Essex County Council, Regular Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Meeting Time:

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

360 Fairview Avenue West

Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6

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

Council:

• Michael Akpata, Deputy Mayor - Town of LaSalle
• Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden / Deputy Mayor - Town of Tecumseh
• Tracey Bailey, Mayor - Municipality of Lakeshore
• Sherry Bondy, Mayor - Town of Essex
• Kimberly DeYong, Deputy Mayor - Town of Kingsville
• Chris Gibb, Deputy Mayor - Town of Amherstburg
• Gary McNamara, Mayor - Town of Tecumseh
• Crystal Meloche, Mayor - Town of LaSalle
• Michael Prue, Mayor - Town of Amherstburg
• Rob Shepley, Deputy Mayor - Town of Essex
• Larry Verbeke, Deputy Mayor - Municipality of Leamington
• Kirk Walstedt, Deputy Mayor - Municipality of Lakeshore
• Paul Tiessen, Councillor, Municipality of Leamington - (Alternate Member)

Absent:

• Hilda MacDonald, Warden / Mayor - Municipality of Leamington
• Dennis Rogers, Mayor - Town of Kingsville

Administration:

• Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure & Planning Services
• Jayne Brooks Keller, Administrator - Sun Parlor Home
• Katherine Hebert, County Clerk
• Darrel Laurendeau, Director, Information Technology
• Don McArthur, Manager, Communication and Organizational Development
• Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer
• Kyla Pritiko, Director, Human Resources
• David Sundin, County Solicitor
• Crystal Sylvestre, Coordinator, Legislative and Community Services
• Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer
• Jerry Behl, Manager, Transportation Planning and Development
• Dee Blais, Administrative Assistant to the CAO
• Slawomir Pulcer, Deputy Chief, Professional Standards - EWEMS

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1.

Closed Meeting

There was no Closed Meeting held on October 2, 2024

Jerry Behl, Manager, Transportation Planning and Development joined the meeting at 5:34 PM.

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

Warden MacDonald was absent. Paul Tiessen attended as an Alternate member for the Municipality of Leamington.

Dennis Rogers was absent.

Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti presided over the meeting.

All other Members of Council attended the meeting at the Essex County Civic Centre, Council Chambers.

6.

County Deputy Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti welcomed everyone to the meeting and highlighted the essential role of the Essex County Library system as a cornerstone for community engagement, learning, and enrichment.

The Deputy Warden encouraged all residents to engage in the diverse programs and resources available within the libraries of Essex County.

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest raised.

8.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the September 18, 2024 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council.

• 256-2024
  Moved By Rob Shepley
  Seconded By Gary McNamara

  That the minutes of the September 18, 2024 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried

9.

Delegations and Presentations

There were no delegations for October 2, 2024

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• 257-2024
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for October 2, 2024, be received and any noted action approved. 

  (Voted Electronically)

  Carried

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• AMO Watchfile Newsletter
• AMO Policy Updates
• AMO Calendar
• AMO Education Events - Healthy Democracy Forum 

10.1.2

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Letter dated September 16, 2024 RE Windsor-Essex Food Strategy (Presented as information)

10.2

Resolutions

There were no resolutions for consideration for October 2, 2024.

11.

Consent Agenda

• 258-2024
  Moved By Sherry Bondy
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That the recommendations in the Administrative Reports listed as item 11.1 and 11.2 on the Consent Agenda for October 2, 2024, be received and approved.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Gary McNamara, Joe Bachetti, and Paul Tiessen

  Carried

11.1

Summary of Outstanding Reports

Report number 2024-0918-LCS-R29-KH, Summary of Outstanding Reports for October 2, 2024, from Katherine Hebert, Clerk  

11.2

Electricity and Natural Gas Update - Commodity Price Hedging Strategy

Report number 2024-1002-FIN-R20-MR, Electricity and Natural Gas Update - Commodity Price Hedging Strategy, dated October 2, 2024, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Road Safety Management Program

Report number 2024-1002-IPS-R22-JB, Road Safety Management Program, dated October 2, 2024, from Jerry Behl, Manager, Transportation Planning and Development

Jerry Behl explained that the Road Safety Management Program would identify safety concerns, develop solutions, and prioritize projects based on data collected. Analysis of the County Road network was underway and was expected to be completed by late 2024.  Following the analysis, Administration indicated that a report to Council would be provided outlining projects to improve road safety in the network, anticipated by spring 2025.

