Minutes

For the City Council Meeting

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Tom Davies Square

Present (Mayor and Councillors)

• Councillor Signoretti, 
• Councillor Benoit, 
• Councillor Brabant, 
• Councillor Fortin, 
• Councillor Parent, 
• Councillor Lapierre, 
• Councillor Labbée, 
• Councillor Sizer, 
• Councillor McIntosh, 
• Councillor Cormier, 
• Councillor Leduc, 
• and Councillor Landry-Altmann 

Absent

• Mayor Lefebvre 

City Officials

• Ed Archer, Chief Administrative Officer, 
• Kevin Fowke, General Manager of Corporate Services, 
• Tony Cecutti, General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure, 
• Steve Jacques, General Manager of Community Development, 
• Joseph Nicholls, General Manager of Community Safety, 
• Marie Litalien, Director of Communications & Community Engagements, 
• Joanne Kelly, Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development, 
• Kris Longston, Director of Planning Services, 
• Meredith Armstrong, Director of Economic Development, 
• Kelly Gravelle, Deputy City Solicitor, 
• Liisa Lenz, Manager of Finance Planning & Budgeting, 
• Ron Foster, Auditor General, 
• Dawn Noel de Tilly, Chief of Staff, 
• Eric Labelle, City Solicitor and Clerk, 
• Regina Sgueglia, Clerk's Services Assistant, 
• and Rory Whitehouse, Clerk's Services Assistant 

His Worship Mayor Paul Lefebvre, In the Chair

---

1.

Call to Order

The meeting commenced at 4:36 p.m.

2.

Roll Call

A roll call was conducted prior to the commencement of moving into closed session.

3.

Closed Session

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-100
  Moved By Councillor Lapierre
  Seconded By Councillor McIntosh

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury moves to Closed Session to deal with one Information Supplied in Confidence (Competitive Position/Negotiations) item regarding recycling and Blue Box transition in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, par. 239(2)(i). 

  CARRIED

  At 4:37 p.m., Council moved into Closed Session.

  
  

4.

Recess

At 5:11 p.m., Council recessed.

5.

Open Session

At 6:01 p.m., Council commenced the Open Session.

6.

Moment of Silent Reflection

Those present at the meeting observed a moment of silent reflection.

7.

Roll Call

A roll call was conducted.

8.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None declared.

9.

Community Delegations

9.1

Greater Sudbury Police Services

Lee Rinaldi, Detective-Sergeant, GSPS, provided a presentation regarding Gender Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in the Greater Sudbury community and how GSPS addresses it and supports community members that seek police assistance when experiencing GBV and IPV.

10.

Matters Arising from the Closed Session

Deputy Mayor Sizer, Chair of the Closed Session, reported that Council met in Closed Session to deal with one Information Supplied in Confidence (Competitive Position/Negotiations) item regarding recycling and Blue Box transition in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, par. 239(2)(i).

No recommendation emanated from the meeting. 

11.

Matters Arising from Future-Ready Development Services Ad-Hoc Committee

11.1

May 1, 2024

Councillor Cormier, as Vice-Chair of the Future-Ready Development Services Ad-Hoc Committee, reported on the matters arising from the Future-Ready Development Services Ad-Hoc Committee meeting of May 1, 2024.

The resolutions for the May 1, 2024 Future-Ready Development Services Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting can be found at: https://www.greatersudbury.ca/agendas

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-101
  Moved By Councillor Cormier
  Seconded By Councillor Parent

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury approves Future-Ready Development Services Ad-Hoc Committee resolution FRDS2024-01 from the meeting of May 1, 2024.

  CARRIED

12.

Consent Agenda

The following are the Consent Agenda items:

• CC2024-102
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury approves Consent Agenda items 12.1.1 to 12.1.6.

  CARRIED

  The following are the Consent Agenda items:

  
  

12.1

Adoption of Minutes

12.1.1

City Council Minutes of February 27, 2024

• CC2024-103
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury adopts City Council meeting minutes of February 27, 2024.

  CARRIED

12.1.2

Special City Council Minutes of March 8, 2024

• CC2024-104
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury adopts Special City Council meeting minutes of March 8, 2024.

  CARRIED

12.1.3

Operations Committee Minutes of March 25, 2024

• CC2024-105
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury adopts Operations Committee meeting minutes of March 25, 2024.

  CARRIED

12.1.4

Community and Emergency Services Minutes of March 25, 2024

• CC2024-106
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury adopts Community and Emergency Services Committee meeting minutes of March 25, 2024.

  CARRIED

12.1.5

Audit Committee Minutes of March 26, 2024

• CC2024-107
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury adopts Audit Committee meeting minutes of March 26, 2024.

