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03 - February 14, 2017 County Council MinutesCOUNTY COUNCIL MINUTES Tuesday, February 14, 2017 The Elgin County Council met this day at the Administration Building at 9:00 a.m. with all members present except Councillor Ens (vacation). Warden Jones in the Chair. Council stood and observed a moment of silence for the late Councillor Mike Wolfe. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Councillor Martyn Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT the minutes of the meeting held on January 24, 2017 be adopted. - Carried. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF — None. -_ DELEGATIONS Request for Support from Sparta PAR Committee Heather Derks, Sparta PS PAR Committee Chair and School Council Co -Chair with a PowerPoint presentation expressing the committee's concern regarding the TVDSB's recommendation to close several Elgin schools — Sparta Public School in particular. The group was in favour of a new school in Belmont but did not think the TVDSB's recommendation for a new school in Southeast St. Thomas was justified. The group requested Council's support for this position. Moved by Councillor Martyn Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the delegation's proposed resolution be amended by inserting the word "supports" instead of "assesses" regarding the need for a new school in Belmont; and, THAT the word "halt" be inserted in the place of the word "moratorium"; and, THAT "all schools be included in the study" be added to the end of the resolution. - Carried. The delegation's proposed main motion, as amended, was then voted on as follows. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Wiehle WHEREAS the current Accommodation Review Process is not reflective of the reality of rural school and community life; and, WHEREAS EPAR01 does not take into account all available capacity in assessing the need for a new St. Thomas School; and, WHEREAS across the province municipalities and counties are calling for a moratorium on the closure of rural schools; BE IT RESOLVED THAT the County of Elgin agrees that EPAR01 should be broken into two pieces, one that supports the need for a new Belmont School and one that assesses the need for a new Southeast St. Thomas School. We further call for a halt on rural school closures in Elgin County until such time as the funding model can be reassessed to include all schools (not just those in the study area) as well as to incorporate elements of resource conservation and economic impact on rural and community life. - Carried Unanimously. County Council 2 February 14, 2017 Floorplan and Design Concept - Elgin County Heritage Centre Tara McLaughlin and Travis Forrest, +VG The Ventin Group Architects presented the floor plan and animated design concept for the Elgin County Heritage Centre. Anticipated completion of the project is fall 2017. Following extensive discussion the following motion was introduced. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT the floor plan and design concept plus the gant chart and estimated budget for the Elgin County Heritage Centre as presented by The Ventin Group Architects be approved. - Carried. Council recessed at 10:15 a.m. and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT we do now move into Committee Of The Whole Council. - Carried. Enabling Accessibility Fund Grant — Bobier Villa Sidewalk Extension — Accessibility Coordinator The coordinator presented the report informing Council that the County has received funding in the amount of $9,044.10 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund to construct/extend the exterior sidewalks at Bobier Villa. Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT Warden and Chief Administrative Officer enter into a funding agreement with the Government of Canada in the amount of $9,044.10 under the Enabling Accessibility Fund to support accessibility improvements at Bobier Villa; and, 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 Mrs. Karen Vecchio. - Carried. Director of Human Resources — County of Elgin 2017 Mileage Rate The director presented the results of a review of the County of Elgin's mileage rates and recommended that these rates remain unchanged for 2017. Moved by Councillor Marlyn Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT County Council direct staff to freeze the mileage rate for 2017 at the current level of 49.5 cents per kilometre. - Carried. Tariff of Fees for Land Division Consent Applications — Secretary -Treasurer, Land Division Committee The Director of Engineering Services presented the report recommending that fees for land division consent applications be increased in order to off -set expenditures and remain revenue neutral. County Council 3 February 14, 2017 Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT the report titled "Tariff of Fees for Land Division Consent Applications" from the Secretary - Treasurer, Land Division Committee dated January 30, 2017, be received and filed; and, THAT the Fees and Charges By-law be amended. - Carried. Portable Weigh Scales — Director of Engineering Services The director presented the report recommending that Council approve the purchase of portable weigh scales to be used by the OPP to discourage overweight vehicles from driving within the county borders and causing premature deterioration on County roads. Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT the report be deferred for consideration by the Elgin Group Police Services Board for a discussion with the Commander on the impacts of deployment of officers with the introduction of scales. - Carried. Automated Call System — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The director presented the report recommending that Council approve the adoption of an automated call system for the Elgin County Homes. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to sign the one year agreement for an automated call system with One Call Now for Bobier Villa, Elgin Manor and Terrace Lodge. - Carried. Homes - Long -Term Care (LTC) Case Mix Index (CMI) Results for 2017-18 — Director of Homes and Seniors Services The director presented the results of the Ministry of Health and Long -Term Care's Case Mix Index. Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT the report titled "Long -Term Care (LTC) Case Mix Index (CMI) Results for 2017-18 Funding", from the Director of Homes and Seniors Services, dated January 31, 2017 be received and filed. - Carried. POA Staffing 2017 — Court Services Supervisor The supervisor presented the report recommending that a permanent part-time year round staff that works on scheduled court days be added to POA in the place of a summer student. Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT a permanent part-time Provincial Offences Clerk be hired at the estimated annual cost of $10,500 commencing January 2017, containable within current budget allocation by eliminating the summer student position. - Carried. County Council 4 February 14, 2017 Connect to Innovate RFP — Manager of Information Technology The Director of Financial Services presented the report informing Council that the County has issued an RFP seeking partnerships to apply for funding through the Connect to Innovate Program. The report explained the details of the program and the RFP. Moved by Councillor Marlyn Seconded by Councillor McWilliam THAT the report titled "Connect to Innovate RFP" from the Manager of Information Technology, dated February 1, 2017, be received and filed. - Carried. 2016 Full Year Financial Performance — Director of Financial Services The director presented the report outlining the financials for 2016. Revenue for the year was $66.1 million and expenses were $61.1 million for a net income of $4.9 million and a favourable performance of just under $0.9 million. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT the $0.9 million of preliminary 2016 operating year-end budget performance be applied to the 2017 budget to partially offset future Canada Pension Plan cost increases. - Carried. Kjo na26- oelk,II ,Cel Items for Consideration H. R. Warren, Committee Chair, New Veterans Memorial Garden, requesting County Council revisit their decision to only grant the War Memorial Site Committee $2,500.00. 2. Township of Montague with a resolution requesting the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Southern Ontario Library Service maintains funding for libraries for internet connectivity. 3. Kim White, Clerk, County of Prince Edward with resolutions seeking support for the Minister of Education to: a) rewrite the Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG); and, b) initiate immediate stay of execution on the Accommodation Review Process 4. Rosalie A. Evans, Solicitor -Clerk with a resolution requesting the Ministry of Finance to accrue any carbon tax credits applicable to tax-exempt private properties within Ontario Municipalities, to the Municipality in which the land is situated, rather than to the property owner. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #1: Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT Correspondence Item #1 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #2: Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT Correspondence Item #2 be received and filed. - Carried. County Council February 14, 2017 The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #3: Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT Correspondence Item #3 be received and filed. - Carried. The following recommendation was adopted in regard to Correspondence Item #4: Moved by Councillor Wiehle Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT Correspondence Item #4 be received and filed. - Carried. Items for Information (Consent Agenda) South West LHIN with Residential hospice planning in the South West LHIN Update. 2. AMO Communications titled "Premier Announces Increase to Ontario Gas Tax Fund for Transit". 3. Hon. Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announcing the launch of the renewed community -focused Rural Economic Development (RED) program. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2017. 4. Patrick Brown, Leader of the Official Opposition, reiterating the Ontario PC Caucus' support for natural gas expansion in Ontario. 5. St. Thomas -Elgin Local Immigration Partnership with February Newsletter which also announces their free drop-in event at the St. Thomas Seniors' Centre on February 22, 2017 titled "Moving Forward 2017". 6. The Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Newsletter. 