• 259-2024
  Moved By Tracey Bailey
  Seconded By Kirk Walstedt

  That Essex County Council receive report 2024-1002-IPS-R22-JB Road Safety Management Program for information.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Gary McNamara, Joe Bachetti, and Paul Tiessen

  Carried

12.2

Bridge and Culvert Asset Management Software Purchase Agreement

Report number 2024-1002-IPS-R23-AB, Bridge and Culvert Asset Management Software Purchase Agreement, dated October 2, 2024, from Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure and Planning Services

Allan Botham explained that the system previously used to gather and organize data required under legislation had been discontinued. It was noted that the data and backup are housed in a cloud service within Canada.

The InspectX software provided Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) specific features and asset management capabilities.

• 260-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Paul Tiessen

  That Essex County Council approve report number 2024-1002-IPS-R23-AB, Bridge and Culvert Asset Management Software Purchase Agreement; and,

  That the Warden and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement for the purchase of OSIM Inspection Software (InspectX) and the allocation of funds to cover the full cost of the proposed 5 year + 5 year contract, totaling approximately $521,675 CAD.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Gary McNamara, Joe Bachetti, and Paul Tiessen

  Carried

12.3

Approval of 2025 Conferences and Policy Review

Report number 2024-1002-LCS-R31-KH, Approval of the 2025 Conferences and Review of the Travel, Conferences Policy, dated October 2, 2024 from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

Katherine Hebert explained that updates to the Policy centred around clarifying language to address frequently asked questions.  In addition to language clarifications, meal allowance rates would align with rates prescribed by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) going forward.

The proposed list of approved conferences included the removal of the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) conference; typically attended by Administration, and replacing it with the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) conference.

• 261-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That Essex County Council:

  1. Receive and approve Report Number 2024-1002-LCS-R31-KH, Proposed 2025 Approved Conferences List, and Review of the Travel, Meetings, and Conferences – Council, Committees, Agencies and Boards Policy; and,
  2. Approve the proposed amendments to Policy Number 2022-003 attached hereto as Appendix A; and,
  3. Approve the conferences identified and attached as Appendix B to this Report, in accordance with Policy Number 2022-003, as amended.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Gary McNamara, Joe Bachetti, and Paul Tiessen

  Carried

13.

Unfinished Business

There were no matters of Unfinished Business to be considered for October 2, 2024.

14.

New Business

14.1

Civic Centre Access Points

• 262-2024
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Sherry Bondy

  That Essex County Council direct administration to prepare a report outlining current practices to the process for public attendance at County Council meetings.

  
  (Voted by Show of Hands)

  Carried

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• 263-2024
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Rob Shepley

  That By-laws 2024-43 through 2024-44, be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Gary McNamara, Joe Bachetti, and Paul Tiessen

  Carried

15.1

By-law Number 2024-43

Being a by-law to Authorize the Execution of an Agreement Between the Corporation of the County of Essex and Bridge Intelligence LLC DBA Asset Intel.

15.2

By-law Number 2024-44

Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex for the Regular and Closed Meetings held October 2, 2024 

16.

Notice of Motion

There were no Notices of Motion for consideration for October 2, 2024.

17.

Adjournment

• 264-2024
  Moved By Kirk Walstedt
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That the Essex County Council meeting for October 2, 2024 be adjourned at 7:02 PM.

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried