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Proud Heritage, Exciting Future
The Township of Oro-Medonte
Council Meeting Minutes
Electronic Hybrid Meeting
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 3:02 p.m.
2022-2026 Council
Present: Mayor Randy Greenlaw
Deputy Mayor Peter Lavoie
Councillor Lori Hutcheson
Councillor John Bard
Councillor David Clark
Councillor Richard Schell
Councillor Robert Young
Staff Shawn Binns, Chief Administrative Officer; Yvonne Aubichon, Clerk;
Present: Donna Hewitt, Director, Corporate Services; Brent Spagnol, Director,
Development Services; Michelle Jakobi, Director, Environmental
Services; Roree Payment, Director, Fire & Emergency Services/Fire
Chief; Kelly Watson, Director, People and Culture; Andy Karaiskakis,
Manager, Planning Services; George Vadeboncoeur, Manager, Planning,
Special Projects; Garry McCartney, Chief Building Official; Jennifer
Whitley, Economic Development Officer; Janette Teeter, Supervisor,
Clerk's Services/Deputy Clerk; Ryan Hill, Information Technology Help
Desk Technician (IT)
All Council and staff participated via Zoom platform.
1. Call to Order - Reading of Land Acknowledgement:
Mayor Greenlaw assumed the Chair at the above noted time and called the meeting to
order.
The Township of Oro-Medonte acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional
land of the Anishnaabek (A- Wish- in- aa- beh) people, and ancestral territory of the
Huron-Wendat. The Anishnaabek include the Odawa [Oh-DAH-wah], Ojibwe [0-jib-we]
and Pottawatomi [boh-tah-WAH-toh-mee] nations, collectively known as the Three
Fires Confederacy. It continues today as the home for diverse Indigenous Peoples
including the historic Metis Community in Penetanguishene.
The Anishnaabek people continue to have an enduring relationship with this land,
specifically the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the Chippewa Tri-Council and the
Williams Treaties First Nations. The Huron-Wendat Nation also continues to pay
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
respect and protect their ancestors and heritage on this land. We honour the Indigenous
history and culture that has thrived for millennia in this territory and the Treaties that
bind us together as partners in the spirit of a shared sustainable and prosperous
future. We are all Treaty People. Our commitment begins with acknowledging the
Truth so that we can move forward together towards Reconciliation.
2. Adoption of Agenda:
a) Motion to Adopt the Agenda.
Motion No. C250423-1
Moved by Clark, Seconded by Lavoie
Be it resolved that the agenda for the Council meeting of Wednesday, April 23, 2025 be
received and adopted.
Carried.
3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest:
Councillor Clark declared a conflict of interest on Item 7a) Notice of Township of Oro-
Medonte, Public Meeting for Amendments to Fees under the Ontario Building Code Act.
Councillor Clark submitted the following: Own a company that could be seen to have an
interest in permitting fees.
4. Closed Session Items:
None.
5. Minutes of Council and Committees:
a) Minutes of Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
b) Minutes of Special Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
Motion No. C250423-2
Moved by Hutcheson, Seconded by Clark
Be it resolved that the draft
a) Minutes of Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025; and
b) Minutes of Special Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025
be received and adopted as printed and circulated.
Carried.
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
6. Recognition of Achievements and Introduction(s):
None.
7. Public Meetings:
a) Notice of Township of Oro-Medonte, Public Meeting for Amendments to Fees
under the Ontario Building Code Act.
Councillor Clark declared a conflict of interest on Item 7a) Notice of Township of Oro-
Medonte, Public Meeting for Amendments to Fees under the Ontario Building Code
Act. Councillor Clark submitted the following: Own a company that could be seen to
have an interest in permitting fees. Councillor Clark was not present during the
discussion and did not vote on the item.
Mayor Greenlaw called the meeting to order and explained the Public Meeting is being
held in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Building Code Act,
specifically Ontario Regulation 163/24 to hold at least one public meeting to inform the
public and interested stakeholders of proposed changes to Building permit and service
fees.
Seal -Michael Steven, Managing Partner of Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. was
present. A PowerPoint presentation was presented.
Staff confirmed that no additional public registrations were received and no verbal
comments were received from the public.
Staff confirmed that no additional correspondence from the public were received
during this meeting.
There being no further comments or questions, the meeting adjourned.
8. Deputations/Presentations:
None.
9. Identification From the Public of an Agenda Item of Interest:
Items 15a) and 12a) were requested to be brought forward.
10. Open Forum:
None.
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
15. Communications/Petitions:
a) Correspondence dated April 7, 2025 from Murray Smith re: Parking Concerns
Related to the New Ball Hockey Rinks.
Motion No. C250423-3
Moved by Hutcheson, Seconded by Lavoie
Be it resolved that the correspondence dated April 7, 2025 from Murray Smith re:
Parking Concerns Related to the New Ball Hockey Rinks be received and referred to
staff fora report.
Carried.
12. Reports of Municipal Officers for Information Only:
a) DS2025-043, George Vadeboncoeur, Manager, Planning, Special Projects re: Draft
Plan of Subdivision Application 2024-SUB-01, Reinstatement of Draft Plan Approval
(2639025 Ontario Inc. Oro Station Automotive Innovation Park), Part of Lots 18 and
19, Parts 1 and 2, 51 R-39330, Con. 8 (Oro), Township of Oro-Medonte. (Refer to
Motion No. C250423-6 below).
Geoffrey Campbell, Managing Partner, Oro Station Automotive Innovation Park
provided additional comments.
11. Reports of Municipal Officers for Action:
a) CS2025-07, Jennifer Whitley, Economic Development Officer re: Business Retention,
Expansion & Attraction (BREA) Project Final Action Plan.
