The Corporation of the Town of LaSalle

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town of LaSalle Council

Tuesday, April 23, 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 Sue Desjarlais, 
• Councillor Jeff Renaud, 
• and Councillor Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo 

Administration Present:

• P. Marra, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 
• J. Astrologo, Director of Council Services/Clerk, 
• G. Beggs, Director of Planning and Development, 
• D. Davies, Chief of Police, 
• 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, 
• J. Osborne, Director of Public Works, 
• E. Thiessen, Director of Fire Service/Fire Chief, 
• M. Beggs, Manager of Roads & Parks, 
• D. Dadalt, Legal Counsel, 
• G. Ferraro, Manager of Finance & Deputy Treasurer, 
• L. Jean, Deputy Clerk, 
• M. Seguin, Deputy Fire Chief, 
• and B. MacMillan, Drainage Superintendent 

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A.

Opening Business

1.

Call to Order

Mayor Meloche called the meeting to order at 6:02 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

• 89/24
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the April 23, 2024, Regular Council Meeting Agenda be adopted as presented.

  Carried.

C.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None disclosed. 

D.

Adoption of Minutes

• 90/24
  Moved by: Councillor Desjarlais
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council and Special Meeting of Council held April 9, 2024, be adopted as presented.

  Carried.

E.

Mayor's Comments

Mayor Meloche stated that last weekend's LaSalle Spring Fling event held at the Event Centre was a huge success. A wrap-up video is available on the Town's YouTube channel. She congratulated Town staff for organizing the event.

Mayor Meloche announced that the Summer Series Night Market will be held at the LaSalle Civic Centre from May to September, on the last Sunday of each month.

Mayor Meloche reminded residents of the upcoming Emergency Preparedness Week, which runs from May 5 to May 11. LaSalle Fire Service will share messaging to help residents make a plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed. Information will also be available on the Town's website and social media pages.

The Play for a Cure Team was congratulated on raising over $400,000 for local cancer research at their event in LaSalle over the weekend. Mayor Meloche thanked Play for a Cure for choosing LaSalle as the location for the event.

F.

Public Meetings and/or Hearings

None.

G.

Presentations and Delegations

None.

H.

Staff Reports and Correspondence for Council's Action

1.

Request to remove "No Parking" signs from Huntwick Pl. cul-de-sac

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

Mr. Pete Bafaro, resident of Huntwick Place, spoke in favour of removing the 'No Parking' signs.  Alternatively, he suggested that the Town adopt a permit system to allow the residents of Huntwick Place the permission to park in their cul-de-sac. 

• 91/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the report of the Manager of Roads and Parks dated March 22, 2024 (PW-2024-09) regarding the Request to remove No Parking signs from Huntwick Pl. cul-de-sac be received;

  And that, the request be denied, and the “No Parking” signs remain on Huntwick Pl. as currently installed.

  Motion is Put and is Lost
• 92/24
  Moved by: Deputy Mayor Akpata
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That Administration prepare a report for Council's consideration exploring i) how cul-de-sac parking is handled in other municipalities across the province, ii) alternate side parking options using the width of a Ford F1-50 as the standard size of vehicle, and ii)  the option of moving the 'No Parking' signs up a house or two toward the cul-de-sac to allow for additional parking spaces compared to what currently exists.

  Carried.

2.

Chappus Drain Request for Minor Improvement – Partial Drain Enclosure and Appointment of Engineer

B. MacMillan, Drainage Superintendent, presented the report.

• 93/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That the report of the Drainage Superintendent dated April 5, 2024 (PW-13-2024) regarding the request for a minor improvement to the Chappus Drain dated April 3, 2024 be received;

  And that Rood Engineering Inc. be appointed as the Drainage Engineer for the Chappus Drain minor improvement project.

  Carried.

3.

DeSantel Drain – Termination of Project

B. MacMillan, Drainage Superintendent, presented the report.

• 94/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That the report of the Drainage Superintendent dated April 5, 2024 (PW-12-2024) regarding the DeSantel Drain petition be received; and

  That Council accept the withdrawal of the petition and repeal Bylaw 8559 appointing the drainage engineer.

  Carried.

4.

