Essex County Council Regular Meeting Minutes

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
  • 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
  • Brian Houston - Councillor, Town of Tecumseh (Alternate Member)
Absent:
  • Gary McNamara, Mayor - Town of Tecumseh
Administration:
  • Mary Birch, Director, Legislative and Community Services/Clerk
  • Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure & Planning Services
  • Adam Craig, CEO and Chief Librarian - Essex County Library
  • Katherine Hebert, Manager, Records and Accessibility/Deputy Clerk
  • Bruce Krauter, Chief, Essex Windsor Emergency Medical Services
  • Don McArthur, Manager, Communication and Organizational Development
  • David Sundin, County Solicitor
  • Crystal Sylvestre, Coordinator, Legislative and Community Services
  • Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer

1.
Closed Meeting

 

There was no Closed Meeting scheduled for October 4, 2023.

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

Gary McNamara was absent.

Brian Houston attended as an alternate member for the Town of Tecumseh. 

6.
County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

 

Warden MacDonald welcomed the audience and reflected on the events of the weekend past where celebrations were held in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Day.

The Warden offered Thanksgiving greetings to all.

7.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

 

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest raised.

8.
Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

This item has attachments. 
1.Essex County Council Meeting Minutes for September 20, 2023.pdf

Minutes of the Regular Meeting dated September 20, 2023

  • 260-2023
    Moved ByRob Shepley
    Seconded ByKirk Walstedt

    That the minutes of the September 20, 2023 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented. (Voted by Show of Hands)

    Carried

9.
Delegations and Presentations

 

9.1
ProsperUs

This item has attachments. 
1.ProsperUs_AccessPrimaryCareLetter_September 2023_UA.pdf
2.SupportLetters_ProsperUs_Delegation_Oct4_2023_final.pdf

Lorraine Goddard, CEO, United Way Windsor Essex County and Caroline Taylor, Co-chair of ProsperUs Advocacy Group and Windsor Essex resident, to provide a presentation regarding Regional Primary Care Access

Lorraine Godard was not able to be in attendance at the delegation.

Caroline Taylor, ProsperUs Advocacy Group Co-chair and Amy Kwan, Leadership Planning Committee member provided Council with information pertaining to the Cradle to Career program.

Caroline explained that access to primary health care was a common issue province wide.

Amy Kwan reviewed the statistics pertaining to access to primary care in the Windsor Essex region.

Caroline explained that ProsperUs was seeking a collaboration to support advocacy efforts for the equitable expansion of primary care in our Region.

  • 261-2023
    Moved ByKimberly DeYong
    Seconded ByLarry Verbeke

    That the delegation from Prosper Us be permitted to address County Council. (Voted by Show of Hands)

    Carried

10.
Communications

 

10.1
Correspondence

 
  • 262-2023
    Moved ByTracey Bailey
    Seconded ByBrian Houston

    That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for October 4, 2023, be received and any noted action approved. (Voted by Show of Hands)

    Carried

10.1.1
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

 

10.1.2
Trevor Jones, MPP, Chatham-Kent-Leamington

This item has attachments. 
1.Correspondence from MPPTrevor Jones re ICI Organics in Landfill Council Question_UA(1).pdf

Correspondence dated September 19, 2023 in response to Essex County Council inquiry regarding Waste Diversion Programs for Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sector - Food and Organic Waste.

10.1.3
'Invisible No More - An Accessibility Forum'

This item has attachments. 
1.Accessibility Workshop Flyer.pdf

Registration is open for the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee's event, 'Invisible No More - An Accessibility Forum'. The event is October 19, 2023; reach out to Crystal Sylvestre for registration or for more information about attending.  

10.2
Resolutions

 

There were no resolutions for the October 4, 2023 meeting.

11.
Consent Agenda

 
  • 263-2023
    Moved ByJoe Bachetti
    Seconded ByRob Shepley

    That the minutes listed as Item 11.1 on the Consent Agenda for October 4, 2023 be approved, and further that the information item listed as item 11.2, on the said Consent Agenda be received. (Voted by Show of Hands)

    Carried

11.1
Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee (ECAAC)

This item has attachments. 
1.2023-08-03_ECAAC_Meeting Minutes_.pdf

Minutes of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee, dated August 3, 2023

11.2
Essex County Library Board

This item has attachments. 
1.2023-08-30 ECLB Minutes - REGULAR FINAL_UA.pdf

Minutes of the Essex County Library Board, dated August 30, 2023

12.
Reports and Questions

 

12.1
Electricity and Natural Gas Update – Commodity Price Hedging Strategy

This item has attachments. 
1.2023-1004-FIN-R20-MR ElectricityAndGas-CommodityPriceHedging.pdf
2.1.0 Appendix A Electricity Program Results 2022_UA.pdf

Report Number 2023-1004-FIN-R20-MR, Electricity and Natural Gas Update - Commodity Price Hedging Strategy, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer, dated October 4, 2023.

Melissa Ryan provided the annual report outlining the results of hedging programs for electricity and natural gas that the County participated in through LAS.

Melissa explained the County’s goals by participating in the hedging program and outlined the savings that were being realized as a result.

