Essex County Council Regular Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
360 Fairview Avenue West
Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6
519-776-6441, ext. 1335
Council:
  • Aldo DiCarlo, Mayor, Town of Amherstburg
  • Ron McDermott, Mayor, Town of Essex
  • Nelson Santos, Mayor, Town of Kingsville
  • Gord Queen, Deputy Mayor, Town of Kingsville
  • Warden Tom Bain
  • Al Fazio, Deputy Mayor, Town of Lakeshore
  • Marc Bondy, Deputy Mayor, Town of LaSalle
  • John Paterson, Mayor, Municipality of Leamington
  • Hilda MacDonald, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Leamington
  • Gary McNamara, Mayor, Town of Tecumseh
  • Joe Bachetti, Deputy Mayor, Town of Tecumseh
Absent:
  • Bart DiPasquale, Deputy Mayor, Town of Amherstburg
  • Richard Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of Essex
  • Deputy Warden Ken Antaya, Mayor, Town of LaSalle
Administration:
  • Rob Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Mary Birch, Director of Council Services/Clerk
  • Sandra Zwiers
  • Tom Bateman, Director of Transportation Services/Engineer
  • Greg Schlosser, Director Human Resources
  • Robin Greenall, CEO/Chief Librarian, Essex County Library
  • Katherine Hebert, Council Services Administrative Assistant

There was no Closed Meeting scheduled for February 7, 2018.

All members of Essex County Council were in attendance with the exception of Councillors Antaya, DiPasquale and Meloche.

 

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

Regular Meeting Minutes of January 17, 2018.

  • Recommendation:
    18-2018
    Moved ByMr. McDermott
    Seconded ByMrs. MacDonald

    That the minutes of the January 17, 2018 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

    Carried

Warden Bain welcomed the members of County Council, Administration and the media and the home viewing audience. He noted his participation in the following:

  • Attended the Mayors' Breakfast in Kingsville where both Mayor Santos and Mayor Paterson hosted the event and shared positive news about economic growth in their municipalities.
  • Attended a meeting with the Honourable Minister Bill Mauro where he and  Mayors McNamara and Antaya discussed the Provincial disaster funding program in relation to flooding events that had occurred in their municipalities in 2017. He reported discussions included the topic of possible changes to insurance policies and deductibles.
  • Attended the St. Clair College meeting with the Mayors and CAO's from Essex County to learn what plans for future programs and development the College is considering.

There were no delegations scheduled for the February 7th, 2018 meeting.

  • Recommendation:
  • Recommendation:
    19-2018
    Moved ByMr. McNamara
    Seconded ByMr. Bondy

    That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for February 7, 2018, be received and any noted action approved. 

    Carried

View the online versions of the AMO Watch File Newsletter, dated January 18, 2018, January 25, 2018 and February 1, 2018.

Received email, dated January 17, 2018 regarding an AMO Policy Update - Today's Provincial Cabinet Shuffle.

Received e-mail, dated January 23, 2018 regarding an AMO Policy Update - Important OMAFRA Mainstreet Funding Information - $26 Million Main Street Revitalization Fund Announced - AMO to be Fund Administrator.

View the GLSLCI Newsletter:  Making Waves via Twitter.

Received e-mailed correspondence, dated January 17, 2018 from John Dickert, President and CEO, GLSLCI requesting a Call for Resolutions.

Received e-mailed correspondence, dated January 26, 2018 regarding First Nation Communities in Southwestern Ontario Call for Better Broadband.

Received e-mailed correspondence, dated January 17, 2018 regarding - 37,000 Farm Families Support SWIFT.

Received e-mail, dated January 31, 2018 from OGRA referring to a 2018 OGRA Conference Announcement - Conference App now available!

Received e-mail, dated January 31, 2018 from Ontario Farm Land Trust regarding the 2018 Ontario Farmland Forum scheduled for April 5, 2018, Wellington & District Community Centre, Prince Edward County.

Received correspondence, dated January 16, 2018 from Tammy Fowkes, Deputy Clerk, Town of Amherstburg referring to their Council's resolution regarding Tax Changes Proposed by the Federal Liberal Government.

  • Recommendation:
    20-2018
    Moved ByMr. DiCarlo
    Seconded ByMr. Fazio

    That Essex County Council support the Town of Amherstburg resolution 20171211-1000 and the Essex County Federation of Agriculture's concern over the tax changes proposed by the provincial government regarding farm properties.

