Transcript - Council Advances Development Charge Cuts - Committee of Council

Council Advances Development Charge Cuts - Committee of Council - March 04, 2026

Check one two. Testing audio. Check one two. Testing audio. Good morning, Councelor Santos. Can we test your audio? Good morning. Sorry about that. Can you hear me? Thank you. Yes, we can. Good morning everyone. As we begin today's meeting, we would like to acknowledge that we are gathering here today on the traditional territories of the Missosagas of the Credit Hudin Nani and the Wend nations who have called this land home since time immemorial. We recognize the Missosagas of the credit as original rights holders and the signitaries of treaty 19 and the Chaitton's purchase of 1818 and that the agreements made therein are foundational to our nationto-nation relationship. As a city, we are committed to our ongoing role in reconciliation through meaningful action rooted in truth, justice, and respect. We are grateful to the original caretakers of this land who have ensured we are able to work, play, and live in Bmpton now and in the future. Good morning and welcome to our meeting of Bmpton's committee of council. All members are present and um some are participating remotely. I would like to pass on to Mayor Brown. Um Mayor Brown, thank you. Um councelor Bor, I just want to say on behalf of the city um how sad it was to learn of the tragic news about Ken Mayhew, who is the CEO and the president of the Oller Foundation. um he had poured his heart into our city um and tragically passed away far too um young and you know I think we all heard about his illness in in December um but just how quickly it happened said he didn't really have an opportunity to express our appreciation admiration for his work I can tell you every fundraising pitch for the hospital he was there he was there crafting it um and it didn't matter if it was on the and in the evenings he didn't uh stop. And so it's a a sad day for our city. Um we have lowered our flags to pay tribute to someone who gave his life uh to our city and to healthcare. And uh I know he'll be smiling from heaven when uh the full construction starts at the second hospital because no one's hand is on that project more than uh Ken Mayheu. So uh I considered him a friend. I think he was a friend to the entire city of Bmpton and to the healthcare sector. So, it's a sad a sad week in the city of Bmpton to lose someone as special as him. Thank you, Mayor Brown. Um, Councelor Blushy, thank you. And, um, just to echo some of the words that Mayor Brown said, I knew Ken ever since I was a little kid. Um, seeing him and my father work together on uh on things that were all related to the hospital was uh was certainly a treat growing up. And having them just sit at the kitchen table in my house and strategize about how many how many people they can contact and and uh what what fundraisers they could they could conjure up and and develop and and just for for the people of Bmpton. And there was nobody more dedicated to health care and getting things done uh than Ken. He was a true he was a remarkable human being. Truly truly remarkable. And uh with this announcement, I would ask that the mayor um you know, we look at some uh great way that we can honor the man that uh that was was William Olser. For sure. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Madam Chair, thank you councelor Plesian. We'll take that as um direction for staff later on. Um our next is approval of agenda. Do any members do wish to add a business item to today's meeting? Councelor Fleshi. Yes. Uh thank you u Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'd like to add a discussion item about development charters. Thank you, Councelor Plesie. Councelor Power. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to add a discussion item about the Legion's 100th anniversary this year. Thank you. Seeing no other items to be added, we have a motion moved by councelor Fleshy to approve the agenda. Any oppose? All those in favor? Thank you. The motion carries. Next is um our declaration of interest under the municipal conflict of interest act. Do any members have a declaration of pecanary interest under the municipal conflict interest act? Seeing none, the clerk will so note for the meeting minutes committee. As a part of our consent motion process, I will read each agenda item that is subject to the consent motion and any member may verbally identify the item to be held for debate during the meeting. Any item not held for debate will be considered as a part of the consent motion and voted on for approval. I will start reading the relevant agenda items and members can identify any items to be held for debate. 7.1 staff update update uh government relations matter and consent 8.2.1 staff report agreements executive by administrative authority uh for October 1st to December 31st 2025 in consent 9.2.1 2.1 staff report request to begin procurement for CA center parking lot resurfacing W three in consent 9 uh held by councelor Plesi 9.2.2 staff report request to begin procurement inspection of storm sewer systems using CCTV cameras in consent 9.2.3 2.3 staff report request to begin procurement storm water management pond maintenance in consent. 9.2.4 staff report update on non-conventional storm water management facilities under Burks in consent. 10.2.1 staff report uh regarding budget amendment reimbursement of one pedestrian trail plan 43 M1714 ward 8 held by councelor power. 13 referred matters list in consent 15.1 close report administrative authority to executive lease agreement for city hall bridge concession ward 3 in consent 15.2 close report outsourcing concessions operations in city-owned recreation centers held by councelor plesi and the other will be held for updates. Uh the clerk will summarize those items to be included on the consent motion for approval. Dear chair, the following items will be included on the consent motion. 7.1 staff update government relations matters. 8.2.1 staff report agreements executed by administrative authority. Uh 9.2.2 staff report request to begin procurement inspection of storm sewer system using CCTV cameras. 9.2.3 2.3 staff report request to begin procurement storm water man management pond maintenance 9.2.4 Four, staff report, update on non-conventional storm water management facilities under parks. 13 referred matters list. 15.1 closed report administrative authority to execute lease agreement. Thank you, Madame Clerk. I have a motion moved by Deputy Mayor Singh to approve the consent motion. