Agenda - Essex County Council, Regular Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Time:

Closed Meeting - 5:15PM - Regular Meeting - 6:00PM

Location:

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

360 Fairview Avenue West

Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6

https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html

Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request. Contact Clerk’s Office, [email protected], 519-776-6441 extension 1353

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1.

Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting has been scheduled for 5:15PM.

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council move into a Closed Meeting, pursuant to Section 239 (2) (b) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended for the following reasons:

  (b)    personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees;

  (Voted by Show of Hands)

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council adjourn and rise from the Closed Meeting of Essex County Council for March 19, 2025 at [time] PM.

  (Voted by Show of Hands)

2.

Moment of Reflection

3.

Singing of ‘O Canada’

4.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

We acknowledge the land on which the County of Essex is located is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomie Peoples. 

We specifically recognize Caldwell First Nation and other First Nations which have provided significant historical and contemporary contributions to this region. 

We also value the contributions of all Original Peoples of Turtle Island, who have been living and working on this land from time immemorial.

5.

Recording of Attendance

6.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

8.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

• Recommendation:

  That the minutes of the March 5, 2025 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

  (Vote Electronically)

9.

Delegations and Presentations

• Recommendation:

  That the order of the agenda for March 19, 2025 be amended, to consider the Administrative Report listed as item 12.1 Introduction of Employee Excellence Awards under item 9. Delegations and Presentations.  

  (Vote Electronically)

9.1

Employee Excellence Awards

Recipients of the County of Essex Employee Excellence Awards will be present, to receive their respective awards and recognition. 

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• Recommendation:

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for March 19, 2025, be received and any noted action approved. 

  (Vote Electronically)

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• AMO Watchfile Newsletter
• AMO Policy Updates
• AMO Calendar - Education Events 

10.1.2

Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Committee Appointment

Letter from Durham County RE Appointment of Brett Clutterbuck to the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Committee as representative for Elgin, Essex and Chatham-Kent for the term of June 1, 2025, to June 1, 2029 dated March 5, 2025.

10.1.3

New Acute Care Hospital

PMO Report March 2025 - Update on the New Windsor Essex Acute Care Hospital Project

The PMO Report is an update from the Project Management Team for the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital Project.

In this edition, balancing performance, aesthetics, and functionality in the selection of materials and finishes, a bold vision for technology in the new facility, and an onsite inventory assessment is now underway as part of the Furniture, Fixture and Equipment strategy. 

10.1.4

County Road 22 Reconstruction

Notice of Public Consultation Centre No. 2 - County of Essex and Municipality of Lakeshore - County Road 22 Reconstruction

Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (Note there will be a presentation at 7:00PM)
Location: Atlas Tube Recreation Centre - Renaud Room, 447 Renaud Line, Belle River, Ontario N0R 1A0

10.1.5

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island

2025-03-12 - TWEPI News 

10.1.6

Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce (WERCC)

March 11, 2025 Newsletter

• Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce and Invest WindsorEssex launch the Windsor-Essex Economic Trade Task Force
• 2025 Warden's Luncheon with County of Essex Warden Hilda MacDonald

10.2

Resolutions

There are no resolutions for consideration for March 19, 2025

11.

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation:

  That the Administrative Report listed as item 11.1, and the minutes listed as items 11.2 through 11.4 on the Consent Agenda for March 19, 2025, be received and approved as required.

  (Vote Electronically)

11.1

Summary of Outstanding Reports for March 19, 2025

Report number 2025-0319-LLS-R13-KH, Summary of Outstanding Reports for March 19, 2025, from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

11.2

Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA)

Minutes of the February 4, 2025 meeting of the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority Board

11.3

Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee (ECAAC)

Minutes of the February 6, 2025 Meeting of Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee

11.4

Essex County Library (ECL)

Minutes of the November 27, 2024 meeting of the Essex County Library Board

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Introduction of Employee Excellence Awards

Report number 2025-0319-LLS-R12-DM, Introduction of an Employee Excellence Awards, dated March 19, 2025, from Don McArthur, Manager, Communication and Organizational Development

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0319-LLS-R12-DM, Introduction of Employee Excellence Awards as information.

  (Vote Electronically)

12.2

Strategic Plan Implementation Update

Report number 2025-0319-LLS-R03-SZ, Strategic Plan Implementation Update, dated March 19, 2025 from Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2023-0305-CAO-R02-SZ, Strategic Plan Implementation Update as information.

  (Vote Electronically)

12.3

EWEMS Operational Tempo Update

Report number 2025-0319-EMS-R02-JL, EWEMS Operational Tempo Update, dated March 19, 2025 from Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor EMS

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0319-EMS-R02-JL EWEMS Operational Tempo Update as information.

  (Vote Electronically)

12.4

County Road 46 at the Intersection of County Road 19 – Speed and Safety Review

Report number 2025-0319-IPS-R06-JB, County Road 46 at the Intersection of County Road 19 – Speed and Safety Review, dated March 19, 2025, from Jerry Behl, Manager, Transportation Planning and Development

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0319-IPS-R06-JB, County Road 46 at the Intersection of County Road 19 – Speed and Safety Review, for information.

  AND

  That Essex County Council direct Administration to reduce the speed limit on County Road 46 from 80km/h to 60km/h from 50 metres east of Middle Road and 50 metres west of North Talbot Road.

  AND

  That by-law 2025-10 be adopted, amending By-law 26-2002 to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways within the Essex County Roads System, ‘Schedule H’ to reduce the speed on County Road 46 from 50 metres east of Middle Road and 50 metres west of North Talbot Road from 80km/h to 60km/h.

