Council Meeting

THAT Planners Report 2023-18 be hereby received; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommends to Council the approval of the Zoning Bylaw Amendment Application for Part Lot 30, Concession 5, Geographic Township of Holland, Township of Chatsworth, Owner: Gerardo Martellacci; and FURTHER THAT staff be directed to prepare the necessary by-law to give effect to the application.

THAT Parks and Recreation Report PR-2023-20 be hereby received for information.

THAT CAO Clerk’s Report 2023-53 regarding Approval of Donations – Joan and Jim Patterson Foundation be hereby received; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommends to Council that the following donations be approved: Chatsworth Agricultural Society - $5,000; Desboro Agricultural Society - $5,000; Chatsworth Fire Department - $10,000; Chatsworth Community Outreach $20,000.00.

THAT CAO Clerk’s Report 2023-58 regarding a release of interest in water power rights be hereby received for information; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Consent indicating that the water and power and privileges reserved to Matthew Halliday are a valid and subsisting easement which has not been extinguished.

THAT the actions taken in Committee of the Whole today be confirmed by this Council; and FURTHER THAT staff be authorized to take the actions necessary to give effect to the approved recommendations contained within the staff reports.

THAT Township of Chatsworth Council adopt the Agenda as revised to remove item 11.4.h CAO Clerk's Report 2023-56 - Draft Fees and Charges By-law and to add a discussion under staff reports regarding the Sideroad 1 Drainage Project.

THAT the minutes of the following Council Meetings be confirmed as recorded.  October 11, 2023 - Budget Meeting  October 25, 2023 - Budget Meeting  November 8, 2023 - Budget Meeting  November 15, 2023 - Council Meeting Township of Chatsworth Council Minutes, December 6, 2023  November 22, 2023 - Budget Meeting  November 29, 2023 - Budget Meeting

THAT Public Meeting Z11/2023 - Part Lot 30, Concession 5, Geographic Township of Holland, Township of Chatsworth (Gerardo Martellacci) be

THAT Council now go into Committee of the Whole.

THAT the Consent Agenda items be hereby received for information except for the following: Page 2 of 11 Township of Chatsworth Council Minutes, December 6, 2023  Item 11.1.d.b. - Enbridge Gas Inc. Correspondence November 15, 2023 Re: Consultation on the future of natural gas expansion and home heating affordability  Item 11.1.d.d. - Multi-Municipal Energy Working Group Correspondence November 23, 2023 Re: Municipality of Grey Highlands Resolution regarding Battery Energy Storage Systems  Item 11.1.e.e. - The Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge Resolution November 15, 2023 Re: Request for Amendment to Legislation Act, 2006

THAT Parks and Recreation Report PR-2023-21 be hereby received for information; and FURTHER THAT the quote from Ken Klages be accepted in the amount of $9,985.53 exclusive of HST.

THAT Finance Report 2023-12 regarding Applications per Section 357 of the Municipal Act for Refund of Property Taxes be hereby received; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommends to Council to approve the write-off of property taxes in the total amount of $446.67 for the 2023 year of which $262.22 is the Municipality’s portion for the property located at 540316 80 Sideroad; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommends to Council to approve the write-off of property taxes in the total amount of $12.95 for the 2023 year of which $7.60 is the Municipality’s portion for the property located at 684138 30 Sideroad.

THAT CAO Clerk’s Report 2023-54 regarding quotes received for a Traffic Impact Study for the Chatsworth Subdivision be hereby received; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommend to Council that the quote received from Paradigm Transportation Solutions in the amount of $11,500.00 exclusive of HST, and additional work beyond the stated scope at the rates quoted in their submission of September 22, 2023 be hereby accepted.

THAT CAO Clerk’s Report 2023-55 regarding an estate bequest to the Keady Community Centre be hereby received; and FURTHER THAT Committee of the Whole recommends to Council that the bequest from the Estate of R. James Henderson in the amount of $6,214.74 be received with a letter of appreciation being sent to the Henderson family; and FURTHER THAT the fund be placed into reserves for the sole purpose of capital upgrades at the Keady Community Centre in keeping with Mr. Henderson’s wishes.

WHEREAS the Enbridge Gas has shared with the Corporation of the Township of Chatsworth key messages regarding the Ontario Energy Board’s Leave to Construct (LTC) process, entitled “reducing red tape for more cost-effective, timely energy connections in Ontario:” AND WHEREAS the Corporation of the Township of Chatsworth supports and wishes to endorse the recommendations put forward by Enbridge Gas in order to expedite the installation of natural gas to rural, remote or underserved communities such as the Township of Chatsworth; NOWTHEREBE IT RESOLVED: 1. THAT the Corporation of the Township of Chatsworth petition the Ontario Government to expedite the implementation of the following recommendations: i) THAT the Government of Ontario move to modernize the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Leave to Construct (LTC) process for smaller pipeline projects in order to bring reliable, affordable energy options to communities, homes and businesses in a more cost-effective and timely manner; ii) AND THAT the LTC cost threshold be updated from $2M to $10M for hydrocarbon lines (by amending Ontario Regulation O.Reg.328/03) while maintaining current requirements and expectations for Indigenous consultation and environmental review for projects greater than $2M and less than $10M; iii) AND THAT these outdated regulations are causing the LTC to apply far more broadly than intended when it was established over 20 years ago due to increased regulatory and cost pressures, as well as inflation, virtu

WHEREAS the Province and the Independent Electricity System Operator, IESO, are moving ahead with an expedited program on Battery Energy Storage Systems, BESS, without the appropriate regulations in place; and WHEREAS Municipal approval is required for siting these types of installations in the Township of Chatsworth; and WHEREAS Battery Energy Storage Systems have increased fire safety risks that may require an emergency response that is beyond the capability of our Fire Department. These risks include but are not limited to Explosions and venting life-threatening toxic gases; and WHEREAS the Office of The Fire Marshal under The Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) 1997 provides Public Safety Guidelines and Technical Guidelines to Municipalities and Ministries; and "At present the OFM has not established any guidelines with respect to Battery Energy Storage Systems"; and WHEREAS under FPPA 1997 every Municipality that establishes a fire department is required to provide fire protection services and shall determine their capability and capacity to attend an emergency; and WHEREAS the Township of Chatsworth currently does not permit Battery Energy Storage Systems as of right and in order to permit one of these systems an applicant would need to apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment from the Township; now THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council does not support the establishment of Battery Energy Storage Systems in the Township of Chatsworth until the Office of the Fire Marsha

THAT Township of Chatsworth Council hereby support the resolution from the Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge regarding the Item for Discussion – Request for Amendment to Legislation Act, 2006; and Page 9 of 11 Township of Chatsworth Council Minutes, December 6, 2023 FURTHER THAT the Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge be notified of our support.

THAT Committee of the Whole rise as Council to report and confirm the actions taken in Committee of the Whole.

THAT Council directs staff to bring back a report on the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library regarding both the current contract agreement and user fees for discussion. Councillor Thompson requested a recorded vote on the resolution. CAO Clerk called the question. Councillor Greig - Yes Mayor Mackey - Yes Deputy Mayor McKay - Yes Councillor Thompson - No

THAT By-law 2023-65 being a by-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the December 6, 2023 Council meeting be hereby read a first, second, and third time, signed by the Mayor and Clerk and sealed with the Corporate Seal.