Essex County Council Regular Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Wednesday, September 04, 2019
Time:	Closed Meeting Time: 6:15 PM; Regular Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
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

Administration:

• Mary Birch, Director of Council & Community Services/Clerk
• Jayne Brooks Keller, Director of Nursing, Sun Parlor Home
• 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
• Crystal Sylvester, Administrative Assistant, EWEMS

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1.

Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting was held at 6:15 PM.

• 166-2019
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Tom Bain

  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 and employee negotiations.
  Carried

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 Hilda MacDonald. 

5.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

6.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

County Council Minutes for August 14, 2019

• 169-2019
  Moved By Tom Bain
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That the minutes of the August 14, 2019 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

  Carried

7.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

Warden McNamara welcomed the members of County Council, Administration, media and members of the public. He noted that the month of August had been busy for Council with many fairs and festivals to attend, as well as with the promotion of tourism within the region. He further thanked the members of Council who recently attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa. The County of Essex and region were well represented. He further thanked the Minister of Transportation, the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, for her support and commitment to making improvements to Highway 3 beginning in 2021. He stated that this region was looking forward to this project coming to fruition. 

8.

Delegations and Presentations

There were no delegations for the September 4, 2019 meeting.

9.

Communications

9.1

Correspondence

• 170-2019
  Moved By Marc Bondy
  Seconded By Richard Meloche

  That the correspondence listed on the regular agenda for September 4, 2019 be received and any noted action approved. 

  Carried

9.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

View the latest online versions of the AMO WatchFile Newsletter.

9.1.2

AMO

AMO Communications, dated August 13, 2019, regarding - Ontario Releases Remainder of Municipal Cannabis Funding.

9.1.3

AMO

AMO Communications Policy Update, dated August 16, 2019, regarding The Province Announces Important Next Steps on Blue Box Program.

9.1.4

AMO

AMO Communications, Policy Update, dated August 14, 2019, regarding - Fixing the Housing Affordability Crisis: Municipal Recommendations for Housing in Ontario.

9.1.5

Norfolk County

Copy of correspondence, dated August 13, 2019 addressed to Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resouces and Forestry and MPP Haldimand - Norfolk from Andrew Grozelle, County Clerk referring to Norfolk Council's resolution regarding the Request for Provincial Response to address Gas Well Issues.

9.1.6

AMO - Post-Conference Update

August 23, 2019 - Things you need to know coming from the AMO Conference 2019.

9.1.7

Minister of Health

Letter from Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliot regarding the Land Ambulance Service Grant for 2019 for Essex Windsor EMS.

Deputy Warden Santos asked for clarification on what this funding announcement meant for the County of Essex and region.  Chief Krauter advised that the County was very pleased with the announcement and waiting to receive confirmation on the funding remediation specific to this region, but he did indicate that he anticipated there would still be a deficit of approximately $350,000-$400,000 for the 2019 budget for EWEMS.

Warden McNamara noted that the initial expectation with the funding cut was a deficit of approximately $2.3 million, so while there may still be some shortfall, it will not be as dramatic of a deficit than originally anticipated with the first Provincial announcement.

9.1.8

Pathway to Potential

August 19, 2019 Edition of Newsletter

• Open Streets 2019 - Save the date!
• Funding Program for Affordable Housing Open to Proposals
• Healthy Smiles Ontario
• WECHU Seniors Dental Care
• Call for Applicants: Social Innovation Advisory Council
• New Data on Rent Affordability in Canada
• In the News - Canada's Poverty Dashboard

9.1.9

Celebrate Our Abilities - Accessibility Awareness Walk

Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee invites you to attend the 'Celebrate Our Abilities - Accessibility Awareness Walk' 

Join us for the 2019 awareness walk on Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m. at the Vollmer Culture Recreation Complex Pavilion (2121 Laurier Pkwy, LaSalle, ON N9J 0B4). The walk will begin at 11 a.m., followed by great music and lunch and refreshments will be provided. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. Register now to join us! 

9.2

Resolutions

There were no resolutions for the consideration of Council for September 4, 2019.

10.

Consent Agenda

• 171-2019
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Aldo DiCarlo

  That the recommendations in the Administrative Reports listed as item(s) 10.1 and 10.2, on the Consent Agenda for September 4, 2019, be approved.

  Carried

10.1

Approval of Invoices - Legal/Consulting Services

Report Number 2019-0904-ADM-R013-RM, dated September 4, 2019 from Robert Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer.

10.2

2020 County Council Meeting Schedule Approval

Report Number 2019-0904-CCS-R007-MB, dated September 4, 2019 from Mary Birch, Director of Council and Community Services/Clerk.

11.

Reports and Questions

11.1

Essex County Alternate Fire Coordinator Appointment and Remuneration Amendment for 2019

Report Number 2019-0904-EM-R001-BK, dated September 4, 2019 from Bruce Krauter, Chief - Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Service.

