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
  • Samantha Yew, City Clerk
  • Roxanne Gosse, Committee Assistant
  • David Thompson, Specialist, Digital Communications
  • Richard Bellemare, Specialist, Digital Communications

1.
Call to Order

 

2.
Land Acknowledgement

 

3.
National Anthem

 

4.
Roll Call

 

5.
Approval of the Agenda

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Galbraith
    Seconded by:Councillor Nisan
    IN FAVOUR: (6)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, and Councillor Bentivegna
    Absent (1)Councillor Stolte
    CARRIED (6 to 0)

6.
Declarations of Interest

 

None

7.
Proclamations 

 

8.
Recognition and Achievements

 

9.
Presentations

 

None

10.
Motion to approve Council Minutes

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

11.
Delegations 

 

12.
Petitions

 

None

13.
Recommendations from Standing Committees:

 

13.1
Committee of the Whole

 
  • CARRIED

a.
Appointment to Downtown BIA Board of Directors (LLS-38-25) (CCS)

 

  • Appoint the following member to the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) Board of Directors for a term to expire July 2033 or upon appointment of their successor:

    • Kimberley Nadherny
    CARRIED

b.
Appointments to the Burlington School Traffic Safety and Mobility Advisory Committee (LLS-39-25) (CCS)

 

  • Approve the appointments to the Burlington School Traffic Safety and Mobility Advisory Committee, as contained in confidential Appendix A to legislative services report LLS-39-25; and

    Publish the appointees’ names following approval by Council at their meeting to be held July 15, 2025.

    CARRIED

c.
Transit Youth Loyalty Pilot Program (CSS-11-25) (CCS)

 

  • Authorize the Director of Transit to implement the Youth Loyalty Pilot Program to cap paid transit rides for Youth at 20 paid rides per month between September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026; and

    Authorize the Director of Transit to prepare, for consideration, amendment to Rates and Fees By-law 70-2024 reflecting changes approved through report CSS-11-2025, in the form satisfactory to the Commissioner, Legal and Legislative Services / City Solicitor, or delegate; and

    Authorize the Chief Financial Officer to offset the estimated $46,000 cost of the pilot from the Provincial Gas Tax Reserve Fund.

    CARRIED

d.
Red Tape Red Carpet (RTRC) 2025 update (DGM-51-25) (GM)

 

  • Receive for information the Red Tape Red Carpet (RTRC) 2025 update contained in development and growth management report DGM-51-25.

    CARRIED

e.
2026 financial forecast (FIN-24-25)

 

  • Receive for information finance department report FIN-24-25 regarding the 2026 financial forecast as a budget reference document; and

    Request the Mayor and Members of Council to consider the contents of the 2026 Financial Forecast including revised Appendix A when preparing and reviewing the 2026 Proposed Budget.

    CARRIED

g.
2025 capital variance and project closure (FIN-19-25)

 

  • Receive for information finance department report FIN-19-25 regarding the 2025 capital variance and project closure.

    CARRIED

h.
Bromley Road area minor reconstruction – additional storm sewer works (PWS-31-25)

 

  • Approve additional storm sewer replacement scope for Bromley Road area minor reconstruction (RD-RR-1635) project, including additional funding in the amount of $900,000 from Infrastructure Renewal Reserve Fund, increasing the total project budget to $18,225,254 (net HST). 

    CARRIED

j.
Burlington Agricultural Action Plan (DGM-47-25)

 

  • Approve the proposed Burlington Agricultural Action Plan, as provided in Appendix A of development and growth management report DGM-47-25; and

    Direct the City Clerk to consider the request of the Burlington Agricultural and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee to include a representative from Burlington Economic Development & Tourism as part of the committee’s composition, during the forthcoming terms of reference review for all city advisory committees.

    CARRIED

l.
Confidential legal report regarding provincial facilitation for Millcroft Golf Course (LLS-41-25)

 

  • Direct the Commissioner of Development & Growth Management, or his designate, to attend the facilitation led by the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator regarding the Millcroft Golf Course and report back to Committee and Council to provide updates on the facilitation process and obtain instructions as required.

