The Municipal Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie

Council in Committee Minutes

Monday, February 12, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

---

1.

Call to Order

Mayor Redekop called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Mayor Redekop provided a land acknowledgment.

3.

Roll Call

The Clerk gave the roll call.

Present: His Worship Mayor Redekop and Councillors Christensen, Dubanow, Flagg, Lewis, McDermott and Noyes

Staff: A. Dilwaria, J. Janzen, C. McQueen, C. Patton, K. Walsh and P. Todd.

4.

Announcements/Addenda

Mayor Redekop made the following announcements:

Parks and Open Space Master Plan - Open Houses

Mayor Redekop announced that an additional notice was added to the agenda under Notice of Upcoming Public Meetings and Open Houses regarding the Open Houses for the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. The dates for the open houses will be Wednesday, March 6, 20224 - 5:00 p.m. at Stevensville Memorial Hall, 2508 Stevensville Road and Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - Leisureplex Banquet Hall, 3 Municipal Centre Drive.

Black History Month and Canada Heritage Week

The Mayor acknowledged that February is Black History month as well Heritage Week in Ontario. The Mayor acknowledged that there will be additional recognition of both of these events at the February 26, 2024 Council meeting and he encouraged residents to participate and to celebrate heritage in all its forms, its diverse traditions and cultural expressions.

Valentine's Day

The Mayor reminded the public that Valentine's Day is this week on February 14, and wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. 

5.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor Dubanow declared a pecuniary interest regarding Item 7.1 Open House - Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment - 409 and 423 Walden Boulevard of January 29, 2024, Regular Council Meeting as he is a tenant of the property. 

6.

Notice of Upcoming Public Meetings and Open Houses

6.1

Visioning Workshop - Fort Erie's Official Plan Review - Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - 5:00-7:00 p.m. - Fort Erie Leisureplex, 3 Municipal Centre Drive

6.2

Open Houses - Parks and Open Space Master Plan

Wednesday, March 6, 20224 - 5:00 p.m. - Stevensville Memorial Hall, 2508 Stevensville Road (Stevensville, Douglastown and Surrounding Area)

Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - Leisureplex Banquet Hall, 3 Municipal Centre Drive (Old Fort Erie, Crystal Beach and Surrounding Area)

7.

Public Meetings

7.1

Draft Plan of Subdivision, Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium, Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment - 576 Ridge Road North

Owner: 2846300 Ontario Inc. - Agent: Upper Canada Consultants (c/o William Heikoop)

Mayor Redekop announced that this portion of the meeting would be devoted to holding the Public Meeting.

Curtis Thompson, Supervisor, Development Approvals, provided a PowerPoint presentation.

William Heikoop, Agent, provided a PowerPoint Presentation.

Mayor Redekop enquired if anyone present wished to speak.

The following individuals provided oral comments:

• Bruce Kidd, 689 Ridge Road N
• Marvin Riegle, 780 Ridge Road N
• Laura Schneider, 668 Ridge Rd N
• George Parazader, 986 Ridge Road N

The Clerk confirmed that two additional written comments were received:

• Brodie Mosher, 676 Prospect Point Road North
• John H. Perham, 3625 Hazel Street

Mayor Redekop declared the Public Meeting closed. 

7.2

PDS-05-2024

Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments, Draft Plan of Subdivision and Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium Information Report for 576 Ridge Road North

• Recommendation 1
  Moved by: Councillor Noyes

  That: Council receives for information purposes, Report PDS-05-2024 regarding a proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, Draft Plan of Subdivision and Draft Plan of Vacant Land Condominium at 576 Ridge Road North.

  Carried

8.

Consent Agenda

Council recessed at 7:43 p.m. and returned at 7:52 p.m.

• Recommendation 2
  Moved by: Councillor McDermott

  That: Council approves the Consent Agenda as amended.

  Carried

8.1

PDS-04-2024

Proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision Information and Recommendation Report for 315 & 0-350 Garrison Road  

(Deferred from the January 29, 2924 Regular Council Meeting - Previously Moved by Councillor Christensen and Seconded by Councillor Lewis)

• That: Council approves the Draft Plan of Subdivision for 315 and 0-350 Garrison Road, dated July 10, 2023 and contained in Appendix 2, subject to the conditions contained in Appendix 4 of Report No. PDS-04-2024, and further

  That: Council directs staff to circulate the Conditions of Draft Plan Approval in Appendix 4 of Report No. PDS-04-2024 to the applicable agencies in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act.

  Carried

8.3

CAO-01-01-2024

Revised Physician Recruitment, Retention and Medical Education Financial Incentive Policy

(Deferred from the January 15, 2024 Council-in-Committee Meeting - Previously Moved by Councillor Dubanow)

• That: Council approves revised Physician Recruitment, Retention and Medical Education Financial Incentive Policy attached as Appendix 1, and further

  That: Council receives Report CAO-01-2024, attached as Appendix 2, for information purposes, and further

  That: Council directs staff to submit the necessary By-law.

