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November 10, 1998 Minutes COUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, November 10, 1998 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:05 a.m., in accordance with adjournment, with all members present except Councillor Rock. The Warden in the Chair. Moved by Councillor van Kasteren Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the minutes of the meeting held on October 27, 1998 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF - None. DELEGATIONS Mr. Carl Bienefeld, President, St. Thomas-Elgin Tourist Association, was in attendance to discuss Tourism Signage. The Association's main goal is to find ways to attract people to Elgin County. Mr. Bienefeld handed out a colour computerized copy of a large tourism sign and requested Council's support by way of providing some funding towards the cost of this sign. Mr. Bienefeld also suggested Councillors may want to give consideration to placing blue tourism signs in their respective municipalities. Council consensus was that a sub-committee be formed with one member from County Council to decide on the features of the sign, noting that the County's agricultural features should be more prominently displayed. This item will be placed on the agenda for discussion with the City of St. Thomas at tonight's joint meeting. Council also suggested looking into the possibility of placing the sign on the berm at Highway #3 and #4 (McCaig's sign). Councillor VanBrenk, in response to a query from a prior Council meeting, noted that the Tourist Association's by-law was amended to effect the name change from Elgin-St. Thomas Tourist Association to St. Thomas-Elgin Tourist Association, during the term of Warden Lyle. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT the proposal from the St. Thomas-Elgin Tourist Association to erect two large Tourism Information signs along Highway #401 be approved, in principle; and, THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin authorizes the Association to make the $2,000.00 deposit with TODS, providing the City of St. Thomas agrees to share the cost and maintenance of the signs on the traditional 60/40 split. - Carried. Mr. Bienefeld left at 9:42 a.m. Mr. Ron Bradfield, Board of Directors, and Mr. Bob Walker, Chief Financial Officer, from Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Board, were in attendance at 9:40 AM. to address Council on the current issues affecting rural hospitals. Mr. Bradfield highlighted the report, which was mailed out previously, and indicated that the Hospital had enlisted Councils in the Tri-County area to respond to physician underservicing. The average in the Province of Ontario is 1,124 residents per family physician, however, in Southwestern Ontario it is 1,358 and in Oxford County it is 1,858. Councillor Wilson commented on the pro-active nature of the Hospital in providing continuing good care to residents. Council consensus was that they agreed with the views of the Hospital Board, but would like to defer the matter and gain input from the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, Four Counties Health Services, and the St. Thomas and Elgin Medical Association before they passed a resolution. County Council 2 November 10, 1998 Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor van Kasteren THAT the following resolution be referred to the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, Four Counties Health Services and St. Thomas and Elgin Medical Association, for their review and comment: WHEREAS the average number of residents per family physician in Ontario is 1124; and, WHEREAS the number of residents per family physician in Southwestern Ontario is 1358; and, WHEREAS the number of residents per family physician in Oxford County is 1858; and, WHEREAS family physicians in rural communities provide on-call services for Emergency, Anesthesia, Obstetrics, In-patient Care and assist in surgery; and, WHEREAS the OHIP Billing Threshold does not recognize this essential service to the hospital as being over and above the busy office practice; and WHEREAS hospitals in rural Ontario are in serious risk of losing such critical service if physician coverage is not available; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation of the County of Elgin notify the Thames Valley District Health Council, the Minister of Health for the Province of Ontario, the Premier of Ontario, all other rural communities in Ontario and area MPP's that: 1. We are greatly concerned that the increasing hospital workload on rural physicians is placing needed hospital services at risk. 2. We are strongly opposed to an OHIP Billing Threshold which discriminates against rural physicians. 3. We strongly request that the Minister of Health for the Province of Ontario immediately amend the OHIP Billing Threshold, so that payment to family physicians for service to the hospital be exempted from the physician threshold. - Carried. Mr. Bradfield and Mr. Walker left at 10:00 AM. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT we go into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS OF COUNCILLORS Family & Children's Services of St. Thomas and EIQin Councillors noted concern that for the past 18 months new and reopened family protection cases had increased and the budget projects a deficit of $750,000.00. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT the Report of the Family & Children's Services of St. Thomas and Elgin be accepted as reported. - Carried. County Council 3 November 10, 1998 St. Thomas-EIQin Tourist Association Annual Report Council commended the Tourist Association for all their hard work and energy on behalf of the residents of Elgin County. Councillor Habkirk indicated that the members of the Tourist Association are very focused and looking after the County's best interest, and the money allocated is well spent. Councillor Wilson commended the Association for being pro-active in their tourism endeavours. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor van Kasteren THAT the Report of the St. Thomas-Elgin Tourist Association be accepted as presented. - Carried. Council took a short break at 10:00 AM. and reconvened at 10:22 AM. KinQsmill BridQe - ManaQer. EnQineerinQ Services Mr. Watters advised Council that the bridge structure is only twenty-six feet across and needs to be widened, as well as improvements made to the bridge. Councillor Wilson questioned whether the attempts to level the bridge in the past have worked properly, and if the bridge is to be widened, perhaps a new one is more cost-effective. Mr. Watters indicated the main structure is good and the price for improvements would be about 25% of the cost for a new bridge. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT the Spriet and Associates tender be accepted for the design of Kingsmill Bridge widening in the amount of $14,600.00 to be drawn from the Roads Reserve. - Carried. Temporary Closure of HiQhway 401 Overpass - County Road #119 (Mill Road) by the Ministry of Transportation - ManaQer. EnQineerinQ Services Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT County Council approve the request made by the Ministry of Transportation to close the Highway 401 "fly-over" structure on County Road #119 (Mill Road) in the 1999 construction season for approximately four weeks. - Carried. Condition of Rumble Bumps on County Roads - ManaQer. EnQineerinQ Services Mr. Watters highlighted his report for Council, noting that the best time to place rumble bumps in a road surface is when laying asphalt. Mr. Watters indicated that the success of placing rumble bumps after the asphalt is laid depends on the person operating the machine. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT the Engineering Services Department initiate an annual inspection program to re-mill rumble strips that have been flattened out from vehicular traffic and report back at budget review. - Carried. County Council 4 November 10, 1998 Rowe EnerQY Corporation - ManaQer. EnQineerinQ Services Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the Warden and County Administrator/Clerk be authorized to sign a Franchise Agreement with Rowe Energy Corporation for the installation of natural gas lines on County Road #5 at Concessions 3 and 4, north for 100 metres on the east side of the road. - Carried. Surplus EQuipment from the Homes - ActinQ Director of Homes Mrs. Fleck reported that the Homes has some single beds that are no longer useful to them and that past experience shows selling them at auction does not bring a good price. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the Acting Director of Homes be authorized to contact charitable organizations to determine whether there is interest in securing the twenty-three beds from the Homes inventory of equipment; and further, THAT the Acting Director be authorized to provide the beds to those interested organizations at her discretion. - Carried. Purchase of NursinQ EQuipment - ActinQ Director of Homes Mrs. Fleck advised Council that the Maxi lifts which are presently supplied by Arjo are preferred and compliment the battery packs on the premises. An incidence was reported in a Home where a lift, which was purchased from another supplier, caused a resident injury. Moved by Councillor McPhail Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the quotation from Arjo Canada in the amount of $5,711.00 plus GST, be accepted for the supply of two Sara 2000 Lifts for Elgin Manor and Terrace Lodge. - Carried. Occupancy Report for AUQust 1998 - ActinQ Director of Homes Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the Occupancy Report from the Acting Director of Homes for August 1998 be received and filed. - Carried. Proposed Amendment to Personnel Policy 4.90 - Personnel Administrator Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the proposed amendments to Personnel Policy 4.90 "Salary/Wage Administration" dated November 10, 1998 be approved. - Carried. County Council 5 November 10, 1998 Museum Report - Treasurer Mrs. Veger highlighted the Museum report for Council in which the sharing of staff resources and equipment with the Military Museum was discussed. Mrs. Veger also noted that on November 11, 1998 from 1 :00-4:00 P.M. the Museum will be displaying the Victoria Cross Award. Councillor VanBrenk commended the Museum's efforts to combine staffing resources. Moved by Councillor Stewart Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the Museum Report from the Treasurer be received and filed. - Carried. Library Statistics Report for September 1998 - ManaQer. Library Services Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the Library Statistical Report for September 1998 reported by the Manager, Library Services be received and filed. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration 1. Mr. A Scott Carson, Chief Executive Officer, Privatization Secretariat Office-Ontario, regarding the review by their Office of the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the government's role in operating municipally owned water and sewage treatment systems. 2. RA Fowler, Secretary, Ontario Property and Environmental Rights Alliance, requesting Council's support of a resolution regarding Schedule 1, Proposed Bill B-25, Red Tape Reduction Act (1998) and the impact the revisions proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources will have on agriculture, forestry and cost to municipal governments. 3. Reeve and Council of the Township of Hagerman, requesting Council's support of their resolution requesting the Provincial Government to reinstate the "Cottage Pollution Control Program" to help protect fish and wildlife. 4. Township of West Nissouri, with a resolution petitioning the Provincial Government to ensure that School Boards are not forced to close rural schools. 5. Garfield Dunlop, Warden, County of Simcoe, asking for Council's support of their correspondence and report concerning Online Property Tax Analysis. 6. Wm. Bouma, Clerk-Administrator, County of Hastings, with a resolution objecting to the proposed bank mergers. 7. Murray Langdon, Warden, County of Wellington, requesting Council's support of the resolution from Grey-Owen Sound, requesting that the issue of land ambulance services being transferred to municipalities be "revisited". Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT Correspondence Item # 1 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 6 November 10, 1998 Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor van Kasteren THAT Correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT Correspondence Item #3 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #4. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution of the Township of Nissouri petitioning the Provincial Government and specifically the Minister of Education to introduce legislation to provide proper funding to school boards to ensure that rural schools are not forced to close. - Carried Unanimously. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #5 Mrs. Veger indicated that OPT A has been very helpful in the calculations of the tax classes and phase-ins. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution and report regarding the County of Simcoe's position concerning the continuance of the Online Property Tax Analysis (OPTA) System. - Carried. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor McPhail THAT Correspondence Item #6 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #7. Mr. McDonald indicated that AMO has hired Bob Foulds to look at what we can trade to make the Province take land ambulance service back, and a report should be sent to the Province by mid month. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the request made by Mr. Bill Murdoch, MPP for Grey-Owen Sound, to have the Province "revisit" the issue of the transfer of land ambulance service to upper-tier municipalities. - Carried. County Council 7 November 10, 1998 Items for Information - (Consent Aqenda) 1. Carole A Prest, Counsel to the Tribunal Chair, Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, regarding a request by Control-Comp Consultants Inc., on behalf of the County of Elgin, for consideration of a reconsideration request. 2. Roger T. Kennedy, Research and Information Consultant, EMS Consultant, advising the County of his consultant services pertaining to the transfer of land ambulance services to the municipality. 3. AM.O. Member Communication 'Alert' re: Ministry of the Environment Announces Expansion of Blue Box Program. 4. N. Roy Main, City Administrator, City of St. Thomas, advising of the City's participation and contribution towards the Land Ambulance Study. 5. Jacline Lanthier, Executive Assistant, Office of the Minister of the Environment, confirming receipt of Council's recommendation for a reduction in the level of sulphur in gasoline. 6. Dino Chiesa, Assistant Deputy Minister, Housing Operations Division, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with an update on social housing reform and administration devolution and steps being taken to increase municipal "say for pay". 7. Graham P. Brand, Director, Ministry of Health, acknowledging Council's resolution concerning replacement of ambulances and collision insurance. 8. Jack Carroll, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services, regarding the Provincial Task Force on Homelessness. 9. Ontario News Release Communique, regarding "Ontario to Act on Recommendations of Provincial Task Force on Homelessness". 