Chief Krauter provided a summary of the report, outlining the Ontario Fire Marshal's requirement that Council appoint a County Fire Coordinator and recommendations for two Alternate Fire Coordinators. 

• 172-2019
  Moved By Marc Bondy
  Seconded By Tracey Bailey

  That a letter be sent to the Office of the Fire Marshal expressing the support of Essex County Council for the following appointments:

  1) Alternate Fire Coordinator – Windsor Deputy Fire Chief James Waffle

  2) Alternate Fire Coordinator – Lakeshore Fire Chief Don Williamson

  And further that County Council adopt Bylaw #35-2019, establishing the remuneration for the positions of the alternate Fire Coordinator (1) and (2) for 2019.

  Carried

11.2

Modernization and Efficiency Grant

Report Number 2019-0904-ADM-R012-RM, dated September 4, 2019 from Robert Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer.

Mr. Maisonville provided a summary of the recommendations within the report for the use of the Modernization and Efficiency Grant provided by the Province. He explained that the calculations for this grant took into consideration the number of households within the municipality and the County of Essex was fortunate to receive the maximum amount allowable by the Province.

He noted that Administration had worked to develop a plan that provided efficiencies for each department within the corporation, as well as some regional initiatives. The total estimated cost of the projects recommended within the report was $718,000, with an additional $7,000 contingency.

• 173-2019
  Moved By Gord Queen
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That the proposed initiatives outlined within Report #2019-0904-ADM-R012-RM, totaling approximately $725,000, inclusive of $7,000 contingency, be approved for use of the One-Time Modernization and Efficiency Grant.

  Carried

12.

Unfinished Business

13.

New Business

13.1

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting of Essex County Council was held at 6:15 PM, prior to the regular Council meeting, pursuant to Section 239 (2) (d) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended. Council dealt with two issues related to labour relations and employee negotiations.

Firstly, Administration presented County Council with a proposal for a compensation adjustment for the non-union employees for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.  The Warden called for a motion of Council to amend the compensation program for the non-union employee group in accordance with the recommendations in the report.

Secondly, Administration provided Council with an update on a tentative Collective Agreement which had been reached with CUPE Local 860 members. Council was asked to adopt a resolution accepting the tentative Collective Agreement and advised that the terms of the agreement would not be disclosed until it had been ratified by the union.

• 174-2019
  Moved By Marc Bondy
  Seconded By Leo Meloche

  That Council approve the proposed amendments to the non-union compensation program as follows: 

  • Wage adjustment, effective January 1, of each year:
    • 2019-2.00%
    • 2020-1.75%
    • 2021-1.75%
    • 2022-1.75%
  • Longevity pay adjustments:
    • after 5 years - $140
    • after 10 years - $280
    • after 15 years - $420
    • after 20 years - $560
    • after 25 years - $700
    • after 30 years - $840
  • Benefit Provisions:
    • Vacation allocation >23 years = 1 additional day each year to a maximum of 5 additional days
    • Vision coverage - $500 every 24 months, effective January 1, 2020
    • STIPP - 9 days per year.
  Carried
• 175-2019
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Nelson Santos

  That Council approve the terms of the tentative Collective Agreement pending CUPE Local 860 ratification by their membership.

  Carried

13.2

Shoreline Protection

Mayor Snively suggested that a regional Committee be formed to approach Senior levels of government for funding to address Shoreline Protection issues.  He noted that even the Lower Thames Conservation area could be included.  It was noted that there were meetings scheduled with the Ministry in London on September 14th and September 19th. 

Warden McNamara noted that representatives from municipalities locally should be attending the meetings in London and suggested that perhaps there would be an opportunity for funding under the Green Fund through a joint regional application.  He indicated that discussions with the Mayor of Chatham-Kent had taken place who also indicated that the severe erosion due to flooding was a great concern.  He advised that Minister Clark had indicated he would come and tour the area, but was not aware of when that would be.  He directed Administration to start discussing this issue at the CAO level.  Mr. Maisonville indicated that a CAO's meeting was scheduled for September 27 at which ERCA would also be attending to discuss the need to have a regional approach and action plan on the issue of shoreline protection. 

Warden McNamara indicated that he would follow-up with Minister Clark at an upcoming AMO MOU meeting and would let area municipalities know when he would be coming to the area.

14.

Adoption of By-Laws

• 176-2019
  Moved By Tom Bain
  Seconded By Larry Snively

  That By-laws 35-2019 and 36-2019, having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  Carried

14.1

By-law Number 35-2019

Being a By-law to Amend By-law Number 42-2018 and the Agreement Establishing the Remuneration for the Positions of Essex County Alternate Fire Coordinators

14.2

By-law Number 36-2019

Being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex (September 4, 2019)

15.

Notice of Motion

16.

Adjournment

• 177-2019
  Moved By Nelson Santos
  Seconded By Joe Bachetti

  That the Essex County Council meeting for September 4, 2019 be adjourned at 7:43 PM.

  Carried