1 >> I >> I >> Hello everybody and welcome to this special final meeting of the Council of the Town of Oakville for the 2022-2026 term. We have a full house. Councillor Hazlett Teal has joined us remotely, but that makes us complete. Welcome Councillor Hazlett Teal. Are there any declarations of pecuniary interest? Mr. Clerk, I see none. And with that, it's my pleasure to turn over to the to recognize the Chief Administrative Officer, Ms. Jane Clohecy, uh, who has uh, some treats in store for the departing members of Council. Ms. Clohecy? >> Uh, good evening. [clears throat] Good evening to everyone and thank you very much for joining us tonight. Uh, tonight we are recognizing members of Council whose service to Oakville is coming to a close and reflecting on the contributions they have made to our community over the many years. So serving in municipal government requires dedication, resilience, and genuine commitment to helping others. It means listening to residents, balancing competing priorities, making difficult decisions, and working together in the best interests of the community. While Council's work is often measured by meetings and decisions, those who serve know it is ultimately about people, relationships, and trust. Beginning in Ward 1 and moving across our community, I would like to recognize those whose service is coming to a close. When asked, I'd like to each member, um, of Council to please come forward to the table to receive a token of our appreciation and a photograph of the town clerk, uh, Will Short. Sean O'Meara. Sean brought passion, enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to his community, to this community throughout his 12 years on Council. Sean is a strong advocate of Oakville's small businesses and a passionate supporter of the waterfront and the unique character it brings to the town, particularly through his work with the Bronte BIA, as well as the Visit Oakville Tourism Board. In addition to supporting the Bronte community, Sean has also been a strong advocate of the Halton Region Salmon and Trout Association and was heavily involved in and took a leadership role in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence City Initiative. Whether speaking on behalf of residents, businesses, or community interest, Sean approached Council discussions with conviction and with was never hesitant in advocating for the residents and businesses he represented. As a token of our appreciation, please make your way to the table. We have an oak sapling for you, traditional, as a as a gift, parting gift from the town, as well as a street sign. [applause] [applause] [laughter] Kathy Dodic. Throughout her 23 years of service, Kathy has developed a strong connection to residents and a commitment to ensuring community voices were heard. She understands the importance of listening, asking questions, and bringing forward the concerns and perspectives of the people she represented. Kathy is also known for her practical, solution-focused approach. She respectfully respectfully challenged assumptions, asked thoughtful questions of staff, and advocated strongly strongly for her community while always valuing the professional advice and maintaining a positive working relationship. Kathy has been dedicated to heritage heritage and protecting the town's heritage districts. Throughout her 14 years on the Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee, she has left an impact on the celebration of our heritage within this community. Beyond the council chambers, Kathy Kathy Kathy [clears throat] Boy, was a long-standing champion and leader of the Santa Claus Parade. These cherished contributions to the community helped create traditions and memories for generations of Oakville families. As a token of our appreciation, Kathy, if you could come forward to the table at the front, we also have an oak sapling, a street sign, and a long service award recognizing your over 20 years of service in the Oakville community. [applause] [applause] [clears throat] Dave Gittings. Throughout his 16 years on council, Dave brought a strong sense of community advocacy to everything he did. He's known for speaking up on behalf of residents and for his genuine commitment to making Oakville an inclusive and welcoming community. His passion for accessibility reflected his belief that everyone should be able to participate fully in community life. With 11 years on the accessibility advisory committee, Dave has provided guidance to our accessible future. Colleagues and staff came to know Dave for his sincerity, his community focus, and his willingness to champion causes he believed in that would help the lives of residents. His many years at early morning and late nights spent maintaining the Wallace Park ice rink in the dead of winter is truly a testament to his commitment to the community. As a token of our appreciation, Dave, if you could also step forward, we have an oak sapling for you and a street sign. [applause] Gittings, Kate. Alan Elgar. Alan served for more than 26 years and brought a clear and consistent philosophy to public service. He firmly believed that growth should pay for growth and was a tireless advocate of ensuring that new development contributed fairly to the infrastructure and services required to support it. Staff and council colleagues came to know Alan for his persistence, preparation, and willingness to debate issues he felt strongly about. He was equally equally passionate about protecting Oakville's natural