The Corporation of the Town of LaSalle

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town of LaSalle Council

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

6:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, LaSalle Civic Centre, 5950 Malden Road

Members of Council Present:

• Mayor Crystal Meloche, 
• Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata, 
• Councillor Terry Burns, 
• Councillor Mark Carrick, 
• Councillor Sue Desjarlais, 
• and Councillor Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo 

Members of Council Absent:

• Councillor Jeff Renaud 

Administration Present:

• J. Milicia, Chief Administrative Officer, 
• P. Marra, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 
• J. Astrologo, Director of Council Services/Clerk, 
• G. Beggs, Director of Planning and Development, 
• P. Funaro, Director of Culture & Recreation, 
• D. Hadre, Director of Strategy and Engagement, 
• R. Hyra, Director of Human Resources, 
• D. Langlois, Director of Finance and Treasurer, 
• E. Thiessen, Director of Fire Service/Fire Chief, 
• M. Cappucci, Manager of Engineering, 
• D. Dadalt, Legal Counsel, 
• N. DiGesu, Manager of IT, 
• G. Ferraro, Manager of Finance & Deputy Treasurer, 
• L. Jean, Deputy Clerk, 
• and J. Woods, Deputy Chief of Police 

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A.

Opening Business

1.

Call to Order

Mayor Meloche called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Mayor Meloche read the land acknowledgement statement.

3.

Moment of Silent Reflection and Playing of National Anthem

B.

Adoption of Agenda

• 195/23
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the September 26, 2023, Regular Council Meeting Agenda be adopted as presented.

  Carried.

C.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None disclosed.

D.

Adoption of Minutes

• 196/23
  Moved by: Councillor Desjarlais
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held September 12, 2023 be adopted as presented.

  Carried.

E.

Mayor's Comments

Mayor Meloche noted that Councillor Renaud was absent from the meeting due to a personal matter.

Mayor Meloche highlighted that Saturday, September 30th, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. She emphasized that this day serves as an occasion to remember and pay tribute to the tens of thousands of First Nations children who were forcibly separated from their families and compelled to attend schools that deprived them of their cultural identity. In honour of the day, Canadians are encouraged to participate in Orange Shirt Day to raise awareness about this tragedy. It is a day to listen, learn and reflect. Mayor Meloche informed the public that the Town of LaSalle Municipal offices would be closed on Monday, October 2nd, in observance of this day.

Mayor Meloche shared that students from Monseigneur A. Caron had raised the Franco-Ontarian flag at the LaSalle Civic Centre to commemorate Franco-Ontarian Day. She acknowledged that LaSalle has a rich French history, dating back to the 1700s, and expressed gratitude to the students who had attended the Civic Centre the previous day and proudly sang the national anthem.

Mayor Meloche announced that there will be a large-scale exhibit set to take place in the New Year at the LaSalle Landing Event Centre. The exhibit, titled "Sean Kenney’s Animal Super Powers," will feature sculptures made from LEGO bricks. It will run from January 22nd to April 6th and will showcase animals with remarkable evolutionary adaptations, exploring the science behind these extraordinary creatures. Mayor Meloche noted that additional information about the exhibit would be shared on the Town of LaSalle's News page and social media platforms in the near future.

Mayor Meloche congratulated Town staff for their efforts in making the final Night Market of the season at LaSalle Landing Event Centre a great success. She stated that the event featured over 90 vendors and attracted a large crowd.

F.

Public Meetings and/or Hearings

1.

Chappus Drain Meeting to Consider the Engineer's Report under Section 42 of the Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990

a.

Notice of Meeting to Consider

b.

Chappus Drain Engineer’s Report for Meeting to Consider

M. Cappucci, Manager of Engineering, provided an overview of the project and introduced the Engineer, Gerard Rood, of Rood Engineering.

Mr. Rood presented a summary of the Chappus Drain Engineer's Report.

John Menard, 2700 block of Front Road, inquired about whether the Town ensures debris is cleared during the drainage works and the project start date. Mr. Rood responded that the contractor will remove debris so the farmer can continue to cultivate lands. M. Cappucci responded that the project will likely be tendered in 2024 and most likely will not begin until after crops have been harvested. If work is done before harvesting, there are provisions in the report that would pay per acreage for any damaged crops.

Mr. White, 2700 Block of Front Road, inquired whether the bridge that goes over the tracks will be replaced. M. Cappucci, Manager of Engineering, responded that the bridge is not part of this project.

Mr. Russo, 2733 Front Road, expressed concern about who has the responsibility to spread the fill after dredging. Mr. Rood responded that the specifications set out in the report dictate that the  contractor will clean any debris and spread fill so farmers can continue farming the land.

