March 22, 2005 Minutes
3451
COUNTY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:02 A.M. in
accordance with adjournment, with all members present except Councillor Rock.
Warden Mcintyre in the Chair.
Moved by Councillor Vowel
Seconded by Councillor Faulds
THAT the minutes from the meeting held on March 8, 2005 be adopted.
- Carried.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF-
None.
Moved by Councillor Wilson
Seconded by Councillor Acre
THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council.
- Carried.
REPORTS
Ambulance Over-Expenditure 2004 - Director of Financial Services
Councillors requested costs be tracked when ambulances are required to remain on
standby when emergency rooms are full. Staff will refer this matter to Thames EMS.
Moved by Councilior Hofhuis
Seconded by Councillor Faulds
THAT staff be directed to transfer the Provincial grant ($11 ,287) from Ambulance
operations to the mill rate stabilization reserve to offset the cost of the A VL/GPS; and,
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THAT the report titled "Ambulance Over Expenditure 2004", dated March 7, 2005, from the
Director of Financial Services be received and filed.
- Carried.
Additional Homes FundinQ 2005 - Director of Financial Services
Moved by Councillor Acre
Seconded by Councillor Wilson
THAT the report titled "Additional Homes Funding - 2005", dated March 8, 2005, from the
Director of Financial Services be received and filed.
- Carried.
200512006 Community Support Services Proposed BudQet - Director of Financial Services
Moved by Councillor Wilson
Seconded by Councillor Baldwin
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THAT the report titled "2005/2006 Community Support Services", dated March 8, 2005, from
the Director of Financial Services be deferred pending compilation of additional information.
- Carried.
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March 22, 2005
Benefit Renewal Report 2005 (Effective March 1, 2005) - Director of Human
Resources
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The Director of Human Resources noted that if municipalities extended coverage to
employees for eye exams, the budget implications would be approximately 1 % and for
chiropractic coverage would be 3-4%.
Moved by Councillor Faulds
Seconded by Councillor Vowel
THAT based on the recommendation of Buffett Taylor & Associates, the Maritime Life
premium rates presented in the 2005 Renewal Report be adopted for the County of Elgin
and the Elgin Member Municipalities, effective March 1, 2005.
- Carried.
Sparta Line Chevron WarninQ SiQns - Director of EnQineerinQ Services
Councillors discussed, at length, installation of chevron signs versus street lighting to
alleviate liability issues on a section of Sparta Line.
Moved by Councillor Baldwin
Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis
THAT the issue of installing chevron signs along Sparta Line be referred to the Municipality
of Central Elgin with the understanding that Elgin County Council is willing to contribute up
to $1,500 towards installation of street lighting (in lieu of chevron signs) and that the
Municipality of Central Elgin shall be responsible for all costs associated with the project.
- Carried.
Talbot Trail ATV Club of Avlmer. Tsunami Relief Ride - ManaQer of Road
Infrastructure
Staff clarified that the request from the ATV Club was to cross over County Roads only and
not to travel along the road allowance.
Moved by Councillor Faulds
Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis
(\
THAT the report "Talbot Trail ATV Club of Aylmer, Tsunami Relief Ride", dated March 4,
2005, from the Manager of Road Infrastructure, be received and filed.
- Carried.
New Sarum BridQe - ManaQer of Road Infrastructure
The Manager of Road Infrastructure noted that inflated prices were received to our tender
request for this project, and requested that the project be deferred to next year, and the
funds previously approved to be reallocated to other needs.
Moved by Councillor Hofhuis
Seconded by Councillor Acre
THAT the New Sarum Bridge Replacement Project be deferred, and;
THAT the capital allocation for the New Sarum Bridge ($850,000) be reallocated as
follows:
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County Council
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March 22, 2005
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Project Municipalitv Cost
Plank Road Slope Rehabilitation Bayham $150,000
(to allocate additional funds to cover the shortfall in this
proiect as indicated in the report of the same name)
Dexter Line Erosion Engineering Study Central Elgin $50,000
(to complete a report on a potential option to mitigate
shoreline erosion near Port Bruce as part of the proposed
Environmental Assessment to be completed in 2006)
King George Lift Bridge Central Elgin $50,000
(to allocate additional funds as part of the rehabilitation of
the mechanical/electrical proiect)
Avon Road Reconstruction Malahide $150,000
(to allocate additional funds to capital account to complete
the reconstruction of Avon Drive through the hamlet of
Avon in 2005 - existinQ allocation $425,000)
Putnam Road Hot Mix Asphalt Resurfacing Malahide $425,000
(from Avon to Lvons Line - 5.6km)
TOTAL $850,000
- Carried.
