Brant County public meetings in 2023

Sports Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from June 6, 2023. Staff provided updates on ceremony arrangements for South Dumfries, Burford, and Paris, including invitations and plaque inscriptions.

• Approved September 12, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved June 6, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)

Paramedic Services Committee

The Paramedic Services Committee approved the Community Paramedic Palliative Wish Program and the 2023 Response Time Targets and Performance Plan for submission to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Members also reviewed operational dashboards and the proposed 2024 budget before losing quorum.

• Approved Community Paramedic Palliative Wish program (Carried)
• Approved 2023 Response Time Targets and Performance Plan RPT-0374-23 (Carried)
• Received Paramedic Service Operational and Community Paramedicine Dashboard as information (Carried)
• Approved minutes from July 5, 2023 (Carried)
• Received Brant-Brantford Community Paramedicine Program Update RPT-0378-23 as information (Carried)
• Received Paramedic Services Statistical Package RPT-0377-23 as information (Carried)
• Received budget to actual variance report at July 31, 2023, RPT-0357-23 as information (Carried)

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The committee endorsed the site plan for the Paris Lawn Bowling Club and directed staff to investigate accessibility standards at Rest Acre Ridges park. Members also received a presentation from Ed Solak regarding physical disability challenges.

• Endorsed site plan SP12-23-DN for Paris Lawn Bowling Club with request for one additional accessible parking stall
• Directed staff to investigate accessibility standards and project status at Rest Acre Ridges park
• Approved support for Ed Solak's delegation to the September 25, 2023 County of Brant Council meeting
• Approved agenda for September 11, 2023
• Approved minutes from July 10, 2023 meeting
• Received communication from Paris resident regarding accessibility

Tourism Advisory Committee

The committee approved the September 7, 2023 agenda and the July 6, 2023 minutes. Staff provided updates on Destination Ontario statistics, the Arts, Culture, and Heritage strategy, and various local events. No substantive policy decisions were made.

• Approved September 7, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved July 6, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)

Brant Heritage Committee

The Brant Heritage Committee approved the pursuit of a Provincial Designation for Penman’s Textile Mill and supported a communication plan for a private development project in downtown Paris. The committee also approved a memorial for former member Mike O’Byrne and a name preference for a cemetery columbarium.

• Approved pursuit of Provincial Designation for Penman’s Textile Mill
• Approved support for prompt coordination of communication between staff and developer for the private project at 5, 7, 9 Grand River St N
• Approved memorializing Mike O’Byrne with a donated tree, stone, and plaque
• Approved naming preference of 'Cobblestone' for the Paris Cemetery Columbarium
• Approved July 6, 2023 minutes as amended
• Approved September 7, 2023 agenda

Brant Connects Joint Committee

The committee received a presentation from Xplore Inc. regarding rural broadband and reviewed a new GIS internet connectivity report tool. Staff announced the launch of the Brant Connectivity Guidebook. One item regarding development application resources was deferred.

• Approved September 6, 2023 agenda
• Approved June 9, 2023 meeting minutes
• Received delegation from Melissa Greco (Xplore Inc.)
• Deferred Development Application Resource- Process Flow/ Contact List to next meeting
• Received communications regarding Red Tape Reduction for Designated Broadband Projects

Grants Ad Hoc Committee

The Grants Ad Hoc Committee established the 2024 funding level and directed staff to research outsourcing program administration to the Brant Community Foundation. Staff were also tasked with reviewing eligibility criteria for for-profit corporations and places of worship.

• Elected Councillor Oakley as Chair
• Elected Councillor Garneau as Vice Chair
• Set 2024 grant funding at 0.5% of the Operating Budget
• Directed staff to gather information from Brant Community Foundation on administering the grants program
• Directed staff to review evaluation criteria regarding ongoing grants, multiple submissions, and eligibility for for-profit corporations and places of worship
• Directed staff to review separating large funding requests from the grants process

Policy Development Committee

The Policy Development Committee approved an updated Program Cancellation Policy and a by-law to regulate the County of Brant Fire Department. The committee also recommended changes to the Brant Municipal Enterprises Shareholder's Declaration and resurrected a joint committee with the City of Brantford to explore shared interests and initiatives.

