Council Meeting

Resolved that the September 5, 2023 Council meeting agenda be approved, as amended.

Resolved that the delegations from Donna Latchford and Sue Shipley be received.

Resolved that Resolution CS-23-024 from the Community Services Committee minutes of August 24, 2023 be lifted for separate consideration.

Resolved that Resolution PW-23-026 from the Public Works Committee minutes of August 28, 2023 be lifted for separate consideration.

Resolved that the following minutes be approved:  Council - August 8, 2023  Special Council - August 9, 2023  Planning and Development Committee - August 10, 2023  Community Services Committee - August 24, 2023  Public Works Committee - August 28, 2023

Resolved that the Council Endorsement Package for the Grimsby Green Advisory Committee, received by the Community Services Committee on August 24, 2023 be approved.

Resolved that the following minutes be received:  Grimsby Green Advisory Committee - August 16, 2023  Committee of Adjustment - August 15, 2023

Resolved that the Rules of Procedure be temporarily suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) to discuss Councillor Korstanje's Notice of Motion. Yes (6): Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Korstanje, Councillor Baradziej, and Councillor DiFlavio No (2): Councillor Davoli, and Councillor Charrois

Whereas the Canadian livable wage for Niagara Region, two years ago was determined to be $19.80. This was $6000 below the annual income of a minimum wage employee; and Whereas our residents on programs such as Ontario Works, receive targeted fixed monthly incomes of $733, and ODSP recipients receive $1376; and Whereas at the current Ontario minimum wage rate, a person working 37.5 hours per week will earn approximately $2,500 monthly (before tax); and Whereas the median rent for one bedroom in Grimsby as of August 2023 is now $2000 a month; and Whereas rent is considered affordable, when it is less than 30% of income. In Niagara west, rent is approximately 272% of Ontario Works, 145% of Ontario Disability Support Services, 75% of minimum wage full- time, and 150% of minimum wage part time; and Whereas an annual 2.5% allowable rent increase can be combined with an additional 3-6.5% capital investment increase, raising the cost of rental housing another minimum of $110 monthly; and Whereas there are no housing units under Niagara Regional Housing for single adults or families with dependents, including 2,3,4 or five bedrooms in our community; and Whereas the Grimsby Benevolent Fund reported that in 2022:  70+ households received monthly rental supplement totaling $237,744  $79,500 was invested into one time emergency housing support as of June 7, 2023  78 households are receiving monthly financial benefits to make rental housing more affordable; and Whereas food inflation wa

Resolved that Council receive and endorse the resolution from the Township of Severn, dated August 9, 2023.

Resolved that Council receive and endorse the resolution from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent dated July 5, 2023.

Whereas Rail Safety Week is to be held across Canada from September 18 to 24, 2023; and Whereas 232 railway crossing and trespassing incidents occurred in Canada in 2022; resulting in 66 avoidable fatalities and 43 avoidable serious injuries; and Whereas educating and informing the public about rail safety (reminding the public that railway rights-of-way are private property, enhancing public awareness of the dangers associated with highway rail grade crossings, ensuring pedestrians and motorists are looking and listening while near railways, and obeying established traffic laws) will reduce the number of avoidable fatalities and injuries cause by incidents involving trains and citizens; and Whereas Operation Lifesaver is a public/private partnership whose aim is to work with the public, rail industry, governments, police services, media and others to raise rail safety awareness; and Whereas CN has requested City Council adopt this resolution in support of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries in communities, including our municipality. Therefore be it resolved that the Corporation of the Town of Grimsby supports National Rail Safety Week to be held from September 18 to 24, 2023.

Resolved that leave be given to introduce By-laws 23-74 to 23-77 inclusive, and that the same be read a first time, considered, and passed.

Resolved that Council meet in closed session under Sections 239(2)(f), (h) and (k) of the Municipal Act, where a closed meeting is held if the subject matter being considered is:  (f) Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;  (h) Information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them; and  (k) A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

Resolved that the direction provided in closed session be approved.

Resolved that leave be given to introduce By-law 23-78 and that the same be read a first time, considered, and passed.