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February 14, 2006 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL Tuesday, February 14, 2006 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building, at 9:00 A.M. in accordance with adjournment, with all members present except Councillors Rock (family matter) and Vowel (vacation). Warden Baldwin in the Chair. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the minutes for the meeting held on January 24, 2006 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF — None. PRESENTATIONS Warden Baldwin presented a framed Certificate and gift to Nancy Stinson in recognition of her retirement from the County after thirty-three years' of service at Elgin Manor. DELEGATIONS Mr. Steve Evans, Director of Planning and Economic Development, County of Middlesex, attended at 9:05 A.M. to present the County of Middlesex Economic Development Experience. Mr. Evans reviewed the process used when contemplating economic development at the County level, emphasizing activities should be carried out on a regional development and marketing basis. Mr. Evans spoke to the importance of having a County Official Plan, which sets broad policies to help determine where growth should occur and where funds should be spent to support such growth. Mr. Evans noted that the County's role is to assist and to facilitate the activities of local economic development committees, not to compete with them. Ms. Helen LeFrank, Elgin Community Futures Development Corporation (ECFDC), was in attendance and Warden Baldwin invited her to speak. Ms. LeFrank noted that planning, economic development, and tourism are connected and that it is more difficult in Elgin County because the County does not have an Official Plan. A regional approach would assist the local municipalities in their development efforts. Ms. LeFrank indicated the ECFDC is willing to assist with any development endeavours the County may undertake. Warden Baldwin thanked Mr. Evans for his presentation, and Ms. LeFrank for her comments, and the delegation left at 9:43 A.M. Council took a break at 9:43 A.M. and reconvened at 9:55 A.M. Warden Baldwin asked Council for comments on the presentation from Mr. Evans and comments made by Ms. LeFrank. Council indicated interest in a regional focus for economic development and directed staff to research the initiative with neighbouring Counties and report. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McIntyre That staff be directed to research economic development initiatives in other municipalities and report with recommendations for Elgin, including budget implications, for consideration prior to the establishment of the 2006 County Budget. - Carried Unanimously. County Council Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS Update on Emerald Ash Borer in Elgin County — Tree Commissioner February 14, 2006 The Tree Commissioner reported that positive sightings of the Emerald Ash Borer have been made in Dutton/Dunwich and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has quarantined a 5 km area. Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT the report "Update on Emerald Ash Borer in Elgin County" dated February 1, 2006, from the Tree Commissioner be received and filed. - Carried. Supply and Installation of Cooling Tower at Administration Building — Director of Engineering Services, Manager of Corporate Facilities and Purchasing Co -Ordinator Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Climate Control be selected for the removal of the used cooling tower and the supply and installation of one new cooling tower for the County Administration Building at the quoted price of $88,160 (including taxes). - Carried. Terrace Lodge — Installation of Air Handling Units and Replacement of Roof — Director of Engineering Services and Purchasing Co -Ordinator Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT staff proceed with the installation of the air handling units and replacement of the roof for the north and south wings at Terrace Lodge; and, THAT staff assume the role of contractor and adhere to the procurement policy; and, THAT an information report be submitted to Council upon completion of the project. - Carried. Repairs to Terrace Lodge Pool — Director of Engineering Services, Director of Senior Services Terrace Lodge, Purchasing Co -Ordinator Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the repairs to the Terrace Lodge pool be approved and completed at an upset cost of $30,000, inclusive of taxes; and, THAT $30,000 be allocated to the 2006 Capital Budget to cover the cost of the repairs. - Carried. County Council February 14, 2006 Teranet — Ontario Parcel Fabric Mapping — Manager of Road Infrastructure Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the County of Elgin make a written request to the Central Elgin Planning Board for their consent to participate in receiving, storing and making available on their web -based mapping application (C -map) property parcel data for all of Elgin County, with the understanding that all value-added services will be the lower tier's responsibility; and, THAT the County of Elgin enter into a license agreement with Teranet Enterprises to obtain digital Ontario Parcel data for a five-year term at an annual cost of $2,900. - Carried. OSTAR — Addendum to the Funding Agreement — Manager of Road Infrastructure Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and directed to execute the Addendum to the OSTAR Funding Agreement, File No. 6092; and, THAT the $202,356 in additional funding be placed within the Capital account; and, THAT the costs to manufacture and install a recognition plaque be allocated from the Capital account. - Carried. Policy 13.10 Revision — Director of Information Technology Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT Human Resources Policy 13.10 Acceptable Use for Computer Equipment, Software, Internet Access and Internet E-mail, be amended by: Removing "is changed regularly and" from the Usage section of the policy; and, Removing the clause requiring users ensure that their computer's virus scanning is current and that users be obliged to scan and clean viruses. - Carried. Planning for Redevelopment of Terrace Lodge — Director of Senior Services, Terrace Lodge Council requested that staff review a previous report that outlined renovations required for Terrace Lodge and prepare a status report to include future requirements. Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT staff be directed to engage professional advice regarding a cost/benefit analysis of renovating versus rebuilding Terrace Lodge for consideration by Council; and THAT an initial capital budget allocation for the eventual redevelopment of Terrace Lodge be included in the draft 2006 Capital Budget; and THAT a status report on the short-term capital plans and renovations, previously approved for Terrace Lodge, be provided for Council's consideration. - Carried Unanimously County Council February 14, 2006 Physiotherapy Services at Elgin County Homes — Directors of Senior Services Terrace Lodge, Elgin Manor and Bobier Villa, and Purchasing Co -Ordinator Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Lifemark Health Management Inc. be selected to provide Physiotherapy Services for the Elgin County Homes for a two-year term with the option to renew for one additional year; and, THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to enter into an agreement with Lifemark Health Management Inc. and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for the provision of Physiotherapy Services for County of Elgin Homes. - Carried. Provincial Grant for Replacement of Ambulance Equipment and Medical Diagnostic Equipment and Ambulance Vehicle Purchase — Ambulance and Emergency Management Co -Ordinator Council requested that a cost/benefit analysis of gas powered versus diesel powered vehicles be presented at a future meeting. Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the report entitled "Provincial Grant for Replacement of Ambulance Equipment and Medical Diagnostic Equipment and Ambulance Vehicle Purchase" dated January 31, 2006 from the Ambulance and Emergency Management Co -Ordinator be approved and staff be authorized to make the necessary purchases. - Carried. The Ending of Mandatory Retirement — Director of Human Resources Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT, except when a demonstrated skill shortage exists, the County adhere to its current policy and practices, and do not provide employment to those who turn 65 before the December 12, 2006 deadline, until such time as all the rules and regulations surrounding the legislation are known and policies are amended. - Carried. County of Elgin Health and Safety Policy — Director of Human Resources Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the Warden and the Chief Administrative Officer sign a copy of the County's Health and Safety Policy for 2006 for posting in a visible location at each workplace. - Carried. Elgin County Library Recipient of Public Library Service Award 2005 — Director of Library Services Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis THAT the report "Elgin County Library Recipient of Public Library Service Award 2005" dated February 6, 2006, from the Director of Library Services, be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 5 February 14, 2006 2006 OMPF Funding — Director of Financial Services Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the report entitled "2006 OMPF Funding" dated February 2, 2006, from the Director of Financial Services, be received and filed. - Carried. Council took a break at 11:22 A.M. and reconvened at 11:31 A.M. 2006 Proposed Capital Budget — Director of Financial Services The Director of Financial Services advised that a 5% increase to reserves would increase the levy by 1 %. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Wilson THAT the report "2006 Proposed Capital Budget" dated January 12, 2006, from the Director of Financial Services, be referred to County Composite Budget deliberations. - Carried. Director of Financial Services Statement on Convention Expenses; Treasurer's Statement of Council Remuneration and Expenses; Treasurers Statement of Outside Boards Remuneration and Expenses — Director of Financial Services Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT the 2005 Director of Financial Services Statement on Convention Expenses; Treasurer's Statement of Council Remuneration and Expenses and Treasurer's Statement of Outside Boards Remuneration and Expenses, be received and filed. - Carried. West Lorne Branch Library Fire — Director of Library Services (verbal update) The Director of Library Services reported that staff is compiling a statement of costs for the insurance company for the losses incurred from the recent fire at the West Lorne Branch Library. The Director noted that the newspaper and Tweedsmuir collections had been microfilmed and damage to them may not be as severe as was thought. Staffing issues need to be addressed until the library is rebuilt or another facility has been rented. The Director of Library Services requested consideration by Council for temporary deployment of staffing to other branches in the County Library system or granting unpaid Leaves of Absence if requested by the employees affected. Council concurred with the request. Councillors were invited to review the fourth floor construction for the Museum after lunch. Council recessed at 12:04 P.M. for lunch and reconvened at 1:02 P.M. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration Betty de Haan, CAO/Clerk, Township of South Stormont, with a resolution requesting support of Bill 25, An Act to Preserve the Gravesites of Former Premiers of Ontario. 