    CARRIED

n.
Confidential verbal update on a human resources matter (HRS-06-25)

 

  • Receive for information confidential verbal update regarding a human resources matter.

    CARRIED

f.
Motion memorandum regarding budget 2026 (COW-12-25)

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Sharman
    Seconded by:Councillor Bentivegna

    Endorse the attached Mayoral Decision on the 2026 budget, directing staff to prepare a budget with a target tax increase the order of 4.5%, of which the City portion will be in order of 3%, inclusive as outlined in Appendix A and a City of Burlington budget increase of 5.8% or less.

    Endorse the attached Mayoral Decision eliminating the veto period as outlined in Appendix B.

    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)
  • Moved by:Councillor Sharman
    Seconded by:Councillor Bentivegna

    Amendment

    Add the following words to the first paragraph of the main motion:

    Endorse the attached Mayoral Decision on the 2026 budget, directing staff to prepare a budget with a target tax increase the order of 4.5%, of which the City portion will be in the order of 3%, inclusive as outlined in Appendix A and a City of Burlington budget increase of 5.8% or less.

    IN FAVOUR: (6)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    OPPOSED: (1)Councillor Nisan
    CARRIED (6 to 1)

i.
2025 Corporate Asset Management Plan (PWS-30-25)

 

  • Approve the City’s 2025 Asset Management Plan, attached to public works report PWS-30-25 as Appendix ‘A’, and

    ​Endorse the approved asset levels of service strategy, as outlined in the 2025 Asset Management Plan; and 

    ​Direct the Chief Financial Officer to incorporate the financial requirements identified in the 2025 Asset Management Plan - specifically the recommended 10-year capital investment scenario - into the planned 2027 future Long-Term Financial Plan update, to ensure alignment between asset levels of service and long-range fiscal planning; and 

    ​Direct the Director of Engineering Services to publish the 2025 Asset Management Plan on the City’s website to ensure transparency and public accessibility, and to notify the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 588/17 under the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act. 

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

k.
Proposed public access easement encroachment – 419 Brant Street (DGM-60-25)

 

  • Conditionally approve three (3) private encroachments (two [2] permanent and one [1] seasonal) into the City’s 128 square metre public access easement located at the north-east corner of Brant Street and James Street, as set out in development and growth management report DGM-60-25; and

    Instruct the Commissioner, Legal and Legislative Services to draft and execute an encroachment and consent agreement between the proponent and the City to establish the terms of use for that space; and

    Direct the Commissioner of Development and Growth Management to incorporate the following terms of use into the proposed agreement:

    • the use would be limited between May 1st – October 31st;
    • the use would only be permitted between 7am – 10pm, 7 days a week;
    • the space would be publicly accessible.  Limited physical encumbrances to beautify the space (i.e. planter boxes) may be permitted provided that such encumbrances do not restrict public access or prevent or hinder public access;
    • flexibility is provided to allow the City to use the space as needed, given that sufficient notice has been provided to the user to allow them time to vacate the space, as required. 
    IN FAVOUR: (7)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Kearns, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    CARRIED (7 to 0)

m.
Confidential legal report regarding potential litigation for aquatics procurement (LLS-42-25)

 

Note: This item was discussed in a closed meeting under Item 16. Confidential Items and Closed Meeting.

13.2
Pipeline to Permit Committee

 

  • a.    Staff presentation regarding continuous improvement process update
           (PP-09-25)    
    b.    Planning Application Fee Review update – July 2025 (DGM-58-25)    
    c.    Pay-on-Demand Development Bonds Policy update (FIN-13-25)

    CARRIED

a.
Staff presentation regarding continuous improvement process update (PP-09-25)

 

  • Receive for information staff presentation regarding continuous improvement process update. (PP-09-25)

    CARRIED

b.
Planning Application Fee Review update – July 2025 (DGM-58-25)

 

  • Receive for information development and growth management report DGM-58-25 regarding planning application fee review update - 2025.

    CARRIED

c.
Pay-on-Demand Development Bonds Policy update (FIN-13-25)

 

  • Approve the revised Pay-On-Demand Development Bond Policy attached as Appendix A to allow transfers of letters of credits currently held by the City to surety bonds; and

    Authorize the Director, Community Planning, to execute amendments to development agreements entered into to amend contractual language related to acceptable forms of security, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner, Legal and Legislative Services / City Solicitor.

