Cochrane public meetings in 2022
27 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Special Council
The Town of Cochrane is reviewing a proposal from H.G. Elston Professional Corporation to provide Integrity Commissioner services. The proposal includes potential interim appointment, training for Council and staff, and investigations into Code of Conduct complaints.
- Proposal for Integrity Commissioner services by H.G. Elston
- Proposed hourly rate of $400.00 plus H.S.T.
Special Council
The Cochrane Special Council meeting includes discussions on declaring January 2nd as a civic holiday and recognizing January 2023 as Alzheimer Awareness Month. Council will also receive orientation regarding the Infrastructure Services Department.
- Declaration of January 2nd as a Civic Holiday
- Proclamation of January 2023 as Alzheimer Awareness Month
- Council orientation for the Infrastructure Services Department
Special Council
This special meeting consists of procedural items and a resolution to move into an in-camera session. The in-camera session includes one item regarding solicitor-client privilege and one item for education or training.
- Resolution to move in camera for solicitor-client privilege advice
- In-camera item for educating or training
Special Council
This special meeting consists of procedural items and a single item for education or training held in camera. No public decisions or specific projects are listed on the agenda.
- One item for education or training held in camera
Regular Council
The Council will hear a presentation from Hydromega regarding proposed solar, battery energy storage, and gas turbine projects. Additionally, Sustainable Engineering will present a vision for a zero-GHG northern community. Other business includes staff reports on fire department recruitment and winter control services.
- Hydromega presentation on Solar, Battery Energy Storage, and Gas projects
- Sustainable Engineering presentation on Zero-GHG Northern Community
- Procurement of a new Ice Resurfacer
- RFQ PW-22-07 Registry for Winter Control Services
- By-Law 1525-2022: 2022 to 2026 Council Term Mandate and Direction
Special Council
The Town of Cochrane Council will discuss a staff report regarding proposed amendments to the Procedural By-Law. The meeting includes a review of member-proposed changes to rules governing meetings, delegations, and member conduct.
- Review of CAO staff report on Procedural By-Law changes
- Discussion of proposed changes to meeting curfews and extensions
- Discussion of rules regarding delegations and presentations
- Review of motions regarding the appointment of an Acting Mayor
- Discussion of rules for declaring pecuniary interests
Regular Council
The Town of Cochrane Council will meet to discuss various notices of motion from Councillor Rodney Hoogenhoud and review several committee appointment structures. The meeting also includes receiving correspondence from provincial and regional officials regarding housing and municipal support.
- Notice of Motion: Revision of Procedural By-Law
- Notice of Motion: Rescinding Delegation of Authority By-Law
- Notice of Motion: Temporary municipality-wide hiring freeze
- Notice of Motion: Review of hiring, procurement, and ethics policies
- Appointments for various committees including Active Transportation and Arts and Culture
Inaugural Meeting
This meeting serves as the formal commencement of the new municipal term. The agenda consists of ceremonial items including a land acknowledgement, a drumming ceremony, and the declaration of office.
- Traditional Land Acknowledgement
- Welcoming Drum Singing Ceremony
- Declaration of Office
- Mayor's Inaugural Address
Special Council
This special meeting consists of procedural items and a single item for education or training. The council will move in camera to discuss one item under Section 239 3.1 of the Municipal Act.
- One item for education or training in a closed session
Committee of Adjustment
The Committee of Adjustment is considering an application from GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. to build a new industrial planer. The proposal requires reducing the required setback from a residential zone and reducing the required number of loading spaces.
- Variance to reduce industrial setback from 150 metres to 85 metres from a residential zone
- Variance to permit zero loading spaces instead of the required one loading space
- Proposed construction of a single-story steel framed planer building
- Staff recommendation for approval subject to a land use compatibility study for noise and dust
Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board
The Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board is reviewing a grant from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The $5,088 allocation is intended for the delivery of planning services in unincorporated territories for the period of April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
- Allocation of $5,088 from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- Assistance to Planning Boards Program grant agreement
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is reviewing monthly activity reports from several municipal departments. These reports cover updates on infrastructure projects, corporate services, protective services, and community programs.
- 2nd/3rd Avenue Laneway Infrastructure Replacement project progress
- Water Treatment Plant Clear Well Reservoir rehabilitation by Northern Tool & Die
- Implementation of iCity Online property tax and utility billing portal
- Protective Services building permit values totaling $19,470,666 for 2022
- Recruitment of a new HR Manager and Accounts Receivable Clerk
Regular Council
The Council will review a site plan for a new 68-room Comfort Inn at 25 Western Avenue. Other business includes a rezoning by-law for 275 Fourteenth Avenue and various administrative requests.
- Site Plan SP-2022-001: Proposed three-storey Comfort Inn with 68 guest rooms at 25 Western Avenue
- By-Law 1522-2022: Rezoning of lands at 275 Fourteenth Avenue
- Fire Services Medal Bar Awards presentation for four firefighters
- Appointment of Ms. H. Cochrane to the Cochrane Public Library Board
- Request from NEACL for a support letter regarding Francophone accessible living settings
Public Meeting
The Town of Cochrane is considering a zoning by-law amendment for 275 Fourteenth Avenue. The proposal seeks to rezone the property to permit a secondary residential unit within an existing detached garage. The amendment also requests a specific 0.91 metre interior side yard setback for the unit.
- Zoning amendment ZBA-2022-01 for 275 Fourteenth Avenue
- Rezoning from Residential First Density (R1) to Special Residential First Density (R1-xx)
- Conversion of a 74.32 square metre detached garage into a residential unit
- Proposed interior side yard setback of 0.91 metres (3 feet)
Regular Council
The Council will review several monthly reports from the Corporate, Protective, Infrastructure, and Community Services departments. Additionally, Councillor Robert Hutchinson has submitted a notice of motion to amend the Delegation of Authority By-Law regarding procurement and signing authority.