  (Vote Electronically)

12.5

County Road 11 Near Concession 4, Town of Essex – Speed and Safety Review

Report number 2025-0319-IPS-R07-JB, County Road 11 Near Concession 4, Town of Essex – Speed and Safety Review, dated March 19, 2025, from Jerry Behl, Manager, Transportation Planning and Development

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0319-IPS-R07-JB, County Road 11 Near Concession 4, Town of Essex – Speed and Safety Review, as information.

  AND

  That Essex County Council direct Administration to reduce the speed limit on County Road 11 from 3^rd Concession Road to 50 metres north of 4^th Concession Road.

  AND

  That by-law 2025-10 be adopted, amending By-law 26-2002 to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways within the Essex County Roads System, ‘Schedule H’ to reduce the speed on County Road 11 from 3^rd Concession Road to 50 metres north of 4^th Concession Road from 80km/h to 50km/h.

  (Vote Electronically)

12.6

Consolidated Delegation of Authority By-law

Report number 2025-0319-LLS-R14-DS, Consolidated Delegation of Authority By-law, dated March 19, 2025 from David Sundin, Director, Legislative and Legal Services/County Solicitor

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0319-LLS-R14-DMS, Consolidated Delegation of Authority By-law, and adopt By-law 2025-11, being a By-law Authorizing the Delegation of Powers, and Duties by the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex, to certain Members of Administration.

  (Vote Electronically)

12.7

Limited Use of Golf Cars on Roadways in Lighthouse Cove in the Municipality of Lakeshore

Report number 2025-0319-LLS-R15-DS, Limited Use of Golf Cars on Roadways in Lighthouse Cove in the Municipality of Lakeshore, dated March 19, 2025 from David Sundin, Director, Legislative and Legal Services/County Solicitor

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive Report Number 2025-0319-LLS-R15-DMS, Limited Use of Golf Cars on Roadways in Lighthouse Cove, for information and adopt the necessary By-law to permit the Golf Car Pilot Project to proceed.

  (Vote Electronically)

13.

Unfinished Business

13.1

Phragmites Control Across the County of Essex

At the February 5, 2025 meeting of Essex County Council, Council considered report number 2025-0205-IPS-R02-AB, Phragmites Control Across the County. The report was received by resolution of Council 035-2025. Councillor Prue raised a motion on the matter, and it was duly seconded by Councillor McNamara. The motion was postponed definitely by resolution 034-2025 until March 19, 2025. 

• Recommendation:
  Moved by Michael Prue
  Seconded by Gary McNamara

  That Essex County Council direct Administration to begin a governance process to consult with local municipalities towards a concerted effort led by the County to establish a Phragmites Control program.

  (Vote Electronically)

14.

New Business

14.1

Fresh Water Protection and Agreements

At the March 5, 2025 meeting of Essex County Council, Councillor Michael Akpata brought forward the following:

Preamble:
Whereas the County of Essex is touched by fresh water at both the local municipal and upper tier level; and
Whereby Ontario holds more than half of the world’s fresh water; and
Whereas multiple bilateral agreements between Canada and the United States of America have been signed, ensuring that this fresh water is protected for current users and future generations; and 
Whereas, the County of Essex is a member municipality of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a bi-national coalition concerned with the ethical and responsible use, and protection and preservation of fresh water resources; and, 
Whereas the current US President, while campaigning stated that ‘there is a large faucet’ in Canada, indicating that there is ‘extra’ water in Canada; and 
Whereas current bilateral agreements do not appear to be followed by the new US Government Administration in a number of areas. 

Motion:
That the County of Essex call upon the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to advocate for continued adherence to established agreements regarding fresh water resources and to continued bi-national, state, provincial, and municipal efforts to protect and conserve these resources; and, 
That County Council call upon the Federal and Provincial Governments to take any and all necessary steps to ensure that the current agreements that are in place for the protection of fresh water are followed, so that the residents of the County of Essex can continue to maintain access to clean fresh water; and further, 
That the Federal and Provincial Governments ensure that water outflow is included in any discussions with the United States Government as part of ongoing interactions.

• Recommendation:

  That the County of Essex call upon the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to advocate for continued adherence to established agreements regarding fresh water resources and to continued bi-national, state, provincial, and municipal efforts to protect and conserve these resources; and, 
  That County Council call upon the Federal and Provincial Governments to take any and all necessary steps to ensure that the current agreements that are in place for the protection of fresh water are followed, so that the residents of the County of Essex can continue to maintain access to clean fresh water; and further, 
  That the Federal and Provincial Governments ensure that water outflow is included in any discussions with the United States Government as part of ongoing interactions.

  (Vote Electronically)

14.2

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• Recommendation:

  That By-laws 2025-10 through 2025-12 and 2025-14, be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  (Vote Electronically)

15.1

By-law Number 2025-10

Being a By-law to Amend By-law Number 26-2002, Being a By-law to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways within the Essex County Roads System (Schedule H)

15.2

By-law Number 2025-11

Being a By-law Authorizing the Delegation of Authority, Powers, and Duties by the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex to Certain Members of Administration

15.3

By-law Number 2025-12

Being a by-law to authorize the use of Golf Cars on the portion of County Road 39 that is within the urban area of Lighthouse Cove, in the Municipality of Lakeshore

15.4

By-law Number 2025-14

Being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Closed and Regular meetings of Essex County Council, for March 19, 2025

16.

Notice of Motion

There are no notices of motion for consideration for March 19, 2025

17.

Adjournment

• Recommendation:

  That the Essex County Council meeting for March 19, 2025 be adjourned at [Time] PM.

  (Vote by show of hands)