Committee of the Whole - Planning and Administration

WHEREAS the City of Brantford is committed to environmental stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and the protection of natural heritage systems; and WHEREAS the “New Forest in the City” reflects the vision and leadership of the Brant Tree Coalition and community supporters to establish a naturalized urban forest for ecological preservation and passive public use; and WHEREAS formal recognition of this area as a Natural Area will enhance public awareness, responsible use, stewardship, and long-term ecological protection; and WHEREAS Canada has committed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030, and municipalities play an important role in contributing to this objective; and WHEREAS concerns have arisen regarding unauthorized vehicle use, fire risk, environmental hazards, and improper waste disposal which may negatively impact the ecological integrity and public safety of the lands; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The area currently known as the “New Forest in the City” be formally named: “THE NEW FOREST IN THE CITY NATURAL AREA.” Staff BE DIRECTED to report back on options to formally recognize and protect the lands as a municipal Natural Area. Appropriate signage be installed identifying the lands as a Natural Area and outlining permitted and prohibited uses. Signage shall include: Prohibition of ALL motorized vehicles, including dirt bikes, motorcycles, and similar uses Prohibition of bicycles and other non-mot

VanTilborg WHEREAS the City of Brantford is proud to pay tribute on Remembrance Day to the courage and sacrifice of those who served and continue to serve our country during times of war, military conflict, and peace; and WHEREAS the City of Brantford is committed to showing remembrance and commemoration of veterans and those whose lives were

THAT all Items for Consideration/Consent (7.1 and 7.2) separated for discussion purposes BE APPROVED. The following items were placed on the floor and were voted on individually: 7. Items for Consideration/Consent Public Comments: 7.1 Items for Consideration Public Comments: 7.1.1 Fire Master Plan Report [Financial Impact - None], 2026-192 1. Fire Master Plan Report - 2026-192.pdf 2. Brantford Fire Master Plan - Final Report (April 8).pdf THAT Report 2026-192 titled Fire Master Plan BE RECEIVED; and THAT Council ADOPT the proposed Fire Master Plan attached as Appendix A as the strategic planning framework for the delivery of fire protection service within the City of Brantford for the next 5 to 7 year community planning horizon; and THAT Council DIRECT the Fire Chief to develop an implementation plan for the proposed Fire Master Plan to present to Council for consideration as part of the City’s annual Estimates Committee Process. Recorded vote on item 7.1.1: Yes (11) Councillor Sless, Councillor Carpenter, Councillor McCreary, Mayor Davis, Councillor VanTilborg, Councillor Martin, Councillor Sicoli, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Caputo, and Councillor Samwell

Amendment: THAT Clause D (3) BE STRUCK and REPLACED: THAT staff CONSULT with the Salvation Army, St. Andrew’s United Church, Grace Anglican Church, The Blessing Centre, and neighbouring residents to bring recommedndations to Council regarding the food program; Recorded vote on item amendment: Yes (11) Councillor Sless, Councillor Carpenter, Councillor McCreary, Mayor Davis, Councillor VanTilborg, Councillor Martin, Councillor Sicoli, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Caputo, and Councillor Samwell

THAT clauses A, B & C of item 1 BE STRUCK AND REPLACED: THAT no name be applied to the parkette stage and that the stage be removed. Yes (3) Mayor Davis, Councillor Martin, and Councillor Sicoli No (8) Councillor Sless, Councillor Carpenter, Councillor McCreary, Councillor VanTilborg, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Caputo, and Councillor Samwell

THAT Section 15.10.3 of Chapter 15 of the City of Brantford Municipal Code BE WAIVED in order to extend the meeting beyond 10:00 p.m. for an additional 30 minutes. Recorded vote on the motion to extend the hour: Yes (6) Councillor Sless, Mayor Davis, Councillor Sicoli, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Caputo, and Councillor Samwell No (5) Councillor Carpenter, Councillor McCreary, Councillor VanTilborg, Councillor Martin, and Councillor Sullivan

