Committee of the Whole

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Council Chambers, City Hall, second floor
Members Present:
  • Councillor Rory Nisan (Chair)
  • Councillor Kelvin Galbraith
  • Councillor Lisa Kearns
  • Councillor Shawna Stolte
  • Councillor Paul Sharman
  • Councillor Angelo Bentivegna
  • Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
Staff Present:
  • Curt Benson, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Blake Hurley, Commissioner, Legal and Legislative Services/City Solicitor
  • Scott Hamilton, Commissioner, Public Works
  • Sue Evfremidis, Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Craig Millar, Chief Financial Officer
  • Stephen Robichaud, Commissioner, Development and Growth Management
  • Jamie Tellier, Director, Community Planning
  • Craig Kummer, Director, Transportation Services
  • Raewyn Jackson, Director, Transit
  • Jo-Anne Rudy, Committee Clerk
  • Suzanne Gillies, Committee Clerk

The Chair called the meeting to order.

The Chair read the Land Acknowledgement.

  • Moved byCouncillor Stolte

    Approve the agenda as presented.

    CARRIED

Owns property in close proximity to the development being discussed, this includes the confidential Appendix A to the report.

  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Direct the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture, Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry and Director of Engineering Services, in consultation with Legal Services, to negotiate, finalize and execute all agreements required to implement the St. Luke’s (Church) Window to the Lake initiative with The Parish Church of St. Luke, for a term of up to 20 years. These agreements shall address matters including, but not limited to, land access, shared use maintenance responsibilities, and construction related to the St. Luke’s (Church) Window to the Lake initiative, with content satisfactory to the relevant lead departments and in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner of Legal and Legislative Services/City Solicitor, and to make all necessary arrangements with The Parish Church of St. Luke as outlined in community services report CSS-06-26; and

    Direct the Chief Financial Officer to incorporate the on-going operating impacts for maintenance of the new pathway and related elements into the 2027 multi-year budget simulation, to an upset limit of $30,000.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Approve the 2026 Tax Levy By-law for the levying of tax rates, substantially in the form attached as Appendices A and B to finance department report FIN-01-26.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Receive for information finance department report FIN-04-26, financial status report as at December 31, 2025.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Approve the Significant Tree Maintenance Rebate Program; and

    Direct the Chief Financial Officer to allocate funding of $50,000 from the Tree Establishment & Enhancement Reserve Fund to cover the costs of the 2026 program; and

    Approve the amendment to the Tree Establishment & Enhancement Reserve Fund By-law 55-2020, substantially in the form attached as Appendix A to public works report PWS-11-26.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Award the tender for contract ES-26-05 – Spruce Avenue Area Renewal to King Paving & Construction Ltd., 3385 Harvester Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 3N2, for $12,189,840.99 including HST as outlined in public works report PWS-14-26; and

    Authorize the closure of Spruce Avenue at the Shoreacres Creek Culvert for 10 weeks, from the end of June to early September 2026, subject to the approved construction schedule; and

    Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign any required agreements with the bidder named above, subject to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, Legal and Legislative Services; and

    Approve the total cost of $12,057,600 (Net HST) to be charged to Capital Order RD-RC-1968 Spruce Avenue and Goodram Drive Area - Renewal and funded as outlined in the Financial Matters section of the report.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Endorse and adopt the updated Community Engagement Charter and Framework as outlined in Appendix A to corporate affairs report CAF-01-26.

    CARRIED
  • Councillor Galbraith declared a conflict on this item. (Owns property in close proximity to the development being discussed, this includes the confidential Appendix A to the report.)
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Authorize the Manager of Realty Services to take all steps necessary to proceed with a long-term land lease of 1022-1030 Waterdown Road, comprising of approximately 2,670 square metres of land, to Indwell Community Homes (“Indwell“), at nominal value and generally in accordance with proposed terms to be negotiated as set out in Confidential Appendix A to legal report LLS-17-26; and

    Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute any agreements, leases or other documents in connection with this matter, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner of Legal and Legislative Services/City Solicitor and with content satisfactory to the Commissioner of Development and Growth Management.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Kearns

    Approve the Council remuneration for the 2026-2030 term in accordance with column two contained in Appendix C of human resources report HRS-01-26; and

    Direct the Chief Human Resources Officer to report to the April 21, 2026 Council meeting regarding all Intern Programs from 2018 to 2026 that includes funds, department and number of interns.

