TOWNSHIP OF WEST LINCOLN
CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
AGENDA

MEETING NO. TWO

Monday, March 17, 2025 at 6:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Township Administration Building

318 Canborough Street, Smithville, Ontario

NOTE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: All Cell Phones, Pagers and/or PDAs to be turned off. Members of the public who are attending and participating virtually are reminded to keep their microphones muted until they are acknowledged to speak. Additionally, for your information, please be advised that this meeting will be livestreamed as well as recorded and will be available on the Township's website.

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1.

CHAIR - Councillor Shelley Bradaric

Prior to commencing with the Corporate Services Committee meeting agenda, Chair Bradaric will note the following:

1. Comments can be made from members of the public for a matter that is on the agenda by advising the Chair during the "Request to Address an Item on the Agenda" Section of the agenda.
2. The public may submit written comments for matters that are on the agenda to [e-mail] before 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting for consideration by the Committee. Comments received after 4:30 p.m. on the day of the Committee meeting will be considered at the following Council meeting. Comments submitted are included in the record.
3. This meeting will be livestreamed as well as recorded and available on the Township’s website. 

2.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

The Township of West Lincoln, being part of Niagara Region is situated on treaty land. This land is steeped in the rich history of the First Nations such as the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. There are many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit from across Turtle Island that live and work in Niagara today. The Township of West Lincoln, as part of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, stands with all Indigenous people, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.

3.

CHANGE IN ORDER OF ITEMS ON AGENDA

4.

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST

5.

APPOINTMENTS

5.1

ITEM CS09-25

Geoffrey Verkade, NPCA
Re:  Trees for All 2025 Program Update
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

5.2

ITEM CS10-25

Chris Freure, Ontario Plowmen's Association
Re:  IPM 2025 - Information and Request for Corporate Partnership
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION UNDER SEPARATE COVER

6.

REQUEST TO ADDRESS ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

NOTE: Procedural By-law Section 10.13(5) – General Rules
One (1) hour in total shall be allocated for this section of the agenda and each individual person shall only be provided with five (5) minutes to address their issue (some exceptions apply).  A response may not be provided and the matter may be referred to staff.

Chair to inquire if there are any members of the public present who wish to address any items on the Corporate Services Committee agenda.

7.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

7.1

ITEM CS11-25

There are no Consent Agenda Items

8.

COMMUNICATIONS

8.1

ITEM CS12-25

Mayor Cheryl Ganann
Re:  Redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure Funding.

• RECOMMENDATION:

  Whereas municipalities face growing infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, public transit, water systems, and other critical services, which are essential to community well-being and economic development; and

  Whereas the current sources of municipal revenue, including property taxes and user fees, are insufficient to meet these increasing demands for infrastructure investment; and

  Whereas the Province of Ontario currently collects the Land Transfer Tax (LTT) on property 
  transactions in municipalities across the province, generating significant revenue that is not 
  directly shared with municipalities; and

  Whereas the Federal Government collects the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on property transactions, a portion of which could be directed to municipalities to address local infrastructure needs; and

  Whereas redistributing a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to municipalities would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for local infrastructure projects without creating a new tax burden on residents or homebuyers; and

  Whereas a redistribution of a portion of the existing Land Transfer Tax and GST would allow municipalities to better plan and invest in long-term infrastructure initiatives, supporting local economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents;

  1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That the Township of West Lincoln Council formally requests the Provincial Government to consider redistributing a portion of the Land Transfer Tax collected on property transactions to municipalities; and
  2. Be It Further Resolved That the Township of West Lincoln Council calls on the Federal Government to allocate a percentage of the GST collected on property sales to municipalities; and
  3. Be It Further Resolved That this redistribution of the Land Transfer Tax and GST should be structured to provide predictable and sustainable funding to municipalities, allowing for better long-term planning and investment in infrastructure projects that benefit local communities, thus ensuring that local governments receive a fair share of the revenue to address critical infrastructure needs; and
  4. Be It Further Resolved That copies of this resolution be forwarded to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs); and
  5. Be It Further Resolved That copies of this resolution be forwarded to all 444 Municipalities in Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for their endorsement and advocacy.

9.

