Loading...
June 10, 2003 Minutes COUNTY OF ELGIN Tuesday, June 10, 2003 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:06 AM. in accordance with adjournment, with all members present except Councillor Stewart. Warden Wilson in the Chair. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT the minutes from the meeting held on May 27,2003 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF- None. DeleQation Mr. Dave Phillips, County Town Crier, and Mrs. Jenny Phillips, attended at 9:08 AM. On May 2ih the Galbraith monument was unveiled in Dutton/Dunwich, which was attended by a large gathering that included Mr. Galbraith's sons. The Town Crier read greetings from Prime Minister Jean Chretien, recognizing the commemoration efforts for the Talbot Bicentennial and the erection of a monument to honour John Kenneth Galbraith, a former County resident. Warden Wilson thanked the Town Crier for his reading and the delegation left at 9: 13 AM. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS Pioneer Museum/Archives Feasibility Study & Museum Lease Extension - Archivist Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT the firm of Goldsmith, Borgal & Company of Toronto, be awarded the contract to engage in a feasibility study, public consultation process and conceptual drawing for a future location for the Elgin County Pioneer Museum, and an expansion for the Elgin County Archives, as well as related uses based on the terms of reference contained in the report; and, THAT funds be allocated from the Millrate Stabilization Reserve as approved by County Council on March 25th, 2003 (approximately $20,000 plus applicable taxes and disbursements). - Carried. Tender for Belmont Road - ManaQer of EnQineerinQ Services Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Elgin Construction be awarded the project for the installation of a waterline and the reconstruction of Belmont Road for their submitted tender price of $1,182,517.21 (including taxes); and, County Council 2 June 10, 2003 THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and directed to sign the contract for the project. - Carried. EIQin Manor SewaQe Treatment Plant - ManaQer of EnQineerinQ Services A structural failure occurred at the sewage treatment plant at the Elgin Manor and the plant will not be operational without replacement or major repair. The County's Solicitor is conducting a review of the situation and the County's insurer is also involved, as this will either result in an insurance claim or litigation. Councillors were concerned with the $10,000 insurance deductible, as well as, recouping costs for staff time involved. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT the report entitled "Elgin Manor Sewage Treatment Plant" dated June 6,2003 from the Manager of Engineering Services, be deferred to the Council's In-Camera meeting. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration 1. Jon Skafel, President, Alzheimer Society Elgin-St. Thomas, with a request for the County to renew its membership for 2003. 2. Councillor Elisabeth Arnold, Co-Chair, NHPOT, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, requesting funding for the work being done by the FCM National Housing Policy Options Team for affordable housing. 3. Earl D. Moore, Secretary, The Elgin Military Museum, requesting a meeting with County Council concerning the operations at the Elgin County Pioneer Museum. 4. Bonnie Kotnik, Director, Dr. Kiran Rabheru, Physician Leader, Geriatric Psychiatry Program, and Sandy Whittall, Vice President, Mental Health Programs, St. Joseph's Health Care London, advising of the consolidation of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program to the London site. 5. Denis Kelly, Regional Clerk, York Region, with a resolution urging the Federal and Provincial Governments to give tax exempt status to employer-provided transit benefits. 6. Wendell Graves, Town of Aylmer, with a report regarding a strategic look at the Aylmer Library. 7. Laura Moy, AMCT, Clerk, Town of Tecumseh, with a resolution requesting an extension of the completion date for the adoption by municipalities of an emergency management program and by-law to December 31,2004. 8. Municipality of Central Elgin, with a resolution concerning federal and provincial elections being called when a municipal election is scheduled to be held. 9. Grace Hoshal, Assistant Secretary, Terrace Lodge Auxiliary, with a letter concerning the possible closure of the Terrace Lodge swimming pool. 10. Sharon Vokes, County Clerk, County of Grey, with a resolution concerning the negative impact on livestock industry by Mad Cow disease and need for government action. 11. Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario, MFOA Bulletin, with Background Information - Municipal Referendum Requirement for Property Tax Rate Increases Proposed by PC Party of Ontario. County Council 3 June 10, 2003 The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #1 : Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin take out a "President's" membership with the Alzheimer Society Elgin-St. Thomas for the year 2003/2004 in the amount of $50.00. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #3: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT Elgin County Council extend an invitation to representatives of the Management Committee of the Elgin Military Museum and to the Chairperson and Acting Manager of the Elgin County Pioneer Museum Board to attend Council on June 24,2003 to discuss matters involving the Elgin County Pioneer Museum. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #4: Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the Council of the County of Elgin adamantly oppose the consolidation of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program to the London site; and, THAT the Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program be invited to the County Council meeting on June 24, 2003 to explain the rationale for this move and what steps are being taken to ensure services are continued in Elgin County; and, THAT copies of the resolution be circulated to the lower-tier municipalities, City of St. Thomas, Thames Valley District Health Council, Mr. Steve Peters, M.P.P., and to the Honourable Gar Knutson, requesting support. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #5: Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor McPhail THAT Correspondence Item #5 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #11 : Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Faulds WHEREAS the Progressive Conservative campaign document, "The Road Ahead", has been released and contains the proposal to extend the "Taxpayer Protection Act" to municipal property taxes; and, County Council 4 June 10, 2003 WHEREAS the proposal requires a referendum to be held in order to garner elector support for property tax increases; and, WHEREAS the downloading of services by the Provincial Government since 1998 has virtually guaranteed the need for greater property taxes to support former Provincial services such as housing, ambulance, and family benefits; and, WHEREAS any deterioration of economic conditions in Ontario will require property tax increases to support income re-distribution programmes funded by the property tax base including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Programme, and Social Housing; and, WHEREAS municipal government is already the most accountable and accessible level of government, facing the electorate on a scheduled three-year basis unlike either the Federal or Provincial levels; and, WHEREAS "The Road Ahead" does not quantify or even estimate the costs of annual referenda in the 447 municipalities of Ontario; and, WHEREAS the cost of holding referendums in the County of Elgin estimated at $126,000 for Elgin County and $50,000 for the City of St. Thomas per year is prohibitive and may exceed the total cost of the increase being proposed; NOW THEREFORE the Council of the County of Elgin respectfully requests that the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party withdraw from its recently announced campaign platform the initiative which would legislate a referendum should a municipality wish to increase property tax rates. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #6: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor McPhail THAT the Council of the County of Elgin supports the Town of Aylmer's resolution concerning the application by the County to the Trilllium Foundation for funding to develop a Master Plan for the Aylmer Library. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #7: Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT Elgin County Council supports the resolution from the Town of Tecumseh petitioning Emergency Measures Ontario to amend the requirement for each municipality to develop and implement an emergency management program by April 2004 to December 31,2004. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #8: Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT Elgin County Council supports the resolution of the Municipality of Central Elgin requesting the federal and provincial governments to avoid election calls when a municipal election is being held. - Carried Unanimously. County Council 5 June 10, 2003 The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #9: Council consensus was that the pool at Terrace Lodge would continue in operation and fees would not change significantly. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor McPhail THAT the Terrace Lodge pool continue to remain open and the user groups be so advised; and, THAT the funds for capital repairs be allocated from the Millrate Stabilization Reserve. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #10: Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT the Council for the County of Elgin supports the resolution from the County of Grey encouraging senior levels of government to take immediate action to mitigate the negative impact on the livestock industry by Mad Cow disease. - Carried. Tender for Belmont Road - ManaQer of EnQineerinQ Services - continued The Manager of Engineering Services reported that the contract amount in the report for the Tender for Belmont Road does include all taxes. Items for Information - (Consent AQenda) 1. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London, supporting Council's resolutions: 1) Honourable Elizabeth Witmer, Minister of Education, re: the "School To Work Transition Program" within the Thames Valley District School Board; 2) Honourable Janet Ecker, Minister of Finance, re: review of the property taxation capping program. 2. Honourable Chris Stockwell, Minister of the Environment, concerning Council's support of the resolution by Haldimand County regarding nutrient management relating to the treatment of septic sewage. 3. Thank you card from: Corrie Shivak; Steve Bailey, Family and Children's Services; Carrie Shea, Elgin County 4H; Ron Langley, St. Thomas Gun Club. 4. Ontario News Release Communique, "Eves Government to Provide Affordable High- Speed Internet to Elgin County". 5. Tim Burns, Director, Long-Term Care Facilities, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, advising of the annual adjustment to the accommodation rates at the Homes. 6. Marcel Reghelini, Director, Regulatory Affairs, Union Gas, with a copy of the application filed with the Ontario Energy Board for orders approving or fixing just and reasonable rates and other charges for the sale, distribution, transmission and storage of gas as of January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005. 7. Honourable Carl DeFaria, Minister of Citizenship, with information and nomination forms for the 2003 Senior Achievement Awards Program. 