Essex County Council Regular Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time:	7:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.
Location:	Council Chambers, 2nd Floor 360 Fairview Avenue West Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6 519-776-6441, ext. 1335

Council:

• Gary McNamara, Warden, Mayor, Town of Tecumseh
• Joe Bachetti, Deputy Mayor, Town of Tecumseh
• Tracey Bailey, Deputy Mayor, Town of Lakeshore
• Tom Bain, Mayor, Town of Lakeshore
• Marc Bondy, Mayor, Town of LaSalle
• Aldo DiCarlo, Mayor, Town of Amherstburg
• Crystal Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of LaSalle
• Leo Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of Amherstburg
• Richard Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of Essex
• Nelson Santos, Deputy Warden, Mayor, Town of Kingsville
• Gord Queen, Deputy Mayor, Town of Kingsville
• Larry Snively, Mayor, Town of Essex
• Larry Verbeke, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Leamington

Absent:

• Hilda MacDonald, Mayor, Municipality of Leamington
• Morley Bowman, Alternate County Councillor, Town of Essex
• Tony Gaffan, Alternate County Councillor, Town of Kingsville

Administration:

• Mary Birch, Director of Council & Community Services/Clerk
• Jayne Brooks Keller, Director of Nursing, Sun Parlor Home
• Robin Greenall, CEO/Chief Librarian, Essex County Library
• Bruce Krauter, Chief, Essex Windsor EMS
• Rob Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jane Mustac, Director of Infrastructure Services/County Engineer
• Greg Schlosser, Director Human Resources
• Renée Trombley, Manager Corporate Communications and Accessibility
• Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
• Crystal Sylvestre, Administrative Assistant, District Chiefs EWEMS

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1.

Closed Meeting

There was no Closed Meeting scheduled for March 20, 2019.

2.

Moment of Reflection

3.

Singing of ‘O Canada’

4.

Recording of Attendance

All members of Essex County Council were in attendance with the exception of Mrs. MacDonald.

5.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

6.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

County Council Minutes for March 6, 2019.

• 42-2019
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Joe Bachetti

  That the minutes of the March 6, 2019 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

  Carried

7.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

Warden McNamara welcomed those in attendance and from the viewing audience at home and provided updates on:

• a letter received from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) advising that one time unconditional grant funding was being provided to the County of Essex in the amount of $725,000 to create efficiencies as needed.  He noted that other area municipalities were also notified of similar grant funding.

8.

Delegations and Presentations

There were no delegations scheduled for the March 20th, 2019 meeting.

9.

Communications

9.1

Correspondence

• 43-2019
  Moved By Tom Bain
  Seconded By Marc Bondy

  That the correspondence listed on the regular agenda for March 20, 2019 be received and any noted action approved. 

  Carried

9.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

View the online versions of the AMO Watchfile Newsletter, dated March 7 and 14, 2019. 

9.1.2

AMO

Received e-mailed AMO Communications, dated March 14, 2019, view the online version of the Policy Update regarding the 2019 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund Allocations Announced.

9.1.3

Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA)

Received e-mail, dated March 11, 2019 regarding 2019 OGRA Conference Presentations are Now Online!

9.1.4

OGRA

Received e-mail, dated March 13, 2019 regarding OGRA Connect, view the online version March 13, 2019 - Province Rolls Out Phase 2 of Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program.

9.1.5

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI)

View the online version of the March 2019 GLSLCI Making Waves Newsletter.

9.1.6

The Corporation of the Town of Saugeen Shores

Received e-mail from Linda White, Clerk referring to their Council's resolution requesting support regarding Recreation and Culture Capital Infrastructure Funding.

9.1.7

City of Guelph

Received e-mail, dated March 13, 2019 referring to their Council's resolution regarding Maintaining the Voters' List for Municipal Elections.

9.1.8

City of Quinte West

Received e-mail, dated March 13, 2019 referring to their Council's resolution regarding Bottled Water.

9.1.9

City of Windsor

Received e-mailed copy of Council Decision, dated February 25, 2019, supporting Report No. 8 of the Housing Advisory Committee regarding social housing.

9.1.10

Robert Maisonville and Family

Received card of appreciation for thoughtfulness shown during their time of sorrow.

9.1.11

Denis McFarlane and Family (EMS)

Received card of appreciation for thoughtfulness shown during their time of sorrow.

9.2

Resolutions

There were no resolutions for the consideration of County Council for March 20, 2019.

10.

Consent Agenda

There were no items for the Consent Agenda for March 20, 2019.

11.

Reports and Questions

11.1

Essex County Library Board

Minutes of the Essex County Library Board for January 23, 2019, Mr. Nelson Santos, Chair.

• 44-2019
  Moved By Nelson Santos
  Seconded By Richard Meloche

  That the minutes of the Essex County Library Board, dated January 23, 2019 be received.

  Carried

11.2

Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee, dated February 14, 2019, Mr. Gord Queen, Vice Chair.

• 45-2019
  Moved By Gord Queen
  Seconded By Marc Bondy

  That the minutes of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee, dated February 14, 2019, be adopted.

  Carried

11.3

2019 Annual Repayment Limit

Report Number 2019-0320-FIN-R005-SZ, dated March 20, 2019 from Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer.

Ms. Zwiers presented the report, explaining that a municipality can only undertake financial obligations that extend beyond the term of  Council without Ontario Municipal Board approval, if it does not exceed it's annual debt repayment limit.  She noted it is the Treasurer's responsibility to update the municipal debt repayment limit annually.

• 46-2019
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Leo Meloche

  That County Council receive the 2019 Annual Repayment Limit report for information.

  Carried

11.4

Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law

Report Number 2019-0320-FIN-R006-SZ, dated March 20, 2019 from Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer.

