Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee

Agenda

Meeting #:

35

Date:

Thursday, May 07, 2026

Time:

10:00 A.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Location:

Ben Franklin Place, The Chamber, Main Floor, 101 Centrepointe Drive, and by electronic participation

Councillors:

• Chair: Councillor David Brown, 
• Vice-Chair: Clarke Kelly, 
• Councillor Catherine Kitts, 
• Councillor Matt Luloff, 
• and Councillor Isabelle Skalski 

Christopher Zwierzchowski,
Committee Coordinator
[phone], ext. 21359
[email protected]

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; information items not subject to discussion; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Except where otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented to Council on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Report 35.

The deadline to register by phone to speak, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on Wednesday, May 6^th, 2026, and the deadline to register by email to speak is 9:00 am on Thursday, May 7^th, 2026.

2.

Declarations of Interest

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

ARAC Minutes 34 – 02 April 2026

4.

Strategic Initiatives Department

4.1

Economic Development Rural Plan

File No. ACS2026-SI-ED-0004 – City-wide

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council:

  1. Receive the Economic Development Rural Plan, attached as Document 1.
  2. Direct staff to initiate the recommendations described in this report and summarized in Document 2.

5.

Planning, Development and Building Services Department

5.1

Rural Community-Building Grant Program – Grant Application Review

File No. ACS2025-PDB-PS-0039 – Orléans South-Navan (19), Osgoode (20), Rideau-Jock (21)

• Report Recommendation(s)

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee approve the recommendations on the Rural Community-Building Grants Program applications as detailed in this report and Document 1.

6.

In Camera Items

6.1

AvranceCorp Developments - In Camera – Solicitor-Client Privilege - Settlement to resolve potential litigation matters - Reporting Out date: After resolution of the matter

To be considered In Camera pursuant to Procedure By-law 2025-100, Subsections 13(1)(e), litigation or potential litigation, affecting the City, including matters before administrative tribunals, and 13(1)(f), the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose. Reporting out date: After resolution of the matter.

7.

Information Previously Distributed

7.1

Housing Acceleration Plan Item 11 – Terms of References Update #2

File No. ACS2026-PDB-PS-0045

8.

Open Mic Session

9.

Motions of Which Notice has been Previously Given

9.1

Motion - Councillor I. Skalski – Rural Home Infrastructure Upgrade Financing Program

File No. ACS2026-OCC-CCS-0053 – City-Wide

• Motion

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council:

  1. Direct staff to include, as part of the upcoming Better Homes Ottawa program review, an assessment of opportunities to expand or adapt the program to support rural infrastructure upgrades, including private wells, septic systems, and permanently installed standby generators;
  2. Direct staff to evaluate the feasibility of delivering such a program through:
     1. an expansion of the existing Better Homes Ottawa financing program; or
     2. a new standalone program specifically designed for rural properties and private servicing infrastructure;
  3. Approve that the staff report include options for financing using a Local Improvement Charge or similar property-based repayment model; potential funding sources, including federal and provincial climate-adaptation and resilience programs; eligibility criteria that prioritize climate resilience, water security, and protection of groundwater resources; and a proposed implementation timeline and estimated financial impact to the City; and,
  4. Direct that staff report back to the appropriate Standing Committee and Council as part of the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program review, anticipated in Q3 2027.

9.2

Motion - Councillor C. Kitts – Improving Road Safety at Tenth Line Road and Wall Road

File No. ACS2026-OCC-CCS-0054 – Orleans South-Navan (19)

• Motion

  That the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee recommend Council:

  1. Direct staff to install mounted flashing warning beacons on signs at the intersection of Tenth Line Road and Wall Road as an interim safety measure; 
  2. Approve that funding for this work be allocated from the existing general Traffic Services Operations budget; and,
  3. Direct that staff continue to monitor collision data at this intersection and report back as part of future budget considerations for a permanent intersection control solution, in consultation with the Ward Councillor.

10.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

11.

Inquiries

12.

Other Business

13.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

• Thursday, 4 June 2026