January 8, 2013 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES
Special Meeting
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building at 1:30 p.m. with all
members present.
Warden McWilliam in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF —
None.
Moved by Councillor Walters
Seconded by Councillor Mennill
THAT we do now move into Committee of the Whole Council.
- Carried.
REPORTS
Budget Challenges for 2013 — Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Financial
Services
The Chief Administrative Officer and director presented a PowerPoint on financial budget
challenges for 2013, in advance of budget preparation.
Terrace Lodge Capital Program
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT the capital expenditures included in the ten -year capital plan of $20 million to expand
Terrace Lodge, for the purpose of upgrading from a "C" class facility to an "A" facility be
removed from the plan; and replaced with $5 million capital expenditure for Terrace Lodge,
recognizing that this investment will not change the "C" classification of the facility, but will
ensure that the existing structure remains sound while also upgrading common areas to
improve the quality of life for the residents; and,
THAT the Request for Proposals be adjusted accordingly.
- Carried.
Business Resource Centres
Moved by Councillor Jenkins
Seconded by Councillor McIntyre
THAT the Aylmer Elgin Business Resource Centre pilot satellite office be made permanent
according to specific terms; and,
THAT the west -end satellite office be opened at a net cost increase of $170,000 (for both
satellites combined) annually funded by an incremental 0.7 per cent tax increase.
- Carried Unanimously.
SCOR
It was noted that approval of the above option envisioned the elimination of the County's
membership in SCOR ($35,000). Following discussion, Council directed staff to advise SCOR
of the county's withdrawal from the partnership.
County Council 2 January 8, 2013
East -end Ambulance Response Time
Moved by Councillor Ens
Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt
THAT, as an interim measure, commencing as soon as possible, one additional paramedic
service be added and located at the Straffordville Fire Station, providing service ten hours a
day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., five days a week, including statutory holidays at an
incremental cost of approximately $189,000 funded by an incremental 0.8 per cent tax
increase; all with the understanding that a creative, long -term solution will be incorporated in
the responses to the 2013 -2018 Ambulance Service Request for Proposal.
- Carried Unanimously.
Council requested that the Thames Emergency Medical Services implement this enhancement
as soon as possible without waiting for Council to approve its composite budget.
RFP Response Time Standard
Moved by Councillor Walters
Seconded by Councillor Jenkins
THAT council approve the staff recommendation that the 2013 -2018 Ambulance Service
Request for Proposal (RFP) contain the following clause: "no municipality shall have a
response time standard that exceeds the provincially mandated overall standard of 14.25
minutes by more than 25 per cent (17.8 minutes)."
- Carried.
Dexter Line Road Relocation
Moved by Councillor Ens
Seconded by Councillor Mennill
THAT the 2013 funding that was earmarked for Dexter Line be postponed to 2014 with the
understanding that should the County qualify for significant infrastructure funding for the Dexter
Line some time this year (2013) that the matter be reopened for discussion.
- Carried.
Reverting Certain Roads to Tar and Chip
Moved by Councillor Jenkins
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT council approve the staff recommendation that a reduction be made in the discretionary
road capital budget and that tar and chip could become the standard for collector /local county
roads to reduce costs in the future, at specific locations, as outlined in the PowerPoint
presentation.
- Carried.
Review of Council's Strate • is Plan — Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer presented the plan, reviewing the strategic vision as set out
for 2011 -2014.
The following amendments were suggested and adopted:
- Implementing the County Official Plan (Top 5 Priorities for the Term); and,
- Not creating economic opportunity /not investing in it and a slow economic recovery (Primary
Threat, under SWOT Analysis Results).
County Council 3 January 8, 2013
Moved by Councillor Walters
Seconded by Councillor Mennill
THAT the Strategic Plan be adopted as amended
- Carried.
Mission Statement and Corporate Goals — Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer presented the mission statement and corporate goals.
