Essex County Council, Regular Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Closed Meeting - 5:15PM - Regular Meeting - 6:00PM

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

360 Fairview Avenue West

Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6

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

Council:

• Michael Akpata, Councillor
• Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden
• Tracey Bailey, Councillor
• Sherry Bondy, Councillor
• Chris Gibb, Councillor
• Hilda MacDonald, Warden
• Gary McNamara, Councillor
• Crystal Meloche, Councillor
• Michael Prue, Councillor
• Dennis Rogers, Councillor
• Rob Shepley, Councillor
• Larry Verbeke, Councillor
• Kirk Walstedt, Councillor
• Tony Gaffan, Councillor, (Alternate Member)

Absent:

• Kimberly DeYong, Councillor

Administration:

• 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 / Acting CAO
• Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services / Treasurer
• David Sundin, Director, Legislative and Legal Services / County Solicitor
• Crystal Sylvestre, Manager, Records and Accessibility / Deputy Clerk
• Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services

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1.

Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting was held on May 21, 2025 at 5:15PM.

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.

Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden joined the meeting at 6:35 PM.

5.

Recording of Attendance

Warden MacDonald and members of Council were present in Council Chambers of the County of Essex Administration Building.

Councillor DeYong was absent. Councillor Gaffan attended as an Alternate Member for the Town of Kingsville. 

Councillor Bondy attended virtually from a remote location.

Sandra Zwiers was absent. Kyla Pritiko, Director, Human Resources was present as Acting CAO.

6.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

Warden MacDonald welcomed everyone to the meeting.  The Warden noted that it was Paramedic Services Week and offered gratitude to the members of Essex-Windsor EMS for their service to the residents and guests of Essex County, the City of Windsor and Pelee Island.  The Warden highlighted the many services EWEMS provides and celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of the service over the last year.

The Warden also noted that the coming week was National AccessAbility Week.  The Warden also congratulated the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee on their efforts to raise awareness around identifying and removing barriers to make Essex County an inclusive place to live, work and play.

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest raised.

8.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

• 149-2025
  Moved By Chris Gibb
  Seconded By Larry Verbeke

  That the minutes of the May 7, 2025 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

  Carried

9.

Delegations and Presentations

9.1

Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team (WEOHT)

Joyce Zuk, Executive Director, Windsor-Essex Ontario Health Team and Dr. Ken Blanchette, CEO, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit / Co-Chair. WEOHT provided a presentation regarding WEOHT Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement Updates

Considered with item 12.1 Reports and Questions

Dr. Ken Blanchette, in his capacity as Co-chair of the WEOHT, introduced Joyce Zuk as the new Executive Director for the organization.

The delegations provided a brief background of the Ontario Health Team’s (OHT) approach noting that the entity was created with the goal of improving the existing health care system, by providing a cohesive approach to health care.

It was noted that the WEOHT is comprised of over 40 healthcare providers focused on a goal of building a better system of care for residents.

An overview of the six priorities identified by Ontario Health for Ontario Health Teams for 2024/2025 were explained.  Further the context of each priority was outlined as well as a summary of what has been accomplished to date.

• 150-2025
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Michael Prue

  That the item listed as agenda item 12.1 under Reports and Questions, being the Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team (WEOHT) – Amended Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement, Report number 2025-0521-CAO-R06-SZ, Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team (WEOHT) – Amended Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement, dated May 21, 2025 from Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer; be considered following 9.1 Delegations and Presentations. 

  Carried

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• 152-2025
  Moved By Rob Shepley
  Seconded By Gary McNamara

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for May 21, 2025, be received and any noted action approved. 

  Carried

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• AMO Policy Update - Proposed Legislation on Planning Approvals & Development Charges (attached)
• Municipal Trade and Tariff Forum: Toronto, ON June 6, 2025 - Registration Open
• AMO Watchfile Newsletter
• AMO Policy Updates
• AMO Calendar - Education Events

10.1.2

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI)

• Making Waves Newsletter Online Version – Explore the latest at the Cities Initiative
• Email Notice - Making Waves Newsletter (Attached)

10.1.3

Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC)

• April 2025 Newsletter
• WOWC Conference News (Attached)

10.1.4

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)

Correspondence from Hon. Robert J. Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, RE Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act 2025 (Bill 17) 

• May 13, 2025 Letter to Warden MacDonald, Head of Council (Attached)
• May 12, 2025 News Release - Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter, Province introducing legislation and new funding to cut red tape and speed up home construction in partnership with municipalities

10.1.5

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)

2024 Annual Reporting - MPAC

• 2024 Annual Report
• Annual Performance Report.
• Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 (attached)

10.1.6

Notice of Complete Application and Public Meeting RE OPA 8 - 720-730 Mersea Road 8, Municipality of Leamington

Notice of Complete Application and Public Meeting RE OPA 8 - 720-730 Mersea Road 8, Municipality of Leamington 

10.1.7

Windsor-Essex Community Safety and Well-Being - Plan Refresh

Have Your Say! Take part in a short online survey:

• • Help prioritize solutions by sharing what’s most important to you in our Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Survey, open May 16 to 30, 2025.
  • Paper copy surveys can be available upon request. Please contact  to request paper copy surveys.

Your feedback will help the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan leadership make decisions about the 2026–2029 Plan! We will share the plan with the community in the fall of 2025.

