Loading...
16 - August 11, 2026 County Council Minutes-�n ElginCounty Elgin County Council Regular Council Meeting Minutes August 11, 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 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 Jeff Brooks, Manager of Emergency Management Diana Morris, Senior Planner Natalie Marlowe, Manager of Library Services Madeleine Howard, Curator Gina Elias, Archivist Jenna Fentie, Deputy Clerk Stefanie Heide, Executive Performance 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 Noble Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the August 11, 2026 County Council Meeting be approved as presented. Motion Carried. 3. Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials None. 4. Adoption of Minutes Moved by: Councillor Hentz Seconded by: Councillor Sloan RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on July 14, 2026 be adopted. Motion Carried. 5. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 6. Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations 6.1 Bruce Smith, Resident - Speedzone Reduction - Fairview Rd. Bruce Smith, an Elgin County resident, provided a presentation detailing concerns regarding the speed zone on Fairview Avenue near Southdale Line and recommended a speed zone reduction in the area. Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by: Councillor Widner RESOLVED THAT the presentation from Bruce Smith regarding Speeding on Fairview Ave be received and filed. Motion Carried. 6.2 Gregg Cooke, Stantec Consulting and Sinisa Sakic, Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Highway 3 Planning Study from St. Thomas to Aylmer Representatives from Stantec Consulting and the Ministry of Transportation provided a presentation that outlines the content that will be presented to the public at the upcoming Public Information Centre regarding the Highway 3 Planning Study. Moved by: Councillor Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor Noble RESOLVED THAT the presentation from Stantec Consulting and the Ministry of Transportation titled "Highway 3 Planning from St. Thomas to Aylmer be received and filed. Motion Carried. 7. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole 7.1 ADM 26-25 - Recommendations from Committee of the Whole — July 14, 2026 Councillor Hentz requested that item CW26-73 be pulled for separate discussion. Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by: Councillor Noble RESOLVED THAT items CW26-74 — CW26-77 from the Committee of the Whole meeting dated July 14, 2026, and the recommendations therein be adopted. Motion Carried. Warden Giguere requested a recorded vote. Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones Seconded by: Councillor Hentz 2 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 of the recommendations of this report. Yes (4): Councillor Ketchabaw, Councillor Widner, Councillor Couckuyt, and Councillor Sloan No (5): Warden Giguere, Deputy Warden Jones, Councillor Noble, Councillor Hentz, and Councillor Leatham Motion Defeated. (4 to 5) Councillor Ketchabaw requested a recorded vote. Moved by: Councillor Noble Seconded by: Councillor Hentz RESOLVED 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. Yes (6): Warden Giguere, Deputy Warden Jones, Councillor Sloan, Councillor Noble, Councillor Hentz, and Councillor Leatham No (3): Councillor Ketchabaw, Councillor Widner, and Councillor Couckuyt Motion Carried. (6 to 3) 8. Committee Recommendations None. Council recessed at 10:03 a.m. and reconvened at 10:19 a.m. Councillor Ketchabaw left the meeting at 10:15 a.m. 9. Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration 9.1 Curator and Archivist - CCS 26-07 Museum and Archives - 2026 Activity Report The Curator and Archivist presented the report that provides an update on the 2026 projects and activities for the Elgin County Museum and the Elgin County Archives. Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by: Councillor Leatham K, RESOLVED THAT the report titled "Museum and Archives 2026 Activity Report" from the Curator and Archivist dated August 11, 2026, be received and filed. Motion Carried. 9.2 Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager/Paramedic Chief, Elgin County EMS - Medavie Health Services -ADM 26-26 Medavie EMS Elgin Ontario — Operational Overview and Call Volume Update Q2 2026 The Elgin County EMS-Medavie Health Services General Manager/Paramedic Chief presented the report that provides an overview of Medavie Elgin -St. Thomas EMS' call volume, call acuity, service demand distribution, and response time performance for the second quarter of 2026. Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones Seconded by: Councillor Noble RESOLVED THAT the report titled "ADM 26-26 Medavie EMS Elgin Ontario — Q2 2026 Operational Overview and Call Volume Update" from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Elgin County EMS - Medavie Health Services General Manager/Paramedic Chief dated August 11, 2026, be received and filed. Motion Carried. 