The Corporation of the Township of Laird

Regular Council Meeting Minutes – October 17, 2024

REGULAR AGENDA – AGENDA 30 CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAIRD October 17, 2024, at 6:00 pm Laird Township Council Chambers

Present: Mayor:

Shawn Evoy Councillors:

Todd Rydall, Brad Shewfelt, Wayne Junor, Matt Frolick Clerk:

Jennifer Errington Treasurer:

Rhonda Crozier Road Superintendent: David Pollari Delegates:

Kelly Withers

Special Public Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. to consider Zoning Amendment 02-24: Plan H765 RCP Lot 7, Laird Township. No objections of the rezoning were received. The special Public Meeting was closed at 6:05 p.m.

1. Call to Order

Mayor Evoy called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

3. Agenda Approval

#218-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hereby approves the October 19, 2024 agenda as presented. Carried.

4. Delegations and Presentations

  1. a. Kelly Withers – Dangerous Dogs
  • Kelly Withers communicated dangerous dog concerns and attended to listen to the discussion on the Memo: Dangerous Dogs.
  • Council discussed the Memo: Dangerous Dogs.

5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

  1. a. Council Regular Meeting – September 19, 2024
  2. b. Recreation Committee Meeting – September 24, 2024 #220-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves Council minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 19, 2024, and the Recreation Committee minutes of September 24, 2024.

Carried

6. Adoption of Accounts

  1. a. General accounts to September 30, 2024 #221-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the general accounts to September 30, 2024, in the amount of $6,557.15.

Carried.

  1. b. Roads accounts to September 30, 2024 #222-24 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the roads account to September 30, 2024, in the amount of $57,912.73 as presented.

Carried.

7. Staff and Committee Reports

  1. a. Road Superintendent (Roads, Waste Disposal & Recycling, and Maintenance)
  2. i. Road Superintendent Report #223-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Road Superintendent Report dated October 17, 2024, be received as presented.

Carried.

  1. ii. Council Q&A

b. Clerk Administrator, Deputy Treasurer

  1. i. Clerk’s Report #224-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt Be it resolved that Clerk’s Report dated October 17, 2024, be received as presented and arising from the report;

That Council requests that the Laird Hall Sub-committee investigate the cost of installing a hand wash station and the cost to install a commercial mechanical dishwasher and make recommendations on what would be the best option; and

That Council approves the Christmas acknowledgment as done in past years and requests staff to organize a Holiday Council and Staff dinner. Carried.

  1. ii. Council Q&A
  2. iii. HR Standing Committee Minutes – September 27, 2024 #225-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the HR Standing Committee Minutes of September 27, 2024.

Carried.

c. Treasurer’s Report

  1. i. Budget Report as of September 30, 2024 #226-24 Moved by: Brad Shewfelt Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council the Treasurer’s Budget Report as of September 30, 2024, be received; and further that Council approve the purchase of a grinder pump for the Bar River Hall/G.W. Evoy Rink in the amount of $4,238.00 plus HST to come out of the G.W. Evoy Rink budget.

Carried.

  1. d. Recreation Committee & Recreation Sub-Committees
  2. i. Finns’ Bay Wharf Sub-Committee Minutes – September 25, 2024
  3. ii. Laird Hall Sub-committee Minutes – October 1, 2024 #227-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Finns’ Bay Wharf sub- committee meeting minutes of September 25, 2024 and the Laird Hall sub- committee meeting minutes of October 1, 2024.

Carried.

  1. e. Cemetery Board
  2. i. Cemetery Board minutes – October 1, 2024 #228-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Cemetery Board minutes of October 1, 2024.

Carried.

  1. f. Planning Board
  2. g. Police Detachment Board
  3. h. Algoma District Services Administrative Board
  4. i. Algoma District Municipal Association (ADMA)

8. Unfinished Business

  1. a. Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log
  2. b. Concern/Information Log – Updates #229-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the October 17, 2024, Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log and the Concern/Information Log as presented.

Carried.