  CARRIED

12.1.6

Finance and Administration Committee Minutes of March 26, 2024

• CC2024-108
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Cormier

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury adopts Finance and Administration Committee meeting minutes of March 26, 2024.

  CARRIED

13.

Presentations

13.1

2024 Development Charges Public Input

Kris Longston, Director of Planning Services provided an overview of the 2024 Development Charges Public Input report. 

14.

Managers' Reports

14.1

Appointment of Members of Council to Local Boards and Advisory Panels

• Nominations were held to appoint members to the Conservation Sudbury General Board.

  The following member accepted their nomination: Councillor Benoit.

  The following member declined their nomination: Councillor Brabant

  There being no further nominations, nominations were closed and the following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-109
  Moved By Councillor Sizer
  Seconded By Councillor Landry-Altmann

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury appoints Councillor Benoit to the Conservation Sudbury General Board for the term ending November 14, 2026, as outlined in the report entitled, “Appointment of Members of Council to Local Boards and Advisory Panels” from the General Manager of Corporate Services, presented at the City Council meeting on May 14, 2024.

  CARRIED

• Nominations were held to appoint members to the Accessibility Advisory Panel.

  The following member accepted their nomination: Councillor Benoit

  There being no further nominations, nominations were closed, and the following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-110
  Moved By Councillor Cormier
  Seconded By Councillor Labbée

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury appoints Councillor Benoit to the Accessibility Advisory Panel for the term ending November 14, 2026, as outlined in the report entitled, “Appointment of Members of Council to Local Boards and Advisory Panels” from the General Manager of Corporate Services, presented at the City Council meeting on May 14, 2024.

  CARRIED

14.2

Blue Box Transition - Collection Options

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-111
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor McIntosh

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury authorizes the General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure to enter into agreements with Circular Materials Ontario to provide continued collection, and promotion, and education of Blue Box materials during the transition period of April 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, as outlined in the report entitled “Blue Box Transition – Collection Options” from the General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure presented at the City Council meeting on May 14, 2024.

  AND THAT any surplus in 2025 related to Blue Box collection be contributed to Tax Rate Stabilization Uncommitted.

  CARRIED

  At 7:13 p.m., Committee recessed.

  At 7:22 p.m., Committee reconvened.

   

  
  

15.

By-laws

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-112
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Landry-Altmann

  THAT the City of Greater Sudbury read and pass By-law 2024-77 to By-law 2024-81Z.

  CARRIED

  The following are the by-laws:

  2024-77

  A By-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Confirm the Proceedings of Council at its Meeting of May 14, 2024

  2024-78

  A By-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Declare Certain Parcels of Land to be Part of the City Road System

  This by-law is presented to Council from time to time.  It provides for all the small “bits and pieces” of roadway that have been purchased or otherwise acquired by the City for road purposes to be formally declared as roads.

  2024-79

  A By-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Authorize Grants Under the Strategic Core Areas Community Improvement Plan

  Planning Committee Resolutions #PL2024-63, #PL2024-64, #PL2024-65, #PL 2024-66 and #PL2024-67

  This by-law authorizes certain grants under the Strategic Core Areas Community Improvement Plan and authorizes the General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure to sign the grant agreements with the recipient of the grants.

  2024-80P

  A By-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 128 to the Official Plan for the City of Greater Sudbury

  Planning Committee Resolution #PL2024-56

  This by-law authorizes a site specific amendment to provide for an exception to Section 20.3.1 of the Official Plan in order to permit the creation of one new lot within the Urban Expansion Reserve with both the severed and retained lands having less than the minimum required lot area of 30 hectares – Rejean Houle and Jacqueline Houle, 3950 Notre Dame Avenue, Hanmer.

  2024-81Z

  A By-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Amend By-law 2010-100Z being the Comprehensive Zoning By-law for the City of Greater Sudbury

  Planning Committee Resolution #PL2024-57

  This by-law rezones the subject lands R3(97), Medium Density Residential Special to permit the development of 11 residential buildings comprising 22 semi-detached dwelling units - J. Corsi Developments Inc., Corsi Hill, Sudbury.

  
  

15.1

By-laws 2024-77 to 2024-81Z

16.

Members' Motions

16.1

Request for Reconsideration of Resolution CC2023-238

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-113
  Moved By Councillor Signoretti
  Seconded By Councillor Fortin

  WHEREAS at its September 26th, 2023 meeting, City Council, by resolution CC2023-238 passed by-law 2023-150 to Amend By-law 2015-87, being a by-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Create the Position of Chief Administrative Officer;

  AND WHEREAS City Council wishes to reconsider by-law 2023-150;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that resolution CC2023-238 be reconsidered.

