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January 24, 2006 Agenda ORDERS OF THE DA Y FOR TUESDA Yw JANUARY 24w 2006 - 9:00 A.M. PAGE # ORDER 1 st Meeting Called to Order 2nd Adoption of Minutes - for the meeting of January 10, 2006 3rd Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof 4th Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations DELEGATIONS: 2 9:00 A.M. - Terry Day, Municipal Relations Representative, MPAC, with overview of 2005 Assessment Update (attachment) 9:15 A.M. - Ron Bonnett, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, . speaking on the key areas of focus of the OFA 3-10 9:25 A.M. - Donna Lunn, President, Elgin Federation of Agriculture, with an overview of "Agriculture in Elgin County 2005" (attachment) 11 :30 A.M. - Bryce Sibbick, Frank Cowan Company, 2006 Insurance Renewal 5th Motion to Move Into "Committee Of The Whole Council" 11-94 6th Reports of Council, Outside Boards and Staff 7th Council Correspondence - see attached 95-112 1 ) Items for Consideration 113-169 2) Items for Information (Consent Agenda) 8th OTHER BUSINESS 1 ) Statements/Inquiries by Members 2) Notice of Motion 3) Matters of Urgency 9th In-Camera Items (see separate agenda) 10th Recess 11 th Motion to Rise and Report 12th Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee Of The Whole 170-179 13th Consideration of By-Laws 14th ADJOURNMENT I LUNCH WILL BE .PROVIDED I DEC-22-05 08:26 FROM-Municipal Property Assessment 519-681-0892 @pai" T-260 P.002/002 F-401 I'\tIJ''''''IClfoIAI.. IM'f~[,Jc:rc.I-JTY A~:...l;..SSML:.NI COR:.pUIo.:,\T~ON Council Prest.."11[ation for January 14. 2006 Meeting The presentation is meant to provide a brief overview of the 2005 a."lSe:;:;ment update. In addiLion, what measure:; MP AC has implemented in order [0 improve customer service to ralepayers. Hems to be discussed will be as follows: Definition ofCurren[ Value Assessment (CV A). What i~ assessable and what is not. Comparison ofCV A for the 2005 tax. year to the CV A for 1006 taxation. The new assessmenf notice for residential properties, ~Y'-~6 Terry Day Municipal Relations Repn::semative 4380 Wellington Road South, London, ON N6E 3A2 T: 519.681.6687 1.877.205.4216 F: 519.681-0892 www.mpac.ca - .- I ....-:. .-. . ..... .... .---. - -. ... .... 1___... .. II .. ... -'L -:':1.1 .. -. III..... . II .._ . _ .1IIi.... __ .. A_.. I" 11IIII ... -. -.- .- --. .. ...... .. -.-. . · -.- I!IJII . . .I'!l .. III! . · ....r. _. _ ---I- ......--=- .. .. - . I....~ -.-: -- II .._ 1-.,.. 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R~t!Hy- Pl,''t"~i~l(l :'5, ll';!'-~(.f.)1i;~ Fl'\").l1tftE!'e Depth. Sit<:-..~~.... Si~,;: i\.l.Wf t})ih t,fNte-"'.""\tI'~ LMt \ 'n1i<~ Sal~ Dt\to:: L,a<;t -..;:alid &"\le .~n(.""~lt Stn.tCt\l-e eode-- s::. De$ctiption. "Ye.,\xB1.1ilt Full Srocey's Parti.:-u. &ol'eys BHil,,:1in~ T'i.:t;{td Area. 1;:..[ Fl(\<;)1:- _""-1'<:a lu.~i FloclC A.J'~~I Upp.;-~. Floor At'ea. B.'$~n~nt _A.r~" B<.1s<:U~tH Fiui'5hed :\.re~, 8.n~.en)~Ht H;:t~lu B~-li....x"l.tU... Full Bntl'l$ Ht\lfB-.'\th~ Hi:.;u Type C~J'ltt',\l'Air Fii~plo.;:e'TNal Rel."l.o.va~i.ou "'[e~u' COllo<Hti",:n) ':'::'005, A.ss.es.s1u~u.r Nl.....tic~. \.-~al'Ue'''' - - t.::~'" i..."t,~ ~.\. 19.... .~/Q.~ S .ls.:.()f-.~l 3-'iJ l . Sin;t-le Flttuily o-,:;:t~-;h.~"1 l";7X.i-:8- " 1688; $44 $44- O. S44 ~) .) FA. F~"'.;,:.~d,,.<\"jf '" t) f) F S. l.~R(~OO _-- - -- -- - ..- - II ...... - - . . W;II....=-:= I .- II -. III .. .... lIII _.-....,- ..,. _ .. · II- . . L__.=. rI - >.......<......?..........................i............ ........:.. -.-. ......-. ...:. . t;l:'\a-.....!!Illfi~q~!es-....tt'orlil'> ~.. . )rlSide-ratli!iil'.Oill.-nlllll..-'-'..ifllfr.ee OfCha-rge and any tim.. -e...' _ , 'IiI/ISilt" iii2110it · the},til1.e1ieV6111thek aSS6.sse.. d value is .not .. II =.. ;.. ......... ..' . ...-':1 I.. _BO"'IIiII"'fdbe.fore. . _II".". I I .. l~n{l ~ II. ._ . - .. .-. . _II . I · II. . . .-1.... I . . .... . . ...... -. .. i. ..ft - ......- ... ~II._.. - .... . NND .. c..X? . . . - . I Agriculture In Elgin County 2005 Donna Lunn, President Elgin Federation of Agriculture County of Elgin Presentation January 24, 2006 Overview of Presentation . Picture of Elgin (census 2001) - Context within Canada - Context within world . Compare The Share (UnivofSask,Nov2004) . Empowering Canadian Farmers July 2005 . How Can We Help Locally? Number of Farms (change from '96) Do. "'" "" ".." Field Fruit v". So'.'" l.IvMtocll. Other Total # %Char>;l<l '- C,'" combo combo FlfI'I'Is ,,,...,, Bayham 13 11 2 133 . 22 ,. 7 21. -4.4% Malahlde 61 30 21 10 '.8 10 15 33 20 10 408 -5.8% Central 23 11 3 128 15 34 5 233 -2.5% Elgin Southword 17 31 4 130 21 6 227 -13.7% Dutton! 31 11 3 132 18 Dunwlch 212 -7.8% West Elgin 24 4 168 16 7 243 -18.2% ElgIn 118 138 51 26 88. 41 60 141 42 38 1,542 -8.8% County ElglnCounty asa%of 1.8 1.0 2.1 1.6 5.0 2.4 4.' Ontario 1 Loss of Farmland % land in Crops of Tata! Are. Bayham Malahide Central Elgin Southwold DuttonIDunwich West Elgin Elgin County 58% 68% 79% 76% 65% 62% in Elgin County alone since 1996. Total area of farms in Elgin County was 382,786 acres in 2001; a loss of 17/798 acres of farmland 67% Sales per Acre Sale per Acre 1996 Sale per Acre 2001 % Change 199fi..2001 Bayham $681 $655 -3.9% Malahide $1.037 $1,077 3,9% Central Elgin $589 $652 10.8% Southwold $881 $637 -3.7% OuttonIDunwich $395 $458 15.7% West Elgin $478 $507 6.2% Elgin County $855 Ontario $560 Operating expense per acre Operating Expenses Operating Expenses % Change 1996-- per Acre 1996 per Acre 2001 2001 Bayham $589 $554 -2.7% Malahide $842 $884 5.0% Central Elgin $468 $542 15.8% Southwold $577 $539 -6.7% DuttonfDunwich $324 $393 21.1% West Elgin $383 $432 12.7% Elgin County $539 Ontario $472 2 Farm Net Revenue per Acre 2001 Elgin by Townships Net Revenue per Net Revenue per % Change 1996- Acre 1996 Acre 2001 2001 Bayham $112 $101 -10.0% Malahide $195 $192 -1.1% Central Elgin $120 $110 -8.6% Southwold $84 $98 18.8% DuttonIDunwich $71 $85 -8.7% West Elgin $95 $76 -20.1% Elgin County $116 Ontario $89 Are Farmers Inefficient? NO Production increases: 1960 Eggs/chicken 193 Milk - It / cow 4,456 Wheat - kg/ ha 1,205 kg Potatoes kg/ha 16,400 1990 270 7,207 2,100 25,120 1998 272 8,467 2,300 27,730 1975 213 5,361 1807 21,000 Farm Population Declines: 1931 Canada's Population 10.4 mil. Farm Population 3.3 mil 1981 24.3 1.1 1996 28.8 0.85 1961 18.2 2.1 Is the Problem With large Corporate Farms? NO Farm Ownership in Canada . 60.8% owned by one person . 27.1% partnerships . 9.8% family corporations . 2.0% non-family corporations . 0.34% other 3 What's the Problem? . Compare the Share tables showing lower income and increased cost . More Support for domestic prices . Bigger problem than most realize - Not just another different crop - Not better management Graph 4: percentage of Disposable Income Spent on Food by Nation, 1998 60 50 e E40 ~ 3{) '020 ;f'. 10 o f i[ 8' " f;;l Il'. ~ Graph 5b: Farmers' Share oflhe Retail Price of Milk 100% 90% .. 00% I. FamlSrs Share I_ v 70% &: 60% 0; 50% ~ 40% .... o 30% .... 20% 10% 0% <0 iO <0 iil ;;; iil (0 ;Q ;;; <0 t:l '" c ~ '" '" ~ lI! ~ g'l '" ~ g :1 c '" '" '" '" Year 4 Graph 9a: Producer and Retail Beef Prices -- A'ooocer, Slkg $16.00 -l.- Sirloin Steak. Retail Sil%l 514.00 -+- Regular Ground Beef Reta. $lkg S12.00 ~ $10.00 .. ~ S800 6:. $6.00 $4.00 $2.00 $0.00 j ~ i i i ~ i j ~ i ~ ~ Year Graph 11a: Producer Price of CornvsRetail Price of Cornflakes 1981 -2003 $4.00 $3.50 $3.00 $2.50 " ~ $2.00 Q. $1.50 $1.00 $0.50 $0.00 .~ i ~ ~ ~ ~i Year __ Cool, 675 g Bo~ Olm Flakes -l.-Cam Flakes, 6759 Graph 17: Farm Input Price Index for Hired Labour and Property Tax (1992=11l0) 140 120 ~ 100 'l';J BO ,e: B 60 ;t 40 20 0 ~ ______ Properly Tax .1992=100 --tr-- f-!red Farm labour 1992=10 ~ ~ ~ ~ .... j ~ ~ ~ ~ Year <0 l8 ~ ~ 5 Graph 21: Farm Family lncome Sources 199n..2000 70 ............................................ 60 50 40 30 20 10 o *~~~~~~~ji~ Yem I.........Net Operating Income--+- Tota! Off FarmlncOllB.....e;..- Total t1CO~ Empowering Canadian Farmers In the Marketplace . A report by the Honourable Wayne Easter, MP PEl, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, July 2005 . "Farmers are price takers at both ends of the chain from an increasingly concentrated corporate sector that sells them inputs and buys their products. Canadian farmers have shown that they are remarkably efficient, but they lack the market power to capture the economic benefits of their Investment and labour." . 40 recommendations for action. Recommendations . "that society bear the cost when farmers are required to take actions that benefit the public at large . Governments examine the cost impact of new regulations and policies . Imports face the same production standards as Canadian farmers . Defend balanced approach to trade, including supply management . Governments undertake campaigns to educate citizens about benefits of agriculture and the share of the retail food dollar....." 6 Is there Hope? To~laro..hrmR.c.lpb2001 ________________~ _0."1_ _ SOIl 253 31/Cl 40S - ../ ,,/ ,/ / ,,/ .,,/ //"/ / / +/ /'1;; y.~ <If' While total Gross Farm Receipts show Ontario second. net r in Ontario is considerably higher t ... but despite the fact that we are also the most diversified, Ontario has a Trade Deficit of $4.4 B Ontario Agrl-Food Trade 1990-2004 14 ...-.--..--....-......." 12 10 8 6 4 2 o ~ ~ ~ g ~ g ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "' .... "' a> a> a> a> a> a> Year How Can We Help Locally? + Eat Fresh, buy Local campaign - Consumer awareness map (hard copy & electronic) - Farm markets - Need to demand chain stores to carry local product (environmental and economic reasons) . Support agriculture by being careful when implementing regulations and mindful of farm operating practices while increasing rural economic development 7 How do we work together? . Support farmers - If farmers are providing a public service (IE environmental protection) then public money needs to be provided - If can't get money for product, then need subsidy (disaster programs) - Support supply management . Continue dialogue between Municipalities, Chambers and stakeholders with Elgin Federation to promote communication action WHY??? Net Revenue Per Farm c 35,000 ~ 30,000 CD 25,000 g 20,000 ~ 15,000 ~ 10,000 ti 5,000 z 0 ~o'b 'v~ ~'lJ.~O $''b $(F 'S)0() J.(J .~~'b- "i.'b<::- 0~'r1~..q, i:J.~"':" ",<:.' 0"13- t>....~ ~G s:-~ .;:,0 O~ ~ 0'0 ~ ':I,.V~ (,,0 (j ~(fo,io'l:i O~'Zt <Q....s 0: ~'1i ~ (,,0 ~(:< #<:.' <<,;~ ~ 0~ 'lJ.;J!' .~~ ~~ ~0 .~()0 ~ C":) <Q<;;' ~" Re gion Critical Importance of Agriculture to the County .7,753 jobs, or 19.7 % of County's total is tied to agriculture in Elgin . $558 Million in sales from farms and businesses buying from and selling to fa rms . over $216 million farm expenses was spent locally 8 REPORTS OF COUNCIL AND STAFF January 24. 2006 Reports of Councillors - (ATTACHED) 12 Warden Baldwin - letter to Minister Gerretsen regarding OMERS Devolution Staff Reports - (ATTACHED) 19 Director of Financial Services - Leasing Arrangements 22 Director of Financial Services - Budget Comparison - November 30, 2005 26 Purchasing Co-Ordinator - Staff Recognition Task Force 29 Director of Engineering Services - Request the Use of White's Station Equipment Storage Facility 31 Director of Engineering Services - Administration Building Baltimore Air Cooling Tower 33 Director of Engineering Services- Consolidation By-Law 35 Manager of Road Infrastructure - Federal Gas Tax Revenue Reserve 38 Manager of Road Infrastructure - Sunset Road Rehabilitation - Closure of Stone Church Road 41 Director of Human Resources - Policy Amendment: 4.10 - Salary Schedule 4.70 - SalarylWage Administration 50 Manager of Administrative Services - Amendments to the Fees and Charges By-Law 62 Manager of Administrative Services - 2006 Comprehensive Insurance Program Renewal 74 Ambulance and Emergency Management Coordinator - Bi-Annual Performance Review 78 Director of Senior Services - TIL, Director of Senior Services - BN, Director of Senior Services - ElM - Homes 2006/2007 CMI Results 80 Director of Senior Services - TIL, Director of Senior Services - BN, Director of Senior Services - ElM - Auxiliary Donations - County of Elgin Homes for the Aged 82 Manager of Archives, Director of Library Services - Archives' 2005 Annual Report 90 Manager of Archives - Records Retention By-Law 11 Letter to Minister John Gerretsen reaardina OMERS devolution January 24, 2006 The Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 777 Bay St., 1 ih Floor TORONTO, Ontario M5G 2R5 Dear Minister: Subject: Bill 206 and OMERS Devolution We are in receipt of your letter dated December 20th, 2005, providing an update on Bill 206. From the Hearings held so far and from the many submissions from various groups affected by the proposed legislation, your government is well aware of our concerns. Unfortunately, except for the amendment requiring a super majority vote on specific major plan changes, your letter does nothing to alleviate our apprehension. Contrary to your opinion, the Bill will impose new costs on employees and employers alike. In the second paragraph of your letter you state that"... we believe it is important to provide police, fire and paramedic employees with the option to bargain locally for these enhancements". Then in the third paragraph of your correspondence, the indication is not to worry about this option because local groups will have to agree in any event and furthermore there is a limit of one new supplemental plan at a time. Your proposed legislation seems to anticipate supplemental plans, otherwise why would you limit them to one at a time? Obviously, a supplemental plan will cost more. In addition, we all know what happens when groups do not agree - they move to mediation and/or arbitration, yet another objection we have to the Bill. Arbitrators award to a group, then that award is used as a whipsaw in other jurisdictions and before you know it, the supplemental benefit becomes the standard. Hence, new costs are introduced through this supposed "option". So, Mr. Minister, we have specific objections to your letter of December 20th, 2005. In theory it may sound good to some, but in practice the Bill will be expensive. At the risk of sounding repetitive, we still strongly object to the fact that the government has not done its due diligence in researching the true costs of introducing this legislation; that start-up funding for transition and support for the Sponsor Corporation has not been addressed; that, the so-called "autonomous" Board has many prescribed The Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing -2- January 16, 2006 expectations/duties (supplemental plans, composition etc); and, that mediation/arbitration is the fail safe mechanism for disagreement. Mr. Minister, the legislation as proposed will serve to increase taxpayer costs with no direct benefit or service improvement. We urge you to reconsider the legislation in view of-our objections. We look forward to substantive changes in the draft Bill. Yours truly, Paul Baldwin, Warden of Elgin County. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement 777, rue Bay, 170etage TorontoON M5G 2E5 Tel. (416) 585-7000 Telec:(416) 585-6470 www.mah.Qov.on.ca ~~ Ontario 777 Bay Street, 1 Th Floor Toronto ON M5G 2E5 Tel. (416) 585-7000 Fax (416) 585-6470 www.mah.Qov.on.ca (05-01436) December 20, 2005 &!,~ ~~ ,',- fE' t}~t ':' .'~;m . ~~.'" . \:::::c:sJ t,:,:"C!;S' ,:; \," JAN - 3 2006 Dave Rock Warden County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5Vl (f,r:. vr \'. n:;,(\I~~l~'fAA.n%~E E'..t.G~I~~ "~iJ ~ Dear Dave Rock: Re: Bill 206: Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act I am writing to you with an update now that I have introduced Bill 206 into the legislature for second reading. Many of your submissions indicated a concern about the potential cost of a supplemental benefit plan for the police and fire sectors and for paramedics. This is a natural concern but the government is moving forward to require the implementation of specific pension benefits because we believe it is important to provide police, fire and paramedic employees with the option to bargain locally for these enhancements. We have also introduced a number of amendments at the Standing Committee on General Government that should help to contain the costs of these potential benefits and potential future benefits. Bill 206, if passed, will not impose any new cost or pension benefit on any employer or employee. It will require that the proposed new Sponsors Corporation set up, within 24 months, a supplemental benefit plan that will include the optional pension benefits outlined in the Bill. Once the supplemental benefit plan is made available, it will be up to local groups of employees and employers to decide whether or not they wish to access a new pension benefit. The bill allows for no more than one of the potential new supplemental benefits to be negotiated between individual employer and its employees at a time. With respect to the decision-making and dispute resolution process, the Bill, as amended following first reading, would require that decisions on specific major plan changes, such as changes in benefits or contribution rates, could be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Sponsors Corporation. This would ensure that there was significant support by both employees and employers. Access to mediation and arbitration with respect to any specified changes in benefits would now require majority support by the Sponsors Corporation representatives of both employees and employers. /2 1322(06/95) -2- Dave Rock, Warden County of Elgin The Bill continues to propose the requirement of a stability reserve of 105 per cent before benefits could be increased and a cap of 0.5 per cent for both employees and employers on awards arbitrated for the Sponsors Corporation. This government recognizes that the costs of supplemental benefits, if they are subject to the full requirements of the Pension Benefits Act, such as the solvency funding requirements, would be quite onerous for both employees and employers. Therefore, in addition to the changes outlined above, I am pleased to advise you that the Minister of Finance has issued a letter to the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) indicating that he is prepared to recommend, subject to certain conditions, that new supplemental benefit plans under OMERS be exempted from the solvency funding rules through an amendment to the Pension Benefits Act Regulation. It is my understanding that OMERS sent a copy of this letter to all stakeholders. This exemption would occur at the time that the plans are created and registered with the Superintendent of Financial Services. This would contain costs and make supplemental benefits more affordable for both employees and employers. In closing, I would like to clarify that our government asked OMERS to provide all stakeholders with costing information on potential benefit enhancements, as only OMERS maintains data necessary to conduct these types of actuarial analyses. Individual municipalities can apply the OMERS actuarial estimates to their specific conditions in order to estimate potential local costs under various benefit scenarios. A number of stakeholders have used the data and have made a number of assumptions that presume that every municipality will immediately give all eligible employee groups several expensive benefits. This analysis also appears to assume that employees and employers would not make any trade-offs with any other salary or benefit items throughout the collective bargaining process. I trust this information is helpful and I look forward to receiving further recommendations or comments on this important matter. Sincerely, John Gerretsen Minister c: Roger Anderson, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario Fred Biro, Chair, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System The Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT January 16, 2006 To: All Heads of Council Dear Municipal Colleague: Re: Bill 206, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act I am writing to you in response to a December 20,2005 letter to all Heads of Council from Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Gerretsen. The Minister's letter sets out the Government's position on Bill 206 and asserts that the Bill will not impose any new cost or pension benefit that would result in added costs for municipalities. This assertion by the Government is based on fact that access to the proposed OMERS supplemental plans will be subject to local bargaining and interest arbitration. At the same time, the Minister's letter goes on to state that the costs of supplemental plans provided as a result of Bill 206 would be "quite onerous" for both employers and employees under current solvency rules under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act. The issue of costs resulting from Bill 206 supplemental plans provisions has been an important part of the debate over Bill 206. It is not surprising. Bill 206 is, first and foremost, a supplemental plan bill; packaged as a bill that would, if passed, devolve sponsorship responsibility to OMERS employee and employer members. If this Bill were about autonomy, it would not mandate supplemental plans, and arbitration, among other matters. OMERS employers and employees are already managing an average 9% increase in their OMERS contributions resulting from the current financial performance of the OMERS basic plan. Does anyone doubt that there will be additional contribution rate increases within the basic plan in future years? Costs related to Bill 206 supplemental plans will be in addition to escalating costs for the OMERS basic plan. When Bill 206 was introduced, it made it essentially inevitable (through arbitration) that OMERS would be required to offer a number of supplemental plans that would enhance the retirement benefits of police and fire service employees. Analysis undertaken by AMO and its members, using actuarial estimates developed by OMERS (at AMO's request) concluded that the potential cost impact for municipalities to be as much as $380 million a year. During the Standing Committee review of the Bill, the Government introduced amendments that would increase those costs dramatically, including making the provision of supplemental plans mandatory within two years and adding paramedics to the list of emergency services workers for whom supplemental plans must be available. AMO's costing estimates did not include mandatory supplemental benefits for paramedics or civilian police services employees. .../2 393 University Ave., Suite 1701 Toronto, ON M5G 1 E6 tel: (416) 971-9856 e toll free: 1-877-426-6527 . fax: (416) 971-6191 e email: amo@amo.on.ca -2- In December, the Finance Minister Dwight Duncan wrote to OMERS indicating that, if Bill 206 passes, and once OMERS supplemental plans are created, he would recommend to Cabinet that OMERS supplemental plans be exempted from solvency requirements under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act. While AMO does not question the sincerity of the Minister's commitment, the Minister has provided no guarantee that OMERS supplemental plans will be exempt. Nothing in Bill 206 changes solvency requirements for OMERS supplemental plans. Consequently, it would be irresponsible for AMO or anyone to adopt reduced costs estimates tied to a potential solvency exemption. Bill 206 can only be considered within the current statutory and regulatory framework governing pension solvency provisions in Ontario. While the Government and others recognize that supplemental plans will be onerous and expensive under current rules, to our knowledge, only AMO has made a request to OMERS to produce and distribute costing information based on Bill 206 provisions. With the Government's amendments to the Bill during Standing Committee, those costs will increase, not decrease. Even if a solvency exemption is provided at the time when the supplemental plans are created, the additional costs of supplemental plans will result in property tax increases without any additional investment local services, including public safety, and no benefit whatsoever to property tax payers in our communities. Since the introduction of Bill 206 in June 2005, AMO has been asking the Government to demonstrate that it has done its due diligence in assessing the potential cost impacts of the Bill on municipalities. To date, the Government has not provided any information that would demonstrate that it has analyzed the potential cost implications for municipalities. Consequently, as was noted in AMO's Alert 05/092 of December 15, 2005, AMO has made a formal request for this information under the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information has not yet been provided. The Minister's letter also notes that the Bill contains a provision to limit costs for OMERS employer and employee members; namely, the requirement for a stability reserve of 105 per cent before benefits could be increased and a cap of 0.5 per cent for both employees and employers on awards arbitrated for the Sponsors Corporation. These provisions will be important if Bill 206 passes but it is critically important to recognize that they do not apply to supplemental benefits. If Bill 206 passes in its current form, municipalities will need to begin planning for significant cost increases and consequent property tax increases. -3- In closing his letter to Heads of Council, the Minister invites municipal governments in Ontario to provide "further recommendations and comments on this important matter", I urge you and your Council to consider responding to his request. Let the Government know that Ontario's communities and Ontario's property tax payers reject Bill 206 and are not prepared to accept a legacy of provincial legislation that drives up municipal property taxes and undermines our ability to provide local services and build Strong Communities. Yours truly, Roger Anderson President cc Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Hon. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance Members of the Provincial Parliament David Kingston, Chair, OMERS Board REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Linda B. Veger, Director of Financial Services DATE: January 5, 2006 SUBJECT: Leasing Arrangements Introduction/Discussion: The Municipal Act requires that a report be presented to Council on all leasing arrangements currently in effect. The attached schedule outlines current leasing arrangements in place for the County of Elgin. Conclusion: There have been few changes to the County leasing arrangements. The attached schedule sets out leasing as of January 2006. Recommendation: THAT the report titled Leasing Arrangements and dated January 5, 2006 be received and filed. Respectfully Submitted ~ Director of Financial Services r cg lilt;' .... c c Cll G)7 Ell) G)o ~ 0) <C c 0) __ c 0)-- _ III W Cll .... G) o..J z.~ C ~ :;, ... o :;, 00 I- en 0 co co 0 0 0 "'" C\I .....co 0 "'" 0 0 co 0 0 "'" C'! ~ C'! "": "": C':! MMC\I"," C'! co M co ..J ,...: ..... 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CCCI'--I'--CI'--I'--I'--I'--I'-- <(<(<((;f7(;f7<((;f7(;f7(;f7(;f7(;f7 ~ u .!: .~ ~ .9 5 ro .!: .!: Wo mOJ"O OJ Ero-- E~jjJ-o m EjjJ ro.....crol- "Oro ~- 0~-1ii 3:'-~1ii ia'~:g ia'~ m:S~ ia'~ III.....CCOOCCt55:5roCC> Q)m----m-U):;E-- IIIEOOOOLL.O 00 ro>.~~~~ ~OO~~ ~ ::: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .9-.9- ~ ~ ~ 0 .9-.9-.9-.9- ffi .9- ~ ~ .9-.9- uuuu_u uu ~ ~ .c .c .c 'c U) .c ~ ~ .c .c .co::>~~~~ .~OO~~ :::i1-:;E:;E:;E~a::;EI-I-:;E:;E .5:2 c.. c. ro (/) (/) m ~ x a::.E I'-- LO ..,j. C"') Ul ..- 0> N OJ C .00 ro m ....l ro ~ c c <( ro - o I- REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Linda B. Veger, Director of Financial Services DATE: January 5, 2006 SUBJECT: Budget Comparison - November 30,2005 Introduction: Attached is the budget comparison to November 30, 2005 for the County operating departments. Discussion: Warden and Council - positive variance - 38,743 - timing of payrolls. Convention expenditures are under budget. Human Resources - positive variance - 41 ,877 - staffing changes. Administration Building - positive variance - 42,863 - purchased services, repairs and maintenance, and utilities under budget. Corporate Expenditures - positive variance - 40,121 - insurance and audit under budget. Audit expenditures occur later in the year. Also, more recoveries than budgeted. Overall the three Homes are in a positive position. Revenues are coming in line with the increases as reported to Council earlier. As discussed with Council when the 2005 budget was presented, all departments estimated minimum increases in the benefits line. Some departments within the Homes and within other departments may have negative variances at year end for benefit accounts. Museum - positive variance 37,280 - wages are over budget by 6,462. A report was . presented and approved by Council that some of the wage line in Archives would be utilized by the Museum. Overall, this does not affect the bottom line. Archives currently has a positive variance in wages of 11,952. Library - positive variance - 43,219 - the total provincial grant for 2005 has been received in July - 116,739. Information Technologies - positive variance - 64,500 - licenses that were budgeted were not required in 2005. Also, purchased services will see some additional expenditures prior to year end. Ambulance Services - positive variance 169,935 - Elgin County received a grant in the amount of 41 ,822 to upgrade and enhance medical diagnostic and treatment equipment. This shows in the budget comparison as a positive variance in the Province of Ontario line and a negative variance in the operations line. The WSIB reserve has been reviewed and should have a small positive variance at year end. All other departments are reasonable. Recommendation: THAT the report titled Budget Comparison - November 30,2005 and dated January 5,2006 be received and filed. Respectfully Submitted Approved for Submission ~~~ Linda B. Veger Director of Financial Services COUNTY OF ELGIN Departmental Budget Comparisons For The 11 Periods Ending November 30, 2005 Total YTD YTD Variance %OF Budget Budget Actual () Budget Warden & Council Wages 168,274 154,251 140,223 14,028 Benefits 7,573 6,942 5,960 982 Operations 70,175 65,048 41,315 23,733 Total 246,022 226,241 187,498 38,743 76.21 % Administrative Services Wages 249,750 228,938 220,227 8,710 Benefits 52,448 48,077 46,760 1,318 Operations 14,700 13,475 12,254 1,221 Total 316,898 290,490 279,242 11,248 88.12% Financial Services Wages 281,000 257,583 250,187 7,396 Benefits 67,440 61,820 59,369 2,451 Operations 17,151 15,722 11 ,170 4,551 Total 365,591 335,125 320,726 14,399 87.73% Human Resources Wages 322,279 295,422 265,190 30,232 Benefits 68,000 62,333 59,568 2,765 Operations 19,550 17,921 9,041 8,880 Total 409,829 375,677 333,799 41,877 81.45% Administration Building Wages 116,600 106,883 103,650 3,233 Benefits 30,300 27,775 24,842 2,933 Operations 74,300 68,109 31,412 36,697 Total 221,200 202,767 159,904 42,863 72.29% Corporate Expenditures Insurance 206,500 205,585 196,502 9,082 Telephone 33,000 30,250 21,656 8,594 Legal & Professional 87,000 79,750 88,001 (8,251 ) Retiree Benefits 41,000 37,583 35,094 2,489 Other Expenditures 76,515 70,139 41,933 28,206 Total 444,015 423,307 383,186 40,121 86.30% Engineering Wages 245,000 224,583 221,442 3,141 Benefits 53,000 48,583 48,853 (269) Operations 82,000 75,167 47,170 27,997 Maintenance 2,276,259 1,715,945 1,710,695 5,250 Total 2,656,259 2,064,279 2,028,160 36,118 76.35% Agriculture Operations 31,876 29,220 23,176 6,044 Total 31,876 29,220 23,176 6,044 72.71% Elgin Manor Revenues (4,169,961) (3,822,464) (3,905,872) 83,408 Wages 3,823,594 3,504,961 3,352,885 152,077 Benefits 1,005,216 921,448 885,299 36,149 Operations 911,144 835,216 684,914 150,302 Total 1,569,993 1,439,161 1,017,226 421,935 64.79% Terrace Lodge Revenues (4,627,251) (4,241,647) (4,328,655) 87,008 Wages 3,928,883 3,601,476 3,517,433 84,043 Benefits 993,613 910,812 927,009 (16,197) Operations 917,741 841 ,263 720,421 120,842 Total 1,212,986 1,111,904 836,209 275,695 68.94% Bobier Villa Revenues (2,650,555) (2,429,675) (2,477,977) 48,302 Wages 2,611,848 2,394,194 2,398,117 (3,923) Benefits 608,993 558,244 564,453 (6,209) Operations 653,058 598,637 476,125 122,511 Total 1,223,344 1,121,399 960,717 160,681 78.53% Pioneer Museum Wages 56,553 51,840 58,302 (6,462) Benefits 11,672 10,699 12,128 (1,429) Operations 57,249 52,478 7,307 45,171 Total 125,474 115,018 77,738 37,280 61.96% Library Wages 1,028,272 942,583 911,270 31,313 Benefits 227,986 208,987 216,167 (7,180) Collections 227,500 208,542 216,024 (7,482) Operations 106,856 97,951 71,383 26,569 Total 1,590,614 1,458,063 1,414,843 43,219 88.95% Archives Wages 135,568 124,271 113,415 10,856 Benefits 27,606 25,306 22,031 3,275 Operations 45,900 42,075 40,248 1,827 Total 209,074 191,651 175,693 15,958 84.03% land Division Wages 54,345 49,816 45,933 3,883 Benefits 10,925 10,015 8,339 1,676 Operations (65,270J (59,831J ~69,421 ~ 9,591 Total 15,149 15,150 0.00% Emergency Measures Wages 5,000 4,583 4,583 0 Benefits 1,300 1,192 1,192 0 Operations 11,800 10,817 5,694 5,123 Total 18,100 16,592 11 ,469 5,123 63.36% Information Technologies Wages 184,622 169,237 163,658 5,579 Benefits 48,002 44,002 36,352 7,650 Operations 318,862 292,290 241,019 51,271 Total 551,486 505,529 441,029 64,500 79.97% Provincial Offences Grant (75,900) (69,575) (41,303) (28,272) Fines Revenues (650,000) (595,833) (643,680) 47,847 Shared Revenues - Municipal 323,355 161,677 127,093 34,584 Wages 159,000 145,750 130,020 15,730 Benefits 33,500 30,708 29,928 781 Operations 180,350 165,321 106,000 59,321 Total (29,695) (161,952) (291,942) 129,989 983.13% Ambulance Services Province of Ontario (1,658,846) (1,520,609) (1,589,431) 68,822 City of St. Thomas (1,752,254) (1,606,233) (1,519,415) (86,818) Contractor Payments 5,828,740 5,343,012 5,128,077 214,935 Wages 63,650 58,346 56,938 1 ,408 Benefits 16,549 15,170 12,443 2,726 Operations 32,500 29,792 60,930 {31,139J Total 2,530,339 2,319,477 2,149,543 169,93 84.95% Collections Revenue (380,000) (348,333) (334,424 ) (13,909) Shared Revenues - Municipal 214,069 196,230 126,844 69,386 Wages 42,259 38,737 37,479 1,259 Benefits 10,565 9,685 9,985 (300) Operations 7,600 6,967 35,371 (28,404) Total (105,507) (96,715) (124,746) 28,031 118.23% REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Sonia Beavers, Purchasing Co-Ordinator DATE: January 13, 2006 SUBJECT: Staff Recognition Task Force INTRODUCTION The Staff Recognition Years of Service Awards has been in place since September 2004. The Staff Recognition Task Force was asked to evaluate the program by reviewing the gifts and the dollar threshold on a yearly basis. The Recognition Committee Members approached staff for their input regarding the choice of gifts available and the current dollar threshold, which results in recommendations being brought forward for your consideration. DISCUSSION: Ansells is the vendor that currently provides a choice of gifts for 10, 15, 20, 30, 35 and 40 Years of service awards. The 25 years of service award is a watch which is purchased from the employees Jeweller of choice. Staff feel that the choice of gifts is limited and that the dollar thresholds should be increased. Currently the value of the award is as follows: TABLE A Years of Service Value of Award 10 years $ 30.00 15 years $ 50.00 20 years $ 100.00 25 years $250.00 to remain a watch or clock from vendor of choice to continue the symbolization of time 30 years $ 300.00 35 years $ 350.00 40 years $ 400.00 1 After discussion, the following recommendations were made by the Task Force: (1) The gift brochures from Ansells continue to be available for gift choices. However, instead of limiting the gifts from one supplier(Ansells), the committee recommends the employee to be given the option to acquire a gift from other County of Elgin approved vendors. (2) The committee recommends increasing the dollar thresholds and taking into consideration that the dollar value will lose ground to inflation (2-3% per year) if not adjusted regularly. The committee is suggesting an increase in the dollar threshold every two years by 5%. The table below outlines the recommendations for gift suggestions and the Value of the Award: TABLE B Years of Value of Gift Service Award 5 years $ 50.00 Gift from brochure or gift certificate 10 years $100.00 County Atlas, gift from brochure, or gift certificate 15 years $150.00 Gift from brochure, Print, jewellery, or gift certificate 20 years $ 200.00 Gift from Brochure, print, jewellery, gift certificate 25 years $300.00 Remain a watch or clock from Jeweller of choice to continue the svmbolization of time 30 years $ 350.00 Gift from Brochure, County Ring, print, jewellery or gift certificate 35 years $400.00 Gift from brochure, Print, County Ring, Jewellery, or qift certificate 40 years $ 500.00 Gift from brochure, Print, County Ring, Jewellery, or qift certificate (3) Staff Recognition currently takes place semi-annually. The Committee recommends having Staff Recognition once a year and those being recognized would attend the December County Council Meeting and be invited to stay for Christmas Lunch. The committee member's support one recognition a year, as it becomes a bigger event, more media coverage and hopefully more interest from staff. 