• Approved updated 2023 Program Cancellation Policy (RPT-0353-23)
• Approved RPT-0197-23 to repeal and replace the by-law establishing and regulating the County of Brant Fire Department
• Recommended amendments to Brant Municipal Enterprises Shareholder's Declaration regarding CEO selection and appointment
• Approved resurrection of Joint City-County Committee for shared interest and initiatives
• Appointed Councillors Kyle, Oakley, Bell, Chambers, and Coleman to the Joint City-County Committee
• Deferred update to Corporate Strategic Plan (RPT-339-23) until Long-Term Financial Plan and 2024 Budget process are complete
• Received reports on BCHS Master Planning and Housing Options as information

Cemetery Advisory Committee

The Cemetery Advisory Committee approved inviting the Brant Heritage Committee to suggest names for the columbarium. The committee also supported the Brant Railway Heritage Society's request to use Mt. Pleasant Cemetery for an October 2023 event. Staff provided updates on pillar work and monument repairs.

• Approved invitation to Brant Heritage Committee to propose Columbarium names (Carried)
• Approved support for Brant Railway Heritage Society use of Mt Pleasant Cemetery for October 2023 Culture Day Event (Carried)
• Approved July 27, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved May 25, 2023 minutes (Carried)
• Received Cemetery Supervisors Update of July 27, 2023 as information (Carried)

County of Brant Council

Council approved several construction and design contracts for sewers, bridges, and parking lots. The board also approved reports from the Planning and Development and Administration and Operations committees, including street renaming and heritage salvage recommendations.

• Awarded St. George Trunk Sewer design to First Nation Engineering Service Ltd. for $288,085
• Awarded bridge projects to Douglas Vallee Limited ($66,802 and $69,946) and Gannett Fleming Canada ULC ($155,599 and $119,323)
• Awarded parking lot construction to Brantco Construction for $422,785.50
• Directed staff to pursue a unique name for Paris Links Road
• Approved processing of consent application at 1272 Colborne Street prior to zone change
• Referred request to change addresses at 526 Scenic Drive to staff for a report
• Appointed R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited as engineer for Tighe Award Drain report
• Authorized CAO to award Burford Administration Office building retrofit tender

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment approved three consent applications for land severances and one minor variance for a reduced street setback. Decisions included a surplus farm dwelling severance and a correction of deed for merged parcels.

• Approved B14-23-ES for surplus farm dwelling severance at 217 Highway 2
• Approved B13-23-LG to correct deed for merged parcels at 110 Burford Delhi Townline Rd (Unanimous)
• Approved B18-23-LG to create one residential lot at 2 Chapel St
• Approved A17-23-LG for reduced street setback of 2.0m at 2 Chapel St
• Approved June 15, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

County of Brant Council - Special Meeting

Council approved the St. George Comprehensive Masterplan Study and associated technical findings. The decision includes amending Zoning By-law 61-16 and repealing Interim Control By-law 88-22 to implement new performance standards for growth in St. George.

• Approved Planning and Development Committee Report of July 11, 2023 (Carried)
• Endorsed St. George Comprehensive Masterplan Study recommendations and Technical Memoranda (Carried)
• Directed staff to develop a Servicing Allocation Policy for St. George (Carried)
• Passed By-law 81-23 to approve the Masterplan Study, amend Zoning By-law 61-16, and repeal By-law 88-11 (Carried)
• Passed By-law 82-23 to confirm the proceedings of Council (Carried)

Administration and Operations Committee

The Administration and Operations Committee awarded several contracts for sewer installation, bridge design, and parking lot construction. The committee also approved a request to update postal codes for Pearson Place in Glen Morris and authorized a retrofit for the Burford Administration Office.

