The Corporation of The Town of Cobourg
Regular Council Meeting
Agenda

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, Victoria Hall, Cobourg

Closed Session 4 p.m.

Open Meeting 6 p.m.

 

Please be advised that the Regular Council Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a Closed Session being held prior to the Open Session. The Public will see a Closed Session screen on the livestream of the Regular Council Meeting indicating Council is in Closed Session. The Open Session will appear live directly following the Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. and can be viewed using the same livestream link.

 

This Regular Council Meeting will be held using a hybrid meeting model. Members of Council and Municipal Staff will have the choice to participate in-person in Council Chambers or to participate virtually via electronic participation. The public may also view the Council meeting live via the Town of Cobourg livestream. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please email [e-mail]. 

 

Join Zoom Meeting Information for Speakers

Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84335133223

Meeting ID: 843 3513 3223

Phone: [phone] 

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Introduction of Addendum Items

3.

Confirmation of Agenda

To confirm the agenda.

• Action Recommended:

  That Council confirm the agenda, as circulated.

4.

Resolution to Move into Closed Session

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council meet in Closed Session in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 regarding:

  • personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (s. 239 (2) (b)); and 
  • advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose (s. 239 (2) (f)).

5.

Reconvene into Open Meeting

6.

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.

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary (Financial) Interest

8.

Items Arising from Closed Session

9.

Minutes

9.1

Council Minutes for Adoption

9.1.1

January 31, 2024, Regular Council Minutes

9.1.2

February 6, 2024, Special Council Minutes

9.1.3

February 15, 2024, Special Council Minutes

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council approve the minutes of Cobourg Municipal Council, as circulated.

9.2

Standing Committee Minutes Received for Information

9.2.1

February 6, 2024, Strategic Priorities and Policy Standing Committee Minutes

9.2.2

February 7, 2024, Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee Minutes

9.2.3

February 7, 2024, Public Works Planning and Development Standing Committee Minutes

9.2.4

February 8, 2024, Corporate, Finance, and Legislative Standing Committee Minutes

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council receive the minutes of Cobourg Municipal Standing Committees for informational purposes, as circulated.

10.

Community Announcements

Members of Council will present verbal reports on matters within their respective areas of responsibility.

11.

Delegations

12.

Outside Presentation / Information from Advisory Committees or Task Forces

Speakers may not register to speak to Outside Presentations.

12.1

Report from Lakefront Utility Services Inc. regarding the Cobourg Drinking Water System 2023 Annual Report

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council accept the report from Lakefront Utility Services Inc. regarding the Cobourg Drinking Water System 2023 Annual Report for information purposes.

12.2

Presentation from Adam Bennett, Town of Cobourg Emergency Planner and Eric Thibaudeau Field Officer – Severn Sector Regional Field Services – South Operations Division Emergency Management Ontario, regarding the 2024 Solar Eclipse

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council receive the presentation from Adam Bennett, Town of Cobourg Emergency Planner and Eric Thibaudeau Field Officer –Severn Sector Regional Field Services – South Operations Division Emergency Management Ontario, regarding the 2024 Solar Eclipse for information purposes.  

13.

Consent Agenda

Speakers may speak for up to 10 minutes of uninterrupted time and only on the matter pertaining to the report.

As per the Town Procedural By-law, when addressing Council, the speaker shall be respectful of all persons and refrain from entering into cross debate with members of Council, Town Staff and members of the audience.

Following the address, Council members may ask questions to obtain additional information or seek clarification from the speaker but shall not make statements to or enter into debate with the speaker.

Once all speakers have been heard, Council members will deliberate the report at hand without interruption. Speakers will not be allowed to interrupt the Council decision making process.

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council adopt the following recommendations from the Standing Committees contained within the consent agenda as a single motion:

13.1

Strategic Priorities and Policy Standing Committee

13.1.1

Report No. LS-2024-006 from the Grant and Policy Writer regarding the Public Conduct Policy

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Standing Committee meeting on February 6, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. LS-2024-006 from the Grant and Policy Writer regarding the Public Conduct Policy.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive this report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council approve the Town of Cobourg Public Conduct Policy to ensure a consistent approach to respond to unacceptable behaviour on Town properties.

13.2

Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee

13.2.1

Memo from the Downtown Business Improvement Area regarding Addressing Downtown Parking Concerns for Economic Development

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered a memo from the Downtown Business Improvement Area regarding Addressing Downtown Parking Concerns for Economic Development.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the memo from the Downtown Business Improvement Area regarding Addressing Downtown Parking Concerns for Economic Development for information purposes.

