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
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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.