• Awarded St. George Trunk Sewer design to First Nation Engineering Service Ltd. for $288,085
• Awarded bridge design contracts to Douglas Vallee Limited (Reid and Peddie bridges) and Gannett Fleming Canada ULC (McBlain and Douglass bridges)
• Awarded parking lot construction to Ekum-Sekum Incorporated o/a Brantco Construction for $422,785.50
• Authorized CAO to award tender for Burford Administration Office building retrofit
• Instructed Canada Post to update postal codes for Pearson Place from St. George to Glen Morris
• Appointed R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited as engineer for Bennett Drain extension petition
• Approved Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
• Defeated motion to maintain status quo on recorded voting options (4-6)

Police Services Board

The Board approved the agenda and the minutes from the June 20, 2023 meeting. Members received the Detachment Commander's report and a staff report on false alarm statistics for January to June 2023. No substantive policy changes or funding decisions were made.

• Approved July 18, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved June 20, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
• Received Detachment Commander's and Statistics reports as information (Carried)
• Received Staff Report RPT-0356-23 regarding False Alarm Statistics January to June 2023 as information (Carried)

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Agricultural Advisory Committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from June 19, 2023. The committee received a staff report regarding the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement's Natural Heritage System Policies Update.

• Approved agenda for July 17, 2023 (Carried)
• Approved June 19, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
• Received report RPT-0352-23 on Proposed Provincial Planning Statement as information (Carried)
• Approved sharing report RPT-0352-23 with the two Conservation Authorities in the County of Brant (Carried)

Planning and Development Committee

The Committee endorsed the St. George Comprehensive Masterplan Study and approved a Zoning By-Law Amendment to repeal the interim control by-law for St. George. It also directed staff to rename a section of Paris Links Road. Several other zoning amendments were received as information.

• Directed staff to rename the existing section and extension of Paris Links Road with a unique name (Carried)
• Endorsed the St. George Comprehensive Masterplan Study and Technical Memoranda (Carried)
• Directed the development of a Servicing Allocation Policy for St. George (Carried)
• Approved Zoning By-Law Amendment to repeal Interim Control By-Law 88-22 for St. George (Carried)
• Received as information zoning amendment for 378 Harley Road regarding outdoor storage and townhouse development (Carried)
• Received as information zoning amendment for 1318 Colborne Street West to rezone from Agriculture to Light Industrial (Carried)
• Approved June 13, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)

County of Brant Council

Council approved three major zoning by-law amendments to facilitate residential housing and lot creation. The decisions included rezoning agricultural lands to rural residential and adjusting residential density for townhouse construction.

• Approved rezoning of 283 McLean School Road from Agriculture to Rural Residential and Site Specific Provision Rural Residential (Carried)
• Approved rezoning of 369 Scenic Drive from Agriculture and Natural Heritage to Rural Residential (RR-62) and Natural Heritage (NH-15) (Carried)
• Approved rezoning of Plan 2M-1947 Block 106 from Residential Singles and Semis (R2-18) to Residential Multiple Low Density (RM1-18) for townhouse units (Carried)
• Passed By-law Number 75-23 regarding 283 McLean School Road (Carried)
• Passed By-law Number 76-23 regarding 729B Mount Pleasant Road (Carried)
• Passed By-law Number 77-23 regarding 6 Bernice St (Carried)
• Passed By-law Number 78-23 regarding 369 Scenic Drive (Carried)
• Passed By-law Number 79-23 regarding Plan 2M1947 Block 106 (Carried)

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The committee approved its updated Terms of Reference and the minutes from the June 12, 2023 meeting. Members reviewed the site plan for 1070 Rest Acres Road, specifically discussing accessible parking and sidewalk access for Home Hardware.

• Approved agenda for July 10, 2023 meeting (Carried)
• Approved June 12, 2023 meeting minutes as amended (Carried)
• Approved Appendix A, Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (Carried)
• Received correspondence from E. Anne Saunders regarding Home Hardware accessible parking (Carried)

Communities Improvement Plan Committee

The meeting was held for informational purposes only because quorum was not obtained. No formal decisions were made, though staff provided updates on grant applications and a new brochure.