(\ BiQ Otter Creek Slope Rehabilitation - Manaaer of Road Infrastructure
Moved by Councillor Faulds
Seconded by Councillor Acre
THAT 969774 Ontario Limited (Elgin Construction) be selected to provide labour,
equipment and material required for the Big Otter Creek Slope Rehabilitation located
immediately north of Port Burwell, in the Municipality of Bayham at the quoted price of
$522,016.91 (including taxes) which is included in the 2005 Capital Budget; and,
THAT $150,000 be re-allocated to this project from the New Sarum Bridge Replacement
Project.
- Carried.
Parking Aareement. Town of Avlmer - ManaQer of Administrative Services
Moved by Councillor Wilson
(\. Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis
THAT the County of Elgin consents to the assumption of power by the Town of Aylmer to
enforce parking, traffic and other matters on County Roads within the Town of Aylmer
limits, namely, John Street, Elm Street, and Beech Street, which shall include issuance of
tickets, information, summons, fines and the administration of all relative voluntary
payments; and,
THAT the County Solicitor be authorized and directed to prepare the necessary by-law and
consenting agreement for consideration; and,
THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to sign the
consenting agreement, subject to the following:
In accordance with Section 191 of the Municipal Act, 2001, lower-tier municipalities be
requested to pass resolutions giving their consent to a by-law with the Town of Aylmer,
setting out terms and conditions under which the Town would enforce parking, traffic and
other infractions on County Roads within the geographic boundaries of the Town of
Aylmer.
n
- Carried.
Council took a break at 10:03 A.M. and reconvened at 10:16 A.M.
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March 22, 2005
DELEGATIONS
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Mr. Mike Crawley, CEO, Mr. Jim Wilgar, and Mr. Jay Wilgar, AIM PowerGen Corporation,
attended at 10:16 a.m. to present an Update on Wind Turbine Power Source. Mr. Wilgar
spoke to the Erie Shores Wind Farm project in Bayham, Malahide and Norfolk, which will
have 66 turbines operating by April 2006, as well as the revenue and jobs it will bring to
municipalities. The company is working with hydro towards an agreement to share poles
and minimize the need for installation on both sides of the same road. Mr. Crawley
indicated survey work could be shared with Councils if desired. Warden Mcintyre thanked
the delegation for their presentation and the gentlemen left at 10:54 A.M.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence for Consideration
1. County of Dufferin, with a resolution requesting the Ministers of Finance and
Transportation to develop a new formula for gasoline tax rebate to municipalities
based on per lane kilometer of roadway, and bus and rail transit systems on a per
route kilometer basis.
2. Patricia Bergeron, Clerk-Treasurer, Municipality of Tweed, with a resolution
petitioning the Provincial and Federal Governments to allow expenses incurred by
municipalities in anticipation of infrastructure funding, prior to the November 15
COMRIF program announcement.
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3. Elgin's Family Fair, with an invitation to Council members to attend the event to be
held on April 9, 2005 at the St. Thomas Senior's Centre.
4. Harry Mezenberg, Bet-Har Farms Ltd., requesting County Council's assistance to
Elgin County land owners in dealing with the Emerald Ash borer.
5. The Association of Municipal Tax Collectors of Ontario, with a resolution urging the
Province to amend the legislation commencing for the 2006 taxation year, to specify
that once a property reaches CVA taxation it remains at CVA taxes, regardless of the
result of future reassessments.
The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #1 :
Moved by Councillor Hofhuis
Seconded by Councillor Wilson
(', THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution from the County of
Dufferin requesting the Ministers of Finance and Transportation to develop a new formula
for the gasoline tax rebate to municipalities based on per lane kilometer of roadway, and
bus and rail transit systems on a per route kilometer basis.
- Carried.
The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #2:
Moved by Councillor Baldwin
Seconded by Councillor Acre
THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution from the Municipality
of Tweed petitioning the Provincial and Federal Governments to allow expenses incurred
by municipalities in anticipation of infrastructure funding prior to the November 15th
COMRIF program announcement.
- Carried.
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The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #3:
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March 22, 2005
Moved by Councillor Hofhuis
Seconded by Councillor Vowel
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THAT Correspondence Item #3 be received and filed.
- Carried.
The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #4:
Moved by Councillor Faulds
Seconded by Councillor Wilson
THAT Correspondence Item #4 from Bet-Har Farms Ltd. requesting Council's assistance
to Elgin County land owners in dealing with the Emerald Ash borer be referred to the Tree
By-Law Review Committee for consideration.
- Carried.
The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #5:
Moved by Councillor Baldwin
Seconded by Councillor Faulds
['
THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution from the Association
of Municipal Tax Collectors of Ontario urging the Province to amend the legislation
commencing for the 2006 taxation year, to specify that once a property reaches CVA
taxation it remains at CVA taxes, regardless of the result of future reassessments.
