Minutes

Committee of Council

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

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Hybrid Meeting - Virtual Option & In-Person in Council Chambers – 4th Floor – City Hall
Members Present:
  • Mayor Patrick Brown (ex officio)
  • Regional Councillor R. Santos
  • Regional Councillor P. Vicente
  • City Councillor D. Whillans
  • Regional Councillor M. Palleschi
  • Regional Councillor M. Medeiros
  • City Councillor J. Bowman
  • City Councillor C. Williams
  • Regional Councillor P. Fortini
  • City Councillor H. Singh
  • Regional Councillor G. Dhillon
Staff Present:
  • Paul Morrison, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
  • Marlon Kallideen, Commissioner, Community Services
  • Jason Schmidt-Shoukri, Commissioner, Planning, Building and Economic Development
  • Diana Soos, Commissioner, Legislative Services
  • Cynthia Ogbarmey-Tetteh, Acting Commissioner, Corporate Support Services
  • Mike Parks, Acting Commissioner, Public Works and Engineering
  • Alex Milojevic, General Manager, Transit
  • Bill Boyes, Fire Chief, Fire and Emergency Services
  • Sameer Akhtar, City Solicitor
  • Peter Fay, City Clerk
  • Charlotte Gravlev, Deputy City Clerk
  • Sonya Pacheco, Legislative Coordinator

The meeting was called to order at 9:32 a.m., recessed at 11:44 a.m. and reconvened at 12:30 p.m. At 1:35 p.m. Committee recessed again, moved into Closed Session at 1:50 p.m., recessed at 3:47 p.m., reconvened in Open Session at 4:00 p.m., and adjourned at 4:03 p.m.

As this meeting of Committee of Council was conducted with electronic and in-person participation by Members of Council, the meeting started with the City Clerk calling the roll for attendance at the meeting, as follows:

Members present during roll call: Regional Councillor Santos, Regional Councillor Vicente, City Councillor Whillans, Regional Councillor Palleschi, City Councillor Bowman, Regional Councillor Medeiros, City Councillor Williams, Regional Councillor Fortini, City Councillor Singh and Regional Councillor Dhillon

Members absent during roll call: Nil 

 

Committee discussion took place with respect to proposed amendments to the agenda.

The following motion was considered.

  • CW229-2022

    That the agenda for the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022 be approved, as amended, as follows:

    To Add: 

    9.3.1. Discussion Item at the request of City Councillor Whillans, re: Landscaping of Boulevards 

    11.3.2. Discussion Item at the request of Regional Councillor Dhillon, re: Real Estate Signs and City By-laws

    15.4. Open Session meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (c) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001:        

    A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; and, a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

    To Withdraw:

    6.4. Delegation from Nav Mangat, Government Relations Chair, and Deepa Matoo, Vice President, Sukhmani Haven, re: Exploitation of Punjabi International Students in Ontario

    11.3.1. Discussion Item at the request of City Councillor Williams, re: Algoma University

    To Re-number Item 6.5 to be included as part of Item 6.1(5)

    Carried

The following items listed with a caret (^) were considered to be routine and non-controversial by the Committee and were approved at one time.

11.2.1, 11.2.2, 12.2.1, 12.2.2, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 15.3

The following motion was considered.

  • CW230-2022

    That the following items to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022 be approved as part of Consent:

    11.2.1, 11.2.2, 12.2.1, 12.2.2, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 15.3

    A recorded vote was taken, with the results as follows.

    Yea (11)Regional Councillor Santos , Regional Councillor Vicente , Regional Councillor Palleschi, Regional Councillor Medeiros, Regional Councillor Fortini , Regional Councillor Dhillon, City Councillor Whillans, City Councillor Bowman, City Councillor Williams , City Councillor Singh, and Mayor Patrick Brown
    Carried (11 to 0)

Andrea Williams, Coordinator, Economic Development, announced the Countdown to Collision Event taking place at the Rose Theatre on May 18, 2022, and advised that Brampton was one of six Canadian cities selected to host an in-person event leading up to the conference in the City of Toronto this June. Ms. Williams provided details regarding this event, including information on the keynote speakers, networking opportunities and the launch of the Innovation Station Mobile Bus pilot program.

