Council Meeting

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has opened up the opportunity for Municipalities to seek “Strong Mayor’s Powers” giving heads of Councils the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development; AND WHEREAS the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, stated that the purpose for extending these “Strong Mayor’s Powers was to allow Mayor’s who know their municipalities best, and we support them in a shared provincial-municipal priorities, such as encouraging the approval of new housing and constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing; AND WHEREAS the new Mayor powers and duties include choosing to appoint chief administrative officer (CAO), along with hiring certain municipal department heads, proposing the municipal budgets as well as veto powers on such documents; proposing certain by-laws if the the Mayor is of the opinion that the proposed by-laws could advance provincial priorities consistent with building more homes; AND WHEREAS the council in the past discussed and voted on the idea of adopting the “Strong Mayor’s Powers” and that vote was unanimously voted down not once but twice, including the public statements made in the past by Mayor Bentley against the idea of these powers; AND WHEREAS Mayor Bentley has advised the Province of her changed desire to adopt the “Strong Mayor’s Powers” without any public discussion with council and/or a vote against or in support of; THEREFORE, we ar

THAT the minutes of the Closed Session of the May 20, 2025 Council in Committee meeting be adopted as circulated and remain confidential.

THAT the report of the March 4, 2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be received.

THAT the report of the March 19, 2025 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be received.

McKeen THAT the report of the March 27, 2025 Haldimand O.P.P. Detachment Board meeting be received.

THAT the report of the March 26, 2025 Seniors Advisory Committee meeting be received.

McKeen THAT the report of the January 15, 2025 Trails Advisory Committee meeting be received.

THAT Report CDS-07-2025 Response to Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 be received; AND THAT the staff comments expressed in CDS-07-2025 be submitted to the Province via the various ERO postings.

McKeen THAT By-laws 1 to 6, as listed, be enacted.

THAT pursuant to Section 239 (2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001 , Council convene in a meeting at 7:20 p.m. closed to the public to discuss:

THAT the Confirmation By-law for the May 26, 2025 Council meeting be enacted.

THAT this meeting is now adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

THAT the minutes of the May 5, 2025 Council meeting be adopted as circulated.

THAT the minutes of the Closed Session of the May 5, 2025 Council meeting be adopted as circulated and remain confidential.

THAT the minutes of the May 20, 2025 Council in Committee meeting be adopted with the following recommendation withdrawn to be voted on separately: Recommendation 9 Re: Report CLE-07-2025 Strong Mayor Powers and Duties

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has opened up the opportunity for Municipalities to seek “Strong Mayor’s Powers” giving heads of Councils the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development; The Corporation of Haldimand County Council Minutes – May 26, 2025 3 AND WHEREAS the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, stated that the purpose for extending these “Strong Mayor’s Powers was to allow Mayor’s who know their municipalities best, and we support them in a shared provincial-municipal priorities, such as encouraging the approval of new housing and constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing; AND WHEREAS the new Mayor powers and duties include choosing to appoint chief administrative officer (CAO), along with hiring certain municipal department heads, proposing the municipal budgets as well as veto powers on such documents; proposing certain by-laws if the the Mayor is of the opinion that the proposed by-laws could advance provincial priorities consistent with building more homes; AND WHEREAS the council in the past discussed and voted on the idea of adopting the “Strong Mayor’s Powers” and that vote was unanimously voted down not once but twice, including the public statements made in the past by Mayor Bentley against the idea of these powers; AND WHEREAS Mayor Bentley has advised the Province of her changed desire to adopt the “Strong Mayor’s Powers” without any public discussion

THAT the report of the March 18, 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting be received.

THAT the report of the March 27, 2025 Haldimand O.P.P. Detachment Board meeting be received.

THAT the report of the March 31, 2025 Heritage Haldimand meeting be received.

THAT the report of the January 15, 2025 Trails Advisory Committee meeting be received.

1. THAT Report CDS-07-2025 Response to Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 be received; 2. AND THAT the staff comments expressed in CDS-07-2025 be submitted to the Province via the various ERO postings.

THAT By-laws 1 to 6, as listed, be enacted.

THAT pursuant to Section 239 (2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, Council convene in a meeting at 7:20 p.m. closed to the public to discuss: 1 LSS-13-2025 Encroachment of House – Retaining Wall Replacement Referred from May 20, 2025 Council in Committee meeting Section 239 (2)(c) A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board

THAT this closed meeting now adjourn at 7:26 p.m. and reconvene in open session.

1. THAT Report LSS-13-2025 Encroachment of House – Retaining Wall Replacement be received and remain confidential; The Corporation of Haldimand County Council Minutes – May 26, 2025 9 2. AND THAT the confidential direction given to staff be confirmed.