    Carried

Received correspondence, dated January 22, 2018 from Mary Masse, Clerk, Town of Lakeshore referring to thier Council's resolution regarding Marijuana Tax Revenue.

  • Recommendation:
    21-2018
    Moved ByMr. Fazio
    Seconded ByMr. Bondy

    That the County of Essex support the resolution from the Town of Lakeshore regarding Marijuana Tax Revenue.

    Carried
  • Recommendation:
    22-2018
    Moved ByMr. Santos
    Seconded ByMr. McNamara

    That the recommendation in the Administrative Report listed as item 10.1 on the Consent Agenda for February 7, 2018, be approved and further that the information report listed as item 10.2 on the said Agenda for February 7, 2018 be received. 

    Carried

Report No 2018-R05-ADM-0207-RM, dated February 7, 2018 from Robert Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer.

Report Number 2018-R001-IS-0207-TRB, dated February 7, 2018 from Tom Bateman, Director of Infrastructure Services/County Engineer.

Minutes of the Essex County Library Board, dated December 19, 2017 Mr. Richard Meloche, Chair.

  • Recommendation:
    23-2018
    Moved ByMr. Santos
    Seconded ByMr. Queen

    THAT the minutes of the Essex County Library Board, dated December 19, 2017 be received.

    Carried

Report No. 2018-R001-LIB-0207-RG, dated February 7, 2017, from Robin Greenall, Chief Librarian, Essex County Library.

Ms. Greenall presented the report and the recommendation to allocate the requested amount of funds held in Reserve for use by the municiplities for capital projects within the library branches. 

Mr. Santos indicated that it demonstrates a positive outlook to see the reinvestment into the library branches by the municipalities. He requested that once the projects have been completed, a letter confirming the use of the funds for the requested capital improvements from each municipality be submitted to County Administration. 

Mr. Bachetti questioned whether the funds would be held for those municipalities who are not yet undertaking projects within their library branches?  Ms. Greenall indicated in the positive. 

 

  • Recommendation:
    24-2018
    Moved ByMr. Fazio
    Seconded ByMr. Bondy

    That Essex County Council approve the recommendation of the Essex County Library Board as follows:

    • Support the transfer of $92,396 to the Town of Amherstburg for the remediation and repair of the Amherstburg Branch, 232 Sandwich Street South, Amherstburg.
    • Support the transfer of $75,013 to the Town of Essex for the planned roofing, canopy and HVAC unit replacements at the Essex Branch, 35 Gosfield Townline, Essex.
    • Support the transfer of $40,000 to the Town of Kingsville for the accessibility improvements to the Kingsville – Highline Branch, 40 Main Street West, Kingsville; and the installation of windows and doors at the Ruthven Branch, 1695 Elgin Street, Ruthven.
    • Support the transfer of $32,000 to the Town of Lakeshore for the installation of cement walkways at both the Toldo Branch, 447 Renaud Line, Belle River, and the Stoney Point Branch, 6690 Tecumseh Road, Stoney Point.
    • Support the transfer of $98,951 to the Municipality of Leamington for the 2018 renovation project to the Leamington Branch, 1 John Street, Leamington.
    Carried

Report Number 2018-R02-ADM-0207-RM, dated February 7, 2018 from Robert Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer.

Mr. Maisonville presented the report regarding the Harrow Yard (Infrastructure Services) being surplus to the needs of the Corporation and recommended it be official declared surplus and offer for sale through the County real estate vendor of record, Buckingham Realty - Amherstburg.

  • Recommendation:
    25-2018
    Moved ByMr. McDermott
    Seconded ByMr. DiCarlo

    That Essex County Council declares the real property known as the Harrow Yard, located at 970 County Road 41 in the Town of Essex, to be surplus to the needs of the Corporation.

    And further that notice is hereby given that the said surplus real property will be sold in accordance with the procedures governing the sale of real property as set out in By-Law #26-2009.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R03-ADM-0207-RM, dated February 7, 2018 from Robert Maisonille, Chief Administrative Officer.

Mr. Maisonville presented the report and noted that there were no changes to the lease rates. 

  • Recommendation:
    26-2018
    Moved ByMr. Queen
    Seconded ByMrs. MacDonald

    That Essex County Council adopt By-law # 06-2018 authorizing the execution of a lease agreement between the County of Essex and THMC Windsor Inc. to provide office space for the Regional Physician Recruitment Office.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R04-ADM-0207-RM, dated February 7, 2018 from Robert Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer.