1 O. The Honourable AI Leach, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, regarding the appointment by Order in Council No. 2093/98 of Mr. Donald H. Page to the Elgin and St. Thomas Housing Authority. 11. G.C. Leverton, Secretary-Treasurer, Ex-Wardens' Association, advising that the Association wishes to take no further action in regard to rededication of trees planted at the Court House. 12. AMO, MFOA, and AMCTO Municipal Member Communication, regarding assessment and taxation concerns of Ontario's municipal governments. 13. Peter Gregg, Special Assistant - Ontario, Office of the Minister of Transport, acknowledging Council's support of a public inquiry into the truck collision near Sudbury on August 5th, 1998, and providing an overview of the investigation. 14. AMO Member Communication ALERT - AMO Pursues Unanswered Questions on Mandatory Capping. 15. AMCTO EXPRESS - AMCTO Update on the Proposed 10%, 5% and 5% Mandated Limits on Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Increases for 1998. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT Correspondence Items #1-15 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 8 November 10, 1998 CLOSED SESSION Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT we do now go "In-Camera" to discuss personnel and property matters. - Carried. Warden Clutterbuck named Councillor Stewart as Chairman of the Committee Of The Whole for the In-Camera portion. Mr. George Cleminshaw, Kim Smale, and Ed Pinchak, Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, were in attendance at 10:55 AM. and left at 11 :23 AM. Council recessed at 12:10 P.M. and reconvened at 1:05 P.M. Staff was excused except for the Personnel Administrator and Administrator/Clerk. The Deputy Clerk re-entered the Council Chambers at 2:00 P.M. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT we rise and report. Carried. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT a new contract with the incumbent Ms. Karen Dunn, as Emergency Measures Co- Ordinator, be approved from January 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000, to fulfill the duties as described in the attached job description; and THAT staff be authorized to apply to Emergency Measures Ontario for JEPP funding in the total amount of $32,000.00 for the year 1999-2000 for: - preparing emergency plans for the municipalities within the County and the City of St. Thomas - to acquire a back-up emergency generator for a joint County/City emergency operations centre - to acquire equipment for a joint County/City emergency operations centre; and further THAT staff be authorized to negotiate an agreement with the City of St. Thomas to provide shared services of the County Emergency Measures Co-Ordinator on a charge-back basis and report back to Council. - Carried. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the Job Evaluation Committee's confidential reports dated October 19, 1998 be received and filed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the Confidential Annual Report of the Performance Excellence Committee be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 9 November 10, 1998 Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT the Engineering Services Department be authorized to hire one (1) Construction Technician to assist the Department during 1999 for a twelve (12) month contract. During 1999 this position will be reviewed in conjunction with future needs of the Engineering Services Department. The Manager, Engineering Services, will report these findings with further recommendations in the fall of 1999. - Carried. Moved by Councillor McPhail Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT we adopt the recommendations from Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/InQuiries by Members Councillor VanBrenk advised Council that the opening of the new Dutton/Dunwich Municipal Building would be held on November 11, 1998 at 2:00-4:00 P.M., with the ribbon cutting at 2:30 P.M., and invited members to attend. Councillor Habkirk asked if Councillors had viewed the televised program from TCR Environmental Group which highlighted their operations, indicating he had taped it and will bring it to the next Council meeting. Notice of Motion- None. Matters of UrQency - None. BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT By-Law No. 98-37 "Being a By-Law to Authorize Rowe Energy Corporation (Hereinafter Called 'The Grantee' and Which Term Shall Include Its Successors and Assigns), to Construct, Use and Operate Works on County Road Allowances in the County of Elgin (Hereinafter Called 'The County')" be read a first and second time. - Carried. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor van Kasteren THAT By-Law No. 98-37 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT By-Law No. 98-38 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the November 10th, 1998 Meeting" be read a first and second time. - Carried. County Council 10 November 10, 1998 Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT By-Law No. 98-38 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT we adjourn at 2:11 P.M. to meet again on November 24th, 1998 at 9:00 AM. - Carried. Mark G. McDonald, County Administrator/Clerk. W. Perry Clutterbuck, Warden.