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April 8, 2008 MinutesThe Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:01 a.m., in accordance with adjournment, with all members present. Warden Hofhuis in the Chair. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the minutes of the meeting held on March 25, 2008 be adopted. Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. Moved by Councillor Vowel Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT we do now proceed in Committee Of The Whole Council. Carried. Reports Terrace Lodge Ambulance Base Contract Award Ambulance Base Building Committee Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Marks THAT Reid DeLeye Contractors Limited be selected for the supply of all labour, material and equipment required for the construction of a two -bay ambulance base, located on County owned property adjacent to Terrace Lodge, at the quoted price of $555,800.00. This will be funded by the Reserve for Financing Ambulance Base Capital Fund; and, THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be directed and authorized to enter into an agreement with Reid DeLeye Contractors Limited for the construction of a Two Bay Ambulance Base, Contract No. 2800- 04 -01. Carried Unanimously. Resolution Infrastructure Funding Rural Initiatives Committee Council discussed the positive impact of the formula based funding and supported the following recommendation presented by the Rural Initiatives Committee. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Marks COUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, April 8, 2008 THAT the Council of the County of Elgin formally acknowledge and thank the McGuinty Government for the recently announced investment in municipal infrastructure through additional funding; and, THAT Council especially appreciates the formula base to the funding and the unconditional nature of applying the funds to local roads and bridges needs; and, THAT Council recognize, in particular, the work of Local Member and Speaker of the House, Mr. Steve Peters, in advocating on behalf of Rural Ontario; and further, County Council 2 April 8, 2008 THAT Council commend Mr. Peters who, using his considerable influence with former Cabinet colleagues and network of connections at Queen's Park, has obviously articulated the case for Rural Ontario in a convincing manner; and, THAT a letter be forwarded to the Premier and Mr. Peters thanking them for this much needed investment in Ontario's infrastructure needs. Carried Unanimously. Ontario Lonq Term Care Association (OLTCA) Focus LTD Director of Senior Services T/L Warden Hofhuis advised that she was planning to attend the local OLTCA meeting on April 25, 2008 at the M.P.P.'s constituency office and invited Councillors and senior staff to attend. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the report titled "Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) Focus LTD" dated March 27, 2008, from the Director of Senior Services T/L be received and filed. Carried. Ministry of Health Lonq Term Care LHIN RPN Funding Announcement Director of Senior Services T/L Council agreed that a meeting is necessary to ensure continued standard of care and the opportunity to discuss options in utilizing the new funding. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT staff arrange a meeting involving the Warden with the LHIN to request utilization of the new RPN funding to offset costs to maintain existing above standard staffing levels. Carried. Capital Project Engineering Services for Road Survey and Detailed Design of Talbot Line (Township of Southwold), Contract #6200 Manager of Road Infrastructure, Purchasing Co- Ordinator Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT Spriet Associates London Limited be selected for Engineering Services and all other sub consultant services for the preliminary design, detailed design and preparation of tender specifications for Talbot Line (also known as County Road #3) between Talbotville and Iona Road in the Township of Southwold, at their quoted price of $102,375.00; and, THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be directed and authorized to enter into an agreement with Spriet Associates London Limited for Engineering Services for Talbot Line, Contract 6200 -06 -03 (A). Capital Project Talbot Line Surface Rehabilitation Dutton /Dunwich Contract 6200 -06 -03 (B) Manager of Road Infrastructure, Purchasing Co- Ordinator Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Vowel Carried. THAT Roto Mill Services Limited be selected for the supply of all labour, material and equipment required for the Surface Rehabilitation of Talbot Line using CIREAM at their quoted price of $979,685.96 (including taxes); and, County Council 3 April 8, 2008 THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be directed and authorized to enter into an agreement with Roto Mill Services Limited to complete the Surface Rehabilitation of Talbot Line, County Road #3 using CIREAM, Contract 6200 -06 -03 (B). Carried. Attendance Management Human Resources Coordinator Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the report titled "Attendance Management" dated March 28, 2008, from the Human Resources Coordinator be received and filed. Carried. In -House Review of Council's Workload Chief Administrative Officer The Chief Administrative Officer outlined the reason for the review and that the results of the tracking period would be reported to Council. Council discussed whether the tracking period is representative of their entire yearly workload, how do you gauge time spent reviewing agenda material, researching, attending meetings and what is considered a meeting by one person may not by another. Council agreed meeting time only will be considered and not time spent travelling to the meeting. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT County Councillors, using a specific tracking form, record their attendance at meetings related directly to County business during the three -month period commencing March 1, 2008. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Acre Correspondence Correspondence for Consideration Carried. Public- Private Partnership Redevelopment of Former Elgin Manor Site Chief Administrative Officer The Chief Administrative Officer circulated detailed drawings of the site for Council's information, noting that the facility can be converted to long -term care beds if required. THAT the report "Public- Private Partnership Redevelopment of Former Manor Site" dated March 28, 2008, from the Chief Administrative Officer be received and filed. Carried. Amending Agreement with INPARTNR Inc. Chief Administrative Officer Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT Elgin County Council approve the Amending Agreement for the redevelopment of the former Elgin Manor Property to permit up to 70 residents to occupy the facility. Carried. 