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December 7 & 9, 2010 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 7, 2010 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas at 7:00 p.m., with all members present. The Chief Administrative Officer called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance to the Annual Warden's Election and Inaugural Council Meeting. The following members having previously filed Certificates as to Election took their seats at the Council Table: Jack Couckuyt Mayor Town of Aylmer Paul Ens Mayor Municipality of Bayham Jim Jenkins Deputy Mayor Township of Malahide Dave Marr Deputy Mayor Municipality of Central Elgin James Mclntrye Mayor Township of Southwold Cameron Mc William Mayor Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich Dave Mennill Mayor Township of Malahide Bill Walters Mayor Municipality of Central Elgin Bernie Wiehle Mayor Municipality of West Elgin In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, the Chief Administrative Officer administered the Declaration of Office to the County Councillors. The Declarations were then signed by the Councillors, and returned to the Chief Administrative Officer. ELECTION OF WARDEN The Chief Administrative Officer asked that members of Council wishing to run for the Office of Warden to please stand. Councillor Mennill offered his candidacy for the position of Elgin County Warden for 2011. BALLOTING PROCEDURES The Chief Administrative Officer explained that since the position for Warden remains uncontested, the normal election procedures would be dispensed with, as prescribed by by-law, and that a resolution appointing Councillor Mennill to the position of Warden would be in order. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT Dave Mennill be appointed as Warden for Elgin County Council for the Year 2011. - Carried Unanimously. RESULTS The Chief Administrative Officer announced that the Warden of Elgin County for 2011 is Dave Mennill, Mayor of the Township of Malahide. Warden Mennill took the Declaration of Office, administered by the Chief Administrative Officer. The Warden left the room, was gowned and re-entered the Council Chambers, where he was officially presented with the Chain of Office, the Lord Elgin Watch and the Gavel of Office, by Past Warden Jim McIntyre. Warden Mennill delivered his Inaugural Address to Council, thanked his family and friends for their support, and outlined the items of interest and importance for consideration in 2011. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the Warden's Inaugural Address be received and filed. - Carried. County Council REPORTS 2 December 7 & 9, 2010 Council Appointment to St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital - Chief Administrative Officer The report recommended a citizen appointment to this board, due to the large time commitment. Moved by Councillor Mc William Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT, commencing with the 2011 appointment to the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Board of Governors, County Council appoint a member of the community as its representative; and, THAT the appointment be for a one-year term; and, THAT the appointee be granted a yearly honorarium of $2,000 plus mileage according to County policy for attendance at meetings; and, THAT the appointee be required to report to County Council quarterly or more often as required to update council on the work of the Board of Governors; and, THAT Council review this new appointee format at the end of the year (2011) to determine if it shall continue. - Carried. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Warden Mennill presented his recommendations for appointment to Boards, Committees and Associations for 2011. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the appointments to Outside Boards and Committees for 2011 be confirmed as follows: County of Elgin Economic Development & Tourism Councillor Mc William Advisory Committee (CEEDTAC) —2 appointees Councillor Walters Dispute Resolution — Warden and 2 appointees Warden Mennill Councillor Jenkins Councillor Wiehle Elgin County Museum — 1 appointee Councillor Jenkins Elgin St. Thomas Public Health — 3 appointees Councillor Couckuyt Councillor Walters Councillor Wiehle Greenlane Community Trust Fund - 1 appointee Councillor Marr Official Plan Committee — 3 appointees Rural Initiatives — 3 appointees Warden Mennill Councillor Marr Councillor Wiehle Warden Mennill Councillor Jenkins Councillor McIntyre South Central Ontario Region (SCOR) — 2 appointees Councillor Couckuyt Councillor Ens County Council 3 December 7 & 9, 2010 Social/Entertainment —2 appointees Councillor McIntyre Councillor Mc William St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital — 1 appointee Tom Marks (Citizen Appointee) St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre — 1 appointee Councillor Marr Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital — 1 appointee Councillor Ens Waste Management/Liaison Committee of the Whole Council - Carried Unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Warden Mennill invited all those in attendance to the Warden's Reception, following recess, to be held in the County Administration Building lower level. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT we do now recess at 7:25 p.m. to meet again on December 9, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. - Carried. COUNTY COUNCIL Thursday, December 9, 2010 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:00 a.m., in accordance with the recess from the December 7th meeting, with all members. Warden Mennill in the Chair. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the minutes from the meeting held on November 23, 2010 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF — None. DELEGATIONS South Central Ontario (SCOR) representative Dennis Travale, also Mayor of Norfolk County, presented the background of SCOR and its priorities. He also provided a list of projects funded in Elgin County by the Sand Plains Community Development Fund. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT the presentation on SCOR be received and filed. - Carried. County Council PRESENTATIONS 4 December 7 & 9, 2010 The County's Economic Development and Tourism Services department presented a Power Point overview of the department and played a video of the Terry Bradshaw Fox Business News TV show focusing on Elgin County's 'Progressive by Nature' marketing. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT the presentation on economic development and tourism be received and filed. - Carried. Council recessed at 10:15 a.m. and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Mc William THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS Vacation Carry-Over — Director of Senior Services, Elgin Manor The Director of Senior Services presented the annual report on vacation carry-overs by staff, as required by Human Resources Policy #7.10a. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT the report titled "Vacation Carry-Over" dated December 9, 2010 be received and filed. - Carried. Council Remuneration: One-Third Tax-Free Allowance — Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services presented a report regarding the tax-free allowance for councillors under the Municipal Act. Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin, in accordance with Section 283(5) and (7) of the Municipal Act, shall continue to apply a one-third tax free allowance on remuneration paid to its Warden and Councillors deemed to be for expenses incidental to the discharge of duties as a member of the Council or its local boards. - Carried. Quarterly Information Report: July 1, 2010-September 30, 2010 — Purchasing Coordinator The quarterly report on contracts awarded that exceed $10,000, was presented. Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the report titled "Quarterly Information Report" dated November 10, 2010 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 5 December 7 & 9, 2010 Budget Comparison: October 2010 — Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services presented the monthly year-to-date report. Moved by Councillor Ens Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the report titled "Budget Comparison: October 2010" dated November 30, 2010 be received and filed. - Carried. Speed Zone Amendment: Culloden Road — Deputy Director of Engineering Services The Municipality of Bayham has requested a consistent speed in the reduced speed zone on Culloden Road. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the existing speed zone by-law be amended to change the existing 50knn/hr reduced speed zone on Culloden Road (County Road #46) through North Hall to 60 km/hr. - Carried. Municipal Bridge Data Collection Funding — Deputy Director of Engineering Services Municipalities are eligible to apply for funding from the Province to collect data. The Warden requested a memo be sent to municipalities informing them. Moved by Councillor Mc William Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin apply for funding for the purpose of collecting, collating, compiling and formatting bridge asset and condition data, and agree to submit bridge asset and condition data for inclusion in the Municipal Data Works by March 31, 2011. - Carried. Elgin County Library Volunteer Duties — Director of Community & Cultural Services The report outlines the policy for library volunteers. The director thanked Human Resources for bringing the Union bargaining unit together on this policy. Staff was asked to bring forward a report in 2011 on having libraries open during the Christmas holiday season. Moved by Councillor Mc William Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the report titled "Elgin County Library Volunteer Duties" dated November 23, 2010, be received and filed. - Carried. Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding (OMPF): Unconditional Grants, 2011 — Director of Financial Services The report includes information from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) on the lack of transitional funding from the province to municipalities. Councillor Marr suggested the county consider meeting with its Member of Provincial Parliament in the future on this matter. County Council Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor McIntyre 6 December 7 & 9, 2010 THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin strongly encourage the Minister of Finance for Ontario to provide OMPF mitigation funding for 2011 to lessen the financial impact on the County of Elgin; and, THAT Steve Peters, Member of Provincial Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London be requested to lobby the Finance Minister for this financial relief; and, THAT AMO and local municipalities in Elgin County be so advised. - Carried Unanimously. 2011 Municipal Directory — Administrative Services Coordinator The annual format of the municipal directory was reviewed. Moved by Councillor Ens Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin approve the publication of the annual directory in both brochure form and on the county's official website. - Carried. Schedule of Council Meetings for 2011 - Administrative Services Coordinator The annual meeting schedule was presented. Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the report titled "Schedule of Council Meetings for 2011" dated December 2, 2010 be adopted. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration 1. Carolyn Downs, City Clerk, City of Kingston, with a resolution opposing the Federal Government's decision to eliminate the mandatory Census Long Form questionnaire. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the letter from the City of Kingston, opposing the Federal Government's decision to eliminate the mandatory Census Long- Form questionnaire. - Carried. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) 1. Hon. Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, acknowledging Council's concerns regarding the Community Access Program (CAP). 2. AMO Breaking News E-mail regarding Social Assistance Reform. 3. Dan Mathieson, Chair, MPAC Board of Directors, with Update — MPAC Activities. County Council 7 December 7 & 9, 2010 4. Hon. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, with copy of correspondence to: 1) Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis, Minister of Revenue, with a letter from the Township of Malahide requesting the Government of Ontario provide municipalities with a portion of HST generated through the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel. 2) Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health & Long-Term Care, with a letter from City of London requesting immediate implementation of dedicated mental health and addictions funding. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT Correspondence Items #1 - 4 be received and filed. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Councillor McIntyre invited council to the official opening of the new Southwold Municipal Office on January 6, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. Notice of Motion — None. Matters of Urgency — None. Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT we do adopt the recommendations of the Committee of The Whole Council. - Carried. BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT By-Law No. 10-35 "Being a By-Law to Authorize Speed Limits" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Mc William THAT By-Law No. 10-36 "Being a By-Law to Authorize the Warden and Treasurer to Borrow up to the Sum of $15 Million Dollars" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT By-Law No. 10-37 "Being A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the December 7 and 9, 2010 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. - Carried. County Council ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT we do now adjourn at 11:45 a.m. to meet again on January 11, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. - Carried. 8 December 7 & 9, 2010 LONG SERVICE AWARDS Following adjournment, Council recognized the following recipients with Long Service Awards, as presented by Warden Mennill: BOBIER VILLA Janice Krebs Diane Kuranyi Kelly Carr Laura Nesbitt Gloria Cowell Margaret Axford 15 years 15 years 20 years 20 years 30 years 30 years COMMUNITY Georgia Sifton 10 years Museum AND CULTURAL Sandra Fischer 10 years Rodney & West Lorne Library SERVICES Merrill Taylor 10 years Aylmer Library Colleen Devos 20 years Springfield Library Carol Smetheram 30 years Port Stanley Library ELGIN MANOR Melissa Barrett Harvey Granger Laura McKenzie Chris Fielding Sandra Powers Garry Hepburn Wendy Liebregts Amber Siple Linda Taylor Patty Wilson Claire Labonte John Smith Venna West Jewel McKenzie Christine Symms 10 years 10 years 10 years 15 years 15 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 25 years 25 years 25 years 30 years 30 years ENGINEERING Jim Carter 10 years SERVICES Susan Galloway 25 years TERRACE LODGE Cathy Brown Debra Demary Donna McEwen Diane Witlox Jodi Wright Debbie Adams Corrie Shivak Lise Jones Mark Chief Administrative Officer. 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 15 years 15 years 30 years Dave Mennill Warden.