13 - July 14, 2026 Committee of the Whole Minutes1��
ElginCounty
Elgin County Council
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Minutes
July 14, 2026, 9:30 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 Jack Couckuyt
Councillor Andrew Sloan
Councillor Todd Noble
Councillor Mike Hentz
Councillor Richard Leatham
Staff Present: Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer
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, County Clerk/Manager of Administrative
Services
Diana Morris, Senior Planner
Jenna Fentie, Deputy Clerk
Stefanie Heide, Executive Performance Coordinator
Lindsay King, Policy Planner
1. Meeting Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11.52 a.m. with Warden Giguere in the chair.
2. Approval of Agenda
Resolution Number: CW26-71
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the July 14, 2026 Committee of the Whole
Meeting be approved as amended to include item 6.5 first.
Motion Carried.
3. Adoption of Minutes
Resolution Number: CW26-72
1
Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on June 23, 2026 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 Policy Planner - PLN-26-09 — Clovermead Official Plan Amendment
The Policy Planner presented the report that provides planning analysis
and a recommendation regarding Official Plan Amendment Application
OPA 01-26 for lands municipally known as 11302 and 11460 Imperial
Road, located in the Township of Malahide. The application proposes to
amend the Elgin County Official Plan to permit a site -specific large-scale
agri-tourism use associated with the existing Clovermead Adventure Farm
operation within lands designated Agricultural.
Resolution Number: CW26-74
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Sloan
RESOLVED THAT Elgin County Council approve Official Plan Amendment
Application OPA-01-26, being an amendment to the Elgin County Official
Plan to permit a site -specific large-scale agri-tourism use deemed to
constitute a non-agricultural use within the Agricultural designation, in
accordance with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; and
THAT the site -specific permission apply only to the approximately 11-
hectare portion of the subject lands identified through the implementing
Official Plan Amendment schedule in order to establish clear limits on the
extent of the non-agricultural use, maintain the long-term agricultural
function of the balance of the lands, and mitigate potential land use
compatibility impacts; and
THAT notice of Council's decision be issued in accordance with the
Planning Act.
Motion Carried.
6.2 Senior Planner - PLN-26-12 Official Plan Amendment No. 02/26 and
Draft Plan of Subdivision
The Senior Planner presented the report that provides information
required to consider granting approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision, file
number 34T-CE2502 and to Official Plan Amendment No. 02/26 to the
Official Plan of the Municipality of Central Elgin.
Resolution Number: CW26-75
Moved by: Councillor Leatham
Seconded by: Councillor Noble
RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin
approves Official Plan Amendment No. 02/26 to the Official Plan of the
Municipality of Central Elgin; and
THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin grants draft
0
plan approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-CE2502, Municipality of
Central Elgin, 0 East Road, Part of Lot 2, Concession 2, certified by
Robert Wood O.L.S on behalf of Wastell Developments., dated October 7,
2025; and
THAT staff be directed to provide Notice of this Decision in accordance
with the requirements of the Planning Act.
Motion Carried.
6.3 Director of Engineering Services - ENG 26-18 Engineering Services
for Port Burwell Bridge Rehabilitation — Contract Award
Councillor Sloan and Deputy Warden Jones left the meeting at 12:22 p.m.
The Director of Engineering Services presented the report that provides
details on the Request for Proposal (RFP) that was issued to solicit
proposals from firms to provide engineering services for the Port Burwell
Bridge Rehabilitation and recommended awarding the contract to Doug
Dixon & Associates Inc.
Resolution Number: CW26-76
Moved by: Councillor Hentz
Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw
RESOLVED THAT the contract for Engineering Services associated with
the Port Burwell Bridge Rehabilitation project, Request for Proposal 2026-
P23 be awarded to Doug Dixon &Associates Inc. in the amount of
$419,000.00 (excluding HST); and
THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be directed and
authorized to sign the contract.
Motion Carried.
6.4 Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives -
EDT 26-03 Sponsorship and Grant Policy Review: Supporting
Strategic Priorities
The Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives
presented the report that provides recommendations on path forward for
sponsorships and grants administered by the County to local groups and
organizations.
Resolution Number: CW26-77
Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
Seconded by: Councillor Widner
RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to bring forward an updated grant
program, reflecting the Committee of the Whole's feedback, for
consideration at the next meeting.
Motion Carried.
6.5 Director of Planning and Development - PLN 26-13 2026 Land
Division Committee Update
Item 6.5 was considered prior to item 6.1.
The Director of Planning and Development presented the report that
reviewed the current land division (consent) process.and that provides
considerations for alternative processes to ensure the County is
processing consent applications efficiently.
3
Resolution Number: CW26-73
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt
RESOLVED THAT the decision regarding the following recommendation
be deferred to the next term of Council:
THAT By -Law No. 2162, which establishes the delegated approval
authority to the County of Elgin Land Division Committee be repealed
effective November 30, 2026; and
THAT contentious land division applications be reviewed by County
Council commencing December 1, 2026; and
THAT staff are hereby directed to prepare amendments to the delegation
authority by-law for planning to give effect to the recommendations of this
report.
Motion Carried.
7. Adjournment
Resolution Number: CW26-78
Moved by: Councillor Widner
Seconded by: Councillor Hentz
RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 12:42 p.m. to meet again on August 11,
2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Motion Carried.
Katherine Thompson, UDominique Gigu re,
County Clerk/Manager of
Administrative Services.
Warden.
2