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January 26, 2010 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 26, 2010 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas at 9:03 a.m., with all members present except Councillor Hofhuis (leave of absence). Warden Vowel in the Chair. Warden Vowel welcomed new County Manager of Planning, Steve Evans, to Council. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the minutes of the meetings held on December 8 and 12, 2009, and January 12, 2010, be adopted. Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. REPORTS Carried. Change of Funding Status for Public Art Centre Director of Community and Cultural Services The Director of Community and Cultural Services presented a report recommending that the annual grant to the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre be considered an annual operational expense and removed from the annual Grants request list. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Marks THAT annual funding to the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre in the amount of $30,000 be added to the 2010 operating budget and future budgets of the Community and Cultural Services Department thereby discontinuing the need to provide an annual grant; and, THAT any subsequent requests to change the amount of annual funding be brought forward for Council's approval. Elgin County Official Plan Manager of Planning Carried. The Manager of Planning gave a Power Point presentation on the program to develop the plan, as an item of information, to Council. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the report Elgin County Official Plan Program, dated January 26, 2010 be received and filed. Carried. County Council 2 January 26, 2010 2010 Request for Grants and Loans Director of Financial Services The total amount requested for 2010 grants is $62,800, with the change in status of the St. Thomas-Elgin Art Centre's funding. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the report titled "2010 Request for Grants and Loans" dated January 14, 2010 be received and filed; and, THAT grants be included as recommended by Council into the draft 2010 Operating Budget. Carried. Results of 2009 Food for Fines Campaign Library Coordinator The Library Coordinator's report detailed the money raised through the Food for Fines Program in order to provide assistance to local Christmas Care drives. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the report titled "Results of 2009 Food for Fines Campaign" dated January 8, 2010 be received and filed. Carried. Museum Advisory Committee 2010 Appointees Museum Curator The report outlined appointments to the Museum Advisory Committee. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Marks THAT Council approves of the appointment of the following persons as members of the 2010 Elgin County Museum Advisory Committee: Mr. Perry Clutterbuck; Ms. Helen Van Brenk; Ms. Marie Nancarrow; Ms. Joan Mansell; Ms. Leta West; and Ms. Lynda Hunter. Carried. Photograph Books and Atlas Pricing Director of Community and Cultural Services The Director of Community and Cultural Services made recommendations on the sale of three historical books. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT 'A Harvest of Memories; Elgin's History Through a Photographer's Lens, Volume II' (2010) be sold for a price of $40 each inclusive of all taxes; and, THAT 'The Scott-Sefton Collection: Elgin History Through a Photographer's Lens, Volume l' (2001) be reduced to $25 each inclusive of all taxes for hard cover and soft cover editions; and, THAT the two aforementioned publications be sold together for a price of $60 inclusive of all taxes; and, THAT Tremaine's Atlas of the County of Elgin, 1864' (2002) be reduced to $40 each inclusive of all taxes. Carried. County Council 3 January 26, 2010 Library Rural Development Officer Director of Community and Cultural Services The report informed Council that the Elgin County Library has been approved to hire a Rural Development Officer through a successful grant from the Foundation for Rural Living. The individual will assist with preparations and fund-raising for the Library's 75th Anniversary in 2010 as well as the Library's display at this year's International Plowing Match. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the Elgin County Library be authorized to enter into a collaboration agreement with the Foundation for Rural Living to hire a Rural Development Officer to assist with marketing activities in 2010; and, THAT the Warden issue a letter of appreciation to the Foundation to acknowledge this support. Carried. Renovations to the Lounge/Lunch Room Director of Community and Cultural Services The report recommended that renovations be made to the Lounge/Lunch Room to create a proper training facility for staff. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT renovations to the meeting rooms in the lower level of the Elgin County Administration Building proceed to better accommodate training and reception needs; and, THAT up to $50,000 be drawn from the 2010 capital budget, utilizing funds accrued from previous capital surpluses. Carried. Councillor Habkirk was excused from the meeting at approximately 9:45 a.m. Community Adiustment Fund Applications Administrative Services Coordinator The report outlined the two projects going forward for funding consideration under the federal government's Community Adjustment Fund. The projects total $395,500. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT Elgin County Council supports applications made on behalf of the County to the federal government's Community Adjustment Fund. Carried. Late Career Nurse Initiative Directors of Senior Services The report outlined that all three County homes had been approved for funding of the Late Career Nurse Initiative by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Nursing Secretariat. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the report titled "Late Career Nurse Initiative" dated January 13, 2010 be received and filed; and, County Council 4 January 26, 2010 THAT the Warden, on behalf of Council, write the Minister thanking her for this much needed funding. Carried. Council recessed at 9:50 a.m. and reconvened at 10:15 a.m. London Food and Wine Show Economic Development Marketing Communications Coordinator The report outlined the County's successful participation in the January 15-17, 2010 London Food and Wine Show and the sale of promotional plates which raised $7,061.49 for the Elgin-St. Thomas United Way. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the report titled "London Food and Wine Show" dated January 26, 2010 be received and filed. Carried. Highway 401 Municipal Decorative Display General Manager of Economic Development The report by the General Manager of Economic Development, the Community Development Officer of Economic Development, and the Deputy Director of Engineering Services outlined a proposal for a Decorative Display on Highway 401 and Furnival Road, a component of successful funding from the Community Adjustment Fund. The Manager of Economic Development gave a Power Point presentation on the project. Also in attendance was Ms. Anya Codack of YFactor who gave a Power Point presentation on the draft conceptual drawings of the sign. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT the location referred to as Eastbound Highway 401 and Furnival Road (County Road 103) be the preferred location for the Elgin County Municipal Decorative Display with the alternate location being Eastbound Highway 401 and Graham Road (County Road 76); and, THAT the recommended and alternate concept design for the Elgin County Municipal Decorative Display be finalized and implemented; and, THAT staff be pre-approved to select a company to construct and install the Elgin County Municipal Decorative Display based on the selection criteria; and, THAT staff report back to County Council updating on the progress of this project once construction has begun. Carried. Councillor Habkirk re-entered the Chambers at 10:40 a.m. Dexter Line Environmental Assessment Update Director of Engineering Services The report provided an update on the status of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment planning process to address lakeshore erosion occurring west of Port Bruce that impacts Dexter Line (County Road 24) and the Port Burwell Secondary Watermain. County Council 5 January 26, 2010 Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Marks THAT staff be directed to pursue any funding programs available for a Dexter Line lake bank erosion solution. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mennill Carried Unanimously. 1. Basil Stewart, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, requesting monetary support of FCM through a $6,455.15 County of Elgin membership fee. 2. Morgan Baker, Associate Producer, Rogers TV, requesting support for the role Rogers Communications plays in Elgin County through their local programming. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1 after discussion took place on budget demands. It was noted this Association is important in lobbying efforts with the federal government. THAT Council approve payment in the amount of $6,455.15 membership fee to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin support the valuable work done by Rogers TV to produce quality television coverage of local initiatives that reflect our community; and, THAT a letter endorsing this work be sent to the Secretary General of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in light of the CRTC's review of its community television policy framework. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) Carried Unanimously. 1. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, K.T., informing the Warden that he has accepted the invitation to attend the International Plowing Match in September 2010. 2. Bill Vrebosch, Mayor, Township of Canton-East Ferris, thanking Council for generous support of the East Ferris/Bonfield Flood Relief effort. 3. Shawn Khoshaien, District Operations Manager, Union Gas, with information on their Winter Warmth program. 4. Melanie Knapp, Administrative Clerk, City of St. Thomas, with resolutions: 1) accepting challenge from the County of Elgin for the United Way Campaign 2) forwarding County of Elgin marketing and tourism funding correspondence to their Treasury Department. 5. Denis Lemelin, National President, CUPW-STTP, thanking Council for resolution supporting the preservation of rural postal delivery, as well as informing Council of their concerns regarding the Canadian Postal Service Charter. County Council 6 January 26, 2010 6. Hon. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance and Hon. Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announcing Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) allocations for 2010. 7. Murray Segal, Deputy Attorney General, Ministry of the Attorney General, informing Council that Bill 212, the Good Government Act, 2009, received Royal Assent. 8. Dianne Wilson, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Central Elgin, with resolution regarding Advocacy for OMPF and OMPF Mitigation Funding for 2010. 9. Elizabeth VanHooren, Acting General Manager/Secretary Treasurer, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, thanking Mark McDonald, CAO, for his assistance with the Request for Proposal to search for new General Manager. 10. Hon. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, with copy of correspondence to Mr. Robert Morin, Secretary General, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission supporting FM radio license application. 11. Melanie Knapp, Administrative Clerk, City of St. Thomas, announcing appointment of Mayor Cliff Barwick to the Green Lane Community Trust Fund. 12. Kevin Eccles, Chair Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus, with News Release on 2010 Priorities for WOWC. 13. Hon. Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin-Middlesex-London, with copy of correspondence to the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education, regarding letters from municipalities supporting "smart moratorium" for disputed school closures. 14. Doug Reycraft, Chair, Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario, regarding the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the public sector pension plan. With regard to Item #12: Warden Vowel reported she had attended the first session of the Western Wardens and that Councillor Warwick had agreed to serve on the Local Health Integration Networks caucus committee. Councillor Habkirk said he was happy for Councillor Warwick to be involved. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT Correspondence Items for Information #1 14 be received and filed. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Councillor McIntyre recognized the County Administrative Officer last week celebrated a significant birthday. Councillor Marks reported over 60 persons attended a meeting last week of the International Plowing Match volunteers in Shedden. He congratulated the committee for their hard work. Notice of Motion None. Matters of Urgency Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Mennill Carried. THAT Council accept as a matter of urgency the resolution regarding the regulating of exotic animals, as requested by Councillor McIntyre. Carried. County Council 7 January 26, 2010 Councillor McIntyre brought forward a resolution dealing with exotic animals that was passed unanimously by Southwold Township Council on January 25, 2010. Councillor McIntyre reported he had met with Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Steve Peters and garnered his support. Councillor McIntyre said this issue needs to be dealt with by the Province. Councillor Acre suggested a delegation on this issue to the OGRA-ROMA Conference by Southwold Township. Councillor McIntyre responded that meetings with provincial ministers have been requested. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT Elgin County Council support the resolution from the Township of Southwold to call on the Premier of Ontario to develop legislation regulating the exotic animal industry across Ontario for the safety of provincial citizens and exotic animals. Carried Unanimously. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT we do adopt the recommendations of the Committee of The Whole Council. Carried. BY Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT By-Law No 10-02 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the January 26, 2010 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Marks THAT we do now adjourn at 11:10 a.m. to meet again on February 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. onald, Chief Administrative Officer. Carried. Carried. Bonnie Vowel, Warden.