Council Matters - May 12, 2020

Leamington Council met electronically on May 12, 2020 and discussed items related to the current COVID-19 pandemic in additional to regular business. The two areas are outlined as follows:

COVID-19 Related Reports

Planning Act Public Meetings: Council directed Administration to bring forward Planning Act applications for consideration that will not generate a significant number of delegates seeking to address Council. This will be done by:

 a) Giving notice of public meeting in accordance with the ordinary Planning Act rules as well as other means deemed appropriate by the Clerk; and

 b) Holding electronic public meetings and making decisions on planning matters during the declared state of emergency, in order to avoid unnecessary backlogs and to ensure continuity in the economic development of the community.

Regular Business Reports

Advertising on Taxicabs: Approved an amendment to the Taxicab By-law to permit advertising on taxicabs and an amendment to the User Fee by-law to include an application fee for taxicab advertising in the amount of $150.

Taxicab Parking Requirements Policy: Approved a policy to temporarily allow for Taxicab businesses to have one parking space per taxicab. Under the current Zoning By-law a taxicab businesses are required to have one parking space per taxicab, plus one parking space per employee vehicle, and parking for dispatch.

Borrowing By-law for Drainage Capital and Maintenance Work: Approved a by-law to borrow funds for municipal drainage capital work performed on the Driedger Drain and for the municipal drainage maintenance work performed on the Marentette Marsh Drainage Scheme Breakwall and Dyke. Traditionally, property owners assessed on municipal drainage capital work exceeding $1,500 are offered a financing option through the Municipality. A borrowing by-law is required to be passed by Council which establishes the interest rate, as determined by the Infrastructure Ontario borrowing rate + 2% (administrative recovery), as well as the financing term.

Sandy Lake Force Main Cleaning Contract: Awarded the Sandy Lake Force Main Cleaning contract to SheaRock Construction Group Inc. in the amount of $98,700 (plus applicable taxes). The Municipality has performed minor improvements to control equipment. Regular maintenance of the force main portion of the system is not part of that program. Cleaning a forcemain is necessary to fight fats, oils and grease that can build up over time and greatly reduce the cross sectional area of the pipe.

Traffic Study RFP Results: Retained McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd., for the Erie South, Sherk, Seacliff, Oak Street Traffic Study in accordance with the proposal submitted from McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers Ltd. dated February 28, 2020.

Kinsmen Club of Leamington Operating Agreement: Approved entering into an Operating Agreement with the Kinsmen Club of Leamington in connection with the Concession at Seacliff Park; the “Locker Room Lounge” (including the Kanteen) located within the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex and for the use of the “Kinsmen Clubhouse” located within the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex.

Naming Rights of Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex: Authorized a sponsorship agreement with Nature Fresh Farms Inc. to rename the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex to the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex.

To receive further information, please refer to the Municipality of Leamington Council Agenda and Minutes at www.leamington.ca