  CARRIED

• The following resolution was presented: 

  CC2024-114
  Moved By Councillor Signoretti
  Seconded By Councillor Fortin

  WHEREAS at its September 26th, 2023 meeting, City Council, by resolution CC2023-238 passed by-law 2023-150 to Amend By-law 2015-87, being a by-law of the City of Greater Sudbury to Create the Position of Chief Administrative Officer;

  AND WHEREAS By-law 2023-150 delegated to the Chief Administrative Officer the authority to adjust the pay structure of all or some categories of non-union employees other than the first level of senior management of the City of Greater Sudbury when, in the opinion of the Chief Administrative Officer it is appropriate to do so, based on the compensation philosophy established in the salary administration plan approved by Council for the City of Greater Sudbury from time to time and provided such adjustments are within the limits of and consistent with the compensation philosophy; and to review the current pay structure for non-union employees other than the first level of senior management relative to the external  market and report on the outcome and areas of variance as part of one of the quarterly Chief Administrative Officer performance presentations in each calendar year;

  AND WHEREAS City Council wishes to revoke the authority granted by By-law 2023-150;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Greater Sudbury directs that By-law 2023-150 be repealed.

  YEAS: (12)	Councillor Signoretti, Councillor Lapierre, Councillor Sizer, Councillor McIntosh, Councillor Cormier, Councillor Leduc, Councillor Landry-Altmann, Councillor Parent, Councillor Fortin, Councillor Labbée, Councillor Benoit, and Councillor Brabant
  Absent (1)	Mayor Lefebvre

  CARRIED (12 to 0)

16.2

Request for Amendments to By-laws to Change Council and Committee Meeting Times

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-115
  Moved By Councillor Leduc
  Seconded By Councillor Landry-Altmann

  WHEREAS City Council and some Committee meetings are held commencing at 6:00 p.m. and often continue late into the evening;

  AND WHEREAS meetings often end prior to Council and Committees having dealt with the entire agenda;

  AND WHEREAS Council has successfully moved the commencement time for the meetings of the Planning and Operations Committees to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively;

  AND WHEREAS the quality of life of staff and Council are negatively impacted by long workdays and lengthy evening meetings;

  AND WHEREAS Council and Committee meetings should be held during normal business hours and conclude by 5:00 p.m.;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff present amendments to the Council Procedure By-law 2019-50, as amended, to have City Council meetings commence at 2:00 p.m.;

  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff present amendments to the Committees of Council and Advisory Panels By-law 2023-04, as amended, to have Finance Committee meetings commence at 2:00 p.m., Operations Committee meetings commence at 1:00 p.m., Community and Emergency Services Committee meetings commence at 3:30 p.m. and Hearing Committee meetings commence at 3:00 p.m.

  AND that such changes be in effect for the remainder of 2024 as a pilot project. 

  YEAS: (1)	Councillor Leduc
  NAYS: (11)	Councillor Signoretti, Councillor Lapierre, Councillor Sizer, Councillor McIntosh, Councillor Cormier, Councillor Landry-Altmann, Councillor Parent, Councillor Fortin, Councillor Labbée, Councillor Benoit, and Councillor Brabant
  Absent (1)	Mayor Lefebvre

  DEFEATED (1 to 11)

16.3

Request for Development Charge Fee Moratorium for Multi-Unit Dwellings

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-116
  Moved By Councillor Fortin
  Seconded By Councillor Parent

  WHEREAS an obtainable housing shortage and chronically low vacancy rates have resulted in a housing affordability and availability crisis;

  AND WHEREAS the Housing Supply Strategy presented to Council on January 16, 2024 identified 4,326 potential residential units in draft approved subdivisions and identified development charge exemptions and reductions as an incentive option;

  AND WHEREAS a temporary and targeted moratorium on development charges provides an incentive to speed up the pace of construction;

  AND WHEREAS access to the recently announced $6 Billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund requires a commitment to key actions that increase housing supply on “missing middle” homes, including duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and small multi-unit apartments;

  AND WHEREAS access to additional Federal funding, such as the forthcoming public transit fund, also requires that municipalities take action that will directly unlock housing supply;

  AND WHEREAS by accelerating development and exceeding its building targets the City remains eligible for millions of dollars through the Ontario Building Faster Fund;

  AND WHEREAS a housing unit built within the time frame of the moratorium that would not otherwise have been built, generates assessment growth;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Greater Sudbury directs the update to the Development Charges by-law 2019-100 include a 3 year development charge fee moratorium on so-called “missing middle” homes, including duplexes, triplexes, row houses, townhouses, and small multi-unit apartments of 30 units or less.

