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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, r-, I I 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 /~, 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. 34S2 County Council 2 March 22, 2005 Benefit Renewal Report 2005 (Effective March 1, 2005) - Director of Human Resources I~ 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: (--'\ 3..4'.'- ~ ~ I . -JJ County Council 3 March 22, 2005 (', 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. 3454 County Council 4 March 22, 2005 DELEGATIONS n 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. (0 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. r~ The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #3: 3455 County Council 5 March 22, 2005 Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Vowel (~ 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. ['i 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. 3. 4, c.; ,.' _ ,;0 County Council 6 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. (~ 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 I, ' 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. 3457 County Council 7 March 22, 2005 Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Wilson n 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. 1\ , , - 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. (", Mark G. McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. ~.~'hll- James Mcintyre, . Warden.