - Motion by Councillor B. McGregor re Access to Federal Funding for Encampments and Homelessness
• 16(c) - Motion by Councillor Storey re Ensuring access for all residents to the Chatham-Kent Community Hub
• 17(a) - Entegrus Annual General Meeting
• 20(b) - Motion by Councillor Ceccacci re Support for Primary Care Access Points and Physician Recruitment
• 21(b) - Hope Haven Winter Warming Centre
• 22(a) - Mutual Aid Agreements
• 23(c) - Traffic and Parking By-law Update for Subdivisions in Chatham-Kent

• Moved Councillor Ceccacci
  Seconded Councillor Doyle

  “That the following items be approved as presented: 14(a), 14(b), 15(a), 15(b), 15(c), 15(d), 18(a), 19(a), 20(a), 21(a), 21(c), 22(b), 23(a), 23(b), 24(a).”

  Yes (18)

  Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald

  Motion Carried (18 to 0)

14.

Council Meeting Minutes & Committee Reports

a.

Chatham-Kent Council Minutes from its meeting held on November 18, 2024

b.

Chatham-Kent Public Library Board minutes from its meeting held on October 22, 2024

15.

Tender Awards

a.

Tender Award – Contract T24-283 – Gillespie Cameron Drain Enclosure

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

b.

Tender Award – Contract T24-284 – Gillespie Drain Enclosure

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

c.

Tender Award – Contract T24-241 – Grant Drain and Branch Improvements

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

d.

R24-272: Flooring Maintenance Roster

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

16.

Items Postponed from the November 18, 2024 Council Meeting

a.

Motion by Councillor C. McGregor re Motion to Support Basic Income Guarantee for Canadians

• Moved Councillor C. McGregor
  Seconded Councillor Crew

  “That the Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent support the advocacy of the Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council in support of a basic income guarantee and the passage of Senate Bill S-233. The Mayor create a resolution requesting action based on the motion to be sent to the Federal Government. The resolution with a request for support be sent to FCM to distribute to all Municipalities across Canada.”

  Yes (15)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  No (3)	Councillor Bondy, Councillor Doyle, and Councillor Jubenville

  Motion Carried (15 to 3)

b.

Motion by Councillor B. McGregor re Access to Federal Funding for Encampments and Homelessness

• Moved Councillor B. McGregor
  Seconded Councillor C. McGregor

  “That Council endorse a request for funding to Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities to access funding from the 2024 federal budget earmarked to address encampments and homelessness, and currently unavailable due to a lack of a cooperation and action by the Province of Ontario.”

  Yes (18)

  Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald

  Motion Carried (18 to 0)

c.

Motion by Councillor Storey re Ensuring access for all residents to the Chatham-Kent Community Hub

Council requested that recommendations 1 & 2 be voted on together and that recommendations 3, 4, 5, and 6 be voted on separately.

• Moved Councillor Storey
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  “That

  1.    That Chatham-Kent staff provide a summary of the accessibility standards that the CK Hub detailed design will reference and leverage to meet best practices for current accessibility design, and to publish these standards on the Let's Talk CK page for members of the public to access.

  2.    Further, for staff to review these standards with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and the Age Friendly Committee for feedback prior to the detailed design being presented to council."

  Yes (17)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  No (1)	Councillor Anderson

  Motion Carried (17 to 1)
• Moved Councillor Storey
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  3.    This planning will include standard studies for a project of this type and size, which includes passenger and pedestrian load, modelling and traffic flows in and around the entire property, vehicle traffic flow on entire property including parking garage, traffic impact study on the surrounding streets, to make sure everyone can enter, travel around the building, and exit the building safely.

  Yes (5)	Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  No (13)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, and Councillor Doyle

  Defeated (5 to 13)
• Moved Councillor Storey
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  4.  A list of parking distance and parking accessibility features of the proposed site are reviewed with the ACC and included in the next Report to Council on this item."

  Yes (11)	Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  No (7)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor McGrail, Councillor Allin, and Councillor Anderson

  Motion Carried (11 to 7)
• Moved Councillor Storey
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  5.    Recommendations from the AAC and stakeholder groups that exceed current standards are costed out and included in upcoming Council reports on this proposal.

  Yes (9)	Councillor Bondy, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  No (9)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor McGrail, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, and Councillor Doyle

  Defeated (9 to 9)
• Moved Councillor Storey
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  6.    An assessment of universal design experience of the current team is done and reviewed with AAC; and if additional expertise is needed this cost will be included in the next Report to Council.”

  Yes (5)	Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  No (13)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, and Councillor Doyle

  Defeated (5 to 13)

17.

Entegrus

a.

Entegrus Annual General Meeting (presentation by Jim Hogan, President and CEO, Entegrus Inc.)