• 197/23
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the report of the Manager of Engineering, dated June 26th, 2023 (PW-13-2023) regarding the Chappus Drain Engineer’s Report be received;

  And that Council adopts the Chappus Drain Engineer’s Report, dated April 18^th, 2023, authored by Rood Engineering Inc.;

  And that, By-law 8823, being a by-law for the repair and improvements of the Chappus Drain be provisionally adopted.

  Carried.

G.

Presentations and Delegations

None.

H.

Staff Reports and Correspondence for Council's Action

1.

LaSalle Branding and LaSalle Landing Graphics

D. Hadre, Director of Strategy and Engagement presented the report and provided an overview of the history of LaSalle Branding.

Amanda Iera and Liz Ferano, Douglas Marketing Group, presented the concepts behind the LaSalle Landing Graphics.

• 198/23
  Moved by: Councillor Desjarlais
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That the report of the Director of the Strategy and Engagement Department dated September 8, 2023 (SE-09-2023) regarding LaSalle Branding and LaSalle Landing Graphics be received, and that Council approve option A as the LaSalle Landing graphic.

  Carried.

2.

Regional Waste Management Initiative

D. Langlois, Director of Finance presented the report.

Sandra Zwiers, CAO, County of Essex was available to answer questions.

• 199/23
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the report of the Director of Finance dated September 11, 2023 (FIN-23-2023) regarding the Regional Waste Management Initiative be received.

  Carried.
• Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That Council supports County By-law 2023-40, a bylaw to transfer all power of lower-tier municipalities of the County of Essex with respect to waste in the County of Essex, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 189 and 190 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended.

  Motion is Put and is Lost

I.

Consent Agenda

1.

Correspondence

a.

Essex Region Conservation Authority - Kingsville Leamington Nutrient Project

b.

Matachewan - Support of Legislative Amendments to Improve Municipal Codes of Conduct and Enforcement

2.

Summary of Reports to Council

• 200/23
  Moved by: Councillor Desjarlais
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That items 1 and 2 on the Consent Agenda for September 26, 2023, be received.

  Carried.

J.

Committee Matters

None.

K.

Questions and Statements by Council Members

Councillor Akpata stated that Heroes in Life pins were shared with Council commemorating the life of RCMP Officer Constable Rick O'Brien, who was murdered in the line of duty.

Councillor Burns shared that he recently visited the landfill situated in Windsor's west end. During his visit, he learned about innovative strategies to reduce load shipments and improve services.

Councillor Burns stated that he represented Mayor and Council at the Chinese Cultural 100 Year Anniversary event held at the Caboto. He expressed his admiration for the cultural arts displayed at the event and highlighted its exceptional turnout.

L.

Notices of Motion

Deputy Mayor Akpata may move, or cause to have moved,

Whereas Gilbert Maure Regimental # 3137175 enlisted in the Canadian Army on May 29, 1918 and was honourably released on 25th of January 1919, and as such served Canada during the First World War;

And Whereas his war service record is readily accessible in the Canadian archives;

And Whereas the Poppy is known as the symbol that represents Veterans and Remembrance, and the Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion has registered the trademark of the Poppy image to safeguard the Poppy insignia as a symbol of Remembrance, and that the Poppy insignia as a protected mark through an Act of Parliament in 1948;

And Whereas the Poppy can be used with written permission of the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion for approved acts of Remembrance;

And Whereas Council of the Town of LaSalle on February 14, 2023 approved That Gil Maure Way and Gil Maure Festival Lawn be the permanent names used for the road leading to the festival lawn area and the festival lawn area within the Front Road Waterfront Project, named after Gil Maure a Canadian WW1 Veteran;

And Whereas written permission has been received from the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion to use the Poppy image on signs that identify the Gil Maure Festival Lawn, and Gil Maure Way.

Be It Resolved that the Town of LaSalle affix the Poppy Insignia to the temporary sign indicating the future area of the Gil Maure festival Lawn;

And Be It Further Resolved that when the permanent sign is erected it has the Poppy insignia affixed to it;

And Be It Further resolved that the Poppy insignia be affixed to the road sign indicating the road sign to Gil Maure Way;

And Be It Further resolved that this be done in accordance with the direction as supplied by the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.

M.

Closed Session

Mayor Meloche reported that earlier this evening Council met in Closed Session to discuss two matters. With respect to the first matter, Administration provided information regarding third-party information supplied in confidence to the municipality, being a matter regarding a Land Lease Proposal. With respect to the second matter, a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town located on Malden Road. Council received information and provided direction to Administration.

N.

By-laws

• 201/23
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That the following By-law be given first and second reading:

  8823 - A By-law to provide for the repair and improvements of the Chappus Drain in the Town of LaSalle, in the County of Essex

  Carried.

O.

Confirmatory By-law

• 202/23
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That Confirmatory By-law 8824 be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed.

  Carried.

Q.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at the call of the Chair at 7:41 p.m.