February 23, 2006 Regular Meeting
M I N U T E S
OF THE CORPORATION OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF WEST ELGIN
WEST ELGIN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
FEBRUARY 23, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Graham Warwick, Deputy Mayor Bernie Wiehle
Councillors Trudy Balint, Mary Bodnar, Mike Mooser
STAFF PRESENT:
Joanne Groch Administrator/Treasurer/Deputy-
Clerk
ALSO PRESENT:
Ted Halwa Planning Consultant
DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST:
No conflicts were declared regarding the published agenda.
SUBJECT: PLANNING MATTERS
Fordham Motors:
?
Ted advised that Fordham Motors is planning an addition to the existing building
on the north-west corner of Queen Street at Furnival Road
?
there is a 70% increase in the square footage of the building
?
more information is needed – drainage, lighting, parking etc. Ted is to contact
them re proceeding with a formal site plan
MDS Regulations:
?
The Ministry has updated the formula- public comments requested
?
Most changes are minor and will be reflected in the new by-law
?
West Elgin has applied the requirements to the lots in existence
?
Some of the loops holes have been tightened up eg. cannot apply for an addition
within certain time period
?
More in line with the Nutrient Management Act terminology – nutrient units
Port Glasgow Development:
?
Ted reported that he has contacted a second firm to quote on channel
requirements
?
fish cleaning station – he is working on getting further information
?
the plans have been redrafted to allow for additional boat trailer parking along the
hill
?
awaiting plans from Stantec – re fish habitat
?
derelict dredger – relocated/upgraded – to contact Yacht Club
Trailer parks:
?
full time occupancy is not permitted under the zoning by-law
?
a meeting with the owners concerned has been scheduled for March 23
February 23/06…Page 2 of 5
Rural Initiatives Committee:
?
Mayor Warwick reported that he is on this committee at the County level
?
County wide unified approach to development
?
Middlesex County had made a presentation – communities near centre have
development while those on the fringe areas have none
Mobile Home Park:
?
the Mayor advised that he had discussions with John Slaats regarding a proposal
for developing a mobile home park for seniors
?
maintenance agreements can be put in place
?
technology is there re sewage systems in rural areas
?
Graham advised him to contact the Planner
Senior’s Housing Project - Berdan Holdings Inc.
?
Ted reviewed his meeting with Mr. & Mrs. Berdan re: senior’s housing project at
his property at 22360 Pioneer Line (corner of Furnival Road and Pioneer Line).
?
The Berdan’s proposal is for 12 non-subsidized seniors housing units which will
be designed after units in Mount Brydges
?
They will be on the property to the north of his with a commercial use on his
current property
?
They will be submitting a letter of intention to the Ministry
SUBJECT: DFO HABITAT COMPENSATION – 16 MILE CREEK
John Langan of Stantec Consulting Ltd. submitted minutes of a meeting held on
February 17, 2006. Councillor Balint was in attendance. A revised Habitat
Compensation Plan was put forward as Site “A” was discounted as an option. Swap
habitat improvements might include:
?
Naturalization of the area at Site “B” upstream of footbridge
?
Same on west bank downstream of footbridge
?
Creation of 1 or 2 undercut bank structures on east bank
?
Placement of rock boulders for migrating fish
?
Improvement of channel draining the 440 sq.m. wetland to the north of the
parking lot to facilitate fish access to the wetland in high flow conditions
Investigations and discussions are ongoing.
SUBJECT: WEST LORNE SENIOR’S HOUSING PROJECT
Mayor Warwick reported that an information meeting was held at the Community Health
Centre. There are 25 allotments for Elgin County at $70,000 subsidy per unit. It is a
competitive process and a letter of interest has to be submitted by March 1, 2006. The
need for seniors housing is growing. In Dutton/Dunwich there is Caledonia Gardens and
in Rodney there are the Kiwanis apartments. Graham has attended meetings at the
Legion and the Kiwanis meeting and they are to submit letters of support. It could be run
as a non-profit corporation. The preliminary proposal is for six supportive units to be built
closer to the CHC and 6 affordable units as well with a community space. This would be
on municipal property purchased from the railway. There could also be life lease town
houses. The first priority should be given to local people but conditions will dictate that.
RES. NO.1 Moved by Mooser
Seconded by Balint
RESOVLED that application be made for a senior’s housing project in
West Lorne.
DISPOSITION: Carried
February 23/06…Page 3 of 5
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY TRANSITION PROGRAM
Mayor Warwick advised that funding is available through the tobacco monies for
harbours and Main Streets. Two applications have been prepared in a joint application
with the Municipality of Bayham. Pre-proposals have been prepared for a “Business
Development Training and Enterprise Centre” and an “Economic Development Officer”.
A letter of support was received from Bayham with a limit of $30,000 support per year
for two years.
