June 26, 2001 Minutes
COUNTY OF ELGIN
Tuesday, June 26, 2001
The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:00 A M. in
accordance with adjournment, with all members present except Warden McPhail,
Councillors Rock and Faulds.
Councillor Wilson in the Chair.
Deputy Warden Wilson announced that Warden Duncan McPhail's wife, Liz, passed away
during the night. He advised Council they would be informed of the funeral arrangements
as soon as they are known. Council held a moment of silence in memory of Liz.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on June 12, 2001 be adopted.
- Carried.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF -
None.
PRESENTATIONS
Deputy Warden Wilson presented Long Service Award Certificates and gifts to:
HOMES
Pamela Stewart
25 years (full-time)
Bobier Home
Carol Beauchamp
Ernest Schned
Nettie Wieler
20 years (full-time)
20 years (full-time)
20 years (full-time)
Elgin Manor
Terrace Lodge
Elgin Manor
Joanne Bolt
Patricia Emerson
Servat Sobhani
Joyce Terpstra
Loree Vandemaele
15 years (full-time)
15 years (full-time)
15 years (full-time)
15 years (full-time)
15 years (full-time)
Elgin Manor
Terrace Lodge
Elgin Manor
Terrace Lodge
Terrace Lodge
Carol Adams
Dianne Uitvlugt
Dorothy Fife
10 years (full-time)
10 years (full-time)
10 years (part-time)
Elgin Manor
Bobier Home
Elgin Manor
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Marilyn Payler
10 years (part-time)
LIBRARY SERVICES
Mary Brown
Shelley Fleming
15 years (part-time)
15 years (part-time)
Port Stanley Library
RodneylWest Lorne Library
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT we move into Committee of the Whole Council.
- Carried.
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2
June 26, 2001
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
Application for Minor Exception Lot 11. Conc. 5. West EIQin - County Tree Inspector
Moved by Councillor Stewart
Seconded by Councillor Crevits
THAT the Application for Minor Exception to the Trees Act from Mr. Allan Binks, Lot 11,
Concession 5, Municipality of West Elgin, to clear approximately 1.01 acres of bush, be
approved, subject to a 10 metre wide treed buffer (250 trees) being placed along the
northern edge of the wetland area located on the applicant's property and L TVCA's
confirmation of their receipt of funding to replant the buffered area; and further,
THAT to maintain the integrity of the County's "No Net Loss Policy" an additional 1500
trees be replanted for a grand total of 1750 trees or a donation equivalent to 1750 trees be
made to the L TVCA
- Carried.
Year 2001 Road SiQn Replacements - Tender Results - Technical Services Officer
The Technical Services Officer reported that the lowest bids for these tenders are being
recom mended.
Moved by Councillor Stewart
Seconded by Councillor Habkirk
THAT Dutton Building Products be awarded the tender to supply sign posts at their quoted
price of $11 ,827.18 (inclusive of all taxes); and,
THAT Mobile Striping and Sweeping be awarded the tender for replacement of road signs
at their quoted price of $28,221.25 (inclusive of all taxes).
- Carried.
ReQulation of Traffic (ParkinQ) By-Law - ManaQer of EnQineerinQ Services
The Manager of Engineering Services reported the County and the lower-tier municipalities
must agree upon wording and pass an adopting by-law before the documentation can be
forwarded to the Solicitor General's office for approval.
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor Crevits
THAT County Council approve the content of the draft "model" by-law for the regulation of
traffic.
- Carried.
Pioneer Line. County Road 2. VeQetation DamaQes
The Manager of Engineering Services advised MTO policy provides that damages be
proven in court and monies awarded only if proven through litigation that road salt was the
cause of damage to vegetation. The County may be leaving itself open to future legal
action if the County accepts the claim made by the ratepayer.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre
THAT the County of Elgin acknowledge the letter from the concerned ratepayer on Pioneer
Line in Dutton/Dunwich; and,
THAT no action be taken.
- Carried.
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June 26, 2001
Attendance ManaQement System (AMS) Software - Director of Human Resources
The Director of Human Resources reported that the AMS has clearly reduced the amount
of employee absenteeism. However, the completely manual process of tracking
absenteeism issues is very time consuming for the Human Resources Department and the
accuracy and speed of monitoring the system is of concern.
Moved by Councillor VanBrenk
Seconded by Councillor Habkirk
THAT the County of Elgin purchase the NexTrak system at the upset limit of $16,500.00 to
automate the current manual tracking system used for administration of the AMS policy;
and,
THAT funds for this purchase including the annual maintenance fee be allocated from the
automation budget.
- Defeated.
1999 LonQ Term Care Facility Annual Report - Director of Financial Services
The Director of Financial Services reported that Ministry of Health requires an Annual
Report in order to receive funding.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre
THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to sign the 1999
Long-Term Care Facility Annual Report for the Ministry of Health.