2 CONCLUSION: The Committee members were given the opportunity to survey staff regarding the Years of Service Award Program that is currently in place. The committee is confident that the recommendations being brought forward offers a larger variety of gifts for all staff and that the dollar thresholds are fair for the number of years the staff member is employed. Celebrating staff recognition in December of each year and inviting staff to attend the December Council Meeting and Christmas Lunch is also positive. RECOMMENDATION: THAT, the changes to the Years of Service Awards recommended by the Staff Recognition Task Force regarding the increase in dollar thresholds be approved; and, THAT, the addition of gift choices be increased as itemized in Table B on page 2 of this report; and, THAT, the dollar thresholds should automatically be increased every two years by 5%; and, THAT, Staff Recognition will become an annual event; therefore staff will be invited to attend the December Council Meeting and Christmas Lunch. Respectfully Submitted k' ~ "'-- c-". CLA~ . Sonia Beavers Purchasing Co-Ordinator ~~'~ Linda Veger Director, Financial Services Marl< . cDonald Chief Administrative Officer 3 REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Clayton Watters, Director of Engineering Services DATE: January 5, 2006 SUBJECT: Request the Use of White's Station Equipment Storage Facility INTRODUCTION The Racing Against Drugs Committee for the Elgin - St. Thomas Health Unit is requesting the use of the equipment storage facility at the County of Elgin garage on Fruit Ridge Line. DISCUSSION The "Racing Against Drugs" is a program developed by RCMP and the joint effort with representatives from law enforcement industry education and health and service industries working together to raise awareness and encourage alternative healthy lifestyle choices to alcohol and drug use. This program targets grade five students in the Elgin - St. Thomas area and dates for this year's program are April 24 - 27, 2006. The Municipality of Central Elgin has agreed to permit the Elgin - St. Thomas Health Unit Committee "Racing Against Drugs" the use of the facility. The County will be requesting: a minimum of $5 million on liability insurance and hold harmless agreement. Also, if this program were to be requested in further years staff would like to approve this request with the same conditions. CONCLUSION The County of Elgin should support any effort to reduce alcohol and drug use and to promote healthy lifestyle choices. By permitting the use of our facilities for this program the County would support such a worthwhile effort. RECOMMENDATION That the County of Elgin permit the Elgin - St. Thomas Health Unit, Youth Against Drugs Committee, to use the County of Elgin White Station facility for April 24 two April 27, 2006; and also, That staff approve further requests from the Elgin - St. Thomas, Youth Against Drugs Committee, with the same conditions. Respectfully Submitted O1uJ~~ Clayton D. Watters Director of Engineering Services cDonald Chief Administrative Officer REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL , FROM: Clayton Watters, Director of Engineering Services DATE: January 5, 2006 SUBJECT: Administration Building Baltimore Air Cooling Tower Introduction The Baltimore Air Cooling tower was installed in 1985 when a major rehabilitation was completed for the County of Elgin. Presently, the cooling tower will not function for this upcoming summer season. It requires a major repair that is estimated at $38,000. Discussion The Baltimore Air Cooling tower is now 20 years old with an estimated lifecycle of 25 years. In 1993 the coil was replaced at a cost of $26,000. This spring the fan shaft and appurtenances will require replacement in order to be operational this cooling season. The County of Elgin has at least two options: replace the fan shaft and appurtenances or replace the tower. Option 1 is replacing the mechanical components, fan shaft and appurtenances, that has only five years of remaining life cycle for the other functioning 'components. Spending $38,000 replacing the fan shaft works out to $8,000 per year. During the remaining five years the cooling tower can be expected to have additional mechanical costs, reduced efficiency and higher utility costs. Option 2 is replacing the unit that is estimated at $110,000, or a Iifecycle cost of $4000 per year for 25 years. The new unit will have lower maintenance costs for mechanical and lower utility costs with higher efficiencies. In the 2006 capital budget staff has recommended for the replacement of the cooling tower at an estimated cost of $110,000. Conclusion There are two solutions for the cooling tower: complete the required replacement of broken components at an estimated cost of $38,000 or replace the entire cooling tower at an estimated cost of $110,000. The most cost-effective solution is replacement of the cooling tower. Council will need to approve this decision in order for the new cooling tower to be operational for this coming season. Recommendation That staff solicit prices as per the purchasing policy for the replacement of the cooling tower at the County administration Building, and also, That funds for this project be allocated from the 2006 Capital Budget. Respectfully Submitted, Isslon, @w~~ Clayton Watters, Director, Engineering Services Mark . , Chief Administrative Officer REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Clayton Watters, Director of Engineering Services DATE: January 12, 2006 SUBJECT: Consolidation By-Law INTRODUCTION County road system by-laws serve to identify the road system and to give authority to the county to operate and maintain it. These by-laws generally exist in three forms; establishing by-laws, amending by-laws, and consolidating by-laws. DISCUSSION I CONCLUSION Establishing by-laws serve to designate a new system of roads. Amending by-laws serve to update the establishing by-law with additions and deletions. When the number of amending by-laws make an accurate description of the existing county road system difficult, it is desirable to consolidate the amendments and the original schedule by passing a consolidating by-law. On June 8, 1999, County Council passed a Road Consolidating By-Law for the Elgin County road system (which replaced the previous consolidating By-Law from 1985). Since the last amending By-Law, many land transfers have taken place and roads have been assumed. The County of Elgin passed by-law No. 99-17 as an establishing by-law. Since then, amending by-laws include 99-36, 00-10, 01-05, 02-20, 03-10, 04-19, 05-30 and 05-31. Changes to the road system have been completed, such as highway transfers and each plan compromising Schedule "AIf should be updated. RECOMMENDATION THAT the consolidating by-law, officially known as by-law 99-17, and all of its amending by-laws be repealed; and also, THAT a new consolidating by-law be passed containing all updated properties related to the Elgin County Road System. Respectfully Submitted Approved for Su ion (j;Jw ~ -\fJ>>, Ma onald Chief Administrative Officer Clayton D. Watters Director of Engineering Services REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Peter Dutchak, Manager of Road Infrastructure DATE: December 12, 2005 SUBJECT: Federal Gas Tax Revenue Reserve Introduction The County of Elgin has entered into an agreement with AMO for the transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues under the New Deal for Cities and Communities. This report will outline staff's proposed use of these funds. Discussion: The County of Elgin will receive the following Federal Gas Tax Allocations: Year Gas Tax Allocation 2005-06 $ 471,075.41 2006-07 $ 471,075.41 2007 -08 $ 628,030.41 2008-09 $ 784,985.42 2009-10 $ 1,569,970.83 TOTAL $3,925,137.47 The County faces a backlog of transportation capital needs that total over $130 million. With the current capital funding allocation, many of the larger capital projects cannot be planned without other sources of financing. Otherwise, these expensive projects would require many years to complete while neglecting other needs. The rehabilitation of Talbot Line (County Road #3) between McPherson Road in the Municipality of West Elgin to Sunset Road in the Township of Southwold (being a total of 50.55km) has been identified by staff as being the best project to utilize the Gas Tax funds. In the proposed 5-year Capital Plan, staff have identified how these Gas Tax Revenues will be reserved and exhausted to coordinate with the rehabilitation of Talbot Line and in compliance with the Municipal Funding Agreement on how those funds are to be spent. Discussion (continued): The Talbot Line rehabilitation has been estimated to cost $10 million and will require 4 years to complete. Gas Tax allocations must be spent within 3 years of receiving the funds and all monies must be expended on eligible infrastructure projects no later than December 31, 2012. Staff therefore proposes the following rehabilitation plan for Talbot Line: Year Activity Municipality Estimated Value 2008 Emergency Detour Route (EDR) West Elgin $ 1,000,000 Intersection Improvements - New Dutton I Dunwich Glasgow, Eagle, Wallacetown, lona. Southwold (utilizina Gas Tax Funds) 2008 Drainaae Rehabilitation Dutton I Dunwich $ 1,000,000 2009 Drainaae Rehabilitation West EIQin $ 1,000,000 2010 Drainaae Rehabilitation Southwold $ 1,000,000 2010 Surface Rehabilitation - Cold In Place West Elgin $ 4,000,000 Recycling and Hot Mix Overlay Dutton I Dunwich (utilizina $3 Million in Gas Tax Funds) 2011 Surface Rehabilitation - Cold In Place Southwold $ 2,000,000 Recvclina and Hot Mix Overlav Total $10,000,000 The Talbot Line rehabilitation plan outlined above utilizes approximately $4 million in Gas Tax allocations. Without such a funding mechanism, this proposed project would require additional years to complete. Staff is confident that this project and the chosen rehabilitation activities qualify for Gas Tax Revenue funding as per the Municipal Funding Agreement. The County has recently received a petition from ratepayers requesting that the County of Elgin make major improvements to Talbot Line. CONCLUSION: The County of Elgin will be receiving approximately $3.925 million in Federal Gas Tax Revenues between 2005 and 2010. Staff plans to reserve and utilize these allocations to fund the rehabilitation of Talbot Line. The 50 kilometre long project is proposed to be completed over 4 years and cost an estimated $10 million. RECOMMENDATION: THAT the plan to rehabilitate Talbot Line (County Road #3) and the utilization of the Federal Gas Tax Revenues be considered during the 2006 Capital Budget deliberations. RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION ~ PETER DUTCHAK MANAGER OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ~t~ CLAYTON WATTERS DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING ;EiAI 0 ~ CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ------ REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Peter Dutchak, Manager of Road Infrastructure DATE: 17 January 2006 SUBJECT: Sunset Road Rehabilitation - Closure of Stone Church Road INTRODUCTION During the design phase of the Sunset Road Rehabilitation Project it has been found necessary to close one road approach onto Sunset Road. Section 57 (1) of the Municipal Act states the following: "An upper-tier municipality may permanently close or alter a lower-tier highway that intersects or runs into an upper-tier highway with the agreement of the lower-tier municipality." Therefore, in order to close this road approach permission from the Municipality of Central Elgin must be sought. DISCUSSION: During the design phase of the Sunset Road Rehabilitation project to be completed in 2006 and 2007, it has been found that an existing local road approach onto Sunset Road has deficient geometry and poses a safety risk. During the project, all road aspects are being assessed in regards to their compliance with today's standards. If improvements that are required are not completed and a collision should occur in that vicinity, the County would have increased exposure to liability. Stone Church Road, south of Roberts Line to north of Sparta Line was the original route for Sunset Road (former Highway #4) through the hamlet of Union. The Province re-routed this section of Sunset Road decades ago to eliminate arterial traffic from passing through Union. The intersection exists today because it was never eliminated, not because traffic volumes warrant its existence. DISCUSSION (continued): Stone Church Road (south of Roberts Line) meets Sunset Road at an acute angle, well below geometric standards used today. In order to relocate the road approach so that it meets current design standards, the road would need to be relocated significantly to the north. Such a relocation would necessitate land purchase and cost an estimated $150,000. Also, the relocated Stone Church Road approach would exist at approximately 100m south of Roberts Line once reconfigured and it is not recommended to have two intersections exist at that close of proximity. It is therefore staff's proposal to close the Stone Church Road approach onto Sunset and re-assign the local traffic to Roberts Line which is 300m north and where intersection improvements (Le. turning lanes) are already proposed. A traffic assessment was completed by F.R. Berry and Associates in October 2005 in which confirmed that the Roberts Line intersection could readily handle the re-assigned traffic currently using Stone Church and also using a 2015 traffic volume projection. The cost of closing the Stone Church Road approach onto Sunset Road is estimated to cost .. $30,000 along with a permanent decrease in maintenance costs for the lower tier for this closed section. The closed road would receive a typical "dead end" treatment complete with barriers and signage and sufficient enough for municipal equipment to turn around. In order to proceed with the closure of the Stone Church Road approach the Municipality of Central Elgin must be in agreement with the proposed works. CONCLUSION: During the design process for the Sunset Road Rehabilitation project it has been found that an existing local road approach does not meet geometric or safety standards. A relatively small volume of traffic uses this route and can be readily accommodated by an existing intersection (Roberts Line) that is 300m to the north. If the Stone Church Road approach south of Roberts Line were to remain, the intersection would require $150,000 to re-configure and it would be relocated to within 100m of Roberts Line. Staff does not recommend this option and would rather re-assign traffic to Roberts Line and close the Stone Church Road approach at an estimated cost of $30,000. Stone Church Road would be terminated with a typical "dead end" configuration complete with signage and barriers and be sufficient enough for snow removal equipment to turn around. Staff have met with the landowner in the immediate adjacent area and they are not opposed to the proposed closure. The Municipal Act permits the County of Elgin to close the Stone Church Road approach with the consent of the Municipality of Central Elgin. RECOMMENDATION: THAT the County of Elgin request consent from the Municipality of Central Elgin to permanently close the Stone Church Road approach to Sunset Road south of Roberts Line. APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION PETE DUTCHAK MANAGER OF ROAD INFRASTRUcrURE onWa1lvK CLAYTON WATTERS DIREcrOR OF ENGINEERING M~D) CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Harley J. Underhill, Director of Human Resources DATE: January 24, 2006 SUBJECT: Policy Amendment: 4.10 Salary Schedule 4.70 Salaryl Wage Administration INTRODUCTION The County policies 4.10 and 4.70 deal with the salary for non union employees and when increments are to be given around the anniversary dates. DISCUSSION: The policies have conflicting language as to when an increment is to be effective and need to be changed to be consistent in application. The one states on page 1 "The increment will be effective in the pay period in which the anniversary date falls" while the other states on page 5 "Receive that increase effective the beginning of the next pay period following their salary review date which is tied to the anniversary date. CONCLUSION: Considering the above the most effective way to amend the policies would be to have them state that the increment would be effective on the actual anniversary date. It would also be best to have the changes to the policy effective January 1, 2006. The amendments are bolded in the attached draft policies for Council's consideration. RECOMMENDATION: THAT Policy 4.10 Salary Schedule and Policy 4.70 SalarylWage Administration be amended and be effective January 1 , 2006. DRAFT County of Elgin Human Resources Policy Manual Section: 4 Subject: Salary Schedule Policy Number: 4.10 Date Approved: Oct. 1/87 Date Last Revision: Code - NU/FT/PT/CT Page 1 of 1 Salaries for full-time and part-time employees shall be set and administered according to a salary scale established annually by Council. Full-time employees starting employment with the County of Elgin will be eligible for their annual increments on their anniversary date. The increment will be effective delete [in the pay period in v.:hich the anniversary date falls] on their actual anniversary date. Part-time employees become eligible for an increment after the accumulation of 1500 worked hours. Increments are not to be considered automatic because of completing service and it is the responsibility of the Department Head to document the recommendations for any change and forward the recommendation to the Director of Human Resources. Contract employees who are in the position for more than one year are eligible for grid movements, subject to the same conditions as regular employees. DKAf1T County of Elgin Section: 4 Human Resources Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 1 of 7 Date Last Revision: Pay Equity Plans and Salary Grids The County of Elgin Subscribes to the principle of "equal pay for work of equal value" and proportional pay equity. Accordingly, the County has posted pay equity plans, which meet the requirements of the Pay Equity Act. The County also believes that all employees should be treated fairly and consistently with regards to salary administration and has developed comprehensive salary grids to meet this objective. Job Descriptions As pay equity and salary grids are based on pay for the position, each job in the County must be thoroughly outlined and delineated in a job description. An employee who feels that his/her job has changed to such an extent that the current description no longer accurately reflects the true duties, can request that a new description be written. When a new position is created a new job description shall be written, in conjunction with the Department Head and the Director of Human Resources. All descriptions will be reviewed and if necessary rewritten at least once in every three (3) year period with Employee and Supervisor. The Job Evaluation System An internal job evaluation system was used to establish the comparisons on which the pay equity plans and the salary grids are based. The system measures the skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions of each job (Appendix A - attached). The Job Evaluation Committee will consist of the following: The Warden and/or the County Chief Administrative Officer, the Director of Human Resources and the appropriate Department Head. New Jobs and Job Reclassifications When a new position is created the Job Evaluation Committee shall assess the level of the new position in relation to other positions evaluated by utilizing the County's job evaluation system. Such new positions will be reviewed in six (6) months' time. DKA}'T County of Elgin Section: 4 Human Resources Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 2 of 7 Date Last Revision: Mar 11/03 When a job is reclassified by the County or the duties of a current position change significantly, the incumbent(s), supervisor or Department Head may request that the duties of the position be assessed utilizing the County's job evaluation system as follows: a) The employee(s) affected will complete an amended job information questionnaire, demonstrating the changes only, sending a copy to the Director of Human Resources and give the original to their supervisor or Department Head for review. b) The supervisor and/or Department Head will review the questionnaire to ensure that it accurately reflects the duties of the position. If there are any discrepancies, the supervisor and the employee will meet and appropriately modify the responses to the questionnaire. The questionnaire will then be signed off by the employee, supervisor and/or Department Head and forwarded to the Director of Human Resources. c) If the employee(s), supervisor and/or Department Head are in disagreement, they shall note these areas on the questionnaire, providing written explanation supporting their views, sign and forward it to the Director of Human Resources. d) The Director of Human Resources shall direct the questionnaire to the Job Evaluation Committee for their review. If, in the Committee's opinion, a reclassification is warranted they shall recommend same to the Management Team and will communicate such to the employee and County Council. If in the opinion of the Job Evaluation Committee a reclassification is not warranted, the committee shall notify the employee. d) If the employee is dissatisfied with the response of the Job Evaluation Committee, they will follow policy 10.120. llKAJ1T County of Elgin Section: 4 Human Resources Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 3 of 7 Date Last Revision: Mar 11/03 NOTE: Such evaluations will be performed in May and November of each year with responses in writing within ninety (90) days. The employee whose position is reclassified to a higher level shall be moved to a step, providing a minimum of 4% increase, but in no case beyond the job rate for the position, in the new level which reflects a degree of proficiency with the added responsibilities as assessed by the Department Head, County Chief Administrative Officer, and Director of Human Resources. The increase resulting from the reclassification shall be effective on the start day of the pay period closest to the reclassification date or such date that is agreed upon. The effective date of the increase will become the new salary review date. The salary of an employee whose position is reclassified to a lower grade and remains the same position shall be red-circled. Any position affected by red-circling will remain at the current rate until the employee leaves the job or the salary range catches up to the incumbents rate of pay through wage or cost of living increases, as determined by the Job Evaluation Committee. NOTE: Where adjustments are required they will be effective in the first pay period following the designated time period. When duties of an existing position change over a period of time sufficiently to warrant a reclassification, the position is excluded from being posted, as per Human Resources Policy 3.20, as the position is currently filled. UKA.l:fT County of Elgin Section: 4 Human Resources Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 4 of 7 Date Last Revision: Mar 11/03 SALARY RANGES Hirinq Ranges Employees should be hired at the base rate in the range for the job they fill, unless recommended by the Department Head, County Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Human Resources, based on previous salary, experience, education or other factors that make that rate uncompetitive. Students will be paid as per the Employment Standards Act. Information All employees should be advised of when hired, the level and step for their job, the probationary and salary review dates, and all salary administration procedures that pertain to them. SALARY REVIEWS Salary Review Dates The regular salary review date for new employees shall be one (1) year following the date of hire. The regular salary review date for employees on staff on the date of implementation of the salary plan, shall be their existing anniversary date. The date of a subsequent promotion, obsolete position determination/redundancy or transfer shall supersede the established anniversary date as a salary review date. Regular part-time employees will accrue service towards their salary review date on the basis of hours worked. DRAftl' County of Elgin Section: 4 Human Resources Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 5 of 7 Date Last Revision: Mar 11/03 Amount and Relationship to Performance a) Employees eligible, on the basis of service, for an increase to the next higher step in their range will, if merited as demonstrated in the employee's performance appraisal and recommended by the Department Head and approved by the Director of Human Resources, receive that increase effective delete [thc beginning of the next pay period follo'Ning their salary revievI date] on the actual anniversary date. b) In special cases, where the supervisor deems appropriate to reward particularly meritorious performance he/she may recommend an increase of two (2) steps on the review date or recommend and increase to the next higher step before the review date. c) Where performance has been well below standard the Department Head may recommend deferring any increase for a specific period of time (not less than three (3) months). At the end of the deferred period the performance must be reviewed again and a decision made regarding the increase recommendation (ie. submit or defer again). Where salary adjustments have been deferred, the date of future reviews and salary adjustments will be adjusted accordingly. d) Recommendations under b) and c) above, must be fully and thoroughly documented and submitted to the Department Head, County Chief Administrative Officer, and Director of Human Resources before their review date. This group will review such proposals and decide as to the appropriate action to take. JJKAf1T County of Elgin Section: 4 Human Resources Policy Manual Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 6 of 7 Date Last Revision: Mar 11/03 Promotions a) Employees promoted to a different position, which is evaluated higher than their present job, shall move to a step in the new level providing a minimum increase of 4%, but in no case beyond the job rate for the position. Such increase is to be determined by the Department Head, County Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Human Resources. b) The increase shall be effective on the date of promotion and subsequent increases shall be based on the new salary review date as determined above. Acting Appointment Whenever a Department Head or Supervisory Employee is to be replaced on a temporary basis for any reason, a decision must be made with respect to the amount of compensation, if any, which is to be paid to the designated replacement. The Department Head in conjunction with the Director of Human Resources will make this decision after taking into account the following factors: 4. Normally a Department Head or Supervisory Employee are not replaced unless the period of expected absence is for a lengthy period, e.g. longer than sixty (60) days. Exceptions may be permitted with approval of the CAO or designate. 5. The designated replacement may be asked to carry some of the responsibilities of the absent manager, while continuing to perform the essential duties of his own job. 6. In assessing the compensation the following principles will be used: The employee shall be placed in the grade level of the Department Head/Supervisor that would provide a minimum of a 4% increase, but in no case beyond the job rate for the position which reflects a degree of proficiency with the added responsibilities. UKAJ1T County of Elgin Human Resources Policy Manual Section: 4 Subject: SalarylWage Administration Policy Number: 4.70 Code - NU Date Approved: March 26/96 Page 7 of 7 Date Last Revision: Mar 11/03 Obsolete/Redundant Positions On the recommendation of the Department Head, County Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Human Resources, positions found to have become redundant or obsolete and that do not remain the same position shall be reviewed. Any redundant or obsolete positions will be subject to the New Jobs and Job Reclassifications section of this policy. NOTE: Recommendations regarding established wage rates of pay per above will be effective in the first pay period following the designated time period. All affected employees will be notified in writing of any amendments resulting to the current position they hold with the County. Transfers The transfer of an employee to a position with the same classification as the present job may, if approved by the Department Head, County Chief Administrative Officer, and Director of Human Resources, be treated as a promotional increase. Should an increase be granted, the date of transfer will become the new salary review date. Should no increase be granted the employee will retain the current salary review date. Contract Employees Contract employees will be reviewed and will receive salary increases according to the terms of their contract. Annual Structure Increase Each year the Management Team may recommend to Council an adjustment to reflect changes in comparable salaries, economic conditions, and other factors. This adjustment will be applied to all rates in the salary structure. REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Sandra Heffren Deputy Clerk DATE: January 12,2006 SUBJECT: Amendments to the Fees and Charges By-Law - Summary Report Introduction: Each year staff reviews the fees and charges levied for administrative activities within each department to ensure costs are being recovered. Discussion: Departments have reviewed changes to the fees and charges levied for chargeable activities and the changes below are requested to reflect actual costs. The Reports explaining the rationale for the changes are attached. Public Notice was provided and no comments were received. LONG-TERM CARE HOMES (authoritv under the Homes for the Aaed Act) Old Schedule New Schedule Visitor Meal Service No previous listing Visitor Meal Service Beginning 2006 - $6.00 per meal Beginning 2007 - $7.00 per meal Beginning 2008 - $8.00 per meal Barber/Hairdresser Elgin Manor and Terrace Lodge Hair Cut $7.00 Wash and Set $9.00 Wash, Cut and Set $15.00 Permanent Wave $30.00 Barber/Hairdresser at All Homes Men's Hair Cut Ladies' Hair Cut Wash & Set Wash, Cut & Se Permanent Wave $9.00 $9.00 $11.00 $18.00 $35.00 Barber/Hairdresser Bobier Villa Men's Hair Cut Ladies' Hair Cut Shampoo only Wash and Set Wash, Cut and Set Permanent Wave $6.00 $8.00 $2.00 $8.00 $14.00 $32.00 ENGINEERING Old Schedule Oversize/Overweight Moving Permit (authority under the Highway Traffic Act) Permit for the moving of heavy vehicles, loads, objects or structures in excess of the dimensional and weight limits set out in the Highway Traffic Act: Single Move Fee $100.00 Road Occupancy Permit (authority under Public Highway & Transportation Improvement Act) To regulate the construction or alteration of any entranceway, private road or other facility that permits access to County Roads $100.00 Tender Documents (authority under the Municipal Act) $25.00 2 New Schedule Oversize/Overweight Moving Permit (authority under the Highway Traffic Act) Permit for the moving of heavy vehicles, loads, objects or structures in excess of the dimensional and weight limits set out in the Highway Traffic Act: $200.00 (if action is requested with greater than 5 business days' notice) $400.00 (if action is requested with less than 5 business days' notice) Road Occupancy Permit (authority under Public Highway & Transportation Improvement Act) To regulate the construction or alteration of any entranceway, private road or other facility that permits access to County Roads $200.00 (if action is requested with greater than 5 business days' notice) $400.00 (if action is requested with less than 5 business days' notice) Tender Documents (authority under the Municipal Act) $50.00 per package GENERAL (authority under the Municipal Act) Old Schedule New Schedule Photocopies for the Public Copy charge per printed side $1.00 per printed side Copy charge per printed side $0.25 per printed side All other references to photocopy charges throughout the by-law have been deleted. 