Elgin County Council

Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Tuesday, July 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 Todd Noble
• Councillor Mike Hentz
• Councillor Taraesa Tellier

Members Absent:

• Councillor Andrew Sloan (with notice)
• Councillor Richard Leatham (with notice)

Staff Present:

• Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
• Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
• Michele Harris, Director of Homes and Seniors Services
• Brian Masschaele, Director of Community & Cultural Services
• Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer (virtual)
• Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
• Holly Hurley, Director of People & Culture
• Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
• Madeleine Howard, Curator
• Gina Elias, Archivist
• 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 Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

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

  Motion Carried.

3.

Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials

3.1

Recognition of Perry Clutterbuck

The Warden made remarks and Council observed a moment of silence in recognition of former Elgin County Warden Perry Clutterbuck who recently passed away.

4.

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Tellier

  RESOLVED THAT the minutes and closed session minutes of the meeting held on June 24, 2025 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

7.1

Recommendations of Committee of the Whole - June 24, 2025

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT items CW25-34 - CW25-38 from the Committee of the Whole meeting dated June 24, 2025 and the recommendations therein be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

8.

Committee Recommendations

None.

9.

Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration

9.1

Warden Jones - Warden’s Activity Report (June 2025)

Warden Jones presented a report detailing his activities during the month of June 2025. The Warden stated that a correction to the report is that he did not attend the SWIFT AGM, but that Councillor Giguère attended on his behalf.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Tellier

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Warden’s Activity Report (June 2025)" from Warden Jones dated July 8, 2025 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

9.2

Director of Community and Cultural Services - Museum and Archives 2025 Activity Report

The Director of Community and Cultural Services re-introduced to Council the Community and Cultural Services staff who were present. The Curator and the Archivist presented the report detailing the activities of the Museum and Archives in 2025.

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

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Museum and Archives 2025 Activity Report” from the Director of Community and Cultural Services dated July 8, 2025 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

10.

Council Correspondence

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 10.1 - 10.2 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.
• Moved by: Councillor Tellier
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT County Council approve a flag raising and proclamation request from St. Thomas - Elgin Local Immigration Partnership in recognition of Welcoming Week.

  Motion Carried.
• Moved by: Councillor Tellier
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT County Council approve a flag raising and proclamation request from Elgin County Pride, a part of Rainbow Optimist Club, in recognition of Elgin County Pride.

  Motion Carried.

10.1

Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus June 2025 Newsletter

10.2

Letter from Christina Mayhew on behalf of Downtown Aylmer Library Expansion Committee re: Aylmer Library location

10.3

Flag Raising and Proclamation Request from St. Thomas - Elgin Local Immigration Partnership in recognition of Welcoming Week

10.4

Flag Raising Request from Elgin County Pride (Part of the Rainbow Optimist Club) in recognition of Elgin County Pride

11.

Statements/Inquiries by Members

None.

12.

Closed Meeting Items

12.1

Closed Meeting Minutes - June 24, 2025

13.

Motion to Rise and Report

None.

14.

Consideration of By-Laws

14.1

By-Law No. 25-27 Authorizing Transfer Payment Agreement with Ministry of Infrastructure

BEING a By-Law to Approve a Transfer Payment Agreement with His Majesty the King in Right of the Province of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Infrastructure under the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP) for the Reconstruction of Union Road and Fingal Line in the Village of Fingal and, further thereto, to Authorize the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer to Execute the Said Transfer Payment Agreement on behalf of Elgin County.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-27 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

14.2

By-Law No. 25-28 Confirmation

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

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-28 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

15.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Councillor Tellier
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 9:17 a.m. to meet again on August 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

  Motion Carried.