The Corporation of the Town of LaSalle

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town of LaSalle Council

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

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 Jeff Renaud, 
• and Councillor Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo 

Members of Council Absent:

• Councillor Sue Desjarlais 

Administration Present:

• P. Marra, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 
• 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, 
• J. Osborne, Director of Public Works, 
• E. Thiessen, Director of Fire Service/Fire Chief, 
• M. Beggs, Manager of Roads & Parks, 
• D. Dadalt, Legal Counsel, 
• N. DiGesu, Manager of IT, 
• G. Ferraro, Manager of Finance & Deputy Treasurer, 
• L. Jean, Deputy Clerk, 
• M. Pearce, Police Chief Designate, 
• and Rosa Tufts, Council Coordinator 

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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 Acknowledgment Statement.

3.

Moment of Silent Reflection and Playing of National Anthem

B.

Adoption of Agenda

• 193/24
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the August 27, 2024, Regular Council Meeting Agenda be adopted as presented.

  Carried.

C.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None disclosed.

D.

Adoption of Minutes

• 194/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on August 13, 2024 be adopted as presented.

  Carried.

E.

Mayor's Comments

Mayor Meloche stated that last week several Members of Council had attended the AMO conference in Ottawa. This event provided valuable opportunities for networking and learning.  Two delegations were secured during the conference with the Minister of Sport and the other with the Minister of Infrastructure. Mayor Meloche thanked Administration involved in the preparation work and those who attended to advocate for the Town of LaSalle.

Mayor Meloche announced that there will be two flag-raising ceremonies in LaSalle in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September and all are welcome to attend. 

• Fight Like Mason Foundation Flag raising ceremony on Thursday, August 29, at 1:00 pm at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex.
• Raising of the Childhood Cancer Awareness Flag at the LaSalle Civic Centre, organized by Childcan: The Childhood Cancer Research Association on Wednesday, September 4 at 12:00 pm.

Mayor Meloche highlighted that online ticket sales are available for the 2nd Annual Last Call Before Fall event which is scheduled for the weekend of September 6 and 7 at the Event Centre on Front Road. Tickets can be purchased on the Town of LaSalle website.

Mayor Meloche reminded residents and visitors to please slow down, pay attention to signs and stop for school buses as the school year is fast approaching. She wished students all the best in their first week back to school. 

Mayor Meloche informed the public that the Town of LaSalle Municipal offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 for Labour Day. 

Mayor Meloche noted that Councillor Desjarlais was not in attendance due to personal reasons.

F.

Public Meetings and/or Hearings

None.

G.

Presentations and Delegations

None.

H.

Staff Reports and Correspondence for Council's Action

1.

Essex Region Source Protection Committee- Municipal Representation

• 195/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Renaud

  That Council endorses the appointments of the following individuals to the Essex Region Source Protection Committee for a term of five (5) years:

  Kirk Walstedt, Union Water Supply System
  Jason Barlow, Municipality of Lakeshore
  Antonietta Giofu, Town of Amherstburg

  Carried.

2.

SE-03-2024 LaSalle Transit Update and Master Plan

D. Hadre, Director of Strategy and Engagement presented the report.

The Regular Council Meeting was recessed at 6:13 p.m. and reconvened at 6:17 p.m. due to a power outage.

• 196/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the report of the Director of Strategy and Engagement dated July 19, 2024 (SE-03-2024) regarding a LaSalle Transit Update and Master Plan be received.

  Carried.

3.

Fire Station 2 Debt Issuance

G. Ferraro, Manager of Finance & Deputy Treasurer presented the report.

• 197/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That the report of the Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer dated July 25, 2024 (FIN-20-2024) regarding the Fire Station 2 debt issuance be received;

  And that, the application for a loan with Infrastructure Ontario for Fire Station 2 project for an amount of $9,000,000 with a 20-year term and a locked-in interest rate determined at a point in time at which the debenture is to be issued be authorized.

  Carried.

4.