    CARRIED
  • Amendment:
    Moved byCouncillor Kearns

    Direct the Chief Human Resources Officer to report to April 21, 2026 Council meeting Council regarding all Intern Programs from 2018 to 2026 that includes funds, department and number of interns.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Direct the Chief Transformation Officer to finalize and execute a service agreement with Burlington Economic Development and Tourism to the satisfaction of the Chief Administrative Officer and the Commissioner of Legal and Legislative Services; and

    Direct the Chief Transformation Officer to plan for the development of a Community Economic Development Strategy, including budget considerations for Council deliberation during the 2027 budget process if necessary.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Kearns

    Direct the City Clerk to review eligibility restrictions which may result in a by-law amendment recommendation for membership on any Standing Committee of Council where a member of committee is a registered lobbyist under the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Burlington’s Lobbyist Registry By-law 47-2003, and where the subject matter of that lobbying activity materially aligns with the mandate of the committee; and report back with potential amendments by Q3 2026.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byMayor Meed Ward

    Direct the City Clerk to amend the 2026 calendar of meetings for Council and standing committees to add a full week between committee and council.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Direct the Director of Transit to explore how on-demand transit could be incorporated into Burlington Transit’s fixed route model to improve transit efficiency, increase service utilization, and expand access to residents who currently do not use fixed-route transit services; and

    Direct the Director of Transit to develop a proposal for a 24-month +/- pilot project that provides a phased implementation plan for on-demand transit service within Burlington and report back to Council by Q4 2026 with:

    • Service design options,
    • Financial implications,
    • Technology requirements,
    • Performance metrics,
    • Risk assessment,
    • Implementation timeline; and

    Direct the Director of Transit to include analysis of how the pilot could:

    • Increase vehicle capacity utilization;
    • Improve overall community mobility access;
    • Increase satisfaction among both existing riders and non-riders;
    • Reduce per-trip subsidy over time. 
    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Kearns

    Direct the Head of Corporate Affairs to bring forward the 2025 Community Survey results, including a presentation of the findings from Deloitte to a Committee of the Whole meeting in Q2 2026.

    CARRIED

Note: this item was moved from Consent Items and discussed before item 8.1

  • Moved byCouncillor Bentivegna

    Receive for information finance department report FIN-09-26 which reports on the 2025 year-end financial position and retained savings disposition; and

    Direct the Chief Financial Officer to allocate the 2025 retained savings based on the strategy outlined in finance report FIN-09-26.

    CARRIED

Note: this item was moved from Consent Items and discussed before item 8.1

  • Moved byCouncillor Kearns

    Receive for information corporate affairs report CAF-03-26, providing an update on the funding, intergovernmental advocacy, monitoring, and reporting work of Government Relations at the City of Burlington.

    CARRIED

Note: this item was moved from Consent Items and discussed before item 8.1

  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Approve the 2026 advisory committee workplans and budget requests attached as Appendix A to legislative services report LLS-09-26; and

    Receive for information the 2025 advisory committee annual reports attached as Appendix B to legislative services report LLS-09-26.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Stolte

    Proceed into closed session on Monday April 13, 2026 at 1:04 p.m. in accordance with the following provisions under the Municipal Act:

    Pursuant to Section 238(2)(k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on by or to be carried on behalf of the municipality or local board regarding Item 9.1; and

    Pursuant to Section 239(2)(e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board regarding Item 9.4; and

    Pursuant to Section 239(2)(f) advice that is subject to solicitor – client privilege including communications necessary for that purpose regarding Item 9.4.

    CARRIED

9.1
Confidential Appendix A regarding real estate matter Waterdown Road properties leased to Indwell (LLS-17-26)

 

9.2
Confidential Appendices A and B for Economic Development and Tourism service delivery options (TRN-04-26)

 

9.3
Confidential legal update on litigation matter regarding Burlington New Official Plan (LLS-18-26)

 
  • Moved byCouncillor Galbraith

    Instruct the Commissioner, Legal & Legislative Services and City Solicitor, or his designate, to proceed in accordance with the instructions sought in confidential legal report LLS-18-26.