- Carried.
Items for Information (Consent AQenda)
1. Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Members' Advisory, Today's Budget Makes
"New Deal" a Real Deal.
2. Dianne Wilson, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Central Elgin; and Lynda Millard, Clerk,
Municipality of Bayham; supporting County Council's recommendation requesting
the Elgin Group Police Services Board to solicit a change to provincial legislation to
enable the Ontario Provincial Police to permit emergency services personnel to
access closed roadways.
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3. OANHSS Executive Report, Weekly Report on Emerging Issues, March 2, 2005.
4. Douglas J. Robertson, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, with information concerning
the Green Lane Landfill Optimization Environmental Assessment Draft Environmental
Assessment Report.
5. Marc Whittingham, Federal Co-Chair Industry Canada and Christine Dukelow,
Provincial Co-Chair Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with
information for COMRIF Intake One Applicants concerning the assessment of
applications and an update on Intake Two to be launched in the late spring of 2005.
6. Ontario News Release Communique, "Retail Closings During Easter Weekend".
7. Pat Crimmins, Regional Deputy Clerk, Regional Municipality of Halton, with a
resolution acknowledging the benefits of memberships in organizations such as the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
8. Mary Kardos Burton, Assistant Deputy Minister, Acute Services Division, Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care, advising the County qualified for special grant money
("i intended for upgrading and enhancing existing land ambulance services equipment.
9. Norma I. Bryant, Clerk, Municipality of West Elgin; and Denise McLeod, Deputy
Clerk; supporting County Council's resolution addressing the financial shortfall faced
by Ontario farmers.
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March 22, 2005
10. Dianne Wilson, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Central Elgin, supporting County
Council's resolution addressing the financial shortfall faced by Ontario farmers.
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Moved by Councillor Wilson
Seconded by Councillor Vowel
THAT Correspondence Items #1-10 be received and filed.
- Carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Statementsllnauiries bv Members -
Councillor Faulds reminded Council of the upcoming Elgin Municipal Association Dinner
on April 6, 2005 at the East Elgin Community Complex.
Notice of Motion - None.
Matters of UrQencv - None.
Moved by Councillor Acre
f\ Seconded by Councillor Vowel
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THAT we do now move In-Camera to discuss personal and property issues.
- Carried.
Staff except for the Director of Human Resources and the Chief Administrative Officer
were excused at 12:28 P.M.
Moved by Councillor Faulds
Seconded by Councillor Wilson
THAT we do now rise and report.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Baldwin
Seconded by Councillor Acre
[' THAT the proposals as outlined in the confidential report entitled Museum Proposal under
Mandate, Staffing, Governance, Facility Requirements and Museum Name be endorsed in
principle and referred back to community stakeholders for further commentary; and,
THAT pending the successful outcome of the County's application to renovate the 4th floor
of the Elgin County Administration Building, Human Resources proceed with a job
description and recruitment for a one-year contract position for the County museum by
May 2005 with funds drawn from the museum's 2005 operating budget; and,
THAT pending the successful outcome of the County's application to renovate the 4th floor
of the Elgin County Administration Building, the position of Museum Assistant (part-time)
be elevated to full-time permanent status, with funds drawn from the museum's 2005
operating budget; and,
THAT pending the successful outcome of the County's application to renovate the 4th floor
of the Elgin County Administration Building, the job description for the position of Archivist
Assistant be amended to include partial duties on behalf of the County museum; and,
n THAT staff be authorized and directed to issue a final proposal and governing by-law for
Council's consideration as soon as possible and by the end of 2005.
- Carried.
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March 22, 2005
Moved by Councillor Faulds
Seconded by Councillor Wilson
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THAT Council concur with the advice of the County Solicitor regarding a legal matter.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Vowel
Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis
THAT we do adopt the recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole Council.
- Carried.
BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Acre
Seconded by Councillor Faulds
THAT By-Law No. 05-10 "Being a By-Law to Establish a Policy for the Procurement of
Goods and Services for the Corporation of the County of Elgin and to Repeal By-Law
No. 01-11" be read a first and second time.
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,
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Hofhuis
Seconded by Councillor Acre
THAT By-Law No. 05-10 be read a third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Wilson
Seconded by Councillor Baldwin
THAT By-Law No. 05-11 "A By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of
the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the March 22nd, 2005 Meeting" be read a first and
second time.
- Carried.
{'i Moved by Councillor Acre
Seconded by Councillor Faulds
THAT By-Law No. 05-11 be read a third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Vowel
Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis
THAT we do now adjourn at 12:55 P.M. to meet again at 9:00 A.M. on April 12, 2005.
- Carried.
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Mark G. McDonald,
Chief Administrative Officer.
~.~'hll-
James Mcintyre, .
Warden.