3 LIBRARIES (authoritv under the Public Libraries Act) Old Schedule New Schedule Lost or Damaaed Materials If actual cost is unknown, the following rates are charged: Adult Videos/DVD's $30.00 ) Juvenile Videos/DVD's $20.00) Conclusion: If actual cost is unknown, the following rates are charged: Videos/DVD's $20.00 The increases to fees and charges requested by various departments should be implemented and the Fees and Charges By-Law amended to reflect current costs. Recommendation: That the increases to fees and charges for administrative activities contained in this report be adopted and the necessary by-law be prepared. Respectfully Submitted Approved ~ Isslon Mark . Chief Administrative Officer. REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Pat Vandevenne, Bobier Villa Director of Senior Services Manager of Resident Care DATE: January 5, 2006 SUBJECT: Visitor Meal Service INTRODUCTION: Terrace Lodge, Elgin Manor and Bobier Villa provide Visitor Meal Service for minimal charge. As Visitor Meal Service costs have not increased since 1994, it was essential to do a thorough review of the actual costing of this important service. DISCUSSION: The following is a per meal raw food and non-food costing. Lunch Breakfast (Main Meal of the Day) Supper RAW FOOD COSTS Cereal 0.06 Meat or Entree 0.96 SouP 0.18 Eqq 0.14 Potato 0.39 Sandwich 0.56 Bacon 0.30 Veqetable #1 0.26 Salad 0.28 Coffee 0.12 Veaetable #2 0.26 Dessert 0.52 Juice 0.12 Dessert 0.52 Coffee 0.12 Milk 0.13 Coffee 0.12 Juice 0.12 Toast 0.05 Juice 0.12 Milk 0.13 Milk 0.13 Bread 0.03 $0.92 $2.79 $1.91 NON RAW FOOD COSTS Napkin 0.03 Napkin 0.03 Napkin 0.03 Placemat 0.02 Placemat 0.02 Placemat 0.02 Labour (10 3.00 Labour (10 minutes 3.00 Labour (10 3.00 minutes .30 .30 minute) minutes .30 minute) minute) 28% in lieu of 0.84 28% in lieu of benefits 0.84 28% in lieu of 0.84 benefits benefits TOTAL COST: $4.81 $6.68 $5.80 Currently, $4.00 is charged for seniors and $5.00 for all other guest meals. The charge for a full course meal includes: entree, beverage and dessert. In reviewing the number of visitor meals served in comparison to the actual cost, there is evidence that the price charge does not cover all cost incurred for producing and serving visitor meals. This following chart identified the additional cost to the County for 2005 Visitor Meals: Home Total Meals Total Revenue Total Cost Total Loss Served Bobier Villa 2,750 12375 18370 5995 EIQin Manor 395 1778 2639 861 Terrace LodQe 771 3470 5150 1680 8536 **Based on average price of $4.50. CONCLUSION: Costing review for both Visitor Meals demonstrate that our Dietary Departments are absorbing unnecessary costs. RECOMMENDATION: THAT Visitor Meals are increased by $ 1.00 per year until 2008 (2006 = $6.00, 2007 = $7.00 and 2008 = $8.00). Respectfully Submitted Approved for Submis . J RLUQ/y\ duM/h..n. .1./ Pat Vandevenne, Bobier Villa Director of Senior Services/ Manager of Resident Care Mark G. Mc 0 Chief Administrative Officer ~~ Rhonda Roberts, errace Lodge Director of Senior Services ~ g.,) /~~- ..--....-- Ot. ...4"l rI '-- (. h Melissa Lewis, Elgin Manor Director of Senior Services REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL From: Rhonda L. Roberts-Director of Senior Services- TL Pat Vandevenne - Director of Senior Services-BV Melissa Lewis - Director of Senior Services-EM Date: January 16, 2005 Subject: Hair Salon Pricing INTRODUCTION: In 2005, a review of hairdressing services provided in the homes was conducted. This review also compared current rates within the community. DISCUSSION: In August 2005, Council approved management to engage in discussion with the Union at Terrace Lodge and review the possibility of contracted services to take the place of existing in-house services for the hair salon. This measure was suggested in order to ensure cost recovery for services provided. After several discussions with the Union, management identified that a contract service may not be feasible at this time. As an alternative, working toward increased productivity and a price adjustment would assist in decreasing the County's cost to provide salon services. A pricing comparison between the homes and within the Community is a follows: 2 CONCLUSION: Hair Salon pricing has not increased in several years. A moderate price increase in 2006 would provide more cost effective services and reduce the expense to the County. A review in 2006 would be conducted to determine if pricing requires a further increase for 2007. RECOMMENDATION: THATthe proposed Hair Salon pricing is approved by Council to be in effect for 2006. Respectfully Submitted n ~4~~~ Director of Senior Services, TL Mark Chief Administrative Officer ~ Melissa Lewis Director of Senior Services - EM ~J."-4ld h ,,<_M' . < Pat Vandevenne Director of Senior Services - BV REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Clayton Watters, Director of Engineering Services DATE: January 17, 2006 SUBJECT: Amendment to Permit and Tender Fees Charged Introduction Periodically, staff reviews the fees charged for services to ensure they are fair, reasonable and cover administrative costs associated with the service. Discussion Presently, the Engineering Services Department has the following permits structures: Oversize/Overweight Moving Permit (authority under the Highway Traffic Act) - This permit is obtained by persons/companies who wish to utilize County Roads to move heavy vehicles, loads, objects or structures in excess of the dimensional and weight limits set out in the Highway Traffic Act. Administrative/Approval Process - Moving Permits are received along with associated fees. Also requested at time of submission is a copy of liability insurance specific to the moving activity. Permit information is reviewed to determine additional necessary requirements which may include: a police or private escort, utility assistance (for overhead utilities), geotechnical consultation (for road structure analysis), etc. The move route is studied to ensure roads and intersections selected will accommodate the move and that no construction. activities are located on the route. On larger moves, the route may be driven before, after and/or during the operation to ensure road infrastructure is not damaged and that permit conditions are adhered to. The current fee charged for this service is $100 per single move. Staff is recommending to increase this fee to $200 to cover the costs of administering, approving and monitoring the oversize and overweight moves on County roads. The County typically approves 25 moving permits annually. In some instances, permits are requested to be expedited immediately. Staff typically requires less than 10 business days to approve a permit. If an applicant request approval in less than 5 business days, staff will attempt to accommodate the request at a greater permit fee cost. Staff is proposing to offer an expedited approval service less than 5 business days at a permit cost of $400 per single move. Road Occupancy Permit (authority under the Public Highway and Transportation Improvement Act) - This permit is obtained by land owners who wish to create or alter an entrance onto an County road. This permit is also used for all construction activities proposed on County road property (i.e. utility consents). Public utilities and municpalities are required to complete and submit a Road Occupancy Permit, however, fees are waived. Administrative/Approval Process - Road Occupancy Permits are received along with the associated fee and bonding. A cash bond is retained for until the construction of the entrance is complete and to the satisfaction of staff to ensure compliance with County specifications. Permit information is reviewed to determine if an entrance is warranted (an entrance already servicing parcel exists) and if the proposed entrance can be constructed in the proposed location (review of roadway geometry and safe stopping distances). If permits are not approved, all fees are refunded to the applicant. Site hydrology is reviewed to determine what drainage infrastructure is required (i.e. culvert or catch basin and pipe) and what size of pipes to be used. Other site influences such as proximity to other roadway features, slopes and guide rail are also considered. The permit necessitates at least one site visit before permit approval and at least one site visit at completion. Once completed to the County's satisfaction, cheques are issued to return permit bonds. For all other proposed work on County road property, site visits before and after the proposed work are typical. The County regularly approves in excess of 100 Road Occupancy Permits annually. The current fee charged for this service is $100 per application. Staff is recommending to increase this fee to $200 to cover the costs of administering, approving, engineering and monitoring the construction of entrances on County roads. In some instances, permits are requested to be expedited immediately. Staff typically requires less than 10 business days to approve a permit. If an applicant request approval in less than 5 business days, staff will attempt to accommodate the request at a greater permit fee cost. Staff is proposing to offer an expedited approval service less than 5 business days at a permit cost of $400 per application. Tender Documents (authority under the Municipal Act) - The County currently charges a fee of $25.00 for each set of tender documents that are distributed to parties interested on bidding on County work. The fee charged is to simply offset the costs required to duplicate the tender packages. Tenders are typically in excess of 50 pages and contain full size construction drawings. The current fees charged do not cover the costs to reproduce and administer the distribution of these documents. Staff proposes to charge a flat fee of $50.00 for each set of tender packages. County tenders have a value in excess of $100,000, therefore, staff does not believe the proposed increase will have an impact on parties who wish to obtain this information. Conclusion The County of Elgin charges fees for various services in order to recover the costs associated with their administration, inspection and approval. Staff proposes to increase the fees associated with Moving Permits and Road Occupancy Permits from $100 to $200 to more accurately reflect the County's costs associated with these permit programmes. Staff also recommends to increase the fees charged for tender packages from $25 to $50 to more accurately reflectthe costs of duplication and distribution. These proposed increases are comparable to fees charged in neighbouring jurisdictions. If approved, staff anticipates that these changes will translate into an additional annual revenue of approximately $15,000 and provide a more accurate cost recovery model for the services provided. Recommendation THAT fees charged for the following services be amended as follows: Oversize/Overweight Moving Permits - $200.00 per single move (greater than 5 business day approval), Oversize/Overweight Moving Permits - $400.00 per single move (less than 5 business day approval), Road Occupancy Permit - $200.00 per application (greater than 5 business day approval), Road Occupancy Permit - $400.00 per application (less than 5 business day approval), and Tender Document Package - $50.00 per package. RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED APPROVED SUBMISSION 0lmJ~- Clayton D. Watters Director of Engineering Services Mark . Chief Administrative Officer REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Cathy Bishop Director of Library Services DATE: January 15, 2006 SUBJECT: Photocopying ChargesNideos and DVD'S INTRODUCTION: Activities and services that are subject to fees and charges must be approved by County Council. Photocopvino Photocopying charges set by the County for administration are currently at $1.00. Staff are suggesting that the current charge be changed from $1.00 to $.25 in keeping with the rates charged at our branch libraries. Videos/DVD's The current cost for a lost or damaged adult video or DVD if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record received from the vendor, is $30.00 and the current cost for a lost or damaged juvenile video or DVD if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record received from the vendor, is $20.00. Staff are suggesting that a standard fee of $20.00 be charged for both adult and juvenile lost or damaged videos and DVD's. All videos and DVD's purchased from our vendor now includes the actual purchased cost in the cataloguing record. DISCUSSION: Photocopvino Photocopying charges throughout the County are currently set at $1.00 however, photocopying charges in the branch libraries range from $.10 to $.20 based on the following rationale: ~ Various service clubs or organizations have purchased and own the photocopiers in the branch libraries ~ Libraries want to encourage not discourage the public from photocopying (especially children doing school projects or assignments) ~ Libraries were not to be seen as in competition with local businesses ~ Other libraries throughout Ontario charge anywhere from $.10 to $.25 per copy ~ This new fee will recover our costs and better reflects fees in the market place Videos/DVD'S The current cost for a lost or damaged adult video or DVD if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record from the vendor, is $30.00 and the current cost for a lost or damaged juvenile video or DVD if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record from the vendor, is $20.00. Staff are suggesting that a standard fee of $20.00 be charged for both adult and juvenile lost or damaged videos and DVD's if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record from the vendor as an average cost to purchase a video is $20.00. CONCLUSION: Photocopying Staff are suggesting that in an effort to standardize all photocopying charges throughout the County that the current charge of $1.00 be changed to $.25 effective February 1, 2006, a figure that more closely represents actual costs. Videos/DVD'S Staff are suggesting that a standard fee of $20.00 be charged for both adult and juvenile lost or damaged videos and DVD's if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record from the vendor. All videos and DVD's purchased from our vendor now includes the actual purchased cost in the cataloguing record. RECOMMENDATION: THAT in an effort to standardize all photocopying charges throughout the County that the current charge of $1.00 be changed to $.25 effective February 1, 2006. THAT a standard fee of $20.00 be charged for both adult and juvenile lost or damaged videos and DVD's if the actual cost is not in the cataloguing record from vendor, effective February 1, 2006. Respectfully Submitted ~.~~1~ Cathy shop Director of Library Services G. McDonald Chief A Ive Officer REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Sandra Heffren, Deputy Clerk DATE: January 5, 2006 SUBJECT: 2006 COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE PROGRAM RENEWAL INTRODUCTION: Council previously directed staff to request a quotation for the County's 2006 insurance requirements from the Frank Cowan Company Ltd. Mr. Bryce Sibbick is attending Council at 11 :30 a.m. on January 24th to present the 2006 insurance renewal, and has offered to host Council's lunch. DISCUSSION: The Program Summary is attached for your information and changes to the 2006 insurance program are as follows: Property values have been increased to reflect inflationary trends; Deductible for Data Processing, Fine Arts, Exhibition, Residents' Personal Effects and contents of the Terrace Lodge Drop-In Centre has increased from $1,000 to $2,500; Premiums have increased approximately 26% over 2005 from $182,102 to $230,333 plus taxes. An adjustment downwards will be made to the Conflict of Interest coverage of $50. This amount was an additional premium paid when one member's municipality was insured by another source and as such coverage did not follow through when the member sat on County Council. The Frank Cowan Company Ltd. has advised that the other insurer's policies will now cover members sitting on County Council through their municipal coverage and additional premiums are not required. The Management Team has recommended that Council consider increasing the limits on Homes' Residents Personal Effects from $15,000 for all Homes to $20,000 for each Home, which would further increase premiums by $630.00. CONCLUSION: The limit of coverage on Homes' Residents Personal Effects requires increasing to provide more adequately for reimbursement in the event of loss, and the County's 2006 insurance program requires renewal by January 29th, 2006. 2 RECOMMENDATION: THAT the limit of insurance coverage for Homes' Residents' Personal Effects be increased to $20,000.00 for each Home; and THAT the County's Comprehensive Insurance Program for 2006 be renewed with the Frank Cowan Co. Ltd. in the amount of $230,913 plus taxes. Respectfully Submitted Approved fo ~~+ San Heff , Depu y Clerk. $ c2~~!'Company 2006 Municipal Insurance Program CORPORATION OF THE COUNTY OF ELGIN Prepared by: Mr. Bryce Sibbick Regional Manager Prank Cowan Company Limited 4 Cowan Street East Princeton, ON NOJ 1 VO 1bis is a summary. Nothing herein alters the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the printed insurance contract(s). REF: 21575/rc November 25, 2005 bryce.sibbick@frankcowan.com 1.800.265.4000 T/519.458.4331 F/519.458.4366 MARKETPLACE CONDITIONS The Canadian Property & Casualty Insurance marketplace continues to be susceptible to losses that have outpaced premiums coupled with reduced investment income. Increased storm and natural catastrophe activity in 2005 will put upward pressure on rates. Insurance markets continue to focus on specific types of business risks. This has reduced the number of specialty insurers, who are willing to underwrite risks such as public entity. As a result, all insurance purchasers are affected. The Public sector has experienced significant losses in the past few years. Some of these losses have been driven by landmark cases, but overall, frequency and severity of claims has increased dramatically. As well, the overall cost of claims, which takes into account escalating court awards, claims administration expenses and the ever increasing replacement costs of assets, has continued to rise during this period at a rate in excess of the premium growth. In addition, insurers and re-insurers have become extremely cautious about public entity liabilities because of the continuing downloading of services by the provincial government, namely roads and ambulance services. Insurers are now experiencing the impact of the claims from these downloaded services and the impact they are having on the public entity portfolio. As a result of market conditions, a number of insurers have withdrawn from the public entity marketplace or had coverage limitations imposed upon them by their markets. This does not allow them to effectively address the needs of public entity clients. Frank Cowan Company Limited, a long-term specialist in public entity insurance, continues to receive the support and capacity of our markets. We continue to provide long term stability for the insurance and risk management needs of our public entity clientele. Our policies and services continue to evolve to reflect the continuing exposures brought about by downloading and new opportunities public entities now enjoy as a result of the new Municipal Act. Cowan has for many years been able to provide a consistent and continuously stable market for public entities. We are confident that our product and pricing will continue to reflect this position. The terms and conditions for the 2006 Renewal will be subj ect to the following: Continued support of our markets. No major changes in the loss experience of your portfolio. No major changes in the re-insurance market that would adversely affect the underlying msurance. Frank Cowan Company Limited CLAIMS EXHIBIT * INCURRED AMOUNT - Includes all payments plus outstanding reserves plus expenses, less any deductible applying. CLASSIFICATION OF CLAIM YEAR NUMBER * INCURRED AMOUNT 1. Premises and Operations 1996-1997 1 $ 635. Liability 1997-1998 0 O. 1998-1999 7 O. 1999-2000 4 17,260. 2000-2001 5 O. 2001-2002 4 2,421. 2002-2003 1 O. 2003-2004 4 35,504. 2004-2005 1 OIS 2005-2006 3 O. TOTAL 30 $ 55,820. +O/S 2. Automobile Fleet 1996-1997 1 $ 4,598. 1997-1998 1 292. 1998-1999 0 O. 1999-2000 0 O. 2000-2001 0 O. 2001-2002 0 O. 2002-2003 0 O. 2003-2004 0 O. 2004-2005 0 O. 2005-2006 0 O. TOTAL 2 $ 4,890. 3. Property - Buildingsl 1996-1997 3 $ 8,970. Contents 1997-1998 0 O. 1998-1999 1 1,826. 1999-2000 0 O. 2000-2001 1 27,417. 2001-2002 4 165,691. 2002-2003 2 11,528. 2003-2004 1 13,145. 2004-2005 0 O. 2005-2006 2 70,999. TOTAL 14 $ 299,576. Frank Cowan Company Limited COST ANALYSIS EXPIRING PROGRAM 2005-2006 TERM RENEWAL PROGRAM 2006-2007 TERM " MUNICIPAL LIABILITY $ 117,900. $ 159,165. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS 7,843. 8,235. NON-OWNED AUTOMOBILE 250. 250. FOLLOW-FORM EXCESS LIABILITY 5,854. 6,134. ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY 10,564. 11,092. COMPREHENSIVE CRIME 2,367. 2,367. COUNCILLORS' ACCIDENT 940. 940. CONFLICT OF INTEREST 290. 290. LEGAL EXPENSE 1,988. 1,988. PROPERTYIDATA PROCESSING 28,365. 3,678. 34,063. BOILER AND MACHINERY 3,678. OWNED AUTOMOBILE 1,913. 150. 1,931. 200. EXCESS AUTOMOBILE ANNUAL PREMIUM $ 182,102. $ 230,333. Frank Cowan Company Limited PROGRAM SUMMARY SUMMARY OF COVERAGES LIMITS/AMOUNTS PARTA.:~'CAsUAr;':W Municipal Liability Limit of Protection per occurrence (No Annual Aggregate Limit) Third Party Claims Deductible including expenses Sewer Backup Deductible including expenses Wrongful Dismissal (defence costs) Limit per claim Annual Aggregate Limit Deductible Malpractice Liability $ 20,000,000. $ 10,000. $ 10,000. $ 100,000. $ 200,000. $ 5,000. Included Errors and Omissions Limit of Protection per claim (No Annual Aggregate Limit) Deductible including expenses $ 20,000,000. $ 10,000. Non-Owned Automobile Limit of Protection per occurrence (No Annual Aggregate Limit) Legal Liability for Non-Owned Vehicles (S.E.F. No. 94) All Perils Physical Damage Limit Deductible $ 20,000,000. $ 250,000. $ 500. Environmental Liability Liability of Protection per claim Annual Aggregate Limit Self-Insured Retention $ 2,000,000. $ 4,000,000. $ 10,000. Frank Cowan Company Limited PROGRAM SUMMARY SUMMARY OF COVERAGES LIMITS/AMOUNTS Comprehensive Crime Commercial Blanket Bond Counterfeit Paper and Depositors' Forgery Audit Expense (Sub-Limit $ 100,000.) Money and Securities - Blanket any Location Excess on Securities Councillors' Accident - Warden, Eight Councillors and Five Members of County Land Division Committee Accidental Death & Dismemberment $ (No Annual Aggregate Limit and No Deductible) Weekly Income - Total Disability $ Weekly Income - Partial Disability $ (24 Hour Coverage applies to the Warden Only for Principal Sum for Loss of Life) Municipal Conflict of Interest Percentage of Legal Fees and Expenses Maximum Limit of Reimbursement per claim (No Annual Aggregate Limit) Legal Expense Percentage of Legal Fees and Expenses Maximum Limit of Reimbursement per claim Annual Aggregate Limit Frank Cowan Company Limited $ 1,000,000. Included Included Included 100,000. 100,000. $ $ 100,000. 500. 250. $ 100% 100,000. $ $ 100% 100,000. 250,000. PROGRAM SUMMARY SUMMARY OF COVERAGES iBi1:B;;!PiQPD'ftf LIMITS/AMOUNTS Property Insurance (including Data Processing Insurance) Total Sum Insured * Valuable Papers Accounts Receivable (other than Data Processing) Extra Expense (other than Data Processing) Business Interruption Rent or Rental Value Form Data Processing System and Equipment Media Extra Expense Fine Arts Form Residents' Personal Effects Exhibition Form $ 53,523,585. $ 1,500,000. $ 500,000. $ 500,000. $ 500,000. $ $ $ $ $ 603,900. 90,500. 50,000. 359,385. 15,000. As Per Lists Provided Deductible Exceptions: - Contents of Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre at Terrace Lodge, $ Data Processing, Fine Arts Form, Residents' Personal Effects Exhibition Form - Peril of Flood applicable to: $ New Elgin Manor, 39232 Fingal Line, St. Thomas Terrace Lodge, 49462 Talbot Road, Aylmer Bobier Villa, 29491 Pioneer Line, Dutton Peril of Earthquake applicable to: 3% or Minimum $ New Elgin Manor, 39232 Fingal Line, St. Thomas Terrace Lodge, 49462 Talbot Road, Aylmer Bobier Villa, 29491 Pioneer Line, Dutton *Note: Please refer to the insurance contract for an itemized list of assets containing specific limits of insurance or that are excluded from the policy. Frank Cowan Company Limited $ lO,OOO. 2,500. 250,000. 250,000. PROGRAM SUMMARY SUMMARY OF COVERAGES LIMITS/AMOUNTS Boiler and Machinery "- Limit per Accident - Comprehensive Extra Expense Water Damage Ammonia Contamination Expediting Expenses Hazardous Substance (including PCB Contamination) Business Interruption - Valued Daily Indemnity Spoilage - Goods under Refrigeration Professional Fees Data and Media By-Law Cover Deductible $ 25,000,000. $ 500,000. $ 500,000. $ 500,000. Included $ 500,000. $ 11 ,250. $ 50,000. $ 500,000. $ 10,000. Included $ 10,000. pniJie'fxmOMOBnfR Automobile Fleet Liability Limit Deductibles All Perils applicable to: - 2003 Savanna Cargo Van (Leased) - 2003 Ford F150 4x2 (Leased) $ 20,000,000. $ $ 1,000. 500. 2006 - 2007 ANNUAL PREMIUM $ PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES 230.333. NOTE: Value Added Risk Management Services are included in the total premium. Please refer to the insurance contract for all limits, terms, conditions and exclusions that apply. Frank Cowan Company Limited CHANGES TO YOUR INSURANCE PROGRAM Please be advised of the following changes to your insurance program that now apply: . Property - the Deductibles with respect to Data Processing Insurance, Fine Arts Form, Residents' Personal Effects, Exhibition Form and Contents of Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre at Terrace Lodge has been increased from $ 1,000. to $ 2,500. . Property values have been increased in order to reflect inflationary trends. Frank Cowan Company Limited RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that you consider the following optional coverages that are available as follows: (Please note that in addition to these coverages, you may want to consider increasing your limits of insurance or deductible levels as appropriate. You may also have other exposures that require or may benefit from specific insurance forms, such as: marina liability, aviation liability, etc.) SELF-INSURANCE - DEDUCTIBLE PROGRAMS For comparison purposes we are setting out optional deductible programs that the Insured may wish to consider. CLASSIFICATION PRESENT OPTIONAL CREDITS DEDUCTIBLE DEDUCTIBLE AVAILABLE Municipal Liability $ 10,000. $ 25,000. $ 11,216. Errors & Omissions 10,000. 25,000. 501. Environmental Liability 10,000. 25,000. 776. Frank Cowan Company Limited REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Larysa Andrusiak, Ambulance and Emergency Management Coordinator DATE: January 13, 2006 SUBJECT: Bi-Annual Performance Review INTRODUCTION: This report addresses the bi-annual Performance Review of Thames EMS which took place December 16, 2005 and is attached for information. DISCUSSION and Conclusion: The performance review with Thames EMS resulted in a score of 92.5 out of a possible score of 110. It is attached for Council's information. One area of particular note which staff wishes to highlight for Council is the 90th Percentile Response Time for Elgin-St. Thomas EMS that is required to be reported to the Ministry in December. The standard that Elgin-St. Thomas EMS must meet is 15 minutes, 14 seconds (15:14) 90% of the time for Code 4 calls. According to the Ministry ADDAS data, the 90th Percentile Response Time Report (Ambulance Act) for the time period January 1, 2005 to October 31,2005, was 13 minutes, 55 seconds (13:55). That is one minute, 19 seconds faster than the Ministry standard for Elgin County. At a time when a number of services in Ontario are not able to meet the Ministry 90th Percentile Response Time standards, this is deserving of notice. RECOMMENDATION: That the report "Bi-Annual Performance Review" dated January 5th, 2006 be received and filed. Respectfully Submitted do-up~ On~~L Larysa Andrusiak Ambulance and Emergency Management Coordinator Schedule "H" PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE PLAN Performance Review Six month Performance Review (July 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005) Conducted December 16,2005,9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. by Larysa Andrusiak, Ambulance and Emergency Management Coordinator and Linda Veger, Director of Financial Services. Total Score Earned: 92.5 out of 110 Scores and Criteria: 1. Shift Coverage: 9 There have been no incidences of downstaffing during the review time period. In most instances ill staff will stay on duty till someone can come in to replace them and replacement staff usually come in within an hour of notification. On occasion, as necessary, the Duty Manager will fill in until replacement staff come in and in those instances, the Operations Manager will fill in as Duty Manager for that time period. Shift coverage contingency planning was discussed in regard to Pandemic planning. Some contingencies being considered by Thames EMS is bringing in retired EMS personnel, the use of paramedic students, 81. John Ambulance personnel and it should be noted that Police and Firefighters can also drive ambulances. A Class F drivers license is required. There are insurance issues to explore and licensing and scope of practice issues to explore with the Ministry of Health, Emergency Health Services Branch. 2. Reaction Times: 9 Results from the last Quarterly Report representing the time period April1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 showed that compliance with chute time requirements (2 minutes from call notification to moving ambulance) for Code 4 calls ranged from 95.3% to 98.6%. Chute time compliance for Code 3 calls ranged from 89.2% to 96.9% - all very good. Discussion ensued regarding attempting a 1-minute chute time requirement and what the service reaction time percentages would look like. This would be a direction County staff would like to explore further with Thames EMS in future. In December of each year am~...h,mce services are required to report 90th Percentile Response Times to the Ministry. The 1996 90th Response Time Standard that Elgin County is required to meet is 15 minutes, 14 seconds 2 (15:14) 90% of the time. Obtained from the Ministry ADDAS data, the 90th Percentile Response Times Report (Ambulance Act) for Elgin County for the period January 1, 2005 to October 31,2005 showed 13:55. As one can see, Elgin County's response time for the above time period, according to the data cited, is one minute, 19 seconds faster than our Ministry response time standard - very well indeed. 3. Paramedic Staff Recruitment & Training: 8 There are 47 full time staff including management and approximately 37 part time staff. As of January 9th, 2006 staff will be assigned, choice of location based on seniority, to permanent ambulance base locations. Staff will work 42 hour weeks, which is expected to result in less part-time positions and easier scheduling of staff. Two full-time float positions will be maintained, but will be monitored as to need. One third of staff have taken the Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Training in 2005, with the rest of staff to take it in 2006. Once the Ministry formally approves cost-sharing of the Mobile Locator initiative, Mobile Locator training will need to take place for staff, which is anticipated to take 4 hours per staff. The cost of this training was put into the Ministry cost share portion. 4. Labourl Management Environment: 8 Thames EMS felt it was a significant accomplishment that no grievances have gone forward. Tim Neilson will be the Station Manager in the west at the Rodney Base and Rich Baisden will move to the Shaw Valley Base to work as a Station Manager in the east, taking a maternity leave position. It is hoped that a permanent position may open up in the east to move the Station Manager position into. The Occupational Health and Safety Committee meets regularly and does inspections. There has been a request by WSIB to do a work well audit; this may be done by them. 5. CQII QA: 7 The Station Managers do audits of all Code 3 and 4 Ambulance Call Reports. Monitoring and audits of Paramedic personnel files are done to ensure all required documentation is kept up to date. Satisfaction questionnaires have been mailed out to users of the ambulance service. 100 were sent out, 50 were returned. A second mailing has been sent out. 3 Two Duty Managers participated in Meth Lab Take Down training provided at the Police College. Dr. Lewell continues with periodic drive alongs to monitor quality of care. County staff requested that effort be made to encourage greater staff participation in continuing education opportunities provided by Base Hospital staff. It was suggested that a goal be set of concentrating on two such events in 2006. 6. Records and Reports: 8 The monthly ambulance invoice review process is working well. The ambulance budget to date was reviewed and spending was largely on target. The Transition budget will be closed off in December with the finishing of the Shaw Valley Base. The Quarterly Reports continue to be released late due to the delay in obtaining the required data from the Ministry. 7. Ambulance Stations: 9 The Shaw Valley Base was occupied as of October 2005. A legal review of the draft Edward St./Shaw Valley Lease was received by county staff December 16th from Thames EMS. It is anticipated that the lease will be signed off early in the new year. The lease with the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital expired at the end of September and the trailer used by paramedics was subsequently removed. The cost of re-cementing the drive-way at the Dutton Base has been done, however the cost was borne by Thames EMS rather than the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich as was anticipated by county staff and Thames EMS. New floodlights were installed at the Rodney Base and the Air Conditioning has been repaired. The Aylmer Base was painted and new lockers were installed. 8. Readiness of Personnel, Vehicles and Equipment: 8 It was noted that equipment is recovered quickly, such as fracture boards and splints. There are 4-5 surplus stretchers (35A's) that are about 10 years old. Waterproof coats were purchased for staff. It was noted that defibrillators will need replacement by 2008 and are currently in the $20,000 - $30,000 range. Two new vehicles are expected to be purchased in 2006. Replacement Stair Chairs are slated for purchase if Fed/Med Equipment funding comes through from the Ministry. 9. Security and Continuity of Service: 8 The combination door codes in the county bases were changed in November to maintain security of the premises. The Fob entry system is working well in the two new bases. Supplies of masks, gloves, gowns, alcohol wipes, etc. are being stockpiled at the Edward St. location. This is due to the SARS experience and Pandemic 4 planning. The County has copy of the Business Continuity Plan for Thames EMS. In Payroll, Mike Joosten is the back up for Mac Gilpin. Glucagon has gone up dramatically in price as provided by Base Hospital. Any possibility of obtaining a better price will be researched. 10. Interaction with Client & Stakeholders: 9.5 This is an area of strength for the operators and they have a very good relationship with the County of Elgin. The Duty Managers continue to have a very good rapport with the hospital. The management team of Thames EMS deals effectively with lower tier municipalities regarding ambulance base and other issues. Good relations are maintained with the CACC, Base Hospital and the Ministry of Health. 