BRUCEDALE – On June 5, Guelph/Eramosa council:
– reviewed planning applications;
– approved updates to municipal staff retirement and pension plans;
– formally adopted the new code of conduct and complaint process; and
– approved the renewal of an animal control agreement with the Guelph Humane Society.
Planning applications
Planning technician and secretary-treasurer Amanda Roger presented the planning application report to council.
“This current tracking list provides update to the application status of each active Planning Act application as of May 30 2023,” she said.
Overall, there are 28 applications, including
– four minor variance applications;
– two zoning by-law amendment applications;
– 11 site plan applications;
– one subdivision application (for five lots in Everton);
– three condominium applications (on Wellington Road 27, Alma Street, and Dowler Street – all in Rockwood); and
– seven consent applications.
Details about each proposal and application status are available at get.on.ca/township-services/committee/mayor-and-council/meetings, on pages 13 to 17 of the June 5 Regular Meeting of Council Agenda.
Retirement and pensions
Retirement and pension plans for township staff are provided by Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (OMERS).
Council unanimously approved a bylaw to continue this arrangement.
Code of conduct and complaint process
Early this year the township’s codie of conduct and complaint process was reviewed by Aird and Berlis business law firm.
The firm recommended changes to the township’s code including a statement of principles, general obligations, and application or purpose to provide guidance for the code.
The updated code includes new sections regarding media relations and posting to social media.
It also includes examples of when complaints should and should not be investigated.
Animal control services
The Guelph Humane Society will continue to provide animal control services in Guelph/Eramosa, as they have since 2016.
They were the only organization to bid on the contract, and all councillors voted in favour of renewal.
Councilor Stephen Liebig said the Guelph Humane Society is “an excellent organization.
“When they’ve been out for a distressed animal or a deceased animal they have been diligent and quick to act.”
Their role will remain mostly the same, with the only difference regarding how parks are patrolled.
Guelph Humane Society staff regularly patrol parks in Guelph/Eramosa to ensure animal by-laws such as keeping dogs on leashes are followed. They take an initially educational approach, beginning with warnings but issuing fines for repeat offenders. The change is that they will be receiving more direction from the township about which parks to focus on where there is a higher need, and will increase patrolling in evenings and early morning when township staff are not available.
“We can now say to them, this park has been a real issue, check that out,” said Mayor Chris White.
The Guelph Humane Society will also increase the amount of information provided to the township in their monthly reporting.
The township is “looking into the possibility of increasing dog tag fees,” said clerk Amanda Knight. The fees have not been increased since 2021.
Knight and council discussed potentially increaseing fees annually based on cost of living instead of doing a reassessment every few years, as they have been.
“I much prefer the smaller, annual, incremental increases,” White said.
Currently, dog license fees are $25 for a dog that is neutered or spayed, and $30 for an “unaltered” pet, Knight said.
Included with the license tags is a $20 gift card to Ren’s Pet Depot.
Liebig noted the Wednesday evening farmers market at Rockmosa Park has started for the summer season, so “be there or be square,” he laughed.
