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.