13.2.2

Report No. DS-2024-003 from Manager of Economic Development regarding 2023 Economic Development and Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Annual Report

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. DS-2024-003 from Manager of Economic Development regarding 2023 Economic Development and Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre Annual Report.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the staff report including the 2023 Annual Report for the Economic Development Department and Venture13 Facility (included as Attachment 1) for information purposes.

13.2.3

Report No. COMM-2024-004 from Director, Community Services regarding Park Naming Request – Ron Bolt Park

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. COMM-2024-004 from Director, Community Services regarding Park Naming Request – Ron Bolt Park.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive this report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council approve the naming of the parkland bounded by Caddy Drive, Lees Avenue, and Caddy Drive, known as 857 Caddy Drive (currently informally known as New Amherst Parkette), as Ron Bolt Park; and

  FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to erect a new park sign recognizing the new name; and

  FURTHER THAT Council encourage citizens to come forward with naming recommendations for other municipal facilities to recognize and celebrate Cobourg’s rich culture.

13.2.4

Report No. LS-2024-007 from the Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement & Licensing Services regarding the 2023 Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services Annual Report

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. LS-2024-007 from the Manager, Municipal Law Enforcement & Licensing Services regarding the 2023 Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services Annual Report.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the Staff Report for information purposes.

13.3

Public Works, Planning, and Development Standing Committee

13.3.1

Report No. PW-2024-001 from Director, Public Works regarding GIS Enterprise Agreement Renewal

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Public Works, Planning, and Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. PW-2024-001 from Director, Public Works regarding GIS Enterprise Agreement Renewal.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorize Staff to enter into a three (3) year Small Government Enterprise Agreement (EA) for the Town’s Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, ArcGIS with Esri Canada in the amount of $36,320.00 for 2024 to be funded by the GIS operating budget account 3008170.

13.3.2

Report No. DS-2024-004 from Manager of Development Review regarding an Amendment to Site Plan Control By-law as a Result of Bill 23 Amendments to the Planning Act

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Public Works, Planning, and Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. DS-2024-004 from Manager of Development Review regarding an Amendment to Site Plan Control By-law as a Result of Bill 23 Amendments to the Planning Act.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive this Report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council authorize the passing of a By-law to amend Site Plan Control By-law No. 065-2022.

13.3.3

Report No. DS-2024-005 from Director of Planning & Development regarding 2023 Growth Trends Report – Planning & Building Departments

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Public Works, Planning, and Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. DS-2024-005 from Director of Planning & Development regarding 2023 Growth Trends Report – Planning & Building Departments.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the Staff Report and the 2023 Growth Trends Report – Planning & Building Departments for information purposes.

13.4

Corporate, Finance, and Legislative Standing Committee

13.4.1

Report No. COR-2024-002 from Treasurer/Director of Corporate Services regarding the 2022 Financial Information Return

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Corporate, Finance, and Legislative Standing Committee meeting on February 8, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. COR-2024-002 from Treasurer/Director of Corporate Services regarding the 2022 Financial Information Return.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive this report and the analysis of the results from the 2022 Financial Information Return (FIR) for information purposes.

14.

Items Extracted from Consent Agenda

14.1

Report No. LS-2024-009 from Town Clerk/Director, Legislative Services regarding Council Resolution Response Regarding 310 Division Street

(Report updated February 26th 2024 to include Fire Department related costs - Pg. 18).

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council receive the Staff Report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council endorse the ongoing discussions with the County of Northumberland on terms the of an agreement as outlined within the staff report; and

  FURTHER THAT Council endorse and approve the by-law amendments to the Nuisance By-law 048-2016 as directed by Council at the January 31, 2024 Council Meeting; and 

  FURTHER THAT Council endorse and approve the enactment of an Emergency Shelter License By-law requiring for emergency shelters in the Town of Cobourg to be licensed within the Town that would establish operating requirements and an approved operational plan with a clear connection to the business activities and a direct impact on the public interest as directed by Council at the January 31, 2024, Council Meeting.

14.2

Report No. COMM-2024-003 from Director of Community Services regarding Canadian Fire Fighters Museum Negotiations Update

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered Report No. COMM-2024-003 from Director of Community Services regarding Canadian Fire Fighters Museum Negotiations Update.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive the staff report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council commends the Canadian Fire Fighter’s Museum volunteers for their diligent efforts and creativity thus far; and

  FURTHER THAT Council recognizes the importance of public museums as an integral part of the cultural fabric of Cobourg; and

  FURTHER THAT Council direct Staff to explore options regarding the solar panels on the roof of the memorial arena, on either removal or relocation to alternative Town Building locations; and

  FURTHER THAT Council direct Staff to provide information on the cost of any other infrastructure repairs on the building envelope.