    CARRIED

13.3
Council Workshop Committee

 

a.
Learning from Helsinki (DGM-54-25)

 

  • Receive for information development and growth management report DGM-54-25 providing learning from Helsinki.

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

14.
Motion to Approve Standing Committee Minutes

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Galbraith
    Seconded by:Councillor Nisan

    Approve the following minutes:

    CARRIED

15.
Urgent Business

 

15.1
Electric Vehicle Charging Policy and fee options (PWS-02-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.PWS-02-25 - EV Charging Report and Policy .pdf
2.PWS-02-25 Appendix A - EV Chargers on City Property corporate policy.pdf
  • Moved by:Councillor Nisan
    Seconded by:Councillor Kearns

    Refer report Electric Vehicle Charging Policy and fee options (PWS-02-25) back to staff to consider the comments from Committee of the Whole, and report back to Committee of the Whole with updated recommendations by Q4 2025.

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

15.2
Zoning By-law Amendment for 1510 and 1515 North Service Road and 2202-2208 Industrial Street (DGM-52-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.DGM-52-25 Statutory Public Meeting and Recommendation Report - North Service Road and Industrial Street.pdf
2.DGM-52-25 Appendix A - Existing Zoning.pdf
3.DGM-52-25 Appendix B -Concept Plan.pdf
4.DGM-52-25 Appendix C -Public Comments.pdf
5.Appendix D - DGM-52-25 -Draft Zoning By-law V2.pdf
6.Appendix E - DGM-52-25 -Detailed Policy Analysis.pdf
  • Moved by:Councillor Stolte
    Seconded by:Councillor Nisan

    Approve the application for a Zoning By-law Amendment, as modified by staff in report DGM-52-25 and the Supplemental Staff Memo, to add one Convenience/Specialty Food Store and add Recreational Establishments to the CE-33 and CE-34 zones, and add Restaurant Uses, Veterinary Services, and Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessory Sales to the CE-33 zone; and

    Approve Zoning By-law 2020.508 with modifications and a Holding provision, attached as Appendix A to the Supplemental Staff Memo for DGM-52-25, to amend the “CE-33” and “CE34” zoning of the lands at 1510 and 1515 North Service Road and 2202-2208 Industrial Street; and

    Deem that Zoning By-law 2020.508 conforms to the Halton Region Official Plan, the 1997 Official Plan of the City of Burlington and the 2020 Official Plan and that there are no applications to alter the Official Plans with respect to the subject lands.

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

16.
Confidential Items and Closed Meeting

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Kearns
    Seconded by:Councillor Sharman

    That Council proceed into closed session on July 15, 2025 at 10:36 a.m. in accordance with the following provisions under the Municipal Act:

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

    Pursuant to Section 239(2)(f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose regarding item 13.1 (m)

    Confidential legal report regarding potential litigation for aquatics procurement (LLS-42-25)

    CARRIED

16.1
Motion to approve closed meeting minutes:

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Kearns
    Seconded by:Councillor Sharman

    Confirm the following confidential closed meeting minutes: 

    CARRIED

a.
Confidential closed meeting minutes for Committee of the Whole of June 9, 2025

 

b.
Confidential closed meeting minutes for Council Workshop of June 12, 2025

 

c.
Confidential closed meeting minutes for Committee of the Whole of July 7, 2025

 

d.
Confidential closed meeting minutes for Special Council of July 10, 2025

 

16.2
Confidential legal report regarding potential litigation for aquatics procurement (LLS-42-25)

 

17.
Rise and Report

 

Council reconvened into open session at 11:30 a.m.

17.1
Confidential legal report regarding potential litigation for aquatics procurement (LLS-42-25)

 

  • Direct the Commissioner of Legal and Legislative Services and City Solicitor or his designate to proceed in accordance with the instructions as directed by committee regarding confidential legal report on potential litigation for aquatics procurement (LLS-42-25) and report back to Council.