Ms. Williams responded to questions from Committee regarding event registration, promotion and outreach, and the opportunity to showcase Brampton during this event.

 

Item 11.4.1 was brought forward and dealt with at this time.

1. Daniel Atlin, VP External Affairs, University of Guelph; Kelly Jackson, VP External Affairs and Professional Learning, Humber College; and Rani Dhaliwal, Executive Lead, University of Guelph-Humber Brampton Partnership, provided information to Committee regarding the next steps in the process for the potential  relocation of the University of Guelph-Humber (UGH) to the City of Brampton, as the anchor tenant in the Centre for Innovation, and highlighted the benefits of this opportunity.

The delegations responded to questions from Committee with respect to the following:

  • Student housing needs and the potential impact on the neighbouring community
  • Low international student population at UGH
  • UGH program alignment with Brampton's eco-system
  • UGH and City staff discussion regarding space and financial needs
  • Collaboration with other post secondary institutions
  • Provincial Government review/approval of this opportunity 

2. Baldev Mutta, CEO, Punjabi Community Health Services, outlined his support for the relocation of UGH to the City of Brampton, and provided information regarding his involvement with UGH, the benefits of the proposal, low enrollment of international students at UGH, the impact of international students in Brampton, and the importance of providing access to education.

3. Dr. Parminder Singh, Vice Chair, Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council, outlined his support for the relocation of UGH to the City of Brampton, and provided information regarding the importance of providing Brampton residents with access to higher education and provide equal opportunities for everyone, highlighted the financial challenges faced by students and families to access higher education, and addressed the matter of supports for international students.

Dr. Singh responded to questions from Committee with respect to the following:

  • Provincial responsibility for funding university education and the need to advocate for this funding in Brampton
  • Under-funding in Brampton for health and education
  • Potential property tax impact of funding the relocation of UGH
  • Advocacy for a Medical School in Brampton 

City Councillor Singh raised a Point of Personal Privilege. The Chair gave leave for the Point of Personal Privilege. City Councillor Singh advised that comments provided by Regional Councillor Medeiros regarding property tax increases is not public information and noted that there are other funding options to be considered by Council.

Regional Councillor Medeiros clarified that his comments were of a general nature, relating to a potential property tax impact to fund university education in Brampton.

4. Carrie Percival, Chair, Downtown Brampton BIA, was not in the meeting. On behalf of the Downtown Brampton BIA, Suzy Godefroy, Executive Director, Downtown Brampton BIA, expressed support for the relocation of UGH to downtown Brampton, noting that it will play a vital role in the revitalization of the downtown core as the anchor tenant of the Centre for Innovation, and outlined the benefits of UGH to the business community and residents. 

5. Azad Goyat, Brampton First Foundation, addressed Committee on behalf of the Foundation and Mahendra Nagar, Brampton resident, to outline their support for the relocation of UGH to the City of Brampton. The delegation referenced the status of the BramptonU project, outlined the need for a university in Brampton to support the community, and highlighted the financial barriers faced by Brampton students to access university education.

The delegation responded to questions from Committee with respect to the following:

  • A potential tax increase to fund a university in Brampton
  • Current financial pressures on Brampton residents
  • The need to advocate the Province for education funding in Brampton

The following motions were considered.

  • CW231-2022

    That the following delegations re: University of Guelph-Humber's Possible Relocation to the City of Brampton, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022 be received.

    1. Daniel Atlin, VP External Affairs, University of Guelph; Kelly Jackson, VP External Affairs and Professional Learning, Humber College; Rani Dhaliwal, Executive Lead, University of Guelph-Humber Brampton Partnership

    2. Baldev Mutta, CEO, Punjabi Community Services

    3. Dr. Parminder Singh, Vice Chair, Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council

    4. Suzy Godefroy, Executive Director, Downtown Brampton BIA 

    5. Azad Goyat, Brampton First Foundation, and Mahendra Nagar, Brampton resident

    Carried
  • CW232-2022

    That the correspondence from Charlotte Yates, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph, and Chris Whitaker, President and CEO, Humber College, dated April 21, 2022, re: University of Guelph-Humber's Possible Relocation to the City of Brampton, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received.