heritage, preserving the qualities that make our community special. Alan's thoughtful stewardship and principled approach have left a lasting mark on Oakville, both best symbolized by the North Oakville Natural Heritage System. Alan, as a token of our appreciation, if you could come forward for an oak sapling, a street sign, and a commemorative crystal. [applause] [applause] [laughter] Jamie Bay. Jamie has not was here was not here for a long time, but he certainly stepped in when his community needed him most. Thank you, Jamie, for being a thoughtful, community-focused bringing a thoughtful, community-focused approach to your short time with the town. You you showcased a genuine commitment to public service for which we are very much appreciative of. Please accept an oak sapling and a street sign as a token of our appreciation if you'd like to come [applause] Pain Boulevard. [applause] Mayor Burton. For 20 years, Mayor Burton has led this community through periods of of growth, change, opportunity, and challenge. Municipal leadership requires balancing diverse viewpoints, addressing complex issues, and making decisions with the community's longstanding interest in mind. Throughout his time as Mayor Burton as Mayor, Rob approached that responsibility with conviction, determination, and a strong sense of stewardship for the Oakville future, with at the same time being passionate about protecting Oakville's heritage. Staff have appreciated his passion for municipal government, his strong understanding of governance, and his respect for the distinct roles and responsibilities of Council and staff. 20 years as Mayor is a a remarkable contribution to public service and to the Oakville community. Mayor Burton, if you could come forward to the front, we have for you a street sign, an oak sapling, as well as a uh commemoration for your 20 years of service. >> [applause] [applause] [applause] >> Councilor Grant. Finally, I would like to recognize Councilor Mark Grant and his 23 years of service to the ward to ward five. Mark brought a unique perspective, a sharp wit, and genuine compassion to his role on council, particular in the areas of transit and parks. He was a thoughtful advocate for residents and approached public service with authenticity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the people he served. Mark cared deeply about issues affecting the community, particularly those impacting his our vulnerable residents. He believed that local government had an important role in sport supporting and strengthening the community, and he brought that belief to the work to his work every day. He was never afraid to speak his mind, but he did so with respect and compassion for others and with a clear commitment to doing what he believed was right. Mark reminded us that the leadership is not only about decisions and policies, it is about understanding people, building connections, and serving with compassion. We are grateful for his years of service and for the lasting impact he's had on his community. And I'd like to invite Mark's family to come forward and accept a long service award in his memory along with an oak sapling and a street sign. >> [applause] >> Before I conclude my remarks, I would like to thank all members of council for their service. While council and staff have different roles, we share a common purpose, serving the residents and businesses of Oakville. Staff have appreciated your leadership, your perspectives, your questions, and your commitment to a thoughtful decision making. On behalf of the town of Oakville, thank you for your service. We also thank your families and loved ones for the support they have provided you throughout your time in office. Wishing you all the best in the years ahead. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you, CAO Clossey. Um Council, are there any remarks that anyone would like to offer? I'm not aware of any delegations, but I can ask if anyone in the room uh wants to delegate. And uh and if not, then there's [clears throat] just one thing to detain us and then we'll we'll leave. Um I want to thank everybody, especially the people who have served on council over the last five terms that I've been here. I have been enriched by all the lessons that I have learned from you and from those who you've taken the places of in some cases. But through the entire 20 years, it has been a long drink in learning. And I'm very very grateful to all of you for that. Um I now see that there are other volunteers to speak. But all right, I'm just going to I'll have the first words to the last word. The I'll sum up the lessons that you've given me as in Oakville, the past receives respect, the present rewards work, and the future requires courage. And 20 years ago, this helmet came to me from supporters who were full of full of hope and good wishes, and they thought it might be a useful symbol of what I might be called upon to do over the years. [laughter] [applause] Today, I am proud to pass this symbol of Oakville's good wishes and hopes to you, Jeff, as our new mayor. >> [applause] >> It's only a symbol. >> That's great. >> It is only a symbol. [laughter] You You It is not comfortable. Do not try. [laughter] I'm not trying to reveal that I might have tried. [snorts] So, thank everybody for your attention to my brief remarks. And the chair recognizes Councilor Haslett Thiele. >> Thank you, Mayor Burton. My apologies that I can't be there today, and I hope that my voice holds out. I will shorten my comments