Essex County Council, Regular Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, November 05, 2025

6:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

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
• Kimberly DeYong, Councillor
• Chris Gibb, Councillor
• Gary McNamara, Councillor
• Crystal Meloche, Councillor
• Michael Prue, Councillor
• Rob Shepley, Councillor
• Larry Verbeke, Councillor
• Kirk Walstedt, Councillor
• Paul Tiessen, Councillor, Municipality of Leamington (Alternate Member)

Absent:

• Hilda MacDonald, Warden
• Dennis Rogers, Councillor

Administration:

• Allan Botham, Director, Infrastructure & Planning 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
• Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services / Treasurer
• Natasha Sheeler, Director, Health and Community Services/Administrator
• David Sundin, Director, Legislative and Legal Services / County Solicitor
• Crystal Sylvestre, Manager, Records and Accessibility / Deputy Clerk
• Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer

---

1.

Closed Meeting

There was no Closed Meeting scheduled for November 5, 2025.

2.

Moment of Reflection

Remembrance Day Tribute - Lest We Forget.

Council viewed a Remembrance Day Tribute video while observing the moment of silence in honour of Canadians who have and continue to
serve our country. Lest We Forget. 

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

Deputy Warden Bachetti and members of Council attended the meeting at the County of Essex Administration Building, Council Chambers.

Warden MacDonald and Councillor Rogers were absent.  Paul Tiessen attended as an alternate member for the Municipality of Leamington.

6.

County Deputy Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

Deputy Warden Bachetti noted that County Council members attended a tree lighting ceremony for Hiatus House, which had been supporting
people who experience family violence for nearly 50 years. The County’s Administration Building would be illuminated purple throughout November
to support increasing awareness about domestic abuse. 

The Deputy Warden encouraged all residents to take time November 11 to pay respect for the people of Essex County who answered the call
when it came time to defend freedom and our way of life. Remembrance Day is a time to remember our Veterans and those who continue serve.

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest raised.

8.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

• 313-2025
  Moved By Rob Shepley
  Seconded By Gary McNamara

  That the minutes of the October 15, 2025 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

  Carried

9.

Delegations and Presentations

There were no delegation scheduled for November 5, 2025.

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• 314-2025
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Crystal Meloche

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for November 5, 2025, be received and any noted action approved. 

  Carried

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• AMO Watchfile Newsletter
• AMO Policy Advocacy Updates
• AMO Education Workshops
• AMO Training Events

10.1.2

County of Essex Transportation Master Plan: Notice of Public Information Centre 3

Additional information is available at: countyofessex.ca/TransportationMasterPlan. 

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time Session 1: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Time Session 2: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: County of Essex Administration Building, Third Floor Lobby Area, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Esesx, ON, N8M 1Y3

10.2

Resolutions

There were no resolutions for consideration for November 5, 2025.

11.

Consent Agenda

• 315-2025
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That the recommendations in the Administrative Reports listed as items 11.1 through 11.3, on the Consent Agenda for November 5, 2025 be approved.

  Carried

11.1

Electricity and Natural Gas Update-Commodity Price Hedging Strategy

Report number 2025-1105-FIN-R31-MR, Electricity and Natural Gas Update-Commodity Price Hedging Strategy, dated November 5, 2025, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer  

11.2

Procurement Services Quarterly Report for Q3 - 2025

Report number 2025-1105-FIN-R32-SP, Procurement Services Quarterly Report for Q3 - 2025, dated November 5, 2025, from Sandy Pillon, Manager, Procurement Services  

11.3

Summary of Outstanding Reports - November 5, 2025

Report number 2025-1105-LLS-R55-KH, Summary of Outstanding Reports, dated November 5, 2025, from Katherine Hebert, Clerk 

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Proposed Updates to the Attendance Support Policy

Report number 2025-1105-HR-R13-KP, Proposed Updates to the Attendance Support Policy, dated November 5, 2025 from Kyla Pritiko, Director, Human Resources

Kyla Pritiko outlined the revised Attendance Support Policy noting that the Policy had been revised several times since its inception in
2004.