    Carried

1. Tony Chahine, CEO, Myant , provided a presentation regarding Myant, which included information on creating a human-centered virtual
healthcare model, the Myant Health Virtual Clinic, Skiin textile-based biometric sensing wearable technology, health system benefits and textile computing.

2. Michelle Chretien, President and CEO, and Howard W. Campbell, Chair, Board of Directors, intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance, provided background information regarding the creation of intelliFLEX to support the printed and flexible electronics community, how its evolved, its support of the developing commercial eco system, and the expansion of their eco-system. The delegations provided information regarding the Canadian Printable Electronics Symposium (CPES), which is Canada's premiere conference and trade show exhibition for flexible and hybrid electronics, expressed their excitement to partner with, and profile, the City of Brampton during this event, and highlighted Brampton's ideal location in the middle of the Waterloo-Toronto Innovation Corridor. In addition, the delegations acknowledged Brampton's commitment to innovation and leadership in the creation of the Brampton Innovation District, and thanked the Economic Development Office for their support.

The delegations responded to questions from Committee with respect to the alignment of new technology with Brampton's health eco-system, the future integration of health and technology, and the creation of artificial intelligence jobs.

The following motion was considered.

  • CW233-2022

    That the following delegations re: Canadian Printable Electronics Symposium (CPES), to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received:

    1. Tony Chahine, CEO, Myant  

    2. Michelle Chretien, President and CEO, and Howard W. Campbell, Chair, Board of Directors, intelliFLEX Innovation Alliance.

    Carried

David Harmsworth, President, Brampton Concert Band Inc., provided background information regarding the formation of the Brampton Concert Band, the construction and use of the bandstand, and the tradition of providing free live music. The delegation requested that the fees associated with the use of the bandstand be waived for the Brampton Concert Band and Jazz Mechanics, in order to continue the tradition of providing free live music through the Thursday Night Concert Series in Gage Park.

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

  • Success of the Thursday Night Concert Series in Gage Park
  • Possibility of waiving the bandstand fees for the next five years
  • History of the bandstand, and indication that it was built for the Brampton Concert Band
  • Event sponsors and promotion of the Thursday Night Concert Series in Gage Park
  • Potential requests from other bands to waive the bandstand fees 

The following motion was considered.

  • CW234-2022

    That the delegation from David Harmsworth, President, Brampton Concert Band Inc., re: Thursday Evening Concerts at Gage Park - Bandstand Fees, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be referred to staff for a report back to the May 18, 2022 City Council meeting, if possible.

    Carried

Note: This item was renumbered under the Approval of Agenda to be considered under Item 6.1(5). See Recommendation CW231-2022.

A presentation was not provided at the meeting.

P. Morrison, Interim CAO, responded to questions from Committee regarding advocacy of the City's priorities in advance of the upcoming Provincial election.

The following motion was considered.

  • CW235-2022

    That the staff update re: Government Relations Matters, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received.

    Carried

8.2

Nil

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made under this section of the agenda. P. Fay, City Clerk, confirmed that no questions were submitted.

9.2

Nil

City Councillor Whillans addressed Committee with respect to the matter of complaints received relating to soft landscaping encroaching on City boulevards, and the possibility of amending the City's by-law to allow it. Councillor Whillans requested that staff not require affected residents to remove the plantings until this matter is reviewed.  

D. Soos, Commissioner, Legislative Services, provided information regarding an existing program for minor encroachments, and advised that staff could report back to Committee with further information and options to address this matter.

The following motion was considered. 

  • CW236-2022

    That staff be requested to review City by-laws with respect to encroachment and soft landscaping beautification by abutting landowners, and report back thereon.

    Carried

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made under this section of the agenda. P. Fay, City Clerk, confirmed that no questions were submitted.

10.2

Nil

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made under this section of the agenda. P. Fay, City Clerk, confirmed that no questions were submitted.