RES. NO.2 Moved by Wiehle
Seconded by Mooser
RESOLVED that the Municipality of West Elgin is supportive of a joint
application under the Community Transition Program with the Municipality
of Bayham.
DISPOSITION: Carried
SUBJECT: WEST LORNE COMPLEX FIRE
The Administrator reported that Bob Gauthier the insurance adjuster had reported that
90% of the contents are out of the building. An engineer has been contacted to review
the structural soundness of the building. Upon receiving his report the first priority will be
to put a new roof on the building. Work will need to be done on the floor and wall
supports. He is proceeding to get quotes and will report back. Due to the extent of the
damage the amount of the claim hasn’t been determined at this time.
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON MELODY CHURCH OMB APPEAL
The OMB appeal is scheduled for March 15, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council
Chambers. Melody Church has purchased a church in West Lorne but no further
information has been received from the applicant. Ted will be meeting with the lawyer to
review the file.
SUBJECT: CORREPSONDENCE
1. Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority – appointment of member
Instruction:
RES. NO. 3 Moved by Mooser
Seconded by Bodnar
RESOLVED that the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin appoints
Deputy Mayor Bernie Wiehle to the Lower Thames Valley Conservation
Authority for 2006.
DISPOSITION: Carried
RES. NO. 4 Moved by Balint
Seconded by Bodnar
RESOLVED that the correspondence be dealt with as per the instructions
of Council as noted.
DISPOSITION: Carried
SUBJECT: BY-LAW 2006-07 INTERIM TAX LEVY
RES. NO. 5 Moved by Wiehle
Seconded by Mooser
RESOLVED that the mover be granted leave to introduce a By-Law to
provide for an interim tax levy for the year 2006 and this shall be the first
and second reading and provisional adoption thereof.
DISPOSITION: Carried
February 23/06…Page 4 of 5
RES. NO. 6 Moved by Mooser
Seconded by Wiehle
RESOLVED that a By-law to provide for an interim tax levy for the year
2006 be now read a third time and finally passed, signed, sealed and
numbered By-law Number 2006-07 – Interim Tax Levy.
DISPOSITION: Carried
SUBJECT: CONVENTION REPORTS - OGRA/ROMA
Mayor Warwick reported that meetings had been held with the Honourable Steve
Peters, MPP & Minister of Labour and the Honourable Leona Dombrowksy – Minister of
Agriculture & Food & Rural Affairs. Rural issues were put forward and positive
discussions were held. The federal members will have to be contacted re subsidies. The
market is dysfunctional due to predatory trade practices. There is an Economic
Development branch office in Blenheim. Letters were delivered to the various Ministers
on the hospital issue.
Mayor Warwick had brought concerns regarding the Drainage Maintenance Program
forward to the Minister of Agriculture. Council authorized a letter be forwarded with
concerns on the grant allocation method.
Council members reported that the meetings were productive and a lot of information
was received.
Councillor Mooser left the meeting at this time.
SUBJECT: PORT GLASGOW TRAILER PARK BUDGET
Also in attendance: Lloyd Jarvis - Water Superintendent, Gord McFadden – Park
Manager, Frances McFadden, Robbie McNaughton
The Administrator/Treasurer presented the 2005 actual amounts and proposed 2006
budget for the Port Glasgow Trailer Park. The recommendation was to leave the rates
the same as in 2005. This budget was given preliminary approval and will be forwarded
to the final budget deliberations.
Discussion resumed as follows:
?
Rules # 9 to include a clause to the effect that any pets that show aggressive
behaviour or excessive barking may be removed from the park.
?
Rule # 25 - nails or screws not to be put into trees
?
Frances advised that the overnight rules had been amended
?
Taxable trailers – 15% increase based on new assessments for 2006
?
Lloyd advised that the monument will be repaired, shower grips installed as per
meeting last year
SUBJECT: CONFIRMATION BY-LAW
RES. NO. 7 Moved by Balint
Seconded by Bodnar
RESOLVED that the mover be granted leave to introduce a By-Law to
confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on February 23,
2006 and this shall be the first and second reading and provisional
adoption thereof.
DISPOSITION: Carried
February 23/06…Page 5 of 5
RES. NO. 8 Moved by Bodnar
Seconded by Balint
RESOLVED that a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of
Council held on February 23, 2006 be now read a third time and finally
passed, signed, sealed and numbered By-law Number 2006-08 –
Confirming By-law February 23, 2006.
DISPOSITION: Carried
SUBJECT: ADJOURNMENT
RES. NO. 9 Moved by Wiehle
Seconded by Bodnar
RESOLVED that this Regular Meeting of Council shall adjourn at 2:30 p.m.
to meet again on March 9, 2006.
DISPOSITION: Carried
These minutes were adopted on March 9th, 2006.
___________________________ _______________________________
MAYOR D. CLERK