    CARRIED

9.4
Confidential legal update on litigation matter regarding 2076 Old Lakeshore Road (LLS-21-26)

 

Committee reconvened into open session on April 13, 2026 at 1:47 p.m.

In closed session Committee discussed and provided instructions to staff for the following item:

9.4 Confidential legal update on litigation matter regarding 2076 Old Lakeshore Road (LLS-21-26)

In closed session Committee also discussed item:

9.1 Confidential Appendix A regarding real estate matter Waterdown Road properties leased to Indwell (LLS-17-26)

  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Direct the Director of Transportation Services to initiate the development of a Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan and approve an upset limit of $300,000 from the Capital Purposes Reserve Fund as an in-year budget request to retain a qualified consultant through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to support the development of the plan as outlined in public works report PWS-13-26; and

    Direct the Director of Transportation Services to report back to Committee of the Whole with the completed Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan and implementation recommendations by Q4 of 2027.

    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Stolte

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to retain a consultant to assess the eligibility of the following properties for potential heritage designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, consult the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee, and report back to Council with statements explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of qualifying properties prior to January 1, 2027:

    1. 2137 Lakeshore Rd. (The Sewage Pumping Station aka 2137 Junction St.)
    2. 2464 Dundas St. (St. John's Anglican Church)
    3. 1264 Lemonville Rd. (A. Lemon Family Farmhouse)
    4. 5534 Guelph Ln. (The Thomas Colling Centennial Farmhouse)
    5. 1391 Ontario St. (The New George Allen House)
    6. 566 Locust St. (The Harry Blessinger Retirement House)
    7. 2187 Lakeshore Rd. (The Dalton-Bell House)
    8. 524 Hager Ave. (The Bamford House).
    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Stolte

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to retain a consultant to assess the eligibility of the following properties for potential heritage designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, consult the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee, and report back to Council with statements explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of qualifying properties prior to January 1, 2027:

    1. 1419 Ontario St. (The O'Brien-Connell House)
    2. 1454 Birch Ave. (The Edwin Thorpe Retirement House)
    CARRIED
  • Moved byCouncillor Galbraith

    That Council issue a formal request to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator to serve as an impartial party and act as a negotiator on behalf of the Province to coordinate a mutually agreeable land-use option for all stakeholders at the 1200 King Road property.

    CARRIED

Note: view April 14, 2026 video for discussion of Items 13.1 and 13.2

The Committee of the Whole, in accordance with the Planning Act, held Public Meeting No. 05-26 on April 14, 2026, regarding Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments for 1056-1060 Brant Street. Having considered the oral and written comments received from staff and the public, the Committee of the Whole approved the recommendation contained in development and growth management report DGM-26-26.

  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Refuse the applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments submitted by Bousfields Inc. on behalf of 2735843 ONTARIO INC., 2060188 ONTARIO INC., 2735841 ONTARIO INC., 2059977 ONTARIO INC. proposing an 11-storey residential building with 93 residential units at 1056-1060 Brant Street.

    CARRIED

The Committee of the Whole, in accordance with the Planning Act, held Public Meeting No. 06-26 on April 14, 2026, regarding Draft Housing Community Improvement Plan Amendment. Having considered the oral and written comments received from staff and the public, the Committee of the Whole approved the recommendation contained in development and growth management report DGM-27-26.

  • Moved byCouncillor Sharman

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to consider Council, agency, development partners, and community feedback received on Draft Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Amendments contained in Appendix A to development and growth management report DGM-27-26 as part of this statutory public meeting prior to bringing forward a staff report recommending amendments to the City’s Affordable Rental Housing CIP that respond to Council’s referral motion of March 2, 2026.

    CARRIED

10:44 a.m. (recessed), 10:51 a.m. (reconvened), 12:01 p.m. (recessed), 1:01 p.m. (reconvened), 1:04 p.m. (closed), 1:46 p.m. (open), 2:36 p.m. (recessed), 2:44 p.m. (reconvened), 4:07 p.m. (recessed)

Meeting was reconvened on April 14, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

10:08 a.m. (recessed), 10:16 a.m. (reconvened), 11:45 a.m. (recessed), 11:52 a.m. (reconvened) 12:00 p.m. (recessed), 1:00 p.m. (reconvened)

Chair adjourned the meeting at 1:55 p.m.

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