03 - February 10, 2015 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building at 9:00 a.m. with all
members present.
Warden Ens in the Chair.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Moved by Councillor Martyn
Seconded by Councillor Currie
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on January 27, 2015 be adopted.
- Carried.
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF —
None.
DELEGATIONS
Southwest Economic Alliance (SWEA) Presentation
Mr. Grace, Chair of the SWEA Board of Directors provided Council with an update on the
organization's direction and asked Council to remain involved.
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Wiehle
THAT the presentation titled "Southwest Economic Alliance Presentation" from the Chair of the
SWEA Board of Directors be received and filed.
- Carried.
Elgin St. Thomas EMS Annual Report — 2014
Mr. Pancino, Operations Manager for Elgin St. Thomas EMS presented the organization's
annual report to Council. The report included an overview of emergency call volumes by station,
response times and plans for 2015.
Moved by Councillor Wolfe
Seconded by Councillor Currie
THAT the PowerPoint titled "Elgin St. Thomas EMS Annual Report — 2014" from the Operations
Manager for Elgin St. Thomas EMS, dated February 10, 2015, be received and filed.
- Carried.
Phragmites Australis North America's Most Invasive Species
Mr. Collins, Chair of the St. Thomas Phragmites Control Committee presented a PowerPoint on
the invasive species Phragmites australis explaining how it spreads, how it can be eradicated
and recommending that the County become involved.
Moved by Councillor Marr
Seconded by Councillor Mennill
THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin support the St. Thomas Phragmites Control
Committee's letter to provincial Ministers requesting that they immediately petition The Pest
Management Regulatory Agency to permit the use of United States EPA documented research
used for product certification; and,
THAT these Ministries act upon this request in an expeditious fashion in order to prevent further
damage and financial loss directly attributed to Phragmites australis; and,
County Council 2 February 10, 2015
THAT Citation #1, requesting the immediate petition of the Federal Government to remove The
Pest Management Regulatory Agency from Health Canada and transfer its operation to The
Department of Agriculture and Agri -Food be removed from the letter; and,
THAT the presentation titled "Phragmites australis North America's Most Invasive Species" from
the Chair of the St. Thomas Phragmites Control Committee be received and filed and circulated
to local municipalities for consideration.
- Carried.
Council recessed at 10:34 a.m. and reconvened at 10:45 a.m.
CAS Youth Internship — Elgin County Library
The Manager of Programming and Community Development presented a PowerPoint updating
Council on the activities of the CAS Youth Internship program and highlighted some of the
innovative technology projects being undertaken at each library branch across the County.
Moved by Councillor Jones
Seconded by Councillor McWilliam
THAT the PowerPoint titled "CAS Youth Internship — Elgin County Library" from the Manager of
Programming and Community Development be received and filed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor McWilliam
Seconded by Councillor Mennill
THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council.
- Carried.
REPORTS
2014 Library Usage and Statistics Report — Library Coordinator
The coordinator presented the report summarizing the usage trends at the 10 library branches
in Elgin County. Figures included general use of materials, downloadable collections, public
computers, wireless internet, interlibrary loan, reference services, and membership activities.
Moved by Councillor Martyn
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT the report titled "2014 Library Usage and Statistics Report" from the Library Coordinator
dated January 26, 2015 be received and filed; and,
THAT a copy of this report be submitted to all municipalities in the County of Elgin.
- Carried.
Enabling Accessibility Fund Grant for Library Assistive Technology — Accessibility
Coordinator
The coordinator presented the report informing Council that the County has received a Federal
grant in the amount of $10,169 to be used to purchase assistive technology and accessible
materials for the library.
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer enter into a funding agreement with the
Government of Canada in the amount of $10,169 under the Enabling Accessibility Fund; and,
County Council 3 February 10, 2015
THAT the Warden on behalf of Council issue a letter of appreciation to the Federal Minister of
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Member of Parliament Mr. Joe Preston.
- Carried.
Employee Benefits Renewal 2015 — Director of Human Resources
The director presented the report informing Council that the County has successfully negotiated
a renewal of the non -union staff benefits contract.
Moved by Councillor Wolfe
Seconded by Councillor McWilliam
THAT County Council approve the negotiated renewal rate adjustments with Manulife Financial
for the County of Elgin, effective March 1, 2015.
- Carried.
Quarterly Information Report - Contract Awards October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 —
Purchasinq Coordinator
The coordinator presented the report outlining all contracts awarded that exceed $15,000 from
October to December 2014.
Moved by Councillor Currie
Seconded by Councillor Jones
THAT the report titled "Quarterly Information Report - Contract Awards, October 1, 2014 to
December 31, 2014" from the Purchasing Coordinator dated January 21, 2015 be received
and filed.
- Carried.
Homes - Enhanced Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) - One -Time Funding — Director
of Homes and Seniors Services
The director presented the report informing Council that Elgin County has received one -time
funding from the Southwest Local Health Integration Network for the enhancement of equipment
and programs relating to behavioural support in the Homes.
Moved by Councillor Wiehle
Seconded by Councillor Martyn
THAT Council accept the Enhanced Behavioural Supports One -Time Funding from the
Southwest Local Health Integration Network; and,
THAT Council send a letter to the Southwest Local Health Integration Network in appreciation
of the Enhanced BSO One -Time Funding.
- Carried.
