03 - April 18, 2024 Growth Planning Steering Committee Agenda PackageGrowth Planning Steering Committee
Thursday, April 18, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Note for Members of the Public:
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1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
3. Adoption of Minutes
4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5. Delegations
6. Reports/Briefings
7. Other Business
8. Correspondence
9. Closed Meeting
9.1 Closed Meeting Minutes February 1, 2024
9.2 Director of Legal Services — Boundary Adjustment Matter (Verbal)
Municipal Act Section 239 (2) (f) advice that is subject to solicitor -client
privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; (h)
information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local
board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of
them; and (k) 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.
10. Motion to Rise and Report
11. Date of Next Meeting
12. Adjournment
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Growth Planning Steering Committee
Minutes
February 1, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Warden Ed Ketchabaw
Deputy Warden Grant Jones
Councillor Dominique Giguere
Members Absent: Councillor Todd Noble
Staff Present: Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
Jenna Fentie, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
Brian Masschaele, Director of Community and Cultural Services
(virtual)
Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
Amy Thomson, Director of Human Resources
Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services
Carolyn Krahn, Manger of Economic Development, Tourism &
Strategic Initiatives
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with Warden Ketchabaw in the
chair.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the February 1, 2024 meeting of the Growth
Planning Steering Committee be approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
3. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on January 18, 2024 be
adopted.
Motion Carried.
4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
5. Delegations
None.
6. Reports/Briefings
6.1 Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk - Growth Planning Steering
Committee Terms of Reference
The Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk presented a draft Terms of
Reference for the Growth Planning Steering Committee's review and
endorsement.
Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Growth Planning Steering Committee
Terms of Reference" dated February 1, 2024 from the Chief Administrative
Officer/Clerk be received by the Growth Planning Steering Committee
(GPSC) of the Corporation of the County of Elgin; and
THAT the GPSC adopt the recommended Terms of Reference and
recommend the same to County Council for adoption.
Motion Carried.
6.2 Verbal Discussion in Preparation for Minister Flack's Visit
The Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk suggested three primary focus
areas for discussion with Minister Flack at the Special Meeting on
February 6, 2024, which include: infrastructure planning and coordination,
financial issues, and economic development challenges and opportunities
The Director of Legal Services noted that some items will need to be
discussed in closed session as the nature of the discussion may prejudice
the County's position in the negotiations process, and the information
discussed will involve information that has been supplied in confidence by
the Province. The Committee discussed the need to identify the County's
immediate needs and long-term needs in order to facilitate the growth
around the Volkswagen plant announcement, and that while the Province
is investing in the region, it's not necessarily investing within Elgin County.
The Director of Engineering Services shared concerns regarding the lack
of growth data that has been provided and the resulting challenges when
planning for potential impacts to county infrastructure. The Director noted
that staff foresee Highbury Avenue as the road that will be most
significantly impacted by the truck traffic and workforce travelling to the
area, and impacts will also be to Imperial Road, Belmont Road,
Wonderland Road, Wellington Road, and possibly Putnam Road. The
Director shared a map that was created to identify the regional boundaries
where the City of St. Thomas limits are and the sections of road that
reside within Elgin County that will be impacted by the industrial
development. The map will be shared with Minister Flack at the meeting
on Tuesday. The Director noted that the ten-year capital plan does not
account for this potential growth. Councillor Giguere stressed the need to
communicate the impacts to public safety and quality of life that will
deteriorate due to increased traffic in these areas, and the potential costs
associated with addressing those concerns.
The Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives
highlighted potential impacts on the business community and its limited
ability to expand. The Manager noted that currently, the availability of
hydro, water, and wastewater services are limiting industrial and
residential growth, and that it is necessary for infrastructure development
to be considered from a regional perspective.
The Director of Legal Services recommended that the financial discussion
be held in closed session as it relates to the ongoing negotiations through
the facilitation being lead by the Province.
7. Other Business
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8. Correspondence
None.
9. Closed Meeting
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT we do now move into closed meeting session in accordance
with the Municipal Act to discuss the following matters under Municipal Act
Section 239 (2):
Closed Meeting Item #1 - Financial Information
(h) information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board
by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them; and (k) 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.
Motion Carried.
9.1 Financial Discussion
10. Motion to Rise and Report
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT the Committee return to open session with a report that the
Committee discussed its position and plan related to financial matters associated
with negotiations carried on before the provincial facilitation table.
Motion Carried.
11. Return to Item 6.2 - Verbal Discussion in preparation for Minister Flack's
visit
Councillor Giguere asked whether the Council should take the opportunity at the
meeting with Minister Flack to table Council's concerns relating to funding of
public health and recruitment of doctors. Warden Ketchabaw advised that the
Budget Committee discussed recommending that Council send correspondence
to the Ministry detailing concerns regarding the public health funding structure.
The Committee discussed the merit of mentioning the concerns at the meeting
with Minister Flack.
The Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk advised that staff will take the Committee's
comments and tweak information prior to the meeting on Tuesday, and will
provide to Council prior to the meeting.
12. Date of Next Meeting
The Growth Planning Steering Committee will meet again at the call of the Chair.
13. Adjournment
Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 10:52 a.m. to meet again at the call of
the chair.
Motion Carried.
Blaine Parkin, Warden Ed Ketchabaw,
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk. Chair.