8. Honourable Norman Sterling, Attorney General, Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, regarding the distribution of racetrack slot revenues earned by host municipalities and surrounding municipalities. County Council 6 June 10, 2003 9. Ken Boshcoff, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with copy of correspondence to the Honourable Norm Sterling, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, regarding the promised consultation on the streamlining of the Provincial Offences Act. 10. Honourable Elizabeth Witmer, Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, concerning Council's recommendation regarding the closure of rural schools. 11. David J. Johnson, Chair, Sports Alliance of Ontario, inviting municipalities to bid on holding one of the multi-sports competition Ontario Games. 12. Scott Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer and Kathy Zammit, Chief Returning Office, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with information and nomination forms for the 2003-2004 AMO Board of Directors. 13. AMO Annual Conference - August 17 _29th, 2003 Accommodation Information and Registration Form for the Conference. 14. AMO Member Communication ALERT - "AMO Will Not Help Write Tax Referendum Legislation"; and AMO Member Communication FOR YOUR INFORMATION - "Ontario Centre for Municipal Best Practices Releases Its First Annual Report. 15. Ross Snetsinger, Chair, Rail Ways to the Future Committee, with copy of correspondence to Honourable Frank Klees, Minister of Transportation regarding CASO. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT Correspondence Items # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 be received and filed. - Carried. Referring to Correspondence Item #4, Council questioned whether connectivity to the County's Administration Building is included in the announced funding of $900,000 identified in the correspondence from the Eves Government to provide affordable High- Speed Internet to the ElginConnects and ConnectOntario programs. The Manager of Library Services indicated she has heard that this funding would be coming from the COBRA program for connectivity, but has received no formal notice. The Chief Administrative Officer advised that talks have taken place with ElginConnects regarding jurisdictional issues and are waiting to get back together again. Staff will pursue clarification with ConnectOntario and report to Council. Referring to Correspondence Item #8, Council discussed the possibility of receiving a share of the London racetrack slot revenues to offset the loss of revenue to the bingo halls and service clubs, and licence fees to municipalities. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT staff investigate the method of distribution of revenues from slot-racetrack facilities and how the County may become involved and report to Council. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/InQuiries by Members - None. Notice of Motion - None. Matters of UrQency - None. County Council 7 June 10, 2003 Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor Rock THAT we do now move In-Camera to discuss personnel and property matters. - Carried. The Deputy Clerk was excused at 11 :33 AM. and returned to Chambers at 12:11 P.M. Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Habkirk Seconded by Councillor VanBrenk THAT staff be permitted to investigate the potential temporary use of the current St. Thomas-Elgin General ambulance base and all associated costs, beyond December 31, 2003. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT staff be directed to pursue all costs incurred as a result of the damage to the sewage treatment plant at Elgin Manor, including but not limited to, loss of our insurance deductible and other costs including damages; and, THAT Council goes on record as not accepting repair of the plant, only its replacement. - Carried. The Manager of Engineering Services was directed to investigate costs of utilizing the Central Elgin treatment plant in Port Stanley to handle the waste from the new Elgin Manor until a sewage treatment plant is operational. Moved by Councillor Seconded by Councillor THAT staff be authorized to offer the confidential proposal at the bargaining table to help secure an agreement. - Carried. Council recessed at 12:20 P.M. and reconvened at 1 :20 P.M. Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT we do now recess at 1 :22 P.M. to attend a meeting with representatives from the Thames Valley District School Board. - Carried. Council reconvened at 3:16 P.M. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT the confidential salary review be deferred to the June 24, 2003 meeting. - Carried. County Council 8 June 10, 2003 Moved by Councillor VanBrenk Seconded by Councillor McPhail THAT we do now proceed In-Camera to discuss personnel matters. - Carried. All Staff was excused at 3:20 P.M. The Chief Administrative Officer and Deputy Clerk returned to Council Chambers at 4:22 P.M. Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor Crevits THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT Councillor VanBrenk be appointed as a second Council appointee to the Ambulance Evaluation Committee. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Habkirk THAT we adopt the recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Mcintyre Seconded by Councillor McPhail THAT By-Law No. 03-21 "Being A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the June 10th, 2003 Meeting" be read a first and second time. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Crevits Seconded by Councillor Mcintyre THAT By-Law No. 03-21 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Rock Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT we do now adjourn at 4:26 P.M. to meet again on June 24,2003 at 9:00 AM. - Carried. Mark G. McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. John R. Wilson, Warden.