11.2

  • CW237-2022

    1. That the report titled: 2022 Final Tax Levy and By-law, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; and,

    2. That a by-law be passed for the levy and collection of 2022 Final Realty Taxes.

    Carried

Committee discussion on this matter included the following:

  • Performance management of recruitment service providers and process for vetting candidates
    • Concerns regarding the lack of background information provided for a candidate in a previous recruitment, and an indication from staff that these concerns have been communicated to the recruiters and will be highlighted through the RFP process 
  • Outreach, connections and networks of external recruitment service providers
  • Rationale and approval for using external recruitment services
  • Recruitment process for Director level positions
  • Staff complement and vacancies in the Human Resources Division
  • Internal recruitment services   
  • The need to ensure recruitment processes are transparent
  • Promotion of staff and succession planning
  • Consideration of, and clarification from staff on, the options outlined in the staff report, and the possibility of combining Options A and B

The following motion was considered.

  • CW239-2022

    1. That the report titled: Request to Begin Procurement - Recruitment Services for Executive Roles for a Three Year Period, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; 

    2. That the Purchasing Agent be authorized to commence the procurement for the Recruitment Services for Executive Roles for a Three-Year Period (for the positions of CAO, Commissioner, and Director as required in the event internal recruitment has proven unsuccessful, subject to Council approval);

    3. That Council approve one permanent, full-time Talent Acquisition Advisor to support the in-house recruitment of Director, Senior Manager, Manager and specialized roles for a total budget of approximately $135,000; and 

    4. That the costs associated with a permanent, full-time Talent Acquisition Advisor be included in the 2023 operating budget submission, subject to Council approval.

    Carried

Items 11.2.4 and 11.4.2 were considered after Closed Session.

The following motion was considered.

  • CW240-2022

    That the following items re: BramptonU Update Report on Timelines and Activities, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be referred to the May 18, 2022 City Council meeting:

    11.2.4. Staff Report re: BramptonU Update Report on Timelines and Activities
    11.4.2. Correspondence re: Item 11.2.4 - BramptonU Update Report on Timelines and Activities

    1. Dr. David Wheeler, Sustainable Transitions, dated May 9, 2022

    2. Katharine Partridge, President and Managing Director, Stakeholder Research Associates Canada Inc., dated May 9, 2022

    3. Jennifer Hooper, CEO, Academy for Sustainable Innovation, dated May 9, 2022

    Carried

Note: This item was withdrawn under the Approval of Agenda. See Recommendation CW229-2022.

 

Regional Councillor Dhillon advised Committee of a request from real estate agents to extend the length of time that real estate signs are permitted to remain on the property from 30 days to 60 days.

The following motion was introduced:

That staff be directed to bring forward an amendment, and associated public notice for the amendment to the Sign By-law, to extend the length of time that real-estate signs are permitted to remain on the property from 30 days to 60 days from the date that the property is advertised as sold or is no longer for sale or lease, whichever occurs first.

In response to questions from Committee, staff clarified that real estate signs can remain on the property with no time restrictions while the property is for sale, and the 30-day time period to remove the sign commences on the day the property is sold or delisted. Staff added that this is consistent with by-laws in other municipalities

The above-noted motion was withdrawn.

1. Staff responded to questions from Regional Councillor Palleschi regarding the enforcement of real estate signs that are improperly erected on City property, restrictions for open house signs, and business licensing and education for real estate agents. 

2. In response to a question from Regional Councillor Fortini regarding the 30-day time period to remove real estate signs, staff advised that this time period commences after the sale is final.  

3. In response to a question from City Councillor Williams regarding accountability for real estate agents, staff advised that the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is the regulatory board through which residents can file complaints against real estate agents.

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made under this section of the agenda. P. Fay, City Clerk, confirmed that no questions were submitted.