11. Value Added: 9 The operators active role on the Ambulance Base Building Committee and in the building process is a large value added component. Thames EMS provides input as requested in Aylmer for the proposed Fire facility. A tour was undertaken of the Wind Mill Construction sites to familiarize with possible ambulance requirements. Cool Aid Packages continue to be distributed by Elgin-St. Thomas EMS. Team spirit is being fostered at events such as the Fire Muster, where a female Elgin-St. Thomas EMS team won awards, at the Christmas Dinner/Dance and long Service recognition and awards. Volunteer credit system is in place, which can net up to $500 in gift certificates in recognition and appreciation. REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL From: Rhonda L. Roberts-Director of Senior Services-TL Pat Vandevenne - Director of Senior Services-BV Melissa Lewis - Director of Senior Services - EM Date: January 11, 2006 Subject: Homes 2006/2007 eMI results INTRODUCTION/DISCUSSION: The classification process for determining level of care funding for all long term care homes occurred late fall in 2005. Funding is calculated by using the home's CMI (case mix index) times the amount funded by the Ministry of Health for the nursing and personal care envelope ($65.44). The "new" CMI, as determined in the fall, is then in effect for the upcoming year (April through March). CONCLUSION: In 2005, each home received an increase in the CMI which provided additional funding of $125,850. The new CMI for the 2005/2006 funding year for the homes has again increased. CMI and funding increases are as follows CMI Fundinq Bobier Villa 98.76 $43,010 Elgin Manor 101.93 $45,620 Terrace Lodqe 103.44 $89,600 RECOMMENDATION: THAT Council recognize staff of the homes for their efforts and contributions to increasing the CM!. THAT this report is received by Council and filed. m~~ Rhonda L. Roberts Director of Senior Services - TL Mar Chief Administrative Officer MeIiSSa.~~ -:::> Director of Senior Services - EM -e Ja--tdil>> --,,",u Pat Vandevenne Director of Senior Services - BV 2 REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL From: Rhonda L. Roberts-Director of Senior Services- TL Pat Vandevenne - Director of Senior Services-BV Melissa Lewis - Director of Senior Services - EM Date: January 11, 2005 Subject: Auxiliary Donations - County of Elgin Homes for the Aged INTRODUCTION: The Auxiliary, at each County of Elgin Home, has played a vital role in providing services as well as recognizing and purchasing items for the benefit of the residents of the homes. DISCUSSION: In addition to many regular events the Auxiliary participates in such as the annual BBQ, Tuck Shop operations, etc., the follow is a listing of additional items contributions to each home: Bobier Villa Exterior landscaping Christmas entertainment Elqin Manor Folding tables for use at large group events and small group programming. Electric fireplaces for the resident lounges. Terrace Lodqe Maxi slides for repositioning of residents Reusable infection control/isolation gowns Stedy lift Chair alarm sensors Portable convection oven for activation. CONCLUSION: The Auxiliary at each of the County of Elgin Homes continue to purchase items for the benefit of the residents. The Auxiliary's consideration for contributions always focuses on resident safety and technology to aid in enhancing residents' quality of life and care 2 RECOMMENDATION: THAT Council recognises the on-going contributions from each Auxiliary through a letter of appreciation on behalf of Council. Respectfully Submitted J~J1I1'f/ Rhonda L. Roberts Director of Senior Services, TL Approved fo Mark c Chief Administrative Officer REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Brian Masschaele, Manager of Archives Cathy Bishop, Director of Library Services DATE: 5 January 2006 SUBJECT: Archives' 2005 Annual Report INTRODUCTION This report provides an overview of the Archives' activities and operations for the 2005 calendar year. DISCUSSION: The mandate of the Elgin County Archives is established through By-law No. 01-21. This by- law governs the Archives' operations with respect to acquisition, preservation and public access. The Archives is administered by the Department of Library Services. The Manager of Archives is pleased to report the following highlights, activities and statistics over the past year: 2005 Highlights The following are highlights of activities and accomplishments within the past year, in addition to regular activities associated with the program: ./ Fourth Floor Clearance - Staff were able to address the long-standing backlog of over a thousand boxes of records and printed material stored on the fourth floor of the Elgin County Administration Building. This was completed over a four month period in order to facilitate the relocation of the Elgin County Museum. Several collections were integrated into the Archives' permanent holdings, with other portions culled, temporarily moved or prepared for sale as part of a large book auction expected to take place in 2006. ./ Electronic Document Management System Implementation - In partnership with the County's Department of Information Technology, staff implemented the County's electronic document management system called Laserfiche. Well over two hundred thousand pages are now maintained on the system for searchable access, including Council minutes, by- laws, reports, employee files and accounts payable. ./ Elgin County Museum Redevelopment - Staff played an important role in the re- development of the Museum, including facilitation of federal/provincial funding, facility design, policy development and community outreach. ./ Cultural Property Designation - The Archives is now designated as a "Category A" institution under the federal Cultural Property Export and Import Act, thereby bestowing authority to issue tax receipts under the act. This designation, received after a rigorous audit of the Archives' facility and procedures, will be an important asset in attracting future collections. ./ On-line Database Launch - The Archives' launched an on-line database enabling the public to search its collections from anywhere in the world. This includes over 50,000 entries for the Scott-Sefton Photograph Collection. Collection Overview The size of the Archives collection has grown considerably during the past year and now stands at over 450 linear metres of records as well as over a hundred thousand photographs, close to a thousand maps and several audio-visual records. Highlights of the collection include County records dating back to incorporation in 1852, records of several local municipalities, the Scott-Sefton Photograph Collection, Alma College records, Elgin County Library Microfilm Collection (comprising over 1600 reels), Women's Institute records and records of numerous service organizations. The appraised value of the collection is now over $1.5 million dollars. The following are highlights of private collections processed into the Archives over the past year: · Elgin County Birth, Marriage and Death certificates (on deposit from the Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society); · Elgin County Library Collection, ca. 1910 - 2000; · Ladies' Benevolent and Temperance Society of St. Thomas / Thomas Williams Home collection; · Ponsford Construction Company Limited collection; · West Elgin Mutual Fire Insurance Company collection; · St. Thomas Golf & Country Club collection; · Edison Family collection (including an original letter from Thomas Alva Edison); · Women's Institute Tweedsmuir histories. As a result of a federal grant, work has also begun on records of the Anderson Family and Anderson Department store. This material includes extensive photographs and letters sent from the front during both the Boer War and First World War. Municipal Transfers The Archives continues to work on the protection and transfer of large volumes of records from local municipalities, particularly those that existed prior to amalgamation in 1998. The process generally inVOlves sorting records on-site, transfer to the Archives, conservation work, arrangement and description, microfilming (as required) and integration into climate controlled storage. Significant progress was made during the past year, particularly in Bayham, Dutton- Dunwich and Aylmer. The following is a summary of past activity and future timelines for each municipality: ~ Bayham - Transfer of Port Burwell, Vienna and Bayham completed and agreement issued in 2005; ~ Malahide - Springfield, South Dorchester and Malahide scheduled for 2006; ~ Aylmer - Transfer partially completed with final agreement expected in 2006; ~ Central Elgin: Yarmouth, Port Stanley and Belmont proposed for 2007; ~ Southwold - Transfer completed and agreement issued in 2004; ~ Dutton - Dunwich - Transfer for Dutton and Dunwich completed in 2005 with final agreement to be issued in early 2006; ~ West Elgin -Transfer completed and agreement issued in 2003 for West Lome, Rodney and Aldborough. 2005 Usage ~ Patron Visits: 423. This figure represents the number of individuals who formally registered to use the Archives. The average user session was approximately three hours. Usage was steady from April until October and was particularly heavy during summer months. The following is a breakdown of the origin of these visitors: Elgin County - 116; St. Thomas 114; Ontario - 164; United States - 23; Other Provinces - 4; International - 2. These figures represent a rise of 33 patrons from 2004; part of a steady trend upwards since the Archives was established in 2002. The number of patrons from other parts of Ontario increased during the past year, indicating that the Archives is playing a role in cultural tourism within the County. ~ Telephone / Letter / Electronic Mail Inquiries: 2100. The Archives periodically tracked the number of weekly telephone calls, letters and/or electronic mail messages it received inquiring about the Archives' collections (i.e. non-administrative inquiries). Many of these were answered by Archives' staff without requiring a patron visit. On average, the Archives handled 40 research inquiries per week, leading to the figure of approximately 2100 for the year. Electronic mail constituted the vast majority of these inquiries and this trend is expected to continue given the Archives' popular Internet presence. The number of inquiries received from local municipalities also rose steadily during the past year, a reflection of the service delivery aspect of the Archives' mandate. In almost all cases, the Archives was able to fulfil these requests on the same day. ~ Research Topics: Genealogy was by far the largest use at approximately 80 per cent of all patrons, with Scott-Sefton Studio photographs comprising another 15 per cent. Other topics of research included: Port Burwell Shipbuilding, House of Industry, built heritage, scientific agriculture, plowing matches, women's institutes, land ownership, military history, school sections, Alma College, St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, Thomas Williams Home, Port Stanley Harbour, nineteenth century justice, environmental site assessments, architecture, school sections, Native archaeology and railway stations. Website Analysis The Archives' website at www.elgin.ca continues to be an essential tool in providing access to collections and in raising public awareness. Under the guidance of webmaster Michelle Echlin of St. Thomas, and with the support of the County's Information Technology Department, the site underwent a major revision during the past year to include a searchable database using a software package called "Inmagic WebPublisher Pro". The homepage was revised to incorporate two searchable links: "Explore... Our Archival Collection" and "Explore: The Scott Studio Collection...". Users can now choose to limit their search to the Scott Studio Collection only or to explore all collections within the Archives. This revision was deemed much more user-friendly given the size of each database. Scott Studio images were also watermarked to prevent unauthorized duplication. Another major development was the inclusion of the site on the County's portion of the Elgin Connects portal. This links the site to the County as a whole, setting the framework for even more integration in terms of heritage resources with the Elgin County Library, the Elgin County Museum and other cultural institutions within the County. The following are statistics on usage of the Archives' website over the past year based on monthly reports sent to the Manager of Archives: Visitor Sessions, 2005: Average Session Length: Countries of Origin: 46,396 10 minutes United States, 66 per cent; Canada, 15 per cent; all other countries, 19 per cent. As context, visitor sessions measure the number of users on the site as opposed to total hits and is therefore a much more meaningful statistic. For reference purposes, total hits to the site numbered over six hundred thousand, a three-fold increase over 2004. There are two significant trends over previous statistics. First of all, visitor sessions more than doubled from 2004 levels and the number of international visitors also increased substantially. Visitors came from six continents and approximately fifty countries. These statistics speak well to the site's quality and depth and verify previous predictions that the presence of an on- line database would increase usage dramatically. The best sign that the site is well crafted is the average session length at ten minutes. This is considered an outstanding statistic in an on-line environment. The number of repeat visitors to the site is also very high, another encouraging statistic. The website will continue to be an integral part of the Archives' operations as public expectations for digital content increases. With success also comes challenges; staff will need to strike a balance between activities associated with the website and more traditional archival duties such as physical preservation and management of the collection. Records Management An important component of the Archives' mandate is to preside over active records management within all County departments. This includes the maintenance of the County's records retention by-law and ensuring that all schedules are enforced. The Archives also provides assistance on information management practices under the terms of provincial legislation. The following are highlights of the Archives' activities with respect to records management over the past year, in addition to involvement with electronic document management already mentioned: ~ Records destruction: The Archives presided over the secure shredding of several hundred boxes of County documents that are no longer needed for operational purposes; ~ Access and privacy compliance: An extensive, new policy was implemented to comply with the province's Personal Health Information Protection Act which came into effect in 2004. This legislation affects the County's long term care facilities and ambulance services; Special Projects and Outreach The Archives engaged in the following special projects and outreach activities during the past year: >- "Yesterday and Today" feature in the St. Thomas Times-Journal - This involves the daily publication of a photograph from the Scott Studio collection. The public is encouraged to contact the Archives with further information about the photo or to request a copy. The Archives also receives a copy print of the photograph; >- Participation in the official launch of the Elgin County Visual Heritage Project in February, including coordination of displays as well as on-going support in the distribution of videos to the public; >- London Free Press coverage regarding the historical context of the divestiture of Port Stanley Harbour (December 29th, 2004); >- Participation in a virtual exhibit on the Archives Canada network profiling the Scott Studio; >- Significant additions to the Archives' presence on "ARCHEION", Ontario's archival information network; >- Heritage Week profile in the February 26th edition of the St. Thomas Times Journal with MPP Steve Peters; >- Use of Jumbo the Elephant photographs on U.S. History Television's "Modern Marvels" program on historic taxidermy. The program aired in March; >- Use of photographs in the Sf. Thomas Times-Journal to commemorate International Women's Week in partnership with Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County; >- Several outreach initiatives with the Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, including indexing of the St. Thomas Times-Journal and local Tweedmuir histories; >- Research and assistance in the creation of a plaque to commemorate the historic fence at Bobier Villa; >- Submission of collection descriptions for Alma College and the Elgin County House of Industry for publication in a future edition of the journal Ontario History; >- Use of St. Thomas City Hall photographs in the video "St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica - The Journey" (launched November 2005); >- Supervision of practicum placements for information studies students at the University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Information and Media Studies, including the creation of an on-line exhibit pertaining to the Anderson Department store and several arrangement & description projects for archival collections; >- Participation in a digitization study conducted by the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto. In addition, staff served the following organizations in either an executive or advisory capacity: Bayham Culture Committee, Port Burwell Marine Museum Committee, Edison Museum Committee, Middlesex County Archives Advisory Committee, Archives Association of Ontario, Canadian Council of Archives and Association of Canadian Archivists. Speaking Engagements I Presentations The Manager of Archives made presentations to a number of groups within the community during the past year, including: ~ Ladder Day Saints Family History Centre, St. Thomas (February); ~ Rogers Television First Local Program - (2 interviews in February and November); ~ VON/Festival Gardens Monthly Luncheon, St. Thomas (March); ~ Lecture - University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Information and Media Studies (May); ~ Kensington Club, Lawrence Station (May); ~ Women's Institute District Meeting, Wallacetown (May); ~ Alma College Alurnnae Open House (June); ~ Archives Association of Ontario workshop and conference paper, Sudbury (June); ~ Aylmer Museum Jumbo Exhibit launch (September); ~ Rotary Club of St. Thomas (November). Volunteers The Archives has benefited greatly from the services of volunteers over the past year. Mr. Ken Verrell of the Elgin Photographic Heritage Society has devoted countless hours in providing guidance with the Scott Studio collection, particularly submission of photographs to the Times-Journal and orders for re-prints. County Council's nomination of Mr. Verrell for the Order of Ontario is a reflection of these efforts. The members of the Elgin St. Thomas Archives Association continue to be strong advocates for the Archives in the community. The Elgin County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society has also been of tremendous support to the Archives, furnishing the reference room with complimentary copies of their numerous publications and completing a number of indexing projects. Mr. Jim McCallum, Branch President, deserves special recognition in this regard. The members of the Alma College International Alumnae Association also continue to support and promote the college's collection at the Archives. Reference Room Hours The Archives' reference room is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday to Friday, plus Tuesday evening by appointment from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Staff work regular business hours from Monday to Friday. Feedback received to date indicates that reference room hours are able to satisfy public demand for use of the collection, although this could merit further review once the Elgin County Museum is located within the same building. Financial Analysis The Archives 2005 operating budget was approximately $209,000. This budget supported staff wages, collection expenses, records management activities and community outreach. Revenue from sales of photographs, photocopies and archival services was approximately $2000 during the past year. In 2005, the Archives received the following grants: ~ $16,000 of in-kind employment support funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to employ one individual for the County's electronic document management project; ~ $5000 from the Canadian Council of Archives and $1200 from the Elgin Photographic Heritage Society to hire a contract archivist to arrange and describe records of the Anderson Department Store and Anderson family; ~ $4200 from Heritage Canada's Young Canada Works in Cultural Institutions Program to employ one summer student. Staffing Analysis The Archives maintained a permanent full-time staff of two comprised of the Manager of Archives (Brian Masschaele) and Archivist Assistant (Gina Coady). In addition, an Assistant Archivist was hired on a one-year contract basis beginning in May (Stephen Francom). This additional position was crucial to completing work on the fourth floor of the Elgin County Administration Building and in facilitating transfers with local municipalities. In March, Council approved a recommendation to amend the duties of the Archivist Assistant to work two days a week on behalf of the Elgin County Museum beginning on July 1 st. However, delays in the museum project, as well as increasing demand within the archives, made it prudent to delay this work arrangement until the staffing plan for the Museum is fully implemented and until staffing compliments within the Museum, Archives and Library can be more fully assessed in 2006. The following are other temporary staff positions within the Archives in 2005: .:. A project archivist (Phil Gold) was hired in October to work on the Anderson Department store records. This project will extend until March 2006. .:. A summer student (Crystal Loyst) was hired from June to August under Heritage Canada's Young Canada Works Program. .:. A Document Assistant (Diane Wyles) was hired in April under Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Job Creation Partnership Program to work on the County's electronic document management system in each department. The project will extend until April 2006. Facility The Archives facility continues to perform well in terms of public access, staff work areas and preservation management. A reader-printer was donated by Mr. John Bardwell of Aylmer in July, bringing the total number of machines up to three and all but eliminating waiting times for use of these machines. Temperature and relative humidity have now stabilized throughout the facility and are on target with archival standards. A security alarm was added during the past year as a result of Heritage Canada's audit for "Category A" designation. Storage space in the Archives main facility is now almost completely full. The development of the fourth floor for the Elgin County Museum will enable the Archives to increase its c1imate- controlled space by approximately one thousand square feet which will permit the collection to grow into the foreseeable future, although additional expansions will still be required in the coming years. The availability of storage space in the basement of Elgin Manor has been a major benefit; this has enabled the Archives to store low-use or unprocessed collections in a secure environment without compromising prime storage space. Future Goals - 2006 and beyond Youth outreach - Staff will make it a goal to increase outreach to local elementary and secondary students through presentations and research projects. Partnerships with the Elgin County Museum - The relocation of the Elgin County Museum will create the opportunity for even greater partnerships in terms of public programming, exhibitions and outreach in order to provide a more holistic view of the County's history. Synergies in websites and databases will also be possible. Digitization - The amount of digital content on the County's website will be increased significantly. In particular, all County Council minutes, by-laws and related documents will be made available on-line for public viewing and research. CONCLUSION: This report provides an overview of the Archives' 2005 operations for the information of County Council. RECOMMENDATION: THAT this report be received as information. Respectfully ~ ~~- Ian Masschaele Manager of Archives ~~ Cathy Bi op Director of Library Services REPORT TO COUNTY COUNCIL FROM: Brian Masschaele, Manager of Archives DATE: 16 January 2006 SUBJECT: Records Retention By-Law INTRODUCTION: The County's records retention schedule under By-law No. 04-01 requires additions and/or amendments. This report outlines the proposed changes and recommends that the by-law be amended accordingly. DISCUSSION: The County's records retention schedule requires updating. Attached as Appendix A are the proposed amendments. The most significant amendments pertain to Provincial Offences Act / Justice records. POA staff have reviewed and endorsed these proposed changes. Other changes reflect minor housekeeping in accordance with the latest update to the Ontario Municipal Records Management System. The County maintains a subscription to a citation service for this system on which all these recommendations are based. CONCLUSION: The County's records retention by-law requires updating. Attached as "Appendix A" are the proposed amendments. RECOMMENDATION: THAT By-Law No. 04-01 be amended as outlined in "Appendix A" to this report; AND THAT public notice be issued according to the terms of the Municipal Act. Respectfully Submitted &~~ Manager of Archives Approved for Submission cDonald Chief Administrative Officer \ Records Retention Report - 02 December 2005 "Appendix A" CODE SCOPE NOTES - Secondary Subjects RESPON ACT INAC TOTAL FOR REMARKS SIBLE IVE TIVE RET'N MAT J JUSTICE J01 Certificates of Offence (Part 1) POAl 2 1 3 Pa I From Administ E date of Includes court and POA records, rative com p- particularly Certificates of Offence Services letion (Part 1) and Control Lists under J03. J02 Informations (Part III) POAl 2 5 7 Pa I From Administ E date of Includes Informations (Part III) and rative comp- Certificates of Offence relating to Services letion accident and careless driving matters only. J03 Control Lists POAl 2 1 3 Pa I Administ E Includes reports from provincial rative and municipal agencies such as Services OPP, MTO, MNR etc. J04 Court Dockets POAl 2 6 P Pa I Subject Administ E to future Includes registers of court activity, rative review, including trial dockets, Fail to Services minimum Respond (FTR) dockets and Walk require- In Guilty (WIG) dockets detailing ment is 8 case dispositions. years. J05 Transcripts and Records of Court POAl 2 5 7 Pa I Logs and Proceedings Administ E Tapes rative are Includes records of court Services retained proceeding and records relating to for 2 exhibit dispositions. years; exhibits are returned 30 days from date of con- viction if no appeal is filed. J06 Enforcements & Suspensions POAl 2 5 7 Pal Administ E Includes records regarding the rative suspension of licences. Services Excludes: Fine collection efforts which is maintained by Financial Services in F02, Accounts Receivable. Legend: C - Current Year P - Permanent * - Maximum Copy Retention S - Superseded T - Terminated ** - Subject to Archival Selection Pa - Paper E - Electronic (All numbers refer to years unless otherwise specified.) Records Retention Report - 02 December 2005 "Appendix A" CODE SCOPE NOTES - Secondary Subjects RESPON ACT INAC TOTAL FOR REMARKS SIBLE IVE TIVE RET'N MAT J JUSTICE J07 Appeals & Transfers POA! 2 5 7 Pal Administ E Includes records of transfers to rative and from other courts that mayor Services may not be within ICON reports. J08 ICON Reports POA! 2 5 7 Pal Administ E Includes reports and other rative statistical data, including RICO Services reports (comprising also ISCUSICourtroom Utilizations Reports). Legend: C - Current Year P - Permanent * - Maximum Copy Retention S - Superseded T - Terminated ** - Subject to Archival Selection Pa - Paper E - Electronic (All numbers refer to years unless otherwise specified.) CODE SCOPE NOTES - Secondary Subjects RESPON ACT INAC TOTAL FOR REMARKS SIBLE IVE TIVE RET'N MAT P PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENTS SERVICES P16 Emergency Services Administ 2 5 7** Pal rative E Includes records associated with Services the general administration of emergency services, including land ambulances. P17 Elgin Group Police Services Board Administ 10 P** Pa I Master Minutes rative E copy to Services be kept Includes minutes of the Elgin on paper. Group Police Services Board and all attached documents. P18 Elgin Group Police Services Board Administ 1 5 6 Pal Agenda rative E Services Includes notices of meetings and agenda as well as working notes used in agenda preparation. P19 Elgin Group Police Services Board Administ S S** Pal Appointments rative E Services Includes all records relating to community, provincial and County appointments to the board. P20 Disaster Plan Recovery Administ S S** Pa I rative E Includes all records associated Services with creation and maintenance of County disaster under Emergency Measures Ontario. P21 Dispatch Complaint Records Administ 1 2 3 rative Includes records such as letters Services from the public and government agencies regarding ambulance dispatch times. Legend: C - Current Year P - Permanent * - Maximum Copy Retention S - Superseded T - Terminated ** - Subject to Archival Selection Pa - Paper E - Electronic (All numbers refer to years unless otherwise specified.) CODE SCOPE NOTES - Secondary Subjects RESPON ACT INAC TOTAL FOR REMARKS SIBLE TIVE RET'N MAT IVE T TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TOg Roads and Lane Closures Engin- P P Pal Temp- eering E orary Services closures Includes records on roads and 2 years. lanes closed on a permanent or regular basis. Includes appraisals, reports, correspondence and District Court applications as well as records related to requests to open road and street allowances. Excludes: Temporary Road Closures - see T08 Land Sales - see LO? Road ClosinQ By-laws - see C01 T10 Field Survey I Road Survey Books Engin- P P** Pal eering E Includes engineering field survey Services notes as well as books. T11 Railroads Engin- 2 8 10** Pa I Includes records regarding eering E maintenance of railway crossing Services on County roads. T12 Bridges Engin- T 6 T+6 Pa I T= Includes records associated with eering E Completi the building and maintenance of Services on of project. County owned bridges. Specifica- tions are perma- nent. Legend: C - Current Year P - Permanent * - Maximum Copy Retention S - Superseded T - Terminated ** - Subject to Archival Selection Pa - Paper E - Electronic (All numbers refer to years unless otherwise specified.) CORRESPONDENCE - JANUARY 24. 2006 Items for Consideration 1. Mayor Phil Sled, Township of Severn, with a resolution requesting the Province creates an appropriate tax class under the Assessment Act for non-profit heritage museums and other similar type non-profit operations. (ATTACHED) 2. Jerry Marion, Clerk, Town of Essex, with a resolution regarding the high cost of liability insurance and requesting the Province amend The Negligence Act R.S.O. 1990 so that only where a Municipality is found to be at least 50% liable would a claim be paid. (ATTACHED) 3. Federation of Canadian Municipalities, 2006-2007 Membership Fee Invoice. (ATTACHED) 4. Janet Beckett, City Clerk, City of Port Colborne, with a resolution requesting the Province provide relief for the unacceptable spikes in cost of living and likely property tax increases to come; to end the downloading of provincial programs and the use of municipal property tax dollars to subsidize the provincial health and social services program; and that the Province work with AMO to develop a plan to begin the immediate uploading of provincial costs back to the Province. (ATTACHED) 5. Carolyn Downs, City Clerk, City of Kingston, with a resolution: 1) urging the Minister of Municipal Affairs to vote against Private Members Bill 123 Transparency in Public Matters Act; and 2) requesting the Provincial Government to implement measures that would provide a program to subsidize utilities for persons on low or fixed incomes. (ATTACHED) 6. Holly Dowd, Town Clerk, Niagara-On-The-Lake, with a resolution expressing disapproval of all recommendations contained in the Report on the Expert Panel on Water and Wastewater Strategy which gives Regional Municipalities exclusive jurisdiction over all elements of the water and wastewater sector at the exclusion of lower tier municipalities with less than 10,000 customers. (ATTACHED) 7. Jean D. Patenaude, Counsel, Canadian National Railway Company, concerning the discontinuance of railway line Caso Subdivision from a point near St. Thomas to a point near Fargo, Ontario. (ATTACHED) 8. Roger Anderson, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, 2006 Membership Invoice. (ATTACHED) 9. Brian W. Knott, City Solicitor/Clerk, City of Sarnia, requesting that the 2006 MPAC assessment values be deferred until the Ontario Ombudsman's investigation into the MPAC process of Property Assessment is completed and that the 2004 assessment values remain in place until the report and its recommendations have been reported to the public. (ATTACHED) 10. Honourable Mike Colle, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, with information concerning the 2006 Ontario volunteer recognition programs; The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards; The Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism in Ontario; and the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. (Nomination forms available in Administrative Services) TOWNSHIP OF SEVERN THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SEVERN P.O. Box 159, Orlllia,Ontario, L3V 6J3 All Ontario Municipalities: RE: Endorsement of Resolutioll Canadian Heritage Museums - Tax. Clas$es Council of the Corporation of the Township of Severn enacted the followiilg resolution at a meeting held December 1,2005. Your support of this resolution is appreciated. Please forward your resolutions of support to the Premier of Ontario, local M.P.P. and the Township of Severn. << Whereas the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Severn has reviewed the tax classification requirements of the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum to be designated as a <<commercial" class for assessment by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation; AND WHEREAS this property is.operated as a non-profit heritage museum for the enjoyment of all visitors; AND WHEREAS the commercial class causes financial hardship for non-profit heritage properties with respect to the annual taxation; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Severn hereby respectfully requests the Province of Onta,rio to create an appropriate tax class under the Assessment Act for the Canadian Heritage museum and other similar type non-profit operations; AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be circulated to all municipalities within the Province requesting their support. , CARRIED <-" The Township of Severn would appreciate your support of this resolution Yours truly, cpfii( Sfed Phil Sled Mayor /mph Mun~cipal Office: 1024 Hurlwood Lane Telephone: (705) 325-2315 Fax: (70S) 327-5818 Email: severn@encode.com Web Site: www.townshlpofsevem.com The Corporation of the Town of Essex J. E. Marion, B.Comm., AMCTO Clerk December 6, 2006 The Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 777 Bay Street, 17'h Floor Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E5 Re: Municipal Liability Insurance Dear Honourable Sir: As you are aware, municipal insurance costs are escalating annually to the point where they are becoming a financial hardship on a number of Ontario municipalities, including the Town of Essex. As a result of a review of its current insurance coverage, the Council of the Town of Essex, at their December 6, 2005 meeting passed the following resolution and respectfully requests your serious consideration of the suggestion contained therein: "Moved by Deputy Mayor Dufour, seconded by Councillor Timmins that WHEREAS, municipalities have experienced significant increases in the cost of liability insurance; AND WHEREAS, a significant factor in the cost of municipal liability insurance relates to The Negligence Act RS.O 1990; AND WHEREAS, The Negligence Act RS.O. 1990 can mandate a municipality to pay 100% of a loss when in fact they could be as little as 1 % liable; AND WHEREAS, other Provinces have amended The Negligence Act so that only where a Municipality is found to be at least 50% liable would the full claim be paid. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of Ontario be requested to amend The Negligence Act RS.O. 1990 so that only where a Municipality is found to be at least 50% liable would the full claim be paid. AND FURTHER, that this resolution be circulated to A.M.O., as well as to all municipalities in the Province of Ontario for support. Carried" Thanking you in advance for your attention to this most important municipal matter. Yours truly, ~ Jerry Marion, Clerk cc. A.M.O. Ontario Municipalities 33 Talbot St. S., Essex, Ontario N8M 1A8 Tel: (519) 776-7336 ext.12 Fax: (519) 776-8811 e-mail: jmarion@townofessex.on.ca F.................i.C............M.-...................'...'.....' : '-,' . '. _0 . _ .. ; . ',' I' t '_ " I ..~..... _./ - .: ". ,",:" , ! Z4mc.~.nec~ Orm_tON) KlN"P3 nt. (613) :~U"S'%21 Pax: (61') 241..7440 Mr. Mark G. McDonald Chief Administrative Officer County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas ON N5R 5V1 r;~".'f'~' .',T. M" ....~..". ',.".. .:_000.' ___.:..c', .1lIJjJg.P ...' M06070255 2005-11-29 1 1 2006-2007 Fedm.m:m aanadieDJ.1e des; mtmidpUidl Membership for 2006-2007 -Membership Fee for April 1106 to March 31/07 Base fee $100 + fee population of 48317 @ 11.3if, per capita. Please note that population figures are taken from the Statistics Canada 2001 Census. 5559.82 5559.82 Cotisation 2006-2007 -Frais de cotisation pour la periode du 1er avril 2006 au 31 mars 2007 Taux de base de 100 $ + les frais selon votre population de 48317 au taux de 11 ,3if, par habitant. Veuillez noter que les chiffres de population ont ete tires du Recensement de 2001 de Statistique Canada. '"B' (613) 241-5221 CS(613)241-7440 federati<>l1@fcm.ca Websltefsite Web: www.fcm.ClI Centre for Sllstainable Community Development Centre. poudedeveloppemerit des collectivitesviables Q!!J(613) 24.4-1515 communities@fcm.ca IntemationalCentre for Municipal Devel()pment eentteinternatillnalpour Ie devclllPpement municipal Q!!J"(613)24H117 intetnational@ftm.i:a .' Poli<;y, Advocacy and Communi<;ations Department Service des politiques, prOmOtiol des interetS et comrtlUnicatioru Q!!J(613)241-7440 poli<;y@fcm.ca FCM's 69'" Annual Conference and Municipal ExpoThl June 2-5, 2006 Montreal, Quebec See you there! 5559.82 69' Congresannuel.et ExP9 municipaleMcde la FCM Du2au5juin,2006 Monrreal,Quebec Au plaisirde vous reneonrrer! GST # 1 No. De TPS: 11891 3938 RT0001 5559.82 Please include a copy of this invoice with your payment. Veuillez retourner un copie de la facture avec votre paiement. Thank You I Merci CITY OF PORT COLBORNE 66 CHARLOTTE STREET PORT COLBORNE, ON L3K 3C8 PORT COLBORNE December 14t\ 2005. Municipalities of Ontario Dear Councils: Property Tax and Assessment Issues At its meeting of December 12t\ 2005, the Council of the Corporation of the City of Port Colbome resolved as follows: "WHEREAS the residents of the rural community of Sherkston in the City of Port Colbome in the Niagara Region sponsored two community meetings regarding the sharply higher market values for their homes; AND WHEREAS municipal governments in Ontario are required to subsidize provincial health and social services programs, like welfare and employment services, disability benefits, drug benefits, social housing, child care, homes for the aged, public health and ambulances services; AND WHEREAS many young families and seniors in Ontario are finding the municipal property tax to be a financial hardship; AND WHEREAS other housing costs such as hydro rates, natural gas rates and costs for water and sewer treatment and virtually all costs of running a home are increasing sharply; AND WHEREAS the incomes of working families and seniors have not kept pace with these escalating costs; AND WHEREAS due to increases in municipal property tax and other housing costs many working families and seniors will be forced out of their homes and the communities that they love; NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PORT COLBORNE RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: THAT the Province of Ontario be requested to provide relief and remedy for working families and seniors who are hardest hit by unacceptable spikes in the cost of living and by the likely property tax increases to come; and THAT the Province of Ontario be requested to end its downloading of provincial programs and the use of municipal property tax dollars for the subsidization of provincial health and social services programs; and ...2 -2- THAT the Province of Ontario be urged to work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to develop a plan to begin the immediate uploading of provincial program costs back to where they belong to be funded through Provincial revenues. THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, The Minister of Finance, The Association of Municipalities of Ontario for distribution to all municipalities in Ontario, T. Hudak, MPP., and B. Sa~acino, Regional Councillor, for support." Your favourable consideration of Council's request for support would be greatly appreciated. Janet Beckett City Clerk. City of Port Colbome TELEPHONE 905-835-2900 FAX 905-834-5746 EMAIL: janetbeckett@city.portcolborne.on.ca www.cityofkingston.ca City of Kingston 216 Ontario Street Kingston, Ontario Canada K7L 2Z3 where history and innovation thrive 2005-11-23 TO: Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, Rm 281, Main Legislative Building, Toronto ON M7 A 1A4 Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing, 777 Bay St, 17th FIr., Toronto, ON M5G2E5 Caroline Di Cocco, MPP, Sarnia-Lambton, Rm 160, Main Legislative Building, Toronto, ON M7A lA4 Members of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills Ontario Municipalities with a Population over 50,000 RE: BILL 123 - TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC MATTERS ACT This will confirm that at the regular meeting of Kingston City Council held on November 22,2005, the following Motion (2) was approved: (2) Moved by Deputy Mayor Foster Seconded by Councillor Pater WHEREAS the provincial Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills is currently debating Private Members Bill 123 Transparency in Public Matters Act; and WHEREAS the proposed legislation includes municipal council and committees; and WHEREAS the proposed legislation adds requirements to notice provisions, open meetings, minutes, forms of meetings, among other matters all of which are addressed in the Municipal Act, which would create confusion for council, administration and the public; and WHEREAS the Municipal Act is currently under review and is being informed by input from the municipal and private sectors among others; and WHEREAS the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and others have urged the Standing Committee to remove any reference to municipal councils or council committees from this legislation and allow transparency and accountability issues to continue to be regulated under the Municipal Act; THEREFORE BE IT RESOL VED that the City of Kingston urges the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to vote against the Bill if the reference to 'municipal councils' is not deleted in the Bill as reported by the Standing Committee; and that a copy of this resolution be provided to The Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and Caroline Di Cocco, MPP, Sarnia-Lambton; And further That this Motion be circulated to the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty and all municipalities in Ontario having a population over 50,000. CARRIED AS AMENDED Yours truly, /~ez~~ . Carolyn Downs City Clerk /ki cc: Deputy Mayor L. Foster File No. PIS Council Support Division Corporate Services Phone: (613) 546-4291 ext. 1247 Fax: (613) 546-5232 cdowns@cityofkingston.ca www.cityofkingston.ca City of Kingston 216 Ontario Street Kingston, Ontario Canada K7L 2Z3 where history and innovation thrive 2005-12-08 TO: Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, Rm 281, Main Legislative Building, Toronto ON M7A 1A4 Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing, 777 Bay St, 17th FIr., Toronto, ON M5G 2E5 Hon. Donna Cansfield, Minister of Energy, Hearst Block, 4th FIr., 900 Bay St., Toronto, ON M7 A 2El AMO, 393 University Ave., Suite 1701, Toronto, ON M5G 1E6 Ontario Municipalities with a Population over 50,000 RE: FUTURE UTILITY RATE INCREASES - DEREGULATION AND INCREASED PRIVATIZATION OF ENERGY MARKET This will confirm that at the regular meeting of Kingston City Council held on November 22,2005, the following Motion (1), was approved: (1) Moved by Councillor Garrison Seconded by Councillor Pater WHEREAS Utilities rates have increased and will continue to increase at a rate much higher than the expected rate of inflation. WHEREAS all citizens, particularly those citizens on low and fixed incomes, are experiencing and will continue to experience great difficulty paying for rising utilities rates. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Kingston City Council direct an amount not to exceed $50,000 from the Working Fund Reserve towards a Utilities Outreach position and that this position be further investigated for possible inclusion in the 2007 Utilities Budget ( BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT because the provincial government's policy of deregulation and increased privatization of the energy market has helped cause these rate increases, Kingston City Council requests that the provincial government implement measures such as, but not limited to, a program to subsidize utilities for persons on low or fixed incomes, in order to lessen the impact of increased utilities rates. -and further- THA T a copy of this resolution be circulated to the Honourable John Gerretsen, M.P.P., the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier, the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario Minister of Energy, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all municipalities on our standard mailing list for endorsement. CARRIED AS AMENDED Yours truly, ~. Carolyn Downs City Clerk /ki cc: Councillor S. Garrison J. Keech, President & CEO, Utilities Kingston File No. Council Support Division Corporate Services Phone: (613) 546-4291 ext. 1247 Fax: (613) 546-5232 cdowns@cityofkingston.ca Office of the Town Clerk TELEPHONE 905-468-3266 FACSIMILE 905-468-2959 Niagara~On::rte~~ . 1593 CREEK ROAD P.O. Box 100 VIRGIL, ONTARIO LOS 1 TO December 15, 2005 All Ontario Municipalities With Populations Under 35,000 and Including All Lower Tier Municipalities Within the Regions of Niagara, Waterloo and York Re: Report PW-05-0062 Report of the Water Strategy Expert Panel Please be advised that the Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake at their regular meeting held Monday, November 28, 2005 approved the following recommendations: 1. that Council express its disapproval of all of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Expert Panel on Water and Wastewater Strategy which gives Regional Municipalities exclusive jurisdiction over all elements of the water and wastewater sector at the exclusion of lower tier municipalities with less than 10,000 customers; and, 2. that the Clerk forward a copy of the Council's resolution to all Ontario municipalities with populations under 35,000 and including all lower tier municipalities within the Regions of Niagara, Waterloo and York for their support to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Should you wish a complete copy of Report PW-05-062, please contact the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Clerk's Department at (905) 468-3266. On behalf of the Council of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake we would look forward to your support and ask that you forward it to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. y~~ Holly Dowd Town Clerk copy: Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) First Capital oJ Upper Canada - 1792 Affaires juridiques Law CN Canadien National 935, rue de La Gauchetiere ouest Montreal (Quebec) Canada H3B 2M9 Telephone: (514) 399-4260 Telecopieur: (514) 399-4296 Canadian National 935 de La Gauchetiere Street West Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 2M9 Telephone: (514) 399-4260 Facsimile: (514) 399-4296 ~ December 20, 2005 DEe :2 1 2005 VIA COURIER Elgin County 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 Attention: Mark G. McDonald. CAO Southwold Township , ,""-"~._,=~,,..~,,,,,,,, 35663 Fingal Line !~.o.Ml~\jl~H r~jH ~YI:; Fingal, ON NOL 1 KO Attention: David Aristone, CAO-Clerk , , - .,,,,-" ;""~ ~i ~~:\! fful !!\~ i '\? ~ JP '~I~!''iJ t'!:fY'~tl~\;; l( ',~ ~l.! ;jsQ,'lI:l>I' _ 1s. Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich Township 199 Main Street Dutton, ON NOL 1 JO Attention: Ken Loveland. Town Clerk/Adm. Municipality of West Elgin Township 22413 Hoskins Line Rodney, ON NOL 2CO Attention: Norma Bryant. Clerk Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre 315 King St. West PO Box 640 Chatham ON N7M 5K8 Attention: J.G. Pavelka. CAO Dear Sirs and Madame: RE: PROPOSED DISCONTINUANCE OF RAILWAY LINE, CASO SUBDIVISION FROM A POINT NEAR ST. THOMAS (APPROX. MILE 117.49) TO A POINT NEAR FARGO (APPROX. MILE 168.68) PROVINCE OF ONTARIO On May 13, 2004 Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) indicated in their respective three-year rail rationalization plans their Company's intention to discontinue the operation of the above railway line. Subsequently, on May 16, 2005 CN on its own behalf and on behalf of CP, CNCP Niagara-Windsor and the Canada Southern Railway Company advertised the availability of the railway line for sale in national and local newspapers, for its continued operation, as well as their intention to discontinue operating the line if it is not sold. Section 145 of the Canada Transportation Act provides that where no interested parties have registered an expression of interest, or no agreement with an interested party is reached within the required time, the railway line shall be simultaneously offered for sale to, the Provincial Minister of Transport, and Municipal or District Governments whose territory the railway line passes through. For your information, in the present case no offer need be extended to the w:\laW\winword\lynda\2005\offer to municipalities caso sub. doc December 20, 2005 Page 2 Federal Government because the line in question does not meet the prescribed statutory criteria. After the offer is received by the Provincial Minister, the Government of the Province may accept it within thirty days. The Municipal or District Governments may accept it within an additional thirty days after the end of this period. Once a Government communicates its written acceptance of the offer to the railway company, the right of any other Government to accept the offer is extinguished. The statutory time for expressions of interest has now expired, and no agreement was entered into. Accordingly, as prescribed under section 145 of the Canada Transportation Act, CN on its own behalf and on behalf of CP, CNCP Niagara-Windsor and the Canada Southern Railway Company hereby offers to sell all of its interest in this railway line to each municipal or district government addressed above, for the sum of $8,566,500.00, an amount which does not exceed the net salvage value of the railway line. This offer is subject to standard conditions for acquiring railway lines (available upon request). A similar offer has also been extended today to the Minister of Transportion of the Province of Ontario. For more information concerning this line please contact Mr. John Brayley, Manager Network Strategies, by telephone at (514) 399-5386 or by fax at (514) 399-8823 In the event that you wish to accept this offer, you may advise this office in writing at the earliest possible date, but no later than February 21, 2006. Yours very truly, /~ Jean D. Patenaude Counsel VIA COURIER cc: The Honourable Harinder Takhar Minister of Transportion Province of Ontario Ferguson Block 3rd Floor 77 Wellesley St W Toronto, ON M7 A cc: Marc Shannon Canadian Pacific Railway Legal Services Suite 2000, Gulf Canada Square 401 - 9th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 4Z4 w:\jaw\winword\lynda\2005\offer to municipalities caso sub.doc Affaires juridiques Law CN Canadien National 935, rue de La Gauchetiere ouest Montreal (Quebec) Canada H3B 2M9 Telephone: (514) 399-4260 Telecopieur: (514) 399-4296 Canadian National 935 de La Gauchetiere Street West Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 2M9 Telephone: (514) 399-4260 Facsimile: (514) 399-4296 VIA COURIER December 20, 2005 The Honourable Harinder Takhar Minister of Transportion Province of Ontario Ferguson Block 3rd Floor 77 Wellesley St W Toronto, ON M7A 1Z8 Dear Sir: RE: PROPOSED DISCONTINUANCE OF RAILWAY LINE, CASO SUBDIVISION FROM A POINT NEAR ST. THOMAS (APPROX. MILE 117.49) TO A POINT NEAR FARGO (APPROX. MILE 168.68) PROVINCE OF ONTARIO On May 13, 2004 Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) indicated in their respective three-year rail rationalization plans their Company's intention to discontinue the operation of the above railway line. Subsequently, on May 16, 2005 CN on its own behalf and on behalf of CP, CNCP Niagara-Windsor and the Canada Southern Railway Company advertised the availability of the railway line for sale in national and local newspapers, for its continued operation, as well as their intention to discontinue operating the line if it is not sold. Section 145 of the Canada Transportation Act provides that where no interested parties have registered an expression of interest, or no agreement with an interested party is reached within the required time, the railway line shall be simultaneously offered for sale to, the Provincial Minister of Transport, and Municipal or District Governments whose territory the railway line passes through. For your information, in the present case no offer need be extended to the Federal Government because the line in question does not meet the prescribed statutory criteria. After the offer is received by the Provincial Minister, the Government of the Province may accept it within thirty days. The Municipal or District Governments may accept it within an additional thirty days after the end of this period. Once a Government communicates its written acceptance of the offer to the railway company, the right of any other Government to accept the offer is extinguished. The statutory time for expressions of interest has now expired, and no agreement was entered into. Accordingly, as prescribed under section 145 of the Canada Transportation Act, CN on its own behalf and on behalf of CP, CNCP Niagara-Windsor and the Canada Southern Railway Company hereby offers to sell all of its interest in this railway line to the Government of the Province of Ontario for the sum of $8,566,500.00, an amount which does not exceed the net salvage value of the railway line. This offer is subject to standard conditions for acquiring railway lines (available upon request). A similar offer has also been extended today to the appropriate Municipal and District Governments. For more information concerning this line please contact Mr. John Brayley, Manager Network Strategies, by telephone at (514) 399-5386 or by fax at (514) 399-8823 w:\laW\winword\lynda\200S\offer to province of ontario caso sub.doc The Honourable Harinder Takhar December 20, 2005 Page 2 In the event that you wish to accept this offer, you may advise this office in writing at the earliest possible date, but no later than January 20, 2006. Yours very truly, /~ Jean D. Patenaude Counsel VIA COURIER cc: Elgin County 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 Attention: Mark G. McDonald, CAO cc: Southwold Township 35663 Fingal Line Fingal, ON NOL 1 KO Attention: David Aristone, CAO-Clerk cc: Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich Township 199 Main Street Dutton, ON NOL 1 JO Attention: Ken Loveland, Town Clerk/Adm. cc: Municipality of West Elgin Township 22413 Hoskins Line Rodney, ON NOL 2CO Attention: Norma Bryant. Clerk cc: Municipality of Chatham-Kent Civic Centre 31 5 King St. West PO Box 640 Chatham ON N7M 5K8 Attention: J.G. Pavelka, CAO w:\IaW\winword\lynda\2005\offer to province of ontario caso sub.doc The Honourable Harinder Takhar December 20, 2005 Page 3 cc: Marc Shannon Canadian Pacific Railway Legal Services Suite 2000, Gulf Canada Square 401 - 9th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 4Z4 w:\Iaw\winword\lynda\2005\offer to province of ontario caso sub.doc OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT December 2005 Association of Municipalities of Ontario County of Elgin 450 Sunset Dr. St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 DEe 2 3 2005 OF ELGIN ArJM!N~SlP~T!VE To Municipal Clerk and Members of Council: 2005 has been a busy year for municipal government and 2006 will be likewise, and we need your membership if we are to continue being successful. We are losing the stakeholder label and now being considered an order of government and partners, of the provincial and federal governments. But we have more work to do and 2006 will require an even stronger municipi'll presence to keep the momentum. A Trilateral Table has been agreed to and we are determined to make it work for our members. This and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Province are taking up more resources as we continue to advocate for AMO membern. . AMO, on behalf of the federal government, has distributed almost all of the federal gas tax funds for this year - $174 million, growing to $581 million by 2009. If you have not executed your Municipal Funding Agreement, here is a reminder to do so. We want all of Ontario's municipalities to have these revenue-sharing funds in their accounts, along with the full GST rebates. All our voices, together, have made these a reality and, in real terms, demonstrate the value of your membership dollar. We have also been successful federally and provincially on affordable housing, child care and immigration - all have long term agreements. But we still have more to do in order to get the best operational fit for the different circumstances that each community faces. We have seen many pieces of provincial legislation - some we called for such as planning reform, and changes to the Municipal Act. Then there are some we didn't ask for and are working hard to prevent or ensure municipal interests are protected, such as Bill 206, OMERS devolution and private members Bill 123. It takes a great deal of effort and resources to mount these advocacy campaigns. There is one campaign that is most critical to our taxpayers - the $ 3 billion provincial-municipal gap. We have called on the Premier to work with us in developing an exit strategy that would set out activities and timelines for uploading the costs for downloaded programs. Using municipal property taxes to fund provincial programs is not sustainable. It is just wrong and must be rectified. The last two provincial budgets saw a plan for health and education. We strongly believe that municipal governments deserve no less in 2006. But we cannot do any of this, nor bring the municipal voice forward in a forceful, clear and timely way unless we have you as a member. AMO's membership dues are one of the most affordable. We bring you tangible benefits - in terms of new revenue sources as mentioned above and through cost avoidance such as the amendment that will limit the OMB's scope on appeals, which should save on the costs of hearings. Membership also offers other cost savings. In the ever increasing world of energy costs, AMO has saved members $6 million through the AMO/LAS gas bulk purchasing. The ONE Fund is growing, both in participants and invested dollars - earning higher returns for municipal governments and really stretching the taxpayer dollar. Stay tuned for our electricity procurement and 3-1 ~ 1 programs. These programs are another way to get an even higher return on your membership fee. Collective strength, clarity of the municipal voice, and a high municipal participation rate are necessary to ensuring the outcomes our members want, and our communities need. I look forward to your membership with the Association in 2006, and thank you for your support. ~~~ Roger Anderson President 393 University Ave., Suite 1701 Toronto, ON M5G 1 E6 tel: (416) 971-9856 . toll free: 1-877-426-6527 · fax: (416) 971-6191 . email: amo@amo.municom.com ~bi. Association of Municipalities of Ontario Association of Municipalities of Ontario 2006 MEMBERSHIP INVOICE Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Dr. S1. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 Invoice No.: 2006-M-10707 Invoice Date: December 21, 2005 Due Date: January 20, 2006 BILLED TO AMOUNT County of Elgin $ 3,428.69 Membership fee for the period: January 1 , 2006 - December 31 , 2006 GST EXEMPT Membership Grouping: MUN I UPP (fold bottom edge to this line) At its meeting on December 9, 2005, the AMO Board passed the Association's 2006 budget which provided that membership fees be calculated using the most current household data available from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and that a 3% across-the-board increase be added to the calculated fee. Your Municipality's fee was based on a total of 18,736 households as reported by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Please direct inquiries to: Deborah Hannah at 416-971-9856 Ext. 310 dhannah @amo.on.ca 393 University Avenue, Suite 1701 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1 E6 Tel: 416-971-9856 Toll Free: 1-877-426-6527 Fax: 416-971-6191 CITY OF SARNIA City Clerk's Department Telephone: (519) 332..()330 Fax: (519) 332-3995 E-mail: clerks@city.samia.on.ca 255 North Christina Street P.O. Box 3018 . Stirnia, ON .N7T 7N2 December 2nd, 2005 JAN E ~ ~QO.Q C"g ''''I~! t~,lliJJii'iJ ADMINl~lRA'tWE To. Wham It May Cancern: Re: 2006 MPAC Assessment Values Sarnia City Cauncil, at its meeting held an Navember 21 st, 2005, cansidered the abave matter and the fallawing resalutian was adapted: THAT the City o.f Sarnia request that the Minister o.f Finance and Minister o.f Municipal Affairs and Ho.using defer the 2006 MP A C assessment values until the Ombudsman's investigation into. the MP A C pro.cess o.f Pro.perty Assessment has been co.mpleted, and FURTHER be it reso.lved that the 2004 Assessment values remain in place until the Ombudsmen's repo.rt and its reco.mmendatio.ns has been repo.rted to. the Public, and THAT this reso.lutio.n be circulated to. the Members o.f AMO and the City o.f To.ro.nto., seeking their suppo.rt, and that a co.py o.fthis reso.lutio.n be sent to. the Ho.no.urable Mr.' Gerretso.n. Yaur support of Council's resalution would be appreciated. Yours truly, ~ . , ...,.i.. '!~.. ;'. ' '\;7 .,/"..........,....,"....:.. .. .' ..... Brian W. Knatt City Solicitor/Clerk' /po cc. Han. Mr. Gerretsan D. Anderson Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Minister 6th Floor 400 University Avenue Toronto ON M7A 2R9 Tel.: (416) 325-6200 Fax: (416) 325-6195 December, 2005 Dear friends, Ministere des Affaires civiques et de l'lmmigration Ministre 6" etage 400, avenue University Toronto ON M7 A 2R9 Tel.: (416) 325-6200 Telec.: (416) 325-6195 [Ii ""..,. Ontario t'!\\;, {J1~';i))Jll f~ Iil,II l' ~, f~ tJ ~&: JAN - 3 2006 It is my pleasure to invite you to participate in Ontario's volunteer recognition programs for the year 2006. Each year over 2.3 million Ontarians volunteer, helping this province to grow and thrive. We appreciate and commend the work, patience and self-sacrifice of these exceptional individuals. The Ontario government recognizes volunteers from all sectors through the following programs; The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, which recognize volunteers for continuous years of service with a community group; The Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism in Ontario, which recognize superlative volunteer work undertaken by individuals, groups or businesses; and The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, which is presented to young volunteers between the ages of 15 and 24 years of age. Volunteers are a vital resource, and they playa significant role in building strong and diverse communities. Recently, through their support in times of extreme need, we have seen how Ontarians are not only instrumental in the enrichment of their own communities, but in communities across the globe. By submitting a nomination, organizations such as yours can help ensure that volunteers receive the recognition they deserve. Please take this opportunity to nominate volunteers from your organization for the appropriate award program and feel free to share this letter with other organizations that would be interested in participating in these worthwhile programs. I have included a link to our Ministry website, which will provide your organization with further information about each award program. Go to www.citizenship.gov.on.caand click on Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat. I thank you in advance for your participation. Sincerely, ~ Mike Colle Minister 10.107 Office of the Deputy Minister 10th Floor, Hepburn Block 80 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A 1R3 Tel (416) 327-4296 Fax (416) 326-1570 Bureau du Sous-Ministre @ Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Ministere de la Sante et des Soins de longue duree 10. etage, Edifice Hepburn, 80 rue Grosvenor Toronto ON M7A 1R3 Tel (416) 327-4296 Telee (416) 326-1570 January 18,2006 TO: MOHL TC Stakeholders As you know, Ontario's government is making major changes to the province's health system to ensure its sustainability for years to come. You are already familiar with some of the key changes, most notably the creation of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). To align with these external changes and to refocus internally, I announced to ministry staff earlier today that our ministry will be reorganized during the next two years. This reorganization will allow the ministry to focus more on providing overall direction and leadership for the province's health care system. Essentially, the ministry's future role will focus on stewardship, on planning, and on guiding resources to bring value to the health system. Ultimately, this new role will allow us to deliver more responsive and more sustainable health care. That's because Ontario's health system will be based on accurate forecasting and analysis, and effective planning and implementation. The ministry will have four new divisions - Health System Information Management; Health System Strategy; Health System Investment and Funding; and Health System Accountability and Performance. The Public Health Division will not be affected by this reorganization at this time. In addition, a number of corporate functions will be organized as a division and will report directly to me. Under these new, focussed divisions, the ministry's principal functions will be to: . Establish overall strategic directions and provincial priorities for the health system; . Develop legislation, regulations, standards, policies, and directives to support those strategic directions; . Monitor and report on the performance of the health system and the health of Ontarians; and . Plan for and establish funding models and levels of funding for the health care system. This change in organization will affect most of the areas of the ministry. But given the nature of the change, the Ministry's Regional Offices in the Community Health and Acute Services Divisions will feel the most immediate impact in the short term since they will close over the next 12 to 14 months. The changes to the regional structure are necessary to make way for LHINs and their new role. I will be visiting the Regional Offices in the near future to speak directly to affected staff to let them know that their dedication and hard work over the years has been much appreciated and that they will receive support throughout the upcoming change. It is important for all transfer payment agencies to understand that they will continue to work with Regional Offices until such time as there is a specific direction to change their reporting relationships. The ministry reorganization will occur in three phases. Phase 1 will focus on strategy - integrating, implementing and supporting the new strategy division, and will take place in six months. Phase 2 will strengthen accountability, and will follow over the following nine months to coincide with the implementation ofLHIN authorities. And in Phase 3, each of the new divisions will be fully functional. Accountability, strategy and transaction management will be integrated into the new ministry structure, and will take place over the fmal14 or so months, taking us into 2008. 