  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that development charge rates on single family dwellings be held at their current rate for the duration of the 3 year moratorium.

  YEAS: (7)	Councillor Signoretti, Councillor Lapierre, Councillor Parent, Councillor Fortin, Councillor Labbée, Councillor Benoit, and Councillor Brabant
  NAYS: (5)	Councillor Sizer, Councillor McIntosh, Councillor Cormier, Councillor Leduc, and Councillor Landry-Altmann
  Absent (1)	Mayor Lefebvre

  CARRIED (7 to 5)

16.4

Request for Plan to Enhance Education/Training to Properly Discard Needles

• The following resolution was presented:

  CC2024-117
  Moved By Councillor Parent
  Seconded By Councillor Fortin

  WHEREAS The needle exchange program was started in 1992 in the City of Greater Sudbury by a group of persons committed to harm reduction in a population that inject drugs and since January 2018  is a mandatory provincially funded program to be operated by local Public Health Agencies across Ontario
   
  AND WHEREAS the issuing of clean needles is a recognized and approved harm reduction program across Ontario, Canada and other countries, which is intended to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, increase drug treatment and eventually reduce the number of clients of such programs;
   
  AND WHEREAS “used” and potentially contaminated needles continue to be found in popular walking trails, parks, gardens, public washrooms, residential areas, in sewers and sumps and other inconspicuous locations and these present a risk to the greater public.
   
  AND WHEREAS a POSITION STATEMENT “Needle stick injuries in the community” published by the Canadian Pediatric Society in 2018 stated that at the time the article was published, there had been two case reports of Hepatitis B and three of Hepatitis C transmission following injuries by needles discarded in the community.
   
  AND WHEREAS a person that suffers a needle stick injury could be subjected to immunization shots (hepatitis B, diphtheria, and tetanus), post-exposure prophylaxis (antiretroviral drugs) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (drugs that can stop some viruses from reproducing) as well as psychological trauma from such an incident;
   
  AND WHEREAS one of the responsibilities of City Council is to set the level of risk for services provided within the Greater City, and that the risk of potential injury and psychological harm to members of the public has increased due to the large volume of improperly discarded and potentially contaminated needles being discarded in public and residential areas;
   
  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury directs that the Mayor & Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) be directed to meet with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Board Chair for Public Health Sudbury and Districts, to discuss what additional methods can be done or enhanced to improve training and education on the importance of properly discarding needles for persons receiving needles as part of the Public Health’s harm reduction strategy, with a goal of recovering 80% of the needles issued;

  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Mayor and CAO report back to City Council with a synopsis of the discussion and/or action plan by September of 2024.

  CARRIED

  Rules of Procedure

  Councillor Sizer moved that the meeting proceed past the hour of 9:00 p.m.

  CARRIED BY TWO-THIRDS

  
  

16.5

Request for Publication of Pay Scales and Open Meeting Discussions About Non-Union Staff Compensation

• The following resolution was presented: 

  CC2024-118
  Moved By Councillor Cormier
  Seconded By Councillor McIntosh

  WHEREAS the City of Greater Sudbury routinely posts salary related information on job postings, in job competitions and in accordance with Ontario’s Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act;
   
  AND WHEREAS the City of Greater Sudbury hosts an open government section on its website with details about terms and conditions of employment for the CAO and General Managers;
   
  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Greater Sudbury directs that pay scales for all job classifications be published in their current form on the open government section of the City’s website along with the market adjustment criteria for non-union staff;
   
  AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all future reports concerning non-union staff compensation policy be published for debate in open session of Finance and Administration Committee or City Council.

  CARRIED

17.

Correspondence for Information Only

17.1

2024 Tax Rates – Business Improvement Areas

For Information Only.

17.2

2024 Tax Rates

For Information Only.

17.3

2024 Q1 Report of Council and Committee Meeting Attendance

For Information Only.

18.

Addendum

No Addendum was presented.

19.

Civic Petitions 

Councillor Lapierre submitted two petitions to the City Clerk. The first petition will be forwarded to the General Manager of Community Development and is regarding a request to adopt recommendations from the GSHC Tenants Rights Association. The second petition will be forwarded to the General Manager of Growth and Infrastructure and is regarding a request to restore the speed limit on Dominion Drive. 

Councillor McIntosh submitted a petition to the City Clerk which will be forwarded to the General Manager of Community Safety. The petition is regarding a request to save Coniston Fire hall.

20.

Question Period

No Questions were asked.

21.

Adjournment

Deputy Mayor Sizer moved to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:12 p.m.

CARRIED