Council Meeting

Resolved that the October 16, 2023 Council meeting agenda be approved, as amended.

Resolved that Resolution FC-23-019 from the October 11, 2023 Finance Committee minutes be lifted for separate consideration.

Whereas the Town of Grimsby has many capital projects outlined in our strategic priorities, and; Whereas the PKC expansion has a significant shortfall in funding, and; Whereas the approval of capital projects now, may prevent the approval of future projects or initiatives, or result in substantial tax increases. Therefore be it resolved that Council defer this project until it can wholesomely view all its strategic priorities with estimated costs, and; That staff present council with opportunities to cut spending, to make up for the shortfall. Yes (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Baradziej, and Councillor DiFlavio No (2): Councillor Charrois, and Councillor Korstanje

Resolved that the following minutes be approved:  Council - September 18, 2023  Planning and Development - September 20, 2023  Public Works - September 25, 2023  Community Services - September 26, 2023  Finance Committee - October 11, 2023, as amended

Resolved that the Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee Council Endorsement Package be approved.

Resolved that the Grimsby Heritage Advisory Committee minutes, dated September 12, 2023, be received.

Resolved that Council hereby approves the following item and that the consent item be approved on the recommendations as contained therein: PA-23-33 a) That report PA-23-33, Council Direction Report – 400 Main Street West, 482 Main Street West, 123 Main Street West, 417 Main Street West, 470 Main Street West, and 421 Elizabeth Street, dated October 16, 2023 be received; and b) That Council proceed with the passing of the designation by-laws for the properties at 400 Main Street West, 482 Main Street West, 123 Main Street West, 417 Main Street West, 470 Main Street West, and 421 Elizabeth Street.

Resolved that there be no firearms and bows released anywhere in the boundary of Grimsby. Yes (5): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Freake, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Charrois, and Councillor Korstanje No (4): Councillor Davoli, Councillor Howe, Councillor Baradziej, and Councillor DiFlavio

Resolved that Council meet in closed session under Section 239(2)(b), where a closed meeting is held if the subject matter being considered involves personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. Yes (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor Baradziej No (2): Councillor Charrois, and Councillor DiFlavio

Resolved that the rules of procedure be temporarily suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds to discuss Councillor DiFlavio's Notice of Motion on the costing of Greenbelt changes.

Whereas, the Town of Grimsby has incurred significant legal, consulting, and staff time costs of approximately $82,000 as a direct result of the pressure placed upon the Town by the provincial government to reach agreements with developers and make decisions related to changes in the Greenbelt Act; and Whereas, this pressure included deadlines set by the Minister of Housing, which, if not met, would have resulted in decisions being made without the municipality's involvement; and Whereas, the municipality had to allocate resources, including the Town's solicitor and consultants, as well as a substantial amount of staff time to address these matters, impacting our regular municipal operations and projects; and Whereas, the Town of Grimsby had initially anticipated that all costs incurred would be offset by fees associated with the developments affected by the changes to the Greenbelt; and Whereas, the recent changes in the Greenbelt Act, which reinstated all lands in the Town of Grimsby into the Greenbelt, have effectively eliminated the opportunity for the Town to recoup these expenses through the anticipated development fees, thus exacerbating the financial impact on the municipality; and Whereas, the financial burden borne by the Town of Grimsby is a direct consequence of actions taken beyond the municipality's control; and Whereas, the Town of Grimsby seeks financial reimbursement to alleviate the incurred costs and to ensure fiscal responsibility and fairness. Therefore,

Resolved that the Rules of Procedure be temporarily suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds to discuss Councillor Charrois' Notice of Motion on Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic. Yes (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Charrois, and Councillor DiFlavio No (2): Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor Baradziej

Whereas in Niagara Region in 2022, there were 5,160 Intimate Partner Violence calls for service made to Niagara Regional Police Service and 1,143 of those calls involved criminal investigations; and Whereas, for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Victim Services Niagara provided service to 749 victims of intimate partner violence, including 31 children; developed 91 safety plans for victims and had to revise 55 of those safety plans due to breaches; and Whereas, for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Victim Services Niagara provided service to 227victims of sexual violence; and Whereas, for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Birchway Niagara received 2,571 crisis calls; supported 575 women through outreach services; 233 women and children stayed in shelter; and 278 women were turned away due to a lack of space; and Whereas, for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Gillian’s Place received 10,383 crisis calls; supported 2,017 people through outreach services; 166 adults and 127 children lived in shelter; and 431 people were turned away due to lack of space; and Whereas Niagara Regional Council at its meeting on September 21, 2023 passed a motion that includes the recognition of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence in Niagara as serious to the health and wellness of local residents and their families; and Whereas the Town of Grimsby stands with Niagara Regional Council in their motion declaring intimate partner violence and gender-based violence as an epidemic. Therefore be it resolved that the T

Resolved that the Rules of Procedure be temporarily suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds to discuss Councillor Baradziej's Notice of Motion on the 30-day appeal period. Yes (7): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Korstanje, and Councillor Baradziej No (2): Councillor Charrois, and Councillor DiFlavio

Whereas the province opened a 30-day appeal period for municipalities to voice their concerns regarding the re-zoning of lands, which started today; and Whereas the Town of Grimsby allocated resources to work through these planning applications, and now have no way to re-coup costs incurred; and Whereas the Town of Grimsby has many capital projects outlined in our strategic priorities, and the PKC expansion has a significant shortfall in funding; and Whereas the two properties that were re-zoned in Grimsby, are not controversial properties and were slated to bring the town millions of dollars in community benefits on top of development charges. Therefore be it resolved that Council direct our CAO Sarah Kim and staff to consult with legal consultants, MMAH, and the PLDF to investigate the possibility of moving forward with these applications during this 30-day appeal period. Yes (8): Mayor Jordan, Councillor Davoli, Councillor Freake, Councillor Howe, Councillor Vardy, Councillor Korstanje, Councillor Baradziej, and Councillor DiFlavio No (1): Councillor Charrois

Resolved that the following correspondence be received:  Niagara Region - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Damaging Impacts of Hate and Intolerance  City of Welland – Mental Health, Homelessness and Addiction  Niagara Region - Notice of Effective Date of Amendment to Niagara Region Courts Intermunicipal Agreement regarding Vision Zero  Office of the Prime Minister – Establishing a Guaranteed Livable Income

Resolved that the following correspondence be endorsed:  Town of Aurora - Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence  Town of Fort Erie – Niagara Region 2024 Operating Budget Levy Approval  City of Niagara Falls – Support for Keeping Paul Bernardo in Maximum Security Placement

Resolved that leave be given to introduce By-laws 23-80 to 23-85 inclusive, and that the same be read a first time, considered, and passed.

Resolved that Council meet in closed session under Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, where a closed meeting is held if the subject matter being considered is a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

Resolved that the direction provided in closed session be approved.

Resolved that leave be given to introduce By-law 23-86 and that the same be read a first time, considered, and passed.