MUNICIPALITY OF THAMES CENTRE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, February 12, 2024 at 5:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Hybrid Council Meeting (Virtual and In-Person)

Municipal Office - Council Chambers

4305 Hamilton Road Dorchester, ON

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Clerk's Department to make the request at [e-mail]

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

3.

APPROVE AGENDA

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the February 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting Agenda be approved as circulated.

4.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires any member of Council declaring a pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof, where the interest of a member of Council has not been disclosed by reason of the member’s absence from the meeting, to disclose the interest at the first open meeting attended by the member of Council and otherwise comply with the Act.

5.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

6.

PRESENTATIONS/DELEGATIONS

7.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

7.1

Regular Council Minutes - January 29, 2024

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the minutes of the regular meeting of Council, held on January 29, 2024, be approved as circulated.

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items listed under Consent Agenda are received for information in one motion. Council members may request that one or more item(s) be separated for further action.

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Consent Agenda 8.1 through 8.3 be received as information;
  AND THAT Council supports Agenda Item 8.2, correspondence from Enbridge Gas Inc., regarding concerns with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB)'s decision on Phase 1 of the Enbridge Gas 2024 Rebasing Application;
  AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and Rob Flack, MPP. 

8.1

PW-ES-001-24 - 2023 Drinking Water Systems Annual Reports

8.2

Enbridge Gas - Concerns with Ontario Energy Board (OEB) Decision on Phase 1 of 2024 Rebasing Application

8.3

Middlesex-London Health Unit - Monthly Board of Health Update - January 2024

9.

REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS

9.1

CAO-001-24 - The Municipality of Thames Centre's Organizational Core Values

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Report No. CAO-001-24 be received for information;
  AND THAT Council ENDORSE the Thames Centre Organizational Core Values as attached.

9.2

LS-C-003-24 - Marriage Solemnization

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Report No. LS-C-003-24 be received for information;
  AND THAT Thames Centre Council agree to “Opt-In” in accordance with Regulation 285/04 made under the Marriage Act, to authorize the Clerk and Deputy Clerk to perform Civil Marriages;

  AND THAT the Wedding Ceremony Fee of $300.00 (plus HST) and Witness Fee of $25.00 (plus HST), be established for the solemnization of civil marriages and providing witnesses to a marriage;

  AND THAT a By-law to appoint marriage commissioners for the municipality be brought forward at the next Regular Meeting of Council.

9.3

LS-C-004-24 - Parking & Traffic By-law Updates

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Report No. LS-C-004-24 be received for information.

9.4

CS-001-24 - Volunteer Appreciation Event

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Report No. CS-001-24 be received for information;
  AND THAT Council host the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event by offering a drop-in breakfast, to be served by Council from 7:30am to 9:00am, on Monday April 15, 2024, in the auditorium at the Thorndale Lions Community Centre.

10.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Items listed under Reports of Committees are approved by Council in one motion. Council Members may request that one or more item(s) be separated for further action. 

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Reports of Committees Agenda Items 10.1 and 10.2 be approved as presented.

10.1

Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes - February 5, 2024

a.

Creation of a Recognition Program for Land Stewardship

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) recommends to Council the creation of a recognition program for land stewardship;
  AND THAT two awards be given on an annual basis:

  • Green Champion Award to a qualified individual who has demonstrated excellence in advancing a green initiative and is a resident of Thames Centre; and
  • Community Champion Award to a qualified applicant who has demonstrated environmental leadership within a community organization within Thames Centre.
• Recommended Motion:

  THAT a third award category be created to award a business that has initiated ongoing environmental initiatives or projects in Thames Centre;
  AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

b.

Creation of a Heritage Tree Program

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the Thames Centre Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) recommends the creation of a Heritage Tree Program and to solicit nominations from the public on a nomination form that includes the species identification, the circumference measurement of the tree, GPS location and reasoning for nomination;
  AND THAT these nominations be considered by the EAC or a subcommittee thereof; 
  AND THAT Thames Centre further consult with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), Thames Centre parks department, and the County of Middlesex to identify additional trees of significance on public lands. 

c.

Earth Day 2025 - Tree Planting Community Day

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee consult with the Thames Centre Special Events Committee on the Earth Day 2025 Tree Planting Community Day. 

d.

National Healing Forest Initiative

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) consult with the Accessibility & Inclusivity Advisory Committee (AIAC) to consider a joint-recommendation for a National Healing Forest initiative to be implemented in two (2) locations in Thames Centre.

e.

Memorial Tree Recognition Program

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) recommend to Council the establishment of a Memorial Tree Recognition program;
  AND THAT Council direct staff to investigate adding this to the current Memorial Bench Policy. 

f.

Green Town Hall Meeting

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT a special meeting of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) be called on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the Green Town Hall Meeting.

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) recommend to Council that the EAC conducts a Green Town Hall in October, for the purposes of soliciting public feedback and input on environmental initiatives pertinent to Thames Centre as a municipality and community.

10.2

Thorndale Dog Park Ad Hoc Committee Minutes - February 5, 2024

11.

MAYOR’S REPORT/COUNTY COUNCIL REPORT

12.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

13.

NOTICE OF MOTION

14.

NEW BUSINESS

Includes other business items requiring direction.

15.

BY-LAWS

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT By-laws 11-2024 through 14-2024 be adopted as presented.

15.1

By-law 11-2024 - Appointment to Boards & Committees By-law

Being a By-law to appoint members to various committees, boards and other bodies for the 2022 – 2026 Term of Council

15.2

By-law 12-2024 - Amend Zoning (4673 Dundas Street)

Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 75-2006, as amended, insofar as it relates to the lands located at Part of Lot 8, Concession 1, NRT (geographic Township of North Dorchester), designated as Parts 1 and 2 on Plan 33R2382, in the Municipality of Thames Centre, in the County of Middlesex

15.3

By-law 13-2024 - Amend Zoning (3014 Crampton Drive)

Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 75-2006, as amended, insofar as it relates to the lands located at Part of Lots 9 and 10, Concession 3, SRT (geographic Township of North Dorchester), designated as Part 2 on Plan 33R12606, in the Municipality of Thames Centre, in the County of Middlesex

15.4

By-law 14-2024 - Amend Zoning (4406 Dundas Street)

Being a By-law to amend By-law No. 75-2006, as amended, insofar as it relates to the lands located at Part of Lot 1, Concession 3 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), designated as Part 1 on Plan 33R452, in the Municipality of Thames Centre, in the County of Middlesex

16.

CLOSED SESSION

• Recommended Motion:

  RESOLVED THAT Council adjourn to closed session at X:XX p.m. pursuant to:
  
  Section 239(2)(f) of the Municipal Act, being "advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose" with respect to a request to amend a condition of consent.

16.1

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

16.2

Minutes of Previous Closed Session Meeting

a.

January 29, 2024

16.3

Closed Session Item

a.

PDS-002-24 - Request to Amend Condition of Consent

16.4

Adjournment

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT Council reconvene at X:XX p.m. to continue with deliberations.

17.

RISE AND REPORT

18.

CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW

18.1

By-law 15-2024 - Confirmatory By-law

Being a By-law to adopt, confirm and ratify matters dealt with by resolution of the Municipality of Thames Centre

• Recommended Motion:

  THAT By-law 15-2024, being the Confirmatory By-law, be adopted as presented.

19.

MEETING SCHEDULE

Monday, February 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 
Monday, March 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

20.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommended Motion:

  RESOLVED THAT the meeting adjourn at X:XX p.m.