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

18.
Motions of Members

 

18.1
Elect Respect Resolution for Burlington Council (ADM-08-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.ADM-08-25 Elect Respect Resolution for Burlington Council.pdf
  • Moved by:Mayor Meed Ward
    Seconded by:Councillor Bentivegna

    Whereas democracy is healthy when everyone is able to participate fully and safely and contribute to the well-being of their community; and

    Whereas we are witnessing the disintegration of democratic discourse and respectful debate across all levels of government; and

    Whereas Ontario’s municipally elected officials are dealing with increasingly hostile, unsafe work environments facing threats and harassment; and

    Whereas social media platforms have exacerbated disrespectful dialogue, negative commentary, and toxic engagement which disincentivizes individuals, especially women and candidates from diverse backgrounds, from running for office; and

    Whereas in 2024, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) endorsed the resolution, “Harassment of Elected Officials” at the FCM conference highlighting the rising harassment and abuse faced by elected officials, impacting their ability to serve their communities; and

    Whereas better decisions are made when democracy is respectful and constructive and the voices of diverse genders, identities, ethnicities, races, sexual orientation, ages and abilities are heard and represented around municipal council tables; and

    Whereas the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) Healthy Democracy Project has identified concerning trends with fewer people voting in local elections and running for municipal office; and

    Whereas in 2024, female elected representatives from across Halton formed a group called HER (Halton Elected Representatives) which pledged to speak out against harassment and negativity in politics and called on elected officials to uphold the highest standards of conduct; and

    Whereas the HER group has launched a campaign called Elect Respect to promote the importance of healthy democracy and safe, inclusive, respectful work environments for all elected officials that encourages all individuals to participate in the political process; and

    Whereas on June 5, 2025, the Canadian Association of Feminist Parliamentarians launched a non-partisan Parliamentary Civility Pledge to encourage all parliamentarians to commit to end workplace harassment and increase civility on Parliament Hill, modelled after the pledge developed in Halton by representatives of HER; and

    Whereas Halton Regional Council passed this resolution unanimously on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

    IN FAVOUR: (6)Councillor Sharman, Mayor Meed Ward, Councillor Galbraith, Councillor Nisan, Councillor Stolte, and Councillor Bentivegna
    Absent (1)Councillor Kearns
    CARRIED (6 to 0)

19.
Council Information Package

 

20.
Motion to Receive and File Information Items

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Sharman
    Seconded by:Councillor Stolte
    Receive and file Information items, having been considered by Council:
    CARRIED

20.1
Correspondence regarding confidential verbal update on potential litigation for aquatics procurement (ADM-09-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.ADM-09-25 correspondence.pdf

20.2
Memorandum from staff regarding Electric Vehicle Charging Policy and fee options (PWS-02-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.PWS-02-25_ElectricVehicleChargingReferral_Memo_July15Council.pdf

20.3
Memorandum from staff regarding Zoning By-law Amendment for 1510 and 1515 North Service Road and 2202-2208 Industrial Street (DGM-52-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.DGM-52-25 Supplemental Memo.pdf

20.4
Correspondence from Thomas Duffries regarding motion memorandum regarding budget 2026 (COW-12-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.COW-12-25 correspondence Thomas Duffries.pdf

20.5
Delegation presentation from Jim Thomson regarding confidential legal report regarding potential litigation for aquatics procurement (LLS-42-25)

This item has attachments. 
1.LLS-42-25 Delegation Jim Thomson presentation.pdf

21.
Notice of Motion

 

None

22.
Motion to Approve By-Laws

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Galbraith
    Seconded by:Councillor Sharman

    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)

23.
Confirmatory By-law

This item has attachments. 
1.47-2025 Confirming by-law Council.pdf
  • Moved by:Councillor Bentivegna
    Seconded by:Councillor Kearns

    Enact and pass By-law Number 47-2025 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held month, day, year being read a first, second and third time.

    CARRIED

24.
Statements by Members and Staff

 

25.
Motion to Adjourn

 
  • Moved by:Councillor Nisan
    Seconded by:Councillor Galbraith

    10:36 a.m. (closed), 11:30 a.m. (open) 11:30 a.m. (recessed), 11:52 a.m. (reconvened). Councillor Stolte joined the meeting at 9:52 a.m.

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

    12:27 p.m.

    .

    CARRIED
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