Essex County Council, Regular Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 18, 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
• Hilda MacDonald, Warden / Mayor - Municipality of Leamington
• Gary McNamara, Mayor - Town of Tecumseh
• Crystal Meloche, Mayor - Town of LaSalle
• Michael Prue, Mayor - Town of Amherstburg
• Dennis Rogers, Mayor - Town of Kingsville
• Rob Shepley, Deputy Mayor - Town of Essex
• Larry Verbeke, Deputy Mayor - Municipality of Leamington
• Kirk Walstedt, Deputy Mayor - Municipality of Lakeshore

Administration:

• Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure & Planning Services
• Jayne Brooks Keller, Administrator - Sun Parlor Home
• Jeanie Diamond Francis, Manager, Community Services
• Katherine Hebert, County Clerk
• Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor EMS
• Darrel Laurendeau, Director, Information Technology
• Don McArthur, Manager, Communication and Organizational Development
• Kyla Pritiko, Director, Human Resources
• David Sundin, County Solicitor
• Crystal Sylvestre, Coordinator, Legislative and Community Services
• Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer
• Dee Blais, Administrative Assistant to the CAO

---

1.

Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting was held at 5:00PM on September 18, 2024.

• 234-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

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

  • (h) information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them;
  Carried
• 235-2024
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That the minutes of Closed Meeting of Essex County Council held July 17, 2024 and July 22, 2024 be adopted as presented.

  Carried
• 236-2024
  Moved By Chris Gibb
  Seconded By Michael Prue

  That Essex County Council adjourn, and rise from the September 18, 2024 Closed Meeting at 5:26 PM.

  Carried

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 and members of Council attended the meeting at the Essex County Civic Centre, Council Chambers.

Chief Administrative Officer, Sandra Zwiers, joined the meeting virtually from a remote location. 

6.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

Warden McDonald welcomed everyone to the meeting and shared news regarding a $15 million donation received from the Solcz Family Foundation to the new Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital. This donation would fund essential equipment and support the region’s growing healthcare system.

Erie Shores Healthcare was also planning for expansion and was seeking input from the community through public consultations sessions in the coming months. This initiative was part of Erie Shores long term strategy to expand the facility and reflects strong confidence in local healthcare.

The Warden reminded everyone that September 30 was National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and encouraged all community members to take time to honour the day.

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest raised.

8.

Adoption of Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the September 4, 2024 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council, and the September 5, 2024 Special Meeting

• 237-2024
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Larry Verbeke

  That the minutes of the September 4, 2024 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council, and the September 5, 2024 Special Meeting be adopted as presented.

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried

9.

Delegations and Presentations

• 238-2024
  Moved By Michael Prue
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That Michelle Hughes, resident of Essex County be permitted to present a petition regarding County Road 22. 

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried

9.1

Michelle Hughes and Ross Hughes

Michele Hughes, resident of Essex County, presented a petition regarding the proposed reconstruction of County Road 22. The petition expressed concerns over public safety and the financial impact on County residents.

• 239-2024
  Moved By Tracey Bailey
  Seconded By Kirk Walstedt

  That the petition submitted by Michele and Ross Hughes, residents of Essex County, regarding County Road 22 Reconstruction be received and filed. 

  (Voted Electronically)

  Carried

9.2

Jacqueline Caille

Jacqueline Caille, resident of Essex County, expressed support for the report presented by Allan Botham, noting that it reflected some feedback from the consultation. In the interest of public safety. It was suggested that the removal of elements that could obstruct visibility should be considered and that a review of opportunities to divert traffic away from County Road 22 should be undertaken.

• 240-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Sherry Bondy

  That Jacqueline Caille, resident of Essex County  be permitted to make a presentation regarding County Road 22.

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried

9.3

BT Engineering

Steve Taylor, Project Manager, BT Engineering, presented Council with an overview of the County Road 22 Reconstruction Project. Steve explained that the initial design was viewed as a design that would maximized road capacity and followed a "Complete Streets" approach to accommodate a wide variety of transportation modes.

Following consultations with the Municipality of Lakeshore and residents through Public Information Centres, the project was being reviewed and the scope of the project was being redesigned to remove some of the active transportation options, thereby reducing the width of the project and the consequential land requirements.

• 241-2024
  Moved By Dennis Rogers
  Seconded By Michael Akpata

  That item 12.1 County Road 22 Lakeshore Public Consultation Centre Summary be considered in conjunction with item 9.3 on the agenda.

