Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the minutes from the March 22, 2023 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT Zorra Council approve the one-time waiver of rental fee for the June 10th Community Event led by the Thamesford Lions Club; AND THAT the Fee Waiver and Reduction Policy 700-06 be reviewed to consider changes to support multi-group events with community building/information sharing as the primary function, and that do not include revenue generation by for-profit groups.

THAT item 7(b) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT item 7(c) Municipal Drainage Orientation be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-042 from the Fire Chief be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-039 from the Director of Recreation and Facilities be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT the ice in the Thamesford District Recreation Centre be removed after the Thamesford Trojans have completed their playoff schedule; AND THAT, staff prepare a plan for the installation and removal of ice in the Thamesford and Embro arenas that recognizes the extended PJHL playoff schedule and meets the needs of all customers during the transition months of September, April, and May; AND THAT, the plan be presented to Council no later than the August 2, 2023 meeting.

THAT Report 2023-035 from the Chief Building Official / Drainage Superintendent be received and filed for information purposes only.

WHEREAS Gord and Cheryl Howe submitted a petition for improved drainage in Part Lot 1, Concession 5 (West Zorra); AND WHEREAS the proposed outlet for the lands noted in the petition is subject to a court order for rehabilitation; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Zorra is of the opinion that drainage works should not proceed until the court ordered rehabilitation work is

THAT Report 2023-040 from the Director of Public Works be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-036 from the Director of Public Works be received and filed; AND THAT, Report 2023-036 be forwarded to the Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario (TAPMO) and to all municipalities that are members of TAPMO; AND THAT, links to Report 2023-036 and the April 5th Council meting be included in the Zorra Township website, social media accounts, and the next edition of the Zorra Now; AND THAT, the Director of Public Works and his designates be empowered to declare an Emergency Load Restriction on any Zorra Township road, at his/their discretion; AND THAT, a policy and/or by-law governing the enactment of the power to declare an Emergency Load Restriction be presented to Council no later than September 6, 2023; AND THAT, cost option B to pave Line 29 between Road 92 and Road 96 be included in the 2024 capital budget.

THAT Report 2023-036 from the Director of Public Works be received and filed; AND THAT, Report 2023-036 be forwarded to the Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario (TAPMO) and to all municipalities that are members of TAPMO; AND THAT, links to Report 2023-036 and the April 5th Council meting be included in the Zorra Township website, social media accounts, and the next edition of the Zorra Now; AND THAT, the Director of Public Works and his designates be empowered to declare an Emergency Load Restriction on any Zorra Township road, at his/their discretion; AND THAT, a policy and/or by-law governing the enactment of the power to declare an Emergency Load Restriction be presented to Council no later than September 6, 2023; AND THAT, cost option B to pave Line 29 between Road 92 and Road 96 be considered in the 2024 capital budget.

THAT staff prepare a report for Council that explores the possibility that future, new aggregate pit applications for permits include access road upgrades at the pit owners' expense.

That Report 2023-041 from the Director of Finance be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-034 from the By-law Enforcement Officer be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council direct staff to finalize the Stormwater Management Utility By-Law for Council consideration at an upcoming meeting.

WHEREAS the Corporation of the Township of Zorra has faced multiple double digit increases to insurance premiums in recent years; AND WHEREAS the costs of insurance are affecting municipal budgets across the Province, impacting funding which would otherwise go into improving and expanding needed services to residents and businesses; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Zorra Council supports the general intent of the resolution from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent regarding Reducing Municipal Insurance Costs; AND THAT Council supports Township Staff working collaboratively with area municipality staff to explore options.

WHEREAS, Enbridge recently made an announcement of their intention to begin charging third-party contractors and other utilities $200 CAD (plus applicable taxes) for utility locates where a field locate is required; AND WHEREAS, third-party contractors include Ontario municipalities; AND WHEREAS, these locate requests are only required as Ontario municipalities have allowed utilities to use municipal right of ways at no charge to the utilities; AND WHEREAS, this announcement of new downloaded costs will negatively impact the budgets of Ontario municipalities which are already burdened; AND WHEREAS, if Enbridge is successful in implementing this new charge, a precedence is set for other utility companies to also begin charging for locates; THEREFORE IT BE RESOLOVED, that the Township of Zorra strongly opposes these utility locate costs being downloaded to Ontario municipalities by Enbridge Gas or other utilities; AND THAT, the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery make it clear that these costs must be borne by the utilities themselves; AND THAT, this decision be forwarded to Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma, Minister of Energy Todd Smith, Premier Doug Ford, Oxford County’s MPP, the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

THAT items 10(a) and (b) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT items 11(a) - (d) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT by-laws 16-23 and 17-23 be taken as read a first, second and third time and finally passed; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT Council move into closed meeting session at 10:10 a.m. pursuant to Section 239.2(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or board, regarding an Embro property.

THAT By-law 18-23, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held April 5, 2023, be read a first, second and third time this April 5, 2023; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT this session of Council be now adjourned and herewith closed at 2:23 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for April 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Township Municipal Office.