7. Dan Mathieson, Mayor City of Stratford inviting Municipal Staff, Elected Officials, their friends and families to Civic Night on Tuesday, June 27th, 2017 where "Guys and Dolls" will be playing at the Festival Theatre. Moved by Councillor Martyn Seconded by Councillor Wiehle THAT Correspondence Items #1 — 7 be received and filed. - Carried. OTHER BUSINESS Statements/Inquiries by Members Councillor McWilliam inquired about changes to the Police Funding Model. The Chief Administrative Officer explained that a letter had recently been sent to him and the Chair of the Police Services Board regarding proposed changes to the grant structure but a one-year moratorium has been put on these changes. The current program remains in place. The Chief Administrative Officer will send the letter to the councillor. Councillor Marlyn was pleased to see that the Warden has sent out an email reminding municipalities to respond to the school safety zone inquiry from the County The Chief Administrative Officer informed Council that the County had received a request from Fanshawe College to donate towards a $500 award for the College's Personal Support Worker Program. County Council 6 February 14, 2017 Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT the County of Elgin fund the Personal Support Worker Award at Fanshawe Collage or split the amount with the City of St. Thomas if they choose to participate. - Carried. Notice of Motion — None. Matters of Urgency —None. Closed Meeting Items Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Martyn THAT we do now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to discuss matters under Municipal Act Section 239.2; (a) the security of the property of the municipality or local board — Marianne Barrie - Lease Extension and Mervin Riddell - Lease Extension. (d) labour relations or employee negotiations — SEIU Settlement. (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees and (d) labour relations or employee negotiations — Bobier Villa Management Reorganization and Case Mix Index (CMI) Supervisor. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Martyn Seconded by Councillor Mennill THAT we do now rise and report. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and directed to sign a lease agreement with Marianne Barrie for Room #246 and Room #343-A; and, THAT the lease for Room #246 start on May 1, 2017, for a lease rate of $16.10 per square foot, ($4,105.50 annual payment), plus the HST; and that the lease for Room #343-A remain constant at $4.00 per square foot ($400.00 annual payment), plus the HST; and, THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and directed to sign a lease agreement with Mervin Riddell for Rooms #225 and #227; and, THAT the lease commence on May 1, 2017 for a lease rate of $16.15 per square foot ($8,704.85 annual payment), plus the HST for year one, and $16.50 per square foot ($8,893.50 annual payment), plus the HST for year two; and that the lease rate for Room #19 remain constant at $4.00 per square foot ($1,080.00 annual payment) plus the HST for both years; and that the lease may be terminated after year one with sixty (60) days notice. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor McWilliam THAT County Council approve the confidential report titled "Labour Relations Matters —Seeking Approval for New Collective Agreement with Service Employees International Union (SEIU - Homes Employees)" dated February 6, 2017, subject to being ratified, and the recommendations contained therein; and, THAT the necessary by-law be prepared. - Carried. County Council Moved by Councillor Martyn Seconded by Councillor Currie February 14, 2017 THAT County Council approve the status change of the current Manager of Support Services from 28 hours per week to full time; and, THAT the confidential report titled "Bobier Villa Management Reorganization" dated January 31, 2017 be received and filed. - Carried. Moved by Councillor Currie Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT Council approve the position of full time CMI Supervisor to oversee the MDS/RAI Coordination at Bobier Villa and Terrace Lodge; and, THAT staff provide Council with additional options for MDS/RAI position coverage for Elgin Manor for future consideration. - Carried. Motion to Adopt Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole Moved by Councillor Martyn Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee Of The Whole. - Carried. REPORTS (continued) 2017 Budget — Director of Financial Services The director presented the proposed 2017 Composite Budget for Council's approval. Moved by Councillor Mennill Seconded by Councillor Marr THAT the 2017 proposed budget, which includes the operating budget, the capital budget and grants, be approved with a levy of $32.3 million or 2.8% on the average household; and, THAT the multi -residential ratio be reduced to 1.9999 to avoid provincially imposed levy restrictions; and, THAT the necessary by-law be prepared once the landfill tax ratio calculation is available from the province. - Carried Unanimously. Councillor Martyn informed Council that they are invited to a joint meeting with the City of St. Thomas and the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Board on March 22, 2017. BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Marr Seconded by Councillor Currie THAT By -Law No. 17-05 "Being a By -Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the February 14, 2017 Meeting" be read a first, second and third time and finally passed. - Carried. County Council ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor McWilliam Seconded by Councillor Wiehle February 14, 2017 THAT we do now adjourn at 11:46 a.m. and meet again on March14, 2017 at the County Administration Building Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m. Chief Administrative Officer. - Carried.