  (Voted by Show of Hands)

  Carried
• 242-2024
  Moved By Kimberly DeYong
  Seconded By Larry Verbeke

  That Steve Taylor, Project Manager, BT Engineering be permitted to make a presentation regarding County Road 22.

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• 244-2024
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for September 18, 2024, be received and any noted action approved. 

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

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

10.1.2

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI)

W.E. Keep You Informed: Advertising Opportunities, Early Bird TIAO Registration, BEA Awards Nominations & MORE!

10.1.3

Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC)

August 2024 Newsletter

10.1.4

Tay Valley Township Amend Ombudsman Act

Resolution of Tay Valley Township to amend the Ontario Ombudsman Act.

10.1.5

Canada Community-Building Fund

Resolutions regarding increases to the Canada Community Building Fund:

• Town of Plympton-Wyoming
• City of Quinte-West

10.2

Resolutions

There were no resolutions for consideration on September 18, 2024

11.

Consent Agenda

• 245-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Rob Shepley

  That the recommendations in the Administrative Report listed as item 11.1 and Minutes listed as item 11.2 on the Consent Agenda for September 18, 2024, be received and approved.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Dennis Rogers, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Hilda MacDonald, and Gary McNamara

  Carried

11.1

Summary of Outstanding Reports

Report number 2024-0918-LCS-R27-KH, Summary of Outstanding Reports for  September 18, 2024, from Katherine Hebert, Clerk  

11.2

Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee (ECAAC)

Minutes of the August 15, 2024 Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. 

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

County Road 22 Lakeshore Public Consultation Centre Summary

Report number 2024-0918-IPS-R21-AB, County Road 22 Lakeshore Public Consultation Centre Summary, dated September 18, 2024 from Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure and Planning Services

 

Considered with agenda item 9.3 BT Engineering.

Allan Botham provided Council with an overview of the proposed improvements to County Road 22 in Lakeshore. Allan outlined consultations that had taken place and based on feedback received, the County and Lakeshore project team recommended modifying the design by eliminating the cycle tracks to reduce property acquisition and improve stormwater management. Discussion included removing trees and benches from the project design as well.

The revised plan would be available for review at a Public Consultation Centre in late 2024. Additional engineering fees of $123,130 were identified and would be funded from the Roadway Expansion Reserve.

• 243-2024
  Moved By Tracey Bailey
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2024-0918-IPS-R21-AB, County Road 22 Lakeshore Public Consultation Centre Summary for information, and

  That Essex County Council approve the modified design and additional engineering fees of $121,130 (including net HST) to be funded from the Roadway Expansion Reserve, and

  That the trees and benches be removed from the project design.

  (Voted electronically)

  In Favour (13)

  Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Dennis Rogers, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Hilda MacDonald, and Gary McNamara

  Carried

12.2

2025 Essex County Council Meeting Schedule Approval

Report number 2024-0918-LCS-R28-KH, 2025 Essex County Council Meeting Schedule Approval, dated September 18, 2024, from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

Katherine Hebert presented County Council with a request for approval of the 2025 Essex County Council Regular Meeting Schedule that was developed in accordance with Procedure By-law 2024-26.

Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden / Deputy Mayor - Town of Tecumseh joined the meeting at 6:53 PM.

• 246-2024
  Moved By Rob Shepley
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2024-0918-LCS-R28-KH, 2025 Essex County Council Meeting Schedule Approval, and approve the proposed Schedule outlined in Appendix A attached to this Report.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

12.3

2025 Pre-Budget Stretcher Procurement Approval

Report number 2024-0918-EMS-R09-JL, 2025 Pre-Budget Stretcher Procurement Approval, dated September 18, 2024 from Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services 

Chief Lammers provided Council with an overview of his report requesting County Council's approval for the pre-budget order of 42 PowerPro XT stretchers. The stretchers were included in the EWEMS equipment replacement schedule. Pre-budget approval allowed EWEMS to recognize savings on the equipment if ordered before the end of October, delivery and payment would not occur until 2025.

• 247-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Kirk Walstedt

  That Essex County Council grant pre-budget approval for Essex Windsor EMS to proceed with the ordering of 42 PowerPro XT stretchers, with $1,073,934 funded from EMS equipment reserves and $131,274 funded through the 2025 Budget.

  (Voted electronically)

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

12.4

Land Ambulance Response Time Performance Plan

Report number 2024-0918-EMS-R10-JL, Land Ambulance Response Time Performance Plan, dated September 18, 2024 from Justin Lammers, Chief, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services

Chief Lammers presented the report that outlined response times for different levels of patient urgency and was based on data from the Ambulance Dispatch Reporting System (ADRS).