1615.02 (02101) 7530-4659 As we move forward toward the vision of a new health care system, you will increasingly hear from your local LHIN offices. Your cooperation, as LHINs take on their new responsibilities, will be very welcome. Many of you will appreciate the reasons for these changes, but let me reiterate them: . Over the last two decades, health care costs have continued to rise (about eight per cent annually over the last five years). This fiscal year, the Ministry will spend some $33 billion, which represents 46 per cent of Ontario's total government program spending. . Driving these increasing costs is the reality of a growing and aging population in Ontario. Here and around the world, our aging population is having an enormous impact on health care costs and will continue to do so well into the future. . Adding to this are the costs of medical technology, information management and new treatments, along with increasing drug and other treatment costs that have resulted from the introduction of new drugs and their increased use. . The need for the ministry to focus more attention to strategic planning and management. . The intention of government to delegate significant authorities to local agencies. At the same time, the system of health-service delivery is changing: . There are higher expectations to provide higher volumes of service and in a more productive way. Reducing wait times is one example of this. . The need to continually improve service delivery will intensify. For example, in the area of primary care, the establishment of Family Health Teams will allow the health system to use health professionals earlier. They will anticipate health problems before they become severe, benefiting the patient and the health system. . The Ministry is seeing a change from program funding and management to higher levels of accountability through accountability agreements and compliance, to satisfy both public and government expectations. For all of these reasons, it is important that we change our focus to strategy, accountability, and the longer- term picture. Shortly, I will be appointing a transition team, led by a senior ministry executive and reporting directly to me. This team will oversee the change process, develop transition plans and tools, monitor progress and keep ministry staff informed. I am committed to keeping you apprised of changes that will affect you directly over the course of the next few years. My hope is that you will embrace these and other upcoming changes to our health system and give us your support and commitment. Your role as leaders, providers and stakeholders is pivotal to bringing about these changes, which constitute the biggest transformation to our health system we have yet seen in this province and which will result in a more efficient and effective health system for all Ontarians. Should you have any questions about this new direction for the ministry, please speak with the MORL TC staff you normally deal with for more information. Sincerely, Original signed by Ron Sapsford, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Attachment 14-075 2 CORRESPONDENCE - JANUARY 24. 2006 Items for Information (Consent Aaenda) 1. Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Members' Advisory, "First FCM Technical Mission to Sir Lanka in Progress As Tsunami Anniversary Approaches. (ATTACHED) 2. Hon. David Caplan, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, concerning the application for funding through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF). (ATTACHED) 3. M. Bredeson, Executive Correspondence Officer, Office of the Prime Minister, acknowledging Council's resolution concerning the wholesale gasoline sector. 4. Catherine Brown, Assistant Deputy Minister, Integrated Environment Planning Division and Jim Smith Assistant Deputy Minister Drinking Water Management Division, Chief Drinking Water Inspector, Ministry of the Environment, concerning the introduction of the Clean Water Act, 2005, in the Ontario Legislature. (ATTACHED) 5. Ontario News Release Communique, "Countdown Begins to End of Mandatory Retirement in Ontario'. (ATTACHED) 6. Carllsenburg, President and Chief Administrative Officer, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), with details of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation's funding requirements for 2006. (ATTACHED) 7. AMO Member Communication ALERT: 1) MMAH Introduces Proposed Amendments to Planning Act and the Ontario Municipal Board; 2) AMO Fact Sheet - $3 Billion Gap; 3) MMAH Introduces Proposed Amendments to Planning Act and the Ontario Municipal Board"; 4) (ATTACHED) 8. John Tory, M.P.P., Leader of the Official Opposition, with correspondence concerning Bill 37 - "The Disrespect for Taxpayers Act". (ATTACHED) 9. Hon. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Minister of Labour, with copy of correspondence to: 1) Hon. John Gerretsen, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, concerning Bill 206, An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal Retirement System Act; 2) Hon. John Gerretsen, with a copy of Council's presentation concerning Bill 206; 3) Hon. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance, concerning the transparency of the practices of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation; 4) Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, concerning the downloading of provincial programs to municipalities and to begin to upload traditional provincial program costs back from municipalities; 5) Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, concerning the passage of Private Members' Bill 123, Transparency in Public Matters Act. (ATTACHED) 10. Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with correspondence concerning information regarding the Respect for Municipalities Act 2005. (ATTACHED) 11. Neal Snutch, Councillor, Township of Ramara, Chair of OSUM, with registration forms and information concerning the 53rd Annual Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) Conference and Trade Show. (ATTACHED) 12. Ernie Hardeman, M.P.P. - Oxford, PC Municipal Affairs Critic, with copy of correspondence regarding the Bill 206, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act, 2005. (ATTACHED) 13. Graham Hart, Chairperson, Thames Valley District School Board, thanking Warden Mcintyre for County Council's endorsement of West Elgin S.S. Council's input regarding the projected 2004-2005 Board surplus and 2005-06 contingency funds. (ATTACHED) 14. Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, acknowledging Council's support for the Township of Loyalist regarding compensation for livestock owners for predation by fishers in Ontario. (ATTACHED) 15. Josee Villeneuve, Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner (Civil Matters), Competition Bureau Canada, responding to Council's resolution supporting the Canadian Independent Petroleum Marketers Association's idea of asking the Federal Government to intervene in the wholesale gasoline sector to restore the free market system of competition. (ATTACHED) 16. Bob Habkirk, National Network, acknowledging Council's response to the delegation requesting funding for the pilot project for Med-Quest2006. (ATTACHED) 17. Hon. Laurel C. Broten, Ministry of the Environment, with information concerning Green Lane Landfill's proposed Optimization of the Green Lane Landfill Site Environmental Assessment. (ATTACHED) 18. Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with "End of Session Status on Legislation Relating to Municipal Governments". (ATTACHED) 19. Association of Municipalities of Ontario, with registration forms and accommodation information for the 107th AMO Annual Conference, August 13-16, 2006 at the Ottawa Congress Centre & Westin Hotel Ottawa. (ATTACHED) 20. Tony Woolgar, CEO, South West Local Health Integration Network, announcing four appointments to the South West Local Health Integration Network. (ATTACHED) 21. Hon. Gerry Phillips, Ministry of Government Services, responding to Council's correspondence concerning eligibility of municipal museums and public libraries for charitable lottery licensing. (ATTACHED) 22. P. Monteith, Executive Correspondence Officer, Office of the Prime Minister, acknowledging Council's resolution concerning supply management of dairy, eggs and poultry in Canada and the current round of World Trade Organization negotiations. Fax Server 12/9/2005 1:17 PAGE 001/001 Fax Server FCM Federation of Canadian Municipalities December 8, 2005 Please Distribute to All Members of Council MEMBERS' ADVISORY First FCM Technical Mission to Sri Lanka in Proaress As Tsunami Anniversarv Approaches FCM received many responses to last month's Call for Expressions of Interest from highly qualified municipal experts for the first technical mission for the Canada/Sri Lanka Municipal Cooperation Program (MCP). A strong team has been assembled for the planning process. The team includes: Mark Hymers, Senior Engineer, City of Fredericton; Muttiah Yathindra, Senior Project Engineer, City of Toronto; Peter Steblin, General Manager of Environmental and Engineering Services and City Engineer, City of London; Todd Pepper, General Manager, Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority; Derrick Bellows, Manager of Solid Waste, City of Regina; Emily Chu, Manager, Planning and Development, City of Coquitlam; and Kenneth Watson, City Manager, City of Port Alberni. Their mandate is to develop a needs assessment and comprehensive work plan with each of the Sri Lankan municipalities of Galle, Trincomalee, Batticaola, and Kalmunai. Team members will also provide immediate advice on the most pressing municipal issues facing these communities. In addition, the team will establish a field office and hire local staff. The mission started on November 24 and all will retum to Canada by December 18,2005. This is the first of many MCP missions. As needs and priorities become clear, new opportunities for other municipal experts will be posted on our website: www.fcm.ca (click "International"). Media Interest in the Anniversary of the Tsunami As the anniversary of the December 26, 2004 tsunami approaches, media interest in reconstruction efforts is increasing. We will soon send out a news release highlighting the Canadian municipal response. Members are encouraged to contact their local media about their municipality's contributions where applicable. To assist, a backgrounder and media advisory are available on the FCM website (see "Tsunami"). FCM's Canadal Aceh Local Government Assistance Program (CALGAP) We are now in the last phase of negotiations with the Canadian Intemational Development Agency (CIDA) regarding the Canada/Aceh Local Govemment Assistance Program (CALGAP) in Indonesia. The first technical mission to Indonesia is scheduled for February. For more information on our projects in Sri Lanka and Indonesia and how members can contribute, or to be added to the monthly e-mail update list, please contact Shelly Desjardins at sdesjardins@fcm.ca. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal Minlstare du Renouvellement de "infrastructure publique kMtl r\ \11~ ~ Ontario Minister 6th Floor, Mowat Block 900 Bay Street Toronto ON M7 A 1 L2 Tel.: 416 325-0424 Fax: 416 325.3013 www.pir.gov.on.ca Minlstre 6" etage, edifice Mowat 900, rue Bay Toronto ON M7A lL2 Tel. : 416325-0424 Telee, : 416325-3013 www,pir.gov,on.ea Mailing Address 777 Bay Street 4th Floor, Suite 425 Toronto ON M5G 2E5 Adresse postale : 777, rue Bay 4" etage, bureau 425 Toronto ON M5G 2E5 i!l 'm ~ ~ PIR1825MC-2005-107 November 21, 2005 Mr. Peter Dutchak Manager of Road Infrastructure County of Elgin Engineering Services 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas ON N5R 5V1 L 1 2 2005 Dear Mr. Dutchak: Steve Peters, MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London, sent me a copy of your letter regarding the application for funding through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) submitted by the County of Elgin for the replacement of the New Sarum Bridge, I am pleased to respond to you with information about COMRIF. Following the Intake 2 application deadline of September 30,2005, the COMRIF Joint Secretariat began reviewing all submissions. Announcements are anticipated early in the new year. Please be assured that COMRIF is a competitive. merit-based application process. Submissions must meet three broad criteria: value for money, health and safety, and support for provincial and federal policy objectives. You may wish to contact the Secretariat directly at 1-866-306-7827, or by fax at 519-826-4336, or bye-mail at info@comrif.ca for information about the status of the application. ... /2 - 2 - I certainly appreciate receiving your comments. However, as you know, the provincial portion of COMRIF is now among the responsibilities of my colleague, the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. I have sent her a copy of your letter for her consideration. Again, thank you for writing. Yours sincerely, / David Caplan Minister c: The Honourable Leona Dombrowsky Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Peters, MPP Elg in-Middlesex-London James A. Mcintyre, Warden County of Elgin His Worship David Rock Mayor of the Municipality of Central Elgin Sylvia Hofhuis Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Central Elgin ltj ......~ Onla"~' Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin - Middlesex - London ~. '\ (i\ 'K') I. ..~ t'vl (' _. \ \L' ;-!L!~)\.l"'--""" ......., )t'V:".1,I.? \ cr-", <j CX-\JL-J~'~- \ lJ -T October 7, 2005 CORRESPONDENCE UNIT ocr 2 1 Z005 Honourable David Caplan Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal Mowat Block, 6th Floor 900 Bay Street Toronto, ON M7A IC2 , MiNISTRY OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. RENEWAL Dear Minister: Please find enclosed a letter from Mr. Peter Dutchak, Manager of Road Infrastructure with the County of Elgin. As you will read in his letter, Mr. Dutchak has contacted me in writing to ask for my support of the County of Elgin's Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Intake 2 program application. For your consideration is the New Sarum bridge replacement project that has been identified as the County of Elgin's highest infrastructure priority. The New Sarum bridge is a vital component of one of my riding's busiest stretches of roads along the former Highway 74 now known as Belmont Road or County Road 74. Minister, I would like to take this opportunity to lend my full support of this application. I would appreciate you and your staff giving this project due consideration and responding directly to Mr. Dutchak. As always, thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, z--::, t:, \ --_'- _ \ \,&1 __ "~"A ~ '''''''~'''''')\'~' .~.,. '----....... Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin-Middlesex -London Cc: Mr. Peter Dutchak, Manager of Road Infrastructure, County of Elgin r,;j:! '1',.11".>1 SIr'eel. S1. Thnmas. ON NSP ICi T. (;,1<)) 6.31-0666 Toll liee - 1-I'lOO.:!(jr,-7631'l F - iiil'l) i>.)I.')~;:-K TT\.. (.,)1<)) ;;,,1,<)<)04 I': - 'pe!('rs.mpp.co('P)ib"ral.ol".o('g. \,"wlv.stevepeters.com PETER DUTCHAK, CET. Manager of Road Infrastructure 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5V1 Phone (519) 631-1460 ext. #4 Fax (519)631-4297 CLAYTON WATTERS, BASe., P.Eng. Director of Engineering Services Mr. Steve Peters, MPP 542 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 1C4 r'u7""'- - --~ 1/ <"r-__. .... ..' ! "'.,- '.,," .,-, " , t~---"__' / ,,- :;f)J5 Ii - ~- ----......-- September 27, 2005 Re: Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) Intake 2 County of Elgin - New Sarum Bridge Replacement Please find attached to this letter a copy of the electronic application that the County of Elgin has submitted for COMRIF Intake 2. County Council has stated that the replacement of the New Sarum Bridge is the County of Elgin's highest infrastructure priority. Belmont Road (County Road 74) and the New Sarum Bridge were downloaded from the Province to the County of Elgin in 1996. Belmont Road is a significant arterial roadway with a daily traffic volume of 3,200 vehicles and is the only direct route connecting Highway #3 and Highway 401 between the City of St. Thomas and the Town of Aylmer. The New Sarum Bridge was constructed in 1938 and at 67 years of age, the bridge has deteriorated to a condition where it must be replaced. The County of Elgin is facing a backlog of road infrastructure needs totaling more than $130 Million dollars. Without fundin.g programs such as COMRIF, the County cannot address these needs if solely funded by the County's taxpayers. With only $4 Million dollars allocated annually towards all road projects, approved funding for this proposed $1.5 Million dollar project would greatly aid the County's capital program. County Council would therefore like to thank you for your support of this program and assisting municipalities with infrastructure needs. ...2 Page 2 Re: Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) County o~ Elgin - Sunse~ Roa~ Rehabili!,ation Project Appli~ation Supporting information that has accompanied our application (including technical schedules, engineering reports and questionnaires) has not been included in this package, however, if you wish to receive any of this information please do not hesitate to have your staff contact our offices. Peter Dutchak, C.E.T. Manager of Road Infrastructure County of Elgin Engineering Services COMRIF Intake 2.doc ce. James A. McIntyre, Warden, County of Elgin David Rock, Mayor, Municipality of Central Elgin Sylvia Hofhuis, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Central Elgin ~ Office of the Prime Minister Cabinet du Premier ministre ,I Ottawa, Canada K1 A OA2 December 6, 2005 ~;.C_'i1;ii: 1',' I" '" b"c~ '2 'lOn~ Mrs. Sandra J. Heffren Manager of Administrative Services County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5Vl ( ""n f"~~'", ~,-:.;~ :;. \~,~<i" ~~V.Ol> At'A\nl'\l~~. """~..~,,, ".";'8 '<:,"1' :' on ~ 't; .1{", -._ ~ F. F'"J \1~ ~i u i Dear Mrs. Heffren: On behalf of the Right Honourable Paul Martin, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence of November 23, with which you enclosed a resolution ofthe City of Niagara, as endorsed by the Council ofthe Corporation of the County of Elgin, regarding the wholesale gasoline sector. s You may be assured that the views expressed in the resolution have been carefully reviewed. As the matter you have raised falls within the responsibilities of the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Industry, I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to him. I am certain that the Minister will also appreciate receiving this information. II Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister. Yours sincerely, 'W) . IWJduwn M. Bredeson Executive Correspondence Officer Canada Ministry of the Environment Ministere de l'Environnement ~ Ontario 135 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto ON M4V 1 P5 135, avenue St.Clair ouest Toronto ON M4V 1 P5 December 6, 2005 Mark G. McDonald Administrator/Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive S1. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 ~,~l: ':'r~-" 1,:;a:. ;.. ~. DEe. '2 ~9US Dear Mark G. McDonald: We are pleased to announce that on December 5, 2005, the Minister of the Environment, Laurel C. Broten, introduced the Clean Water Act, 2005 in the Ontario Legislature. This legislation, if passed, will mandate source water protection planning in Ontario. Source water protection is an integral part of Ontario's strategy for protecting drinking water from source to tap. The health and safety of all Ontarians is of utmost importance to the ministry, and this proposed Act will help ensure Ontarians have access to clean, safe drinking water. This legislation will be a major component of the government's multifaceted water stewardship strategy and will establish a collaborative, locally-driven, science-based, multi-stakeholder process to protect drinking water sources. Source water protection promotes a shift in social attitudes with respect to water resources towards stewardship - the shared responsibility of all Ontarians to protect the integrity of local sources of public drinking water. Attached with this letter, you will find a news release and a backgrounder to provide your organization with further information on this important legislation. You can also visit our new web link for fact sheets and additional information at www.ontario.ca/c1eanwater. We encourage you to share the attached material with your colleagues and contacts to help raise awareness and to continue the dialogue. We look forward to discussing the proposed legislation with you over the coming months, and working with you to make source water protection planning a reality across Ontario. Yours truly, '~."'...'..""...:""'...'."'.".".....~......"..........~<...........................:............ . . . ' . '. " ' . . . . ".. . , - ." . :. ,.".. . .. ". . -.' , . . " . -." ~~~~ Catherine Brown Assistant Deputy Minister Integrated Environmental Planning Division Jim Smith Assistant Deputy Minister Drinking Water Management Division Chief Drinking Water Inspector Attachments News Release Commurlique @ Ontario Ministry of the Environment Ministere de I' Environnement For Immediate Release December 5, 2005 MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES CLEAN WATER ACT Proposed Legislation Would Help Protect Lakes, Rivers, Groundwater TORONTO - The McGuinty government is safeguarding the health of Ontario families and communities by introducing new legislation that would protect the natural sources of our drinking water, Environment Minister Laurel Broten announced today. "Everyone has a right to clean water. It is a priceless resource and we all have a responsibility to protect it," said Broten. "To keep our drinking water clean, we need to keep pollution from seeping into our streams, lakes and rivers." The proposed Clean Water Act, to be introduced today, would establish Ontario as a leader in the delivery of safe drinking water by: . Requiring municipalities and conservation authorities to map the sources of municipal drinking water supply, and especially the vulnerable areas that need protection, to prevent the supply from being depleted or contaminated. . Directing local communities to monitor any activity that could potentially threaten water quality or quantity and take action to reduce or remove that threat. -Empowering local authorities to take preventative measures before a threat to water can cause harm. For the first time, communities would work together across watersheds in full and public consultation to develop and execute plans to protect their drinking water sources. This new and better approach is based on good science, increased vigilance and the necessary foresight to avoid potential problems, not just deal with immediate ones. . To ensure that communities are able to fully complete these studies, the government recently announced an investment of $67.5 million - $51 million over five years for technical studies and $16.5 million for conservation authorities over the next year for staff and resources. . If passed, The Clean Water Act would help integrate water protection and growth planning and ensure that growing communities can continue to have an appropriate supply of safe, clean water. The act would better protect both the quantity and quality ofthe water in Ontario's aquifers, rivers and lakes, including the Great Lakes. "Our government is committed to protecting the environment and the health of all Ontarians," said Broten. "Today, and into the future, we all deserve to be fully confident that our drinking water is reliable and clean." . -30- 2 Contacts: Amie O'Hagan Minister's Office (416) 325-5809 John Steele Ministry of the Environment (416) 314-6666 Disponible en fram;ais www.ontario'.caJcleanwater Backgrounder Document d'information @ Ontario Ministry of the Environment Ministere de l'Environnement December 5, 2005 THE PROPOSED CLEAN WATER ACT The proposed Clean Water Act would, if passed, playa major role in fulfilling the McGuinty government's commitment to ensure that all Ontarians have access to safe drinking water. Protecting water at its source is the first step in ensuring safe drinking water. It means stopping contaminants from getting into sources of drinking water - lakes, rivers and aquifers. For the first time, communities will be required to work together to create and carry out a plan to protect their drinking water sources. The proposed Clean Water Act would do three things: . Direct local communities to look at any activity that could threaten water quality and take action to reduce or remove that threat. . Empower local authorities to take preventative measures before a threat to water can develop. This means municipalities and conservation authorities can take action on both existing and potential future threats to water quality. . Require that the whole community has a chance to participate in finding workable, effective solutions through full and public consultation. The province would not accept plans that have not had full consultation with towns, farmers, industries, health officials and the public. To ensure that c0ii11uunities are able to fbl1y complete these stuilies, the government recently announced an investment of $67.5 million - $51 million over five years for technical studies and $16.5 million for conservation authorities over the next year for staff and resources. The proposed act sets out five steps for communities to follow when developing their own plans to protect their drinking water sources: Pinpoint vulnerable water sources - Conservation authorities and municipalities would map out drinking water sources that need special protection. These include areas immediately around wellheads and water intakes, recharge areas and aquifers. .. Build on good science - Local authorities would use a science-based approach to measure threats to water quality and quantity, and decide that a threat either needs immediate action, . needs monitoring to ensure it doesn.'t become more serious, or can be managed over time with voluntary action. Bring local partners together - Once they have identified the threats, municipalities would work with conservation authorities, farmers and other landowners, industry, community groups and the public to come up with workable, effective plans to address them. .. ./2 -2- Put plans into action - This can be done through by-laws, education programs, incentives, land- use planning initiatives and partnerships. Municipalities would be given special authority to take action on significant threats to vulnerable drinking water supplies. Stay vigilant - The plans would include continuous monitoring and reporting to measure the effectiveness of the actions taken to protect drinking water sources and ensure they are protected in the future. Municipalities would develop and implement strategies to manage risks around municipal water supply wells and intakes. They would have the authority to require businesses, farmers and other landowners to take steps to remove significant risks to drinking water. Conservation authorities would coordinate planning across watersheds by supporting local municipalities, gathering information, assessing and ranking threats, consulting, and integrating municipal strategies into larger watershed plans. Industry, businesses, farmers, other landowners, community groups and the public would be involved in helping to find solutions early on through representation on the local source protection committees. The Clean Water Act would help protect the Great Lakes by requiring source protection planning to consider the existing agreements related to the Great Lakes Basin and through meeting water protection targets that could be set by the Minister of the Environment. The act would also allow the minister to create committees to provide advice on matters that affect the Great Lakes. The Ontario government's plan to safeguard drinking water involves better protection of sources, better treatment and better delivery. Introducing the Clean Water Act is the latest action the government has taken to protect drinking water sources. . Other actions taken to protect drinking water from source to tap include tough rules. for managing nutrients and water takings, investing in scientific studies to support local source protection efforts, improving the regulation of drinking water systems, setting strong standards for drinking water quality and testing, and improving the operation of municipal water systems. The proposed Clean Water Act is part of the government's commitment to implement all ofthe recommendations of the Walkerton Inquiry. The legislation will support the implementation of the 22 recommendations on protecting drinking water at its source made in the Part 2 report. -30- Contacts: Anne O'Hagan Minister's. Office (416) 325-5809 John Steele Ministry of the Environment . (416) 314-6666 Disponible en fram;ais In Case of Transmission Difficulties, please Call 416-863-2101 or 1-866-309-3811 please Deliver To: County of Elgin News Release Communique @ Ontario Ministry of Labour Ministere du Travail 05-144 For Immediate Release December 12,2005 COUNTDOWN BEGINS TO END OF MANDA TORY RETIREMENT IN ONTARIO Law means Ontarians can choose when to retire TORONTO - One year from today, mandatory retirement will be illegal in Ontario, Labour Minister Steve Peters announced. "This is another step to modernize working conditions for the people of Ontario," said Peters. "Mandatory retirement is a discriminatory practice that makes no sense in a time when we're all living longer, healthier more active lives. Ending it is the right thing to do." The Ending Mandatory Retirement Statute Law Amendment Act was approved by the legislative assembly in an overwhelming 60-5 vote on December 8 and was given royal assent by Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman today. It takes effect one year from today, to allow employers time to adjust their workplace policies and practices. "We want to give Ontarians time to get ready for the change. Some employers, for instance, may need to adapt their human resources policies and practices to comply with the law," said Peters. "We would urge employers to consider the legislation when dealing with employees coming up on age 65 in the next year." People are healthier and living longer, so it is unfair to insist that they stop working simply because they turn 65, he said. Ending mandatory retirement allows workers to decide when to retire based on lifestyle, circumstance and priorities. The Ontario Human Rights Code will protect people aged 65 and over from age discrimination for most employment purposes. The legislation also amends a variety of other statutes that have provisions connected to mandatory retirement. -30- Public Inquiries: 1-800-531-5551 Media Contacts: Susan McConnell Minister's Office 416-326-7710 Belinda Sutton Ministry of LaboUf 416-326-7405 Disponible enfram;ais \VWW .labour. gov. on. ca ~paC. MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CORPORATION December 9, 2005 County of Elgin Attention: Treasurer 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5Vl Re: MPAC's 2006 Funding Requirements To assist in your budget planning process, I am writing to provide details of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation's (MPAC) funding requirements for 2006. Over the last five years, we have significantly increased our productivity. The average cost per property valued decreased from $34.17 in 2000 to $33.09 in 2005. These figures have not been adjusted for inflation, making the increase in productivity and resulting cost savings even more significant. This year, the average number of properties per employee is over 3,200 compared to 2,105 in 2000. We now assess almost 4.5 million properties in Ontario compared to 4.1 million in 2000. Responding to Municipal Issues and Concerns In addition to assessing more properties, we have also increased service in key areas in response to issues and concerns raised by municipalities. For example, we: . Brought severances and consolidations up to date; . Added approximately $25 billion in supplementary and omitted assessment to municipal rolls in 2005; and . Implemented a significant communications and outreach initiative to explain and support the 2005 assessment update. Our staff have had approximately 600 meetings with municipal councils and stakeholder groups to explain and answer questions about the 2005 assessment update, and more meetings are planned. Office of the President and Chief Administrative Officer 1305 Pickering Parkway. Pickering, Ontario L 1 V 3P2 T: 905.837.6150 F: 905.831.0040 E: isenbuca@mpac.ca www.mpac.ca Form No. L7050M 2006 Funding Requirements December 9, 2005 Page 2 of 3 At the same time, we have also had to absorb inflationary pressures such as increased wages, pension premiums and associated operational costs, and higher costs resulting from completing property assessments for managed forest lands, seasonal trailers, public utilities, equestrian properties and wind turbines as a result of changes in provincial legislation. Weare continuing to make improvements through operational efficiencies and redirecting resources. However, industry analysts continue to forecast a strong housing and renovation market over the next year. This continued growth, combined with Requests for Reconsideration, appeals, costs escalations and inflation has resulted in increased funding pressure. 2006 Increase To cover the increased costs projected for next year, MP AC' s Board of Directors has approved a three per cent increase in MPAC's funding requirements. Under the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act, MP AC funding requirements are apportioned to upper- and single-tier municipalities using a formula that reflects the proportionate relationship of an individual municipality's assessed values and total property count to the totals for all municipalities in Ontario. These two indicators are averaged to reflect a 50 per cent weighting for total assessed value and a 50 per cent weighting for total number of properties. Municipalities will experience differing increases and decreases in their individual 2006 charges due to the changes in their assessments and property counts on the 2005 assessment roll. Based on the preliminary assessment data, the charge for your municipality would approximately be $ 616,175. We will confirm the actual impact to your municipality in January 2006, following the return of assessment rolls. As in the past, municipalities will be required to remit their 2006 charges in equal quarterly installments. Commitment to Continuing Improvement MPAC's Board of Directors and staff are committed to further improving customer service and product quality. We will increase the number of on-site property visits, improve our response to municipal building permits, and continue to address legislative and regulatory changes. Office of the President and Chief Administrative Officer 1305 Pickering Parkway, Pickering, Ontario L 1 V 3P2 T: 905.837.6150 F: 905.831.0040 E: isenbuca@mpac.ca www.mpac.ca Form No. L7070M 2006 Funding Requirements December 9, 2005 Page 3 of3 If you or your staff have any questions about MPAC's budget or the funding formula, please contact: Mr. Arthur Anderson Director, Municipal Relations Telephone: 905837-6993 Toll Free: 1 877 635-6722 ext. 6993 E-mail: andersar@mpac.ca Mr. Gerard Sequeira Director, Finance and Administration Telephone: 905837-6166 Toll Free: 1 877635-6722 ext. 6166 E-mail: sequeige@mpac.ca Weare confident the steps we have taken and our new investments will enable us to continue improving the services we provide to Ontario municipalities and taxpayers. We look forward to working with you toward that goal. Yours truly, --.