Before we get into the notes I just wanted to make a point of clarification as I would like to avoid miscommunication and information being taken out of context.
The notes below are my interpretation of what I hear at the meetings for the time I am present and they include matters which I think the public will want to be aware of.
These notes are not fully inclusive of all items on the agenda and are not verbatim notes. If you have questions or want clarification about anything I have noted I would definitely recommend reading the official agenda first provided below as well as reading the official meeting minutes when they are available.
My intent for these posts is to keep the community informed regarding what is happening in town as I know it can be difficult to attend meetings and read through all of the agenda’s and minutes.
April 9th, 2024
Click here for agenda
Announcements
-Proclamation – National Volunteer Week – April 14-20, 2024
Staff Reports
Public Works Director-Public Works Update- Page 30 on Agenda
-Grading, New flooring is currently being installed in the lunchroom at the Town shop by inhouse
staff,Bridge 8 on Conc. 8/9 was damaged by a farm equipment company that was
transporting a piece of equipment. Street Sweeping hopefully to start next week.
Planning-
9.3.1 Report – PLN07-2024 – Planning Update Report- Page 32 on Agenda
CAO/Clerk-Treasurer
-CAO Update Report, 2024-002 21 –Page 21 on Agenda
-Verbal Discussion-Bingo Caller-Arena winter employee was doing the calling, put out a request for a volunteer in the community, no one responded to it. Parks and Recreation Staff do not have time to do it, town admin staff would not be able to do it. CAO and Recreation Manager proposed seeing if the Library staff can take it over and reimburse for the time. Councillor Latam asked whether this was a town item or a parks/rec item and CAO said she thought this was on the town. It was decided that this proposal was brought
-Letter from Ministry of Infrastructure- Survey was sent around to municipalities. CAO completed survey and indicated that we are still working on it, deadline is in July. Response letter was received from Provincial Ministry of Infrastructure indicating that if deadline is not met then funding may be affected. Council and staff discussed and they directed to reach out to our MPP.
-Councillor Latam asked about the new ball diamonds and the work to be completed, site clean up, lighting needs to be addressed, Well pumphouse is not completed, CAO said it will be a while before people are playing baseball there. Councillor Latam asked for a report with an update to council.
9.1.2 Report – Application to the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund- Page 26 on agenda
Recommendation
THAT Council receives Report – Application to the HousingEnabling Water Systems Fund,
AND THAT Council approves an application for the Housing Enabling Water System Fund for the Town’s new Elevated Water Storage Tank as proposed. Council discussed and approved.
9.1.3 Report – Director of Finance/Treasurer for the Town of Grand Valley- Page 29 on Agenda-We are pleased to announce that Steven Freitas was the successful candidate for the newlycreated role of Director of Finance/Treasurer.
Public Meeting
10.1 Application File (Z01-2024) to the Town’s Zoning By-Law (2009-10, as amended) to prohibit the keeping of chickens in non-agricultural zones in the Town of Grand Valley- Page 35 on Agenda
10.1.1 Public Meeting and Recommendation Report PLN08-2024 -Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application Z01-2024 Urban Chickens
Recommendation
THAT Council receive the Public Meeting and Recommendation Report No. PLN08-2024 – Zoning By-Law Amendment Application Z01-2024 Urban Chickens AND FURTHER THAT Zoning By-law Amendment File Z01-2024, to amend the Town of Grand Valley Zoning By-law 2009-
10, as amended, to prohibit the keeping of Urban Chickens, as generally shown in APPENDIX 1: DRAFT ZONING BY- LAW, of this report, be approved; AND FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to prepare and
present the by-law for passing. Members of the Public came out and commented asking why this was coming into effect. Planned discussed the origin of this was a complaint from the public regarding someone keeping chickens in the downtown core, council directed staff to prepare a report. Another member of the public communicated their support for having urban chickens. Another questions was why could we not just limit the number of chickens. Planner answered that they had researched other municipalities and Councillor Jonker said that the report has a lot of information that addressed concerns that were brought up. Planner will bring the bylaw with revised wording to be brought forward to Council to approve.
Committee Meeting and Recommendations
End of my notes as I had to leave the meeting at this point.
Disclaimer- These are my personal notes from the meeting. The purpose of these notes is to give an update on what is happening around the Town of Grand Valley. If you would like to view the official agenda and minutes you can find that here.
Leave a Reply