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. Um, we have one announcement. Um, this will be Michael Vickers, executive director, Bmpton Arts Organization, which was sponsored by Regional Counselor Tour. Councelor Tour, would you like to say a words, couple of words before we bring them up? Okay, please come up to the podium. You have two minutes. Thank you. Thank you so much. Good morning, everyone. Good morning, mayor and members of council. I'm here today on behalf of the Bmpton Arts Organization to warmly invite you all to our fifth annual Bmpton Film Showcase on Thursday, April 9th, presented again in collaboration with our friends here in tourism, film, and economic development. What began as a very small event a couple years ago for a handful of guests uh will now host 800 visitors as we rent out the Rose Theater. Our film showcase is a celebration of the incredible film and video talent emerging right here in our city. filmmakers, producers, actors, and creators who are building careers and telling powerful stories from Bmpton about Bmpton to the rest of the world. This is more than just a night at the movies, but a space where the film industry connects, creators see what's possible, and where our community comes together to celebrate and encourage the next generation of storytellers locally across Canada. The screen industry generates billions in economic impact, creates highquality jobs, attracts new investment, and fuels tourism and innovation. This event is in support of the city of Bmpton's film and television office strategy approved by council in 2024 and we're happy to see that strategy continue to be front and center and implemented in an ongoing way. Bmpton has many different film organizations, extraordinary talent and proximity to major production infrastructure. If we want to compete with those other cities and lead, we must ensure that there is the support, visibility and infrastructure to succeed. I hope you'll all join Bao and the film uh folks at the city on the rose on April 9th uh at the rose on April 9th alongside many special guests and other levels of government as we celebrate Bmpton filmmakers here at home strengthen this growing sector and help uh Bmpton establish itself as a film friendly city with a strong film strategy. Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy the popcorn. Thank you so much. We have councelor Tur on the board. Thank you. Thank you uh Michael for making this uh wonderful announcement here today. I don't have much to add on to uh what you just said other than the incredible work that the entire team uh here does and I hope that uh the word reaches out to the public and more and more people um join this film showcase and if I can ask members of council after all the announcements are done perhaps if we can take a group picture to help promote this as well. Thank you. Thank you for the popcorn. You're welcome. Thank you councelor Tr and thank you so much for the presentation. So we have three more delegations. There might be some pictures opportunities after that. So we'll go from there. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have a number of delegations. Um we have three. Um we will welcome Donna Busher and Kathy Crocetti. You have up to five minutes. Welcome. Good morning. Good morning. Is this my control for the PowerPoint here? Next. Okay. Thank you so much. Uh good morning uh Madame Chair, Mayor Brown, and members of council. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is Donna Boucher and I'm here on behalf of Making Prom happen, a community-led organization that supports youth across Peele. We ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend prom. Next slide, please. Since 2023, we have supported hundreds of youth across Peele, growing quickly from a grassroots initiative. Next slide, please. We are now a registered charity with strong governance and structured intake process. Next slide, please. Our work is supported by over 60 dedicated volunteers each year, several of whom are present today to provide their support in person. Thank you so much for coming. We're so incredibly grateful to them for their passion and dedication to the youth in Peele. Next slide, please. What we've learned is that demand continues to grow, but access isn't equal, particularly when transportation and storage limitations uh limit who can participate. Next slide, please. Youth from across the city sign up, but transportation remains a real barrier. Some students face hours of transit to attend. We're developing solutions like the event access equity project so that geography doesn't determine opportunity. Next slide, please. Storage directly affects our ability to scale responsibility. Responsibly, pardon me. Stable storage allows us to plan ahead, reduce costs, and serve more youth each year. Next slide, please. When counselors help share our work across their channels, it helps us connect with youth, volunteers, and community partners. Next slide, please. Each year, this program creates an inclusive space for youth to celebrate milestones with impacts that go well beyond one event. Last year, we had a mom say that she never thought she'd get to go shopping for a prom dress with her daughter. So, not only are we helping our youth in the community, we're also helping parents. Next slide, please. We're so grateful for all the support that counselors have already shown to us over the last three years. Next slide, please. Looking ahead, we're looking for continued partnership to help strengthen youth supports across the city of Bmpton. Next slide, please. Programs like this build confidence, inclusion, and long-term community benefit. Next slide, please. At the center of this work are the young people themselves. And I'd like to invite Michaela, our youth ambassador program team lead, to briefly share the youth perspective. Hi everybody. Um, at the core of making prom happen, it's truly about breaking barriers. Um, a personal testimony of mine is that, um, growing shopping in a big family, um, when my older siblings were looking for their prom outfits, it wasn't do you like it or do you enjoy it, it was how much is it? And so like to have the option to receive a prom outfit not only stops financial barriers but also supports families and needs in our communities. Thank you. Thanks Michaela. Next slide please. Making prom happen is ready to grow responsibly. We invite the city to support equitable access for youth through possible transportation solutions and community visibility. Every dress, every suit, every dance, every smile. Together, we are making prom happen. We look forward to continuing this work in partnership with the city of Bmpton. Thank you for your time today and we would be happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Thank you, Donna. And thank you, Michaela. I know you felt very nervous there, but you did amazing job coming here up on the podium maybe for probably for the first time ever. So, thank you again. Um, we do have councelor Keenan followed by councelor Maderas on the board. Thank you, Madam Chair, and Donna. Thank you so much for coming in. Um, an absolute joy to come there and see the incredible work you do. Um, I had the privilege of being there last year and the year before, but last year specifically to go around and really engage with the people that were there. Um, I remember one instant helping a young man pick out a a shirt and tie that matched. Um, I'm I'm definitely known for trying to make sure my outfits look good. So, I was trying to pass off that experience to to the youth. Um, but just really seeing the work that you're doing is, you know, I I never go going back to when I was in high school, I never really thought about it. Um, and seeing the amount of people that come through those doors for the short period of time that I was there was incredible. So, the work that you're doing is well needed. Um, and completely, uh, support it. Happy to share it, happy to spread the word, donate some of my extra ties, um, and, and, uh, and anything else we're able to do. And I know we had a conversation last year about transportation and the real struggle that you have with getting people from certain areas. I I don't know what we're capable of doing, but I would ask that maybe through his delegation that staff could report back to us if there is anything um that we're able to do um from a transportation um initiative. Um obviously not knowing what that would cost the municipality, but just look and at least they could report back to us and we can make a decision um