because I think the CEO did such an outstanding job commenting about our colleagues that are retiring. I would, on behalf of Ward 3, want to acknowledge Councilor Gittings' amazing service. And he got lots of accolades in the most recent newsletter, so I will not read them again because he says it's starting to get embarrassing that I constantly say how amazing he has been as a seatmate. I do want to acknowledge my colleague Councilor Dudak. You endorsed me 8 years ago. It was sort of a wow, she's endorsing me, and you have been a a for 8 years. I'm incredibly grateful. And most of all, I want to explain to people that you have been stalwart on Midtown. Um you didn't have to take the chair position on that committee. You chose to. Um it could have ended up in a public brawl to be perfectly honest. It was such a hot contentious topic, and yet you led with principled uh commitment to moving us forward, and our community should be forever grateful that you stepped into the fray. And I also want to thank Councillor Elgar for always having uh a persistence to find solutions um no matter what roadblocks we ran into. Um whether it was a late night discussion about what we could do better or differently to move forward, whether it was on Midtown or others, he always just inspired me to keep looking, digging, um and to remember that our service to the public is uh everlasting, and his has certainly been that way. I I especially want to thank them for Kathy and Alan for bringing the lobbyist registry motion forward. It's a piece of undone business, and I want you to know that what I heard through the election is it it needs to happen, and so uh let's see if we can get it across the finish line for you this time. But most of all, I want to thank you for not being partisan throughout your entire time on council. You were never afraid to step to stand up uh to those that intervene uh in good planning in Oakville or that or to call out decisions such as the regional chair, and Kathy should be famous for her her speech on how could we possibly uh give up electing a regional chair? Um you've just been great advocates all the way around. And so I just want to close by saying we should all know how fortunate we are to worked with you. [clears throat] And the community is better for it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councillor. Councillor O'Meara. >> Well, thank you very much. And just I just want to take a quick moment to thank staff because for 12 years I have worked with so many of you who have come and gone and stayed and been here for the entire time. And you know, you have always had the community's heart at stake. And and while we have not always agreed on on on outcomes and what they should look like, the professionalism that our staff has has just been nothing but but incredible. So from the from the barbecues at the ops building to the the long-term service awards, it has been such an honor and pleasure to get to know everyone in in some some way, shape or capacity. And and those are the the people that really make make working in this town worth what it is. And and I thank you to that. And to the my council colleagues as well. Again, we haven't always agreed on everything, but we have always done it respectfully. And I had somebody call me the other day and said the way that the town of Oakville ran their election is it's my Oakville. >> [snorts] >> Thank you very much, Councillor. >> So [applause] so thank you very much. And I love you all. And And Jeff, I wish you nothing but the best of success. And Oakville's future is in your and the next council's hands. And I am your biggest cheerleader. So good LUCK FOR YOU. >> COUNCILLOR KNOLL. >> THANK YOU. LIKE JAN, I'm not going to repeat everything that was said. Thank you for your your wonderful words, Jane. That was a great fitting tribute to our departing colleagues and well said. I want to start up my my comments. I I will be brief, um, which is unlike unlike for unlikely for me. Uh, but I first of all want to acknowledge the absence of our dear friend, um, and my war mate, Mark Grant. Uh, every day goes by uh you know, I always I I wish Mark could be celebrating with us our new council. Um, I'm so glad that his daughter gets that opportunity to fill in uh for that job. So Mark, if you're listening, thank you buddy. I miss you dearly. Um, Darn, I didn't want to do that. Uh, I want to thank Sean. Um, Sean, you ran a great election and uh it was uh your comment was perfect. Like people looked at Oakville and they looked at other elections in other communities and they said, man, you guys just you know how to do things right. You keep things on track, you keep things on issue and you don't make it personal. So uh thank you Sean. Um, but most of all I want to say to Sean, you have so much to offer this community. And uh I've I've written you, I've told you this directly. I don't want you to disappear and I really we need to find a place for you to continue to serve this community in some capacity and I do look forward to having a coffee with you at some point in the near future uh to figure out what that looks like. Uh, Kathy, Dave and Alan. Well, first of all Kathy, who I met first time actually trying to teach her how to use computers uh about 200 years ago uh in an election campaign. Little did I know that she'd that someday be my colleague. Uh, and I immediately liked Kathy from the first moment I saw her because she actually um she she she she was just so friendly and open to