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02 - January 28, 2014 Minutes COUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES Tuesday, January 28, 2014 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building at 9:03 a.m. with all members present except Councillor McIntyre (regrets). Warden Marr in the Chair. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the minutes of the meetings held December 10 & 12, 2013 and January 14, 2014 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF — None. Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS Rural Initiatives Committee Minutes, January 9, 2014— Councillor McWilliam Councillor McWilliam presented the minutes from the Rural Initiatives Committee meeting held on January 9, 2014, noting the discussion with the Ontario Beekeeper's Association and the Elgin Federation of Agriculture. Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT the "Rural Initiatives Committee Minutes, dated January 9, 2014" presented by Councillor McWilliam be received and filed. - Carried. Elgin County Museum 2013 Annual Report— Councillor Jenkins Councillor Jenkins, County Council's 2013 representative on the Elgin County Museum Advisory Committee, introduced the Elgin County Museum's 2013 Annual Report. The Elgin County Museum Curator outlined highlights of the museum's 2013 activities. Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the report titled "Elgin County Museum 2013 Annual Report" from Councillor Jenkins and the County Museum Curator dated January 3, 2014 be received and filed. - Carried. Library 2013 Food for Fines Campaign — Library Supervisor The Director of Community and Cultural Services updated Council on the success of the 2013 Food for Fines Campaign that benefited local charities. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor McWilliam THAT the report titled "Library 2013 Food for Fines Campaign" from the Library Supervisor dated January 10, 2014 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 2 January 28, 2014 Library Coordinator's Election to President, Ontario Public Library Association — Director of Community and Cultural Services The director informed Council that the Library Coordinator has been elected to the position of President of the Ontario Public Library Association. This is a great accomplishment for the Library Coordinator and for Elgin County. Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the report titled "Library Coordinator's Election to President, Ontario Public Library Association" from the Director of Community and Cultural Services dated January 3, 2014 be received and filed. - Carried. 2013 Out-of-Province Travel — Director of Community and Cultural Services The director presented the annual report detailing out-of-province travel by staff. Moved by Councillor Ens Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT the report titled "2013 Out-of-Province Travel" from the Director of Community and Cultural Services dated January 3, 2014 be received and filed. - Carried. Proposed Location of New Shedden Library— Director of Community and Cultural Services The director presented a report informing council that the Township of Southwold has decided that if a new library for Shedden is to proceed, it will go ahead as an addition to the Southwold Keystone Complex. No formal decisions have been made at this time. Funds are to come from the Rosy Rhubarb Committee. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the report titled "Proposed Location of New Shedden Library" from the Director of Community and Cultural Services dated January 3, 2014 be received and filed. - Carried. Land Ambulance Service Grant— Transfer Payment Agreement— Director of Engineering Services The director explained that in order to receive funding from the province for the provision of land ambulance services, the County must sign the Transfer Payment Agreement. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT the report titled 'Land Ambulance Service Grant— Transfer Payment Agreement' from the Director of Engineering Services dated December 20, 2013 be approved; and, THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and directed to sign the agreement between the Province of Ontario and the County of Elgin. - Carried. County Council 3 January 28, 2014 Approval to Award Tenders — Traffic Signal Replacement (Port Stanley) and Quaker Road Reconstruction (Sparta) — Deputy Director of Engineering Services The Director of Engineering Services explained that tenders have been issued for traffic signal replacement in Port Stanley and the Quaker Road reconstruction in Sparta. These projects are planned to be completed prior to the Victoria Day long weekend and in order to expedite these projects, staff is requesting permission to award these tenders in accordance with the County's Purchasing Policy. