04 - February 24, 2026 County Council Minutes-��
EIginCounty
Elgin County Council
Regular Council Meeting
Minutes
February 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Warden Dominique Giguere
Deputy Warden Grant Jones
Councillor Ed Ketchabaw
Councillor Mark Widner
Councillor Andrew Sloan
Councillor Mike Hentz
Councillor Richard Leatham
Members Absent: Councillor Jack Couckuyt (with notice)
Councillor Todd Noble (with notice)
Staff Present: Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
Brian Masschaele, Director of Community & Cultural Services
Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer (virtual)
Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
Mat Vaughan, Director of Planning and Development
Holly Hurley, Director of People & Culture
Joe Anne Holloway, Director of Homes and Seniors Services
Ryan Terpstra, Manager of Corporate Facilities
Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative
Services/Deputy Clerk
Jeff Brooks, Manager of Emergency Management (virtual)
Jenna Fentie, Legislative Services Coordinator
Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator
Candace Bill, Employee Rewards and Systems Advisor
1. Meeting Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9.01 a.m. with Warden Giguere in the chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the February 24, 2026 County Council Meeting
be approved as presented.
Motion Carried.
3. Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials
A moment of silence was held to honour the life of former County Councillor and
Mayor of the Town of Aylmer Bob Habkirk. Warden Giguere noted that the flags
have been lowered to half mast in recognition of his passing.
4. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Sloan
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on February 10, 2026 be
adopted.
Motion Carried.
5. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
Deputy Warden Jones declared a conflict for item CW26-17 under 7.1
Recommendations from Committee of the Whole. Deputy Warden Jones will not
participate in the discussion or vote on this item.
6. Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations
6.1 Betsy McClure, Program Coordinator, Elgin Clean Water Program -
Elgin Clean Water Program Annual Report 2025
Betsy McClure, Program Coordinator for the Elgin Clean Water Program,
presented the 2025 Elgin Clean Water Program Annual Report that
summarizes the successes of the program over the past year.
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT the presentation from Betsy McClure from the Elgin
Clean Water Program be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
7. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole
7.1 Warden Giguere -ADM 26-06 - Recommendations from Committee of
the Whole — February 10, 2026
Warden Giguere requested that item CW26-17 be pulled for further
discussion and clarification. The Manager of Emergency Management
provided additional information regarding the Live Fire Training Structure
Fee for Council's information.
Deputy Warden Jones declared a conflict of interest for item CW26-17.
Deputy Warden Jones left the Chambers during the discussion and did not
participate in the vote for this item.
Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT item CW26-16 from the Committee of the Whole
meeting dated February 10, 2026, and the recommendations therein be
adopted.
Motion Carried.
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Widner
RESOLVED THAT a licence agreement between the County of Elgin and
the Township of Southwold for the use of land for the purpose of installing
and operating a live -fire structure, substantially in the form of Appendix "A"
of the February 10, 2026 report titled "Land Use Agreement for Fire
Training Structure" be approved; and
THAT the fee structure contained in the report titled "Live Fire Training
Structure Rental Fee Schedule" dated February 24, 2026 be approved.
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Motion Carried.
8. Committee Recommendations
None.
9. Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration
None.
10. Council Correspondence
Deputy Warden Jones returned to the Chambers.
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT the County of Elgin support the resolution from the County of
Prince Edward supporting Bill 21 Protect our Food Act, 2025.
Motion Carried.
Moved by: Councillor Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Item 10.2 be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
10.1 Resolution from the County of Prince Edward supporting Bill 21,
Protect Our Food Act, 2025.
10.2 Letter from Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners announcing that
the application period for the Board of Directors is now open.
11. Statements/Inquiries by Members
None.
12. Closed Meeting Items
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
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 - Lease Renewals - County Administration Building
(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or
local board.
Motion Carried.
12.1 Manager of Corporate Facilities - ENG 26-03 Lease Renewals -
County Administration Building
13. Motion to Rise and Report
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Widner
RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.
Motion Carried.
Closed Meeting Item #1 - Lease Renewals - County Administration Building
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Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT Elgin County Council approve a new commercial two-year
term Lease Agreement between Mervin Riddell and Elgin County in relation to
Suites 223, 225 and 227 commencing May 1, 2025, and annual rent of
$15,820.08; and
THAT Elgin County Council approve a new commercial one-year term Lease
Agreement between Ontario Clean Water Agency, and Elgin County in relation to
Suites 305 and 370. Lease commencing November 1, 2025, at an annual rent of
$42,027.37.
Motion Carried.
14. Consideration of By -Laws
14.1 By -Law No. 26-11 Confirmation
BEING a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the
Corporation of the County of Elgin at the February 24, 2026 Meeting.
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 26-11 be now read a first, second, and
third time and finally passed.
Motion Carried.
15. Adjournment
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 9:29 a.m. to meet again on March 10,
2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Motion Carried.
Blaine Parkin,
Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk.
Dominique Gig re,
Warden.
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