~2s6 Carl Isenburg President and Chief Administrative Officer Copy MPAC Board of Directors Arthur Anderson Gerard Sequeira Office of the President and Chief Administrative Officer 1305 Pickering Parkway, Pickering, Ontario L 1 V 3P2 T: 905.837.6150 F: 905.831.0040 E: isenbuca@mpac.ca wwiN.mpac.ca Form No. L7070M " ' Nllemoel! wommunieation L:>, r' Association of "'.."" . /' Municip~lities ttt ""./ of Ontano Alert 393 University Avenue, Suite 1701 Toronto, ON M5G 1E6 Tel: (416) 971-9856' fax: (416) 971-6191 email: amo@amo.on.ca To the immediate attention of the Clerk and Council December 14, 2005 - Alert 05/091 MMAH Introduces Proposed Amendments to Planning Act and the Or:-tario Municipal Board Issue: The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has introduced Bill 51, the Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act. Background: The proposed legislation is intended to coordinate with the Places to Grow and Greenbelt initiatives by enabling more strategic development that can meet provincial and local priorities. It also means that communities can grow in a planned and coordinated way. The proposed reforms would provide municipalities with the tools and flexibility to protect employment lands, allow for greater public consultation and decision-making, create a more transparent and accessible land-use planning process, and make the OMB more effective and user-friendly. More specifically, the proposed legislation would: . Require that municipalities have up-to-date official plans to help them make better decisions for their communities · Allow councils to consider architectural and design features as a condition of planning approval - to improve the look and feel of our communities - and to promote innovative and energy efficient buildings and communities or neighbourhoods · Provide the public with more opportunity to have a say in the planning decisions that affect their communities · Make it easier for municipalities to redevelop former industrial sites (brownfields) to help meet housing and other community needs · Give municipalities the ability to promote the use of innovative ideas and technologies, such as solar panels, through land-use planning decisions. . Return the OMB it to its original role as an appeal body on local planning matters, not the main decision maker · Require the OMB to give greater weight to the decisions of local councils during the appeal process, and limiting appeals to information and materials that were provided to the council when it made its decision · Enable municipalities to establish local appeals bodies for some planning decisions such as minor variances. It is anticipated that the Bill will be referred to a committee of the Legislature some time in the new year. Action: AMO's Planning Task Force will review the Bill and provide comments for the consideration of the AMO Board of Directors. AMO will share information and analysis with its members. This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca For more information, contact: Milena Avramovic, Senior Policy Advisor at 416-971-9856 extension 342 Unites On.ta'rio ts Municipalities AMO Fact Sheet - $3 Billion Gap December 2005 $3 Billion Gap It's not about "education tax room" AMO launched its $3 billion gap campaign at the August 2.005 AMO conference. As a result, th,ere is a growing recognition across the province that the existing provincial- municipal fiscal relationship is unsustainable and damaging to Ontario's communities. Leading academics, financial industry economists, public policy research institutes, municipal governments and property tax payers agree that Ontario's unique situation of requiring municipalities to subsidize provincial programs and provincial services is not good public policy and it is not economically sustainable. The $3 billion gap campaign is based on a straightforward accounting of the net subsidy provided by municipalities each year to pay for provincial health, social services and income redistribution programs listed in the chart below. The numbers speak for themselves. Provincial Program Nill; municipal {$M} subsidy to province Public Health 266.4 Ambulance 312.7 'al Assistance 1,330.9 Senior Services Child Care Sodal Housing 879.7 Total 3,225.6 Source: 2003 Pravindal Finandal Information Retums. Figures net of provindal and federal contributions, user fees and serviCE charges 2001 Provincial Auditor's Report . . . we found that the determination of provincially imposed savings target on municipalities' spending lacked empirical or analytical support. ...the LSR initiative cannot be considered to be revenue neutral. When the Harris government downloaded services to municipalities, it argued that the download was "revenue neutrai". In fact the download began in November 1995 with the announcement that $600 million cut in unconditional grants. Since the download, the costs of downloaded services have risen steadily and, in many cases, sharply. While you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks the download was a good idea, the architects of the download continue to argue that "education tax room" vacated by the Province offset the costs of the services swap. The notion contends that, by raising tax rates, municipalities could occupy the so-called "tax room" vacated by the Province. Those municipalities that did this were sharply criticized by the Government, which asserted, remarkably, that the download should result in lower property taxes! The "revenue neutrality" notion included a notional "savings target" of approximately $500 million. The Provincial Auditor rejected the legitimacy of both of these notions. In any event, these arguments are irrelevant to any discussion about the $3 billion in property taxes that are subsidizing provincial programs. The $3 billion gap is not about whether or not the download was "revenue neutral". It's about Ontario's unsustainable provincial-municipal fiscal relationship, which has resulted directly in Ontarians paying by far the highest property taxes in Canada. The $3 billion cap is about a net subsidy to the Province. Some of the programs included were downloaded and others were not. For example, while municipalities are exposed to enormous risk as a result of their 20% contribution to Ontario Works, some experienced net savings as caseloads dropped in the late 1990s. Like child care, Ontario Works was not part of the download. ODSP costs were downloaded and those costs have risen dramatically every year since. According to the Provincial Auditor General, downloaded ambulance costs have risen by about 100%. Yet the Province has refused to pay the full amount of its official 50% share - short changing municipalities about $90 million a year. Many downloaded costs are not reflected in the $3 billion gap. Some are a major problem for municipalities, such as the farm tax rebate. Others, like library funding, are appropriately positioned as municipal responsibilities. In 1997, Dalton McGuinty said the Harris government.. "had better return to the drawing board now and come up with a better solution fast before they do any more damage." AMO agrees and looks forward to working with the Premier on a better solution for Ontario's municipalities. ~ 9=;= Ontario Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition Bureau du chef de I'opposition officielle Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario M7 A 1 A8 Telephone: (416) 325-0445 Fax: (416) 325-0491 Hotel du gouvernement Queen's Park Toronto (Ontario) M7A 1A8 Telephone: (416) 325-0445 Telecopieur: (416) 325-0491 December 12, 2005 DEe 1 6 2005 Warden Dave Rock County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5Vl (~rv 1 hJ""ij ~.<.l~";:45~~; t: !~~DrJ~n~~Slif{A.rr'~~ L~: Dear Warden Dave Rock; I am writing today with regard to Bill 37 - 'The Disrespect for Taxpayers Act". Having run for mayor of the City of Toronto I understand the challenges faced by municipal governments across Ontario. I strongly believe the provincial/municipal relationship has to be founded on mutual respect. I believe very strongly and have said repeatedly that the only chance we have to successfully address the big challenges facing this country and this province is to have the three orders of government sitting down as the partners they are, deciding who will do what, and how it will be paid for. We simply cannot afford to continue on with the turf wars, the competing and disconnected programs and the multiple layers of political and bureaucratic complexity. We can't afford it because it's expensive and we can't afford it because it gets in the way of getting things done for the people who elect us to represent them and entrust us with their hard-earned tax dollars, to whichever level of government those dollars might be sent. I support a stronger role for municipalities in Ontario. Times have changed since 1867; new arrangements are required. We have to re-examine, likely as part of these discussions, the lack of authority our municipalities have to act in a large number of areas without begging or pleading. They must be given reasonable latitude, and must be accountable. The McGuinty Liberals have three separate negotiations in progress. One with Toronto, where Mr. McGuinty has promised a signature piece of legislation this fall. Another is with the city of Ottawa. And a third is with all municipalities around a new Municipal Act. . ../2 * -2- We don't just have one fiscal imbalance between Ottawa and Queen's Park, we have a second between Queen's Park and the municipalities, and an infrastructure deficit. I completely understand and accept that addressing the fiscal imbalances in a global fashion will involve a review of who does what as between governments and I have committed myself to such a review on an urgent basis if we form the next government. I believe that is what we should be doing first. As you may know, the PC Party has decided to vote against this bill principally because it completely dishonours a written pledge made by Mr. McGuinty during the 2003 election campaign. On September 11,2003 Dalton McGuinty publicly signed the pledge stating that he would respect the Taxpayer Protection Act. This insincere pledge has now been carried further as he now believes the simple solution is to allow municipalities to increase taxes, without first examining other means of addressing the financial challenges oflocal governments. When I spoke at the AMO Conference and as I have met many of you individually in your own communities, I have repeatedly stated that first and foremost I will be honest and -straightforward with you and it is in that spirit that I have written to you today. We simply have to do better than breaking written promises and carrying on multiple sets of negotiations at once. Our vote against this legislation registers a protest with the government in that regard. Sincerely, 000 Tory, MPP Leader of the Official Opposition Nj ~....,. Ontario Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin - Middlesex - London R"c(J" !f= ~ 1= 11 .... <-, l,_l;.,<..;,~ ~'1~.... ~,~ ~i c.':' ,,__..~.J ""~."",, December 9, 2005 DEe 1 5 2005 COUNTY OF _cl>ADMiNIS'fAA T~V1:!SER\JiCES Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 1 ih Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, ON M5G 2E5 Dear Minister: Please find enclosed a number of letters and resolutions from municipalities within my riding that express concerns regarding Bill 206, An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal Retirement System Act. As you will read in the letters and resolutions, all of these municipalities are not supportive of the proposed changes that are to be made to OMERS. Some municipal officials are so concerned about the proposed legislation that they have requested to present their objections at consultation hearings on the bill. Minister, I would appreciate your reviewing the letters and resolutions and responding directly to the municipalities. As always, thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, <3::.."=- Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin-Middlesex - London Cc: Warden James McIntyre, County of Elgin Mayor Lynn Acre, Municipality of Bayham Ms. Dianne Wilson, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Central Elgin Mr. Ken Loveland, Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator, Municipality of Dutton- Dunwich Ms. Michelle Casavecchia, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk, Municipality of Thames Centre Ms. Joanne Groch, Administrator/Treasurer, Municipality of West Elgin Ms. Phyllis Ketchabaw, Clerk, Town of Aylmer Mr. Randy Millard, CAO/Clerk, Township of Malahide Ms. Tena Michiels, Deputy Clerk, Township of Southwold Warden Tom McLaughlin, County of Middlesex Ms. Cathy Saunders, Manager of Corporate Services/Clerk, Township of Middlesex Centre :1.t! Talbot Street. SL Thomas. ON N:1P IC4 T - (519) 631-0666 Toll free - 1-800-26:1-7638 F - (619) 6.'\1-94i8 TTY - (:119) 6.'\1-9904 E - speters.mpp.co@libeml.ola.org WVV"\V.stevepeters.com Nj .......,. Ontario Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin - Middlesex - London .~ r~j DEe 2 2 2005 December 16, 2005 Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 1 ih Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, ON M5G 2E5 Dear Minister: Please find enclosed a presentation prepared by the County of Elgin that expresses concerns regarding Bill 206, An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal Retirement System Act. As you are well aware, many municipalities across the province are not supportive of the proposed changes to OMERS. Some municipal officials, including those with the County of Elgin, are so concerned about the proposed legislation that they have requested to present their objections at consultation hearings on the bill. As you may recall, I have already written to you on behalf of several Elgin County and Middlesex County municipalities on this matter. As you will read in the presentation, the County of Elgin has many concerns about the "devolution" of OMERS. Just in the financial realm, using a template provided by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Elgin County officials fear the devolution would cost their upper-tier municipality $134,000 simply through the change in governance from the province to municipalities. Minister, I would appreciate your reviewing the presentation and responding directly to the County of Elgin. As always, thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin- Middlesex-London Cc: Mr. Mark McDonald, CAO, County of Elgin fi4~ Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P IC4 l' - (519) 631-0666 Toll free - 1-800-265-7638 F - (519) 6.'11-9-178 TTY - (fiI9) 6.)1-9904 E - speters.mpp.co@)libel'al.ola.org w-ww.stevepeters.com ltj ......~ Ontario Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin - Middlesex - London R.t,.... "', f..-.~..,......: E~.~'l \,. ft' ",,-,-'. ~;\"""'J';' .t..c .\0.. JAN 1 3 2006 January 6, 2006 ADMi!~iS1RA 'fiVE 5E~Wi(;E~~ Honourable Dwight Duncan Minister of Finance th Floor, Frost Building South 7 Queen's Park Crescent Toronto, ON M7 A 1 Y7 Dear Minister: Please find enclosed a resolution from the County of Elgin that supports the original resolution from the Town of Halton Hills (also enclosed) that supports the Ombudsman's investigation into the fairness and transparency of the practices of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Minister, I would appreciate your reviewing the resolutions and responding directly to the County of Elgin. As always, thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, 'X:.~ Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin-Middlesex-London Cc: Ms. Sandra Heffren, Deputy Clerk, County of Elgin Ms. Debbie Zimmerman, Chairperson, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Mr. John Wilkinson, M.P.P. Perth Middlesex, MPAC Vice-Chairperson 542 Talbot Street. St. Thomas. ON N5P IC4 T - (519) 631-0666 Toll free - 1-800-265-7638 F - (519) 631-9471' TTY - (519) 631-9904 E - speters.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org vvww.stevepeters.com N] ~-~ Ontario Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin - Middlesex - London R,-c.c -~. .~ ~1 ;3 \>1~. ~"'=.d I' -V.~ ,:; i!i"@ '= ~i""'ll .@:>"""'~ , . 1f&!ff>J l!;;,~""".,,J JAN 1 3 2006 January 6, 2006 {~nllIM"f~J lfif. 'c;,,,,~l~, li "l'" ,!\, f\!MiWi~'f~l'i''f~~ilC;; (~r\f,!.VU~!=S ~aJWB If{! ~ ~ r~ jj .. W b \'.....~i1 a"JI ~~~ Honourable Dalton McGuinty Premier of Ontario Legislative Building, Room 281 Queen's Park Toronto, ON M7 A 1A1 Dear Premier: Please find enclosed resolutions from the City of St. Thomas, the County of Elgin and the Township of Malahide that support the original resolution from the Town of Midland (also enclosed) that calls upon our government to end the downloading of provincial programs to municipalities and to begin to upload traditional provincial program costs back from municipalities. Premier, I would appreciate your reviewing the resolutions and responding directly to the municipalities from my riding. As always, thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, &\=. Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin-Middlesex-London Cc: City of St. Thomas County of Elgin Township of Malahide 542 Talbot Street, SL Tbomas, ON N5P I C4 'I' - (519) 63J-0666 Toll free - 1-800-265-7638 F - (5J9) 63J-947K TTY - (519) 631-9904 E - speters,mpp,co@liberaLola,org www.stevepeters.com ~ ~....,. Ontario Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin - Middlesex - London f~ilF"" ~."",)liiIt!!! ~E1il ~;~. ~ ~~ . VJE~""" E. : ,~"","I lliF:1 JAN 1 3 2006 January 6, 2006 C(}UNl~t l"ilM'W~7!:'iftO\f'!t.W' l~f'\:Wlf>I"{:~ t'/,lJ.llli~b'l\ii,;l t ~'IM~ i~ ,;: ;;;'~I' W ,IV I..'"," Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 1 ih Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, ON M5G 2E5 Dear Minister: Please find enclosed a resolution from the County of Elgin that supports the Association of Municipalities of Ontario position opposing the passage of Private Members' Bill 123, Transparency in Public Matters Act, as introduced by our colleague, Ms. Caroline DiCocco, MPP Samia-Lambton. As you are likely aware, many municipalities across the province have taken issue with this proposed bill due to the fact that it includes 'municipal councils' on the list of public bodies to which new requirements for notice provision, open meetings, minutes, forms of meetings and other matters are to be applied. Many municipal councils believe these matters are already adequately addressed in the existing Municipal Act, and that any changes to the way they conduct open or in-camera matters would create confusion for council members, administration and the general public. Minister, I would appreciate your reviewing the resolution and responding directly to the County of Elgin. As always, thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, '&:h Steve Peters, M.P.P. Elgin-Middlesex - London Cc: County of Elgin Ms. Caroline DiCocco, MPP Samia-Lambton 542 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P IC4 T - (519) 631-0666 Toll free - 1-800-265-7638 F - (519) 631-9478 TTY - (519) 6.11-9904 E - speters.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org W'\vw.stevepeters.com In Case of Transmission Difficulties, please Call 416-863-2101 or 1-866-309-3811 please Deliver To: County of Elgin Minim of MunIcipal Affairs and Housing 001<;(1 of the Mlnlst@r 777 Bay Street. 11'" Floor Toronto ON M5G 2E5 Tel. (416) 585.7000 Fax (416) 585.6470 www.mah.gov.on.ca December 14, 2005 .' Dear Head of Council: Mfnlstere aes Analres munlCipales et du Logement Bureau du minlstre 777. rue Bay. 17" etaae Toronto ON M5G 2ES Till. (416) 585.7000 Tellf:c (416) 585--6470 www.mah.oov.on.ca ~ .~ Ontario OS-1401 I am writing to infonn you of another step this government is taking to reflect our commitment to treat municipalities with the respect they deserve. Our government strongly believes that the municipal leaders of this province lead mature govemments -- and are OUf partners in public SCJ.'Vice. As you know, our government has passed the Respect for Municipalities Ac~ 2D05t and removed a significant barrier to providing municipalities the authority to consider using a broader range of fiscal tools. Today, our govenunent introduced the Stronger City of Toronto for a Stronger Ontario Act, 2005. ' This Act, if passed, would grant the city broad powers within its jurisdiction~ and greater , flexibility and, autonomy to deve19p so~ut!ons to lO,cat problems. The Act can be viewed' at , , wwW.ontla.on.ca. .. ' The introduction of this legislation marks a significant shift in how the province relates. to municipaliti.es. This new relationship builds on the strong tradition of consultation between the province and Ontario municipalities_ In tUIn) these steps and our consultation with AMO will inform the development of amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001. It is our intention that the next steps would continue the discussions with AMO and municipalities on the kinds of refonns that would benefit municipalities across Ontario. I thank you for working with the government to achieve our mutual goal of making Ontario municipal" " s healthy and prosperous. .1/ -......n~ :: : LEAMINGTON ot-IfARlO CNW^ rt: "\,~t1 v C \~:::;l!l.:1 \:11 _;;c- ~~$ DEe \ 9 20ns Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) ~'9ffice of the Annual Conference and Trade Show Coor?inator " Stratford City Hall 1 Wellington Street, P.O. Box 818 Stratford, Ontario N5A 6W1 519-271-0250 ext. 241 (Home Office) 519-393-5788 (Fax) 519-393-5218 Ted.b@quadro.net and/or Iwolfe@townofstmarvs.com December 6, 2005 Dear Municipal Official: Re: OSUM 2006 Annual Conference and Trade Show This letter is your first invitation to attend bur 53rd Annual. Conference and Trade Show to be held intheMunidpa!ity of Leamingtonfrom May 3rd - May 5th, 2006. The conference and trade showwill be held in the impressive Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex and this year's conference theme is "Investing in Diversity" . Our Conference Planning Committee, headed by our Vice-Chair Councillor Chuck Ward of Brighton, has planned many worthwhile and interesting workshops and sessions designed to suit everyone's interest. These workshops have been planned in conjunction with AMO, FCM and others. Some of the session titles include: · Energy-Source-Conservation · Integrated Community Sustainability Planning · Emergency Planning and Public Health · Revitalizing your Community A guest speaker will open the conference and a keynote speaker, Dave Phillips, renowned Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada will close the . conference with his presentation on How Climate Effects MunicipalLife and Tourism. There will also be various breakfast and luncheon speakers. 1 You are cordially invited to attend a Sponsors' and Exhibitors' appreciation night onTu~sday, May 2nd 2006 from 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. This will include complimentary food and beverages courtesyofthe Municipality of Leamington and local businesses. There will also be plenty of early bird events on Wednesday, May 3rd arranged by the Municipality of Leamington including, of course, a golf outing (details to follow). This year, Leamington has arranged for an exciting Companion Program featuring opportunities to visit and explore the beauty of Leamington and Essex County. Details to follow as they become available. As always, the program may be changed depending on the availability of the Premier, Prime Minister or other significant persons. Please find enclosed a Registration Form and information on local accommodations. If you would like further information about our exciting conference, please call our Annual Conference and Trade Show Coordinator Ted Blowes in Stratford at 519- 393-5877 (residence) or 519-271-0250 ext. 241 at Stratford City Hall, or by e- mail at ted.b@quadro.net and/or Iwolfe@townofstmarvs.com. You may also contact Rochelle Emery-Luckett, Leamington Conference Coordinator at 519- 326-5761 ext. 206 or rluckett@leaminqton.ca. Make plans now to attendwhat promises to be our best OSUM Conference ever! _ Most sincerely, ~~t~Cillor Township of Ramara Chair of OSUM /enclosures 2 .~ The MunicipaUtyof Learrlington May3 -5, 2006 53rd Annual Ontario Small Urban Municipalities LEAMINGrON (OSUM) Conference and Trade Show ONTARIO CNW)^ = Delegate Name: Position: Municipality/Town: Mailing Address: Telephone: Fax: E-mail Address: Companion Name (if applicable): Before AIJril1 ~ 2006 After April 2~ 2006 Full Delegate $350.000 $375.00 0 One-DayDelegate Only , " $250.00 0 ,Specify Day: " Companion Package $ 85.00 0 $ 95.000 Chairman's Luncheon (Friday, May 5,2006) $ 50.00 0 $ 60.000 Subtotal GST (GST # ) Total Enclosed Full conference includes: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, the Chairman's Luncheon, all workshops & special events Companion package includes: 2 breakfasts & the Chairman's Luncheon (other events at own cost) D VISA D MC Card # Exp. (mm/yy) Signature: o Cheque (payable to the Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington) Note: t1- Please send this registration form and your payment to the Corporation of the Municipalitv of Leaminqton at: 38 Erie St. North, Leamington, ON N8H 223, Fax: 519-326-2481 Attention: R. Emery-Luckett t1- Registration fees are refundable only upon receipt of written notification by Fridav. April 28. 2006 - less a $50.00 service charge t1- All delegates must book their own accommodations. Please see enclosed accommodations list. Annual Conference Coordinator: Ted Blowes519-393-5877 ted.b@quadro.net Leamington Conference Coordinator: Rochelle Emery-Luckett 519-326-5761 ext. 206 rluckett@leaminqton.ca Project funded in part by the Government of Canada Can I Brought to you by the Municipality of Leamington_ l~~ 53rd OSUM Conference and Trade Show Headed to Leamington Leamington is honoured to be your host for the 53rd OSUM Conference and Trade Show, being held from May 3-5, 2006. Many exciting events have already been planned, including a Mexican Fiesta to be held on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006. This Fiesta will feature authentic Mexican cuisine, live entertainment and will be held on the trade show floor at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex. Many interesting presentations and workshops have been scheduled including: · Emergency Planning and Public Health · Revitalizing your Community · Integrated Community Sustainability Planning . Energy-Source- Conservation Keynote speaker, Dave Phillips, will speak at the Chairman's Luncheon (please see article below) and delegates will be informed and entertained by other Guest Speaker's that will soon be announced. Other fun events are being planned to help you unwind and discover all that Leamington and Essex County has to offer. We're looking forward to seeing you! For more OSUM Conference & Trade Show information, please contact: Annual Conference Coordinator Ted Blowes Stratford, Ontario 519-271-0250 ext. 241 ted.b@quadro.net Leamington Conference Coordinator: Rochelle Emery-Luckett Leamington, Ontario 519-326-5761 ext. 206 rluckett@leamington.ca Dave Phillips-Keynote Speaker We are proud to announce that Senior Climatologist David Phillips, generally acknowledged as Canada's foremost weather expert, will be the Keynote Speaker at the Chairman's Luncheon on Friday, May 5, 2006. His presentation on "How Climate Effects Municipal Life and Tourism" will close the conference. Phillips has been called "a genuine Canadian legend" and "our unofficial weather guru." However, he would rather think of himself as a weather ambassador for Canada. Leamington Facts Located on the 42nd parallel, Leamington shares the same latitude as Northern California and Rome, Italy. .:. .:. .:. Mr. Phillips has published several books, including The Climates Of Canada, Blame It On The Weather, and the bestseller The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry. He is also the originator and author of Canada's most popular calendar, The Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. Don't miss this opportunity to hear this renowned speaker at the 53rd Annual OSUM Conference in Leamington. Highline Mushrooms is one of the largest mushroom farms in North America. Tomato Capital of Canada also Greenhouse Capital of North America! Known as the "Tomato Capital of Canada", Learn- ington's fertile soils support a variety of agricultural crops for fresh markets and processing. Learning- ton is also home to the largest concentration of greenhouses in North America. Cucumbers, toma- toes, peppers and flowers make up the majority of the greenhouse crops with well over 1,000 acres "under cover". .:. .:. .:. Leamington was the site of the first H.J. Heinz Company in Canada in 1908. .:. .:. .:. 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Toronto, Ontario M7A lAB Tel. (416) 325-1239 Fax (416) 325-1259 Constituency Office: 12 Peny Street Woodstock, Ontario N4S 3C2 Tel. (519) 537-5222 Fax (519) 537-3577 December 14, 2005 DEe 1 9 2005 Warden Dave Rock County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1 ~ ~..:. ~ \{ J~t~iNif.HHi~ll..~~ Dear Warden Dave Rock I am writing to you today to express my concern with regard to Bill 206, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act, 2005. The Ontario PC Party believes that we cannot support the Ontario government intent to transfer its responsibilities for the pensions of municipal employees across Ontario. The McGuinty Liberals have not only initiated the devolution of their responsibility for OMERS, but they have unfairly burdened municipalities with substantial increases in costs. While listening to public presentations and in committee, I heard over and over again that municipalities believe there is still much in the way of cost and financial impacts that are not known. Numerous times at committee I asked the government to provide numbers on how much this would cost municipalities and time and time again they failed to do so. As you are aware, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario have received numerous motions from municipalities across Ontario stating their opposition to the devolution of OMERS and I quote Roger Anderson, President of AMO and Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga. "As this Bill takes effect, all Ontarians should be adding 3 percent to their current property tax bills and asking the Province what they will get in return for their tax hike. The answer is 'nothing' at a time when communities need more transit and police officers, better roads and bridges, and meaningful property tax relief," says AMO President Roger Anderson. "While the Premier McGuinty and Municipal Mfairs and Housing Minister John Gerretsen both acknowledge the financial difficulties that Ontario municipalities face, Bill 206 will only make matters worse." Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga is quoted saying "all we ask is, please do the homework before the bill proceeds any further. The impact on the municipalities of the many things that have happened, especially in fire and police, is that finally you will bankrupt the municipalities with the downloading." I heard your comments loud and clear that you felt that there was not enough consultation on this bill, and we have acted. lcalled for an extension of hearings and have been told by the Liberal government that indeed there will be additional hearings after second reading of the bill. Bill 206, as it is currently written is not in the best interest of municipalities. There is great concern around the start-up costs that will be incurred in the process of preparing for the new governance responsibilities. * 12 The government has brought numerous amendments forward to the bill. However, we simply cannot support an action that does not respect municipalities and will simply increase the municipal tax burden with no accountability from the provincial government. I strongly encourage all municipalities to continue to express your concern with the proposed OMERS devolution legislation. Please be assured that you will have my continued support on this issue. Bill Bryce, Director of Education and SecretarY 2005 December tL~ '~::;0" \. "'-- County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive S1. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5V1 DEe 1 9 2005 C(~~~'~'4 ~;~. !\~J~:; " n~,fli~ '!"'.' .v"'" t 'r'" ,," f:J&UW~g!igtf! rV\ '~ i ~~ {,,: Attention: Warden James Mcintyre Dear Warden Mcintyre: On behalf of the Trustees of the Thames Valley District School Board I wish to thank you for taking the time to submit Council's endorsement of West Elgin S. S. Council's input regarding the projected 2004-2005 Board surplus and 2005-06 contingency funds. Trustees gave careful and extensive consideration to all the submissions on how to best utilize these funds to enhance student learning across Thames Valley. Taking into account the focus of the input received, the $5 million surplus was allocated as follows: $1.0 million to Literacy & Numeracy Improvement on standardized test scores $ .5 million to Computer Enhancement Plan $ .5 million to remain in the Contingency Fund $1.0 million to Valley wide priorities such as safe schools, student mental health, partnership programs and technical programs $2.0 million to individual schools according to the number of students (approx. $26 per student) for approved local school priorities. Your input in this process was very valuable and much appreciated. By working together as partners, we can continue to provide our students with the best education possible. Sincerely, ~,ff- GRAHAM HART . . Chairperson GH/sp Thames Valley District School Board Office of the Chairperson 1250 Dundas Street, P.O. Box 5888, London, Ontario N6A 511 Tel: (519)452-2545 Fox: (519) 452-2396 website: www.tvdsb.on.ca ,4~,~~~ Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ministere de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et des Affaires rurales ~ ~ Ontario Office of the Minister 77 Grenville Street, 11th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5S 1 B3 Tel: (416) 326-3074 Fax: (416) 326-3083 Bureau de la ministre 77, rue Grenville, 11e stage Toronto (Ontario) M5S 1B3 Tel.: (416) 326-3074 Telsc.: (416) 326-3083 DP"'~ , < ~-lj~'"''''' l';};;R"~ .,~ -". ~; ., )-, ~~,.., ^"'.< c., ..,~ ,,-;;t..~.'/'" DEe 1 9 Z005 DI:.L: 1 4 2005 Mrs. Sandra 1. Heffi'en Manager Administrative Services County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas. Ontario N5R 5Vl . 1"0'," f!.. Q';l',i:;' ~~.. r. r't~!;!~"u~ n~i', z '1r~ {~\;~~~$i-~1~~ .