based on that. Um you know, it is very important because I know that there's a lot of students that can't come because of that issue. Um, and every student deserves to be at their prom and look their best. Uh, so I would encourage all of my colleagues if you have extra suits, tied, shirts, um, they're definitely well needed. Um, and I don't know if if transit could pipe in and maybe let us know if there is anything or where we could do. Yeah. Uh, thank you through the chair. Uh, one of the things that could be considered if they've got some kind of formal u event pass that they can get in. One of the things that we could look at is potentially extending that uh to offer free uh transit service to get to and from the event on that day. We can have some further conversations with the event staff to in order to try to define how much that would be. So yeah. So then I would love to refer this delegation to you to see what could come from that. I think that would be a massive help. Um and uh really appreciate that suggestion. Um so looking forward to the event. Hope it's a smashing success and hopefully transit are able to provide um something to get more students to to the event. So that's all for me. Thank you for coming. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Councelor Keenan. And um we do have councelor Mader. Well, thank you through you, Madam Chair. Uh um thank you again for delegating. I echo everything that councelor Kenan has said. Um I was uh I remember when you came to the region and uh it it sort of hit me and more so this year and I think everyone personalizes the stories. My daughter's at that age where she's getting ready for prom and and there was so much even pressure about the dress that you had that that there apparently there was some centralized area on Instagram where they'd have to take a picture to make sure they're not duplicating dresses and like it was just so but like I I didn't realize the pressure. I never went to my own prop so I I just skipped it. But um now understanding so uh as councelor Kenan suggested uh um certainly uh in terms of timeliness when would you need an answer? Um because we can maybe have a staff report to council next week as there's that twoe l in March break. Would staff be able to sort of come back uh to council next week and uh and maybe speak to them offline to see what their needs are? Yeah, through through the chair. Yes, we can we can do that. Okay. So as part of councelor Kanan's uh so this way comes next week and uh and then after um you know obviously uh I'm happy I guess to donate or each counselor if they want to donate uh we'll contact you offline and we'll just see how this works with the transit and everything but thank you so much. I appreciate how important it is and uh certainly I hope to join councelor Keenan over there at Turner and uh the night of the prom. So thank you very much. Thank you. We'd love to see you and we want your suits. Thank you, Council Madurus. Um um just want to say thank you so much for being here and please sit tight. We will be doing um pictures after this so we can have council members come up and we can help promote it. Um but also um encourage everyone to donate duress too. Okay. Thank you again. Thank you so much. Oh, we have a motion a move by councelor Keenan to be referred to staff for consideration. Any opposed? All in favor? Thank you. The motion carries and report back to council by next week. Thank you. Our next delegation is from Lisa Clark. You have up to five minutes. Welcome, Lisa. Thank you so much. I am vertically I need this lower. Um, hello council and thank you so very much for allowing me to delegate with you all this morning. My name once again is Lisa Clark and I stand before you today on behalf of Equal Peele, a 2SLGBTQIA plus community group with a call to action for empowering queer unity and leadership in Peele region. And for some reason, I'm getting emotional, so please forgive me um if I quiver as I give this presentation. Next slide, please. Our mission at Equal is to be a culturally informed Wow, I wasn't expecting this. Can we all take a collective deep breath, please? You can take your time. I know we don't have a lot of time. Take your time. Okay. Okay. Here we go. A community- based network and resource hub providing safe spaces, support programs, and visibility for any and all queer residents of Bmpton, Missaga, and Kaledan, including newcomers, families, and those not out. I'm going to laugh at myself this whole time. I'm so very sorry. Next slide, please. Although today's goal of delegation is to simply introduce our group, Equal's vision is to cultivate a funded year-round strategy in Peele that is representative of all identities in the region. Next slide, please. The key challenges we've come together to face stem from a lack of data, social barriers, fragmented planning, and limited resource allocation. All of which prevent meaningful conversation and safe space creation in a city that really boasts diversity, equity, and inclusion. Next slide, please. Peele has a comprehensive DEI strategy which outlines goals around belonging, inclusive services, and cultural safety. But without targeted inclusion, planning efforts fail to reflect the needs of queer residents, especially those who are trans, racialized, and newcomer groups. Thank you for next slide. That being said, we do have a glimmer here in Bmpton. There's many glimmers here, evidenced by the municipality's EDI strategy that names the queer community explicitly. And we're here today because we know that we can do what you have set out to do but together. And bridging a gap with Equal Peel, sorry, a relationship rather with Equal Peel as a community and resource hub can lead to tangible and quantifiable results of your strategic efforts while layering in a perspective of hope and joy and connection that takes your strategy just beyond anti-discrimination um sorry anti-harassment and non-discrimination. Next slide, please. In order to do that, it's important to address the absence of queer spaces beyond Pride Month. There's no dedicated queer community center hub or year-round municipality programming in Bmpton, Missaga, or Kaledan. And although community supports exists, um they operate independently and lack sustainable municipal funding. Next slide, please. All of this leads to our greatest problem, which is that broadly inclusive in-person public programs for queer community are limited, which means that people are leaving the region in order to find community. Next slide, please. Once again, though, we do have a glimmer here and we know that you know your citizens are diverse and we know you care deeply about equity, diversity, and inclusion. And the creation of the spark erg gives citizens like me and like us hope. We're here to turn that hope into initiatives that extend beyond the city's internal programs for the benefit of its constituents. Next slide, please. I'm going to skip a couple slides if you could. Uh, next. Next. Uh, actually one back, please. And thank you. What we know is that representation inspires investment and investment inspires retention. Next slide, please. Events like queer markets, and not just during June, but year-round events like queer markets, drag brunches, film nights attract not only queer residents, but allies, families, and tourists. Safe queer hubs like community cafes, art spaces, and bookstores create jobs. Local traffic and civic pride. Artists, facilitators, and entrepreneurs like myself stay and contribute when they feel represented and safe. And