14 - November 25, 2025 Committee of the Whole MinutesElginCounty
Elgin County Council
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Minutes
November 25, 2025, 9:30 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 Todd Noble
Councillor Mike Hentz
Councillor Richard Leatham
Members Absent: Councillor Andrew Sloan
Staff Present: Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal 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
Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk
Mike Hoogstra, Manager of Purchasing and Risk
Jenna Fentie, Legislative Services Coordinator
Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator
1. Meeting Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 1:20 p.m. with Warden Jones in the chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Resolution Number: CW25-95
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the November 25, 2025 Committee of the
Whole Meeting be approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
3. Adoption of Minutes
Resolution Number: CW25-96
Moved by: Councillor Giguere
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on November 12, 2025 be
adopted.
Motion Carried.
4. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
5. Members' Motions
None.
6. Reports of Council, Staff or Outside Boards
6.1 Manager of Procurement & Risk - General Insurance and Risk
Management Services Program for 2026
The Manager of Procurement & Risk presented the report that provides
details regarding General Insurance and Risk Management Services for
2026 and seeks Council's approval to renew the policy.
Resolution Number: CW25-97
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT the General Insurance and Risk Management Services
Program proposed by Marsh Canada Limited ("Marsh") be approved at the
annual premium cost of $620,684 plus taxes (8% PST) commencing
December 15, 2025 and expiring on December 15, 2026; and
THAT the Manager of Procurement & Risk and Director of Financial
Services/Treasurer be authorized to renew the policy.
Motion Carried.
6.2 Director of Planning and Development - County Planning Update
The Director of Planning and Development presented the report that
provides an update on all planning activity provided by the department and
explores next steps with Local Municipal Partner activity and staffing
resources.
Resolution Number: CW25-98
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "County Planning Update" from the
Director of Planning and Development dated November 25, 2025 be
received and filed; and
THAT County Council direct planning staff to proceed with hiring a new
Planner FTE to increase the County's planning staff complement to
provide planning services to West Elgin and Bayham.
Motion Carried.
6.3 Director of Financial Services/Treasurer - Elgin County Grant
Funding Requests
The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer presented the report seeking
Council's direction regarding three (3) requests for grant funding received
from the South Dorchester Home & School Association, the Port Burwell
Home & School Association, and Hospice of Elgin.
Resolution Number: CW25-99
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Gigu6re
I
RESOLVED THAT County Council provide funding in the amount of
$12,000 for the South Dorchester Home & School Association.
Motion Carried.
Resolution Number: CW25-100
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT County Council provide funding in the amount of $2000
to the Port Burwell Home & School Association.
Motion Carried.
Resolution Number: CW25-101
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Giguere
RESOLVED THAT County Council provide funding in the amount of
$220,000 in 2025 to the Hospice of Elgin.
Defeated.
6.4 Director of Legal Services - LS 25-31B — County Shared Services
The Director of Legal Services presented the report seeking endorsement
of a Contracted Services Policy for the delivery of services by County staff
to other public entities.
Resolution Number: CW25-102
Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "LS 25-3B — County Shared Services"
from the Director of Legal Services dated November 25, 2025 be received
and filed; and
THAT Council for the County of Elgin endorse the County Contracted
Services Policy attached to this report as "Appendix "A""; and
THAT Council for the County of Elgin direct staff to create a standardized
set of terms and conditions for the delivery of contracted services by the
County that conforms to the County Contracted Services Policy.
Motion Carried.
6.5 Director of Engineering Services - Transportation Master Plan — Final
Report Adoption
The Director of Engineering Services presented the report seeking
Council's approval for the final Transportation Master Plan report before it
is advertised to the public for a final 30-day review period.
Resolution Number: CW25-103
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Transportation Master Plan — Final
Report Adoption" from the Director of Engineering Services dated
November 25, 2025 be received and filed; and
THAT the attached "Transportation Master Plan Final Draft Report", and
3
"Engagement Summary Report" be approved for a final 30-day Public
Review Period to conclude the project.
Motion Carried.
7. Adjournment.
Resolution Number: CW25-104
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 2:10 p.m. to meet again on December
11, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Motion Carried.
(41atine Parkin,
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk.
Dominique Gigu e,
7-
Warden.
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