Regular Council

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Council Chambers, City Hall, second floor
Members Present:
  • Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
  • Councillor Kelvin Galbraith
  • Councillor Lisa Kearns
  • Councillor Rory Nisan
  • Councillor Shawna Stolte
  • Councillor Paul Sharman
  • Councillor Angelo Bentivegna
Staff Present:
  • Hassaan Basit, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Blake Hurley, Commissioner, Legal and Legislative Services/City Solicitor
  • Jacqueline Johnson, Commissioner, Community Services
  • Curt Benson, Commissioner, Development and Growth Management
  • Craig Millar, Chief Financial Officer
  • Scott Hamilton, Commissioner Public Works
  • Sue Evfremidis, Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Richard Bellemare, Specialist, Digital Communications
  • David Thompson, Specialist, Digital Communications
  • Debbie Hordyk, Administrative Assistant to the City Clerk
  • Samantha Yew, City Clerk/Director, Legislative Services

  • Moved by:Councillor Sharman
    Seconded by:Councillor Galbraith

    Waive section 38.1 of the procedure by-law to allow item 18.1 Staff Direction regarding List of Identified Infrastructure Projects (ADM-05-25) as a motion introduced to Council.

    IN FAVOUR: (5)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    OPPOSED: (2)Councillor Kearns, and Councillor Nisan
    CARRIED (5 to 2)

    This item was voted on by way of a two-thirds vote.


  • Moved by:Councillor Stolte
    Seconded by:Councillor Galbraith

    Approve the Council agenda for April 15, 2025 as presented.

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Galbraith
    Seconded by:Councillor Bentivegna

    Confirm the minutes of the following meeting of Council:

    CARRIED

None

Note: Items a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I, j, l, m, n, o, p, t, w, y, z, aa. were grouped together for one consent vote.

  • IN FAVOUR: (7)Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Approve the single source purchase of Microsoft Unified Support from Microsoft Canada for the term and costing outlined Burlington digital services report BDS-01-25; and

    Authorize the Manager of Procurement Services to execute a contract to purchase Microsoft Unified Support, change order(s), and extension(s), as required provided the contents are satisfactory to the Executive Director of Legal and Legislative Services and Corporation Counsel.

    CARRIED
  • Receive for information finance department report FIN-02-25 regarding financial status as at December 31, 2024.

    CARRIED
  • Receive for information finance department report FIN-10-25 providing an outline of the 2026 budget process.

    CARRIED
  • Receive for information finance department report FIN-11-25 which reports on the 2024 year-end financial position and retained savings disposition; and

    Direct the Chief Financial Officer to allocate the 2024 retained savings based on the strategy outlined in finance department report FIN-11-25.

    CARRIED
  • Approve the draft by-law substantially in the form attached as Appendix A to development and growth management report DGM-07-25, being a by-law to amend By-law 66-2019, a by-law under the Act respecting construction, demolition, change of use, occupancy, transfer of permits and inspections.

    CARRIED
  • Approve the appointments to the Downtown Parking Committee, as contained in confidential appendix A to legislative services report LLS-15-25; and

    Direct Legislative Services staff to publish the appointee’s names following approval by Council.

    CARRIED
  • Receive for information corporate affairs report CAF-01-25, providing an update on the funding, advocacy, monitoring and reporting work of government relations (GR) at the City of Burlington; and

    Endorse the staff recommendation to jointly pursue select funding opportunities alongside community stakeholder Mohawk College where strategic priorities align for both organizations.

    CARRIED
  • Approve the draft by-law substantially in the form attached as Appendix A to finance department report FIN-15-25, being a by-law to amend Procurement Policy By-law 04-2022; and

    Direct Finance and Legal staff to continue to monitor any changes to trade agreements or related legislation and bring forward any required updates to the Procurement By-law to Council.

    CARRIED
  • Approve the creation of the Emergency Relief Reserve Fund; and

    Approve an Emergency Relief Reserve Fund substantially in the form attached as Appendix A to finance department report FIN-12-25, and in the form satisfactory to the Commissioner, Legal and Legislatives Services/ City Solicitor; and

    Direct the Chief Financial Officer to recommend annual provisions to the Emergency Relief reserve fund, as part of the annual retained savings report up to a maximum of $1 million.

    CARRIED
  • Receive legislative services report LLS-26-25 providing information regarding the upcoming official delegation and citizen delegation travel to Apeldoorn, the Netherlands to commemorate 20 years of twinning.

    CARRIED
  • Direct the Director of Recreation, Community, and Culture (RCC) to transfer property management responsibilities of 414 Locust, LaSalle Pavilion, Paletta Mansion and Spencer’s at the Waterfront to an external property management company over the next few years as agreements are established or renewed; and

    Direct and authorize the Manager of Realty Services to amend and execute agreements in connection with this matter, as required, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner of Legal and Legislative Services/ City Solicitor.