- Notice of Motion: Amendment to Delegation of Authority By-Law 1464-2021
- Review of September 2022 Corporate Services Department Monthly Report
- Review of September 2022 Protective Services Department Monthly Reports
- Review of September 2022 Infrastructure Services Department Monthly Report
- Review of September 2022 Community Services Monthly Report
Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board
The Cochrane and Suburban Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding application B2022-13. The applicant, L&M Shier, proposes to sever one new lot of approximately 404.69 square metres at 43 and 45 Fifth Street.
- Consent to sever land (B2022-13) for 43 and 45 Fifth Street
- Minor variance application (A08-2022) for deficient lot area and reduced front yard depth
- Public hearing scheduled for October 19, 2022, at 7:00 PM
Committee of Adjustment
The Committee of Adjustment is considering a minor variance application to support the severance of 43 and 45 Fifth Street. The proposal seeks to allow smaller lot areas and a reduced front yard setback for the existing house at 45 Fifth Street.
- Minor variance application A08-2022 for 43 and 45 Fifth Street
- Proposed lot area reduction to 404.69 square metres for both parcels
- Proposed front yard setback reduction to 2.4 metres at 45 Fifth Street
- Consent application B2022-13 to separate the two parcels
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is reviewing monthly reports from various municipal departments. Key discussions include a zoning amendment for a secondary dwelling unit and updates on infrastructure, corporate services, and community programs.
- Zoning amendment ZBA-2022-01 for 275 Fourteenth Avenue to allow a secondary dwelling unit in a garage
- Infrastructure delays on 2nd/3rd Avenue Laneway project due to utility locates
- Awarding of street water and sanitary upgrades contract to WSP Canada Inc.
- Awarding of winter sand supply contract to B&F Shier Contractors
- Implementation of iCity Online property tax and utility billing portal
Regular Council
The Council will review the 2021 year-end reserves report and the tax-based budget financial report. Discussions include authorizing reserve withdrawals, transfers, and the allocation of the 2021 operating surplus.
- 2021 Year End Reserves Report
- 2021 Year End Financial Report - Tax Based Budget
- By-Law 1518-2022: Police Services amending agreement
- By-Law 1519-2022: Establishing a Compliance Audit Committee
- Fire Prevention Week Proclamation
Regular Council
The Council will hear a presentation from KPMG regarding the Town's 2021 financial statements and review a staff report on renewing the policing contract. Other business includes a request for an encroachment agreement at 221 Railway Street and a motion regarding electoral boundary changes.
- Review of 2021 Financial Statements by KPMG
- CAO report on Policing Contract Renewal
- Encroachment Agreement request for 221 Railway Street
- By-Law 1515-2022 to appoint Vanessa Vachon as Director of Corporate Services
- Motion regarding Electoral Boundary Changes for Northern Ontario
Committee of Adjustment
The Committee of Adjustment is reviewing a minor variance application to permit a detached garage. The proposal seeks to reduce the required front yard setback and increase the maximum lot coverage for the property.
- Minor variance A06-2022: reduction of front yard depth from 10 metres to 3.96 metres
- Minor variance A06-2022: increase of maximum lot coverage from 10% to 11.92%
- Proposed detached garage construction at 17 Silver Queen Lake Road North
- Staff recommendation for approval of application A06-2022
Regular Council
The Council will hear presentations regarding Ontario Northland's rail modernization and Canadian Nickel Company's Crawford Nickel Project. The meeting also includes proclamations for the Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Presentation: Ontario Northland Rail Modernization
- Presentation: Canadian Nickel Company Inc - Crawford Nickel Project
- Site Plan SP-2022-003 (Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services) at 389 Eight Avenue
- RFP 2022-22 Engineering Services for Second Street Water & Sanitary Upgrades
- By-Law 1514-20222 regarding McWhirter Road public use
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole is reviewing monthly reports from Corporate, Protective, Infrastructure, and Community Services. The meeting also addresses the 2022 Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee and the 2021 Host Community Report.
- Corporate Services July & August 2022 report
- Protective Services monthly report
- 2021 Host Community Report
- Infrastructure Services July & August 2022 report
- 2022 Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
Cochrane Police Services Board
The Cochrane Police Services Board will hold a meeting to conduct routine business. The agenda includes a resolution to move in camera to discuss one personal matter under the Police Services Act.
- One item to be discussed in camera regarding personal matters
Policy and Priorities Committee
The Policy and Priorities Committee reviewed a new framework for flying flags on Town property. The policy establishes protocols for flag etiquette, half-masting, and requests for public awareness campaigns.
- Adoption of Municipal Flag Policy
- Guidelines for flag flying at Town Hall, Fire Departments, and various parks
- Criteria for half-masting flags for official mourning
- Procedures for community flag-raising requests
Regular Council
The Council is reviewing several staff reports regarding infrastructure projects and municipal services. Items include requests for proposals for airport management, firehall roof repairs, and auto extrication tools.
- RFP 2022-27 for Auto Extrication Tools
- RFP 2022-30 for Firehall roof repairs
- RFP 2022-26 for Cochrane Airport Management Services
- RFT #2022-32 for the supply and delivery of Cree Lights
- Review of Polar Bear Habitat RV Dumping Station
Special Council
The Town of Cochrane Council met to consider By-Law Number 1512-2022. This by-law concerns the appointment of Monika Malherbe to the position of Chief Administrative Officer.
- By-Law Number 1512-2022: Appointment of Monika Malherbe as Chief Administrative Officer