10 - May 13, 2025 County Council MinutesElgin County Council
Regular Council Meeting
Minutes
May 13, 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
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
Brian Masschaele, Director of Community & Cultural Services
Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
Mat Vaughan, Director of Planning and Development
Holly Hurley, Director of People & Culture
Emily Waldick, Manager of Human Resources
Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk
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
Council consented to the deferral of item 9.3 - Manager of Library Services -
2024 Library Performance Report to a future meeting of County Council.
Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the May 13, 2025 County Council Meeting be
approved as amended.
Motion Carried.
3. Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials
None.
4. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on April 22, 2025 be adopted.
Motion Carried.
5. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
6. Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations
None.
7. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT items CW25-5 to CW25-13 from the Committee of the Whole
Meeting dated April 22, 2025 and the recommendations therein be adopted.
Motion Carried.
B. Committee Recommendations
8.1 Rural Initiatives and Planning Advisory Committee -April 22, 2025
Recommendations
Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT item RIPA25-5 from the Rural Initiatives and Planning
Advisory Committee Meeting dated April 22, 2025 and the
recommendations therein be adopted.
Motion Carried.
9. Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration
9.1 Warden Jones - Warden's Activity Report (April 2025)
Warden Jones presented the report detailing his activities forApril 2025.
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
THAT the report titled "Warden's Activity Report (April 2025)" from Warden
Jones dated May 13, 2025 be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
9.2 Manager of Human Resources - Human Resources -Accessibility
Week Update
The Manager of Human Resources presented the report highlighting the
activities that the County will host during Accessibility Week in Canada.
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Human Resources- Accessibility
Week" from the Manager of Human Resources dated May 13, 2025, be
received and filed.
Motion Carried.
9.3 Manager of Library Services - 2024 Library Performance Report
This report was deferred to a future meeting of County Council.
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10. Council Correspondence
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 10.1 - 10.6 be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
10.1 Letter from Ex -Warden's Association to Honourable Rob Flack,
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing expressing the
Association's collective concerns and opposition to the expansion of
Strong Mayor Powers
10.2 Resolution from the Town of Aylmer opposing the expansion of
Strong Mayor Powers
10.3 Letter from AMO President to Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Strong Mayor Powers
10.4 Letter from SCOR EDC Chair of the Board of Directors re: Update on
Regional Rail Infrastructure Project Application
10.5 Invitation to attend the London District Catholic School Board
Community Partnerships Meeting on May 22, 2025
10.6 Resolution from City of Richmond Hill requesting provincial
regulations to restrict keeping of non-native ("exotic") wild animals
11. Statements/Inquiries by Members
11.1 Warden Jones - Elgin County Warden's Charity Golf Tournament
Warden Jones reminded Councillors that the Annual Elgin County
Warden's Charity Golf Tournament is one month away and encouraged
Councillors to sign up to play.
12. Closed Meeting Items
Moved by: Councillor Sloan
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
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 -April 22 2025
Closed Meetinq Item #2 - Human Resources Matter (verbal)
(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local
board employees; and (f) advice that is subject to solicitor -client privilege,
including communications necessary for that purpose.
Motion Carried.
12.1 Closed Meeting Minutes -April 22, 2025
12.2 Director, People & Culture and Director of Legal Services - Human
Resources Matter (verbal)
13. Motion to Rise and Report
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.
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Motion Carried.
Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes -April 22, 2025
Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT the April 22, 2025 Closed Meeting Minutes be adopted.
Motion Carried.
Closed Meeting Item #2 - Human Resources Matter (verbal)
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the confidential verbal report from the Director of People &
Culture and the Director of Legal Services be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
14. Consideration of By -Laws
14.1 By -Law No. 25-20 Fees and Charges
BEING a By -Law to Provide a Schedule of Services and Activities Subject
to Fees and Charges by the County of Elgin and to Repeal By -Laws No.
24-26 and 24-45.
Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 25-20 be now read a first, second, and
third time and finally passed.
Motion Carried.
14.2 By -Law No. 25-21 Confirmation
BEING a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the
Corporation of the County of Elgin at the May 13, 2025 Meeting.
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 25-21 be now read a first, second and third
time and finally passed.
Motion Carried.
15. Adjournment
Moved by: Councillor Sloan
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 9:18 a.m. to m
2025 at 9:00 a.m. /
Motion Carried.
Blaine Parkin,
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk.
ain on May 27,
Grant Jones,
Warden.
GI