1. Jack Morrison, Chair, Community Partnership Task Group, Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Beattie Haven Inc., requesting a letter of support from Council for their plan to build affordable housing for independent seniors in the Four Counties Area near Wardsville. County Council 4 April 8, 2008 2. Amber Patrick, requesting the County help sponsor her for a trip to Sousa, Dominican Republic, with Hero Holiday, a registered charitable organization involved in humanitarian relief projects. 3. City of Ottawa, with a resolution requesting that the Province of Ontario pay a proportional share of MPAC costs related to education property taxes. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Vowel THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin send a letter of support to Beattie Haven Inc. for their plan to build affordable housing for independent seniors in the Four Counties Area near Wardsville. Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT Correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #3: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution of the City of Ottawa requesting that the Province of Ontario pay a proportional share of MPAC costs related to education property taxes. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) Carried. 1. Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance and Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announcing the release of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) allocations for 2008. 2. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin- Middlesex- London, with Press Release: 1) Fixing roads and bridges in Elgin- Middlesex- London; 2) Ontario invests in local infrastructure, jobs. 3. Grant Hughson, Membership and Fundraising Chair, and Denise Payne, Business Development Coordinator, North American Railway Hall of Fame, with invitation to the Warden and Council Members to the official kick off to the "2008 Capital Campaign 4. Margaret Trias, Senior Environmental Scientist, Hatch Ltd., with a Notice of Commencement of Environmental Screening for the proposed Gesner Wind Energy Project near Highgate, Ontario. 5. Honourable Peter Fonseca, Minister of Tourism, acknowledging Council's support of the City of Ottawa's resolution requesting provincial government support for the authority to create a hotel room tax. 6. AMO Member Communication ALERT, Budget Provides an Additional $1 Billion for Municipal Infrastructure. County Council 5 April 8, 2008 7. Ontario Association of Non Profit Homes and Services for Seniors, with information concerning the impact for long term care residents due to the recent budget announcements. Murray Segal, Deputy Attorney General, Ontario, with an update on the streamlining review of Provincial Offences Act proceedings. 9. Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance and Honourable Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with an announcement that the County would receive a capital grant from the province if Bill 35, the proposed Investing in Ontario Act, 2008 is enacted and the province's 2007 -08 surplus exceeds $800 million. 10. Bryan Clarke, Chief Administrative Officer, Association of Ontario Road Supervisors, congratulating Peter Dutchak for his recent CRS certification and thanking the County for supporting this initiative. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT Correspondence Items 1 -10 be received and filed. Carried. Concerning Correspondence Item #10, Councillor McIntyre congratulated Peter Dutchak for his recent CRS certification. OTHER BUSINESS Statements /Inquiries by Members Councillor Wilson and Councillor Acre updated Council on a meeting they attended in Ottawa with Joe Preston, M.P. for Elgin- Middlesex- London, and with the Minister of Agriculture concerning economic development and the tobacco industry. The Minister of Agriculture was also meeting with the Tobacco Board and both the Federal and Provincial governments are now involved which is a positive sign as the Federal government is committed to research and development, infrastructure and training to help access funding for programs. Councillor Habkirk noted that the County of Elgin and the City of St. Thomas had entered into a competition to see who could raise the most money for United Way and that he understood the County had won the competition and wondered when County Council would be enjoying dinner compliments of the City? Warden Hofhuis advised that she had attended the "Save the Court House Rally" held recently in St. Thomas and while she did not speak at the rally, she did pass out a copy of County Council's resolution, which was read to those in attendance. Warden Hofhuis felt the County's resolution of support to keep the Elgin County Court House as a functioning Court facility, in its present location, was well received. Councillor McIntyre, Chair of the Rural Initiatives Committee, thanked Council for their direction and support of the brief presented to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Minister of Energy concerning the IGPC Ethanol Plant in Aylmer and that both Ministries noticed the County's interest and support. Council discussed looking into having a student accompany each Councillor to designated Elgin County Council meeting in recognition of "Education Day A resolution will come forward to Council at a future meeting from the Rural Initiatives Committee. Notice of Motion None. Matters of Urgency None. Council recessed at 10:15 a.m. and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. County Council 6 April 8, 2008 Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Vowel THAT we do proceed in a Closed Meeting at 10:31 a.m. in accordance with the Municipal Act Section 240(2)(b) personal matters about an identifiable individuals, regarding succession planning and senior management organizational review. Carried. All staff except for the Chief Administrative Officer were excused from the meeting. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT we do now rise without reporting. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT we do now adopt the recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole Council. Carried. BY -LAWS Moved by Councillor Vowel Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT By -Law No. 08 -08 "Being a By -Law to Authorize the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer to Sign an Easement Agreement with Dutton District Lions Non Profit Housing Inc., in the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT By -Law No. 08 -09 "A By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the April 8 2008 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT we do now adjourn at 12:15 p.m. to meet again on April 22, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. Chief Administrative Officer. Carried. Carried. Carried. Carried. Sylvia 'Hdf huis, Warden.