- Carried.
Response to County of Brant ReQuest to Support its Lobby to MOH to Standardize
Cost for Cross-Border Ambulance Transfers - EmerQency Measures Co-Ordinator
The Emergency Measures Co-Ordinator reported that, on average, larger centres such as
London/Middlesex have lower billing costs per call due to higher call volumes and Elgin/St.
Thomas provides cross-border service at a higher rate to the London/Middlesex area due
to the lower volume of calls experienced in the municipality. Larger centres should look to
the Ministry to subsidize the increased cost of having Elgin/St. Thomas ambulances
provide cross-border service to their area.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT the resolution from the County of Brant regarding cross-border ambulance billings
be received and filed; and,
THAT a copy of the report from the Emergency Measures Co-Ordinator be forwarded to
AMO and to the County of Brant.
- Carried Unanimously.
Response to County of Simcoe ReQuest to Petition the Discontinuation of Bell
Neutral AnswerinQ Service (BNAS) - EmerQency Measures Co-Ordinator
The Emergency Measures Co-Ordinator reported that as Bell has applied to the CRTC to
allow them to discontinue the BNAS service, it would be advisable to seek viable
alternatives for the answering service at a lower cost.
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor Habkirk
THAT County Council take the official position that if Bell wishes to discontinue the BNAS
they should be permitted to do so, without objection; and,
County Council
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June 26, 2001
THAT County Council encourage the Council for the City of St. Thomas to take the same
position.
- Carried.
Selection of a FundraisinQ Consultant - Director of Homes and Seniors Services
The Director of Homes advised that representatives of four firms that submitted proposals
had been interviewed.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Crevits
THAT Anne Moore and Associates be retained to conduct the Capital Campaign Planning
Study for the new Elgin Manor Building Project, on behalf of the County of Elgin, at the
upset fee of $18,000 plus GST and expenses, and provide professional consulting for the
implementation of the Capital Campaign as identified by our needs and according to their
submission dated June 1 ih, 2001; and,
THAT the funding for this project be allocated from the Building Reserve Account.
- Carried.
Council took a short break at 9:50 AM. and reconvened at 10:08 AM.
Deputy Warden Wilson announced that Councillor Faulds had an accident on the weekend
and had undergone surgery to repair abdominal muscle injuries. Councillor Faulds was
resting well and recovering.
ReQistered Nurse ShortaQe at Terrace LodQe - Director of Homes and Seniors
Services
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT the Director of Homes and Seniors Services and the Director of Human Resources
be authorized to hire two regular part-time RPN's for a six month term to fill the RN
vacancies; and,
THAT we continue to explore options available for recruitment and retention of Registered
staff.
- Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Items for Consideration
1. Mr. George MacDonald, Mayor, Town of Midland, with a resolution petitioning the
Provincial Government to provide legislation to municipalities permitting the option of
determination of opening prayer by municipal councils.
2. Ms. Kathy Reid, Clerk-Administrator, Township of Stirling-Rawdon, with a resolution
concerning the deferral of radio communication fees collected by the Federal
Government and municipally owned vehicle licensing fees collected by the Provincial
Government.
3. Mr. Edward R. Sajecki, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and
Housing, with an invitation to attend the Ontario Smart Growth strategy with Ministry
staff on Thursday, June 28,2001, 1-4 P.M., County of Middlesex Building, London.
4. Theresa Wates, Circulation Control, Municipal World Inc., with information concerning
the Municipal World Charter Program available to subscribers of the magazine.
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June 26, 2001
Moved by Councillor VanBrenk
Seconded by Councillor Habkirk
THAT Correspondence Item #1 be received and filed.
- Carried.
The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #2:
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre
THAT the Council of the County of Elgin supports the resolution of the Township of Stirling-
Rawdon requesting the indefinite deferral of radio communications fees for municipal
purposes collected by the Federal Government and the indefinite deferral of municipality
owned vehicle licensing fees collected by the Provincial Government respectively.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Crevits
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT Correspondence Item #3 be received and filed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT Correspondence Item #4 be received and filed.
- Carried.
Items for Information - (Consent AQenda)
1. Honourable Brad Clark, Ministry of Transportation, acknowledging Council's resolution
concerning allocation of fuel tax revenues to municipalities.
2. AMO Member Communication - For Your Information: 1) "AMO Submits Report on
Financing of Waterworks to Walkerton Inquiry"; 2) "AMO and Ontario 911 Advisory
Board Make Submission to CRTC on BNAS".
3. Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with information regarding FCM's National
Symposium: Communities in an Urban Century.
4. Terry Carroll, United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas, with a newsletter follow-up to the E5
"Where do you want Elgin to be in 5 years?" workshop held in May.
