February 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM

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The meeting is called to order at 1:00 PM; it being noted that Councillor P. Van Meerbergen was in remote attendance.

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

2.   Consent

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That Consent Items 2.1 to 2.7 BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (4 to 0)

2.1   2024 Drinking Water Annual Report and Summary Report for the City of London Drinking Water System

2025-02-24 Staff Report - 2024 Drinking Water Annual Report

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That, on the recommendation of the Director, Water & Wastewater, the 2024 Drinking Water Annual Report and Summary Report for the City of London Drinking Water System BE RECEIVED for information.

Motion Passed

2.2   Appointment of Consulting Engineer: RFP2024-256: 2026 Stoney Creek Trunk Sanitary Sewer Lining Project

2025-02-24 Staff Report - Appointment of Consulting Engineer 2026 Stoney Creek Trunk Sanitary Sewer

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to the appointment of a consulting engineer for the 2026 Stoney Creek Trunk Sanitary Sewer Lining Project:

a)    Dillon Consulting Limited BE APPOINTED to carry out consulting services to complete the detailed design, tendering and contract administration at an upset amount of $230,514.35, excluding HST, in accordance with Section 12.2(b) of the City of London’s Procurement of Goods and Services Policy;

b)    the financing for this project BE APPROVED as set out in the Sources of Financing Report, as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2025, as Appendix “A”;

c)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all the administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this project;

d)    the approval given, herein, BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering into a formal contract with the consultant for the work; and

e)    the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents including agreements, if required, to give effect to these recommendations.

Motion Passed

2.3   Contract Award: RFT2024-246 - Innovation Industrial Park Subdivision Phase 5

2025-02-24 Staff Report - RFT2024-246 - Innovation Park Phase 5 Contract Award

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Growth, the following actions be taken with respect to the award of contract for the construction of Innovation Park Industrial Subdivision Phase 5:

a)    the bid submitted by VanRooyen Earthmoving Ltd. at its tendered price of $13,617,307.38, excluding HST, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that the bid submitted by VanRooyen Earthmoving Ltd. was the lowest of 11 bids received and meets the City’s specifications and requirements in all areas;

b)    AECOM Canada ULC BE AUTHORIZED to carry out the construction administration and general construction oversight and contract for the construction of Innovation Industrial Park Subdivision Phase 5 in accordance with the estimate, on file, at an upset amount of $839,215.00, including 10% contingency, excluding HST, in accordance with Section 15.2 (g) of the City of London’s Procurement of Goods and Services Policy;

c)    the financing for this project BE APPROVED as set out in the Sources of Financing Report, as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2025, as Appendix “A”;

d)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all the administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this project;

e)    the approval given, herein, BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering into a formal contract, or issuing a purchase order for the material to be supplied and the work to be done, relating to this project (RFT2024-246); and

f)    the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents, if required, to give effect to these recommendations.

Motion Passed

2.4   Appointment of Consulting Engineers for the Duluth Crescent Subdivision and Roadworks

2025-02-24 Staff Report - Appointment of Consulting Engineer - Duluth Cres

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Growth, the following actions be taken with respect to the appointment of consulting engineers for the construction of an extension to Duluth Crescent:

a)     Archibald Gray & McKay Engineering Limited, BE APPOINTED consulting engineers to complete the resident inspection and contract administration for the 2025 Duluth Crescent Subdivision and Roadworks project in accordance with the estimate, on file, at an upset amount of $426,815.00, including 10% contingency, excluding HST, in accordance with Section 15.2(g) of the City of London’s Procurement of Goods and Services Policy;

b)    the overall budget and the financing for the engineering portion of this project BE APPROVED as set out in the Sources of Financing Report, as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2025, as Appendix “A”;

c)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all the administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this project;

d)    the approval given, herein, BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering into a formal contract; and

e)     the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents, if required, to give effect to these recommendations.