Tourism Advisory Committee

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from June 1, 2023. Members received presentations on the 55+ Summer Games and on-farm diversified uses, including Airbnbs. The committee discussed public art options for Rest Acres Road due to landscaping challenges.

• Approved July 6, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved June 1, 2023 minutes (Carried)

Brant Heritage Committee

The Committee supported a proposed by-law to designate the Paris Plains Church Cemetery. Members also recommended the salvage of materials from 191 Pinehurst Road and requested a staff investigation into formal salvage processes for 2024.

• Supported proposed Designation By-law for Paris Plains Church Cemetery (Carried)
• Recommended developer for 191 Pinehurst Road arrange salvage of materials, specifically buff-coloured brick (Carried)
• Recommended a memorandum of understanding for salvage of heritage features at 191 Pinehurst Road (Carried)
• Requested staff investigate a formal process to salvage architecturally significant materials for 2024 (Carried)
• Approved agenda for July 6, 2023 (Carried)
• Approved minutes from June 1, 2023 (Carried)

Paramedic Services Committee

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from May 10, 2023. Members received a statistical package and update from the Chief of Paramedic Services. No new policies or funding allocations were decided.

• Approved July 5, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved May 10, 2023 minutes (Carried)
• Received RPT-0336-23 Paramedic Services Statistical Package as information (Carried)

County of Brant Council

Council approved several infrastructure contracts, including road widening and water system design. They also referred a $100,000 donation request for Sacred Heart Parish to the 2024 budget and endorsed the Right to Repair movement.

• Awarded Iarocci Boulevard Construction contract to Capital Paving Inc. for $1,864,210.63
• Awarded Mt. Pleasant Drinking Water Distribution System design to First Nations Engineering Services Ltd. for $464,495
• Approved renaming Broadway Lane to Keeton Lane
• Referred $100,000 Sacred Heart Parish donation request to 2024 budget
• Referred Onondaga speed limit reduction request to Safe Streets Program
• Authorized CAO to award tender for Paris Road Widening turning lane
• Approved support for Kloss2Cross, including free use of Paris outdoor pool
• Endorsed Right to Repair Movement via letter to MP's and MPP's

Administration and Operations Committee

The Committee approved several infrastructure contracts, including Iarocci Boulevard construction and Mt. Pleasant water system design. It also authorized additional funding for a 40-bed addition at John Noble Home and reallocated Canada Community-Building Fund grants for road and sewer projects.

• Approved $1,396,786 for John Noble Home Bell Court 40-bed addition via debentures
• Awarded Iarocci Boulevard Construction to Capital Paving Inc. for $1,864,210.63
• Awarded Mt. Pleasant Drinking Water Distribution design to First Nations Engineering Services Ltd. for $464,495
• Authorized CAO to award tender for 471 Paris Road widening turning lane
• Approved $3,060 for signage improvements at 97 Grand River Street North
• Declared a portion of Watts Lane surplus and listed it on the open market
• Reallocated Canada Community-Building Fund for Highway 2, Curtis Ave N, and Broadway St projects
• Approved free use of Paris outdoor pool and advertising for Kloss2Cross swim

Police Services Board

The Board approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the 2nd Annual Brant Emergency Services Golf Tournament. Members received reports on detachment statistics, false alarms, and revenues. The Board also directed the Chair to reiterate concerns to the Ministry of Education regarding the School Resource Officer Program.

• Approved $1,000 sponsorship for the 2nd Annual Brant Emergency Services Golf Tournament
• Approved May 16, 2023 meeting minutes
• Received Detachment Commander's and Statistics reports as information
• Received Staff Report RPT-0302-23 regarding May 2023 False Alarm Statistics
• Received January to March 2023 Detachment Revenues report
• Directed the Chair to respond to Patrick Byam of the Ministry of Education regarding School Resource Officer Program concerns

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The committee reviewed agricultural planning applications for properties on McLean School Road and Highway 2. Members approved a field access request and the decommissioning of a barn, and directed staff to negotiate a specific lot size for a property severance.

