Elgin County Council

Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 at 9:00 A.m. - 9:30 A.m.

Council Chambers

450 Sunset Drive

St. Thomas ON

Members Present:

• Warden Grant Jones
• Deputy Warden Ed Ketchabaw
• Councillor Dominique Giguère
• Councillor Mark Widner
• Councillor Jack Couckuyt
• Councillor Andrew Sloan (virtual)
• Councillor Todd Noble
• Councillor Mike Hentz (virtual)
• Councillor Richard Leatham

Staff Present:

• Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
• Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
• Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services (virtual)
• Brian Masschaele, Director of Community & Cultural Services
• Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
• Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
• Mat Vaughan, Director of Planning and Development
• Holly Hurley, Director of People & Culture
• Andrea Loughlean, Manager of Emergency Management & Elgin-Middlesex Regional Fire School (virtual)
• Emily Waldick, Manager of Human Resources
• Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
• Natalie Marlowe, Manager of Library Services
• Jenna Fentie, Legislative Services Coordinator
• Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator

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1.

Meeting Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. with Warden Jones in the chair.

2.

Approval of Agenda

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the April 8, 2025 County Council Meeting be approved as presented.

  Motion Carried.

3.

Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials

None.

4.

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting and Special Meeting be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

5.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

6.

Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations

None.

7.

Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole

None.

8.

Committee Recommendations

None.

9.

Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration

9.1

Manager of Library Services - Mobile Library Service Progress Report

The Manager of Library Services provided an update and progress report on the Mobile Library Service for Elgin County Library that was launched in 2024. The report also provides a framework for next steps for the continuation of the program in 2025.

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Mobile Library Service Progress Report” from the Manager of Library Services dated April 8, 2025, be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

10.

Council Correspondence

10.1

Resolution from the Municipality of Central Elgin recommending the establishment of a garden plot and municipal garden planting pilot project in municipal parks.

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw

  RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Item 10.1 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

11.

Statements/Inquiries by Members

11.1

Warden Jones - Support Local Campaign

Warden Jones announced the launch of the Support Local Campaign that encourages people to shop, dine, and support businesses in Elgin County. He noted that, over the next few weeks, County Councillors will be visiting businesses across the county to showcase their incredible products and services. Warden Jones will be kicking off the campaign with a stop at Evelyn's Sausage Kitchen in Southwold this afternoon. 

12.

Closed Meeting Items

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT we do now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to discuss the following matters under Municipal Act Section 239 (2):
  
  Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes - March 25, 2025
  
  Closed Meeting Item #2 - Labour Relations Matter
  
  (d) labour relations or employee negotiations

  Motion Carried.

12.1

Closed Meeting Minutes - March 25, 2025

12.2

Director of People and Culture - Labour Relations Matter

13.

Motion to Rise and Report

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Sloan

  RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes - March 25, 2025

  Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the closed meeting minutes of the March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting and Special Meeting be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #2 - Labour Relations Matter

  Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Widner

  RESOLVED THAT County Council approve the confidential report titled "Labour Relations Matters - Seeking Approval of Renewal of Collective Agreement with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Local 841) and the recommendations contained therein; and
  
  THAT the necessary by-law be prepared.

  Motion Carried.

14.

Consideration of By-Laws

14.1

By-Law No. 25-16 CUPE Library Collective Agreement

BEING a By-Law to Authorize the Execution of a Collective Agreement between the Corporation of the County of Elgin and Canadian Union of Public Employees with respect to the Corporation's County Library Employees. 

• Moved by: Councillor Leatham
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-16 be now read a first, second and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

14.2

By-Law No. 25-17 Confirmation

BEING a By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the April 8, 2025 Meeting.

• Moved by: Councillor Giguère
  Seconded by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-17 be now read a first, second and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

15.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 9:24 a.m. to meet again on April 22, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

  Motion Carried.