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT staff award the following tenders according to the County's Purchasing Policy and within budget allocations: (a) Traffic Signal Replacement— Port Stanley (b) Quaker Road Reconstruction — Sparta; and, THAT staff report back to Council with the results at the March 25, 2014 Council meeting. - Carried. Private Pay Companions — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The director presented a report explaining a new policy regarding the use of Private Pay Companions by residents of the County's three long-term care facilities. Moved by Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the policy titled "Private Pay Companions" from the Director of Homes and Seniors Services dated January 13, 2014 be approved. - Carried. Ministry of Labour— Safe at Work Ontario Inspection — Bobier Villa — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The report outlined the new "Handling and Administration of Hazardous Agents" and "Handling of Wastes Associated with Cytotoxic Drugs" policies as directed by the Ministry of Labour - Safe at Work Ontario Inspection. Moved by Councillor Ens Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT Council approve the draft policies "Handling and Administration of Hazardous Agents" and "Handling of Wastes Associated with Cytotoxic Drugs". - Carried. Community Sector One-Time Minor Infrastructure Program Approval — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The report outlined funding provided by the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to the County of Elgin Terrace Lodge Adult Day Program for improvements to the program area. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT Council accept the one-time funding to renovate the Adult Day Program kitchenette in the amount of$25,000; and, THAT Council forward a letter of appreciation for the Adult Day Program funding to the South West Local Health Integration Network. - Carried. County Council 4 January 28, 2014 Homes — 2013/2014 One-Time Funding for Training and Development— Director of Homes and Seniors Services The report outlined one-time funding provided by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care for training and development of long-term care direct care staff. Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT Council accept the one-time funding of$32,100 for training and development of staff; and, THAT Council forward a letter of appreciation to Minister Matthews for the one-time funding for training and capacity building of staff. - Carried. Victorian Order of Nurses Meals on Wheels Agreement Renewal — 2013/2014— Director of Homes and Seniors Services The director presented a report updating Council on the Elgin County Homes agreement renewal with the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) to provide Meals on Wheels to seniors in Central and East Elgin communities. Moved by Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT the current price of Meals on Wheels remain $6.50 for the 2013-2014 contract year; and, THAT Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sign the 2013/2014 Meals on Wheels agreement for the Victorian Order of Nurses. - Carried. Volunteer Palliative Care Services Agreement— Director of Homes and Seniors Services The report described volunteer palliative care services provided to residents of the County's long-term care facilities by the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), and recommended continuing this program on an on-going basis. Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT Council approve the on-going agreement with the Victorian Order Nursing for volunteer palliative care services. - Carried. Nurse Call and Phone System Replacement - Bobier Villa — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The director explained that the Bobier Villa nurse call and phone system have become obsolete and need to be replaced. KR Communications has been identified as the company that will best meet the needs of staff and residents. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT KR Communications be selected for the nurse call system replacement at a total price of$116,181, plus applicable taxes; and, THAT Council authorize staff to proceed with replacement of the telephone system at Bobier Villa through KR Communications at a proposed cost of$29,837 plus tax. - Carried. County Council 5 January 28, 2014 South West Local Health Integration Network - Adult Day Program Redesign — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The director explained that the South West Local Health Integration Network has increased the Elgin County Adult Day Program (ADP) base funding for 2014/15. This additional funding will provide the community with an additional day of programming at Bobier Villa which services West Elgin. Moved by Councillor Mc William Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the County accept the additional base funding of$35,499 for the Adult Day Program. - Carried. Accommodations Policy and Modified Work Policy — Accessibility Coordinator The coordinator presented a report outlining changes that have been made to the Accommodations in the Workplace Policy (HR policy# 2.80.2) and the Transitional Work Assignments Policy (former Modified Work Policy - HR policy# 8.320). Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT changes to the policies titled "Accommodations in the Workplace, policy # 2.80.2" and "Transitional Work Arrangements, policy # 8.320" presented by the Accessibility Coordinator be approved as submitted. - Carried. Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) — Director of Financial Services The director presented a report outlining the total impact of Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund losses, net of uploads from both levels of government. The results determined that the County and its municipal partners are seeing a negative net impact as a result of reduced funding and increasing costs and that the rural grant component of the OMPF needs to be strengthened to eliminate this negative impact. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Mc William WHEREAS the Ontario Government understands the benefits rural communities offer in providing the province's residents with affordable food and natural environments for health and recreation; AND WHEREAS the limited weighted assessed tax base, resulting from the 25% tax ratio on farmland and managed forest, limits the property tax revenue potential of rural communities; AND WHEREAS the combined benefit of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), when taking into account the rising costs of social services and policing, has had a negative impact on Elgin County and its municipal partners of$5.0 million; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of Ontario strengthen the rural communities grant component of the OMPF to eliminate the negative impact of OMPF revenue loss/increasing costs; AND FURTHER that this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario/Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing, Jeff Yurek MPP, Elgin's municipal partners, and any other Ontario municipalities, individual or association as deemed appropriate. - Carried. County Council 6 January 28, 2014 Ford Assessment Appeal — Director of Financial Services The director presented a report outlining that the reduced property assessment on the Ford plant will result in $0.6 million annually in reduced revenue for the County. The full assessment reduction will be phased-in over a four year period starting in 2009 resulting in $0.8 million performance in tax write-off funding for these past years. Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT the report titled "Ford Assessment Appeal" from the Director of Financial Services dated January 15, 2014 be received and filed. - Carried. Council recessed at 9:58 a.m. and reconvened at 10:20 a.m. 2014 Grant Requests — Director of Financial Services The director presented a report outlining the requests for funding from community groups in the amount of$334,076, including three new requests from The Arts & Cookery Bank, the Elgin County Railway Museum, and the Ontario Conservation Officers Association. Moved by Councillor Ens Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT a grant in the amount of$2500 for The Arts and Cookery Bank be approved in principle. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the 2014 grants including small incremental increases to existing grants, with the exception of the Elgin County Railway Museum and the Ontario Conservation Officers Association, be approved in principle as amended by Council and finally considered in conjunction with the 2014 operating budget. - Carried. Ten-Year Capital Plan — Director of Financial Services The director presented the plan, noting it called for the average capital investment of $13.1 million over the 2014-2023 time period. The plan provides key infrastructure improvements for the County, while being containable within council's targeted levy increase. These key improvements include funding for Dexter Line relocation, a major renovation of Terrace Lodge, and new court and museum facilities. It was recommended that $1.0 million of surplus be used to establish a Capital Projects Reserve for any unforeseen future needs. Staff Direction — provide Council with an implementation plan and timeline for the permanent relocation of Dexter Line to be considered at the February 11, 2014 meeting. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT the 2014 capital budget be approved in principle and finally considered in conjunction with the 2014 operating budget. - Carried. County Council 7 January 28, 2014 CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration 1. Elizabeth Sebestyen, Acting Director, Ontario Works and Social Housing, St. Thomas — Elgin Ontario Works, giving full support to County Council to endorse the resolution from Michael Jacek, Senior Advisor, Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Communications who is seeking support for the Development of a New Long-Term Federal Plan to Fix Canada's Housing Crunch. 2. Terry Homer, CAO/Clerk, Township of Mulmur, with a resolution seeking support regarding the timing and loss of assessment/tax monies to Townships, Upper Tier Municipalities and School Boards. 3. Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) with information regarding the 2014 renewal of Elgin County's annual membership. 4. Lorraine LeBlanc, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin, with a resolution seeking support for a National Dementia Strategy. 5. Randy Pettapiece, MPP, Perth-Wellington, seeking support for private member's resolution for implementation of a comprehensive, long-term solution to reform joint and several liability insurance for municipalities. 6. John Lessif, Chair, South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation (SCOR EDC), inviting Elgin County to rejoin SCOR EDC as a full contributing and active partner. 7. Highway 401 and Highway 4 Interchange Improvements: a) Tom Bradish, President, WmF Bradish & Sons Ltd., John Bradish, President, Mayfield Farms, Sher Helmer, Business Manager, Glan-R-Vest Farm Inc., with concerns over Highway 401 and Highway 4 Interchange Improvements and proposed alterations at Glanworth Drive. b) Jeff, John, Colin and Joanne Ferguson, Ferguson Bros. of St. Thomas Ltd., seeking support to keep Glanworth Drive and Tempo Road open. c) Steven McQueen, Jason Chyc and David Carr, Sylvite Agri-Service, with opposition to routing traffic onto Tempo Road and Highway 4 overpass which will create a safety risk for public and Sylvite staff. d) Brad Walker and Graham Hutton, Belmont Farm Supply Inc., regarding Highway 401 and Highway 4 Interchange Improvements. (addendum item) The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt WHEREAS, a stable and secure housing system that creates and