CR-2024-22 Reduced rate for schools pilot project

P. Funaro, Director of Culture and Recreation presented the report.

• 198/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the report of the Director of Culture and Recreation dated August 8, 2024 (CR-2024-22) regarding a pilot project to offer a reduced rate for schools renting soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and ice pad facilities be received;

  And that, the Town continues to offer a reduced rate for schools renting soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and ice pad facilities for school sanctioned, non-competitive use;

  And that, for the purposes of this rate, school be defined as an elementary or secondary school located within the Town of LaSalle and administered by the Ontario Ministry of Education;

  And that, the By-law to establish User Fees or Charges for Services, Activities or the Use of Property (8670) be amended to extend the early bird ice rental fee for schools from Monday to Friday until 3:00 pm and to include a fee reduction of 50% from Monday to Friday until 3:00 pm for schools renting soccer fields and baseball diamonds.

  Carried.

5.

2024 Alternating Parking Request - Oakridge

M. Beggs, Manager of Roads and Parks presented the report.

R. Peturson, resident, requested alternate parking be implemented on the east side of Oakridge to the end of the horseshoe.

B. Vermette, resident, requested alternate parking on the east side of Oakridge and cited safety concerns.

P. Cholubko, resident, stated the west side of Oakridge is wider than the east side, cited safety concerns, and requested alternate parking be implemented on the east side of Oakridge. 

• 199/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That the report of the Manager of Roads and Parks dated August 2, 2024 (PW-31-2024) regarding 2024 alternating parking on Oakridge Street be received;

  And that, Council approves the implementation of alternating parking on Oakridge from the east intersection at Reaume Road to the west end of the paved laneway. 

  Carried.

6.

2024 Alternating Parking Requests – Jolly

M. Beggs, Manager of Roads and Parks presented the report.

A. Coulter, resident, spoke in opposition to alternate parking on Jolly citing safety concerns.

T. Klygbyle, resident, spoke in opposition to alternate parking on Jolly citing concerns with safety for children, reduced parking spots on the street, and limited parking in driveways.

• 200/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Renaud

  That the report of the Manager of Roads, and Parks dated August 2, 2024 (PW-30-2024) regarding the alternating parking request on Jolly Avenue be received;

  And that, the request for the implementation of alternating parking on Jolly Avenue from Runstedler Drive to the curve on Jolly Avenue be denied.

  Carried.

7.

Front Road Master Drainage Study Stage 2 Final Report

J. Osborne, Director of Planning & Development presented the report.

S. Brown, Stantec Consulting, provided an overview of the Front Road Master Drainage Study Stage 2 Final Report. 

• 201/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That the report of the Director of Public Works dated August 9^th, 2024 (PW-29-2024) regarding the Front Road Master Drainage Study Stage 2 Final Report be received;

  And that, Council approves the final Stage 2 Environmental Assessment Report;

  And that, Council authorizes the issuance of the Notice of Study Completion.

  Carried.

I.

Consent Agenda

2.

Summary of Reports to Council

• 202/24
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That items 1 and 2 on the Consent Agenda for August 27, 2024, be received.

  Carried.

J.

Committee Matters

None.

K.

Questions and Statements by Council Members

• 203/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That an Administrative report be prepared regarding parking regulations during snow events. 

   

  Carried.

  The motion was withdrawn by Councillor Carrick with unanimous consent. 

  
  
• 204/24
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Akpata
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That an Administrative report be prepared to review the parking bylaw including alternate parking provisions and parking regulations during snow events.

  Carried.

L.

Notices of Motion

None.

M.

Closed Session

N.

By-laws

• 205/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the following By-law be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed:
  
  8917- A By-law to approve the submission of an application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (“OILC”) for the long-term financing of certain capital work(s) of The Corporation of The Town of LaSalle (The “Municipality”); and to authorize the entering into of a rate offer letter agreement pursuant to which the Municipality will issue debentures to OILC

  Carried.

O.

Confirmatory By-law

• 206/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That Confirmatory By-law 8920 be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed.

  Carried.

P.

Schedule of Meetings

Regular Council Meeting September 10, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting September 18, 2024, 3:30 p.m.

Committee of Adjustment September 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.

Regular Council Meeting September 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Q.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at the call of the Chair at 7:20 p.m.