Ms. Zwiers presented the report advising that annually the fees and charges for County provided goods and services was reviewed.  She highlighted the recommended revisions due to efficiencies found, cost recovery fees requiring an increase and obsolete services being removed.

• 47-2019
  Moved By Larry Snively
  Seconded By Aldo DiCarlo

  That County Council adopt By-Law 11-2019, which establishes the fees and charges for the Corporation of the County of Essex for 2019.

  Carried

11.5

2019 CWATS Annual Report

Report Number 2019-0320-IS-R007-JM, dated March 20, 2019 from Jane Mustac, Director of Infrastructure Services/Engineer.

Ms. Mustac presented the CWATS Annual report. She provided an overview of the CWATS program for Council members explaining how roles, responsibilities and costs are shared between upper tier and local municipalities.

CWATS accomplishments and the future plans were reviewed. She advised a CWATS Master Plan update would be delivered in 6 phases which were expected to be completed in 2020, however, it was noted that the timing of the Road Rationalization Study would impact the ability to complete the CWATS Master Plan. She noted that progress updates would be provided to Council throughout the process.

An update on the status of the Road Rationalization Study was requested.  In response Mr. Maisonville advised that the CAO's group had recently met to review the draft technical review report and following the consultant reviewing a few specific road segments, they would be moving on to the next step of the process.  He explained, however, that it had been determined that in order to determine costing, the Consultant was going to need to be engaged to do some additional work that had not been included in the original scope of work, including providing suggestions on how to deal with the differences between urban and rural roads and suggestions for connecting links.  He advised that he anticipated having a preliminary map and report to County Council on the Road Rationalization Study progress sometime in April.

• 48-2018
  Moved By Nelson Santos
  Seconded By Aldo DiCarlo

  That County Council support funding the recommended 2019 CWATS Infrastructure Program;

  And further that County Council support the continuation of funding and resources for outreach, monitoring, evaluation programs and initiatives.

  Carried

11.6

Speed Limit Review - Various Roads

Report Number 2019-0320-IS-R008-JM, dated March 20, 2019 from Jane Mustac, Director of Infrastructure Services/Engineer.

Ms. Mustac presented the report to provide information regarding speed limit reduction requests. She explained that requests for reduction were considered when received through resident petitions or local council requests. She further explained that County staff investigate areas of requested speed limit reductions using the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) guidelines. She advised that three requested locations reveiwed were:

• County Road 9 – 8^th to County Road 7
• County Road 27 – CP Rail to County Road 42
• County Road 31 – County Road 34 to CR 20

She explained that the risk factors were evaluated and speed limit reductions were not supported in those areas.

She advised, however, that in a fourth location, an environmental assessment did support harmonizing the posted speed limits on County Road 20 between Kratz Sideroad and Sherk Street.

In response to a Council question regarding timing of the change, it was reported that a communication plan would be developed to ensure public notification of the change, prior to the speed limit signs being changed in the affected area.

In response to a concern raised by Mayor Snively regarding the speed limit on County Road 11 in the vicinity of the 4th Concession, Essex, Ms. Mustac indicated it would be included in the next review of that area.  An additional speed limit concern on County Road 11 in the McGregor area was raised by Deputy Mayor Leo Meloche.

Deputy Mayor Bailey also questioned the process to have a review undertaken on harmonizing the various speed limits on County Road 46.  Ms. Mustac advised that those types of reviews are undertaken during the Environmental Assessment process, conducted once every three years.

• 49-2019
  Moved By Joe Bachetti
  Seconded By Marc Bondy

  That By-Law 12-2019 be adopted to amend Schedule ‘H’ of the County Traffic and Parking By-Law 26-2002, to harmonize the posted speed limit on County Road 20 between Kratz Sideroad and Sherk Street as outlined in report 2019-0320-IS-R008-JM.

  Carried

11.7

Sun Parlor Home Long Term Care Home Service Accountability Agreement (LSAA) 2019 - 2022

Report Number 2019-0320-SPH-R001-JBK, dated March 20, 2019 from Jayne Brooks-Keller, Administrator, Sun Parlor Home.

Ms. Brooks-Keller presented the report, explaining that the proposed Agreement was the mechanism which established the funding relationship between the Corporation and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.  She noted that the terms of the Agreement were unchanged from the  previous Agreement.

• 52-2019
  Moved By Richard Meloche
  Seconded By Tom Bain

  That By-law #13-2019 authorizing the Warden and Clerk to execute the Service Accountability Agreement for the Sun Parlor Home with the Erie St. Clair LHIN for the period April 1, 2019-March 31, 2022, be adopted.

  Carried

12.

Unfinished Business

13.

New Business

13.1

Federal Gas Tax Budget Announcement

Warden McNamara noted that municipalities were pleased to learn that the recent Federal Budget provided the doubling of the Federal Gas Tax received for the fiscal year, which would be used on municipal infrastructure projects.

14.

Adoption of By-Laws

• 51-2019
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Larry Verbeke

  That By-law(s) #11-2019 through #14-2019, having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  Carried

14.1

By-law Number 11-2019

A By-law to Impose Fees and Charges by The Corporation of the County of Essex.

14.2

By-law Number 12-2019

A By-law to Amend By-law 26-2002, Being A By-law to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways within the Essex County Road System. (speed limit reduction - CR 20)

14.3

By-law Number 13-2019

A By-law to Authorize the Execution of a Service Accountability Agreement between the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network and The Corporation of the County of Essex.

14.4

By-law Number 14-2019

A By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of The Corporation of the County of Essex. (March 20, 2019)

15.

Notice of Motion

16.

Adjournment

• 52-2019
  Moved By Tracey Bailey
  Seconded By Gord Queen

  That the Essex County Council meeting for March 20, 2019 be adjourned at 8:05 PM.

  Carried