Moved by Councillor Jenkins
Seconded by Councillor McIntyre
THAT the report titled "Mission Statement and Corporate Goals" dated March 2006 be
received and filed.
- Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Item for Consideration
1. Roberta Gillard, Secretary- Administrator, Elgin County Federation of Agriculture requesting
gold table sponsorship at the annual Elgin Federation of Agriculture Banquet and Awards
Presentation on Saturday, February 2, 2013.
The following recommendations were adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1:
Moved by Councillor McIntyre
Seconded by Councillor Jenkins
THAT Council approve the annual sponsorship of a gold table at the annual Elgin Federation
of Agriculture banquet, this year in the amount of $140.00.
- Carried.
At the request of staff, council agreed that the request for sponsorship by the Elgin Federation
of Agriculture was no longer necessary to come before council and that sponsorship would be
undertaken annually as an administration function.
Item for Information (Consent Agenda)
1. Media Release — First medical scholarships awarded to St. Thomas students. The Warden
reported that the two scholarships were awarded to excellent recipients.
The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1:
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt
THAT Correspondence Item #1 be received and filed.
- Carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Statements /Inquiries by Members - None.
Notice of Motion - None
Matters of Urgency - None
County Council 4 January 8, 2013
Closed Meeting Items - None
Motion to Adopt Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole
Moved by Councillor Marr
Seconded by Councillor Walters
THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole.
- Carried.
BY -LAW
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Ens
THAT By -Law No. 13 -01 "Being a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of
the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the January 8, 2013 Special Meeting" be read a first,
second and third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor Wiehle
Seconded by Councillor Walters
THAT we do now adjourn at 3:25 p.m. and meet again on January 22, 2013 at the County
Administration Building Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m.
fk McDonald, r
Chief Adm nisr'C fficer.
- Carried.
Cameron McWilliam,
2013 Warden.
Progressive by Nature
ELGIN COUNTY'S STRATEGIC VISION 2011-2014
Revised Januar 8 2O13 )am indicated in bold ty•e
TOP 5 PRIORITIES FOR THE TERM:
1) Increasing and promoting economic development and tourism
2) Increasing level of cooperation and joint services with the City of St. Thomas
3) Implementing the County Official Plan
4) Investing in the county road infrastructure
5) Continuing to streamline county operations using best practices
TOP 4 GOALS FOR 2013-14:
1) Realizing an affordable tax rate increase by maximizing funding sources
and improving efficiency and savings
2) Maintaining services
3) Increasing economic development opportunities
4) Increasing level of cooperation with the City of St. Thomas
USE OF RESERVES TO REDUCE COUNTY LEVY:
•
Council demonstrated a Iow to moderate propensity to use reserves to
lower the county levy
WILLINGNESS TO CUT SERVICES TO ACHEVE A BUDGET TARGET:
• Low to moderate inclination to cut services
ONE THNG YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE ABOUT COUNTY OPERATIONS:
• Better communication and interaction with local municipal partners
including City of St. Thomas
SWOT ANALYStS RESULTS:
Primary Strength: Departments/Ieadership/service and people
Primary Weakness: Distance separation, east to west (geography)
Primary Opportunity: increasing economic and tourism opportunities/building
the agricultural base and skilted labour force
Primary Threat: Not creating economic opportunity/not investing in it
and a slow economic recovery
March 2006
Reviewed January 8, 2013
MISSION STATEMENT:
The County of Elgin strives to provide a safe, pleasant community for
all citizens through a variety of services designed to promote quality
of life and our rich historical and agricultural heritage.
CORPO A TE GOALS:
1) To ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability
2) To promote cultural services
3) To nurture and support dignified long-term care
4) To be recognized as a desired employer
5) To promote Elgin as "The Place to Live"
6) To forge community partnerships
7) To provide innovative and collaborative quality service
8) To recognize and seize opportunities for improvement
9) To build and maintain an efficient, affordable, effective and
safe transportation network that accommodates the diverse
needs of our communities and is able to support economic
development and sustainable growth