• Approved field access within the Natural Heritage Zone at 283 McLean School Road (Carried)
• Received application B14-23-ES (217 Highway 2) as information and decided the existing barn be decommissioned (Carried)
• Directed staff to negotiate a .6 ha lot size with the applicant for B16-23-ES (89 Highway 2) (Carried)
• Approved April 24, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment unanimously approved several sign variances and minor variances for lot coverage and structure height. The Committee also approved a consent application to create a new residential lot and an associated easement in Burford.

• Approved sign variance SV4-23-LG for three fascia signs at 566 Oak Park Rd (Unanimous)
• Approved sign variance SV3-23-LG for three fascia signs and increased sign area at 315 Grand River St N (Unanimous)
• Approved minor variance A11-23-LG for 50% lot coverage at 1 Masters Lane (Unanimous)
• Approved minor variance A13-23-ES for a 5.3 metre detached garage height at 200 East River Rd (Unanimous)
• Approved consent application B79-22-LG for a new residential lot at 137 Harley Rd (Carried)
• Approved consent application B83-22-LG for an easement at 137 Harley Rd (Carried)

Planning and Development Committee

The Planning and Development Committee approved a request to rename Broadway Lane to Keeton Lane. The committee also held public hearings regarding three zoning and official plan amendment applications, though no decisions on those applications were recorded in the minutes.

• Approved renaming Broadway Lane to Keeton Lane (Carried)
• Approved Planning and Development Committee minutes from May 9, 2023 (Carried)
• Approved the June 13, 2023 meeting agenda (Carried)

County of Brant Council

Council approved a rezoning application for 836 Watt’s Pond Road to allow for a future lot line adjustment and additional housing types. Four by-laws were read and passed, including the zoning amendment for the Watt's Pond property.

• Approved rezoning of 836 Watt’s Pond Road from Residential Singles (R1) to Residential Singles and Semis with site specific provision 18 (R2-18) (Carried)
• Passed By-law 63-23 to amend the Zoning By-law for 836 Watt's Pond Road (Carried)
• Passed By-law 64-23 to relieve certain lands from Section 50(5) of the Planning Act (Carried)
• Passed By-law 65-23 to relieve certain lands from Section 50(5) of the Planning Act (Carried)
• Passed By-law 66-23 to confirm the proceedings of Council (Carried)

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The committee changed its meeting frequency to be at the call of the Chair with a minimum of four meetings per year. Members also requested a report on playground audit findings and recommended improvements before a report is brought to Council.

• Approved agenda for June 12, 2023 (Carried)
• Approved minutes from April 13, 2023 (Carried)
• Changed meeting schedule to be at the call of the Chair with at least four meetings per year (Carried)
• Requested K. Wazonek report playground audit findings and recommended improvements to committee before reporting to Council (Carried)

Sports Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee

The Sports Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee renamed the Athlete Recognition Policy and approved the May 24, 2023, minutes. Members discussed plaque updates, proposed dates for induction ceremonies in South Dumfries, Paris, and Burford, and the 2024 nomination process.

• Approved June 6, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved May 24, 2023 minutes (Carried)
• Renamed Athlete Recognition Policy to 'Sports Hall of Fame Recognition Policy' (Carried)
• Received communications regarding Zach Dalpe Banner as information (Carried)

Brant Heritage Committee

The committee received a heritage inventory for employment land expansion in the Paris Settlement Area Boundary Expansion. Members discussed memorialization designs for 2 Beverly St West and preparations for the Ontario Heritage Conference. No formal votes were recorded for budget approvals or policy changes.

• Approved June 1, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved May 4, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
• Received Paris SABE - Heritage Inventory Excerpt (Carried)
• Directed that preservation of cultural heritage resources be reinforced to developers (Carried)

Tourism Advisory Committee

The committee approved the agenda and the minutes from the May 4, 2023 meeting. Members received presentations from the St. George Applefest and the Paris Agricultural Society. Staff provided updates on upcoming local events and tourism brochures.