all of this is going to contribute to both economic and community development. This is work that cannot solely be done inside the walls of city hall. It requires an interconnected network of people, resources, and support to really see it through. Next slide, please. Since our first meeting in September of 2025, as equal peel, we've created I see I have two seconds left. I have two slides. May I take them? Thank you. Since our first meeting in September of 2025, we have created a leadership group of approximately 22 residents. We've run three queer centered events in collaboration with local businesses and residents and we have grown our Instagram following to over 400 people all through word of mouth and grassroots effort. Next slide, please. A relationship between the city of Bmpton and Equal Peele means that together we can create a safer connected queer community, reduce the need for Bmpton residents to leave Peele for support and belonging, and establish the city of Bmpton as a model for intersectional queer inclusion in suburban Canada. We hope that as the city continues to do its inclusion work through groups like Spark that equal will be invited to the table and considered for providing to us LGBTQIA plus perspectives, events and community initiatives. Thank you very much. Thank you Lisa. Um you did amaz amazing job. Um we do have council on the board. Uh thank you madam chair. Thank you for your courage and um you know and and it makes it easier for us when there's a clear sort of ask and and correct me if I'm wrong. I ask is you would like more collaboration with the city um you know regarding some of the events that you're doing um and uh and I think is that correct what I with with with June coming up um we know that pride is on the table as um a planning something that the city is most likely planning and um given last year's event we were grateful that it existed and the the feedback that I've received from members within in my community are that um it was lacking uh intention and lacking forgive me I don't mean to I don't want to overstep but it was it was uh performative it felt performative as opposed to really doing what it could have done for queer residents in Peele um and I thank you very much and I think as we evolve um in uh ensuring that we have inclusive spaces and um you know uh this is a learning for me as a as a counselor as a uh you're always learning but I'm happy to refer this to staff to our equity office to have contact uh so that you guys can sort of contact each other and I do like what you mentioned that it's just not in June it should be something uh throughout the year and uh I think you know as a community and as one of the counselors represents downtown we have some exciting activation sort of plans with uh uh garden square the enlargement of garden square all that stuff so it would be great. Uh, you know, we heard councelor Keen and myself comments yesterday how uh people wanted it, for lack of a better term, more eclectic, more individualized. They just didn't want to have a standardized, for example, uh um stores there or or uh food offerings. They wanted it to be different and and and you know, and one of the things that I I think is important is that that you feel that you know, you're you're being engaged with as long as other organizations. So, I'm happy to refer this to staff and I thank you so much uh for coming through and if there's uh um more than happy if you want to have uh meetings just to be more sort of educate us a little bit more. I' I'd be more than willing to to meet with your organization to understand where I can sort of be more helpful and uh and help uh educate myself on how I can be uh sort of more responsive and and understand what's happening. So, I thank you so much for coming forward. I appreciate that. Thank you so much, counselor. Thank you, Council Madaras. Councelor Thank you through you, Madam Chair. Thank you, uh, Lisa for coming and delegating today. That was a wonderful presentation. Uh, just to um, you know, piggy back on what Council Maduro just said. Uh, if there's more work that you feel we can do and and collaborate better uh, with you and other groups that you may know of, I think that's a great opportunity for as I see in the audience we have Val who does a lot of programming and I hope you're connected to them. If not, please take that opportunity. Someone from our group is. Yes. um you know they would be an amazing um uh team to work with as well. I see our team here from economic development that does uh through the Bmpton entrepreneur center we do various founder nights. If we could do something about career founders and and leadership uh kind of I don't know talks or nights or events that we can host at that space I think that would be awesome as well. But I think this is in the right direction that if we can refer this to staff um and and they can help you collaborate with the different teams that we have and all the work that they do. I think uh it would be excellent to see um and like you said not just in June but throughout the throughout the rest of the year. But thank you for coming and delegating today. And I I I also encourage you to come and delegate at regional council if you can because I know a lot of the talk that you did was about Peele in general as well. So if you can please come out uh to regional appeal council that would be helpful too and maybe we can do something similar there. Wonderful. Thank you so very much. Thank you councelor T. We have um thank you Lisa again. Um we have a motion moved by council to refer to staff. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. Perfect. Our next um delegation is from Marcy Gray, CEO, lead consultant, Gray Matter Health. Welcome. You have up to five minutes. Thank you so much, Madame Chair and members of council and Mayor Brown. Uh I I've practiced this and I know it's probably seven so I might ask for two minute grace but I'll go as fast as I can this morning. Uh so thank you so much. Uh my name is Marcy Gray. I'm just going to probably say slide to move to the next slide if that's okay. So slide please. Uh I am the CEO of Grey Matter Health. I'm a psychotherapist and a clinical director there and I've have over 20 years experience in the field of social services and mental health. Slide please. I am also a media guest expert. I'm a course instructor at the University of Toronto and a PhD researcher really focused on mental health in the workplace, psychological health and safety and leadership. Next slide please. Our team is a growing team at gray matter health. We do uh two arms is we have one arm that does counseling, the other that does consulting. Next slide please. And we are part of the BIA. We're downtown Bmpton here and we're at 60 Queen Street at the mill. So we service Bmpton, but we also service um next slide please. All of Ontario through virtual services and through keynotes and training and workshops and leadership coaching and consulting. Next slide please. So, I'm here to talk about Bmpton's black community specifically. And uh as you know, we are the um second largest racialized group within uh in Bmpton. Next slide, please. And I want to kind of talk about the late Jesse Jackson and how he had a you know, he has a little video going around now uh about I am somebody and really that mantra of I am somebody. And so I want us to kind of think about that when we think about the black community even here in Bmpton. Next slide, please. And so we are a vibrant black community of many different cultures and backgrounds. We're