Mr. Maisonville presented the report and recommendation for Council's consideration. 

  • Recommendation:
    27-2018
    Moved ByMr. Paterson
    Seconded ByMr. Bondy

    That Essex County Council approve the membership of the Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Maisonville, on the ONE Peer Advisory Committee.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R001-FIN-0207-SZ, dated February 7, 2018 from Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer.

Ms. Zwiers discussed the tax policy recommendations for 2018. She noted that additional meetings of a working group were planned to investigate possible tax policy changes for 2019 and a further report would be presented to Council prior to the commencement of 2019 budget deliberations. 

  • Recommendation:
    28-2018
    Moved ByMr. Bondy
    Seconded ByMr. Queen

    That Essex County Council adopt the tax ratios used in 2017, for the 2018 taxation year;

    And further that the Office Building, Parking Lot/Vacant Lands and Large Industrial optional property tax classes be continued for 2018, as set out in By-law #57-2009;

    And further that the reductions for sub-classes for vacant/excess commercial and industrial land be set at 30% and 35% respectively;

    And further that the Essex County Tax Assistance Program for Low Income Seniors and Low Income Persons with Disabilities established by By-law 04-2004, the Charity Tax Rebate Program established by By-law 16-2007 and the Veterans Clubhouse and Legion Halls Property Tax Rebate Program established by By-law 13-2017 continue with no amendments.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R002-FIN-0207-SZ, dated February 7, 2018 from Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer.

Ms. Zwiers presented her information report advising Council of the Debt Repayment Limit for the Corporation.

  • Recommendation:
    29-2018
    Moved ByMr. Queen
    Seconded ByMr. Bachetti

    That Essex County Council receive Report No. 2018-R002-FIN-0207-SZ regarding the Annual Debt Repayment Limit.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R003-IS-0207-TRB, dated February 7, 2018 from Tom Bateman, Director of Infrastructure Services/County Engineer.

Mr. Bateman presented the report on tender results for the Cold In-Place Recycling with Expanded Asphalt Mix (CIREAM) rehabilitation projects on portions of County Roads 20, 34 and 46.  He noted these projects were previously approved as part of the 2018 road rehabilitation projects list. 

  • Recommendation:
    30-2018
    Moved ByMr. McDermott
    Seconded ByMr. Santos

    That Essex County Council award the tender for Cold In-Place Recycling with Expanded Asphalt (CIREAM) to Coco Paving Inc. for a total tender amount of $1,549,708.00 plus H.S.T.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R002-IS-0207-TRB, dated February 7, 2018 from Tom Bateman, Director of Infrastructure Services/County Engineer.

Mr. Bateman presented the report providing tender results for a Consulting Engineer to prepared the detailed design for the County Road 42 and County Road 43 realignment and expansion project. He noted that the project would be completed in five phases and is estimated to cost approximately $36 million. 

  • Recommendation:
    31-2018
    Moved ByMr. McNamara
    Seconded ByMr. Bachetti

    That the Warden and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Dillon Consulting for the provision of consulting engineering services to complete the detailed design for County Road 42 and County Road 43.

    Carried

Report Number 2018-R004-IS-0207-TRB, dated February 7, 2018 from Tom Bateman, Director of Infrastructure Services/County Engineer.

Mr. Bateman presented the report providing tender results for the rehabilitation project on the Canard River Bridge.  Mr. Bateman indicated that the barrier on the west wall was previously completed and that this project was for the east wall of the bridge.

  • Recommendation:
    32-2018
    Moved ByMr. Bondy
    Seconded ByMr. Fazio

    That Essex County Council award the tender for Project Number – 688-2018 – County Road 20 Bridge over Canard River Rehabilitation to Facca Inc. for a total tender amount of $163,200.00, plus HST.

    Carried
  • Recommendation:
    33-2018
    Moved ByMrs. MacDonald
    Seconded ByMr. McDermott

    That By-law(s) 06-2018 and 07-2018 having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

    Carried

A By-law Authorizing the Execution of a Lease Agreement Between THMC Windsor Inc. and The Corporation of the County of Essex.

(Physician Recruitment/Retention Office, Suite 349 600 Tecumseh Road. E. Windsor)

A By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex.

(February 7, 2018)

  • Recommendation:
    34-2018
    Moved ByMr. McNamara
    Seconded ByMr. Bondy

     

    That the Essex County Council meeting for February 7, 2018 be adjourned at 7:50 PM.

    Carried
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