10.1.8

Hydro One - Longwood to Lakeshore Project - Notice of Preferred Route

• Project Website - Longwood to Lakeshore Project
• Longwoods to Lakeshore - Notice of Preferred Route and Invitation to Virtual Open Houses #4 (attached)

10.1.9

Windsor Regional Hospital - WE Build Together

New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital - PMO Report May 2025

10.1.10

Bill 5 Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025

• May 13, 2025 Municipality of Chatham-Kent Correspondence RE Bill 5 Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 – (private landowners and waste facilities) 
• May 12, 2025 Town of Orangeville Correspondence RE Responsible Growth and Opposition to Elements of Bill 5

10.1.11

Township of Springwater

May 8, 2025 Letter and Resolution RE Redistribution of the Land Transfer Tax and GST to Municipalities for Sustainable Infrastructure Funding

10.1.12

Office of the Premier of Ontario

May 14, 2025 - News Release Ontario and Manitoba Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Tear Down Interprovincial Trade Barriers - Provinces working together to protect workers and businesses by unlocking free trade across Canada

10.2

Resolutions

There were no resolutions for consideration for May 21, 2025

11.

Consent Agenda

Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden left the meeting at 6:35 PM.

• 153-2025
  Moved By Tracey Bailey
  Seconded By Tony Gaffan

  That the recommendations in the Administrative Report and Minutes listed as items 11.1 through 11.3, on the Consent Agenda for May 21, 2025, be received, and approved as required.

  In Favour (13)

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

  Carried

11.1

Summary of Outstanding Reports

Report number 2025-0521-LLS-R25-KH, Summary of Outstanding Reports, dated May 21, 2025, from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

11.2

Essex County Library Board (ECLB)

Minutes of the Essex County Library Board - Regular Meeting, dated March 26, 2025

11.3

Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA)

Minutes of the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority, Regular Board Meeting, dated March 4, 2025 

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team (WEOHT) – Amended Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement

Report number 2025-0521-CAO-R06-SZ, Windsor Essex Ontario Health Team (WEOHT) – Amended Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement, dated May 21, 2025 from Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer

Considered with item 9.1 Delegations and Presentations. 

David Sundin outlined the housekeeping alterations to the collaborative decision-making agreement outlined in Appendix C.

It was further noted that the Steering committee composition had been altered to add seven (7) members in total bringing the new membership total to twenty-six. (26).

• 151-2025
  Moved By Dennis Rogers
  Seconded By Joe Bachetti

  That Essex County Council:

  1. receive Report 2025-0521-CAO-R06-SZ, WEOHT – Amended Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement as information; and
  2. reconfirm that the amended Collaborative Decision-Making Agreement may be executed by the Clerk and the Warden on behalf of the CAO representing the County as a municipal government, by the Chief of EMS on behalf of Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services, and by the Administrator(s) of SPH on behalf of the Sun Parlor Long Term Care Home.

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

12.2

Windsor-Essex Provincial Offences Program (POA) Annual Report 2025

Report number 2025-0521-FIN-R12-MR, Windsor-Essex Provincial Offences Program (POA) Annual Report 2025, dated May 21, 2025 from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer

Melissa Ryan explained that the POA program, administered by the City of Windsor, remained a self-funded, revenue-generating model with net revenue distributed among partners based on weighted assessment.

It was noted that the Red Light Camera (RLC) offences would be transitioned to an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) system in future years and not be included in the POA shared revenue model.

Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden returned to the meeting at 6:38 pm.

• 154-2025
  Moved By Rob Shepley
  Seconded By Michael Akpata

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0521-FIN-R12-MR, Windsor-Essex Provincial Offences Program (POA) Annual Report as information.

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

12.3

Investment Performance Report - 2024

Report number 2025-0521-FIN-R13-MR, Investment Performance Report - 2024, dated May 21, 2025 from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer

Melissa Ryan provided an overview of the County's investment portfolio performance at December 31, 2024.

The County’s investment portfolio realized an average return of 5.79 % overall and the revenue generated was allocated between the operating budget and contributions to reserves in support of long-term financial sustainability.

• 155-2025
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0521-FIN-R12-MR, Investment Performance Report-2024 as information.

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

13.

Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business for May 21, 2025.

14.

New Business

14.1

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

A Closed Meeting of Essex County Council was held at 5:15 PM prior to the regular Council meeting this evening, pursuant to Section 239 (2) (b), (c), and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended for the following reasons:

(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

(c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board;

(f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose

Council received information related to report number 2025-0507-HR-R05-KP Staffing Update May 2025 and provided administration with direction and instruction related to a staffing matter.

Further, Council received information related to report number 2025-0521-LLS-R23-DMS, Proposed Property Acquisitions on County Road 22.

Council provided administration with direction and instruction to complete the acquisition of certain parcels of property.

The Closed Meeting adjourned at 5:37 PM.

• 156-2025
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Kirk Walstedt

  That Essex County Council authorizes Administration to negotiate and complete the purchase of certain properties located on County Road 22, in the municipality of Lakeshore, as identified in report number 2025-0521-LLS-R23-DMS, Proposed Property Acquisitions on County Road 22, and authorizes the Clerk and the Warden to execute such documents as may be required to effect same.

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• 157-2025
  Moved By Chris Gibb
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That By-law 2025-24 be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  In Favour (14)

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

  Carried

15.1

By-law Number 2025-24

Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex, Regular and Closed Meetings, for May 21, 2025

16.

Notice of Motion

There were no notices of motion brought forward for May 21, 2025.

17.

Adjournment

• 158-2025
  Moved By Joe Bachetti
  Seconded By Rob Shepley

  That the Essex County Council meeting for May 21, 2025 be adjourned at 6:47 PM.  

  Carried