Elgin County Council

Regular Council Meeting

Minutes

Tuesday, May 27, 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 (virtual)
• Councillor Mark Widner
• Councillor Jack Couckuyt
• Councillor Todd Noble
• Councillor Mike Hentz
• Councillor Richard Leatham

Members Absent:

• Councillor Andrew Sloan

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
• Mat Vaughan, Director of Planning and Development (virtual)
• 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
• 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

Consideration of item 8.1 will be deferred until after the closed meeting session.

• Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the May 27, 2025 County Council Meeting be approved as amended.

  Motion Carried.

3.

Introductions, Recognitions, Memorials

None.

4.

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt

  RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on May 13, 2025 be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

5.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

Councillor Widner declared a conflict with Committee of the Whole recommendation CW25-16 under agenda item 7.1. Councillor Widner will not participate in the discussion or vote on this item.

6.

Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations

6.1

Dr. Ninh Tran, Medical Officer of Health, Southwestern Public Health - Update on Measles in the Southwestern Public Health Region

Dr. Ninh Tran presented an update on the measles outbreak in the region, the response from Southwestern Public Health, and provided information on how Council can support messaging to County residents.  

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

  RESOLVED THAT the presentation from Southwestern Public Health be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

6.2

Brenda Fleming, Executive Director, Robert Furneaux, Board Chair, and Barry Fitzgerald, Hospice Community Volunteer - Hospice of Elgin Presentation

Representatives from Hospice of Elgin provided a presentation to Council detailing the services provided by the organization.

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT the presentation from the Hospice of Elgin be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

7.

Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole

Council recessed at 9:55 a.m. and reconvened at 10:08 a.m.

7.1

Recommendations of Committee of the Whole - May 13, 2025 Meeting

Council identified items CW25-16 and CW25-17 as items to be pulled out for separate discussion.

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT Items CW25-14 - CW25-19 from the Committee of the Whole Meeting dated May 13, 2025, with the exception of items CW25-16 and CW25-17 identified for separate discussion, and the recommendations therein be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

• Councillor Widner declared at conflict with this item and did not participate in discussion or in the final vote for this item.

  Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT Item CW25-16 from the Committee of the Whole Meeting dated May 13, 2025 and the recommendations therein be adopted.

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

  RESOLVED THAT item CW25-17 be referred to the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 10, 2025; and 
  
  THAT staff extend an invitation to the Chair of the Land Division Committee to attend.

  Motion Carried.

8.

Committee Recommendations

8.1

Growth Planning Steering Committee Recommendation - May 13, 2025

Consideration of item 8.1. will occur following the Closed Meeting Session.

8.2

Draft Committee Meeting Minutes

8.2.1

Rural Initiatives and Planning Advisory Committee - April 22, 2025 Draft Meeting Minutes

8.2.2

Growth Planning Steering Committee - May 13, 2025 Draft Meeting Minutes

9.

Reports for Information and Immediate Consideration

9.1

Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk - AMO Conference 2025 – Delegation Requests

The Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk presented the report seeking Council's approval to submit delegation requests for the 2025 Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Conference to the Ministry of Transportation regarding DriveOn Inspection System Concerns and to the Ministry of Health regarding Community Health Centre funding. The Manager also sought Council's approval to partner with the City of St. Thomas on a delegation regarding inter-regional transit, and to submit a delegation request to the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Ministry of the Solicitor-General regarding the approval timeframe of vulnerable sector checks and the implications on staffing at the County's Long-Term Care Homes.

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

  RESOLVED THAT County Council approve the draft AMO Conference 2025 Delegation Requests for submission.

  Motion Carried.

10.

Council Correspondence

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items 10.2 and 10.3 be received and filed.

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

  RESOLVED THAT County Council approve a flag raising and proclamation request from ChildCan in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

  Motion Carried.

10.1

Flag Raising and Proclamation Request from ChildCan in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

10.2

Resolution from the Town of The Blue Mountains advocating for reduced Provincial Tax Rate on Ontario-Made Cider

10.3

Resolution from the Town of Shelburne opposing elements of Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025

11.

Statements/Inquiries by Members

11.1

Upcoming Events in Elgin County

Deputy Warden Ketchabaw invited Councillors to attend Edisonfest at Memorial Park in Vienna on June 7, 2025. He noted that dignitaries are asked to arrive by 9:30 a.m. 

Warden Jones noted that Rosy Rhubarb is also being held on June 7, 2025 in Shedden. 

11.2

Accessibility Week in Elgin County

Warden Jones advised Council that this week is Accessibility Week and recognized staff for the work they do on accessibility throughout the year.

12.

Closed Meeting Items

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Hentz

  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 13, 2025
  
  Closed Meeting Item #2 - Growth Planning Steering Committee Closed Meeting Minutes - May 13, 2025
  
  Closed Meeting Item #3 - Property Matter
  
  (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.
  
  Closed Meeting Item #4 - Property Matter
  
  (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

  Motion Carried.

12.1

Closed Meeting Minutes - May 13, 2025

12.2

Growth Planning Steering Committee Closed Meeting Minutes - May 13, 2025

12.3

Director of Community and Cultural Services - Property Matter

12.4

Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk - Property Matter

13.

Motion to Rise and Report

• 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 13, 2025

  Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the May 13, 2025 Closed Meeting Minutes be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #3 - Property Matter

  Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Hentz

  RESOLVED THAT the confidential report from the Director of Community and Cultural Services be received and filed.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #4 - Property Matter

  Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Widner

  RESOLVED THAT Council approve the initiation of discussions with landowners regarding the possibility of establishing the fire training ground in Elgin County. 

  Motion Carried.

14.

Committee Recommendations - Continued

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT the recommendation GPSC25-6 from the May 13, 2025 Growth Planning Steering Committee Meeting be approved.

  Motion Carried.

15.

Consideration of By-Laws

15.1

By-Law No. 25-22 Confirmation

BEING a By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the May 27, 2025 Meeting.

• Moved by: Councillor Leatham
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 25-22 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

16.

Adjournment

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

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 11:03 a.m. to meet again on June 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

  Motion Carried.