    CARRIED
  • Approve the City’s recommended strategic planning approach as outlined in transformation office report TRN-01-25.

    CARRIED
  • Request that staff provide a report for Committee of the Whole on opportunities to expand cricket in Burlington by building cricket facilities in collaboration with the private sector, and any related land opportunities, by July 2025. (SD-03-25)

    CARRIED
  • Approve the Terms of Reference attached as Appendix A to legislative services report LLS-08-25 for the Council Remuneration Review Working Group; and

    Direct the City Clerk to proceed with recruitment for the Council Remuneration Review Working Group (2026-2030 term) outside of the public appointment policy, with the selected appointments reviewed by the Chief Administrative Officer; and

    Direct the Council Remuneration Review Working Group to report its findings to Council before December 31, 2025; and

    Approve a by-law to provide for the payment of remuneration and expenses for Mayor and Members of Council, substantially in the form attached as Appendix B to legislative services report LLS-08-25.

    CARRIED
  • Approve the 2025 advisory committee workplans and budget requests attached as Appendix A to legislative services report LLS-21-25; and

    Receive for information the 2024 advisory committee annual reports attached as Appendix B to legislative services report LLS-21-25.

    CARRIED
  • Receive for information development and growth management report DGM-05-25 regarding 2024 annual building permit revenues and expenses.

    CARRIED
  • Direct staff to continue to process the submitted Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for 2072 Lakeshore Road in an effort to bring forward a subsequent recommendation report. This report provides a description of the subject applications, an update on the technical review that is underway, and a summary of the technical and public comments received to date.

    CARRIED
  • Instruct the Commissioner, Legal & Legislative Services/City Solicitor, or his designate, to proceed in accordance with the instructions sought in confidential legal report LLS-27-25 as amended.

    CARRIED
  • Instruct the Chief Human Resources Officer to proceed in accordance with instructions sought in confidential human resource department report HR-05-25

    CARRIED
  • Mayor Meed Ward passed the gavel to Deputy Mayor Galbraith to Chair this portion of the meeting as Mayor Meed Ward seconded this motion.

    Approve the updated Flag Raising, Proclamations and Pier Lighting Policy substantially in the form attached as Appendix A as amended to legislative services report LLS-28-25; and

    Replace section 3.4 of the Flag Raising, Proclamations and Pier Lighting Policy with the following:

    The City of Burlington may display the flags of other nations alongside the Canadian National Flag at City-owned recreation facilities to promote collaboration, sportsmanship, and community engagement. The foreign national flags are displayed temporarily in recreation facilities due to international teams playing in Burlington. International flags will be displayed during tournaments involving international teams. Only the flags of countries with active diplomatic relations with Canada and recognized by Global Affairs Canada may be displayed. City staff will follow federal flag protocols and league standards for guidance to determine whether a flag should be raised. Following federal guidelines, the City Clerk will exercise discretion in consultation with any other relevant staff, in determining whether a foreign national flag shall be raised or displayed.

    Approve the proposed pier lightings listed in Appendix B to legislative services report LLS-28-25 as annual events in the City of Burlington.

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Stolte
    Seconded by:Mayor Meed Ward

    Replace section 3.4 of the Flag Raising, Proclamations and Pier Lighting Policy with the following:

    The City of Burlington may display the flags of other nations alongside the Canadian National Flag at City-owned recreation facilities to promote collaboration, sportsmanship, and community engagement. The foreign national flags are displayed temporarily in recreation facilities due to international teams playing in Burlington. International flags will be displayed during tournaments involving international teams. Only the flags of countries with active diplomatic relations with Canada and recognized by Global Affairs Canada may be displayed. City staff will follow federal flag protocols and league standards for guidance to determine whether a flag should be raised. Following federal guidelines, the City Clerk will exercise discretion in consultation with any other relevant staff, in determining whether a foreign national flag shall be raised or displayed.

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, and Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (7 to 0)

Deputy Mayor Galbraith passed the gavel back to Mayor Meed Ward to continue as Chair for the meeting.

