Essex County Council Regular Meeting Agenda

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

Time:

Meeting Time: Closed Meeting 5:00 PM; Regular Meeting 6:00 PM

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 1335

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1.

Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting has been scheduled for 5:00PM.

• Recommendation:

  That Council move into a closed meeting pursuant to Section 239 (2) (d) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended for the following reason(s):

  • Labour relations or Employee negotiations.

2.

Moment of Reflection

3.

Singing of ‘O Canada’

To be followed by Presentation of Poppies

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

Minutes of the October 18, 2023 Regular and Special meetings of Essex County Council. 

• Recommendation:

  That the minutes of the October 18, 2023 Regular and Special Meetings of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

9.

Delegations and Presentations

• Recommendation:

9.1

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI)

Gordon Orr, Chief Executive Officer, Lynnette Bain, Vice President Destination Development and Jason Toner, Director of Marketing & Communications to present TWEPI’s plans for 2024 and to unveil the new video highlighting their marketing brand

• Recommendation:

  That the delegation from TWEPI be permitted to address County Council.

9.2

Ministry of Transportation

Kyle Saulnier, Area Manager and Sivaganesh Tharmabala, Senior Project Engineer - MTO, presenting virtually, regarding the Highway 3 Widening from Essex to Leamington: Phase 3 Contract 2 P3 Design Build Finance Delivery

To be considered with agenda item 12.1 Highway 3 Widening Construction Update

• Recommendation:

  That the delegation from the Ministry of Transportation be permitted to address County Council.

9.3

NPG Planning Solutions and Miller Silani, Planning Consultants

Larry Silani, Official Plan Planning Advisor, Miller Silani, Planning Consultants and Mary-Lou Tanner, Principal Planner, NPG Planning Solutions to speak to County Council regarding the County of Essex Official Plan Review Update - Policy Directions

To be considered with agenda item 12.2

• Recommendation:

  That the delegation from NPG Planning Solutions and Miller Silani Planning Consultants be permitted to address County Council.

9.4

Canada South Land Trust

Patricia McGorman, President, to speak to County Council about the importance of conserving the natural heritage.  (In reference to Item 12.4 Natural Heritage Areas Preservation By-law.)

• Recommendation:

  That the delegation from the Canada South Land Trust be permitted to address County Council.

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• Recommendation:

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for November 1, 2023, be received and any noted action approved. 

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• October 16, 2023 AMO Online Training - Competing Rights: What You Need to Know
• October 18, 2023 Policy Update - Social and Economic Prosperity Review
• October 19, 2023 AMO Watchfile Online
• October 26, 2023 AMO Watchfile Online

10.2

Resolutions

10.2.1

Western Ontario Warden's Caucus

Correspondence to the Provincial government requesting that Strong Mayor Powers be reversed and requesting financial resources be allocated to rural and small urban municipalities to assist in tackling the housing and affordability crisis in Ontario.

• Recommendation:

  The Essex County Council [receive and support] /[receive and file] the resolution from the Western Ontario Warden's Caucus requesting that Strong Mayor Powers be reversed.

10.2.2

Western Ontario Warden's Caucus

Correspondence to the Minister of Energy in support of the "Leave to Construct Threshold" change from $2 million to $20 million for hydrocarbon lines, while maintaining current requirements and expectations for Indigenous consultation and environmental review for projects greater than $2 million and less than $10 million.

• Recommendation:

  The Essex County Council [receive and support] /[receive and file] the resolution from the Western Ontario Warden's Caucus supporting updating the Leave to Construct Threshold for hydrocarbon lines.

11.

Consent Agenda

There are no items for the Consent Agenda for November 1, 2023.

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Highway 3 Widening Construction Update (Def. from October 18, 2023)

Report number 2023-1018-IPS-R35-AB, Highway 3 Widening Construction Update, dated October 18, 2023 from Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure and Planning Services 

To be considered with agenda item 9.2 MTO Delegation.

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council authorize the Warden and the Clerk to execute an Agreement with MTO in substantially the form of Agreement appended to this Report.

12.2

County of Essex Official Plan Review Update- Policy Directions

Report number 2023-1101-IPS-R39-RB, County of Essex Official Plan Review Update- Policy Directions, dated November 1, 2023, from Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services

To be considered with Agenda Item 9.3

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive Report 2023-1101-IPS-R39-RB from the Manager, Planning Services with regard to the County of Essex Official Plan Review Process.

12.3

Summary of Comments from the Public Meeting for OPA to Modify CIP Policies

Report number 2023-1101-IPS-R38-RB, Summary of Comments from the Public Meeting for OPA to Modify CIP Policies, dated November 1, 2023 from Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services 

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive 2023-1101-IPS-R38-RB, from the Planner, with regard to the proposed Official Plan Amendment No. 3 and adopt By-law 2023-52.

