Regular Meeting of Council

Minutes

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Council Chambers
89 Loveys Street East
Hickson, Ontario, N0J 1L0
Members Present:
  • Mayor Phil Schaefer
  • Deputy Mayor Brad Smith
  • Councillor Scott Rudy
  • Councillor Steven Van Wyk
  • Councillor Scott Zehr
  • Councillor Matthew Gillespie
  • Councillor Jeremy Smith
Staff Present:
  • Clerk Will Jaques
  • CAO-Treasurer Karen DePrest
  • Corporate Initiatives Officer/Deputy Clerk Meaghan Vader
  • Public Works Manager Tom Lightfoot
  • Fire Chief Scott Alexander

Mayor Schaefer welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Councilor Jeremy Smith noted that Domestic Abuse Services Oxford celebrated their 50th anniversary in June and that this month they are fundraising through a 50/50 raffle. Also noted was that United Way Oxford is running their annual supplies for students campaign to provide back to school supplies for students in Oxford County. 

  • Moved by:Brad Smith
    Seconded by:Scott Zehr

    Resolved that Council approve the agenda for the August 7, 2024 meeting as printed and circulated. 



    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Jeremy Smith
    Seconded by:Steven Van Wyk

    Resolved that Council confirm the Minutes of the July 3, 2024, Council Meeting, as printed and circulated.



    CARRIED

At 9:05 a.m., Council, constituted as the Committee of Adjustment, considered Minor Variance Application #A-2-2024 for 2274581 Ontario Inc. (c/o Chrissy Yantzi).  Planner Dustin Robson presented Planning Report #CP2024-235. 

Members of the Committee asked questions of the Planner and Staff. The applicant was not present for the hearing application. The Committee considered the comments made in making its decision regarding this application.

  • Moved by:Scott Zehr
    Seconded by:Steven Van Wyk

    Resolved that Council, constituted as the Committee of Adjustment, approve Application File A-2-2024, submitted by 2274581 Ontario Inc. for lands described as Lot 9, Plan 41M371 in the Village of Tavistock, being municipally known as 100 Fred Krug Avenue, as it relates to:

    1. Relief from Section 12.2, Table 12.2 - Residential Type 1 (R1) Zone Provisions, to increase the maximum lot coverage allowance from 40% to 43.8%.

    As the variance requested is considered to be:
    i) in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the Official Plan;
    ii) minor variance from the provisions of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock Zoning By-Law #2003-18;
    iii) desirable for the appropriate development or use of the land, building or structure; and,
    iv) in keeping with the general intent and purpose of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
    Zoning By-Law #2003-18.



    CARRIED

Council reviewed the April-May 2024 Activity Report from the Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation (ROEDC).

  • Moved by:Brad Smith
    Seconded by:Scott Rudy

    Resolved that the correspondence from the Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation (ROEDC) - April-May 2024 Activity Report - be accepted as information.



    CARRIED

Council reviewed the correspondence from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) requesting the Province to reverse their decision on freezing fees that conservation authorities can charge for planning, development and permitting applications. 

  • Moved by:Scott Zehr
    Seconded by:Steven Van Wyk

    Resolved that the Council for the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock support the request initiated by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) with respect to reversing the decision of the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry of Ontario, Graydon Smith, to freeze the fees conservation authorities can charge in regard to planning, development, and permitting fees.

    And further that the Mayor of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock be authorized to sign on to a letter of support prepared on behalf of the elected leaders of the municipalities of the Upper Thames River watershed.



    CARRIED

Council reviewed the correspondence regarding Rail Safety Week 2024.

  • Moved by:Steven Van Wyk
    Seconded by:Scott Rudy

    Resolved that the correspondence regarding Rail Safety Week 2024 be accepted as information.



    CARRIED

Council reviewed the correspondence from the County of Oxford regarding the contract award for the Punkeydoodles Corner Intersection Improvements.

  • Moved by:Scott Rudy
    Seconded by:Jeremy Smith

    Resolved that the correspondence from Oxford County regarding the contract award for Punkeydoodles Corner Intersection Improvements be accepted as information.



    CARRIED

Council reviewed the correspondence from the Tavistock Agricultural Society regarding their proposed Hospitality Area at the annual Tavistock Fall Fair. 

  • Moved by:Brad Smith
    Seconded by:Scott Zehr

    Resolved that Council designates the Tavistock Fall Fair Hospitality Area as "Municipally Significant".



    CARRIED

Fire Chief Scott Alexander reviewed his report with Council regarding Regional Training Centres (RTCs).

  • Moved by:Matthew Gillespie
    Seconded by:Scott Zehr

    Resolved that Report #FC2024-01 - RTC, Ontario Fire College Regional Training Centre-Joint municipal initiative, be received as information; 

    And that the Township of Norwich be authorized to sign the Emergency Services Training and Registration Agreement between the Ontario Fire College and the Corporation of the Township of Norwich on behalf of the Rural Fire Services of Oxford County (Norwich, Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Zorra, South-West Oxford) to establish a Regional Training Centre. 



    CARRIED

Human Resources and Safety Officer Jennifer Albrecht presented her report to Council regarding updating the Township's Organizational Chart.

  • Moved by:Brad Smith
    Seconded by:Steven Van Wyk

    Resolved that Council adopt the updated Township Organizational Chart Policy#1.01 V.7. 



    CARRIED

Councillor VanWyk provided an update from the June 24, 2024 RAC meeting. Provided an update about the community survey and open houses. 

CAO Karen DePrest provided an update on EZTransit. 

Council reviewed the draft 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.

  • Moved by:Scott Zehr
    Seconded by:Jeremy Smith

    Resolved that Council adopt the 2024-2028 Township Strategic Plan as amended. 



    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Jeremy Smith
    Seconded by:Scott Rudy

    Resolved that By-law #2024-31 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held Wednesday August 7, 2024, be read a first, second and third time this 7th day of August, 2024;

    And further that the Mayor and Clerk and hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.



    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Brad Smith
    Seconded by:Scott Zehr

    Resolved that Council does now adjourn at 10:16am.

     



    CARRIED