2. Jayne Carman, Clerk, County of Brant, with a resolution petitioning the Province of Ontario to not implement Recommendations 5.1 and 5.2 of the report from the Water Strategy Expert Panel "Watertight: the Case for Change in Ontario's Water and Wastewater Sector". County Council February 14, 2006 3. Kathryn Collier, President, Board of Directors, and Debra Seabrooke-Page, Executive Director/Curator, St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre, requesting the appointment of a member of Council to the Art Centre's Board of Directors. 4. Pam Gilroy, Regional Clerk, Niagara Region, with a resolution requesting the Province of Ontario to remove the obligation of funding the many provincial social programs delivered by the municipalities through the municipal property tax base. 5. Bryan Goulden, Manager, Regulatory Applications, Union Gas, Notice of Application re: Union Gas Limited Rates for 2007 with deadline for comments by March 3, 2006. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Correspondence Item #1 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis THAT Correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #3: Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT Councillor Sylvia Hofhuis be appointed as the County representative to the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Board of Directors for the term of the current Council. - Carried. Councillor Hofhuis noted she would be unavailable to attend the Annual General Meeting scheduled for February 28, 2006. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #4: Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin supports the resolution from the Regional Municipality of Niagara requesting the Province of Ontario to remove the obligation of funding the many social programs the province requires municipalities to deliver, through the municipal property tax base. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted respecting Correspondence Item #5: Moved by Councillor McIntyre Seconded by Councillor Faulds THAT Correspondence Item #5 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council 7 Items for Information (Consent Agenda) February 14, 2006 1. Premier Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, acknowledging Council's support for the Town of Midland's resolution concerning municipal funding. 2. Caroline Di Cocco, M.P.P., Sarnia-Lambton, thanking Council for its support of Bill 123, Transparency in Public Matters Act. 3. Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Members' Advisory, "FCM Looks Forward to Working with New Government". 4. Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman, Ontario Heritage Foundation, with information regarding the Ontario Heritage Trust "Young Heritage Leaders Program". 5. Hon. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance, thanking the County Chief Administrative Officer for participating in the Woodstock pre -budget discussion on January 12, 2006. 6. Hon. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin -Middlesex -London, acknowledging Council's endorsement of the City of Cornwall's resolution that would require arbitrators to take into account local economic conditions and a municipality's ability to pay, when making awards. 7. Doreen Steidle, Chief Executive Officer, Passport Canada, replying to concerns on the validity period and cost of a Canadian passport. 8. Hon. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance and Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announcing release of Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations for 2006. 9. Hon. Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Culture, outlining regulations made to implement the amended Ontario Heritage Act. 10. AMO Member Communication ALERT: 1) AMO Pre -Budget Submission to Close the Fiscal Gap; 2) OMERS — Bill 206 — More Amendments Bill Remains Flawed. 11. Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, acknowledging Council's view on the Private Member's Bill 123, the proposed Transparency in Public Matters Act, 2005. 12. Tony Prevedel, OGRA 1St Vice President, explaining the process and addressing statements contained in the e-mail from Councillor Andre Rivest concerning the OGRA nomination process. 13. Debbie Humphreys, Ontario Association of Non -Profit Homes and Services for Seniors, Proposed Legislation Opens Door to Further Privatization in the Delivery of Long -Term Care. 14. Association of Municipalities of Ontario, News Release, "Province Determined to Impose New Pension Costs on Municipalities and Taxpayers". Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT Correspondence Items #1-14 be received and filed. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Warden Baldwin noted the Elgin County Museum has planned an exhibition entitled "Victorian Secrets" on display from February 11 to April 8, 2006. County Council 8 February 14, 2006 Notice of Motion — None. Matters of Urgency — None. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Warwick THAT we do now proceed In -Camera to discuss personal matters of an identifiable individual. - Carried. At one point in the proceedings, all Staff were excused except the Chief Administrative Officer. Moved by Councillor Acre Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Hofhuis Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT Council endorses the exception recommended by the Director of Human Resources regarding a particular offer of employment. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis THAT we do now adopt the recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. BY-LAWS Moved by Councillor Wilson Seconded by Councillor Acre THAT By -Law No. 06-06 "A By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the February 14th, 2006 Meeting" be read a first and second time. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Warwick Seconded by Councillor McIntyre THAT By -Law No. 06-06 be read a third time and finally passed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Faulds Seconded by Councillor Hofhuis THAT we do now adjourn at 2:00 P.M. to meet again on March 14, 2006 at 9:00 A.M. Mark G. McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. - Carried. Paul Baldwin, Warden.