The Whitchurch-Stouffville Record

Council Meeting

April 15, 2026

Who was there

Present (6): Keith Acton, Richard Bartley, Hugo T. Kroon, Iain Lovatt, Sue Sherban, Maurice Smith

Absent (1): Rick Upton

Taken from the roll call in the town’s own minutes. The minutes record who was not there and almost never why.

What was decided (21 motions)

20 carried, 1 recorded otherwise. Every motion below is printed as the minutes print it.

OM-2026-080 That the minutes of the April 2nd, 2026, meeting of Council be approved, as presented.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-081 That Council receive and file the deputation of James Spratley in regards to refunding cash securities paid to the Town; and That Council authorize staff to complete all necessary steps and assign signing authority as may be required to execute this change to the Clerk and Mayor, to reduce, and refund the appropriate securities as applicable, held by the town to $300,000.
Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-082 That Council approve items 8.1 and adopt the recommendations contained therein.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Acton
Carried
That Council receive Report CAO-005-26 for information.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Acton
Carried
OM-2026-083 That Council receive Report FI-006-26 for information. 9.2 FI-007-26 2025 Year-End Financial Results Attachments | Public Comments 1. FI-007-26 2025 Year-End Financial Results.pdf 2. Attachment No. 1 - Capital Projects Closed in 2025.pdf 3. Attachment No. 2 - Active Capital Projects
Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-084 That Council receive Report No. FI-007-26 for information.
Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Acton
Carried
OM-2026-085 That Council confirm that notwithstanding the proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment is different from that proposed at the March 11, 2026, Statutory Public Meeting, the revisions are minor in nature, and no further Statutory Public Meeting is required in accordance with Section 34(17) of the Planning Act; and That Council use Report DS-011-26 to inform the consideration of By-laws No. 2026-029-OP and 2026-030-ZO being by-laws to implement Housing Accelerator Fund Initiatives #1 and #2 in Official Plan 2024-057-OP and Zoning By-law 2010-001-ZO, as listed under item 11.3 and 11.4; and That Council have Staff review the outcome of proposed zoning amendments upon four-year anniversary of the passing of this By-law, in order to determine if the changes have produced the desired outcome of Housing Accelerator Initiatives #1 and #2 or if amendments are required; and That Council receive and file the Summary Presentation regarding the Housing Accelerator Funding Changes and Next Steps for the ReZone and ReDesign Stouffville Project, as presented.
Moved by Councillor Kroon, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
1. That Council reject and remove the Housing Accelerator Fund 2 parking reduction permission, as detailed in the report and associated by-laws.
Moved by Councillor Acton, seconded by Councillor Sherban
Defeated
OM-2026-086 That Council receive Report No. FES-001-26 for information; and That Council receive and file the presentation of the 2025 Fire and Emergency Services Annual Report, as delivered by the Fire Chief.
Moved by Councillor Bartley, seconded by Councillor Smith
Carried
OM-2026-087 That Council authorize the reallocation of funds, in the amount of $348,500, to the Controlled Crossing Safety Assessment (Whistle Cessation) project; and That the Treasurer be directed to fund the additional amount from savings associated with closed 2025 capital projects.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-088 That By-laws, as listed under items 11.1 to 11.5 inclusive, be introduced and read a first, second, and third time and be finally passed and that the Mayor and Clerk do sign and seal the same.
Moved by Councillor Kroon, seconded by Councillor Smith
Carried
OM-2026-089 WHEREAS Council received and adopted the Integrity Commissioner’s report dated December 3, 2025, concerning findings related to Councillor Rick Upton; and WHEREAS the report concluded that Councillor Upton engaged in a persistent pattern of inappropriate, unwelcome, and sexualized behaviour breaching the Council Code of Conduct and recommended sanctions intended to uphold accountability and ethical governance; and WHEREAS maintaining public confidence in municipal governance requires that findings of the Integrity Commissioner be taken seriously and that sanctions be meaningful, proportionate, and consistently applied; and WHEREAS a reconsideration provides an opportunity not to weaken accountability, but to ensure that the sanctions imposed remain appropriate, clearly justified, and aligned with established principles of transparency, integrity, and deterrence; and WHEREAS any perception of inconsistency or leniency in enforcing the Code of Conduct may undermine public trust in Council’s commitment to ethical standards; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Council hereby agrees to reconsider its decision made on December 3rd with respect to the sanctions imposed on Councillor Rick Upton arising from the Integrity Commissioner’s December 3, 2025, report, for the purpose of reaffirming and, if necessary, strengthening those sanctions; 2. And that this reconsideration shall be conducted in a manner that reinforces public trust, demonstrates Council’s commitment to
Moved by Mayor Lovatt, seconded by Councillor Smith
Carried
OM-2026-090 WHEREAS the Integrity Commissioner has issued a recommendation requiring the Councillor Upton to complete remedial training on the Town’s Harassment and Discrimination Free Workplace Policy; and WHEREAS the recommendation specifically calls for a facilitated session arranged by the CAO or Human Resources Department to review the respective roles of Council and staff, and to reinforce expectations for respectful communication; and WHEREAS such training is intended to prevent future incidents and ensure a clear understanding of appropriate conduct and boundaries when engaging with staff; and WHEREAS , to date, Councillor Upton has not completed the required training as recommended by the Integrity Commissioner and directed by council; and WHEREAS the specific amended recommendation, moved by Councillor Kroon and Councillor Bartley, passed by council on December 3 states that: If Councillor Upton chooses to remain in office, he should attend training on the Harassment and Discrimination Free Workplace Policy, facilitated by the CAO and Human Resources Director, at his own expense. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council require Councillor Upton to complete the recommended remedial training by May 15, 2026; and THAT the CAO or Human Resources Department be directed to arrange the facilitated training session at the earliest possible opportunity, with a defined completion timeline; and THAT confirmation of completion for the aforementioned training be reported back t
Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Kroon
Carried
OM-2026-091 That Council recess into Closed Session at 3:14 p.m. to consider item 13.2 under the following exception, in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001: 239(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
Moved by Councillor Bartley, seconded by Councillor Sherban
Carried
OM-2026-092 That the Closed Meeting Minutes of April 2nd , 2026 , be approved, as circulated.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Kroon
Carried
OM-2026-093 That Council authorize Staff to proceed as directed in the Closed Meeting.
Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-094 That Confirmatory By-law 2026-032-MS, be introduced and read a first, second, and third time and be finally passed and that the Mayor and Clerk do sign and seal the same.
Moved by Councillor Acton, seconded by Councillor Kroon
Carried
OM-2026-095 That there being no further business, the meeting adjourn at 3:33 p.m.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Smith
Carried
OM-2026-080 That Council approve the minutes of the April 2nd, 2026, meeting, as presented.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-081 That Council receive and file the deputation of James Spratley regarding refunding cash securities paid to the Town; and That Council authorize staff to complete all necessary steps and assign signing authority as may be required to execute this change to the Clerk and Mayor, to reduce, and refund the appropriate securities as applicable, held by the town to $300,000.
Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Bartley
Carried
OM-2026-082 That Council approve item 8.1 and adopt the recommendation contained therein.
Moved by Councillor Sherban, seconded by Councillor Acton
Carried

The town’s own record

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