Elgin County Council

Minutes

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 9:00 A.m. - 12:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

450 Sunset Drive

St. Thomas ON

Members Present:

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

Staff Present:

• Blaine Parkin, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
• Nicholas Loeb, Director of Legal Services
• Peter Dutchak, Director of Engineering Services
• Katherine Thompson, Manager of Administrative Services/Deputy Clerk
• Carolyn Krahn, Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives
• Jenna Fentie, Legislative Services Coordinator
• Stefanie Heide, Legislative Services Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

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

2.

Adoption of Minutes

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Sloan

  RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on May 14, 2024 be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

4.

Presenting Petitions, Presentations and Delegations

None.

5.

Committee of the Whole

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

  RESOLVED THAT we do now move into Committee of the Whole.

  Motion Carried.

6.

Reports of Council, Outside Boards and Staff

6.1

Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives - Guenther Homes Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) Application

The Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives presented the report seeking Council's approval for the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant for Peter Letkeman Guenther Inc. 

• Moved by: Councillor Giguère
  Seconded by: Councillor Widner

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Guenther Homes Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) Application” from the Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives dated May 28, 2024 be received and filed; and
  
  THAT County Council approves the Tax Increment Equivalent Grant for Peter Letkeman Guenther Inc.; and
  
  THAT the Chief Administrative Officer be directed to sign the financial agreement between the County of Elgin, the Township of Malahide, and Peter Letkeman Guenther Inc.

  Motion Carried.

6.2

Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives - Elgincentives 2023 Year End Review and 10-year Program Review

The Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives presented the report detailing the approved Elgincentives applications for 2023 and the 10-year program review process.

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

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Elgincentives 2023 Year End Review and 10-year Program Review” from the Manager of Economic Development, Tourism & Strategic Initiatives dated May 28, 2024 be received and filed; and
  
  THAT $40,000 from the Elgincentives budget be allocated to the 10-year review. 

  Motion Carried.

6.3

Director of Engineering Services - St. George Street (CR 26) Reconstruction (Tender No. 2024-T09) – Contract Award

The Director of Engineering Services presented the report recommending that PV-EX Construction Ltd. be selected for the St. George Street reconstruction project.

• Moved by: Councillor Sloan
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT PV-EX Construction Ltd. be selected to complete the St. George Street (County Road 26) Reconstruction project, Tender No. 2024-T09 at a total price of $3,279,205 including a $335,000 contingency allowance and exclusive of HST.; and
  
  THAT the Warden and Chief Administrative Officer be directed and authorized to sign the contract.

  Motion Carried.

6.4

Director of Engineering Services - Reduced Speed Zone Amendment – Kingsmill Corner

The Director of Engineering Services presented the report seeking Council's approval to amend the 60km/hr reduced speed zone along Ron McNeil Line through the community of Kingsmill Corner in response to a local resident's concerns. The report also recommends approving a consolidated speed zone by-law to merge previous amendments. 

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

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Reduced Speed Zone Amendment – Kingsmill Corner” from the Director of Engineering Services dated May 28, 2024 be received and filed; and
  
  THAT the Reduced Speed Zone By-Law be revised as follows:

  Schedule “C” (Maximum 60 kilometres per hour)

  Road 52, Section A, “from 285 metres west of the west property limit of Springwater Road, easterly for a distance of 1,025 metres”

  Motion Carried.

6.5

Director of Legal Services - PS 24-11 – Amendments to LDC Remuneration

The Director of Legal Services presented the report seeking Council's approval for changes to the Land Division Committee's remuneration and site visits.

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT the report titled “PS 24-11- Amendments to LDC Remuneration” from the Director of Legal Services dated May 28, 2024 be received and filed; and
  
  THAT Council approve the by-law presented for its consideration on the May 28, 2024 agenda that amends By-Law Nos. 23-03 and 23-05.

  Motion Carried.

7.

Council Correspondence

7.1

Items for Consideration

7.1.1

Elgin County Drowning Prevention Proclamation & Flag Raising Request

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin support the request from the Elgin County Drowning Prevention Coalition to hold a flag raising and proclaim July 21-27, 2024 as Drowning Prevention Week in the County of Elgin.

  Motion Carried.

7.2

Items for Information (Consent Agenda)

• Moved by: Councillor Couckuyt
  Seconded by: Councillor Widner

  RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items #7.2.1-7.2.3 be received and filed; and
  
  THAT the Corporation of the County of Elgin support the resolution from the City of Belleville regarding support of family doctors in the Province of Ontario.

  Motion Carried.

7.2.1

Letter from Quad County Support Services thanking Elgin County Council for the community grant in support of their Summer Youth Transition Program, and their Spring 2024 Newsletter.

7.2.2

Resolution from the City of Belleville in Support of Family Doctors

7.2.3

2024 AccessAbility Open House Poster

8.

Other Business

8.1

Statements/Inquiries by Members

8.1.1

Councillor Giguère - Save the Date: Terrace Lodge Comforts of Home Bowling Tournament

Councillor Giguère invited County Council to save the date for the Terrace Lodge Comforts of Home Charity Bowling Tournament to be held on September 21, 2024 at Cy's Bowling Lanes and Lounge in Aylmer. Councillor Giguère indicated that the event is an opportunity for each municipality to engage in friendly competition for a good cause to wrap up the fundraising campaign. 

8.1.2

Warden Ketchabaw - Local Event Updates

Warden Ketchabaw invited Councillors to attend Edisonfest this upcoming Saturday. Warden Ketchabaw also noted that the AccessAbility Open House is being held on Saturday, as well as the 61st Annual Ceremonial Review of the 741 Elgin Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. Deputy Warden Jones also reminded Councillors that Rosy Rhubarb in Shedden will be held on June 8-9, 2024.

Warden Ketchabaw informed Council that he attended the Canadian Wartime Homefront event held at the Backus-Page House Museum on Saturday, May 25, 2024. He noted that the event was well attended despite the weather and had many exciting educational attractions.

8.2

Notice of Motion

None.

8.3

Matters of Urgency

None.

9.

Closed Meeting Items

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Leatham

  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 14, 2024

  Motion Carried.

9.1

Closed Meeting Minutes - May 14, 2024

10.

Motion to Rise and Report

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Deputy Warden Jones

  RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.

  Motion Carried.

• Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes, May 14, 2024

  Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Noble

  RESOLVED THAT the May 14, 2024 Closed Meeting Minutes be adopted.

  Motion Carried.

11.

Motion to Adopt Recommendations from the Committee of the Whole

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Couckuyt

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

  Motion Carried.

12.

Consideration of By-Laws

12.1

By-Law No. 24-19 - Authorize Speed Limits

BEING a By-Law to Authorize Speed Limits.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Giguère

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 24-19 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

12.2

By-Law No. 24-20 - Amend By-Laws 23-03 and 23-05, Adjusting LDC Remuneration

BEING a By-Law to Amend By-Law No. 23-03 and By-Law No. 23-05 for the Purpose of Adjusting Remuneration of the Land Division Committee.

• Moved by: Councillor Noble
  Seconded by: Councillor Sloan

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 24-20 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

12.3

By-Law No. 24-21 - Confirmation

BEING a By-Law to Confirm Proceedings of the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin at the May 28, 2024 Meeting.

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

  RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 24-21 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

  Motion Carried.

13.

Adjournment

• Moved by: Councillor Widner
  Seconded by: Councillor Sloan

  RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 9:41 a.m. to meet again on June 11, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

  Motion Carried.