 

  • 264-2023
    Moved ByCrystal Meloche
    Seconded ByMichael Prue

    That Essex County Council receive report number 2023-1004-FIN-R20-MR the Electricity and Natural Gas Hedging Strategy – 2022 report for information. (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, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

12.2
Staffing Requests – 2023 Budget (2)

This item has attachments. 
1.Staffing Requests - 2023 Budget (2).pdf

Report Number 2023-1004-CAO-R03-SZ, Staffing Requests - 2023 Budget (2), from Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer, dated October 4, 2023.

Sandra Zwiers provided the follow up report regarding positions that were accounted for in the 2023 budget.

Sandra explained that the Information Technologies (IT) department had underwent a Service Delivery Review and the position of Project Manager was defined from the gaps identified in the review.

Sandra further explained that the 2024 budget will include a reorganization of the IT department to further improve the effectiveness of the department.

  • 265-2023
    Moved ByLarry Verbeke
    Seconded ByChris Gibb

    That Essex County Council approve the hiring of an IT Project Coordinator/Manager and authorize the development of a recruitment strategy to fill the new position. (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, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

12.3
Striking Committee Recommendation - Vacancy on Essex County Library Board

This item has attachments. 
1.2023-10-03_StrikingCommitteeMinutes.pdf

Report of the Striking Committee dated October 3, 2023.  

  • 266-2023
    Moved ByKimberly DeYong
    Seconded ByCrystal Meloche

    That Essex County Council approve the minutes of the Essex County Striking Committee dated October 03, 2023;
    and further, that Essex County Council appoint Terry Burns to the Essex County Library Board as the Representative for the Town of LaSalle for the remainder of the current term ending in 2026. (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, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

13.
Unfinished Business

 

13.1
Summary of Outstanding Reports

This item has attachments. 
1.2023-1004-LCS-R23 -MB Outstanding Reports Summary.pdf

Report Number 2023-1004-LCS-R23-MB, Summary of Outstanding Reports, Director of Legislative and Community Services, dated October 4, 2023.

  • 267-2023
    Moved ByCrystal Meloche
    Seconded ByChris Gibb

    That Essex County Council receive report number 2023-1004-LCS-R23-MB, Summary of Outstanding Reports as information. (Voted by Show of Hands)

    Carried

14.
New Business

 

14.1
Notice of Motion from September 20, 2023 - Traffic Control Study Request –Intersection of County Road 9 (Howard Ave) and County Road 10 (Middle Side Road)

 
  • 268-2023
    Moved ByMichael Prue
    Seconded ByDennis Rogers

    Whereas Amherstburg Town Council has voted at their September 11, 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 County Rd 10;

    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 to study the intersection of County Road 9 (Howard Ave) and County Road 10 (Middle Side Road) to assess the requirement for traffic signalization. (Voted Electronically)

    In Favour (13)Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Dennis Rogers, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Crystal Meloche, Hilda MacDonald, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

14.2
Notice of Motion from September 20, 2023 - Civic Centre Tour

 
  • 269-2023
    Moved BySherry Bondy
    Seconded ByRob Shepley

    Ahead of the 2024 budget that Essex County Council (council members that are interested) have a tour of the County of Essex building including recently renovated rooms and rooms that need to be renovated to ensure we are educated and informed for making budgetary decisions for any future building improvement requests from administration. (Voted Electronically)

    In Favour (13)Tracey Bailey, Larry Verbeke, Michael Prue, Chris Gibb, Sherry Bondy, Rob Shepley, Dennis Rogers, Kimberly DeYong, Kirk Walstedt, Crystal Meloche, Hilda MacDonald, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

14.3
Notice of Motion from September 20, 2023 - Current Financial Agreements

 
  • 270-2023
    Moved BySherry Bondy
    Seconded ByTracey Bailey

    Ahead of the 2024 budget that Essex County Council be given a report on all the current financial agreements in place where the County allocates budget dollars.
    And, that Essex County Council requests a report from Administration regarding cost sharing agreements currently in place between the City and the County, the County  and other third parties. (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, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

15.
Adoption of By-Laws

 
  • 271-2023
    Moved ByRob Shepley
    Seconded ByJoe Bachetti

    That By-law 2023-47, 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, Joe Bachetti, and Brian Houston
    Carried

15.1
By-law Number 2023-47

This item has attachments. 
1.2023-47 Confirmatory By-law.pdf

Being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex for the October 4, 2023 Special Public and Regular meetings.

16.
Notice of Motion

 

16.1
By-law 2023-40

 

Sherry Bondy brought forward the following Notice of Motion:


That By-law 2023-40, being a By-law to transfer all power of the lower-tier municipalities of the County of Essex with respect to the collection of waste and the delivery of such waste in the County of Essex, be rescinded and repealed, by a vote of a simple majority of members of County Council.

17.
Adjournment

 
  • 272-2023
    Moved ByLarry Verbeke
    Seconded ByCrystal Meloche

    That the Essex County Council meeting for October 4, 2023 be adjourned at 6:51 PM.

    Carried
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