12.2

including Region of Peel watermain works of Goreway Drive between Castlemore Road and Countryside Drive – Wards 8 and 10

  • CW241-2022

    1. That the report titled: Request to Begin Procurement – Reconstruction, urbanization and widening of Goreway Drive between Cottrelle Boulevard and Countryside Drive, including Region of Peel watermain works of Goreway Drive between Castlemore Road and Countryside Drive – Wards 8 and 10, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; and,

    2. That the Purchasing Agent be authorized to commence the procurement for the reconstruction, urbanization and widening of Goreway Drive between Cottrelle Boulevard and Countryside Drive, including Region of Peel watermain works of Goreway Drive between Castlemore Road and Countryside Drive.

    Carried
  • CW242-2022

    1. That the report titled: Request to Begin Procurement – Contract Administration and Inspection Services for the reconstruction and four lane widening of Goreway Drive between Cottrelle Boulevard and Countryside Drive, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; 

    2. That the Purchasing Agent be authorized to commence the procurement for the Contract Administration and Inspection Services for the reconstruction and four lane widening of Goreway Drive between Cottrelle Boulevard and Countryside Drive.

    Carried
  • CW243-2022

    1. That the report titled: Request to Begin Procurement - Contract Administration and Inspection Services for the Construction of a CN Rail Grade Separation and a four lane road rehabilitation of Goreway Drive between Steeles Avenue and Brandon Gate Drive, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; 

    2. That the Purchasing Agent be authorized to commence the procurement for the Contract Administration and Inspection Services for the construction of a CN Rail Grade Separation and four lane road rehabilitation of Goreway Drive between Steeles Avenue and Brandon Gate Drive.

    Carried
  • CW244-2022

    1. That the report titled: Request to Begin Procurement - Contract Administration and Inspection Services for the Cottrelle Boulevard Extension between Goreway Drive and Humberwest Parkway, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; 

    2. That the Purchasing Agent be authorized to commence the procurement for the Contract Administration and Inspection Services for the Cottrelle Boulevard Extension between Goreway Drive and Humberwest Parkway.

    Carried
  • CW245-2022

    1. That the report titled: Traffic By-law 93-93 – Administrative Update (File I.AC), to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 11, 2022, be received; and,

    2. That a by-law be passed to amend Traffic By-law 93-93, as amended, as outlined in the subject report.

    Carried

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made under this section of the agenda. P. Fay, City Clerk, confirmed that no questions were submitted.

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made at this meeting. P. Fay, City Clerk, confirmed that no questions were submitted.

Item 15.3 was added to Consent. 

The following motion was considered.

  • CW246-2022

    That Committee proceed into Closed Session to discuss matters pertaining to the following:

    15.1. Open Session meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (c) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001:        

    A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; and, a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

    15.2. Open Session meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (k) and (b) of the Municipal Act, 2001:        

    A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board; and, personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

    15.4. Open Session meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (c) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001:       

    A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; and, a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

    Carried

    In Open Session, the Chair reported on the status of matters considered in Closed Session, as follows:

    15.1 – This item was considered by Committee in Closed Session, information was received, and direction was given.

    15.2 – This item was considered by Committee in Closed Session, information was received, and the item was referred to the May 18, 2022 City Council meeting.

    15.3 – This item was approved on Consent, including direction to consider a motion in public session (see Recommendation CW247-2022 below). This item was not considered in Closed Session.

    15.4 – This item was considered by Committee in Closed Session, information was received, and no direction was given.

     


  • The following recommendation was passed pursuant to Item 15.3.

    CW247-2022

    That the Commissioner of Legislative Services be delegated authority to execute such agreements and documents necessary to enter into a Lease, and to extend and amend such Lease, between The Corporation of The City of Brampton as Landlord and Skate Canada Brampton-Chinguacousy, as the Tenant, for 997 square feet of dedicated space within Cassie Campbell Recreation Centre, as considered by Committee and on other terms and conditions acceptable to the Senior Manager of Realty Services, and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor, or designate.

    Carried

15.1
Open Session meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (c) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
 

15.2
Open Session meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (k) and (b) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
 

15.3
^ Open Meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (c) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
 

15.4
Open Meeting exception under Section 239 (2) (c) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
 

The following motion was considered.

  • CW248-2022

    That the Committee of Council do now adjourn to meet again on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. or at the call of the Chair.

    Carried
No Item Selected