Motion Passed

2.5   Declare Surplus - City-Owned Properties (1725-1731-1737-1743-1801-1805-1811-1815 Cherrywood Trail)

2025-02-24 Staff Report - Declare Surplus and Sale - Cherrywood Trail 8

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, on the advice of the Director, Realty Services, with respect to City-owned properties containing an area of approximately 31,000 square feet, representing eight (8) serviced building lots municipally known as 1725-1731-1737-1743-1801-1805-1811-1815 Cherrywood Trail, legally described as - Lots 28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35, Plan 33M-595, S/T EASE AS IN ER606963, City of London; Middlesex County, being part of PIN’s 080561401, 080561405, 080561399, 080561400, 080561398, 080561403, 080561404, 080561402, and further shown on the location map as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2025 as Appendix “A” (the “Subject Properties”), the following actions be taken:

a)    the subject properties BE DECLARED SURPLUS; and

b)    the subject properties BE OFFERED for sale in accordance with the City’s Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy.

Motion Passed

2.6   Declare Surplus - City-Owned Property - Medway Park Drive Cul-De-Sac

2025-02-24 Staff Report - Declare Surplus and Sale - Medway Park Drive Cul-De-Sac

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, on the advice of the Director, Realty Services, with respect to City-owned property legally described as Part 10, Being Part of Block12, Plan 33M-248, London Township being part of PIN 08138-0184, the following actions be taken:

a)    the subject property BE DECLARED SURPLUS; and

b)    the subject property (“Surplus Lands”) BE TRANSFERRED to the abutting property owner in accordance with the City’s Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy.

Motion Passed

2.7   Request for Tender 2025-347 - Lease of City-Owned Farmland

2025-02-24 Staff Report - Request for Tender 2025-347 Lease of City Owned Farmland

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, on the advice of the Director, Realty Services, with the concurrence of the Manager of Purchasing and Supply, with respect to the City-owned lands as shown on Schedule A (Location Map) as appended to the staff report:

a) the following actions be taken:

i) the bid submitted by J.R. Fleming Farms LTD, for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of sixteen thousand and fifty dollars ($16,050.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package A, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

ii) the bid submitted by Jeremy Witteveen, for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of twenty-four thousand five hundred seventy dollars ($24,570.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package B, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

iii) the bid submitted by Rosati Farms Inc, for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of twenty thousand five hundred and sixty dollars ($20,560.00) for a two (2) year term on Land Package C, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

iv) the bid submitted by Rosati Farms Inc, for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of five thousand nine hundred and eleven dollars ($5,911.00) for a two (2) year term on Land Package D BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

v) the bid submitted by 806433 Ontario Ltd., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of two hundred twenty-two thousand four hundred and ninety-eight dollars ($222,498.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package E, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

vi) the bid submitted by 806433 Ontario Ltd, for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of one hundred thirteen thousand six hundred and forty-six dollars ($113,646.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package F, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

vii) the bid submitted by J.R. Fleming Farms Ltd., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of fifty thousand one hundred and forty-nine dollars ($50,149.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package G, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

viii) the bid submitted by Rosati Farms Inc., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of one thousand six hundred and eighty dollars ($1,680.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package H, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

ix) the bid submitted by 806433 Ontario Ltd., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of sixty-nine thousand one hundred and seventy-four dollars ($69,174.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package I, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

x) the bid submitted by J.R. Fleming Farms Ltd., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of twenty-four thousand two hundred sixty-nine dollars and forty cents ($24,269.40) for a three (3) year term on Land Package J, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

xi) the bid submitted by Samantha Terry, for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of seven thousand five hundred and forty dollars ($7,540.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package K, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

xii) the bid submitted by J.R. Fleming Farms Ltd., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of forty-seven thousand five hundred and sixty-four dollars ($47,564.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package L, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

xiii) the bid submitted by 806433 Ontario Ltd., for lease of farmlands at the tendered annual lease amount of forty-two thousand two hundred and forty dollars ($42,240.00) for a three (3) year term on Land Package M, BE ACCEPTED; it being noted that this proponent submitted the highest offer and meets the City’s terms, conditions and specifications included in the tender;

b) the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2025, as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on March 4, 2025 being a by-law to accept the farmland lease bids for Request for Tender No. 2025-347 and approve and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the Agreements with each successful proponent.

Motion Passed

3.   Scheduled Items

None.

4.   Items for Direction

None.

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

None.

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by S. Franke

That the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee convenes In Closed session to consider the following:

6.1 (ADDED) Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice 

A matter pertaining to advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose and for the purpose of giving instructions to officers and employees of the City of London.

