08 - April 8, 2025 County Council MinutesElgin County Council
Regular Council Meeting
Minutes
April 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Warden Grant Jones
Deputy Warden Ed Ketchabaw
Councillor Dominique Giguere
Councillor Mark Widner
Councillor Jack Couckuyt
Councillor Andrew Sloan (virtual)
Councillor Todd Noble
Councillor Mike Hentz (virtual)
Councillor Richard Leatham
Staff Present: Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services (virtual)
Brian Masschaele, Director of Community & Cultural Services
Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
Mat Vaughan, Director of Planning and Development
Holly Hurley, Director of People & Culture
Andrea Loughlean, Manager of Emergency Management &
Elgin -Middlesex Regional Fire School (virtual)
Emily Waldick, Manager of Human Resources
Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk
Natalie Marlowe, Manager of Library Services
Jenna Fentie, Legislative Services Coordinator
Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator
1. Meeting Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with Warden Jones in the chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the April 8, 2025 County Council Meeting be
approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
3. Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials
None.
4. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting and
Special Meeting be adopted.
Motion Carried.
5. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
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6. Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations
None.
7. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole
None.
8. Committee Recommendations
None.
9. Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration
9.1 Manager of Library Services - Mobile Library Service Progress
Report
The Manager of Library Services provided an update and progress report
on the Mobile Library Service for Elgin County Library that was launched
in 2024. The report also provides a framework for next steps for the
continuation of the program in 2025.
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Mobile Library Service Progress
Report" from the Manager of Library Services dated April 8, 2025, be
received and filed.
Motion Carried.
10. Council Correspondence
10.1 Resolution from the Municipality of Central Elgin recommending the
establishment of a garden plot and municipal garden planting pilot
project in municipal parks.
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Item 10.1 be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
11. Statements/Inquiries by Members
11.1 Warden Jones - Support Local Campaign
Warden Jones announced the launch of the Support Local Campaign that
encourages people to shop, dine, and support businesses in Elgin County.
He noted that, over the next few weeks, County Councillors will be visiting
businesses across the county to showcase their incredible products and
services. Warden Jones will be kicking off the campaign with a stop at
Evelyn's Sausage Kitchen in Southwold this afternoon.
12. Closed Meeting Items
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Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT we do now proceed 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 - Closed Meeting Minutes - March 25, 2025
Closed Meeting Item #2 - Labour Relations Matter
(d) labour relations or employee negotiations
Motion Carried.
12.1 Closed Meeting Minutes - March 25, 2025
12.2 Director of People and Culture - Labour Relations Matter
13. Motion to Rise and Report
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.
Motion Carried.
Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes - March 25, 2025
Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the closed meeting minutes of the March 25, 2025 Regular
Meeting and Special Meeting be adopted.
Motion Carried.
Closed Meeting Item #2 - Labour Relations Matter
Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
Seconded by: Councillor Widner
RESOLVED THAT County Council approve the confidential report titled "Labour
Relations Matters - Seeking Approval of Renewal of Collective Agreement with
Canadian Union of Public Employees (COPE Local 841) and the
recommendations contained therein; and
THAT the necessary by-law be prepared.
Motion Carried.
14. Consideration of By -Laws
14.1 By -Law No. 25-16 COPE Library Collective Agreement
BEING a By -Law to Authorize the Execution of a Collective Agreement
between the Corporation of the County of Elgin and Canadian Union of
Public Employees with respect to the Corporation's County Library
Employees.
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 25-16 be now read a first, second and third
time and finally passed.
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Motion Carried.
14.2 By -Law No. 25-17 Confirmation
BEING a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the
Corporation of the County of Elgin at the April 8, 2025 Meeting.
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 25-17 be now read a first, second and third
time and finally passed.
Motion Carried.
15. Adjournment
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 9:24 a.m. to meet again on April 22,
2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Motion Carried.
laine Parkin,
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk.
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