14.3

Memo from the Downtown Business Improvement Area regarding the 2024 Draft Budget

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council approve the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) 2024 Draft Budget when the final Town and DBIA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been completed and brought forward and subsequently approved by the Board and by Council at the March 27, 2024, Regular Meeting. 

14.4

Report No. COMM-2024-005 from the Director, Community Services regarding Cobourg Community Centre ProShop Lease Assignment

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council receive this report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council supports the lease assignment as recommended by staff; and

  FURTHER THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Lease Assignment with Adam Holzman and Jacob Taylor (carrying on business as Puck-It) as attached to this report.

14.5

Report No. LS-2024-008 from the Town Clerk/Director, Legislative Services regarding the Council Chambers Desk Upgrades and Design Information

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council receive the Staff Report for information purposes; and

  FURTHER THAT Council endorse the Council Meeting Chamber Desk Upgrades as presented by Staff and as approved within the 2024 Operating Budget.

14.6

Correspondence from the Township of Greater Madawaska, the Township of Tay, the Township of Ryerson, the Town of Lincoln, and the Township of McMurrich/Monteith regarding Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS Volunteer firefighters account for 71% of Canada’s total firefighting essential first responders; and

  WHEREAS In addition, approximately 8,000 essential search and rescue volunteers respond to thousands of incidents every year; and 

  WHEREAS The tax code of Canada currently allows volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers to claim a $3,000 tax credit if 200 hours of volunteer services were completed in a calendar year; and 

  WHEREAS This works out to a mere $450 per year, which we allow these essential volunteers to keep of their own income from their regular jobs, $2.25 an hour; and 

  WHEREAS If they volunteer more than 200 hours, which many do, this tax credit becomes even less; and 

  WHEREAS These essential volunteers put their lives on the line and give their time, training and efforts to Canadians; and 

  WHEREAS Increasing this tax credit would allow these essential volunteers to keep more of their hard-earned money, likely to be spent in the communities in which they live; and

  WHEREAS It would also help retain these volunteers in a time when volunteerism is decreasing.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Cobourg calls upon the Government of Canada to support Bill C-310 and enact amendments to subsections 118.06(2) and 118.07(2) of the Income Tax Act in order to increase the amount of the tax credits for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteer services from $3,000 to $10,000.

14.7

Correspondence from the Town of Orangeville, the Town of Hanover, the Township of Ramara, and the Municipality of Calvin regarding Social and Economic Prosperity Review

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council receive the correspondence from the Town of Orangeville and the Town of Hanover regarding Social and Economic Prosperity Review for information purposes. 

14.8

Correspondence from the Architectural Conservancy Ontario regarding Proposed Amendment to Subsection 27(16) of the Ontario Heritage Act with respect to the removal of listed (non-designated) properties from municipal heritage registers

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS subsection 27(16) of the Ontario Heritage Act stipulates that any non-designated heritage property listed on the municipal register of properties as of December 31, 2022 shall be removed from the municipal register on or before January 1, 2025, if the council of the municipality does not give a notice of intention to designate the property under subsection 29(1) of the Ontario Heritage Act on or before January 1, 2025; and 

  WHEREAS since January 1, 2023, municipal staff and members of the municipal heritage committee in the Town of Cobourg have been diligently working to: review the municipal heritage register; research the heritage value and interest of listed (non-designated) properties; review and research the heritage value and interest of non-designated properties; contact owners of such properties; determine which properties should potentially be designated in accordance with the provisions of Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act; and take all required steps to designate such properties; and

  WHEREAS the above-noted work involving 213 listed properties in the Town of Cobourg is extremely time-consuming and cannot be completed by December 31, 2024 with the limited municipal resources available. 

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Cobourg authorizes the Mayor to promptly send a letter to Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, requesting that Subsection 27(16) of the Ontario Heritage Act be amended to extend the above-noted deadline for five years from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2030.