maintains jobs and allows for a range of living options is essential to attracting new workers, meeting the needs of young families and supports seniors and our most vulnerable citizens; and, WHEREAS the high cost of housing is the most urgent financial issue facing Canadians with one in four people paying more than they can afford for housing, and mortgage debt held by Canadians now standing at just over $1.1 trillion; and, WHEREAS housing costs and, as the Bank of Canada notes, household debt, are undermining Canadians' person financial security, while putting our national economy at risk; and, WHEREAS those who cannot afford to purchase a home rely on the short supply of rental units, which is driving up rental costs and making it hard to house workers in regions experiencing strong economic activity; and, County Council 8 January 28, 2014 WHEREAS an inadequate supply of subsidized housing for those in need is pushing some of the most vulnerable Canadians on to the street, while $1.7 billion annually in federal investments in social housing have begun to expire; and, WHEREAS the stakes are especially high for Ontario's municipal governments as housing responsibilities have already been downloaded (unlike other provinces and territories) and this is not sustainable on the property tax base; and, WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has launched a housing campaign, "Fixing Canada's Housing Crunch", calling on the federal government to increase housing options for Canadians and to work with all orders of government to develop a long-term plan for Canada's housing future; and, WHEREAS FCM has asked its member municipalities to pass a council resolution supporting the campaign; AND WHEREAS, our community has continuing housing needs that can only be met through the kind of long-term planning and investment made possible by federal leadership; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that council endorses the FCM housing campaign and urges the Minister of Employment and Social Development to develop a long-term plan for housing that puts core investments on solid ground, increases predictability, protects Canadians from the planned expiry of$1.7 billion in social housing agreements and ensures a healthy stock of affordable rental housing for Canadians; and, BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to minister noted above, to Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to Joe Preston, MP, London- Middlesex-Elgin, and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #3: Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT Council approves the annual AMO membership fee in the amount of$5,164.83. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #4: Moved by Councillor Mc William Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt WHEREAS Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are progressive, degenerative diseases of the brain that cause thinking and memory to become seriously impaired; and, WHEREAS Alzheimer's disease and other dementias most often occur in people over the age of 65 but can strike adults at any age; and, WHEREAS Alzheimer's disease and other dementias affect more than 500,000 Canadians currently and that this figure is projected to reach 1.1 million within a generation; and, WHEREAS Alzheimer's disease and other dementias also takes their toll on hundreds of thousands of families and care partners; and, WHEREAS an estimated further three million Canadians face the burden and challenges of providing care for those suffering with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias; and, County Council 9 January 28, 2014 WHEREAS there is no known cause or cure for this devastating illness; and, WHEREAS the cost related to the health care system is in the billions and only going to increase, at a time when our health care system is already facing enormous financial challenges; and, WHEREAS Canada, unlike many countries, does not have a national dementia strategy; and, WHEREAS there is an urgent need to plan and raise awareness and understanding about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias for the sake of improving the quality of life of the people it touches; and, WHEREAS Claude Gravelle, MP, Nickel Belt has introduced Bill C-356, An Act respecting a National Strategy for Dementia, as he works for broad, all party and non-partisan support for an issue that touches us all. His legislation calls for a national plan that includes the development of strategies in primary health care, in health promotion and prevention of illness, in community development, in building community capacity and care partner engagement, investments in research and other (advisory board, objectives, investment in research, and caregivers and more). NOW THEREFORE, the County of Elgin calls on all levels of government and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to adopt a national dementia strategy, and urges all citizens of our communities to become more aware and engaged concerning the far- reaching effects of this devastating disease. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #5: Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT Elgin County Council supports the private member's resolution introduced by Randy Pettapiece, MPP, Perth-Wellington which states: THAT, in the opinion of this House, the government should protect taxpayers from higher property taxes by implementing a comprehensive, long-term solution to reform joint and several liability insurance for municipalities by no later than June 2014, addressing the alarming rise in insurance premiums due to rising litigation and claim costs. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #6: Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation's invitation to Elgin County to rejoin SCOR EDC as a full contributing and active partner be received and filed; and, THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer meet with the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation to gather further information regarding the organization's scope and membership fees. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #7: Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Mc William THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the letters or concern from various local businesses regarding Highway 401 and 4 interchange improvements and proposed alterations at Glanworth; and, County Council 10 January 28, 2014 THAT correspondence be sent to the Ministry of Transportation, the City of London and Jeff Yurek, MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London to engage in dialogue and register the County's and ratepayers' objections. - Carried. Staff Direction —to contact the County of Middlesex and Middlesex Centre to determine their positions on this matter. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) 1. Dennis Purcell, Chair, Bancroft & Hastings Highlands Disaster Relief Committee, thanking Council for donation which assisted in their severe flooding relief efforts. 2. Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, with an update on Ontario's dealings with the Federal Government on a renewed Labour Market Agreement. 3. Paul Collins, President and CEO, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH), with media release from the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Board announcing their integration initiative of Complex Continuing Care (CCC) and rehabilitation services and the impact this will have at STEGH. 4. M. Casavecchia-Somers, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, Township of Malahide, with resolution urging reorganization of school boundaries as they relate to the Thames Valley District School Board French Immersion Accommodation Plan. 5. Melanie Knapp, Corporate Administrative & Accessibility Clerk, City of St. Thomas, advising of Mayor Heather Jackson's appointment to the Green Lane Community Trust Fund for 2014. 6. Heather Jackson, Mayor, City of St. Thomas, announcing date for 2014 Charity Hockey Game between City of St. Thomas and County of Elgin — Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. 7. J. W. Tiernay, Executive Director, OGRA Board of Directors, with Notice of Poll information for election of representative to the OGRA Board of Directors for the Southwest Zone with the vote to take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. 8. Andre Marin, Ombudsman Ontario, with Annual Report on Investigations of Closed Municipal Meetings. (Annual report available upon request) 9. Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus Newsletter. 10. AMO Communications — Land Use Planning and Appeals System Consultation. 11. Correspondence to Premier Wynne expressing disappointment regarding the distribution of the $100 million Small, Rural and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund from: a) The Municipality of East Ferris b) The Township of Malahide c) The Municipality of Bayham 12. Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC) Media Release titled "County of Lambton Warden Todd Case Acclaimed as Chair of WOWC". Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT Correspondence Items #1 — 12 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 11 January 28, 2014 OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members — None. Notice of Motion — None. Matters of Urgency— None. Closed Meeting Item Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT we do now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to discuss matters under Section 240.2 (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board — Cross Border Agreement for Ambulance Services — Director of Engineering Services. - Carried. The Director of Engineering Services presented the report on Cross Border Agreement for Ambulance Services. Moved by Councillor Walters Seconded by Councillor Couckuyt THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Walters THAT staff be authorized and directed to enter into and sign cross border billing agreements with relevant municipal partners for the delivery of land ambulance services commencing in 2014, according to the standard template agreement developed by the Regional Treasurer's Group and accepted by the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus; and, THAT the 2014 budget be adjusted accordingly (net $28,000). - Carried. For the education of Council the Chief Administrative Officer provided an update on the status of negotiations regarding various cost apportionment programs. Motion to Adopt Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole Moved by Councillor Jenkins Seconded by Councillor Ens THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole. - Carried. BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor McWilliam THAT By-Law No. 14-02 "Being a By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the January 28, 2014 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. - Carried. County Council 12 January 28, 2014 Moved by Councillor Couckuyt Seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT we do now adjourn at 11:38 a.m. and meet again on February 11, 2014 at the County Administration Building at 9:00 a.m. lw--