9.3 Manager/Paramedic Chief, Elgin County EMS - Medavie Health Services -ADM 26-27 Implementation of the Medical Priority Dispatch System Councillor Ketchabaw joined the meeting virtually at 10:44 a.m. The Elgin County EMS-Medavie Health Services General Manager/Paramedic Chief presented the report that details the implementation of the Medical Priority Dispatch System that is scheduled for October 2026. Moved by: Councillor Hentz Seconded by: Councillor Noble RESOLVED THAT the report titled "ADM 26-27 Implementation of the Medical Priority Dispatch System" from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Elgin County EMS - Medavie Health Services General Manager/Paramedic Chief dated August 11, 2026, be received and filed. Motion Carried. 9.4 Director of Community and Cultural Services - CCS 26-10 Interest - Free Loan Approval for West Lorne Library Project The Director of Community and Cultural Services presented the report recommending approval of the Municipality of West Elgin's request for an interest -free loan from the County of Elgin in the amount of $125,000 for costs associated with the renovation and expansion of the West Lorne branch of the Elgin County library. Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt RESOLVED THAT the Warden and CAO be authorized to execute an interest -free loan agreement with the Municipality of West Elgin in the amount of $125,000 repayable over ten years according to the terms of ►.I the County of Elgin's Library Branch Construction and Interest -Free Loan Policy. Motion Carried. 9.5 Manager of Economic Development, Tourism and Strategic Initiatives - EDT 26-04 Elgincentives Community Improvement Plan TIG Application - Lynden Door Canada, Inc. The Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives presented the report seeking approval for a Tax Increment Grant application submitted by Lynden Door Canada Inc. Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT County Council approves Lynden Door Canada, Inc.'s application to the Tax Increment Grant for the Enhanced Increment Amount; and THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be directed to sign the financial agreement between the County of Elgin, the Town of Aylmer, and Lynden Door Canada, Inc. Motion Carried. 9.6 Director of Financial Services/Treasurer - FIN 26-09 - 2026 Q2 Review The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer presented the report provides a summary of department performance and procurement activity for the second quarter of 2026. Moved by: Councillor Hentz Seconded by: Councillor Leatham RESOLVED THAT the report titled "FIN 26-09 Q2 2026 Review" from the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer dated August 11, 2026 be received and filed. Motion Carried. 10. Council Correspondence Moved by: Councillor Widner Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 10.1 - 10.4 be received and filed. Motion Carried. 10.1 Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus July 2026 Newsletter 10.2 Transition Committee - Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority Transition - Project Executive Appointed 10.3 Transitition Committee - Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority Transition - Project Executive Appointed 10.4 Request for Support from the Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario regarding their advocacy to the Government of Ontario to make the doubling of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund permanent 10.5 Elgin St. Thomas Coalition to End Poverty Flag Raising and Proclamation Request 5 Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones Seconded by: Councillor Hentz RESOLVED THAT the request from the Elgin St. Thomas Coalition to End Poverty to hold a flag raising and proclamation on October 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in recognition of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty be approved. Motion Carried. 10.6 Request for Support for Southwestern Ontario High Performance Rail Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT Elgin County Council authorize the Warden to sign the draft letters addressed to the Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria and the Honourable Steven MacKinnon expressing Council's support for the Southwestern Ontario High Performance Rail initiative. Motion Carried. 11. Statements/Inquiries by Members None. 12. Closed Meeting Items Moved by: Councillor Noble 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 - July 14, 2026 Closed Meeting Item #2 - Collective Bargaining Update (verbal) (d) labour relations or employee negotiations. Closed Meetinq Item #3 - Southwestern Public Health Facilitv Proposal (verbal (i) a trade secret or scientific, technical or commercial, financial or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization. Closed Meeting Item #4 - Shared Services Agreement Update (verbal) (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instructions to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board. Closed Meeting Item #5 - LEG 26-08 Medavie EMS Elgin Ontario Inc. Land Ambulance Extension (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria, or instructions to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board. Closed Meeting Item #6 - Whites Station (verbal) n (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; and (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board. Closed Meeting Item #7 - Quarterly Update - Q2 (verbal) (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. Motion Carried. 