Elgin County Council

Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Tuesday, June 10, 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
• Councillor Todd Noble
• Councillor Mike Hentz
• 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
• Jennifer Ford, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer (virtual)
• Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
• Mat Vaughan, Director of Planning and Development
• Holly Hurley, Director of People & Culture
• Carolyn Krahn, Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives
• Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
• Diana Morris, Senior Planner
• Mike Hoogstra, Manager of Purchasing and Risk
• 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 June 10, 2025 County Council Meeting be approved as presented.

  Motion Carried.

3.

Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials

None.

4.

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Widner

  RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting and special meeting held on May 27, 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 - May 27, 2025 Meeting

• Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT Items CW25-20 - CW25-28 from the Committee of the Whole Meeting dated May 27, 2025, except for Item CW25-26 identified for separate consideration, and the recommendations therein be adopted.

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

  RESOLVED THAT Item CW25-26 be referred to a future Committee of the Whole meeting.

  Motion Carried.

8.

Committee Recommendations

8.1

Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee Recommendation - May 29, 2025

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Sloan

  RESOLVED THAT Item JAAC25-4 from the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee dated May 29, 2025 and the recommendations therein be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

8.2

Draft Committee Meeting Minutes

8.2.1

Joint Advisory Accessibility Committee Meeting - May 29, 2025 Draft Meeting Minutes

9.

Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration

9.1

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

Warden Jones presented a report detailing his activities during the month of May 2025.

• Moved by: Councillor Sloan
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Warden’s Activity Report (May 2025)" from Warden Jones dated June 10, 2025 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

9.2

Manager of Procurement & Risk - Procurement Activity Report Q1 (January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025)

The Manager of Procurement & Risk presented a report detailing the procurement activities for all contract awards between $15,000 - $250,000 that were approved by directors from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025, in accordance with the County's Procurement Policy.

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

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Procurement Activity Report Q1 (January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025)" from the Manager of Procurement & Risk dated June 10, 2025 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

9.3

Director, People and Culture - People and Culture Department Update

The Director of People and Culture presented a report providing an update on changes in the department of People and Culture in alignment with the County's 2024-2026 Strategic Plan.

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “People and Culture Department Update” from the Director, People and Culture dated June 10, 2025 be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

9.4

Director of Planning and Development - Update on Bill 5, Bill 17 and Bill 30

The Director of Planning and Development presented the report providing a review of the provincial Bill 5 - Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act 2025, Bill 17 - Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act 2025, and Bill 30 - Working for Workers Act 2025.

• Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Hentz

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Update on Bill 5, Bill 17 and Bill 30” from the Director of Planning and Development dated June 10, 2025 be received and filed; and

  THAT the report titled “Update on Bill 5, Bill 17 and Bill 30” from the Director of Planning and Development dated June 10, 2025 be circulated to the County’s Local Municipal Partners for information; and

  THAT staff send Council's concerns regarding Bill 5, Bill 17 and Bill 30 to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

  Motion Carried.

10.

Council Correspondence

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt

  RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 10.1 - 10.2, 10.4 - 10.5, and 10.7 - 10.8 be received and filed.

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

  RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Item 10.3 "Letter from Mayor Jack Couckuyt re: Letter of Intent - Town of Aylmer - Elgin County Library Branch Construction Policy" be referred to the Director of Community and Cultural Services for a follow-up report.

  Motion Carried.
• Moved by: Councillor Sloan
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT County Council approve a flag raising and proclamation request from the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition in recognition of National Drowning Prevention Week and World Drowning Prevention Day and that it be held on July 21, 2025.

  Motion Carried.

10.1

WOWC Media Release - Powering Ontario's Economic Engine: WOWC Launches 2025-2027 Strategic Priorities at Queen's Park

10.2

WOWC 2025-2027 Priorities

10.3

Letter from Mayor Jack Couckuyt re: Letter of Intent - Town of Aylmer - Elgin County Library Branch Construction Policy

10.4

June is Seniors Month Tipsheet and Factsheet from the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility

10.5

St. Thomas Elgin Local Immigration Partnership (STELIP) - Moving Forward Report 2025

10.6

Flag Raising and Proclamation Request from the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition

10.7

Resolution from the Council of the City of Pickering re: Raising Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program

10.8

Resolution from the District of Parry Sound Municipal Association re: Supporting Municipal Ethics Through Access and Education

11.

Statements/Inquiries by Members

11.1

Councillor Sloan - Inquiry on Financial Update

Councillor Sloan inquired when Council would receive the next financial update. The Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk stated that a report detailing financial information and employee metrics would be presented to Council in August.

12.

Closed Meeting Items

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  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 - May 27, 2025
  
  Closed Meeting Item #2 - First Quarter Update (verbal)
  
  (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees

  Motion Carried.

12.1

Closed Meeting Minutes - May 27, 2025

12.2

Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk - First Quarter Update (verbal)

13.

Motion to Rise and Report

Council recessed at 10:20 am and reconvened at 10:34 a.m.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes - May 27, 2025

  Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the May 27, 2025 Closed Meeting Minutes be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #2 - First Quarter Update

  Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Sloan

  RESOLVED THAT the confidential verbal report titled "First Quarter Update" from the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

14.

Consideration of By-Laws

14.1

By-Law No. 25-24 St. George St. Speed Zone Amendment

Being a By-Law to Amend the Schedule to By-Law No. 24-19 Being a By-Law to Authorize Speed Limits.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Hentz

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-24 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

14.2

By-Law No. 25-25 Confirmation

BEING a By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the June 10, 2025 Meeting.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

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

  Motion Carried.

15.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 10:36 a.m. to meet again on June 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

  Motion Carried.