5. Honourable David Turnbull, Ministry of the Solicitor General, responding to the
County's support for the City of Weiland and the Town of Oakville's resolutions
regarding the funding proposal from the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
6. Phyllis Ketchabaw, Clerk, Town of Aylmer, endorsing the resolution of the County of
Brant concerning cross-border ambulance services.
7. Ontario News Release, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "New
Ontario Legislation will Protect Water and Set Clear Standards for Farms".
8. AMO-Municom Network, with information regarding on-line training modules available
over the Internet.
9. Judi Hartman, Deputy Registrar General, Ministry of Consumer and Business
Services, with information concerning the "Amendment to Regulation 1094 under the
VITAL STATISTICS ACT by the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services".
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June 26, 2001
10. Honourable James M. Flaherty, Minister of Finance, acknowledging Council's support
for the funding of fire services in the Province of Ontario.
11. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, with copies of correspondence to: 1)
the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding funding for municipalities to
help with the cost of downloading of services; 2) the Attorney General and Minister of
Native Affairs regarding exemption for municipalities re: Provincial Court filing and
enforcement fees; 3) the Minister of the Environment regarding sharing of costs for
residential recycling programs by industry and municipalities.
12. St. Thomas REACT Inc. Newsletter.
13. Honourable Chris Hodgson, Ministry Municipal Affairs and Housing, with an update on
recent changes to the Municipal Performance Measurement Program.
14. Honourable James M. Flaherty, Ministry of Finance, announcing the Ministry of
Finance Community Reinvestment Fund consultations to begin shortly.
15. Lucas Thacker, University of Guelph, with a copy of the Nutrient Management Bylaws
in the Province of Ontario report.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT Correspondence Items #1-15 be received and filed.
- Carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Statements/InQuiries by Members - None.
Notice of Motion - None.
Matters of UrQency - None.
Moved by Councillor Crevits
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT we do now proceed In-Camera to discuss personnel and property matters.
- Carried.
Council took a short break at 11: 15 AM. and reconvened at 11 :30 AM.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre
THAT we do now rise and report.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Stewart
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT Operators of the Elgin-St. Thomas Ambulance Service be encouraged to implement
a mandatory Road Familiarizing Training Program for all new employees of their service, if
one is not already in place; and,
THAT the dispatch policy be amended to reflect that at the start of all Code 3 and 4 calls the
dispatcher supply a reference to the page number and geo-code for the map books; and,
THAT the Operators be encouraged to schedule the crews in such a way that a new
employee is paired up with an experienced employee who is familiar with the area.
- Carried.
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June 26, 2001
Moved by Councillor VanBrenk
Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre
THAT the Acting Warden and the County Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and
directed to express Council's disappointment with the letter dated June 11, 2001 from
Steve Peters, M.P.P., regarding opposition to Bill 58, The Ambulance Service Collective
Bargaining Act; a Bill that was initiated by Ambulance Delivery Agents and responds to
municipal concerns.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Crevits
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT LGS be engaged to oversee the implementation of the automation projects identified
in their letter dated June 20th, 2001 and at the quoted price; and,
THAT the funds be allocated from the 2001 approved budget for automation; and,
THAT the cost of the system upgrades be allocated from the approved budget.
- Carried.
Deputy Warden Wilson introduced a letter from the Township of Malahide concerning
proposed entrances in the Hamlet of Copenhagen.
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT staff be directed to prepare a draft policy on the process for staff to comment on
Land Severances (particularly as it affects Hamlets) and report to Council
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor VanBrenk
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT we do now adopt recommendations of Committee of Whole Council.
- Carried.
BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT By-Law No. 01-20 "A By-Law to Amend By-Law No. 99-33 Designating Through
Highways" be read a first and second time.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Crevits
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT By-Law No. 01-20 be read a third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Habkirk
Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk
THAT By-Law No. 01-21 " Being a By-Law to Establish the Mandate and Activities of the
Elgin County Archives" be read a first and second time.
- Carried.
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June 26, 2001
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor Stewart
THAT By-Law No. 01-21 be read a third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Stewart
Seconded by Councillor Crevits
THAT By-Law No. 01-22 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of
the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the June 26th, 2001 Meeting" be read a first and
second time.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Mcintyre
Seconded by Councillor Habkirk
THAT By-Law No. 01-22 be read a third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
The Chief Administrative Officer reminded Councillors that the scheduled July 10th Council
meeting has been cancelled. The Council picture retake will be scheduled for 3:00 P.M.
on July 24th, 2001.
Moved by Councillor Stewart
Seconded by Councillor Habkirk
THAT we do now adjourn at 12:15 P.M. to meet again on July 24,2001 at 9:00 AM.
- Carried.
Mark G. McDonald,
Chief Administrative Officer.
Duncan J. McPhail,
Warden.