  1. c. PUBLIC MEETING – Proposed Building Department Fees and Charges Public Meeting commenced at 8:15 p.m.
  2. i. Procedural Comments This Public Meeting of Council is held pursuant to Section 7 of the Building Code Act, which requires that Council hold at least one public meeting and that proper notice be given of its intent to consider a by-law to amend the fee schedule rendered under the Building Code Act.

Notice of this Public Meeting was issued in accordance with Section 7(6) of the Building Code Act, section 1.9.1.2 of Ontario Regulation 332/12.

  1. ii. Building Permit Fees Review Staff Report dated March 21, 2024 and Staff Report dated June 27,
  2. iii. Public Comments One letter was submitted, enclosed in Agenda 30.

No one spoke in support.

No one spoke in opposition.

  1. iv. Council Comments Council was concerned that the proposed increases would not cover the costs of providing the service.
  2. v. Adjournment of Public Meeting Meeting Adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

#230-24 Moved by: Brad Shewfelt Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Municipality of Laird acknowledges that a Public Meeting to consider proposed changes to building permit fees was held pursuant to Section 7 of the Building Code Act; and Further That Council asks staff to provide additional information for the next meeting. Carried.

  1. d. Memo: Planning Board and Police Board Appointment #231-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall WHEREAS effective governance of the Sault Ste. Marie O.P.P. detachment board requires meaningful representation from the community it serves;

AND WHEREAS, the input and perspectives of community members are invaluable in shaping policing policies and practices that reflect local needs and priorities;

AND WHEREAS, Deborah Irwin has demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement, advocacy for public safety, and possesses the necessary qualifications and experience to serve as a representative on the detachment board;

AND WHEREAS, under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, all board members are required to undergo record checks to ensure suitability for their roles;

AND WHEREAS, the appointment of Deborah Irwin is pending the outcome of the required record checks as mandated by the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019;

BE IT RESOLVED, that Deborah Irwin is hereby provisionally appointed as the community representative to the Sault Ste. Marie O.P.P. detachment board established under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, pending the outcome of the required record checks;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Deborah Irwin is authorized to represent the interests and concerns of the community on the Sault Ste. Marie O.P.P. detachment board and to contribute actively to its deliberations, decision-making processes, and policy discussions, subject to the successful completion of record checks;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Deborah Irwin shall serve on the Sault Ste. Marie O.P.P. detachment board commencing upon the completion of an acceptable record check and shall end on December 31, 2026, unless otherwise extended or modified by further resolution of the Township of Laird Council;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Deborah Irwin is encouraged to engage with community members, stakeholders, and relevant organizations to gather input, feedback, and perspectives on policing matters, and to communicate these effectively to the detachment board;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Deborah Irwin is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in their role as a community representative on the detachment board. Carried.

#232-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor WHEREAS that the HR Standing Committee has carefully reviewed nominee applications for the Desbarats to Echo Bay Planning Board member at large to represent the Township of Laird; AND WHEREAS, Terence Graham is an eligible candidate being an owner of land in the Township of Laird and being a citizen and be eligible to vote in an Ontario Election; AND WHEREAS, Terence Graham has demonstrated that he would be a valuable community member to represent the local needs and priorities of the Laird Township on the Desbarats to Echo Bay Planning Board; BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council appoints Terence Graham to the Desbarats to Echo Bay Planning Board as member at large to represent the Township of Laird. Carried.

  1. e. Memo: Trailer By-law #233-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council requests staff to start the RFP process for updates to the Zoning By-law; and further requests staff to draft a Temporary Use of Trailer as Residence policy based on Council discussion and direction.

Carried.

  1. f. Memo: Dangerous Dogs #219-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Dangerous Dogs report dated October 17, 2024; and Further That Council requests staff to prepare amendments to Dog By-law 924-12 to include potentially dangerous and dangerous dog procedures for Council review; and Further That Council request staff to prepare letter to submit to the Provincial Government to reinforce the previous Dangerous Dog Legislation and requests support from other municipalities.

Carried.