14.9

Correspondence from the County of Renfrew regarding the affordability of water and wastewater systems in rural and small urban municipalities

• Action Recommended:

  THAT Council support the correspondence from the County of Renfrew regarding the affordability of water and wastewater systems in rural and small urban municipalities; and 

  FURTHER THAT Council advocate to the Provincial and Federal levels of government to make them aware that rural and small urban water and wastewater systems are financially unsustainable; and 

  FURTHER THAT Council advocate to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to examine if the unaffordability of water and wastewater system operational costs is systemic provincially and nationally; and 

  FURTHER THAT Council direct Staff to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario; the Honourable Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure (Ontario); the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities (Canada); the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (Ontario); Philip Lawrence, MP, Northumberland-Peterborough South; David Piccini, MPP, Northumberland-Peterborough South; AMO; ROMA; FCM; and all Municipalities in Ontario.

15.

By-laws

15.1

By-law No. 014-2024 being A By-Law To Amend By-Law Number 065-2022 Being A By-Law To Designate A Site Plan Control Area For The Town Of Cobourg

15.2

By-law No. 015-2024 being a By-law To Amend By-Law Number 078-2015 And Repeal By-Law 037-2018, Being A By-Law To Provide For The Pay Of Remuneration Including Expenses, Insurance, And Benefits To Members Of Council

• Action Recommended:

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT leave be granted to introduce By-law No.014-2024 to By-law No.015-2024 and to dispense with the reading of the bylaw by the Municipal Clerk and that the same be considered read and passed and that the Mayor and the Municipal Clerk sign the same and the Seal of the Corporation be thereto affixed.

16.

Notice of Motion / Motion for Which Notice Has Been Given

Speakers may not register to speak to Motions.

16.1

Motion for which notice has been given from Mayor Lucas Cleveland regarding Parking Rules, Regulations, and Fines in Cobourg

• Action Recommended:

  WHEREAS at the Community Services, Protection, and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting on February 7, 2024, the Committee considered a motion for which notice has been given from Mayor Lucas Cleveland regarding Parking Rules, Regulations, and Fines in Cobourg; and 

  WHEREAS it is known that there is complicated set of parking rules, regulations, and fines in Cobourg.  Whereas there is a constant request from DBIA and Cobourg residents to rethink the parking situation in Cobourg.

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this council request staff to report back to the appropriate standing committee on the steps and recommendations to completely reimagine the parking program/regime within the town of Cobourg to one based on simplicity; with the program being easy to understand  for visitors; and that  provides Cobourg tax payers with the opportunity to pay for all paid parking within their town in a single yearly payment and at a steeply discounted rate and that the following suggestions are considered  with the intent to minimize the loss the parking  potential revenue of parking; and     

  FURTHER THAT this new program shall consider the following suggestions from residents, business, and council members in its report:

  • That parking enforcement have two distinct seasons a low season that starts on September 15^th and ends May 14^th and a high season that starts May 15^th and ends September 15th (4 month period).
  • That during the 8-month low season all paid parking within Cobourg is free for the first 3 hours and that a day pass is set at $20 with fines not to exceed $80 and that the pass work for all paid parking spots in Cobourg for the entirety of the day.
  • That during the high season there is no free parking at any paid parking within the town of Cobourg and further that all paid parking within the town be set to the same rate of $5 an hour and that a day pass is set at $40 with fines not to exceed $160 and that the intent of these changes are to make up for the lost revenue during the low season and not create a new source of income.
  • That during the 4 months of the high season Cobourg residents can purchase a monthly parking pass good for all paid parking in Northumberland for $25/ month or $100 for the entirety of the high season. Further that all Northumberland residents are able to purchase a monthly parking pass for $80 for the entire high season and that all businesses located in the DBIA are permitted to purchase an $80 monthly parking pass for any of their full-time employees who live outside Northumberland county and that the pass be valid for all paid spots in the town of Cobourg.
  • That daily parking passes are made available to be purchased online, at the parking machines or at specified vendors in the DBIA.
  • That town staff make recommendations as to how they plan on make purchasing of daily and monthly parking passes more accessible and easier to purchase during high season.
  • That all handicapped spaces are to become free parking at all times and that the fine for illegally parking in a handicapped space be increased to $1000.00 for a first-time offence; and

  FURTHER THAT Council direct Staff to report back at the March 27, 2024, Regular Council meeting.

17.

County Business

18.

Confirmatory By-law

18.1

By-law 016-2024, being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council Meeting of February 28, 2024

• Action Recommended:

  THAT leave be granted to introduce By-law 016-2024 and to dispense with the reading of the By-law by the Municipal Clerk to confirm the proceedings of Council of the Town of Cobourg at its Regular Council Meeting held on February 28, 2024, and the same be considered read and passed and that the Mayor and the Municipal Clerk sign the same and the Seal of the Corporation be thereto affixed. 

19.

Adjournment

To adjourn the meeting.