08 - April 28, 2026 County Council Minutes100on
ElginCounty
Elgin County Council
Regular Council Meeting
Minutes
April 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas ON
Members Present: Warden Dominique Giguere
Deputy Warden Grant Jones (virtual)
Councillor Ed Ketchabaw
Councillor Mark Widner
Councillor Jack Couckuyt
Councillor Andrew Sloan
Councillor Todd Noble
Councillor Mike Hentz
Councillor Richard Leatham
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
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
Carolyn Krahn, Manager of Economic Development, Tourism &
Strategic Initiatives
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 Giguere in the chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the April 28, 2026 County Council Meeting be
approved, as amended, to include a letter under Council Correspondence from
Baribeau Construction seeking a letter of support from County Council for their
Menno Lodge Phase II Affordable Seniors Housing Development.
Motion Carried.
3. Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials
3.1 Warden Giguere - National Day of Mourning
Warden Giguere recognized April 28, 2026 as the National Day of
Mourning in Canada which is observed each year to honour those who
have lost their lives, been injured, or become ill due to workplace -related
incidents. Warden Giguere noted that the flag at the Elgin County Heritage
Centre has been lowered to half mast as a visible sign of remembrance
and respect.
4. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on April 14, 2026 be adopted.
Motion Carried.
6. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None.
6. Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations
6.1 Danielle Neilson, Acting Director of Social Services - St. Thomas -
Elgin Social Services Service Review
Representatives from St. Thomas -Elgin Social Services provided a
presentation to Council highlighting the key initiatives and successes
within Children's Services, Ontario Works, and Housing Stability Services.
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt
RESOLVED THAT the presentation from St. Thomas -Elgin Social Services
be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
7. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole
7.1 Warden Giguere - ADM 26-14 - Recommendations from Committee of
the Whole —April 14, 2026
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Leatham
RESOLVED THAT items CW26-36 — CW26-38 from the Committee of the
Whole meeting dated April 14, 2026, and the recommendations therein be
adopted.
Motion Carried.
8. Committee Recommendations
None.
9. Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration
None.
10. Council Correspondence
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 10.1 and 10.2 be received and filed.
Motion Carried.
10.1 Letter from Bobbi-Jo Gardiner, Director of Philanthropy, Junior
Achievement South Western Ontario expressing appreciation to
County Council for 2026 Sponsorship funding.
2
10.2 Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus Media Release - WOWC Urges
Province to Protect Local Governance in Bill 100
10.3 Request from Baribeau Construction for a letter of support for the
Menno Lodge Phase II Affordable Seniors Housing Development
Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT County Council provide a letter of support for the
Menno Lodge affordable housing project application for federal funding
through the Build Canada Homes program; and
THAT County Council revisit the Grants and Sponsorships policy for
further discussion regarding goals, objectives, scope and eligibility criteria.
Motion Carried.
11. Statements/Inquiries by Members
None.
12. Closed Meeting Items
Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
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 - LEG 26-01 OLT Appeal
(f) advice that is subject to solicitor -client privilege, including communications
necessary for that purpose.
Motion Carried.
12.1 Director of Legal Services - LEG 26-01 OLT Appeal
13. Motion to Rise and Report
Moved by: Councillor Sloan
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.
Motion Carried.
Closed Meeting Item #1 - LEG 26-01 OLT Appeal
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones
RESOLVED THAT the report titled LEG 26-01 OLT Appeal dated April 28, 2026
from the Director of Legal Services be received and filed; and
THAT legal counsel proceed as directed.
Motion Carried.
14. Consideration of By -Laws
14.1 By -Law No. 26-17 Delegation of Authority During Restricted Period
3
BEING a By -Law to Delegate Authority to the Chief Administrative Officer
to Act in the event that the Council's Actions Become Restricted under
Section 275 of the Municipal Act, 2001.
Moved by: Councillor Ketchabaw
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 26-17 be now read a first, second, and
third time and finally passed.
Motion Carried.
14.2 By -Law No. 26-18 Confirmation
BEING a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the
Corporation of the County of Elgin at the April 28, 2026 Meeting.
Moved by: Councillor Noble
Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt
RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 26-18 be now read a first, second, and
third time and finally passed.
Motion Carried.
15. Adjournment
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 10:19 a.m. to meet again on May 12,
2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Motion Carried.
County Clerk /
Manager of Administrative Services.
44,z� /___
Dominique iguere,
Warden.
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