The proposed version had been developed in consultation with the County’s stakeholders including its Union partners. The proposed
policy offers methods for increased transparency, consistent application and management of the process, and focusses on early
support for staff to avoid long term absences. 

• 316-2025
  Moved By Chris Gibb
  Seconded By Michael Prue

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-1105-HR-R13-KP, Proposed Updates to Attendance Support Policy and supporting documents as information; and

  That Essex County Council direct Administration to reclassify the Attendance Support Policy from a Corporate to an Administrative Policy, in alignment with the Policy and Procedures framework.

  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

Strategic Plan implementation Update 2025

Report number 2025-1105-CAO-R10-SZ, Strategic Plan implementation Update 2025, dated November 5, 2025, from Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer 

Sandra Zwiers outlined the history of the Strategic Plan that was implemented in 2023. The Plan has a focus on advancing the goals
and initiatives in a lasting and positive way, in alignment with the vision, mission and values. Since implementation, more than
eighty percent of identified tasks have been completed or are in progress.

As part of the Strategic Plan initiatives, a workshop will be held in Q1 of 2026 to offer Council the opportunity to review the status,
analyze the fit and direction of the original goals, and to contemplate the future of this inaugural plan.

• 317-2025
  Moved By Gary McNamara
  Seconded By Chris Gibb

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-1105-CAO-R10-SZ, Strategic Plan Implementation Update as information.

  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

County of Essex Advocacy Strategy

Report number 2025-1105-LLS-R56-DM, County of Essex Advocacy Strategy, dated November 5, 2025, from Don McArthur, Manager, Communications and Organizational Development  

Don McArthur provided a detailed overview of the proposed Advocacy Strategy. The strategy outlines tangible opportunities as
well as a prescribed timeline for such efforts. 

• 318-2025
  Moved By Crystal Meloche
  Seconded By Paul Tiessen

  That Essex County Council receive Report Number 2025-1105-LLS-R56-DM, County of Essex Advocacy Strategy, as information; and,

  That the proposed Corporate Policy 2025-016 County of Essex Advocacy Strategy Policy, attached to this report as Appendix A, be adopted in conjunction with By-law 2025-45 at the appropriate time; and,

  That Administration be directed to provide a Report to Council on potential 2026 advocacy priorities to coincide with the 2026 Budget deliberations.

  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

12.4

CAO Performance Appraisal Policy

Report number 2025-1105-HR-R12-KP, CAO Performance Appraisal Policy, dated November 5, 2025 from Kyla Pritiko, Director, Human Resources

Kyla Pritiko explained that the system for appraisal had been developed in conjunction with Vokes Leadership Group

• 319-2025
  Moved By Larry Verbeke
  Seconded By Michael Akpata

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-1105-HR-R12-KP, CAO Performance Appraisal Policy as information; and,

  That Essex County Council approve and adopt the CAO Performance Appraisal Policy appended to this report.

  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 address for November 5, 2025.

14.

New Business

There were no matters of New Business brought forward for November 5, 2025.

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• 320-2025
  Moved By Chris Gibb
  Seconded By Kimberly DeYong

  That By-laws 2025-44 through 2025-46 be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

  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 2025-44

Being a By-law to adopt Corporate Policy 2025-015 Chief Administrative Officer Performance Appraisal Policy for the Corporation of the County of Essex.

15.2

By-law Number 2025-45

Being a By-law to adopt Corporate Policy 2025-016 County of Essex Advocacy Strategy Policy for the Corporation of the County of Essex.

15.3

By-law Number 2025-46

Being a By-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the of the Corporation of the County of Essex, Regular Meeting, for November 5, 2025.

16.

Notice of Motion

There were no Notices of Motion brought forward for November 5, 2025. 

17.

Adjournment

• 321-2025
  Moved By Chris Gibb
  Seconded By Gary McNamara

   That the Essex County Council meeting for November 5, 2025 be adjourned at 6:44 PM.

  Carried