VanTilborg WHEREAS The Bell Homestead National Historic Site celebrated in grand fashion, the 150 th anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in July 2024; and WHEREAS August 10, 2026, represents the 150 th anniversary of the first successful long distance telephone call that was made between the telegraph offices in downtown Brantford and Paris, Ontario; and WHEREAS the accomplishments of Alexander Graham Bell are deeply connected to Brantford and represent a historical achievement that must be celebrated and recognized; and WHEREAS the staff and volunteers at the Bell Homestead would like to invite the community put their cellphones away and celebrate this communications milestone; and WHEREAS a ten stop audio tour highlighting sites and monuments, existing and past, of the history of the telephone will be unveiled in the Fall in tandem with the Public Art for visitors and locals; and WHEREAS the public art piece called AHOY-HOY by Julia Jamrozik and Coryn Kempster recognizing the invention of the telephone and first successful long-distance call will be unveiled in the Fall of 2026 in Alexandra Park; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT The City of Brantford celebrate this anniversary by organizing a free family community event on Saturday August 8 th and a evening ticketed Tour & Tea on Monday August 10 th , 2026 at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site, alongside other community outreach events and that the costs associated with entertainmen

THAT all Items for Consideration/Consent (7.1 and 7.2) not separated for discussion purposes BE APPROVED. Recorded vote on all items not separated for discussion purposes: Yes (10): Mayor Davis, Councillor Sicoli, Councillor Caputo, Councillor Sless, Councillor McCreary, Councillor Martin, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Carpenter, Councillor Samwell, and Councillor VanTilborg

WHEREAS the City of Brantford is proud to pay tribute on Remembrance Day to the courage and sacrifice of those who served and continue to serve our country during times of war, military conflict, and peace; and WHEREAS the City of Brantford is committed to showing remembrance and commemoration of veterans and those whose lives were

THAT all Items for Consideration/Consent (7.1 and 7.2) separated for discussion purposes BE APPROVED. The following items were placed on the floor and were voted on individually: 7. Items for Consideration/Consent 7.1 Items for Consideration 7.1.1 Fire Master Plan Report [Financial Impact - None], 2026-192 A. THAT Report 2026-192 titled Fire Master Plan BE RECEIVED; and B. THAT Council ADOPT the proposed Fire Master Plan attached as Appendix A as the strategic planning framework for the delivery of fire protection service within the City of Brantford for the next 5 to 7 year community planning horizon; and C. THAT Council DIRECT the Fire Chief to develop an implementation plan for the proposed Fire Master Plan to 10 present to Council for consideration as part of the City’s annual Estimates Committee Process. Recorded vote on item 7.1.1: Yes (11): Mayor Davis, Councillor Sicoli, Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Caputo, Councillor Sless, Councillor McCreary, Councillor Martin, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Carpenter, Councillor Samwell, and Councillor VanTilborg

THAT clauses A, B & C of item 1 BE STRUCK AND REPLACED: THAT no name be applied to the parkette stage and that the stage be removed. Yes (3): Mayor Davis, Councillor Sicoli, and Councillor Martin No (8): Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Caputo, Councillor Sless, Councillor McCreary, Councillor Hunt, Councillor Carpenter, Councillor Samwell, and Councillor VanTilborg

14 Amendment: THAT Item 1 BE

THAT Section 15.10.3 of Chapter 15 of the City of Brantford Municipal Code BE WAIVED in order to extend the meeting beyond 10:00 p.m. for an additional 30 minutes. Recorded vote on the motion to extend the hour: Yes (6): Mayor Davis, Councillor Sicoli, Councillor Caputo, Councillor Sless, Councillor Hunt, and Councillor Samwell No (5): Councillor Sullivan, Councillor McCreary, Councillor Martin, Councillor Carpenter, and Councillor VanTilborg

WHEREAS The Bell Homestead National Historic Site celebrated in grand fashion, the 150th anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in July 2024; and WHEREAS August 10, 2026, represents the 150th anniversary of the first successful long distance telephone call that was made between the telegraph offices in downtown Brantford and Paris, Ontario; and 17 WHEREAS the accomplishments of Alexander Graham Bell are deeply connected to Brantford and represent a historical achievement that must be celebrated and recognized; and WHEREAS the staff and volunteers at the Bell Homestead would like to invite the community put their cellphones away and celebrate this communications milestone; and WHEREAS a ten stop audio tour highlighting sites and monuments, existing and past, of the history of the telephone will be unveiled in the Fall in tandem with the Public Art for visitors and locals; and WHEREAS the public art piece called AHOY-HOY by Julia Jamrozik and Coryn Kempster recognizing the invention of the telephone and first successful long-distance call will be unveiled in the Fall of 2026 in Alexandra Park; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT The City of Brantford celebrate this anniversary by organizing a free family community event on Saturday August 8th and a evening ticketed Tour & Tea on Monday August 10th, 2026 at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site, alongside other community outreach events and that the costs associated with entertainment, advertisin