Council

To amend the agenda to include a deputation from Les Anderson of the Norfolk Arts Council.

That the agenda be approved as presented.

That Council enter into closed session at 1:11 p.m.

That Council reconvene in open session at 1:28 p.m.

That Council received closed item 4.1 as information.

That Council receive the deputation as information.

That Staff Report CS-24-173, Physician Recruitment Support Update be received as information; and That Council approve the request from Norfolk General Hospital to support physician recruitment efforts in the amount of $100,000, to be paid from the funds previously allocated by Council for physician recruitment; and Further that the remaining County funds, in the amount of $150,000 be retained for future physician recruitment activities, pending the outcome of the Province’s Primary Care Action Team.

That the following Communication Items be received as information:  Long Point Region Conservation Authority  Letter from Bernie Derible, Deputy Minister and Commissioner of Emergency Management

That the following minutes be approved as presented:  Council Meeting Minutes - November 19, 2024  Special Council Meeting Minutes - December 3, 2024  Council Workshop Minutes - November 26, 2024

That the funds allocated in 2026 for Pickleball Courts in Turkey Point be brought forward to the 2025 budget.

That all three grants approved at the CIC now be

That the following minutes be approved as presented:  Public Hearing Committee Minutes - December 3, 2024  Budget Committee Meeting Minutes - November 21, 2024  Council-in-Committee December 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes

That the following minutes of the advisory committees and local boards be received as information:  Norfolk County Public Library Board October 21, 2024 Minutes  Sustainability Advisory Committee October 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes  Long Point Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors Budget Meeting - November 13, 2024  Long Point Region Conservation Authority Hearing Board Meeting - November 6, 2024  Long Point Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors Meeting - November 6, 2024

That application ZNPL2024382 affecting the lands described as 14 Oakes Boulevard, Vittoria, Norfolk County, to amend the Norfolk County Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014 from Open Space (OS) to Hamlet Residential (RH) be approved, as shown in Attachment A to Report CD-24-171; and Further that all public input received for this application was considered as part of the decision, as outlined in staff report CD-24- 171.

That application ZNPL2017318, affecting the lands described as Part of Lot 8, Concession 2, Geographic Township of Woodhouse, County of Norfolk, further described in PIN 502390413 (LT), to amend the Norfolk County Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014 from R1-A (H) and R2 (H) to R1-B (H) with special provision 14.1040, R2 (H) with special provision 14.1041 or 14.1042, CN (H) with special provision 14.1071, OS, and R1-A (H) with special provision 14.1072 , be approved, as shown in Attachment A to Report CD-24-166; and That application 28TPL2017317 affecting the lands described as Part of Lot 8, Concession 2, Geographic Township of Woodhouse, County of Norfolk, further described in PIN 502390413 (LT), for draft plan of subdivision as shown in Attachment B, be approved in accordance with Attachment C - Conditions for Draft Plan of Subdivision; and further That all public input received for this application be considered as part of the decision, as outlined in staff report CD-23-166.

That application 28TPL2024288, affecting lands described as Part Lot 12, Windham Concession 13, Hamlet of Nixon, Norfolk County be approved for draft plan of subdivision and conditions in accordance with Attachments D and E respectively to Report CD- 24-161. That application ZNPL2024331, affecting lands described as Part Lot 12, Windham Concession 13, Hamlet of Nixon, Norfolk County be approved in accordance with Attachment F to Report CD-24- 161. And further that all public input received for this application was considered as part of this decision.

That application ZNPL2024277, affecting all lands within Norfolk County, to amend the Norfolk County Zoning By-law 1-Z-2014 regarding various sections in a technical update, be approved, as shown in Attachment A to Report CD-24-173; and Further that no public input was received for this application and was therefore not considered as part of the decision as outlined in staff Report CD-24-173.

That OPS-24-035, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Project Acceleration, be received as information; and That the Approved Capital Budget be amended to include an allocation of $160,000 for project 5332522 for the EV Charging Station installations discussed within this report, accelerated from 2026 as presented 2025-2034 Levy Capital Plan; and That staff be authorized to enter into an Agreement with the Ministry of Transportation for the funding associated with the EVChargeON Program, for the installation of 4 additional charging station locations in Norfolk County; and Further that Staff be permitted to pursue potential future funding opportunities to further expand the EV charging network and enhance connectivity across the County.

That Staff Report OPS-24-034 Proposed Additional Security Measures at Talbot Gardens be received as information; and That Council approve the hiring of 1 Level 3 Security Guard for Talbot Gardens at a cost of $1,568 a week; and Further that the Security Guard remain in place until the end of the April 2025 hockey season for a total estimated cost of $31,500; and Further that Staff prepare a follow up report in Q1 of 2025 detailing the success of the additional security measures at Talbot Garden and bring forth a proposal for the 2025/2026 Hockey season.

That Staff Report CS-24-182, be received as information; and That Council permit a single source supply as outlined in Norfolk County Purchasing Policy CS-02, section 4.8.4 for the completion of Norfolk County’s Housing Needs Assessment; and Further that staff be authorized to execute a contract with Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. for the completion of Norfolk County’s Housing Needs Assessment.