• Moved Councillor B. McGregor
  Seconded Councillor McDonald

  “That

  1. The audited consolidated financial statements of Entegrus Inc. for 2023 be approved.
  2. The individuals listed below be appointed as Directors to the Entegrus Inc. Board:
     • Max Fantuz (Chatham-Kent independent representative)
     • Pat McMahon (Chatham-Kent independent representative)
     • Helen Platis (Chatham-Kent independent representative)
     • Councillor Brock McGregor (Chatham-Kent representative)
     • Mayor Darrin Canniff (Chatham-Kent representative)
     • Lindsay Boyd (Chatham-Kent independent representative)
     • Seth Whitney (Corix District Energy Holdings LP representative)
     • Councillor Steve Wookey (St Thomas representative)
     • Joe Brophy (St Thomas independent representative)
  3. That MNP be appointed as the auditors for Entegrus Inc. for the year ending December 2024.”

  Yes (18)

  Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald

  Motion Carried (18 to 0)

18.

Fire and Emergency Services

a.

Land Ambulance Service Contract

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

19.

Public Utilities Commission

a.

Bottled Water Distribution Policy for Water Advisories (information report)

This report was received as part of the Consent Agenda.

20.

Chief Administrative Office

a.

2024 Special Events Update (information report)

This report was received as part of the Consent Agenda.

b.

Motion by Councillor Ceccacci re Support for Primary Care Access Points and Physician Recruitment

• Moved Councillor Ceccacci
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  “That

  1. To establish a Primary Care Family Physician Incentive reserve, of $140,000 annually or $420,000 total for the remainder of the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget, funded initially by a transfer of $420,000 from the Strategic Reserve and base funding be considered by the next Council in the 2028-2031 Multi-Year Budget.
  2. That the Primary Care Family Physician Incentive reserve be made available to Primary Care organizations in Chatham-Kent (CKFHT, CKCHC, TVFHT, TDFHT) for the purpose of providing practice incentives to newly established primary care physicians in Chatham-Kent, for up to $25,000 per physician recruit or, in exceptional circumstances, directly to new physicians who establish solo practices in Chatham-Kent outside of the four named primary care organizations above.
  3. That the Primary Care Family Physician Incentive reserve may also be made available to those same organizations to apply for up to $20,000 once every five years, as a matched grant to support capital funding or new builds/renovations that are for the express purpose of expanding clinical space to accommodate new physician offices in primary care across Chatham-Kent.
  4. That the CAO and General Manager of Development Services, or their delegates, be authorized to review and approve applications for grants from this reserve, and that the CAO and General Manager of Development Services be authorized to enter into appropriate agreements with each of the primary care organizations to facilitate the transfer of funds in the above circumstances, and for a process for partial pay-back of physician recruitment grants for services of less than five years given in alignment with the current practice of the physician task force, such agreements to be satisfactory to the Director, Legal Services.
  5. For the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, as both a partner to the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, and community leader, continue to support the work of the Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force across its departments where appropriate to do so,  in particular through the departments of  Community Attraction and Promotion, Economic Development (Small Business Centre), and Communication departments in effort to increase the number of Chatham-Kent residents able to access primary care in CK.
  6. That a report on alternative spending options for the incentive reserve including but not limited to supports for the CK Family Residence Training Program, student loan forgiveness, and learner engagement be included in a future report to council."
     

  Yes (18)

  Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald

  Motion Carried (18 to 0)

21.

Health and Human Services

a.

Employment Services Update

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

b.

Hope Haven Winter Warming Centre

• Councillor Crew declared a conflict on this item. (Her daughter is the author of the report.)

• Moved Councillor Storey
  Seconded Councillor Allin

  "That:

  1. The Director of Housing Services (Operations) be authorized to amend the current sole source contract with Hope Haven to expand winter warming services from December 1 to February 28, 2025. This extended service will cost an additional $65,250 (including HST) and will be 100% provincially funded from the existing Homeless Prevention Program budget."

  Yes (17)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald
  Conflict (1)	Councillor Crew

  Motion Carried (17 to 0)

c.

Volunteer Citizen Appointments to the Chatham-Kent Board of Health

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

22.

Finance, Budget, Information Technology and Transformation

a.

Mutual Aid Agreements

• Moved Councillor Jubenville
  Seconded Councillor McDonald

  "That:

  1. The Director, Information Technology & Transformation and Director, Legal Services be authorized to enter into Information Technology related mutual aid agreements with other municipal organizations."

  Yes (15)	Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, and Councillor McDonald
  Absent (3)	Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor McGrail, and Councillor Storey

  Motion Carried (15 to 0)

b.