Despite ongoing challenges, Essex Windsor EMS saw incremental improvements in response times compared to 2023, driven by hospital collaborations, the Community Paramedicine program, and internal enhancements.

• 248-2024
  Moved By Michael Akpata
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That Essex County Council receive and approve the 2025 Land Ambulance Response Time Performance Plan for Essex Windsor EMS, as required by Ontario regulation 257/00 (as amended by regulation 267/08).

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

13.

Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business for September 18, 2024.

14.

New Business

14.1

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting was held prior to the Regular meeting of Council on September 18, 2024, pursuant to Section 239 (2) (h) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended.

During the closed meeting, County Council was presented with information that was explicitly supplied in confidence to the County of Essex by the Province of Ontario.

Resulting from the review and deliberation of report number 2024-0918-IPS-R05-RB, Council will now consider the following recommendation:

• 249-2024
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Michael Prue

  That Essex County Council direct administration to commence a procurement process to acquire the services of a consultant to provide a strategic analysis related to report number 2024-0918-IPS-R05-RB.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

14.2

Administrative Report Ahead of AMO Conference 2025

Notice of Motion introduced by Mayor Sherry Bondy, on September 4, 2024, as follows:

That Essex County Council direct administration to bring a report to council in advance of the annual AMO conference so that members of County Council can discuss and build consensus on shared priorities to be brought up with Ministers at the annual conference.

• 250-2024
  Moved By Sherry Bondy
  Seconded By Rob Shepley

  That Essex County Council direct administration to bring a report to council in advance of the annual AMO conference so that members of County Council can discuss and build consensus on shared priorities to be brought up with Ministers at the annual conference.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (7)	Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Dennis Rogers, Kimberly DeYong, and Joe Bachetti
  Opposed (7)	Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Kirk Walstedt, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Hilda MacDonald, and Gary McNamara

  Lost
• 251-2024
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Sherry Bondy

  That Essex County Council direct administration to bring a report to council in advance of the annual AMO conference advising County Council on delegations with Ministers at the annual conference and materials be provided to Council.

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (10)	Larry Verbeke, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Dennis Rogers, Kimberly DeYong, Michael Akpata, Crystal Meloche, Hilda MacDonald, Gary McNamara, and Joe Bachetti
  Opposed (4)	Tracey Bailey, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, and Kirk Walstedt

  Carried

14.3

Rate of Speed Along County Road 46 at the Intersection of County Road 19

Notice of Motion introduced by Deputy Mayor Bachetti, on September 4, 2024, as follows:

Preamble

Whereas the County of Essex has an interest in establishing the rate of speed on County Roads; and,
Whereas the safety of motorists and pedestrians is of utmost importance; and,
Whereas the posted rate of speed at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 46 is 80km/hr along County Road 46 and 60km/hr along County Road 19; and 
Whereas County Council resolved to reduce the rate of speed leading up to other County Road intersections, for the same reason; and,
Whereas there is a convenience store, gas station and pedestrians navigating that intersection.

Deputy Warden Bachetti indicated that the second part of the original motion could be considered at the time when the Administrative Report is presented back to Council.

• Moved By Joe Bachetti
  Seconded By Gary McNamara

  That County Administration reassess the prescribed rate of speed at the intersection of County Rd 46 and County Rd. 19; and,
  That the rate of speed on County Rd 46 be reduced to 60km/hr leading into the intersection at County Rd 19; and,
  That signs be posted in both directions to notify drivers of the rate of speed.
• 252-2024
  Moved By Michael Prue
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  Division of the question; Part 1 being to prepare a report to review the rate of speed on County Road 46 at the intersection of County Road 19 and,

  Part 2 being to reduce the speed and post signs.

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried
• 253-2024
  Moved By Michael Prue
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That County Administration prepare a report to review the rate of speed on County Road 46 at the intersection of County Road 19. 

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried
• MOTION POSTPONED (Procedure By-law 13.4.4.)
  Moved By Joe Bachetti
  Seconded By Gary McNamara

  That the rate of speed on County Rd 46 be reduced to 60km/hr leading into the intersection at County Rd 19; and,
  That signs be posted in both directions to notify drivers of the rate of speed.

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• 254-2024
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That By-law 2024-42, be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  (Voted Electronically)

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

15.1

By-law Number 2024-42

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 September 18, 2024 

16.

Notice of Motion

There were no Notices of Motion for September 18, 2024.

17.

Adjournment

• 255-2024
  Moved By Kimberly DeYong
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That the Essex County Council meeting for September 18, 2024 be adjourned at 7:56 PM.

  (Voted by show of hands)

  Carried