9. New Business

  1. a. Planning: Zoning Amendment 02-24: 402 Pumpkin Point Road West, PLAN H756 Lot 7, Laird Township #234-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED that Council approves the Zoning Amendment 01-24: 402 Pumpkin Point Road West, PLAN H756 Lot 7, Laird Township.

Carried.

Resolution to Extend the Meeting:

#235-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED that Council extends meeting beyond 9:00 p.m. Carried.

  1. b. Health and Safety Policy, Review
  2. c. Violence and Harassment Policy, Review #236-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED that Council acknowledges the review of Health and Safety policy By-law 2001-23 and the Violence and Harassment policy By-law 1079-23 and recommends no changes.

Carried.

  1. d. Memo: Christmas Closure #237-24 Moved by: Brad Shewfelt Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED that the report from the Clerk regarding Christmas Closure be received; That Council authorizes the closure of the municipal office from 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23 until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2025; and acknowledges the Clerk’s vacation request for two weeks from December 23, 2024 to January 3, 2025.

Carried.

  1. e. Memo: Employee Health Benefit Renewal 2024/2025 #238-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council accepts the Health Plan Renewal for Group Policy #G: 812879 with Equitable Life for 2024/2025 at an overall increase of 14.34% to the plan; and That proposed enhancement to the plan included in staff report titled ‘Employee Health Benefit Renewal 2024/2025’ be approved in principle pending all other municipalities in the group agreed to this inclusion.

Carried.

  1. f. Memo: Midterm Council Training Session #239-24 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report from the Clerk regarding Midterm Council Training be received; That Council authorizes Brad Shewfelt to attend the November 28, 2024 training session at the Echo Bay Hall hosted by the Township of Macdonald, Meredith & Aberdeen Additional in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and That Council requests the clerk to RSVP by November 22, 2024.

Carried.

10. Notices of Motion

  1. a. Council Staff Relations and review of provincially recommended considerations #240-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council requests the HR Standing Committee to investigate the Township’s requirements and make prompt recommendations back to Council for implementation of a Council Staff Relations policy.

Carried.

11. Closed Session

#241-24 Moved by: Wayne Junor Seconded by: Matt Frolick BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council proceed into closed session at 9:11 p.m. in accordance with Section 239 (2) (b) of the Municipal Act in order to discuss personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. Carried.

  1. a. Approval of closed meeting minutes of May 23, 2024
  2. b. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

#242-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council come out of closed meeting session at 9:33 p.m. and continue with the Regular Council Meeting. Carried.

12. Communications and Correspondence

  1. a. OPP 2025 Annual Billing Statement Package
  2. b. Board of Health for the District of Algoma Health Unit, RE: Public Health Funding Review, September 25, 2024
  3. c. OBCM – Support for Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) Solve the Crisis Campaign, October 10, 2024 #243-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT Laird Township Council supports the SolvetheCrisis.ca Campaign and requests that the Provincial and Federal Governments take Action to Address the Growing Mental Health, Addictions and Homelessness Crisis in Ontario.

Carried.

13. Mayor and Council Comments

14. By-laws

  1. a. 2030-24 Pregnancy and Parental Leave By-law #244-24 Moved by: Todd Rydall Seconded by: Brad Shewfelt BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2030-24 being a by-law to adopt a Pregnancy Leave and Parental Leave Policy.

Carried.

  1. b. 2031-24 By-Law to Amend Zoning By-law 531 #245-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2031-24 being a by-law to amend Zoning By-law 531, concerning property designated as Plan H756 Lot 7, in the Township of Laird.

Carried.

  1. c. DRAFT Building Permit By-law Tabled.
  2. d. 2032-24 Conformity By-law #246-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Todd Rydall BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2032-24 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on October 17, 2024.

Carried.

15. Adjournment

#247-24 Moved by: Matt Frolick Seconded by: Wayne Junor BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Council shall now adjourn to meet again November 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. or until the call of the chair. Carried.

Mayor – ___________________________ Shawn Evoy

Clerk – ___________________________ Jennifer Errington