12.4

Natural Heritage Areas Preservation By-law

Report number 2023-1101-IPS-R37-RB-DS, Natural Heritage Areas Preservation By-law, dated November 1, 2023 from Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services and David Sundin, County Solicitor  

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive Report number 2023-1101-IPS-R37-RLB-DMS, Natural Heritage Areas Preservation By-law, dated November 1, 2023, from Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services and David Sundin, County Solicitor;

  That Essex County Council direct Administration to investigate potential approaches to further enhance/implement/improve the existing policies and by-laws of the County regarding tree preservation and tree canopy enhancement; and

  That Council direct Staff to bring a further Report to Council regarding options and next steps related to a Natural Heritage Areas Preservation By-law for County Council's further consideration following consultation with each of the local municipalities and prior to proceeding with a formal public engagement initiative.

12.5

Essex-Windsor EMS 2024 Pre-Budget Approval for Full-Time Staff Enhancement

Report number 20231101-EMS-R02-JL, Essex-Windsor EMS 2024 Pre-Budget Approval for Full-Time Staff Enhancement, dated November 1, 2023, from Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council approve Essex-Windsor EMS to enhance Paramedic staff by six (6) FTE starting November 20, 2023.

12.6

Essex-Windsor EMS 2024 Pre-Budget Vehicle Procurement Approval

Report number 2023-1101-EMS-R09-JL, Essex-Windsor EMS 2024 Pre-Budget Vehicle Procurement Approval, dated November 1, 2023, from Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services 

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council provide Essex Windsor EMS with 2024 pre-budget approval to proceed with:

  1. The 2024 ordering of eight (8) Crestline Coach Ltd. Type III ambulances with a total purchase price of $1,751,477 (plus HST).

  2. The 2024 ordering of three (3) Emergency Response Vehicles with conversion for an estimated purchase price of $360,000 (plus HST).
     
  3. The 2024 ordering of one (1) pickup truck with conversion, for an estimated purchase price of $153,000 (plus HST).

12.7

Corporate Policies Finance/Accounting Updates

Report number 2023-1101-FIN-R21-HM, Corporate Policies Finance/Accounting Updates, dated November 1, 2023, from Heidi McLeod, Manager, Accounting - Administration/Deputy Treasurer

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council adopt 2023-05 Asset Retirement Obligations Policy and approve the proposed revisions to Policy 2019-002 (Strategic Asset Management) and 2009-003 (Tangible Capital Assets Policy).

12.8

Expropriation of Parts 27 and 28 on Reference Plan 12R-27997

Report number 2023-1101-LCS-R28-DS, Expropriation of Parts 27 and 28 on Reference Plan 12R-27997, dated November 1, 2023, from David Sundin, County Solicitor 

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council consider and adopt a By-law that:

  1. grants approval for the expropriation of the lands designated as Parts 27 and 28 on Reference Plan 12R-27997; and,
  2. authorizes the Clerk to, among other things, cause an Expropriation Plan to be registered on title to the lands described as Parts 27 and 28 on Reference Plan 12R-27997 to finalize the expropriation of those lands.

13.

Unfinished Business

13.1

Unfinished Business - Summary of Outstanding Reports for November 1, 2023

Report Number 2023-1101-LCS-R27-MB, Unfinished Business - Summary of Outstanding Reports for November 1, 2023

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2023-1101-LCS-R27-MB, Summary of Outstanding Reports as information.

14.

New Business

14.1

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

14.2

Traffic Control Study at the intersection of County Rd 9 and Alma Road

Michael Prue brought forward the following Notice of Motion:

Whereas Amherstburg Town Council has voted at their October 10, 2023 meeting to direct Mayor Prue and/or Deputy Mayor Gibb to introduce a Notice of Motion to County Council requesting a Traffic Control Study at the intersection of County Rd 9 and Alma Road;

And whereas this intersection is owned by the County of Essex and is located within the Municipality of Amherstburg;

Now therefore, Essex County Council requests that County Administration conduct a Traffic Study for the said intersection.

14.3

Cost report regarding by-law 2023-40

Gary McNamara brought forward the following notice of motion:

That Administration prepare a report disclosing all costs incurred on the Regional Waste initiative, including costs of administration and consultants of both the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority and the County of Essex.

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• Recommendation:

  That By-law 2023-50, 2023-52 and 2023-53, having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

15.1

By-law 2023-50

Being A By-law to authorize the execution of an Agreement with His Majesty the King in right of the Province of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Transportation regarding the expansion of King's Highway 3 between County Road 23 and County Road 34.

15.2

By-law Number 2023-52

Being a By-law to adopt Official Plan Amendment Number 3 to the County of Essex Official Plan

15.3

By-law Number 2023-53

Being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex for November 1, 2023

16.

Notice of Motion

17.

Adjournment