STAFF REPORTS

9.1

ITEM CS13-25

Director of Corporate Services/CFO (Katelyn Repovs)
Re:  Information Report T-05-2025 - 2024 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council and Persons Serving on Any Bodies

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. That, Information Report T-05-2025, titled the “2024 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council and Persons Serving on Any Bodies”, dated March 17, 2025, be received for information.

9.2

ITEM CS14-25

Director of Legislative Services/Clerk (Justin Paylove)
Re:  Recommendation Report LLS-01-2025 - Lease Agreement for a portion of the Smithville Parkette/CIBC Parking Lot - Ken Brunaccioni (Dog Got It - Hot Dog Cart)

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. That, Recommendation Report LLS-01-2025, titled “Lease Agreement for a portion of the Smithville Parkette/CIBC Parking Lot – Ken Brunaccioni (Dog Got It – Hot Dog Cart)”, dated March 17, 2025, be received; and,
  2. That, the request to enter into a two (2) year lease agreement with Ken Brunaccioni for a portion of lands in the Smithville Parkette/CIBC Parking Lot, be approved; and,
  3. That, a By-law be presented at a future Council Meeting to authorize a two (2) year lease Agreement with Ken Brunaccioni for use of a portion of the land in the Smithville Parkette/CIBC Parking lot for his barbeque/refreshment cart.

9.3

ITEM CS15-25

Director of Corporate Services/CFO (Katelyn Repovs)
Re:  Recommendation Report T-06-2025 - Tendering and Purchasing Policy and Purchasing Card Policy Updates

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. That, Recommendation Report T-06-2025, titled “Tendering and Purchasing Policy and Purchasing Card Policy Updates”, dated March 17, 2025 be received; and,
  2. That, the updates to the Township’s Tendering and Purchasing Policy (POL-T-01-2015) and its Schedules A and B, as outlined, be approved; and,
  3. That, the updates to the Township’s Purchasing Card Policy (POL-T-02-18) and its Schedule A, as outlined, be approved.

9.4

ITEM CS16-25

Property Tax and Payroll Coordinator (Lisa Kasko Young) and Director of Corporate Services/CFO (Katelyn Repovs)
Re:  Recommendation Report T-07-2025 Tax Rate By-law

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. That, Recommendation Report T-07-2025, titled “2025 Tax Rate By-Law”, dated March 17, 2025, be received; and,
  2. That, the 2025 tax rates, attached as Schedule A to this report, be approved; and,
  3. That, By-Law 2025-13, to set the rates of taxation for the year 2025, be approved.

9.5

ITEM CS17-25

Director of Operations (Mike DiPaola)
Re:  Recommendation Report O-05-2025 - Water and Wastewater Rate Study and Financial Plan Request For Proposal (RFP) Award

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. That Recommendation Report O-05-2025 titled “Water and Wastewater Rate Study and Financial Plan Request for Proposal (RFP) Award”, dated March 17, 2025, be received; and
  2. That Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., be retained to complete the Water and Wastewater Rate Study and Financial Plan as outlined in RFP OPR 2025-02 at a price of $34,989.00 (excluding HST).

10.

OTHER BUSINESS

10.1

ITEM CS18-25

Members of Committee
Re: Verbal Updates from Members of Boards and Committees - If required

10.2

ITEM CS19-25

Members of Council
Re: Other Business Items of an Informative Nature

10.3

ITEM CS20-25

Councillor William Reilly
Re:  Municipal Purchasing By-law

• RECOMMENDATION:
  1. That, the Township of West Lincoln recognizes that recent trade tensions between Canada and the United States have led to increased economic uncertainty; and,
  2. That, the Township of West Lincoln recognizes the importance of ensuring fiscal responsibility while also supporting domestic industries and supply chains that contribute to local economic stability; and,
  3. That, the Municipality acknowledges its need to align with economic realities, while remaining compliant with existing Provincial and Federal trade agreements; and,
  4. That, Administration be directed to review the Purchasing By-law with a lens of supporting Canadian Industry and return with a report to a future Corporate Services Committee Meeting.

11.

NEW BUSINESS

NOTE:  Only for items that require immediate attention/direction and must first approve a motion to introduce a new item of business.  (Motion Required)

12.

CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

There are no confidential matters.

13.

DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

14.

ADJOURNMENT

The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at the hour of [time]