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August 14, 2003 Minutes COUNTY OF ELGIN Thursday, August 14, 2003 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 1 :04 P.M. for a special meeting, with all members present except Councillors Crevits (arrived 1 :06 P.M.), McPhail and Rock. Warden Wilson in the Chair Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the minutes from the meeting held on July 22,2003 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF- None. The Chief Administrative Officer introduced Larysa Andrusiak, the new Ambulance Administrative Co-Ordinator, to Council. Warden Wilson welcomed Larysa to the County and wished her well in her new role. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS Compliance Report - Terrace LodQe - General ManaQer. LonQ- Term Care The General Manager, Long-Term Care advised that four unmet standards would be addressed quickly. The General Manager requested consideration to recruit two Acting Managers to supply coverage for the maternity leave of the Manager of Resident Care. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the Compliance Report be deferred to the In-Camera portion of the meeting to discuss potential personally identifiable matters. - Carried. Resident Satisfaction Survey - General ManaQer. LonQ- Term Care The General Manager, Long-Term Care noted that action would be taken on the comment section of the survey, which would include provision of a summary to the Residents and bargaining agents, and resolution of items of concern. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT the report entitled Resident Satisfaction Survey, dated August 5, 2003, from the General Manager, Long-Term Care be received for information purposes. - Carried. County Council 2 August 14, 2003 AQreement with London Hospital Linen Inc. - General ManaQer. LonQ- Term Care Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT the agreement between the Elgin County Homes for Seniors and the London Hospital Linen Services Inc. for non-personal laundry services, be approved for a five (5) year term to begin April 1 ,2003 and end March 31,2008; and, THAT the Warden and the General Manager, Long-Term Care, be authorized to sign the agreement with London Hospital Linen Services Inc. - Carried. Sale of Replaced Land Ambulance Vehicles - Chief Administrative Officer Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT the surplus 1994 ambulance be sold to Dortmans Bros. Barn Equipment for $4,500; and, THAT the surplus 1996 ambulance be sold to Dortmans Bros. Barn Equipment for $5,500; and, THAT ownership of the vehicles be transferred once a certified cheque or money order has been received. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence for Consideration 1. Larry Keech, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, County of Lennox & Addington, with a resolution requesting that the Province of Ontario develop a fair and consistent dental care program to target lower wage working Ontarians. 2. Allan Gotlieb, Chairman, Ontario Heritage Foundation, with information and a nomination form for the Heritage Community Recognition Program 2003. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #1 : Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT Elgin County Council supports the resolution of the County of Lennox and Addington requesting that the Province of Ontario develop a fair and consistent dental care program for lower wage working Ontarians. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT Correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 3 August 14, 2003 Correspondence for Information 1. Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and the Honourable Jerry J. Ouellette, Minister of Natural Resources Ontario, acknowledging Council's support of the City of Brampton's resolution regarding Emerald Ash Borer. 2. Anne Creery, District Manager London/Sarnia, Union Gas, announcing a rate increase and one-time refund to customers purchasing gas from Union Gas. 3. Essex, Kent & Lambton District Health Council, Dementia Special Care Units Executive Summary. 4. Ted Garrard, Vice President (External), The University of Western Ontario, announcing that a permanent sign of recognition for donors to the stadium and the 2001 Canada Games will be erected on the wall of the J.W. Little Memorial Building. 5. Honourable Gar Knutson, M.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, with correspondence to the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, concerning the consolidation of geriatric psychiatric services to London and lack of information provided by the Province to the Municipality and County on the Task Force Plan. 6. Honourable Helen Johns, Minister of Agriculture and Food, acknowledging Council's support of the County of Grey's resolution concerning financial support for livestock producers and related industries affected by the closure of export markets. 7. Ken Verrell, Chairperson, 2003 Seniors Picnic Committee, thanking Elgin County Council for their support of the Seniors' Picnic held on July 9, 2003. 8. Gar Knutson, M.