The Corporation of The Town of Cobourg
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, July 04, 2022 at 4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Hybrid Meeting (In-Person and Electronic)

 

Please be advised that the Special Council Cobourg Council will begin at 4:00 P.M. 

 

The purpose of the Special Committee of  Whole Meeting is to deal with two (2) items as directed by Council, as approved and directed at the June 27, 2022, Regular Council Meeting. 

 

Notice - This Special Council Meeting will be held using a hybrid meeting model. Members of Council will have the choice to participate in-person in Council Chambers or to participate via Electronic Participation. All Members of Staff also have the option on participating via electronic attendance or in-person and delegations will be heard using the same hybrid method. Please note that in-person attendance in Council Chambers by members of the public is now permitted. The public may still view the Council meeting live via the Town of Cobourg live stream. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please email [e-mail]. 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

TRADITIONAL LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Town of Cobourg respectfully acknowledge that we are located in the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga) and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.

The Town of Cobourg respectfully acknowledge that the Williams Treaties First Nations have been stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters, and that today remain vigilant over their health and integrity for generations to come. We are all Treaty people.

3.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

4.

NOTIFICATION

Municipal Clerk

Notice of the Special Meeting of Council was provided in accordance with the Town of Cobourg Council Procedural By-law and was published in the local newspaper, posted on the Municipal Website www.cobourg.ca.

5.

PRESENTATIONS

6.

DELEGATIONS

6.1

Michael Brown, Cobourg Resident, to speak on experiences on Homelessness in the Community.

6.2

Keith Oliver, Cobourg Resident, to speak on the Homelessness and Sheltering in Cobourg.

6.3

Peter Howes, Cobourg Resident, regarding the Development of a Encampment Response Plan for the Town of Cobourg.

6.4

Missy McLean, Moms Stop the Harm, regarding Sheltering and Homelessness in the Community.

6.5

Rev. Neil Ellis, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, regarding Sheltering in the Town of Cobourg.

6.6

Brad Bridges, Cobourg Resident, regarding experiences in Homelessness in Cobourg.

6.7

Dr. Alyson King, Cobourg Resident, regarding Haplessness and Sheltering in Cobourg.

6.8

Meghan Sheffield, Cobourg Resident, regarding experiences and thoughts on sheltering on public lands.

6.9

Nicole Whitmore, regarding written statements of those unsheltered in the Town of Cobourg.

6.10

Shannon Basso, the Help Centre, regarding working being done to support Seniors facing Homelessness in our Community.

7.

REPORTS

7.1

Memo from the Director of Legislative Services/Municipal Clerk, regarding the Homelessness and Sheltering and the Enforcement of Municipal By-laws in the Town of Cobourg.

• Action Recommended

  THAT Council receive the Staff Report for information purposes; and 

  
  FURTHER THAT Council choose one of the following options:

   

  OPTION #1 (Status Quo)

  THAT Council maintain the status quo and the enforcement of Municipal By-laws currently in place conducted by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers; and

  FURTHER THAT Council endorse a revised Encampment Response Plan by the By-law Department for coordination with the County of Northumberland Homelessness Coordinated Response Team (HCRT) in order to establish a coordinated systemic multi-agency response to those sleeping rough in the Town of Cobourg to facilitate person-centered engagement opportunities and individualized connections to community-based supports, including dignified housing/shelter options.

   

  OPTION #2 (Sheltering Permitted)

  THAT Council allow for sleeping rough in unmaintained areas of Municipal Parks in the Town of Cobourg; 

  THAT Council authorize the preparation of a By-law to be presented at a Regular Council Meeting to suspend the enforcement of the Parks Use By-law regarding sleeping rough in Municipal Parks and the hours of operation for municipal parks; and

  FURTHER THAT Council maintain the enforcement of the Nuisance By-law, and direct Staff to provide certain services such as dedicated By-law Enforcement staffing, security, showers, and dedicated programming, power, water, garbage disposal cooking abilities (outdoor BBQs, communal space), harm reduction supports and infrastructure, safety measures to limit violence and thefts, naloxone kits and storage for personal belongings (outdoor self-service lockers; and

  FURTHER THAT Council endorse the revised Encampment Response Plan by the By-law Department for coordination with the County of Northumberland Homelessness Coordinated Response Team (HCRT) in order to establish a coordinated systemic multi-agency response to those sleeping rough in the Town of Cobourg to facilitate person-centered engagement opportunities and individualized connections to community-based supports, including housing/shelter options.

7.2

Notice of Motion, Councillor Nicole Beatty, regarding the development of a Encampment Response Plan for the Town of Cobourg.

• Action Recommended

  WHEREAS the number of people residing in the Town of Cobourg who are unhoused or experiencing homelessness is increasing;

  AND WHEREAS 78 people are officially listed as being homeless, according to Northumberland County.

  AND WHEREAS 24 is the maximum number of shelter spaces available in the area.

  AND WHEREAS the Town of Cobourg By-law Enforcement Team is responding to a high volume of concerns regarding encampments.

  AND WHEREAS the Town of Cobourg does not have an official by-law, policy or program in place to respond to shelter encampments.

  AND WHEREAS according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Canada has recognized that adequate housing is a fundamental human right for all.

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to develop an Encampment Response Plan with input, collaboration and outreach support from homeless-serving partners and community members to engage folks residing in encampments and help them transition to safer and more humane accommodations.

  AND FURTHER THAT an encampment site is only to be cleared once everyone has been offered safe and appropriate indoor accommodation.

  AND FURTHER THAT in the event of an encampment site being cleaned up everyone’s personal belongings are stored for a period of two weeks and adequate written notice of support is provided.

  AND FURTHER THAT Council call on Northumberland County Council, staff and its service providers to work with the Town of Cobourg to establish an immediate solution to increasing the supply of indoor accommodation and providing street outreach support through the implementation of an Encampment Response Plan.

  AND FURTHER THAT Council direct senior staff and three members of Council to make a delegation to Northumberland County Council at their next scheduled Regular Council meeting on July 20th, 2022.

  AND FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to engage with Infrastructure Ontario and MPP David Piccini to repurpose, refurbish or rebuild a small portion of the former Brookside property to explore immediate housing options in response to the local housing crisis.

8.

ADJOURNMENT