• Approved June 1, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved May 4, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)

County of Brant Council - Special Meeting

Council participated in a strategic planning exercise facilitated by GLPi to determine the County of Brant's direction for the next four years. Members discussed community feedback, rural versus urban imperatives, and identified strategic goals. A draft plan will be produced based on this session.

• Approved the meeting agenda

County of Brant Council Special Meeting OP Public Hearing

Council approved several site-specific boundary expansions for employment and community lands. They also directed staff to report on growth-related infrastructure financing and strengthened language regarding affordable housing studies.

• Excluded all matters currently before the Ontario Land Tribunal from the Final New Official Plan
• Directed staff to prepare a report by December 2023 on growth-related infrastructure capital financing options
• Approved strengthened wording to study attainable housing and partner with the City of Brantford on affordable housing
• Denied Site-Specific Request #101 to expand Cainsville Settlement Area Boundary (1-10)
• Approved Site-Specific Request #97 to expand Burford Settlement Area Boundary at 26 Eighth Concession Road
• Approved Site-Specific Request #96 to expand New Durham Settlement Area Boundary at 20-40 Muird Road South and 348 Harley Road
• Approved Site-Specific Request #109 to expand Oakhill Settlement Area Boundary at 253 Oakhill Drive

County of Brant Council Special Meeting OP Public Hearing

Council conducted a public hearing to receive presentations and delegations regarding the Final New Official Plan. No final decisions were made on the plan or specific land-use requests during this session; all public comments and correspondence were referred for future Council deliberation.

• Approved the meeting agenda (Carried)
• Received and referred all public delegations and comments for Council consideration (Carried)
• Received and referred correspondence items for Council consideration (Carried)

Cemetery Advisory Committee

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from March 23, 2023. Staff provided status updates on cemetery restoration, columbarium installations, and memorial programs. No substantive policy decisions were made.

• Approved May 25, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved March 23, 2023 minutes (Carried)

Sports Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee

The committee identified October 7, 2023, as a supported date for a ceremony at the Burford Community Centre and directed staff to propose fall dates for a Paris area event. Members volunteered to research information for new inductees' plaques and to compile digital data for the Paris Wall of Recognition. The committee also discussed potential wording changes to the Athlete Recognition Policy.

• Approved May 24, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved April 12, 2023 minutes (Carried)
• Directed staff to propose Paris area ceremony dates between September and early November
• Assigned Member Leask to digitally compile Paris Wall of Recognition information for the website
• Assigned research tasks for inductee plaques to Member Pelton, Member McCulloch, Member Adedayo, Mayor Bailey, and L. Campbell

Community Safety and Well-being Plan Committee

The committee elected its leadership and approved the agenda and previous minutes. Staff presented a recap of the Community Safety & Well-being Partnership Forum and discussed the implementation of the safety plan and risk factors.

• Elected Councillor Kyle as Chair (Carried)
• Elected Member Bernstein as Vice Chair (Carried)
• Approved May 24, 2023 agenda (Carried)
• Approved March 31, 2022 minutes (Carried)

County of Brant Council

Council approved the implementation of an Administrative Penalties System for parking and future automated speed enforcement. It also approved a build-to-suit lease for a Paramedic Services headquarters at 150 Savannah Oaks Drive and authorized a utility model study for urban stormwater management.

• Approved implementation of Administrative Penalties System for parking and automated speed enforcement
• Approved build-to-suit lease for Paramedic Services Headquarters at 150 Savannah Oaks Drive
• Authorized development of a utility model and user fee for urban stormwater management
• Approved 2022 Paramedic Services Budget amendment for $475,000 in COVID-19 expenses and funding
• Approved transitioning Paramedic Services Administrative Assistant to full-time permanent position
• Approved funding for an additional ambulance delivered in 2023
• Supported City of Cambridge resolution regarding Highway Traffic Act amendments
• Approved adding Colleen Miller to the Community Member Street Naming List