That report HSS-24-062 be received as information; And that Norfolk County Council recommends the appointment of Mayor Martin and Councillor Huffman to the new Board of Health for Grand Erie Public Health, effective January 1, 2025.

That Council provide direction on the establishment of a Municipal Development Corporation and/or Municipal Services Corporation and That the scope of the Municipal Accommodation Tax Study and the Industrial Land Sector Needs Assessment approved in the 2025 Capital Budget be amended to include the finalization of a business case for the creation of a Municipal Development Corporation, including public consultation and the creation of a governance structure, operating model, and asset transfer policy.

That By-laws 2024-125 to 2024-131 consecutively be read a first, second and third time and finally passed in Open Council.  By-law 2024-125 - Provide for the Construction, Demolition, Change of use, and Transfer of Permits, and Inspections  By-law 2024-126 - Amend Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014, as amended, for property described as CHR PLAN 1088 BLK B IRREG 1.12AC 375.10FR D, Norfolk County, Municipally known as 14 Oaks Boulevard, Vittoria  By-Law 2024-127 - Amend Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014, as amended, for property described as Part of Lot 8, Concession 2, Geographic Township of Woodhouse, County of Norfolk, municipally addressed as 597 Highway 6, Port Dover.  By-Law 2024-128 - To appoint Building Inspectors for Norfolk County pursuant to the Building Code Act, S.O. 1992, as amended.  By-Law 2024-130 - Amend Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014, as amended, for property described as Part Lot 12, Wdm Concession 13, Norfolk County, known municipally as 2328 Nixon Road  By-Law 2024-129 - Amend Zoning By-Law 1-Z-2014, as amended, for property described as Affecting All Lands Within Norfolk County in the Name of Norfolk County  By-Law 2024-131 - Amend By-law 2024-118 to Establish User Fees and Service Charges, as amended.

That By-Law 2024-89 being a By-Law to provide drainage works for the County Road No. 57 drain be read a third and final time.

That By-Law 2024-90 being a By-law to provide drainage works for the Department of Highways No.1 drain be read a third and final time.

Whereas Norfolk County Council is authorized under the Municipal Act to License businesses as defined in the Municipal Act, in respect of a municipality, a by-law of the municipality providing for a system of licences with respect to a business passed under paragraph 11 of subsection 10 (2) or paragraph 11 of subsection 11 (3) or under section 151 if the by-law could also be passed by the municipality under one of those paragraphs; And Whereas, Business Licences have been in place in Norfolk County for a number of years to offset the costs of Health and Safety Inspections as well as Fire Safety compliance, so as to reduce the impact on taxpayers for providing these services; And Whereas Council recently amended its Fees and Charges Bylaw in October 2024 so as to move closer to cost recovery for these inspection services; And Whereas the municipal business licensing system has been deemed by some stakeholders to be an unnecessary burden on local businesses, with claims that it imposes financial and administrative costs that may not be justifiable in achieving its intended regulatory goals; And Whereas the program provides no discernible benefits to the businesses affected and is more an administrative tool of Norfolk County; or if there are discernible benefits, they have not been adequately explained. And Whereas commercial properties pay disproportionately high tax rate in Norfolk County, which is 50% higher than the maximum rate that is determined in the range of fairness e

Whereas, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a rapidly advancing field with the potential to improve efficiency in various sectors; And whereas, municipalities have begun integrating AI technologies to enhance service delivery, optimize resource allocation, and improve decision-making processes in public administration; And whereas, AI may be able to assist in automating routine tasks, streamlining operations, improving data analysis, and enhancing citizen engagement, all of which may contribute to more efficient municipal governance and better public services; And whereas, the implementation of AI in municipal operations could potentially reduce operational costs, improve response times, and create a more responsive, transparent, and data-driven local government; Therefore, be it resolved that, Council directs staff to investigate the potential benefits and challenges of implementing Artificial Intelligence technologies within our municipality.

Whereas Norfolk County Council recognizes the Ontario government’s ask of Ontario Power Generation regarding new energy generation options, at its existing site in Haldimand County; And whereas the Province of Ontario has recognized that electricity demand in Ontario is forecasted to increase by 75 per cent by 2050; Therefore be it resolved that, Norfolk County Council, support the proposed development of the Ontario Power Generation site at Nanticoke in Haldimand County; and further, That staff be directed to send the motion to the Minister of Energy and Electrification, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Haldimand County Council, summarizing Norfolk County’s support for additional power generation in Southern Ontario, including in Haldimand County.

That council enter into closed session at 5:39 PM to discuss the following matters:

That Council reconvene in open session at 5:51 p.m.

That the following closed session items be received as information and that council provide direction to staff.  Verbal from CAO  Staff Verbal Update on Negotiation

That By-Law 2024-132 being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of Norfolk County at this Regular Council Meeting held on the 17th day of December 2024 be read a first, second and third time and finally passed in Open Council.

That Council be adjourned at 5:52 pm.