Motion Passed (4 to 0)

The Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee convenes In Closed Session from 1:06 PM to 1:31 PM.

7.   Adjournment

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

Motion Passed

The meeting adjourned at 1:34 PM.

Full Transcript

Transcript provided by Lillian Skinner’s London Council Archive. Note: This is an automated speech-to-text transcript and may contain errors. Speaker names are not identified.

View full transcript (27 minutes)

Good afternoon, everyone. We will get started with the fourth meeting of the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee. I’ll start with the land acknowledgement. The city of London is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabak, Haudenosaunee, Lenapawik, and Adawandran.

We honor and respect the history, languages, and culture of the diverse indigenous people who call this territory home. The city of London is currently home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit today as representatives of the people of the city of London. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and live in this territory. I am joined today in chambers with the Councillor Hopkins, Councillor Frank and myself, and online with Councillor Van Mirbergen.

Hello, everyone, and I want to say thank you to our visiting Councillor today, Councillor McAllister, confusing me by sitting on the wrong side of the room, but that’s okay, I’ll get it right. We’ll start off with item one, disclosure of pecuniary interest. The none. We’ll move to our consent items.

We have a number of items under consent. I have not received any requests to pull any as of yet, but please indicate if you’d like me to pull anything. Seeing none, I’ll look for a mover and a seconder on these items, and then we’ll have discussion. Councillor Frank and Councillor Hopkins, thank you and anyone for discussion on these items.

Councillor Hopkins, go ahead. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thanks to staff for the report. It’s a lot of good news items here, getting rid of some surplus lands, as well as the appointment of consulting engineers for the Duluth Crescent subdivision. Really pleased to see that come aboard and creating opportunities for affordable housing.

I do have a question regarding the contract award for Innovation Industrial Parks subdivision. Now, we’re spending lots of money on sewers and roads, and I just would like to have a better understanding on how that process looks like moving forward. Thank you, and I will go to Mr. McIntosh, thank you.

For the chair, thank you. So we’ve done the design and we’re bringing on board approximately 200 acres of industrial land. So the intent is to approximately three subdivisions, or sorry, three parcels that can be subdivided if necessary, but the intent is for future industrial growth in that area of land, along with the rest of Innovation Park. Follow up, Councillor?

Yeah, thank you for that. I know we’re providing services to this area to support subdivisions, and just was curious to know when this work will roll out. Mr. McIntosh?

Thank you, through the chair. The intent is to start April 1 this year, and completion is spring 2026. Good to know that there will be services there for the developments that we need to move forward. So thank you for that.

Thank you, any further questions? Seeing none, I want to thank staff for the 2024 Drinking Water Report that was in front of us today. It was a really good summary, so thank you for that. As well as the rest of the information contained in the report, I did have one question if members of committee would indulge me with a question from the chair.

It’s related to item 2.7, and I’m just wondering when we do the lease of city owned farmland. I’m just wondering if we do a comparator to look at whether or not lease is the best option, or if a sale at the time is the best option. To do the chair, I’m not sure I’d quite understand your question, you’re referring to the best option as far as the price, yes. While we have qualified people on staff that do look at the market, we reach out to realtors and appraisers.

We don’t do individual appraisals of each of the parcel, but we do track the market and also follow it through the farm credit corporation, so we’re sure that we’re receiving good fair market value and good value for the city. Thank you, it’s great to see farmed farmland in the city, so I appreciate that. Okay, with that, and not seeing any further questions, I’ll look to call the vote. I’ll vote yes.

Closing the vote, motion carries for us, y’all. Thank you, we had no scheduled items for direction or deferred matters additional business. We do have one added item for confidential today, and that’s a solicitor client privilege advice, and I’m looking for a mover and seconder to move us in camera. Councilor Hopkins, Councilor Frank, and we’ll open the vote.

Oh yes. Closing the vote, motion carries four to zero. Recording in progress. Okay, thank you everyone.

I’ll look to Councilor Frank to report it, please. Thank you, and I’m pleased to share that progress has been made for the reason that we went in camera for. Thank you, we’re onto item number seven, adjournment, and looking for a motion to adjourn. Thank you, Councillor Frank, Councillor Hopkins, and all in favor, by hand, we are adjourned.