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11 - September 8, 2015 MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES Tuesday, September 8, 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 Currie Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the minutes of the meeting held on July 28, 2015 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF — None. DELEGATION Ontario Works Department Update Elizabeth Sebestyen, Acting Director, St. Thomas -Elgin Ontario Works, presented an update about the organization as well as an update regarding progress made to -date on the 10 -year Housing and Homelessness Plan. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the reports titled "Ontario Works Department Update" and "2014 Progress Report — 10 -year Housing and Homelessness Plan" from the Acting Director, St. Thomas -Elgin Ontario Works, dated September 8, 2015 be received and filed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Jones THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. REPORTS Draft Approval for a Plan of Subdivision, Municipality of Central Elgin, File No.: 34T- CE1501, Donwest Construction Ltd. (Sunset Bluffs Subdivision) — Manager of Planning The manager presented the report providing Council with information required in order to consider granting draft plan approval to Donwest Construction Ltd. for the Sunset Bluffs Subdivision. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Jones THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin grants draft plan approval to Donwest Construction Ltd. Draft Plan of Subdivision (Sunset Bluffs) in the Municipality of Central Elgin (Port Stanley) File No. 34T-CE1501; and, THAT staff be directed to provide notice of this decision subject to the conditions for final approval in accordance with the Planning Act. - Carried. County Council 2 September 8, 2015 Provincial Offences Act (POA) Cost Recovery Increase — Provincial Offences Supervisor The supervisor presented Council with the report informing them that the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) plans to increase the rates of POA cost recovery for adjudication and monitoring services effective January 1, 2016. Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Wolfe THAT the report titled "Provincial Offences Act (POA) Cost Recovery Increase" be circulated to Elgin's Municipal Partners. THAT County Council provide an endorsement of support to the position as provided in the MCMA response to MAG. - Carried. World War Commemorations Community Grant Approved — Elgin County Museum Curator The curator presented the report informing Council that the Elgin County Museum's application for the World War Commemorations Community Grant was approved. The Museum will receive $20,000 which will be used to create a travelling exhibit, a learning package based on 40 selected veterans of Vimy Ridge and a short video on local war hero Ellis Sifton. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to enter into a funding agreement with the Government of Canada in the amount of $20,000 under the World War Commemorations Community Fund; and, THAT the Warden issue a letter of appreciation to the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Member of Parliament for Elgin -Middlesex -London. - Carried. Council recessed for annual County Council photo at 9:57 a.m. and reconvened at 10:18 a.m. Insurance Claim for Water -Damaged Items at Aylmer Library — Director of Community and Cultural Services The director presented the report informing Council that the County's insurance claim for the loss caused by water damage at the Aylmer Library has now been fully settled. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT the Library's 2015 capital budget be increased by $35,585 to allow for the replacement of damaged assets at Aylmer Library funded by the County's insurance deductible project partially offset by Frank Cowan Company's insurance pay -out of $26,884. - Carried. Infrastructure Funding Programs (OCIF and SCF) — Deputy Director of Engineering Services The deputy director presented the report requesting approval to submit expressions of interest to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund for the reconstruction of Miller Road, and to the Small Communities Fund for the rehabilitation of the King George Lift Bridge. County Council 2 September 8, 2015 Provincial Offences Act (POA) Cost Recovery Increase — Provincial Offences Supervisor The supervisor presented Council with the report informing them that the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) plans to increase the rates of POA cost recovery for adjudication and monitoring services effective January 1, 2016. Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Wolfe THAT the report titled "Provincial Offences Act (POA) Cost Recovery Increase" be circulated to Elgin's Municipal Partners. THAT County Council provide an endorsement of support to the position as provided in the MCMA response to MAG. - Carried. World War Commemorations Community Grant Approved — Elgin County Museum Curator The curator presented the report informing Council that the Elgin County Museum's application for the World War Commemorations Community Grant was approved. The Museum will receive $20,000 which will be used to create a travelling exhibit, a learning package based on 40 selected veterans of Vimy Ridge and a short video on local war hero Ellis Sifton. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to enter into a funding agreement with the Government of Canada in the amount of $20,000 under the World War Commemorations Community Fund; and, THAT the Warden issue a letter of appreciation to the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Member of Parliament for Elgin -Middlesex -London. - Carried. Council recessed for annual County Council photo at 9:57 a.m. and reconvened at 10:18 a.m. Insurance Claim for Water -Damaged Items at Aylmer Library — Director of Community and Cultural Services The director presented the report informing Council that the County's insurance claim for the loss caused by water damage at the Aylmer Library has now been fully settled. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT the Library's 2015 capital budget be increased by $35,585 to allow for the replacement of damaged assets at Aylmer Library funded by the County's insurance deductible project partially offset by Frank Cowan Company's insurance pay -out of $26,884. - Carried. Infrastructure Funding Programs (OCIF and SCF) — Deputy Director of Engineering Services The deputy director presented the report requesting approval to submit expressions of interest to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund for the reconstruction of Miller Road, and to the Small Communities Fund for the rehabilitation of the King George Lift Bridge. County Council 3 September 8, 2015 Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT staff submit a joint expression of interest with the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) for the Reconstruction of Miller Road; and, THAT staff submit an expression of interest to the Small Communities Fund (SCF) for the Rehabilitation of the King George Lift Bridge. - Carried. Off Road Vehicles and All Terrain Vehicles — Director of Engineering Services The director presented the report recommending that Council maintain a 2004 decision to prohibit Off Road Vehicles on County Roads. Moved by Councillor Jones Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the report titled "Off Road Vehicles and All Terrain Vehicles" from the Director of Engineering Services, dated August 24, 2015 be received and filed and circulated to local Municipal partners for information. - Carried. CORRESPONDENCE Items for Consideration 1. Evelyn Eichenbaum, Clerk, Haldimand County, with a resolution seeking support for the Province of Ontario to review Vacancy Rebate Program from a public policy perspective to ensure businesses are not eligible for a reduced property tax burden if "vacancy" is a result of a labour disruption. 2. Randy Pettapiece, MPP, Perth -Wellington, seeking support for his private member's resolution for the Province of Ontario to guarantee fairness in Provincial Infrastructure Funding. 3. Brian Smith, Mayor, Town of Wasaga Beach, with a resolution seeking support for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to remove proposed Bill 73 amendments to the Planning Act. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin support Haldimand County's resolution requesting that the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Municipal Affairs review Vacancy Rebate Program legislation to ensure that businesses are not eligible for a reduced property tax burden if "vacancy" is a result of a labour dispute. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Jones Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin support the private member's resolution urging the government to guarantee government-held ridings and opposition -held ridings be given equal and transparent consideration on infrastructure funding; and, THAT when funding decisions are made, all MPPs whether in government or opposition, be given fair and equal advance notice of the official announcement. - Carried. County Council 4 September 8, 2015 The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #3: Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Wolfe THAT Correspondence Item #3 be received and filed. - Carried. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) 1. Ontario Energy Board Notice to customers of Union Gas Limited re: gas commodity, storage and transportation rate changes. 2. Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, responding to Elgin County Council's opposition to the construction of a Nuclear Waste Repository in the Great Lakes Basin. 3. Jeff Yurek, MPP, Elgin -Middlesex -London, thanking Elgin County Council for its adoption of the Western Ontario Warden's Caucus resolution opposing the sale of Hydro One. 4. Premier Kathleen Wynne, responding to Elgin County Council's concerns re: restoration of competitive electricity rates to Ontario farms, industry and all hydro users. 5. Grace McGartland, Chair, The Arts & Cookery Bank, with thank you for supporting the 2015 Outrageously Rural Food Fight Competition and Extravaganza. 6. Union Gas Limited announcing that they have reached an agreement in principle with TransCanada re: The TransCanada Pipeline's Energy East Project. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Wolfe THAT Correspondence Items #1 — 6 be received and filed. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Councillor Marr updated Council on the grand re -opening of the West Breakwater in Port Stanley on Labour Day Weekend. Between 800 and 1000 people attended the ceremony. Everyone was very appreciative of the project. Councillors Currie and Jones were also in attendance for the opening among others who were recognized at the event. A video is being put together on this topic. Councillor Marr also participated in a new promo video that is being created by Elgin County Tourism. This promo video will feature locations across the County and will launch in the Spring of 2016. Councillor Martyn thanked the Elgin County Archives for the banners they created that show the history of the West Breakwater the Port Stanley beach. These banners are displayed along the West Breakwater. Councillor Martyn also mentioned that the Village of Sparta recently did their own video about the community's history. This video is available on YouTube. Councillor Currie congratulated Central Elgin on the success of the West Breakwater opening. The Warden requested that the Council meeting in October be moved to the 27th. All Councillors agreed to this change. Notice of Motion — None. Matters of Urgency — None. County Council 5 September 8, 2015 Council recessed at 10:41 a.m. and reconvened at 10:59 a.m. with the County Solicitor in attendance. Closed Meeting Item Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT we do now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to discuss matters under Section 240.2 (c): a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board — Update #7 Dexter Line Land Purchases. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Jones THAT the verbal legal update on the acquisition of lands along the preferred route for the relocation of parts of Dexter Line from the County Solicitor be received and filed. - Carried. Motion to Adopt Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole. - Carried. BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT By -Law No. 15-23 "Being a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the September 8, 2015 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. - Carried. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT we do now adjourn at 11:43 a.m. and meet again on September 22, 2015 at the County Administration Building Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m. Mark McDonald, Chief Administrative Officer. - Carried. Paul Ens, Warden.