  Carried

8.4

CAO-02-2024

Land Committee Meeting Minutes – January 18, 2024

• That: Council receives Land Committee Minutes of January 18, 2024, attached as Appendix 1 of Report CAO-02-2024.

  Carried

8.5

LLS-01-2024

Corporate Records and Information Management Program and Policy Update

• That: Report LLS-01-2024 be received for information; and further

  That: Council direct staff to prepare the necessary by-law to adopt a revised Records Retention By-law.

  Carried

8.6

Memorandum - Jonathan Janzen, Director, Corporate Services - 2023 Development Charges (DC) Background Study - January 29, 2024 Response

• That: Council receive the memorandum from the Director, Corporate Services regarding the 2023 Development Charges (DC) Background Study. 

  Carried

8.2

Memorandum - Kelly Walsh, Director, Infrastructure Services - Fort Erie Tennis Club Court 1-4 Capital Costs

• Mayor Redekop gave the chair to Councillor McDermott

  Recommendation 3
  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  That: Council receives the memorandum from Kelly Walsh regarding the Oakes Park tennis courts; and

  That: Council lifts the hold on proceeding with reconstruction of the tennis courts as part of the 2024 capital projects budget; and

  That: staff notify the Fort Erie Tennis Club that the new agreement with respect to use of the tennis courts going forward will emphasize public use, subject to use by the tennis club for its programs, activities and tournaments.

  Carried

9.

Planning and Development Services

Chaired by: Councillor Dubanow

9.1

Presentations and Delegations

9.1.1

Rachel Daniels, Senior Environmental Planner - Update By-law 60-04 - Regulate the Destruction, Injury and Harvesting of Trees  (PDS-06-2024)

Rachel Daniels provided a PowerPoint Presentation.

9.2

Reports

9.2.1

PDS-06-2024

Updates to By-law 60-04 – A By-law to Regulate the Destruction, Injury and Harvesting of Trees in the Town of Fort Erie – Recommendation Report

• Councillor Dubanow gave the chair to Councillor Flagg in order to speak to the report. 

  Recommendation 4
  Moved by: Councillor Lewis

  That: Council approves the amendment to the Town’s Tree By-law 60-04, as amended, as detailed in Report PDS-06-2024, and further

  That: Council directs Staff to submit the necessary By-laws;

  Carried, as amended.
• Amendment:
  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  That: The definition of "Tree" or "Trees" be removed and replaced with the following:

  "Tree" or “Trees” means any living species of woody perennial plant, including its root system, which has reached or can reach a height of at least 4.5 meters at physiological maturity, and includes trees referred to in section 3.1 herein.  

  Carried
• Amendment:
  Moved by: Mayor Redekop

  That: Section 6(c) be amended to specify that it pertains to the owner of a woodland property.

  Carried

  Councillor Flagg returned the chair to Councillor Dubanow.

  
  

9.3

New Business/Enquiries

9.3.1

Councillor Noyes - Crystal Ridge Dog Park

Councillor Noyes requested information regarding the construction of the Crystal Ridge Dog Park and what, if any, improvements should be done.

9.4

Business Status Report

No changes.

10.

Infrastructure Services

Chaired by: Councillor Noyes

10.1

Presentations and Delegations

None.

10.2

Reports

10.3

New Business/Enquiries

None.

10.4

Business Status Report

No changes.

11.

Corporate and Community Services

Chaired by: Councillor McDermott

11.1

Presentations and Delegations

None.

11.2

Reports

None.

11.3

New Business/Enquiries

None.

11.4

Business Status Report

No changes.

12.

Closed Session

• Recommendation 5
  Moved by: Councillor Lewis

  That: Council does now go into Closed Session at 9:25 p.m. to consider the following: 

  1. Janaury 29, 2024, Closed Session Minutes - Previous Meeting; and
  2. 477 Ridge Road North pursuant to Section 239 (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
  Carried

12.1

Previous Meeting Minutes - January 29, 2024 Closed Session

12.2

477 Ridge Road North

Pursuant to Section 239 (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose

13.

Back to Open Session

• Recommendation 6
  Moved by: Councillor Lewis

  That: Council does now rise and reconvene from closed session at 9:31 p.m. with report:

  That: Council receives the January 29, 2024, Closed Session Meeting Minutes; and further

  That: Staff and Legal Counsel proceed as directed regarding 477 Ridge Road North. 

  Carried

14.

Scheduling of Meetings

Members of Council announced upcoming Boards and Committees meetings from February 13 to  February 21.

15.

Adjournment

• Recommendation 7
  Moved by: Councillor Dubanow

  That: Council adjourns the Council-in-Committee meeting at 9:33 p.m.