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May 8, 2001 Minutes COUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, May 8, 2001 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:07 AM., in accordance with adjournment, with all members in attendance. Warden McPhail in the Chair. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the minutes of the meeting held on April 24,2001 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF- None. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT we do now go into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS EmerQency Detour RoutinQ HiQhway #401. Graham Road - Technical Services Officer The Technical Services Officer reported in absence of the Manager of Engineering Services and reported that West Elgin has agreed to the use of Graham Road as a detour route. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT the Highway #401 Emergency Detour Routing (EDR) Traffic Plans be approved by County Council and forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation and Ontario Provincial Police; and, THAT the Municipality of West Elgin be requested to install the trail blazer signs on Graham Road at their own expense; and, THAT the County of Elgin purchase the signs and invoice the Ministry of Transportation for its agreed upon share. - Carried. The Technical Services Officer reported to Council that some railroad ties being stored on County property have been removed from the areas causing concern, however the Ministry of the Environment has placed a cease and desist order on any further removal. The Engineering Services Department will continue to monitor and report on the removal of ties from County properties. County Council 2 May 8, 2001 LiQhtinQ ReQuired for the Aylmer Library - ManaQer of Library Services Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT the lowest quote from Ashton Electric, for the installation of lighting at the Aylmer Library, in the amount of $1 ,412.40, including taxes, be accepted; and, THAT the Manager of Library Services contact the Town of Aylmer to schedule the work; and, THAT the funds be allocated from the Building Reserve Fund. - Carried. Terrace LodQe Drapery/Blinds Purchase - Director of Homes and Seniors Services Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT the quotation for the supply and installation of draperies and blinds for Terrace Lodge from Phillips Dry Goods, in the amount of $11 ,827.92, be accepted. - Carried. Terrace LodQe Tubs and Lifts - Director of Homes and Seniors Services Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the Director of Homes and Senior Services be authorized to proceed with the purchase of tubs and lifts from Arjo for Terrace Lodge in the amount of $61 ,753.00; and, THAT the Director be authorized to commence the tubroom modifications for the installation of these tubs. - Carried. City of St. Thomas Share of 2001 Land Ambulance Operations - Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services reported that the City of St. Thomas reviewed the ambulance requisition and has determined that it will pay in accordance with their own philosophy and has short-funded the shared service. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Council concurs with the City of St. Thomas' decision to maintain its own reserves for such items as severance payments, vehicle purchases, and contingencies, providing the City states, in writing, that it will meet all of its obligations under the Consolidation Agreement pertaining to Land Ambulance; and, THAT staff be directed to forward a letter to the City Treasurer outlining Land Ambulance cash flow requirements and requesting payment in full of the City's share of those costs. - Carried. County Council 3 May 8, 2001 Pioneer Museum - Fire Update - Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services outlined the procedures being taken to clean artefacts and noted that the Museum may be closed for two months due to the recent fire on the premises. Warden McPhail has prepared a letter thanking the St. Thomas Fire Department for their quick action in putting out the fire. The Director of Financial Services will send a letter to the Military Museum thanking them for their efforts and assistance. Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the report "Pioneer Museum - Fire Update" from the Director of Financial Services be received and filed. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Information - (Consent AQenda) 1. Terrace Lodge Auxiliary and the Elgin Manor Auxiliary with "thank you" note for the plaque and luncheon honouring the two Auxiliaries. 2. Honourable Brian Coburn, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, regarding Council's support of the resolution from the Municipality of West Elgin concerning the effect low commodity prices and foreign subsidies have on Canadian farmers. 3. AMO News Release, "Queen's Park on Wrong Track Survey Says". 4. Ontario Property Assessment Corporation, 2000 Annual Report and Financial Statement. 5. Gail Ure, Regional Director, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, with copy of correspondence regarding the STEPS program in Elgin County. 6. Bob Habkirk, Councillor, County of Elgin, and Sharon Crosby, Alderman, City of St. Thomas, with copy of correspondence regarding support for extending the St. Thomas-Elgin Patient Shuttle (STEPS). 7. Peter Jackson, Regional Director Southwestern Region, Ministry of Transportation, with regard to Council's resolution concerning emergency detour routing associated with Highway #401. 8. Julia Munro, Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Transportation, regarding the Lake Erie erosion concerns and a meeting to be arranged with the County's Engineering Services. 9. Association of Ontario Road Supervisors, with advanced registration form for the 2001 Municipal Trade Show, June 6 and 7, 2001. 10. Bob Christie, Deputy Minister of Finance, and W. Michael Fenn, Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with information concerning the 2000 Community Reinvestment Fund. 11. Greg Moran, Provost, Vice-President (Academic), University of Western Ontario, concerning tuition fees for medical programs. 12. P.J. Leack, City Clerk, City of St. Thomas, concerning Discontinuation of Bell Neutral Answering Service (BNAS). County Council 4 May 8, 2001 13. Linda M. Cranston, Clerk/Deputy-Treasurer, Municipality of West Elgin with: 1) resolution concerning the Road Maintenance Agreement; 2) resolution concerning the emergency detour routes; 3) resolution concerning the closure of psychiatric institutions in the Province. Discussion ensued on Correspondence Item #11 regarding the increase in tuition fees to Medical Students. It was pointed out that it is already difficult enough to attract family physicians to the County, who are carrying a heavy debt load. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT the Council of the County of Elgin express its disappointment in the methodology used to determine the impact of Medical Student Tuition Fees as expressed in the survey results from Roma Harris, Vice-Provost and Registrar, and encourage the author to use more scientifically sound methods of analysis in the future, thereby producing more meaningful results. - Carried. Warden McPhail read his letter of response on behalf of County Council to Correspondence Item #8, emphasizing the agreement by Ministry staff to meet with the County and other stakeholders to discuss Lake Shore erosion. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT Correspondence Items #1-10 and 12-13 be received and filed. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/InQuiries by Members Warden McPhail asked who was planning to attend the E-5 Seminar on May 11,2001 and instructed the C.AO. to send one staff member to participate. Councillor Mcintyre reported that a municipal drain petition is required for the new Elgin Manor and that he would report at a future meeting with further details. Councillor Wilson requested an update on the implementation of No Parking By-Laws in the County. The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that the By-Laws had been consolidated and we are awaiting approval from a higher authority. The Emergency Measures Co-Ordinator will issue an update to Council on this matter. Councillor Rock suggested that an invitation be extended to Bkejwanong Territory to appear as a delegation to present their views on Aboriginal Title and how it could affect the lakeshore community of Port Stanley. Staff will prepare an invitation over the Warden's signature. Notice of Motion - None. Matters of UrQency - None. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT we do now proceed In-Camera to discuss personnel matters. - Carried. County Council 5 May 8, 2001 Council took a break at 9:47 AM. and reconvened at 9:59 AM. Staff, except the Director of Human Resources, was excused at 10:15 AM. while Council conducted the Annual Performance Evaluation of the Chief Administrative Officer. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT Museum staff be directed to assist Winmar with the restoration of the artefacts contaminated or damaged by the fire; and, THAT, as time allows, Museum staff complete the inventory of the agricultural building in preparation of opening the building to the public. - Carried. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT we adopt the recommendations from the Committee Of The Whole. - Carried. BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT By-Law No. 01-16 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the May 8, 2001 Meeting" be read a first and second time. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Stewart Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT By-Law No. 01-16 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT we do now adjourn at 1 :02 P.M. to meet again on May 29,2001 at 9:00 AM. - Carried. Mark G. McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. Duncan J. McPhail, Warden.