~t~ ~ l; ~8"~. ~ " . ....' Dear Mrs. Beffren: Thank you for your letter of November 23,2005 expressing council's support for a resolution by the Township of Loyalist with regard to compensation for livestock owners for predation by fishers in Ontario. I appreciate that you have taken the time to share council's views on this important matter with me. The Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act was designed to provide compensation to producers of specific livestock species for damage resulting from wolf, coyote and dog attacks and for damage to honey bee colonies or honey bee equipment caused by bears. The Bear Damage to Livestock Program provides compensation for livestock killed or injured by bears. The Ontario government understands that wild predators can be a serious concern to those producers directly affected. For this reason, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs are actively working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and other stakeholders to develop a province wide strategy for managing wildlife-human conflicts. Thank you, once again, for writing. Sincerely, ~A)~+ Leona Dombrowsky Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ministry Headquarters: 1 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2 Bureau principal du ministere: 1 Stone Road West, Guelph (Ontario) N1G 4Y2 Invite Ontario Home Invitez I'Ontario chez vous \~) "'INDO 1+1 Bureau de la concurrence Competition Bureau Canada Canada Place du Portage I 50, rue Victoria Gatineau (Quebec) K1A OC9 Place du Portage I 50 Victoria Street Gatineau, Quebec K1A OC9 Telecopieur-Facsimile (819) 953-8546 Telephone- Telephone (819) 953-8536 \~~ \~~ December 20, 2005 JAN ... 3 2006 Mrs. Sandra Heffren Manager of Administrative Services County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive S1. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5VI Dear Mrs. Heffren: Re: Wholesale Gasoline Markets The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Industry, has referred to the Competition Bureau (the "Bureau") yourletter Of Dec;ember 6,2005, to the Right Honourable Paul Martin regarding wholesale gasoline markets. The Bureau is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act. The purpose of the Act is to maintain and encourage competition in Canada in order to promote efficiency in the Canadian economy and to provide consumers with competitive prices and product choices. As a statute of general application, it does not attempt to regulate individual transactions between buyers and sellers. Rather, the Act seeks to develop and maintain the conditions necessary for a competitive marketplace by prohibiting certain types of conduct which lessen competition. The Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin, in response to a letter from the City of Niagara Falls which you enclosed with your letter, supported a resolution to call upon the federal government to intervene in wholesale gasoline markets. The resolution passed by the Niagara Falls City Council questions the reasons for recent increases in gasoline prices and makes reference to a dearth of competition in wholesale gasoline markets. Significant increases in gasoline prices occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Competition Bureau has been closely examining wholesale and retail gasoline prices throughout Canada to ensure they are not the result of anti-competitive acts. ...2 Canada -2- Since 1990, the Competition Bureau has conducted five major investigations related to the gasoline industry and each time issued a comprehensive report describing its findings. In each case, no evidence was found to suggest that periodic price increases resulted from a national conspiracy to limit competition in gasoline supply, or from abusive behaviour by dominant firms in the market. Instead, market forces such as supply and demand and rising crude oil prices were found to have caused the price spikes. The Competition Bureau's most recent findings were made public last March. After a thorough examination, the Bureau found that low inventories of gasoline in North America and worldwide increases in the price of crude oil, the major cost component in the price of gasoline, led to the rapid rise in retail and wholesale gasoline prices in the spring and summer of2004. In its examination, the Bureau studied refiner margins, crude oil and rack price indexes, and other industry data. Since crude prices are determined internationally, changes in oil prices typically have similar effects on retail and wholesale prices in Canada and around the world. Given that North American markets for gasoline are highly correlated, price changes in the U. S. result in similar changes in Canada. It is worthwhile to note that during the last twenty years there has not been any significant increase in concentration at the refining level in Canada. A number of international mergers have occurred but they did not increase concentration in Canadian markets. You may also want to visit the Bureau's web site, at www.cb-bc.gc.ca. for further information on the Bureau's activities relating to gasoline (which you can reach by clicking on "For Consumers" and then on "Gas Prices"). Should you have specific information indicating that the wholesale gasoline sector is subject to anti-competitive behaviour, I encourage you to contact the Bureau. The Bureau's Information Centre can be reached toll-free at 1-800-348-5358 or by e-mail atcompbureau@cb-bc.gc.ca. I trust that this information is of assistance to you. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. ClinCerelY, _I I / Jos~illeneuve ~~mg Assistant Deputy Commissioner (Civil Matters) NATIONAL ~'\f~ ~!~s~~~ont N5H 1L~~85 (519) 773-3034 December 29, 2005 FIE EI\/~= ti ;' ~1:: Mrs. Sandra Heffren Deputy Clerk & Manager Administrative Services County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas ON N5R 5V1 JAN - 3 2006 . g~lGfN /3; niti1N~~q~~~~ '~, O"fJ!~ -J2,s .' ~ ~~~[}ii~~~;hJ' g g'iJ.~ g IVf".3 ~f.=f~~ ~~ijAra.fJ> ''.l '"' ~~f~ 111~~ij Dear Mrs. Heffren I am in receipt of your confirmation letter on the request for funding on the pilot project for Med-Quest 2006 in the amount of $7,500.00 in the first year and understand that confirmation is required from the City of St. Thomas for the same amount. We wish to express our thanks to the County of Elgin with the City of St.Thomas for their recognition of this important step in laying out a proactive plan to help us identify and attract health professionals to serve all the Residents that do reside within the respective boundaries. This pilot project will also be of use in additional training opportunities during the mock disaster portion for aU Emergency personnel in both jurisdictions. As the Warden expressed both Mrs. Murray and I will be proactive in monitoring the expenditure of taxpayers monies and the positive outcomes from this project now and into the future on behalf of both Elgin County and St. Thomas Councils. The initial group meeting on this project is through SWOMEN at the University of Western Ontario with wide representation throughout the County and City with the TVDSB, STEGH, the Mayor's task force etc. Both political bodies will be fully apprised of progress and outcomes. Your Councils swift action on this important matter was very much appreciated. Sincerely &- Bob Habkirk CC: Mayor and Council City of St. Thomas Office of the Minister Bureau du ministre Nj ~_r==' Ontario Ministry of the Environment Minlstere de l'Envlronnement 135 St. Clair Ave. West 12th Floor Toronto ON M4V 1 P5 Tel (416) 314-6790 Fax (416) 314-6748 135, avenue St. Clair ouest 12" etage Toronto ON M4V 1 P5 Tel (416) 314-6790 TeIE~c (416) 314-6748 ~I\'ED L~~ ~ 'W JAN - 3 2006 GGU~nV Of ElGIi\~ f~\\idj~hli'\;:;1'R~T!iJ1; ~Ei'i\i!r!;Q J'tbv~~h"".<.~' /-" 'l.!>'*7l -l: ~ b v~;;!IJll::l ~~t;1b1 ENV 1283MC-2005-5305 DEe 21 2005 Mr. Mark McDonald, CAO Elgin County . 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas ON N5R 5Vl Dear Mr. McDonald: Thank you for your interest in Green Lane Landfill's (Green Lane) proposed Optimization of the Green Lane Landfill Site Environmental Assessment, July 2005 (EA). I welcome your comments on this EA. I am taking this opportunity to inform you that, based on a review of the project . documentation, the ministry review of the EA and the provisions of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), I have decided to refer a matter in connection with the EA to mediation prior to making a final decision about the EA. Mediation is a dispute resolution method in which a neutral third party (mediator) assists the parties in reaching a mutually acceptable and good faith solution to a dispute. It is a co-operative process that provides parties with control of both the process and the final outcome. A skilled mediator can help to clarify facts, overcome communication obstacles among the participants, systematically explore the interests and concerns of the parties, and develop options for achieving resolutions, within statutory constraint. The matter that I am referring to mediation and the reasons for my decision are set out in the attached letter to Green Lane. . Upon completion of the mediation process 'and receipt of the mediator's report, I will make a decision about Green Lane's EA. ...2 * 0761 G (03101) 100% Recycled Chlorine Free. Made in Canada Mr. Mark McDonald Page 2 The Enviroiunental Assessment and Approvals Branch of this ministry is available to provide advice and guidance about the mediation process~ . I encourage you to contact Mr. Edward Naval, Project Officer, at (416) 314-8433 or edward.naval@ene.gov.on.ca. Again, I would like to thank you for participating in the EA process and for bringing your concerns to my attention. Yours truly, /j /.//J . /fi;t~L,t-f-//) fjlfJ~(;-~ Laurel C. Broten Minister of the Environment Attachment c: Ms. E. Anne Hiscock, Green Lane Environmental Group Ltd. Mr. Doug Robertson, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Office of the Minister Bureau du minlstre !Ii ~-,.. , Ontario ' Ministry of the Environment Minlstere de l'Envlronnement 135 St. Clair Ave. West 12th Floor Toronto ON M4V 1P5 Tel (416) 314-6790 Fax (416) 314-6748 135, avenue St. Clair ouest 120 etage Toronto ON M4V 1 P5 Tel (416) 314-6790 Telae (416) 314-6748 JAN - 9 2006 "i:' 1~.ItF;"I'.l'/'>ri [:~i!~r,~~J~g~~~ Ii: 1t'\'\i\al~I~~'fl'~"&' ~!J":, 0f,,{~ 'U lvi;;;;;l t;;'~I:J~~dti~ t ~ ..S'\. ~ ,J ~ ... ENVI283MC-2005-5305 Ms. E. Anne Hiscock Manager, Environmental Affairs Green Lane Environmental Group Ltd. P.O. Box 790, Lambeth Station London ON N6P IR7 Dear Ms. Hiscock: I am taking this opportunity to inform,You that, based on the ministry review of the Optimization of the Green Lane Landfill Site Environmental Assessment, July 2005 (EA) and the provisions of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), I have decided to refer a matter in connection with the EA to mediation prior to making a decision about the EA. The matter that I am referring to mediation and the reasons for my decision are presented below. Where resolution of the issues may not be reached, the results ofJhe mediation are anticipated to provide me with the information necessary to make a final decision on the EA. Matter 1: Green Lane is seeking the amendment of a condition in its Certificate of Approval (CofA), which states that surface water will be diverted from discharging to Dodd Creek back into the Hunt Drain once satisfactory vegetation has been established at the site. Green Lane has proposed that the condition be included that would require that surface water will continue to bc diverted from the Hunt Drain to Dodd Creek until at least the end of the contaminating life of the landfill, which is expected to add an additional 30 years to the diversion. ...2 @ 0761G (03101) 100% Recycled Chlorine Free. Made in Canada Ms. E. Anne Hiscock Page 2 KCCA objects to the proposed timeframe extension for the redirection of flows from Dodd Creek to the Hunt Drain. KCCA is concerned about the extension because a prior examination of this issue had only considered a temporary' redirection of flows to Dodd Creek. Furthermore, KCCA is concerned about Green Lane' s po~sible contribution to contamination of the intake pipe for the Elgin Area Primary Water System caused by KCCA's outflow plume into Lake Erie at Port Stanley. GreenLane indicate's'that monitoring results for treated effluent from the Leachate Treatment Plant confirm that there have been no adverse impacts to Dodd Creek from the diversion. the mediator will examine and report on the inclusion of the proposed condition and also consider how that condition or any proposed condition affects the interests of the First Nations communities located in the area. These include the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Chippewas of the Thames and the Munsee-Delaware Nation. Referred mediation has a regulated timeline related to the review of the application and 'will assess this matter and assist the affected parties in determining if the other options are reasonable and feasible. Parties are normally el}couraged to try self-directed mediation before I initiate a referred mediation process. Bec~i:tse resolution of this issue seemed possible earlier in the process, self-directed mediation was not considered. As it became apparent late in the process that significant disagreement had developed between Green Lane and KCCA, referred mediation is now considered an appropriate option. Subsection 8(4) of the EAAprovides me with the option of identifying the parties to the mediation process or to setout a procedure for identifying the parties.. In addition to Green L~:me, I have identified the following parties as participants in the mediation process: representatives from KCCA, Southwold Township, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Chippewas of the Thames, Munsee-Delaware Nation and any consultants or other representatives as may be retained by any of the parties. These parties have each raised the concern about the process and would be directly affected by the issues under dispute. ...3 Ms. E. Anne Hiscock Page 3 Green Lane's original request to increase the timeframe for the extension of the diversion arose as aresult ofadesire to address concerns raised by Oneida Nation of the Thames. The Chippewas of the Thames and the Munsee-Delaware Nation have expressed the same concern. It is important that these groups be included in the mediation of this issue because any resolution of the diversion time line could impact Green Larie's undertakings with these communities. To ensure that mediatjon is concluded in a timely fashion, I am advising Green Lane and the participating parties that they select and retain a mediator within 10 days and complete . the mediation within 30 days. Otherwise, if a mediator cannot be selected within 10 days, I wilfappoint a mediator who would be required to complete the mediation within 30 days of the appointment. Due to difficulties you may encounter initiating this process over the holidays, I am requiring the 10 day period to begin on January 3, 2006. With this decision having been made, the procedures set out in section 8. of the EAA. apply. In accordance with subsection 8(5), the confidentiality of ongoing mediation is protected and not open to the public unless the mediator decides otherWise. In accordance with subsection 8(9), I will make the mediator's report.public once a,decision. about the EA is made. Provisions also exist to allow me to make the report public earlier in the process with the consent of all parties. In accordance with subsection 8(10) of the EAA, Green Lane shall pay the fees and reasonable expenses of the mediator except when a matter is referred to the Environmental Review Tribunal for mediation. All ancillary costs are the responsibility . ~ _ , 1. . of the participants unless there is a cost-share agreement in place."'" ... . Upon completion of the mediation process, I will make a decision about the EA. The.. decision will take into consideration the mediator's report and subsection 9(2} of the EAA. Following referral of a matter to mediation, I will wait until receipt of the mediator's report before making a decision about the EA. Following the completion of the mediation process and this ministry's receipt of the mediator's report, a subsequent decision package on the EA will be prepared for my consideration. Please note that Green Lane cannot implement any portion of the EA, including site preparation, unti(I have made a final decision about the EA. Any violation of this provision is an offence under the EAA and may result in prosecution. ...4 . Ms. E. Anne Hiscock . Page 4. The Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch of this ministry is available to provide advice and guidance about the mediation process. I encourage you to contact Mr. Edward Naval, Project Officer, at (416) 314-8433 or edward.naval@ene.gov.on.ca. I.am confident that Gre.en Lane recognizes the importance and value of the . . Environmental Assessment Act and will ensure that its requirements are satis:fied~ Yours truly, ..../~t?_ _. . , / /-, . ,,/ '~ - -' . /lJ;ii{/~~,!?(~,{l~ Laurel C. Broten Minister of the Environment. Attachment c: Mr. Doug Robertson, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Mr. Bryan Hall, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority Chief Randall Phillips, Oneida Nation of the Thames Chief Kelly Riley, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Chief Roger Thomas, Munsee-Delaware Nation. Chief Larry Johnson,. Caldwell First Nation Ms. Dianne Caryn, SouthwoldTownship Mr. ~ill Rayburn, Middlesex County Mr. Mark McDonald, Elgin County Mr~ John Dewancker, City ofSt. Thomas Mr. Jay Stanford, City of London Ms. Maureen Looby, Middlesex Centre Township Ms. Emily Finch, Shedden Public Library Mr. Dave Thompson, London D.istrict Office, Ministry of the Environment Ms. Sheila Allan, Environment Canada Mr. Richard Lang . Mr. Brad Beharrell Ms. Greta Thompson Association of Municipalities of Ontario December 22, 2005 End of Session Status on Legislation Relating to Municipal Governments To our members: The following highlights key legislation that AMO has been consulted on / or will be providing submissions to Standing Committees. Coordinating of services in the local health system, starting or ceasing to provide services and transferring services. Addresses JP ~hortage and improvements to the Provincial Offences Act (POA)courts. Outlines role of MUSH sector in energy conservation and the need for energy plans. Also addresses smart metering. Amendments would open the door to granting municipalities new taxing authority, subject to future amendment to the Municipal Act. Source Water Protection This Private Member's Bill would allow full-time firefighters to practice as volunteer firefighters if they so chose. Bill 36, Local Health System Integration Act Second Reading carried on division December 7. Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. AMO Public Health Task Force is currently analyzing the legislation and will be preparing a submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Bill 14, Access to JusticeAct, 2005 First Reading October 27,2005. AMO will work with the.Municipal CourfManager's Association and the Municipal Law DepartmenfAssociation of Ontario to present a common position. Bill 21, Energy Conservation Responsibility Act, 2005 Second Reading carried on division December 13. Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. AMO's Task Force on Energy Conservation has discussed this legislation and AMO will submit a position to the Standing Committee. Bill 37, Respect for Municipalities Act, 2005 Royal Assent.December 12 AMO was consulted on this Bill and proVided qualified support for the changes. AMO will work to ensure that all municipalities are accorded new permissive authority through the ongoing Municipal Act review. Bill 43, Clean Water Act, 2005 First Reading December 5, 2005. AMO is reviewing this very complex Bill and will work with its Source Water Protection Task Force to develop a response to this legislation. Bill 44, Volunteer Firefighters Employment Protection Act, 2005 First Reading December 6, 2005. AMO supports this legislation and will continue to monitor its progress. .../2 Land Use Planning and the OMB: amendments to Planning, Municipal, and Conservation Lands Acts. Private Member's Bill on open meetings Amends various acts to enable police to seize property from marijuana grow-ops Act to regulate the private$ecurity and investigators indll$try. OMERS Ending Mandatory Retirement Fixed dates for provincial elections and preservation of 11 ridings in Northern Ontario Private Member's Bill amends Safe Streets Act to allow legitimate charities to conduct fund raising on streets. Bill 51, Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 First Reading December 12,2005. The vast majority of the proposed changes originated in an AMO position paper from August 2004. AMO's Planning Task Force will prepare a response early in the new year. Bill 123, Transparency in Public Matters Act Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills June 13, 2005. Reported as amended November 30. Ordered for Third Reading. AMO had requested that municipalities be removed from this Act as they are covered under the Municipal Act. This did not happen. Members are urged to contact their MPPs to request that they vote against this Bill. Bill 128, Law Enforcement and Forfeited Property Management Statute Law Amendment Act Royal Assent December 15, 2005 AMO submitted a position paper looking for liability protection, cost recovery and flexibility around inspection requirements. Bill 159, Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 Royal Assent December 15, 2005 Bill 206, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act Second Reading carried December 13, 2005. Ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. AMO will continue to work toward minimizing the negative impact this Bill will have on municipalities. Bill 211, Ending Mandatory Retirement Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 Royal Assent December 12, 2005 Bill 214, Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 Royal Assent December 15, 2005 In a related matter, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has indicated that the government will not be introducing a 4-year term for municipal councils before the 2006 municipal elections. Bill 58, Safe Streets Statute Law Amendment Act Royal Assent December 15, 2005 This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca Page 2 of 2 CREATING A NEW MUNICIPAL LANDSCAPE A REPORT As Ontario prepares for municipal and provincial elections, this yeor's AMO CONFERENCE will provide a reality check on the prospects of . creating a new landscape. for Ontario municipalities. .'J' " Discover what the future holds for Ontario municipalities and how we can best work together to make our communities quality places to live, work and play. · Are Ontario municipalities on track to 0 PEN I N G WE L COM E becoming respected, fiscally sustainable R E C E P T ION and empowered? · Will the Ontario Government create a planning process to end its annual diversion of $3 billion in municipal property tax revenue to fund Provincial ________ __J ___..'u_ _, ,L ________ _t PIU!:lIUIID UIIU )t:IVllt:) Ullllt: t:Jlpt:II)t: UI core municipal responsibilities? And if not, how will it spare Ontario communities from o second decade of deferred investment and lost opportunity? · Will municipalities benefit from 0 new and empowering Municipal Act? · Will OMB reform and land-use planning changes strengthen the role of municipalities in the shaping of their communities? · Will Ontario's new water management policies sink or swim? · Will Federal and Provincial housing programs deliver shelter, hope, dignity and opportunity for our residents? · Will we see a viable integrated waste management strategy for Ontario? · Will Ontario's economy benefit from strong forestry, forming and automotive sectors? · How will we fuel our communities and at what cost? · And what can Ontario Municipalities expect from the newly elected Federal Government? Join other conference Delegates on the 13th at the Welcome Reception to be held in The Canadian War Museum. Watch for information about our opening reception and tour arrangements. This new, must-see national museum presents Canada's rich military past, explains how it has shaped our country and introduces us to those who have sacrificed greatly at home and on for off battlefields for the sake of us all. Other conference events will unfold over the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out for future AMO Conference updates. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION REGISTERING FOR THE AMO ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER! A special registration rate of 5540 is being offered this year to AMO members. Delegates now have the choice of registering on-line or via mail/fax. Information on how to register on-line will be sent out to 011 members in the New Year, and registration forms will be mode available on the AMO websife. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS De/hegate rooms have been blocked at t e follOwing hotels: · The Westin Ottawa (the Conference Hotel) 613-560-7000 · f . a,rmont Chateau Laurier 613-241-7700 · Les Suites 1-800-267-1989 To book a room y: . h for The Westin O~~an elt .er call the hotel direct, or AMO website. a, regIster on-line through the For information on hot I . .(both hotel and confer:nc~~tes, dn-Ime r~gistration Information, visit us on-line at' an other Important look under "Events _ AMO A WWw.amo.on.ca and hotels." nnual Conference, 2006, ~t1J_ Association of Municipalities of Ontario N r-. C') en . ..... r-. en . to ..... '<I' 0 ... .l!l c Cl) ~ I'll 0. :s "E 0:: I'll <.) 0 ... u. :a Z e <.) 0 >< j:; <( LL t2. iii c .... 0 (/) :;::; .(1). f! ... 1II .UJ '0 0:: Cl) .. l/l Cl) Q) ><= ~ ~ l/l E c ra ra Q) 0 LL E ~ ... ra .g "'C Z W ~ "'C E .... Q) 0 E <( (.) Q) C) g ra C) 0 .... I- I'll U C 0 I- ~ 'iii u tn ;!: :E ::) "iii :2: ,& ... c ,!:! Cl) c ~ :J :E I'll 0. w u Z w ]lcu w 0:: 0 "'C a. 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South West LOCAL HEALTH INTEGRATION NETWORK RESEAU LOCAL D'INTEGRATION DES SERVICES DE SANTE du Sud-Ouest 201 Queens Avenue, Suite 700 London, ON N6A 1J1 Tel: (519)672-0445 1-866-294-5446 Facsimile: (519)672-8562 201, avenue Queens, bureau 700 London, ON N6A 1J1 Tel: (519)672-0445 1-866-294-5446 Facsimile: (519)672-8562 December 19,2005 DEe 2 2 2005 Mr. Mark McDonald Corporation of the County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas ON N5R 5VI Dear Mark McDonald: It gives me great pleasure to announce four key appointments to the South West Local Health Integration Network. This team has been assembled to help guide the implementation of planning, integrating and funding of local health services and carry out key priorities of the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care. These individuals bring diverse skills, experience and enthusiasm to their positions and I am very pleased to have them on board. · Elisabete Way has been appointed Senior Director of Performance, Contracts and Allocation. Her 23 years of management experience in change and performance management in both public health services and corporate private sector, will be vital as we establish the South West LHIN and its Executive Team. In New Zealand, she spearheaded the implementation of a meaningful and successful health system performance report, which served as a benchmark for other hospitals, developed a Senior Management Team that allowed for more integration, a more patient-centered service and service innovation and was key in the negotiations and establishment of funding plans and performance agreements. In addition, Elisabete brings a broad advanced knowledge of business through experience and exposure to a variety of industries that contributes to the achievement of business objectives, strategic planning, improved performance and efficiency gains. She is very excited about using her vast knowledge, strengths and skills in this field towards the success of a new Health Care System for Ontario. · Kelly Gillis is appointed Senior Director of Planning, Integration and Community Engagement. Kelly has over 10 years of leadership experience within the health care sector focusing on strategic planning and system integration within South Western Ontario. Most recently, Kelly has worked for the London Hospitals as the City-wide Director of Medical Affairs. Prior to her role with the London hospitals, she was the Systems Integration Leader for the Huron-Perth Hospitals Partnership. Before working as a Senior Health Planner with both the Huron-Perth and Thames Valley District Health Councils, Kelly worked in a research and program evaluation role with the Addiction Research Foundation. She has completed her Master of Arts in Gerontology from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. ...2 -2- · Jodi Martin is the Office Manager for the South West Local Health Integration Network. Jodi's previous work includes start-up operations and management of the Help Desk for a federally funded telehealth project. She has several years of experience working with St. Joseph's Hospital, Regional Mental Health Care, London and a number of non-profit organizations within the London-Middlesex community. Jodi is currently working on her CHRP designation at Fanshaw College, Continuing Education Department. Jodi is looking forward to the challenges of coordinating the London office set-up and is committed to the ongoing development of the South West LHIN. · Dianne Marshall has been appointed Executive Assistant to Tony Woolgar. Dianne is responsible for providing administrative support to the CEO and the leadership team. Prior to joining the South West Local Health Integration Network, Dianne held a similar position at the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) - Oxford. She brings to the position a good understanding of community health care services and a strong background in senior executive and board governance support. Dianne is working part-time on a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership at Wilfrid Laurier University. She looks forward to the opportunity of working with the great communities that make up the South West LHIN. Our staff is committed to providing you with the very best service possible. With a strong leadership team in place, our energies will be channeled toward strengthening collaboration and mutual cooperation across the LHIN in order to build a stronger and more efficient health care system. In addition to welcoming my new staff, I am also pleased to announce we now have an administrative centre. Our office is located at 201 Queens Ave., Suite 700 in London, Ontario. We can be reached by phone at (519)672-0445 or toll free 1-866-294-5446 or by facsimile at (519)672-6562. On behalf of the Board of Directors and myself, I would like to thank you for the warm reception and welcome we have received as we have traveled throughout the communities of the South West LHIN. We have seen tremendous examples of collaboration and innovation amongst our stakeholders and we look forward to continuing the good work that has been done across the region. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families the happiest holiday season and a safe and peaceful New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2006. 6hri0~ Tony Woolgar CEO /dm South West LOCAL HEALTH INTEGRATION NETWORK REsEAU LOCAL D'INTEGRATION DES SERVICES DE SANTE du Sud.Ouest 201 Queens Avenue Suite 700 London, Ontario N6A 1 J 1 Fax: (519) 672-6562 Phone: (519) 672-0445 or Toll Free 1-866-294-5446 Tony Woolgar, CEO Dianne Marshall, Executive Assistant Jodi Martin, Office Manager Elisabete Way, Senior Director of Performance, Contracts & Allocation Kelly Gillis, Senior Director of Planning, Integration, & Community Engagement Extension 201 Extension 203 Extension 202 Extension 205 Extension 206 Ministry of Government Services Office of the Minister 99 Wellesley Street West Room 4320, Whitney Block Toronto ON M7A 1A1 Ministere des Services gouvernementaux Bureau du ministre 99, rue Wellesley ouest Bureau 4320, Edifice Whitney Toronto ON M7A 1A1 ~ ~-,. Ontario Tel.: 416327-2333 Fax: 416327-3790 Tel. : 416 327-2333 TeIE3C.: 416 327-3790 December 19, 2005 ijj!Sl ~~~.M 'VE OEe 2 2 20DS Mrs. Sandra J. Heffren Deputy Clerk/Manager of Administrative Services County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. Thomas ON N5R 5V1 Dear Mrs. Heffren: Mr. Steve Peters, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, forwarded to me your letter regarding the eligibility of municipal museums and public libraries for charitable lottery licensing. As Minister of Government Services, I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As you may know, the legal framework for lottery licensing flows from the federal Criminal Code (the code). Under the code, gambling is illegal in Canada unless it falls under specific exceptions. One such exception is for charitable gaming, permitted by paragraph 207(1)(b) of the code. That provision specifies that a charitable or religious organization may conduct and manage a lottery scheme (such as a gaming event) if the proceeds are used for a charitable or religious object or purpose. In this way, the code is very clear that only charitable or religious organizations may conduct gaming events. Municipalities, therefore, are not eligible to be licensed. The same situation applies to museums and public libraries where a municipality exercises a high degree of control over their governing boards. Allowing municipal museums and public libraries to conduct charitable lottery events could affect the fund raising activities of charities and religious organizations that do not have access to other sources of funds. This government is working closely with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and various municipalities to modernize their systems of government and allow them access to other sources of funds. I would encourage municipalities to continue with these efforts. .../2 Sandra J. Heffren Page two Thank you for writing. Sincerely, ~~ Gerry Phillips Minister of Government Services c: Steve Peters, MPP Elgin - Middlesex - London Jean Major, Chief Executive Officer Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario ~ Office of the Prime Minister Cabinet du Premier ministre Ottawa, Canada K1 A OA2 January 6, 2006 ~F=CEIV~!if""" I'.'~~' ,.:!~ "'~" '" " ~l- ~ ) .; ,~;~ .~ '. .; itJ J ,,,,",<,,,<:,''- bl 1:fi ~ ~:&' .c.'",. '" """"". c.'",,}! JAN 1 3 2006 Mrs. Sandra J. Heffren Deputy Clerk County of Elgin 450 Sunset Drive St. llhomas, ()ntario N5R 5Vl Dear Mrs. Heffren: ()n behalf of the Right Honourable Paul Martin, we wish to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence of December 16 with which was enclosed a copy of the Resolution of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin concerning supply management of dairy, eggs and poultry in Canada, and the current round of World llrade ()rganization negotiations. Please be assured that your concerns, offered on behalf of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin, have been carefully reviewed. As copies of your letter have already been sent to the Honourable Jim Peterson, Minister of International llrade, and the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, we are certain that they will give this matter every possible consideration. llhank you for writing to the Prime Minister. Yours sincerely, r/A P. Monteith Executive Correspondence ()fficer Canada