this young guy that showed up trying to uh tell her how to do her business, but uh the party sent me. Um, and we had a good time and it's been a it's been a great pleasure working with you ever since. Um, you truly are the conscience of this council and you're one of those people that just uh says what you mean, means what you say and and uh thank you for that. You're particularly your your your your one of the most remarkable moments is your TED talk on uh on the democracy of regional council. So thank you for that. Uh, Dave, um, I remember the first time you dropped in my office at the theatre to say I'm thinking about running for council and I think my first response is oh my god why. Um but you've been you've been an inspiration in the work that you've done your advocacy for your community your good humor not as good as mine but your your your good humor and your your your devoted attention to your constituents is is amazing. Uh Alan and I joined council at the same time and I said this at the regional council when I first met Alan I remember having a conversation with him on the phone shortly before he actually declared his candidacy because he was involved in an organization called Oakville Green I want to learn more about this um and then when he showed up as a candidate and then eventually on council I didn't know what to make of him and I still don't um but I do know one thing for sure he really thinks the developer should pay for development um did I get that right yeah. Uh it's been an absolute pleasure working with Alan Alan is again he he just brings a passion for what he believes in he fights tenaciously for it and whether you agree with him or disagree with him you can't you can't help but love his passion for the stuff that he does and so thank you Alan for your service to this community 26 years is a long time I know because I've been there with you the whole time and we we've had some fun moments and some stressful moments and and and this chamber has reconfigured several times and many people have come and gone since we've been here good luck in everything in your future I know you'll surface somewhere probably tomorrow so thank you for your service. I want to thank my buddy Jamie for stepping up when when we we needed that that pinch hitter Jamie is is a great friend and a great advocate and a great counselor both with an S and a C and I really want to say thank you for for for filling in you're a a worthy replacement for a short-term replacement for my buddy Mark Grant and I really appreciate you being there. My last comments are for Mayor Rob Burton. Uh, Rob and I started out in a bit of a rocky road in the first first couple of years. Come on. But you know what? I think we we finally realized that that we were both rowing in the same direction and we very quickly were able to figure out how to navigate each other and work together and it's been a great relationship ever since then. We've we've we've we've we've collectively this council's done some great things and I I want to thank you Rob for your leadership and for all the great things that you've advanced. I told you this the day of the election. I'm going to tell you again right now. Your legacy is intact and will be recognized for generations to come, sir. And I I I appreciate your offer to be there at the other end of the phone when I have questions or need advice. I haven't had a chance to do that yet because Jane just continues to keep my like literally I I I'm I'm in Jane's office or in that boardroom 8 hours a day it seems lately. So I haven't had a chance to ask for advice yet because she won't let me. But I'll I'll get there eventually. And I want to say a special thanks to Wendy Burton. Wendy, you've been you've been a remarkable mayor over these years with grace and and and poise and your own contributions to our community, to our heritage and to quality of life in this community. So thank you Wendy and and to the entire Burton family for being part of this town for so long. I know that this isn't the end of your contributions to Oakville, but it's a different it's a change of chapters. So I want to say thank you to both of you for your service. I want to thank you for every contribution you've made both within council and outside of council. It's been a real pleasure to work with you. To all of council, thank you for your support in these last couple weeks as we've been getting organized to go into the next term of council. I know we're going to have a great time and we're going to continue to advance the business of council. This isn't this council is not here the new council is not here to tear things down. It's to build up the great legacy that has come before that that it came before and I commit to that going forward. So once again, thank you everybody. Thank you Mayor Burton and everybody I best wishes to our town as we go forward into the future. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you very much Jeff. Um if there's no other matter to detain us we could entertain a mover and seconder for consideration and reading of the confirmatory bylaw and I recognize Councillor Elger and Councillor Bay the last on the first and uh is there is there any objection? Madam Mr. Clerk there being no objection the the bylaw is considered read and passed and that adjourns the meeting. It ends the time some of us have together with you. I want you to know that it's it's been a slice and it's always been enjoyable learning from you. Thank you and good night.