  • State an intention to designate the properties listed in Appendix B, as amended by removing 390 John St. and 2003 Lakeshore Rd., to development and growth management report DGM-10-25 titled “List of Properties Recommended for Designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act under Part IV, Section 29, of the Ontario Heritage Act and in accordance with the Statements of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest and Descriptions of Heritage Attributes for the subject properties which is attached to development and growth management report DGM-10-25 as Appendix E; and

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to provide notice of Council’s intention to designate the properties in Appendix B, as amended by removing 390 John St. and 2003 Lakeshore Rd., to development and growth management report DGM-10-25 – List of Properties Recommended for Designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, in accordance with subsection 29 (3) and 29 (4) of the Ontario Heritage Act; and

    Refer 390 John St. and 2003 Lakeshore Road back to staff to review the heritage attributes that might be preserved as part of redevelopment in conversation with the property owner and Heritage Burlington, and report back to Committee of the Whole before January 1, 2027; and

    Direct the City Clerk to introduce the necessary by-laws to designate the properties as being of cultural heritage value or interest to Council which will be enacted in accordance with subsection 29 (8) of the Ontario Heritage Act, provided no objections are received; and

    Direct the City Clerk to take the necessary actions in the event of any objections to the notices of intention to designate pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act, subsections 29 (5) and 29 (6), such that the Director of Community Planning may report back to Council to allow Council to consider the objection and decide whether or not to withdraw the notice of intention to designate the property; and

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to conduct a peer review regarding the contextual heritage value of the following properties in light of the recommendation of the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee and report back to Council by the end of Q2 2025:

    • 368 Brant St.
    • 458 Elizabeth St.
    • 513 Locust St.
    • 367 Torrance St. (SD-04-25)
    IN FAVOUR: (5)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Mayor Meed Ward
    OPPOSED: (2)Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (5 to 2)
  • Note: The properties in Appendix B were voted on separately.

    State an intention to designate the following properties in Appendix B:

    1433 Baldwin St. (Burlington Central High School)

    5726 Cedar Springs Rd. (Dakota School House)

    550 Hurd Ave. (Hepton Weeks House)

    1134 Plains Rd. E. (David Homestead)

    451 Nelson Ave. (Thomas Rogers House)

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, and Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • State an intention to designate the following properties in Appendix B:

    380 Brant St. (Hotel Raymond)

    2437 Dundas St. (Nelson United Church)

    451 Elizabeth St. (Iron Duke building)

    461 Elizabeth St. (Knox Presbyterian Church)

    482 Elizabeth St. (Laing-Speers House, former Burlington Public Library)

    490 Elizabeth St. (Laing Fisher House)

    2066 Kilbride St. (Kilbride United Church)

    1421 Lakeshore Rd. (Graham House)

    472 Locust St. (Paroisse St. Philippe)

    562 Maple Ave. (Robert Lindley House)

    242 Plains Rd. E. (Roelfson House)

    444 Plains Rd. E. (John Horne House)

    2280 No. 2 Side Rd. (Pitcher Homestead)

    2022 Victoria Ave. (Bell Orchards Farmhouse)

    6414 Walkers Ln. (Donald McGregor Farmhouse)

    IN FAVOUR: (5)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Mayor Meed Ward
    OPPOSED: (2)Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (5 to 2)
  • Moved by:Councillor Nisan
    Seconded by:Councillor Stolte

    Amend the last paragraph of the main motion by removing the crossed out wording and adding the words in bold.

    Direct the Director of Community Planning each out to heritage consultants who may be able to conduct a peer review regarding the contextual heritage value of the following properties an effort to support the in light of the recommendation of the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee and report back to Council by the end of Q2 2025:

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, and Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Nisan
    Seconded by:Councillor Galbraith

    Refer 390 John St. and 2003 Lakeshore Road back to staff to review the heritage attributes that might be preserved as part of redevelopment in conversation with the property owner and Heritage Burlington, and report back to Committee of the Whole before January 1, 2027

    IN FAVOUR: (5)Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Sharman, and Mayor Meed Ward
    OPPOSED: (2)Councillor Kearns, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (5 to 2)
  • State an intention to designate the property at 1371 Elgin St. and 0000 Lakeshore Rd. (roll number 2402060604080000000) under Part IV, Section 29, of the Ontario Heritage Act and in accordance with the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest and Description of Heritage Attributes for 1371 Elgin St. and 0000 Lakeshore Rd. which is attached to development and growth management report DGM-18-25 as Appendix B; and

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to provide notice of Council’s intention to designate 1371 Elgin St. and 0000 Lakeshore Rd., in accordance with subsection 29 (3) and 29 (4) of the Ontario Heritage Act; and

    Direct the City Clerk to introduce the necessary by-law to designate the property as being of cultural heritage value or interest to Council which will be enacted in accordance with subsection 29 (8) of the Ontario Heritage Act, provided no objections are received; and

    Direct the City Clerk to take the necessary actions in the event of any objection to the notice of intention to designate pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act, subsections 29 (5) and 29 (6), such that the Director of Community Planning may report back to Council to allow Council to consider the objection and decide whether or not to withdraw the notice of intention to designate the property.

