City of Cornwall Council Meeting Notes – March 22, 2021

Prepared by the Chamber of Commerce

Full Agenda and supporting documents: https://pub-cornwall.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=4368

Re-watch the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muzzTHsVez4

City Council discussed two Integrity Commissioner Reports regarding complaints filed in June 2020 concerning a Councillor and reported a 100% rating on the Water Purification Plant.

Council approved the following under the Consent Items:

·        Proclamation – Parkinson Awareness Month

•        2020 Annual Remuneration and Expense statement
•        Community Paramedics Funding to Assist Seniors on Long Term Care Wait List to Remain Safely at Home
•         February PAC 150 Pitt 134 Montreal Road 217 Pitt Street and 780 Sydney
•        Non-Competitive Procurement Cornwall Civic Complex Refrigeration Plant Condenser
•        RFP Terms of Reference for Physiotherapy Services at GSDL
•        Tender 21-T03 Watermain CIPP Relining on Various Streets
•        Tender 21-T06 Grass Cutting and Trimming Various Locations
•        Tender 21-T08 Collection of Leaves, Yard Waste and Branches
•        Tender 21-T05 Grass Cutting and Trimming Various Parks

Integrity Commissioner Report – Complaint Filed on June 11 & 9, 2020

•        In June of 2020, Councilor Towndale posted on social media his feelings towards how he discovered resignment of a senior staff person via an external Press Release prior to being informed by Administration.
•        Upon review by Mr.Fleming from Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP, it was found that there is no Policy governing Administration’s expectation to report to Council if there is a staff person’s resignation. It was also found that naming a staff person (either by name or title) in a social media post violates Council’s Code of Conduct (if the post is disrespectful, harassing, abusive, or intimidating).
•        It was recommended by Mr.Fleming that the report be made public, that Councilor Towndale be reprimanded for breaching the Council’s Code of Conduct, and that Council directs Councilor Towndale to cease referring to staff in any social media activity.
•        After much discussion, Council voted in favour of reprimanding Councilor Towndale but voted against directing Councilor Towndale to cease referring to staff in any social media post.
•        Furthermore, Council voted in favour of directing Administration to return to Council with a draft Social Media Policy.

Water Purification Plant Annual Report

•        The Water Purification Plant and Water Distribution system has achieved a 100% rating from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Park for the 12^th year in a row.

Agreement with OSPCA

•        The past agreement was based on a lump sum payment. This year, Administration recommends a “Fee for Service” model for $1,000 per month retainer and a cost of $450 per dog, plus fees for owners to claim their impounded dog.
•        Council approved to direct Administration to prepare a By-law to enter into this agreement with the OSPCA.

Memorial Park – Lot 2 and 3 Plan 52M-51 Part Lot Control Exemption

•        Council approved Part Lot Control to be reinstated on the townhouse lots in the Memorial Park Subdivision.

Special Meetings of Council for Operation Review

•        Councilor Hollingsworth brought forth a motion requesting Administration to create a report to schedule two Special meetings in May where departments will provide an operational review to include plans on the budget, levels of service, and organizational charts. Having these discussions well ahead of budget time will allow Council more time to review and better prepare them for budget discussions in February.

Council approved the following By-Laws:

•        By-law 2018-018 HOTC 150 Pitt and 134 Montreal Road, 2021-36- Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-37-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-019 Renaissance 17-21 Edward, 2021-34-Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-35-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-020 Part Lot Control, Lot 2 Plan 52M-51, 2021-43-Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-45-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-021- Part Lot Control, Lot 3 Plan 52M-51, 2021-44-Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-46-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-022 – Renewal of Lease Agreement No. 64-0671 with St. Lawrence Seaway Authority Management Corporation, 2021-38- Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-023 – Renewal of Lease Agreement No. 64-0672 with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, 2021-39-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-024 – Lease Agreement with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada for Marina 200, 2021-47-Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-54-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-025 – Service Agreement Glen Stor Dun Lodge and the Royal Ottawa Hospital, 2021-01-Glen Stor Dun Lodge, 2021- 02-Glen Stor Dun Lodge
•        By-law 2021-026 – Community Paramedics Funding to Assist Seniors on Long Term Care Wait List, 2021-03-Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services
•        By-law 2021-027 – Agreement with Eastern Ontario Health Unit for the Distribution of Naxolone Kits, 2021-04-Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services, 2021-05-Cornwall SDG Paramedic Services
•        By-law 2021-028 – Transfer Payment Agreement with Ministry of Transportation – Restart Funding – Phase 2, 2021-21-Infrastructure and Municipal Works, 2021-22-Infrastructure and Municipal Works
•        By-law 2021-029 – South Branch Road Water and Sewer Service Extension Agreement, 2021-12-Infrastructure and Municipal Works, 2021-13-Infrastructure and Municipal Works
•        By-law 2021-030 – Surplus Land on Pitt Street, 2021-20-Infrastructure and Municipal Works
•        By-law 2021-031 – Amendment to the Waste Management By-Law, 2021-11-Infrastructure and Municipal Works
•        By-law 2021-032 – Amendment to the Traffic & Parking By-law 069- 89, Schedule XXIX, Community Safety Zones, Riverdale Avenue, 2021-23-Infrastructure and Municipal Works, 2021-25-Infrastructure and Municipal Works
•        By-law 2021-033 – Appointment of James Morin as Deputy Chief Building Official, 2021-48-Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-49-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-Law 2021-034 – Amendment to By-law 112-1998, the Animal Control By-Law for Recovery of Expenses, 2021-50-Planning, Development and Recreation, 2021-51-Planning, Development and Recreation
•       By-law 2021-035 – Agreement with OSPCA, 2021-19-Planning, Development and Recreation
•        By-law 2021-036 – Appointment of Matthew Stephenson as Deputy Fire Chief and to Repeal By-law 2019-035, 2021-01-Fire Services

Mission Statement

•        Councilor MacDonald proposed to Council to consider revising the Mission Statement to add “socially” to “financially and environmentally sustainable community…” to be discussed at the next regular meeting of Council.

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021.