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June 22, 2010 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 22, 2010 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, at 9:00 a.m., with all members present except Councillor Warwick (delayed). Warden Vowel in the Chair. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the minutes of the meeting held on June 8, 2010 be adopted. Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. PRESENTATION Warden Vowel made a presentation to Gloria Cowell upon her retirement after 30 years at Bobier Villa. Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. Carried. REPORTS Health Recruitment Partnership Update Councillor Acre and Chief Administrative Officer At a recent meeting of the Partnership, there was discussion of approving funding for the East Elgin Family Health Team. It was noted that the Partnership continues to attract interest and prospects of recruiting new physicians to the Elgin area. Members again asked that this matter be held over as they are awaiting further information and clarification from another source. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT Elgin County Council endorse and approve the 2010 budget for the Health Recruitment Partnership and support the allocation to the East Elgin Family Health Team as recommended by the Partnership committee. Carried. 'Today in America' Progress Report Marketing Communications Coordinator The Marketing Communications Coordinator updated council on the pending shoot for the TV show 'Today in America' and ran a video of Elgin-Middlesex-London M.P. Joe Preston promoting the show and Elgin County in the House of Commons. County Council 2 June 22, 2010 Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the report titled "'Today in America' Progress Report", dated June 22, 2010 be received and filed. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Marr Carried Unanimously. Tourism Directional Signage General Manager of Economic Development The Economic Development Administrative Assistant presented a report asking council to consider an application received from a non-profit organization, The Bank, for signs under the County's Tourism Signage Policy. THAT Elgin County Council approve the application for a tourism directional signage grant for The Bank. Carried. Business Incubator General Manager of Economic Development The General Manager of Economic Development presented a report recommending set-up of a not-for-profit business incubator in partnership with the Elgin Business Resource Centre and St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation, to provide support and development for new businesses. Application to apply for funding under the Sands Plains Community Development Fund was recommended. The General Manager emphasized that the need for an extension of any future financial commitment from the County is unknown at this time. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the County submit a Sand Plains application; and, THAT if successful, County Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to enter into a contract with the Sand Plains Community Development Fund. Carried. Advertising of Proposals, Tenders and Quotations Purchasing Coordinator The Purchasing Coordinator presented a report outlining various alternatives to traditional advertising methods, as outlined previously in the County's Procurement Policy. Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the County's Procurement Policy be revised, where appropriate, to effect the recommended change below; and, THAT staff post an annual notice in local papers advising the public that all Proposals/ Tenders/Quotations will be advertised on the County's website and the Ontario Public Buyers Website. Carried Unanimously. The Warden and Council took the opportunity to thank the Purchasing Coordinator and Elgin County United Way Special Events Committee for a successful Warden's Golf Tournament on June 17, 2010, which raised almost $20,000 for the United Way. County Council 3 June 22, 2010 Budget Comparison, May 2010 Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services presented the monthly financial report. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the report titled "Budget Comparison, May 2010" dated June 9, 2010 be received and filed. Capping Options Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services presented a report outlining review of the current tax policy. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the County tax policy set the annualized tax limit increase at 10 per cent, the prior year's current value tax assessment (CVA) tax limit increase at five per cent, and the CVA threshold for protected (increasing) properties at $250; and the Stay at CVA Tax to yes; and Carried. THAT the application deadline for 2010 tax relief for low income seniors and low income persons with disabilities be November 30, 2010; and, THAT the County tax policy be reviewed for the 2011 taxation year; and, THAT the necessary by-law be amended. Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor Wilson Carried. Long-Term Business Plan Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services presented a report recommending development of a business plan. Recently, the County's management team discussed ideas in a visioning session. THAT the reported titled "Long-Term Business Plan" dated June 7, 2010 be received and filed; and, THAT the outcome of the visioning session be developed into a business plan that is reviewed at least annually in advance of budget development for each year. Carried Unanimously. Revised Royal Canadian Legion Tax Relief Director of Financial Services A change in the Assessment Act constituted a change in how the tax relief is granted. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the County authorize and delegate to the local municipalities to grant Royal Canadian Legions relief on the County portion of the property tax consistent with the relief granted on the municipal portion of the property tax. Carried Unanimously. County Council 4 June 22, 2010 Logos for Library/Museum/Archives Director of Community Cultural Services The Director of Community Cultural Services outlined a report showing development in use of logos. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the logos for the Elgin County Library, Elgin County Archives and Elgin County Museum be approved for marketing purposes. Carried. Gay Lea Foods, Purchase of Dairy and Heritage Museum Director of Community Cultural Services The Director of Community Cultural Services reported Gay Lea Foods Cooperative purchased the former Dairy and Heritage Museum in Malahide Township. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the Warden on behalf of Council issue a letter of congratulations to Gay Lea Foods Cooperative on the purchase of the former Dairy and Heritage Museum in Malahide Township, affirming Council's willingness to be an active partner with the company in the ongoing development of the site; and, THAT the Warden on behalf of Council issue a letter of appreciation to Andy and Lotty van Kasteren for their significant contributions to the cultural heritage of Elgin County. Carried. Council recessed at 10:00 a.m. and reconvened at 10:17 a.m. Councillor Warwick in attendance. Bobier Villa, Flooring in Three Wings Director of Engineering Services The Director of Engineering Services presented a report recommending purchase of tile. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT $15,000 be allocated from the approved 2010 Capital Budget to purchase ceramic floor tiles for the three wings at Bobier Villa. The Director of Engineering Services presented a report requesting a change to the insurance policy of the County Administration Building, as recommended by the County Solicitor. Carried. Administration Building Lease Agreement Director of Engineering Services Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT Section 9.1 (3) of the Administration Building lease agreement be amended as follows for current and future tenant rental agreements: "All of the foregoing property policies shall contain a waiver of any right of subrogation or recourse by the tenants' insurers against the landowner or the landlord's mortgagees, their contractors, agents, employees, save and except to the extent that the landlord or the landlord's mortgagees, their contractors, agents and employees have caused or County Council 5 June 22, 2010 contributed to any loss for which payout has been made by the tenants insurers pursuant to any such property policy." CORRESPONDENCE Item for Consideration 1. Shelley McCorkell, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society, requesting Council's approval to host weekly barbecues at the County Administration Building. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT Elgin County Council support the Alzheimer Society's request to host weekly barbecues at the County Administration Building. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) None OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Carried. Carried. Councillor Mennill reported he had represented the Warden at the Premier's Agri-Food Innovation Awards on June 15, 2010 in Strathroy, and local award winners were Berry Hill Fruit Farms (Dick and Renee Saarloos), Farm Gate Market (Sandy Lyle), and Nature's Perfection Shiitake Mushrooms (the Lindsays). Some Councillors suggested recognition be made to the winners by Council. Councillor Marr invited Council to attend a flag raising by the Municipality of Central Elgin on June 23, 2010, as acknowledgement of Port Stanley beach reaching high beach 'blue flag' standards, and recognizing the efforts of the late Central Elgin Mayor Sylvia Hofhuis. Councillor Wilson reminded Council of the Sand Plains Committee meeting at Shedden on June 23, 2010. He also requested the County ensure the location of Springfield in future County maps. Councillor McIntyre reported on the events he had attended on behalf of the Warden. Warden Vowel reported she had attended the Knights of Columbus June 19, 2010 event and participated in the opening ceremonies. Notice of Motion None. Matters of Urgency None. Closed Meeting Items Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT we now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to discuss matters under Section 240.2 (a) the security of the property of the municipality or local board Scott Avery Ltd; Municipal Act Section 240.2 (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees Human Resources Re-organization; Municipal Act, Section 240.1 (d) labour relations or employee negotiations SEIU Tentative Agreement with all three Long-Term Care Homes. Carried. County Council 6 June 22, 2010 The Director of Engineering Services presented a lease renewal for Scott D. Avery in the County Administration Building. The Director of Human Resources presented a report on Human Resources re- organization. The Director of Human Resources presented a report on the SEIU tentative agreement. Motion to Rise and Report Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Marks THAT we do now rise and report. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be directed and authorized to sign a lease with Scott D. Avery (Company) Ltd., for Room #223 at the County of Elgin Administration Building for a two-year term starting on June 1, 2010 and terminating on May 31, 2012; and, THAT the office lease rates for: year one is $3,360 (annual payment) and year two is $3,420 (annual payment) for the 240 sq. ft. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT Council approve the confidential report titled "Human Resources Re-organization" dated June 14, 2010 and the recommendations contained therein. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the collective agreement between the County of Elgin and the Service Employees International Union Local 1 Canada be accepted; and, THAT the necessary by-law be prepared. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole Council, BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Marks Carried. Carried. Carried. Carried Unanimously. Carried. THAT By-Law No. 10-20 "Being a By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the June 22, 2010 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. Carried. County Council 7 June 22, 2010 ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Marks Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT we do now adjourn at 11:00 a.m. to meet again on July 13, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Carried. ar G. McDonald Chief Administrative Officer. onnie Vowel, Warden.