    IN FAVOUR: (5)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Mayor Meed Ward
    OPPOSED: (2)Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (5 to 2)
  • State an intention to designate the property at 3044 Lakeshore Rd. under Part IV, Section 29, of the Ontario Heritage Act and in accordance with the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest and Description of Heritage Attributes for 3044 Lakeshore Rd. which is attached to development and growth management report DGM-22-25 as Appendix B; and

    Direct the Director of Community Planning to provide notice of Council’s intention to designate 3044 Lakeshore Rd., in accordance with subsection 29 (3) and 29 (4) of the Ontario Heritage Act; and

    Direct the City Clerk to introduce the necessary by-law to designate the property as being of cultural heritage value or interest to Council which will be enacted in accordance with subsection 29 (8) of the Ontario Heritage Act, provided no objections are received; and

    Direct the City Clerk to take the necessary actions in the event of any objection to the notice of intention to designate pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act, subsections 29 (5) and 29 (6), such that the Director of Community Planning may report back to Council to allow Council to consider the objection and decide whether or not to withdraw the notice of intention to designate the property.

    IN FAVOUR: (5)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Mayor Meed Ward
    OPPOSED: (2)Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (5 to 2)
  • Approve a 5.36% indexation of building permit fees for 2025; and

    Approve the draft by-law substantially in the form attached as Appendix A to development and growth management report DGM-06-25, being a by-law to amend By-law 66-2019, a by-law under the Act respecting construction, demolition, change of use, occupancy, transfer of permits and inspections.​ 

    IN FAVOUR: (6)Councillor Sharman, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    OPPOSED: (1)Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (6 to 1)
  • Approve the Zoning By-law Amendment application for the property located at 105 Avondale Court, as modified by staff in development and growth management report DGM-21-25, to permit a single detached dwelling; and

    Approve Revised Appendix D Zoning By-law 2020.502, provided in item 20.4 Staff memorandum to development and growth management report DGM-21-25, to rezone the lands at 105 Avondale Court from “R1.2-502” to “H-R1.2-561” to facilitate relief of minimum lot width, maximum building height, maximum deck area, minimum yards, and balcony provisions; and

    Deem that the amending zoning by-law will conform to the Halton Region Official Plan, Official Plan, 2020 and Official Plan, 1997 of the City of Burlington and that there are no applications to alter the Official Plans with respect to the subject lands.

  • Moved by:Councillor Stolte
    Seconded by:Councillor Sharman

    Replace Appendix D – Amending By-law Number 2020.502, SCHEDULE ‘A’ and Explanatory Note of report DGM-21-25 with the revised Appendix D provided in item 20.4 Staff memorandum.

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Approve the Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan, attached as Revised Appendix A to staff memorandum item 20.5 to development and growth management report DGM-24-25, Statutory Public Meeting and recommendation report for Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan; and

    Instruct the City Clerk to prepare the necessary by-laws to designate the Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA) and adopt the Affordable Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan in accordance with section 28 of the Planning Act; and

    Deem that Section 17(21) of the Planning Act has been met; and

    Direct that staff prepare a budget business case for the 2026 budget to identify program priorities and propose City budget elements to support implementation of the Affordable Rental Housing CIP and the Brownfield CIP (outside of the HAF CIP Implementation).

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, and Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Stolte
    Seconded by:Councillor Galbraith

    Replace Appendix A of report DGM-24-25 with Appendix A Final Affordable Rental Housing CIP provided in item 20.5 staff memorandum.

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, and Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (7 to 0)

There were no recommendations from this committee.

16.1
Confirm the following closed meeting minutes:

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Kearns
    Seconded by:Councillor Sharman
    CARRIED

a.
Confidential closed meeting minutes for Committee of the Whole meeting of April 7, 2025

 

16.2
Update regarding Confidential Appendix A to report DGM-08-25, Burlington Lands Partnership update - Partnership potential for city-owned lands (COW-08-25)

 

This item provides supplemental information regarding item aa.

  • Moved by:Councillor Sharman
    Seconded by:Councillor Galbraith

    Direct the Commissioner of Public Works to report back to Committee of the Whole on May 12, 2025 with a list of identified infrastructure projects that could be quickly advanced if federal and/or provincial stimulus programs are announced.(SD-05-25)

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Galbraith
    Seconded by:Councillor Stolte
    Receive and file Information items, having been considered by Council:
    CARRIED
  • Moved by:Councillor Nisan
    Seconded by:Councillor Bentivegna

    Enact and pass the following by-laws which are now introduced, entitled and numbered as indicated below:

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, Councillor Sharman, Councillor Bentivegna, and Mayor Meed Ward
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Kearns
    Seconded by:Councillor Sharman

    Enact and pass By-law Number 25-2025 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held April 15, 2025 being read a first, second and third time.

    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Moved by:Councillor Sharman
    Seconded by:Councillor Bentivegna

    10:34 (recess), 10:39 (reconvene), 10:56 (recess), 11:01 (reconvene)

    Adjourn this Council now to meet again at the call of the Mayor.

    11:42 a.m.

    CARRIED
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