Elgin County Council

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Minutes

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 1:00 P.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 11:10 a.m. with Warden Jones in the chair.

2.

Approval of Agenda

• Resolution Number: CW25-20
  Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the May 27, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting be approved as presented.

  Motion Carried.

3.

Adoption of Minutes

• Resolution Number: CW25-21
  Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

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

  Motion Carried.

4.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

5.

Members' Motions

None.

6.

Reports of Council, Staff or Outside Boards

6.1

Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives - Elgincentives Community Improvement Plan Review

The Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives and Jesse McPhail from Re:Public Urbanism presented the report recommending that County Council consider a comprehensive update to the existing Elgincentives Community Improvement Plan. 

• Resolution Number: CW25-22
  Moved by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to commence the preparation of a comprehensive update to the existing Elgincentives Community Improvement Plan.

  Motion Carried.

6.2

Director of Engineering Services - Tourism Oriented Directional Signage (TODS) Agreement

The Director of Engineering Services presented the report recommending that the County enter into an agreement with Canadian Tourism Oriented Directional Signage (TODS) to be able to provide tourism business operators in Elgin County with the option of providing directional signage along provincial highways and county roads. 

• Resolution Number: CW25-23
  Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Hentz

  RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk and Warden be directed and authorized to enter into the standard agreement with Canadian TODS Limited to provide tourism directional informational signage along County roads.

  Motion Carried.

6.3

Director of Engineering Services - Reduced Speed Zone By-Law Amendment – St. George Street

The Director of Engineering Services presented the report recommending an amendment to the County's Reduced Speed Zone By-Law to lower the regulatory speed limit on St. George Street (County Road 26) to 30km/hour.

• Resolution Number: CW25-24
  Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Deputy Warden Ketchabaw

  RESOLVED THAT the reduced speed zone By-Law No. 24-19 be amended to include a 30km/h reduced speed zone on St. George Street (County Road 26) from 50m north of Independent Street to 50m northwest of Hydro Road for a total distance of 460m.

  Motion Carried.

6.4

Senior Planner - Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-SO2402, Township of Southwold 35743 Horton Street, Shedden

The Senior Planner presented the report that provides County Council with the information required to consider granting approval to the Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-SO2402, Township of Southwold, 35743 Horton Street, Shedden.

• Resolution Number: CW25-25
  Moved by: Councillor Hentz
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin grants draft plan approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-SO2402, Township of Southwold 35743 Horton Street, Shedden, by Dillon Consulting Limited on behalf of 1873828 Ontario Limited, dated October 31, 2024; and
  
  THAT staff be directed to provide notice of decision subject to the conditions of final approval in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act.

  Motion Carried.

6.5

Senior Planner - Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-MA23001, Township of Malahide 9270 Rogers Road

The Senior Planner presented the report that provides County Council with the information required to consider granting approval to the Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-MA23001, Township of Malahide 9270 Rogers Road.

• Resolution Number: CW25-26
  Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin grants draft plan approval to Draft Plan of Subdivision 34T-MA23001, Township of Malahide 9270 Rogers Road by Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz Ltd on behalf of Peter and Anita Wiebe, dated November 18, 2024; and 
  
  THAT staff be directed to provide notice of decision subject to the conditions of final approval in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act.

  Motion Carried.

6.6

Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk - Radio Working Group Recommendations

The Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk presented the report recommending that Elgin County assume centralized administration of the fire radio system in collaboration with the Radio System Working Group and initiate the necessary steps to lead procurement and long-term management.

• Resolution Number: CW25-27
  Moved by: Councillor Giguère
  Seconded by: Councillor Widner

  RESOLVED THAT the decision regarding the recommendations from the Radio Working Group be deferred until after Council has received the Shared Services Analysis. 

  Motion Carried.

7.

Adjournment

• Resolution Number: CW25-28
  Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 12:05 to meet again on June 10, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

  Motion Carried.