Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated

THAT the minutes from the May 17, 2023 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 9:38 a.m. for the purposes of holding a public meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment not approve Application A02-23, submitted by Harvey Walters, for lands described as Lot 17, M-Plan 26 and municipally known as 49 Minler Road, Thamesford, in the Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Section 5.1, Table 5.1.1.3 – Regulations for Accessory Uses; i. to increase the maximum permitted height for an accessory structure from 4.0 m (13.1 ft) to 6.0 m (19.68 ft); ii. to increase the maximum permitted gross floor area of an accessory structure from 100 m2 (1,076 ft2 ) to 213.6 m2 (2,300 ft2 ); to facilitate the construction of a structure accessory to a residential use on a property zoned ‘Residential Type 1 Zone (R1)’ in the Township of Zorra.

THAT pursuant to the Planning Act, the public meeting be adjourned at 10:08 a.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve the zone change application submitted by Howe Farms (Ontario) Ltd. and Cheryl & Gord Howe, whereby the lands described as Part Lot 9, Concession 1, Registered Plan No. 41R8784, Township of Zorra are to be rezoned from ‘General Agricultural Zone (A2)’ to ‘Special Rural Residential Zone (RR-29)’.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve the zone change application submitted by Erin McKay and Louis Athanasakas, whereby the lands described as West Part Lot 14, Concession 7, Township of Zorra will be zoned to permit the development of a single detached dwelling, and that it is recognized that an existing single detached dwelling, 106 m2 (1,140 ft2 ) will serve as an additional residential unit on the subject property.

THAT Report 2023-061 from the Fire Chief be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-072 from the Director of Recreation and Facilities be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council approve the installation of a new balcony staircase at the Embro Old Town Hall in partnership with the Embro Thistle Theater. AND THAT funding for the project be divided as 70 percent from the Thistle Theatre and 30 percent from Zorra Townships Recreation Reserve

THAT Report 2023-069 from the Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-066 from the Director of Public Works be received and filed; AND THAT funds be transferred from the Working Fund Reserve towards the CN Rail Level Crossing Repair.

THAT Report 2023-067 from the Legislative Coordinator/Deputy Clerk be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT staff complete the AMO Municipal Delegation Request Form requesting a meeting with: 1.Ministry of Education regarding MOU of Understanding with the priority of request as specified above.

WHEREAS the Township of Zorra recognizes that challenges of mental health, addictions, specifically opioids, and homelessness are complex issues that have a significant and detrimental impact on the residents of the County of Oxford and surrounding areas within Ontario; WHEREAS addressing and responding to these issues has placed extreme stress on all levels of municipal and non-municipal programs and services, including various not-for-profit organizations and provincially funded health services within the County of Oxford and surrounding areas; WHEREAS mental health, opioids and homelessness trends are, in recent years, at an all-time high and such prevalence is impacting the overall well-being of the people of the County of Oxford and surrounding areas; WHEREAS Council acknowledges that approaches to addressing and responding must include diverse and inclusive approaches to these issues, and should not be viewed as a single solution response; WHEREAS addressing and responding will require strategies and practices specific and uniquely designed for the County of Oxford and surrounding communities; WHEREAS Council accepts that the responsibility to address these challenges rests with community stakeholders, partners, residents, as well as federal and provincial governments and agencies; WHEREAS challenges of mental health, addictions and homelessness are not unique to the County of Oxford and surrounding areas within Ontario; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council provide

WHEREAS the homelessness crisis is taking a devastating toll on families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario; WHEREAS the homelessness crisis is the result of the underinvestment and poor policy choices of successive provincial governments; WHEREAS homelessness requires a range of housing, social service and health solutions from government; WHEREAS homelessness is felt most at the level of local government and the residents that they serve; WHEREAS municipalities and local social service providers are doing their part, but do not have the resources, capacity or tools to address this complex challenge; and, WHEREAS leadership and urgent action is needed from the federal and provincial government on an emergency basis to develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Ontario. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Township of Zorra call on the federal and provincial governments to urgently: Acknowledge that homelessness in Ontario is a social, economic, and health crisis; Commit to ending homelessness in Ontario; Work with Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and a broad range of community, health, Indigenous and economic partners to develop, resource, and implement an action plan to achieve this goal. AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services; the Minister of Health

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

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

THAT by-laws 32-23, 33-23, and 34-23 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 12:18 p.m. pursuant to Section 239.2 (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

THAT By-law 35-23, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held June 7, 2023, be read a first, second and third time this June 7, 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 12:24 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the June 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Township Municipal Office.