Sale of Part Lot 22, Concession 1 to the owners of 7770 Matchett Road

D. Dadalt, Legal Counsel, presented the report.

• 95/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the report of the Legal Counsel dated April 4, 2024 (AD-2024-09) regarding the sale of Part of Lot 22, Concession 1 to the owners of 7770 Matchett Road be received;

  That Council authorizes the sale of Part of Lot 22 on Concession 1 immediately to the north of the 7770 Matchett Road, subject to the buyer entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town to the satisfaction of the Town’s Legal Counsel;

  And further that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any and all documents that may be necessary to complete this transaction for the above-noted land.

  Carried.

5.

Policy Updates: Media Relations, Social Media, Municipal Digital Signs and Lobby Screens, Advertising

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

• 96/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That Council approves the Media Relations Policy.

  Carried.
• 97/24
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That Council approves the Social Media Policy.

  Carried.
• 98/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Renaud

  That Council approves the Municipal Digital Signs and Lobby Screens Policy.

  Carried.
• 99/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That Council rescinds the Advertising Policy.

  Carried.

6.

Establishing a Business Network in LaSalle

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

• 100/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Renaud

  That the report of the Director of Strategy and Engagement dated April 5, 2024 (SE-02-2024) regarding Establishing a Business Network in LaSalle be received for Council’s information.

  Carried.

7.

Purchase of 100 Foot Aerial Platform Fire Apparatus

M. Seguin, Deputy Fire Chief, presented the report.

• 101/24
  Moved by: Councillor Desjarlais
  Seconded by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo

  That the report of the Deputy Fire Chief of LaSalle dated April 8, 2024 (FIRE-24-03) regarding the purchase of the new 100 Foot Aerial Platform Fire Apparatus be received;

  And that, the purchase of a new 100 Foot Aerial Platform Fire Apparatus be approved at a cost of $2,717,500 (not including HST) and funded through the Fire Capital Reserve;

  And that, Council authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement as between the Corporation of the Town of LaSalle and Camions Carl Thibault Inc. to give effect to the purchase.

  Carried.

I.

Consent Agenda

1.

Procurement- 2024 First Quarter Report

2.

2024 First Quarter Property Tax Write Offs

3.

Correspondence

a.

Township of Clearview - Endorsement of Bill C-63 in the House of Commons

b.

Township of Terrace Bay - AMO Social and Economic Prosperity Review

c.

County of Prince Edward - Call to Action to Meet the Deadline of an Accessible Ontario by 2025

4.

Summary of Reports to Council

• 102/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That items 1 through 4 on the Consent Agenda for April 23, 2024, be received.

  Carried.

J.

Committee Matters

1.

Essex County Council Highlights for April 3, 2024

• 103/24
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That the Essex County Council Highlights for April 3, 2024, be received.

  Carried.

K.

Questions and Statements by Council Members

Councillor Renaud stated that earlier in the evening during the Parks, Recreation, and Events Committee Meeting, there was a discussion about the net loss for the Sean Kenney's Animal Super Powers® Exhibit made from LEGO® bricks event and the different options to cover that loss.

• 104/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That Administration prepares a report to outline the options available to cover the net loss from the Sean Kenney's Animal Super Powers® Exhibit event, with a view to keeping the Town's festival and events safe and prosperous and also protecting our waterfront reserve;

  And that this report be prepared after the results of the wage subsidy grant are known.

  Carried.

  Deputy Mayor Akpata advised that EMS has taken on a project to identify defibrillators within Essex County and put them on a map to assist emergency responders. He requested that those who have defibrillators in their facilities to contact EMS.

  
  

L.

Notices of Motion

• 105/24
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That Administration reviews letters of support received from various municipalities and provides direction to Council on whether the letter should be supported or received. 

  Motion is Put and is Lost

M.

Closed Session

No report out.

N.

By-laws

• 106/24
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the following By-laws be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed:

  8872 – A By-law to amend Zoning by-law No. 8600, the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-Law, as amended

  8876 – A By-law to authorize an agreement with His Majesty the King in the right of the Province of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Transportation related to funding provided under the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program

  8877 – To adopt tax rates and to further provide for penalty and interest in default of payment thereof for the year 2024

  8878 - A By-law to authorize the sale of Part of Grand Blvd. Plan 731, Sandwich West (aka Gladys Blvd.), now designated as Part 2 on 12R-29675; LaSalle

  Carried.

O.

Confirmatory By-law

• 107/24
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That Confirmatory By-law 8879 be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed.

  Carried.

P.

Schedule of Meetings

Regular Council Meeting May 14, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting, May 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

Committee of Adjustment, May 22, 2024 5:00 p.m.

Regular Council Meeting May 28, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Q.

Adjournment

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