12.1 Closed Meeting Minutes - July 14, 2026 12.2 Director of People and Culture - Collective Bargaining Update (verbal) 12.3 Director of Financial Services/Treasurer - Southwestern Public Health Facility Proposal (verbal) 12.4 Director of Legal Services - Shared Services Agreement Update (verbal) 12.5 Director of Legal Services - LEG 26-08 — Medavie EMS Elgin Ontario Inc. Land Ambulance Extension 12.6 Director of Legal Services - Whites Station (verbal) 12.7 Chief Administrative Officer - Quarterly Update - Q2 (verbal) 13. Motion to Rise and Report Councillor Ketchabaw left the meeting at 11:45 a.m. and rejoined the meeting in - person at 12:19 p.m. Moved by: Councillor Widner Seconded by: Councillor Noble RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes - July 14, 2026 Moved by: Councillor Noble Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT the July 14, 2026 Closed Meeting Minutes be adopted. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #2 - Collective Bargaininq Update (verbal) Moved by: Councillor Hentz Seconded by: Councillor Leatham RESOLVED THAT the confidential Collective Bargaining Update from the Director of People and Culture be received and filed. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #3 - Southwestern Public Health Facility Proposal (verbal) Moved by: Councillor Hentz Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT County Council gives consent to Southwestern Public Health to enter into a lease as requested by the Health Unit to Elgin County Council; and VA THAT staff are directed to engage with Southwestern Public Health, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas to obtain the most favourable terms associated with funding and/or financing of leasehold improvements associated with the lease. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #4 - Shared Services Agreement Update (verbal) Moved by: Councillor Noble Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT the confidential Shared Services Agreement Update from the Director of Legal Services be received and filed. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #5 - LEG 26-03 Medavie EMS Elgin Ontario Inc. Land Ambulance Extension Moved by: Councillor Leatham Seconded by: Councillor Noble RESOLVED THAT the CAO and Warden be authorized to execute an amending agreement for the provision of land ambulance services for the year 2027, in the amount of $14,594,000 and that such agreement include provision(s) for the extension of ambulance base leases. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #6 - Whites Station (verbal) Moved by: Councillor Noble Seconded by: Councillor Sloan RESOLVED THAT Council agrees to sell the County property at the municipal address of 42343 Fruit Ridge Line, Central Elgin, known as "Whites Station" save and except for a portion of property identified in a draft reference plan as Part 1, PT Lot 2, Concession 3, being a Part of PIN 35152-0183, to the Municipality of Central Elgin for the purchase price of two -million, three hundred and fifty two thousand dollars ($2,352,000) to be paid in two installments, subject to the terms and conditions of any Agreement of Purchase and Sale being satisfactory to the CAO and legal counsel of the County; and THAT Council authorizes the CAO to execute any documents necessary to give effect to the sale. Motion Carried. Closed Meeting Item #7 - Quarterly Update - Q2 (verbal) Moved by: Deputy Warden Jones Seconded by: Councillor Ketchabaw RESOLVED THAT the confidential Quarterly Update from the Chief Administrative Officer be received and filed. Motion Carried. 14. Consideration of By -Laws 14.1 By -Law No. 26-30 Road Transfer 9 BEING a By -Law to amend By -Law No. 26-13 and authorize the removal of certain highway segments from the County of Elgin Highway Network and transfer jurisdiction to the applicable Lower -Tier Municipality. Moved by: Councillor Hentz Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 26-30 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed. Motion Carried. 14.2 By -Law No. 26-31 Confirmation BEING a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the August 11, 2026 Meeting. Moved by: Councillor Noble Seconded by: Councillor Sloan RESOLVED THAT By -Law No. 26-31 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 12:35 p.m. to meet again on September 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Motion Carried. eUj r q k ft D6_04 I Katherine Thompson, County Clerk/Manager of Administrative Services. vvaraen. p