Motion No. C250423-4
Moved by Lavoie, Seconded by Bard
Be it resolved
1. That CS2025-07, Jennifer Whitley, Economic Development Officer re: Business
Retention, Expansion & Attraction (BREA) Project Final Action Plan be received and
adopted.
2. That staff develop the Economic Development annual work plan and report back to
Council.
Carried.
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
b) CS2025-06, Yvonne Aubichon, Clerk re: Council Composition and Ward Boundary
Review Follow up.
Motion No. C250423-5
Moved by Schell, Seconded by Hutcheson
Be it resolved
1. That CS2025-06, Yvonne Aubichon, Clerk re: Council Composition and Ward Boundary
Review Follow up be received.
2. That staff be directed to report back at the May 14, 2025 Council meeting on the cost
and timelines associated with updating the population forecasts for the Ward Boundary
Options as presented to Council on July 20, 2021 by Watson & Associates Economists
Ltd.
Carried.
12. Reports of Municipal Officers for Information Only: (continued)
b) Yvonne Aubichon, Clerk re: Strong Mayors Powers.
Motion No. C250423-6
Moved by Bard, Seconded by Young
Be it resolved that the reports, as listed under Item #12, Reports of Municipal Officers for
Information Only, be received and that staff proceed as outlined in the recommendations:
a) DS2025-043, George Vadeboncoeur, Manager, Planning, Special Projects re: Draft Plan
of Subdivision Application 2024-SUB-01, Reinstatement of Draft Plan Approval
(2639025 Ontario Inc. Oro Station Automotive Innovation Park), Part of Lots 18 and 19,
Parts 1 and 2, 51 R-39330, Con. 8 (Oro), Township of Oro-Medonte.
b) Yvonne Aubichon, Clerk re: Strong Mayor Powers.
Carried.
13. Reports and Announcements of Members of Council:
a) Updates from Council Representatives — County of Simcoe and Township Partners
and Agencies.
The following members of Council provided updates: Mayor Greenlaw, Deputy Mayor
Lavoie, Councillors Hutcheson, Bard and Schell.
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
14. Consent Agenda:
a) Correspondence from Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) re: Q3 Board
Meeting Minutes, Q4 Meeting Highlights, 2024 Quarterly Report, JSMB 12 05 2024
Special Board Meeting.
Staff Recommendation: Receive for Information Only.
Motion No. C250423-7
Moved by Young, Seconded by Schell
Be it resolved that the staff recommendation with respect to the item listed under
"Consent Agenda Correspondence" be adopted as printed:
a) Correspondence from Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) re: Q3
Board Meeting Minutes, Q4 Meeting Highlights, 2024 Quarterly Report, JSMB 12
05 2024 Special Board Meeting.
Received for Information Only.
Carried.
16. Notice of Motions:
a) Brought by Councillor Clark, April 1, 2025
Notice of Motion for April 9, 2025 Council meeting
To be dealt with at the April 23, 2025 Council meeting
Subject: Investigation into Backyard Chickens in Oro-Medonte
Whereas the Township of Oro-Medonte is a proud rural and agricultural community
that values local food production and sustainable living;
And Whereas backyard chickens can enhance rural lifestyles and support local food
initiatives;
And Whereas the City of Orillia has successfully implemented a by-law allowing
backyard chickens, following a pilot program;
Therefore Be it Resolved that:
1. Council directs staff to investigate the City of Orillia's backyard chickens by-law
and its outcomes.
2. Staff shall prepare a report outlining the key elements of Orillia's by-law, its
successes, and recommendations on how a similar approach could be adapted for
Oro-Medonte.
3. The report shall be presented to Council for consideration within 60 days or
whenever technically feasible.
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Motion No. C250423-8
Moved by Clark, Seconded by Lavoie
Whereas the Township of Oro-Medonte is a proud rural and agricultural community that
values local food production and sustainable living;
And Whereas backyard chickens can enhance rural lifestyles and support local food
initiatives;
And Whereas the City of Orillia has successfully implemented a by-law allowing backyard
chickens, following a pilot program;
Therefore Be it Resolved that:
1. Council directs staff to investigate the City of Orillia's backyard chickens by-law and its
outcomes.
2. Staff shall prepare a report outlining the key elements of Orillia's by-law, its successes,
and recommendations on how a similar approach could be adapted for Oro-Medonte.
3. The report shall be presented to Council for consideration within 60 days or whenever
technically feasible.
4. That staff correspond with the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture.
Carried.
17. By -Laws:
a) 2025-039: A By-law to permanently stop up, close and sell Parts 1, 2 3 and 4, Plan 51 R-
44872 (those lands being a portion of Old Coldwater Road and including the Dunlop
Bridge).
Motion No. C250423-9
Moved by Schell, Seconded by Bard
Be it resolved that By -Law No. 2025-039
a) 2025-039: A By-law to permanently stop up, close and sell Parts 1, 2 3 and 4, Plan
51 R-44872 (those lands being a portion of Old Coldwater Road and including the
Dunlop Bridge)
be read a first, second and third time, passed, be engrossed by the Clerk, signed and sealed
by the Mayor.
Carried.
18. Closed Session Items:
None.
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Council Meeting Minutes — Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
19. Confirmation By -Law:
a) 2025-040: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on
Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Motion No. C250423-10
Moved by Bard, Seconded by Hutcheson
Be it resolved that By -Law No. 2025-040: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the
Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 be read a first, second and third time,
passed, be engrossed by the Clerk, signed and sealed by the Mayor.
Carried.
20. Adjournment:
a) Motion to Adjourn.
Motion No. C250423-11
Moved by Lavoie, Seconded by Young
Be it resolved that we do now adjourn at 4:47 p.m.
ayor, Randy Greenlaw Cle a Yvonne Aubichon
Carried.
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