resilient. We've got black joy. We have a lot of different communities within the black community. And we are somebody here in in Bmpton. Next slide, please. uh we in terms of black mental health focus on leaning towards each other and organizations and even faith to build our our mental health. Next slide please. And though we are resilient, we have the realities and challenges of black mental health uh in which we know that studies show here in Canada that there's elevated levels of depression and anxiety rates. Some of that has to do with anti-black racism and the experiences of discrimination uh throughout uh black lives. Uh racial trauma that is experienced, struggles with identity for youth uh that can lead to poor mental health or substance use or other struggles and microaggressions within the workplace is still very prominent and is experienced by a lot of professionals in predominantly white spaces. Next slide, please. We also in terms of realities know that in our mental health care system, health care system, criminal justice system, child welfare system, there are challenges that we can speak of in regards to uh mental health and wellness. Next slide, please. So, anti-black racism is something that we talk about throughout Black History Month, but throughout the year within black communities around the impacts of that and the impacts of mental health uh having to do with that. So the lack of culturally responsive supports within even Bmpton and the poor psychological health that's experienced within schools and within the workplace is still something that is distressing to the black community. Next slide please. And so what I'm proposing is uh that we have a stronger black mental health week. So as I inquired I realized that the city does recognize black mental health week. So that's amazing. I I just did a talk a keynote speak for Toronto's Black Mental Health Week. So, um I'm I'm happy to be a part of anything that the city is doing as well. I have one minute. Okay, let me go faster. Uh so, Black Mental Health Week, um I'd love it to be next slide. A little more prominent within the city. So, activating our workplaces, our schools, our community. Um next slide, please. And so engaging not just um this within the city but different departments within the city, our universities, our school systems, our health systems, organizations, businesses, libraries, all collaborating towards a common goal, which is working on black mental health. So I'm proposing that we have a black mental health coalition that works on awareness and support. Next slide, please. as well as um the objectives of strengthening a cross- sector collaboration, informing policy and engaging workplaces as well. Next slide, please. Uh the impacts of this can be tremendous and I'll let you just read that slide on your own and we'll move to the next slide, please. Uh we want to break the stigma by and for the black community around mental health and wellness. Next slide, please. And as we build um awareness, we're going to impact change in multiple sectors and systems. Next slide. This is our last. Um and that change is not symbolic but life-changing. Next slide please. And we want to know we I do a lot of research around black mental health. And behind every statistic is a young person trying to cope, a parent trying to hold it together, a worker trying to be seen, a community trying to be heard. And so what I'm encouraging us to do is to have this black mental health coalition so that we can definitely say that the city of Bmpton knows that we are somebody as a black community. Thank you. Thank you so much for your presentation and thank you Marcy for coming in. And when we really talk about the black community, especially in Bmpton, there's a lot of great things that have been done across the city. And I know um thank you to you and your team for you know breaking those barriers and stigmas that the black community has been facing. So I do have counselor um okay councelor Plesi on the floor. Thank Thank you, Madam Chair. And I was just going to say um I don't know if a referral to staff or Yes. Yeah. But let's just do it like it doesn't we don't need a report back, right? So, can't we just I know procedurally uh we we can't we need to refer to staff, but maybe just mayor and the unbelievable human beings that we have here. Garnet and Candace in the in the audience that we can just go ahead and do something about it and start and add something to the effect and let's you know it's whenever you're talking about anybody's mental health um you know it's it's very important to talk about it that's the biggest thing so so let's do it and thank you so much for coming and would love for you to come to the region of PO as well for community safety wellbeing um have you incorporated in that as well because That's it's some fantastic work going going through there and maybe through ResMan's team um here at the city that we can we can have those discussions and start those on ongoing dialogues. But thank you so much for coming. Thank you. Thank you. We do have Commissioner Jason Tammings and just through the chair, I know um as council knows, we've we've recently had the black community consultations and so maybe the equity office can have have a follow-up meeting with the group and before that comes back to council that we can include some of um their ideas into that plan. Thank you. Thank you, Council Peshy, and thank you uh Jason Tammy. So, I think um I would support the referral to staff. Um Council Peshy, what were you thinking? Maybe coalition, I think. Yeah. So, refer to staff um just regarding the Black M mental health week coalition. And I think um it would be great for you to be part of that because we've seen all the work that you've been doing in the committee. So, we have a motion moved by councelor Plesi to refer to staff. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries and please wait for our picture. Maybe we can get that done right after um we are done. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you. We are at the end of our delegation. So, if I can ask council members to come for there's a couple of pictures that need to be taken and we can go from there. Thank you. If I can ask um anyone who is um not part of this conversation or wants to leave if they can leave right now that would be great. Thank you so much. We'll start the next part. Hello everyone. So we're going to start our the we're going to continue We're going to continue our council meeting and if anyone who um does not want to be here, if they can leave now, that'll be appropriate. Thank you so much. So, we'll go on to our next item, government relations matter, which was put in consent. Our next item is corporate services section. We have a discussion item by councelor Plesi. Councelor Plesi, you have the floor. Thank you. Uh madam chair. Um I guess to start going back a few months uh brought uh something forward and uh at the time that Mayor Brown was reducing the uh the DC's for purpose-built rental now dubbed the Patrick Brown rental program. Um, now that uh uh we're looking at, you know, some some potential good numbers coming in, it's uh fingers crossed and and it's, you know, there's starting to be some activity. Um, we looked at anything that was coming up uh for, you know, any regular um housing. Um, in terms of uh with the the regions uh initiatives that they had done or incentives, if you if you have to call them something, I guess you can call them incentives, but um and we're not really seeing the uptick. We're