Homes - Elgin Adult Day Program - Stroke Day Additional Transportation Funding —
Director of Homes and Seniors Services
The director presented the report informing Council that funding was received from the
Southwest Local Health Integration Network to subsidize transportation to Stroke Day
programming at Terrace Lodge.
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Currie
THAT Council accept the additional funding for transportation for the Stroke Day Program at
Terrace Lodge; and,
County Council 4 February 10, 2015
THAT a letter be forwarded to the Southwest Local Health Integration Network in appreciation
of the additional funding for the Stroke Day Program at Terrace Lodge.
- Carried.
Homes - Lab Service Contract — Director of Homes and Seniors Services
The director presented the report recommending that Council approve a contract with LifeLabs
for the collection and transportation of specimens for the purposes of diagnostic testing.
Moved by Councillor Jones
Seconded by Councillor Currie
THAT Council authorize staff to sign a 3 year contract effective January 1, 2015 through
December 31, 2017 with LifeLabs.
- Carried.
Preliminary 2014 Year -End Financials — Director of Financial Services
The director presented the report outlining Elgin County's preliminary 2014 year -end financials.
Revenue for the year is $60.5 million and expenses are $59.6 million for a net improvement to
the County's financials of $0.9 million. This provides favourable performance of $2.4 million
Moved by Councillor Marr
Seconded by Councillor McWilliam
THAT the $2.4 million of preliminary 2014 operating year -end budget performance be applied
to the 2015 budget to offset tax increases by 0.9 %.
- Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Items for Consideration
E. Anne Hiscock, Manager — Green Lane Landfill, Solid Waste Management Services
Toronto requesting Elgin County representation on the Green Lane Landfill Public Liaison
Committee (PLC).
2. a) Randy R. Hope, Mayor, Municipality of Chatham -Kent, seeking support for the Provincial
Government to analyze the Proposal for Enhancing Pollinator Health and Reducing the Use
of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Ontario from an environmental and economic perspective.
b) Ontario Beekeepers' Association with response to Mayor Randy Hope's Briefing Note.
The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1:
Moved by Councillor McWilliam
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin request that the Township of Southwold bring
forward a citizen -at -large nominee to represent Elgin County on the Green Lane Landfill Public
Liaison Committee.
- Carried.
The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #2:
Moved by Councillor Marr
Seconded by Councillor Mennill
THAT the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs be encouraged to meet with all
relevant stakeholders to discuss potential solutions to support the viability of commercial
beekeeping in Ontario.
- Carried.
County Council 5 February 10, 2015
Moved by Councillor Jones
Seconded by Councillor Currie
THAT Correspondence Items #1 — 2(a) & (b) be received and filed.
- Carried.
Items for Information (Consent Agenda)
Hon. Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, thanking Jeff Yurek, MPP,
Elgin- Middlesex- London for his comments regarding the Ontario Municipal Partnership
Fund (OMPF) reductions.
Hon. James Moore, Minister of Industry, responding to Elgin County Council's resolution
requesting the reinstatement of the mandatory Census long -form questionnaire.
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT Correspondence Items #1 — 2 be received and filed.
- Carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Statements /Inquiries by Members — None.
Notice of Motion — None.
Matters of Urgency — None.
Closed Meeting Items
Moved by Councillor Wiehle
Seconded by Councillor Wolfe
THAT we do now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to
discuss matters under Section 240.2 (d); two items: labour relations or employee negotiations —
Arbitration Discussions and Outcome; & Collective Agreement with Canadian Union of Public
Appointees (CUPE) for Library Employees.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Jones
THAT we do now rise and report.
- Carried.
Council recessed at 12:06 p.m. and reconvened at 12:11 p.m.
Moved by Councillor Wolfe
Seconded by Councillor Currie
THAT the confidential report titled "Arbitration Discussions and Outcome" from the Director of
Human Resources dated January 28, 2015 be received and filed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Wiehle
Seconded by Councillor Jones
THAT County Council approve the confidential report titled "Labour Relations Matters — Seeking
Approval for Renewal Collective Agreement with Canadian Union of Public Employees (Library
Employees)" from the Director of Human Resources dated February 5, 2015, and the
recommendations contained therein; and,
County Council 6 February 10, 2015
THAT the necessary by -law be prepared.
- Carried.
REPORTS (continued)
2015 Budget — Director of Financial Services
The director presented the proposed 2015 budget.
Moved by Councillor Mennill
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT the 2015 proposed budget, which includes the operating budget, the capital budget and
grants, be approved; and,
THAT the necessary by -law be prepared.
- Carried Unanimously.
Motion to Adopt Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole
Moved by Councillor Jones
Seconded by Councillor Martyn
THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole.
- Carried.
BY-LAWS
Moved by Councillor Wiehle
Seconded by Councillor Jones
THAT By -Law No. 15 -05 "Being a By -Law to Provide for the Adoption of the 2015 Budget of
The Corporation of the County of Elgin and to Establish the 2015 Tax Ratios, and to Establish
the 2015 Tax Rates for the County Constituent Municipalities" be read a first, second and third
time and finally passed.
- Carried.
Moved by Councillor Currie
Seconded by Councillor Wolfe
THAT By -Law No. 15 -06 "Being a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of
the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the February 10, 2015 Meeting" be read a first, second
and third time and finally passed.
- Carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Councillor McWilliam
Seconded by Councillor Marr
THAT we do now adjourn at 12:27 p.m. and meet again on March 10, 2015 at the County
Administration Building Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m.
Mark McDonald,
Chief Administrative Officer.
- Carried.
Paul Ens,
Warden.