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, 1) acknowledging Council's resolution concerning the need for government action to support the livestock industry impacted by BSE; 2) copy of correspondence to Dr. Stewart Hill, Director, Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, regarding assistance in research on soil erosion in Elgin County. 9. Norma I. Bryant, Clerk, Municipality of West Elgin, supporting Council's resolution concerning: 1) consolidation of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program to London; 2) the request to the Ontario Progressive Party to withdraw from its campaign the initiative to legislate a referendum should a municipality wish to increase property tax rates. 10. Phyllis Ketchabaw, Clerk, Town of Aylmer, supporting the Municipality of Central Elgin's resolution petitioning the Federal and Provincial Governments to avoid election calls when a municipal election is being held. 11. Federation of Canadian Municipalities MEMBERS ADVISORY: 1) Government of Canada Releases Funding Criteria; 2) Tell Us What You've Done To Help "Bridge The Gap". 12. Honourable Jerry J. Ouellette, Minister of Natural Resources, responding to Council's resolution concerning farmed deer and elk. 13. Honourable Ernie Eves, Premier of Ontario, acknowledging Council's resolution regarding Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. 14. Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Member Communication ALERT: Two-Year Transfer Tax Exemption for LDCS Passed and Other Electricity Updates. 15. Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), "Bridging the Gap" Advocacy Campaign Tool Kit to assist FCM members in securing public support for national municipal priorities. 16. Honourable Gar Knutson, M.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, with news release outlining the broad strokes of the Infrastructure Program announced in the Budget 2003. 17. W. Michael Fenn, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with a copy of the "Municipal Performance Measurement Program Handbook, 2003". County Council 4 August 14, 2003 18. Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, "Emergency Management In Your Community" Workshop for Elected and Senior Municipal Officials, details on venues and dates at www.amcto.com. 19. AMO Conference Cocktail Reception, Monday, August 18, 2003, 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. 20. Peter Hume, Chair Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, Board of Directors, with an update on recent MPAC activities 21. Ernie Hardeman, M.P.P., Oxford, with copy of correspondence from the Minister of Education concerning the composition of the Thames Valley District School Board. 22. Tallgrass Ontario, 3rd Tallgrass Prairie and Savanna Forum, September 5-6, 2003, and "Bluestem Banner" Newsletter - Summer 2003. 23. K. Smith, Executive Correspondence Officer, Office of the Prime Minister, acknowledging Council's resolution concerning the impact of Bovine Spongiform Encephaliopathy on the beef industry. 24. Pam Muma, President, St. Thomas Gun Club, thanking the Warden and the County for personal and financial support for the recent Canadian Trap Shooting Championships. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT Correspondence Item #1-24 be received and filed. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/InQuiries by Members Councillor Mcintyre thanked the General Manager, Long-Term Care, and staff for the tour of the new Elgin Manor for the Southwold Fire Department. Warden Wilson noted the positive comments he received from the Residents and general public for the new building and congratulated the General Manager, Long-Term Care, and staff. Councillor Mcintyre noted that he had met with Gar Knutson who advised that a new announcement has been made regarding mad cow disease, and invoicing and slaughtering of cattle. Notice of Motion - None. Matters of UrQency - None. Council took a break at 1 :26 and reconvened at 1:40 P.M. DELEGATIONS Mr. Marvin Rubinstein, IBI Group, attended at 1:40 P.M. to present the County Negotiation Team's results of the Land Ambulance RFP process. Mr. Rubinstein highlighted the chronology of events; composition of the negotiation team; process of proposal evaluations; contract negotiations for apples-to-apples comparison of services and pricing; and conclusions. Questions were asked by Council, some of which included attendance of the duty officer at an emergency response and the travel time involved; and aspects of performance bonds compared to letters of credit. Councillors Habkirk and VanBrenk commented on the exceptional qualifications of all of the respondents and on the great service the County has received since 1999 from our current providers St. Thomas-Elgin General Ambulance Service and the Rodney Ambulance Service. Councillor Habkirk noted there would be a tremendous increase in costs for the provision of ambulance services beginning in 2004. Warden Wilson thanked all the participants in the process for their efforts and thanked all the emergency services for their proposals. Warden Wilson County Council 5 August 14, 2003 invited representatives from Thames EMS to comment and Mr. Learsch noted that it was an interesting experience, and they are excited to be the successful proposer. Warden Wilson noted that a room has been provided in the lower level for persons who wish to speak with Thames EMS. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Habkirk 1. THAT Elgin County Council approve an award of contract to Thames Emergency Medical Services, as per the draft agreement. The contract will be for an initial five (5) year term, commencing January 1,2004 and concluding on December 31,2008, unless otherwise extended by the County. The Contract includes a start-up transition period, which shall commence immediately upon execution of the contract. The start-up transition period will enable Thames Emergency Medical Services to attend to the details of the transfer of the services including paramedic recruitment, station leases, vehicle and equipment inventory, etc. 2. THAT Elgin County Council approve the following name for the County's ambulance service: "Elgin-St. Thomas Emergency Medical Services". 3. THAT Elgin County Council approve the following change to Section 30 Article 1 of the ambulance Service Agreement: "The Operator shall provide and maintain for the life of this agreement, a Performance Bond, satisfactory to the County in the amount of $400,000. The Bond shall provide a minimum notice period of ninety (90) days for cancellation and non-renewal. Upon receiving notice of cancellation, the Operator shall have thirty (30) days to provide alternate security satisfactory to the County, in the amount of $400,000 in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit or another performance bond. Failure to provide the required financial assurances within the specified time frames shall constitute default under Section 19 of this agreement. For the start-up transition period the value of the performance bond shall be $100,000." 4. THAT the Director of Financial Services be authorized to set aside sufficient funds annually, for the following ambulance services costs (which are in addition to the ambulance service contract) for which the County is directly responsible: County administrative and office expenses; cost to replace ambulances and administrative vehicles used by the operator; cost to replace/repair major equipment; and contingency reserve for future severance liabilities - Carried Unanimously. Council took a break at 2:23 and reconvened at 2:42 P.M. Mr. Dave Aristone, CAO, Township of Southwold, attended at 2:42 P.M. Councillor Mcintyre informed Council that Central Elgin's lagoon in Port Stanley is no longer accepting septage and the waste that was transported from Southwold has been rerouted to London, which will increase their costs by approximately five times. London has informed them that after the first of the year they will not be accepting the waste and that will create problems. Councillor Crevits commented that the action was taken because the Central Elgin facility and its life span would be seriously impacted if it continued to accept outside waste. Councillor Crevits noted that a facility on the east side of St. Thomas is proposed but the size and whether it could handle additional intake has not been determined. Moved by Councillor Crevits Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT we do now move In-Camera to discuss personnel and property matters. - Carried. County Council 6 August 14, 2003 Mr. Aristone left at 3:31 P.M. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Stewart THAT the County of Elgin agrees in principle to the potential development opportunity of the Elgin Manor vacant lands and instructs staff and the County Solicitor to prepare a response to the proposal for Council's consideration. - Carried Unanimously. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT the report entitled "Compliance - Terrace Lodge" dated August 5,2003 from the General Manager, Long-Term Care, be approved; and, THAT the General Manager, Long-Term Care, and the Director of Human Resources, be authorized to recruit two (2) Acting Managers of Resident Care at Terrace Lodge for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) months; and, THAT the full costs of this organization model for the 2003 year be absorbed in the approved 2003 budget and brought forward as part of the 2004 budget plan with no increase beyond the approved 2003 complement. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Crevits Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the confidential correspondence items #1, 2 and 3 regarding property matters be received and filed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Stewart Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT we do adopt the recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole. - Carried. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT By-Law No. 03-28 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the August 14th, 2003 Meeting" be read a first and second time. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Crevits Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT By-Law No. 03-28 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. County Council 7 August 14, 2003 Moved by Councillor Stewart Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT we do now adjourn at 4:03 P.M. to meet again on September 9,2003 at 9:00 AM. - Carried. Mark G. McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. John R. Wilson, Warden.