2025 Interim Tax Levy, Due Dates, and Borrowing By-laws

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

23.

Infrastructure and Engineering Services

a.

Bothwell Arena Canteen Operating Agreement

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

b.

Old Czech Hall Operating Agreement

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

c.

Traffic and Parking By-law Update for Subdivisions in Chatham-Kent

• Moved Councillor Bondy
  Seconded Councillor Doyle

  "That:

  1. The Traffic and Parking By-law 245-2004 be amended as attached in Appendix A."

  Yes (18)

  Mayor Canniff, Councillor Bondy, Councillor Ceccacci, Councillor Crew, Councillor Finn, Councillor Hall, Councillor Harrigan, Councillor McGrail, Councillor B. McGregor, Councillor C. McGregor, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Wright, Councillor Allin, Councillor Anderson, Councillor Doyle, Councillor Jubenville, Councillor Storey, and Councillor McDonald

  Motion Carried (18 to 0)

24.

Corporate Services

a.

Amending Appointment By-law 56-2024 for Deputy Division Registrars and Deputy Issuers of Marriage Licenses

This report was approved as part of the Consent Agenda.

25.

Notices of Motion

a.

Presentation of new Notices of Motion

Councillor Jubenville presented a notice of motion regarding invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to address encampments. This motion will be added to the December 16, 2024 Council Agenda for discussion and voting.

Councillor Bondy presented a notice of motion regarding approval for Non-Union Hires. This motion will be added to the December 16, 2024 Council Agenda for discussion and voting.

26.

Closed Session Reports

There was no closed session report.

27.

Communication Items

a.

Information Package - November 18, 2024

Councillor Crew referenced Item 3(b) – 2025 SWIFT Board Member Representation.

• Moved Councillor Crew
  Seconded Councillor Anderson

  “That Councillor McGrail be appointed to represent Chatham-Kent on the SWIFT Board for a two-year term.”

  Motion Carried

b.

Information Package - December 9, 2024

Councillor Crew referenced Item 4(d) – Resolution from the City of Hamilton re Reducing Homelessness and Managing Encampments.

Councillor McGrail referenced Item 4(g) – Resolution from Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus re Non-native (“exotic”) Wild Animals. 

• Moved Councillor Crew
  Seconded Councillor Finn

  "That Chatham-Kent send a letter of support for the resolution from the City of Hamilton regarding Reducing Homelessness and Managing Encampments."

  Motion Carried
• Moved Councillor McGrail
  Seconded Councillor B. McGregor

  “That Chatham-Kent Council support the resolution from the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus to petitions the provincial government to implement provincial regulations to restrict the possession, breeding, and use of non-native (“exotic”) wild animals and license zoos in order to guarantee the fair and consistent application of policy throughout Ontario for the safety of Ontario’s citizens and the non-native (“exotic”) wild animal population.”

  Motion Carried

28.

Non Agenda Business

There were no non-agenda business items.

29.

Reading of By-law

a.

First Reading

• Moved Councillor Hall
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  "That the by-laws be taken as read for a first time."

  Motion Carried

b.

Second Reading

• Moved Councillor Hall
  Seconded Councillor Harrigan

  "That the by-laws be taken as read for a second time."

  Motion Carried

c.

Council to go into Committee, if Required, to Discuss By-law

d.

Resumption of Council

e.

Third and Final Reading

1. By-law to provide for a 2025 interim Tax Levy, an annual minimum levy surcharge and to provide for the payment of taxes and to provide for penalty and interest of fifteen percent per annum
2. By-law to authorize the Mayor and Treasurer of The Municipality of Chatham-Kent to borrow certain sums to meet current expenditures of The Municipality and to act for the Municipality in the Sale, purchase and/or transfer of financial securities for the year 2025
3. By-law to amend By-law Number 245-2004 of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. (No-Parking zones, Through Highways, Stop sign and Yield sign modifications on various streets in the Communities of Blenheim, Chatham, Dresden, and Tilbury)
4. By-Law to Amend By-law 56-2024, to provide staff appointment of Deputy Division Registrar and Deputy Issuer of Marriage Licences for the Corporation of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent
5. By-law to establish certain user fees
6. By-law to confirm proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent at its meeting held on the 9th day of December, 2024

• Moved Councillor McGrail
  Seconded Councillor Wright

  "That the by-laws be taken as read for a third time and finally passed."

  Motion Carried

30.

Resolution Council in Closed Session & Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

• Moved Councillor Hall
  Seconded Councillor Crew

  "That Chatham-Kent Council adjourn to its next Meeting to be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 and that Chatham-Kent Council authorize itself to meet in closed session on that day to discuss any matters permitted by The Municipal Act."

  Motion Carried