hearing from Missaga that they certainly have um an uptick on, you know, things that they've done and Kaledan's looking at also uh providing opportunities. I think VN's there's other municipalities that have uh equally uh provided some types of of opportunities. Um so the report that or the uh discussion that we had a few months ago um and now has kind of dubbed into an opportunity for us to work with staff to try and develop something um some kind of DC I don't want to call it initi incentive but you kind of have to uh something to stimulate uh the economy and this comes from opportunity or discussions that I've had with so many residents um that that we represent um and just having dialogues and conversations about, you know, how how is life going right now? And it's a struggle out there. It's uh the economy right now isn't isn't doing so well. And after, you know, going through a extremely tough budget, um having those discussions, it it's it's tough. But then further getting into a little more conversation with some residents, the majority of those residents, their job relates somehow to housing and that's a big driver for the economy um in uh in the city of Bmpton, the region of Peele and right across Ontario. Um, so really want to look at opportunities where, you know, this can potentially be something uh that stimulates uh opportunity, opportunity for people to to get back to work, opportunity for people to get back to normal hours, not the 20-hour work week um that that people are are working now. That's that doesn't pay the bills, doesn't put food on the table. Um and uh you know I I'd seen tons of stats that were coming out of the housing uh development industry about you know the amount of jobs that um that they employ uh uh daytoday in in one particular subdivision compared to other other jobs and and it's been it's there's some there's some massive numbers um that are out there. So, um, wanted to work with staff, work with finance, and, uh, and kind of spur something, some kind of conversation. And Mark and Nash have been fantastic, and Richard and and Michael have have been really f really great working together in trying to to get something. Um, we're looking at our our DC bylaw, um, and the current DC bylaw that, you know, even Hempson is is going through to um, is it Hempson? Yeah, it's Hamson or Watson. Hson. Um that's always looking for opportunities for for us to uh try and save money or um uh uh provide opportunity. Um so in in those discussions and discussions with with planning that you know that go back to um you know the 413 and Bram West Parkway. We have a Bram West Parkway that, you know, I consider right now not not needed. Um, councelor Ber myself certainly don't want more roads in the west end of Bmpton that, you know, a highway is is going to be going to be going up the the west end spine of of the city through Bram West and through Heritage Heights. Um, so that's a road that can be deleted. that can be taken out of out of our our uh our bylaw um the DC bylaw. So that that's money that can be hopefully allocated or um or uh provided to the economy uh in in some kind of DC reduction. Um, and if I would ask staff that, you know, because of the economy right now and the downturn and, you know, the even the loss in ridership in transit, you know, what current what else is there out there that that we could potentially look at um providing a a stall or or or a deletion or a um anything that we can do to um to to make some kind of to start some kind of initiative. So, um I think just that starting dialogue in terms of the work that's been done, the work that Mayor Brown brought forward, um and uh and opportunities that the region has has been provided, but also the opportunity that we can also ask other levels of government that are continuing to push for uh for housing to to actually be a really a part of this. and um utilize some some dollars that are that are potentially out there. So um wanted to ask staff to uh work with us to develop some kind of motion for next week. Um, and you know, and not out even like giving Hempson a a call to to provide information because I know internally, you know, we're um we're working diligently and hard in our own um uh the DC uh area of the city, which I think is in finance, but I'm not 100% sure. Um but you know getting that information and coming back next week with a motion that hopefully all of council can get behind and certainly one that you know reduces the $68 million for the Bram West Parkway. Um I think there's regional dollars there also that you know that have been um budgeted towards that Bram West Parkway that are probably could potentially be owed to us. I don't know uh how that would work, but um any opportunity that uh that staff can can come up with and and bring something forward next week for for council to uh uh to support would be great. Thank you, Councelor Plesi. Seeing seeing no other Mayor Brown, you have the floor. Yeah, I I think this could be a helpful exercise to get all the information. I support this motion from councelor Plushie. I have had a ton of discussions over the last six months about looking ways um to incentivize this this sector for more in the single family home uh front. Um I do think there's an opportunity with the regional cuts if we do something that it's compounded. Um at the same time um and if outside services like Hemstead is required to get accurate numbers I think that's um appropriate. Um, I would say we just need to make sure that um it's all accounted for. I think some of the projects we we've looked at that are not going to be built during this DC study are great examples. If it's not going to be built, then why is it in the DC study? And so I think there's two projects that that we've already identified that could be pushed um out and more is more honest be pushed out because it's not in the current timetable. Um, and that would that that could get about $10,000 per single family unit, but I think if the goal is to match the 50% of the region, we still have some work cut out. I would note the city of Missaga used their housing accelerator funds um for this and we've already allocated those to projects and so there are some complications there, but I think whatever mechanisms they are, let's get it on the table. deferring projects that aren't going to be built, I think, is is the honest approach because it's consistent. Um, but I just want to make sure it doesn't put us in a position next budget where we have to borrow a significant fund. Um, this has my support as long as we're not in a position where we have to make a massive um, uh, borrow unless of course it's under it's underwritten by the province or the federal government. But happy to support this today. Thank you, Mayor Brown. We do have a motion on the floor that staff be requested to investigate potential means or opportunities with respect to development charges, incentivization, and to develop a draft motion for consideration at March 11, 2026 meeting of council. Councelor Plesi, does that seem right to you or did you want to make any changes? Council followed by councelor. Thank you. If if we could just take out in following councelor Plesie's comments from before, we just take out incentivization. I don't think we need that. And uh my only other comment madam chair was I believe our commissioner would like to say something just through the chair just so um understand with the team what we're taking back is this to come back um so small but mighty uh DC team a few folks are off sick so if it's just a motion is the motion to then come back with a report or is it to go execute something like are you looking for all the financial options next week um for what that entails just for clarity. Thank you, Councelor Fleshy. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for the question. A great question. I think a ton of work has already been done, so it's not like diving deep into currently what we have a call to Mson for some data. Um, but um not not a huge blown out report. Let's bring a motion forward that we that we think is is you know supportable by all um staff and and council for next week. Okay. Thank you. But thank you. And I did want to take out incentives wise it's causing me problems with using that terminology when you know in all it's it's a reduction in in DCs. It's not really an It is an incentive, but but it shouldn't be an incentive when you're when you you know, we're in this together to to spark the economy and get people back to back to work. So, just the reduction in developing church would be a better term to use. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Councelor Fleshy. Mayor Brown, just one point just to make on the report. I know they always look at projects that can be um deferred. I just want I think council is all on the same page here. We don't want to see any ation projects on that list. Um particularly the the ones Howen and Empton that we're borrowing to make sure we can complete on on time. That's based on getting those DC dollars in. And so sometimes you put a list and I've seen unfortunately every it's like whacken as those recreation pops back up on that list. I think it's fair to say council ples you agree we don't want to see recreation projects on that list. Councelor Fleshy. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I think if I if I can and we're kind of asking for two different things. So, one thing is we'd like staff's honest opinion on, you know, the economy where it is today as opposed to when we first put whatever we put into the DC bylaw review. What does staff come forward with thinking that this isn't realistic, right? We don't want we're not asking you to make a decision. We'll we'll make the decision. That's what we're elected to do. But what do you feel are some of those items that you know potentially there's a there's a very slim chance and in those are those are going to get built. That being said, none of us want to take out any recreation. So that's one side of it and then the other side of it is a motion that we all get behind. So just uh through the chair to clarify. So brief report understood and a motion. Um and then the report will also need to contemplate um the DC reserve and those elements and some timeline options for council to consider and we'll bring those back. Thank you. If if it works with the timeline, does April 1 work or does next? No, no, we we have to get this done because of everything that's happening at the region. It has to be a connection of the two. And the other thing of this is we want dollars in now. We want DC dollars in now. And so we need to come up with some kind of you can you probably use what the region has has used in terms of um what the contract is for people to take uh to get the 50% reduction at the region the same as us. But we want those DC dollars when they go to P pull building permit this year. We don't want it. I know it says occupancy and legally it is occupancy but if you want to if you want to um you want to take you want to have any part of this initiative initiative or reduction um you have to you have to upfront the the DC dollars at uh this year or at pulling a building permit. That's the only way this works right. So there has to be some of that give and take and if the development industry box at it it's then don't don't don't uh take uh take anything of the of the reduction then okay so we'll work closely with staff but do the scale it might be on the revised agenda just for okay thank you thank you councelor plesi we have um a motion moved by councelor plesi that is that staff be requested to investigate potential means or opportunities with respect to development chares and to develop a draft motion and report for consideration at March 11, 2026 meeting of council. Councelor Plesi, does that seem right to you? Uh, councelor Pi is a motion on the screen correct? Perfect. All in favor? Any oppose? Thank you. The motion carries our next council question period. Seeing no questions in this section, we'll move on to public question period. Madame clerk, do we have any questions from the public online or in person? You chair, we have no no questions at this time. Seeing none, we'll move on to our next section u public works and engineering section uh 9.2.1 which was held by councelor Plesi. Councelor Plesi, you have the floor. Thank you, madam chair. And it's not particular to uh you know this specific procurement but the fact that you look at Susan Fennel the issues that have been happening in that parking lot and I think anybody that's probably the area counselors probably know exactly what's happening at Susan Fennel. Um but the residents in two and six certainly seem to be asking us questions because they frequent Susan Fennel in terms of hockey tournaments and stuff. There's problems going on there. I hope that if we're looking at any parking lots that are going on in the city of Bmpton, we're not hiring whoever was doing the parking lot at Susan Fennel. Okay. Like they it's I don't I don't know what the problems are, but I I maybe staff can come back at at a later time to to let us know or conversations between the area counselors because they they probably know. But um I I I'm tired of feeling call not tired of feeling calls but I'm getting calls from people that go to Susan Fennel and the parking is an issue and there's massive like there's massive problems. Thank you madam chair. Thank you councelor Plesi commissioner through the chair to councelor plesi certainly understand the concern. And I I I will will point out uh the the work being conducted at Susan Fennel uh include um significant underground work related to the geothermal. So it's a lot more complicated as opposed to the work that we're doing u at the CA center. Having said that, we'll ensure that the contract is um managed appropriately and we'll have an appropriate contractor and won't have any of those types of issues. Councelor Fleshy, I'm sure it's much more complicated than that. I used to do geothermal. Geothermal is not that complicated. And if that's what the issue is or that's what they're blaming it on, Peter, like then I won't I won't continue, but I know we're on top of it and I know you guys are doing a great job and stuff and there's but somebody has to blame and I'm looking at the contractor to blame obviously. So, thank you. Mayor Brown. Yeah, I I recall hearing in a budget office briefing that uh the contractor is being required at their own expense to repair the parking lot and I believe that work was beginning this week. Um who was the contractor? You just explain what the city did to make sure the taxpayers are not out. Sure. Through the chair to uh to the mayor. Uh Johnson Controls is the the contractor for that overall project. There was some deficiencies that were identified that uh they're doing interimm repairs right now and we understand that is has been a sense of frustration for the community. They will be remobilizing in the spring and conducting the permanent repairs. So the the parking lot will get fixed. Certainly understand the um uh the concern and the frustration. We