Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as amended.

THAT the minutes from the October 2, 2024 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT Council receive Report 2024-118 from the Manager of Recreation and Facilities for information purposes.

THAT Council approve and direct the Manager of Emergency Services to research the potential procurement of land for a future Embro Fire Station.

THAT Council approve the recommended changes to the Building By-law, in principle; AND THAT staff be directed to provide 21 days' notice of a Public Meeting to be held during the November 6, 2024 Council meeting.

THAT Council receive and adopt the drainage petition submitted by Steve Oliver, Director of Public Services under Section 4 of the Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990, relating to property located at Lot 19, Concessions 1-2 in the former Township of North Oxford for drainage improvement; AND THAT Council appoint Mike DeVos, P Eng, of Spriet Associates Ltd. as engineer to review and prepare a report for these lands.

THAT Council approve the Fees By-law amendments as proposed in Report 2024-121 with the following change:  Minor Sports non-prime rate hours set at 7am-close be changed to 7am-5pm; AND THAT Council direct staff to prepare the respective amending by-law.

THAT Report 2024-132 from the Chief Administrative Officer be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2024-129 from the Chief Administrative Officer be received and filed for information purposes only; AND THAT no further action be taken at this time with respect to parking restrictions on Middleton Street.

THAT Council direct staff to transfer $319,400.00 from the Surplus/Deficit Reserve to fund the Zorra Municipal Centre deficit; AND THAT the repayment schedule for the reserve be included in the 2025 budget.

THAT Report No: 2024-131 REA Process be received and filed; AND WHEREAS the procurement of electrical energy is the responsibility of the Province of Ontario; AND WHEREAS the current Independent Electricity System Operator procurement process requires a Municipal Support Resolution for all energy projects before any application will be considered; AND WHEREAS the current procurement process does require an Agricultural Impact Assessment, but only within 18 months of receiving a contract, which would be after a Municipal Support Resolution; AND WHEREAS the Township of Zorra does not have, nor should be expected to have, the expertise or resources necessary to make an informed decision as to whether or not to provide a Municipal Support Resolution for an energy project; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that until the Ontario Government, Ministry of Energy and Electrification, and the Independent Electricity System Operator changes the procurement process to allow municipalities to be better informed on issues such as, but not limited to:  agricultural impacts  health impacts  environmental impacts the Township of Zorra will not be providing Municipal Support Resolutions; AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to Oxford County, Oxford MPP, Minister of Energy and Electrification, the Western Warden’s Caucus, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. For: Mayor Marcus Ryan, Kevin Stewart, Katie Grigg, Paul Mitchell, and Crystal Finch

THAT item 11(a) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT items 12(a) - (b) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT by-law 49-24 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 By-law 50-24, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held October 16, 2024, be read a first, second and third time this October 16, 2024; 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 7:22 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for November 6, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.