share them. We're holding the the contractor accountable and uh we're going to ensure that u something like this to your point councelor Plesi does not happen at the CA center. But just to be clear, who's paying for it through the chair? It's it's all covered by by the contractor. The the city is not going to be paying for any of this rectification. If the contractor is negligent, the city holds him accountable. Correct. Thank you. We have a motion moved by councelor Plesi that the report prepared by Shane Loftess, director of road maintenance, operations, fleet public works and engineering to the committee of council on March 4th, 2026 request to procure procurement for CA parking lots resurfacing ward 3 be received and that the purchasing agent be authorized to commence the procurement for CA parking lot resurfacing. Councelor Plushy, is that good? Okay. Um, all in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. Next, we'll be going on to question counselor question period. Seeing none in this section, public question period. Madame clerk, are there any questions online or in person for the public? Your chair. I don't see any questions online today. Seeing Thank you, Madam Clerk. Seeing none, we'll go on to our community services section. Um 10.2.1 was held by councelor Power. staff reached out to me and and uh answered all my questions. So, I'm happy to move it. Thank you. Um we have a motion moved by councelor Power. Uh all all in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The the motion carries now. Seeing um no question, councelor period, we'll move on to Oh, sorry, Madam Clerk. We do have the discussion item for councelor Power. Councelor Power, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, as many would know, and if you don't know, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion. We have two Legions here in the city of Bmpton, Legion 15, Legion 609. Um, I'm just thinking that maybe as a city and may maybe Brown can chime in, but maybe as a city we should be doing a little bit more to support the Legion in their efforts. I know um I've been reached out to by a couple of the le or the two legions. They want to do a trip to the Blue Jays. Um so maybe the mayor can have a conversation with the the Blue Jays and uh maybe we can arrange a bus to take uh the veterans down to a Blue Jays game. Thank you, Council Power. Mayor Brown, you have the floor. Um great initiative. Um, councelor Power, given this is the 100th anniversary of the Legion, I think we should really have a plan of how we're going to honor this this year. Um, and maybe it's leading up to um some commemorative events where we have those banners on key roads, whether it's the Brema Legion or the downtown one. 100 years, that is a significant milestone. get a staff report back on what we could do in collaboration with our two legions to um recognize this special year and whether it's leading up to Canada Day or Remembrance Day. Um would just love to know um any ideas of something special as a city we can to recognize this is part of our history in in in Bmpton and I just want to make sure we do something a little bit more. Um and maybe the federal government would, you know, with Heritage Canada would um support it as well. And so I know a little bit depleted. It doesn't need to be in in in a week or two weeks, but maybe in a in in a month in April. We can get a staff report back on how we could recognize this this uh um this year. And I would note I went recently to the Brema Legion with Council Power and he was a rock star there. So you you must be uh helping out actively because they certainly appreciated your support. Thank you, Mayor Brown. Councelor Power. Uh and if you didn't know, uh right now this year everybody can be a member of the Legion. It is free. There is no charge. So if you do believe in our veterans and do believe in what the Legion does, register to be a member of the Legion. Thank you, Councelor P. Councelor Madaras. Uh thank you, Councelor Power. as a a five-year member of the Legion. I agree with those sentiments and um both legions do have fortune of being in councelor Keenan in my area. Um and you know for uh last uh um I guess after if you recall we had directed staff a motion that we passed uh to look at next year's remembered stay with a little bit more robust and engaged local schools and I remember councelor Plesi had made those comments as well. So it would be great uh based on uh councelor power thank you for bringing this. I think um you know it's great that uh be it blue jay game whatever that we can do and if we can couple it that you know as part of what we're going to be doing for remebrance day. So this is a great platform for us to uh make it more robust and and thank you for reminding us of the 100th anniversary. Thank you council. We have a motion moved by councelor Power that the staff be directed to report on potential means for recognizing and commemorating this important anniversary to April the 1st, 2026 committee of council meeting. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. Next will be our council question period. Seeing no questions from counselors, public question period. Madame clerk, do we have any questions from the public or online or in person? chair. There's no questions at this time. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Moving on to legislative services. There's nothing in um no reports that we there. Next item is economic development. Seeing also no reports, we'll go on to our public question period. We are at the final public question period. Um madame clerk, do we have any public questions from the public? Thank you, chair. I don't see any questions submitted for the Thank you. We'll go on to our next item of business is close session. We um Madame Clerk, 10 minutes would be sufficient. Mayor Brown, question. I know the motion we just passed said April 1st. Um I don't think it has to be April 1st, just in April. Um but I saw the commissioner Tammy pleading for a little bit more time. Um as we spec we didn't specify a date in April, just April. Be clear the motion is accurate. Thank you. Thank you. So, um, we'll go on to our next item of business. So, it is 10:40. So, 10:50 we'll go into close session. And we have a motion moved by councelor Power to move into close session to deal with the following items 15.3 and 15.4 and 15.2. Thank you. All in favor? Any opposed? The motion carries. In continuing interest of transparency and open government, I will um Madame Clerk, can we report out the summary of today's close session businesses? Dear chair, uh today in closed session, item 15.1 was approved on consent including that the following motion be considered in open session. The motions below for council's consideration 15.2 was considered d uh direction was given including that the following motion below be considered in open session. That will be our second motion. 15.3 was considered and direction was given. 15.4 was considered no direction was given. So just the two open session. Thank you madame clerk. So, we have a motion uh 15.1 moved by councelor Keenan. All in favor? Any oppose? Thank you. The motion carries. Our next motion is moved by councelor Plesi. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. Committee is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 at 9:30. Oh, sorry. 9:30 a.m. I have a motion moved by councelor Plesi. All in favor? Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. The meeting is endured. Yes. Thank you.

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