Essex County Council Special Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
360 Fairview Avenue West
Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6
519-776-6441, ext. 1335
Council:
  • Leo Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of Amherstburg
  • Larry Snively, Mayor, Town of Essex
  • Richard Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of Essex
  • Nelson Santos, Mayor, Town of Kingsville
  • Gord Queen, Deputy Mayor, Town of Kingsville
  • Tom Bain, Mayor, Town of Lakeshore
  • Tracey Bailey, Deputy Mayor, Town of Lakeshore
  • Marc Bondy, Mayor, Town of LaSalle
  • Crystal Meloche, Deputy Mayor, Town of LaSalle
  • Hilda MacDonald, Mayor, Municipality of Leamington
  • Larry Verbeke, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Leamington
  • Gary McNamara, Mayor, Town of Tecumseh
  • Joe Bachetti, Deputy Mayor, Town of Tecumseh
Absent:
  • Aldo DiCarlo, Mayor, Town of Amherstburg
Administration:
  • Rob Maisonville, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Mary Birch, Director of Council & Community Services/Clerk
  • Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer
  • Bruce Krauter, Chief, Essex Windsor EMS
  • Greg Schlosser, Director Human Resources
  • Lynda Monik, Administrator, Sun Parlor Home
  • Robin Greenall, CEO/Chief Librarian, Essex County Library
  • Renée Trombley, Manager Corporate Communications and Accessibility
  • Jeanie Diamond Francis, Community Services Coordinator
  • Katherine Hebert, Council & Community Services Administrative Assistant
  • Paula Beattie
  • Jane Mustac, Manager, Transportation Planning
  • Danielle Dunlop, Administrative Assistant to the Chief of EWEMS

1.
Procession

Procession of members of County Council in Council Chambers.

Mr. Maisonville welcomed those in attendance, and provided remarks regarding the order of business. 

2.
Call to Order

Mary Birch, Director of Council and Community Services/Clerk

Ms. Birch called the meeting to order.

3.
O Canada

Performed by the Essex Community Concert Band

4.
Recording of Attendance

All members elect of Essex County Council were in attendance, with the exception of Mr. DiCarlo.

 

5.
Declarations of Office
This item has attachments.

1.Declaration of Office Form Template.pdf

The Honourable Mr. Justice George W. King administered the Declarations of Office to the members of County Council.

6.
Explanation of Procedure for Electing the County Warden
This item has attachments.

1.Section 1 of Procedure Bylaw 41-2018.pdf

Ms. Birch outlined the procedure followed for electing the County Warden in acccordance with Section 1 of By-law #41-2018, being a by-law to provide rules governing the order and proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex.

7.
Roll Call to Determine Candidates for Election of County Warden

Ms. Birch performed the Roll Call and Gary McNamara and Nelson Santos stated that they desired to stand for the position of Warden.

8.
Appointment of Scrutineers

  • 238-2018
    Moved ByLarry Verbeke
    Seconded ByGord Queen

    That the Clerk be authorized to appoint two (2) members of County Council to act as scrutineers for the election of the County Warden.

    Carried

8.1
Scrutineers

Ms. Birch appointed Tom Bain and Crystal Meloche as scrutineers for the election of Warden and Deputy Warden.

9.
Election of County Warden

The ballots were distributed to and collected from all members of County Council by the scrutineers.  Ms. Birch explained that the first candidate to obtain a simple majority would be declared the County Warden.

Following the counting of the first ballot, it was determined that Gary McNamara was the successful Warden elect.

9.1
Introduction of Dignitaries

Mr. Maisonville performed introductions of dignitaries who were present for the Inaugural Meeting and Warden's Election while the ballots were being counted.  In addition, musical entertainment was provided by the Essex community Concert Band.

9.2
Motion to Declare Election of County Warden Unanimous

Ms. Birch advised that, in accordance with Section 1.3.10 of By-law #41-2018, the stated wish of County Council was that the results of any and all ballots used in the election of the County Warden not be disclosed by those privy to such information.

  • 239-2018
    Moved ByMarc Bondy
    Seconded ByLarry Snively

    That Gary McNamara is hereby elected to the office of the Warden of the County of Essex for the term commencing December 2018 and ending November 2022 and further that the election of Warden Gary McNamara be declared unanimous.

    Carried

9.3
Destruction of Ballots re: Election of County Warden

In accordance with Section 1.3.9 of By-law #41-2018, Ms. Birch called for a motion to destroy all ballots following the election of the County Warden.

  • 240-2018
    Moved ByJoe Bachetti
    Seconded ByTom Bain

    That all ballots in regard to the election of the County Warden be destroyed.

    Carried

9.4
Declaration of Office of the County Warden

The Honourable Mr. Justice George W. King administered the Declaration of Office for Gary McNamara for the position of Warden of the County of Essex for the term December 2018 to November 2022.

9.5
Presentation of Chain of Office to County Warden

The Chain of Office was presented to Warden McNamara by the Clerk, Ms. Birch.

9.6
Presentation of Gavel to County Warden

The Gavel was presented to Warden McNamara by Past Warden Tom Bain.

9.7
County Warden's Remarks

Warden McNamara provided remarks commencing his term as County Warden.

10.
Election of the Deputy Warden

Warden McNamara assumed the Chair and proceeded to commence the election of the Deputy Warden.

In accordance with Section 1.3.12 of By-law #41-2018, Ms. Birch advised that the Election of the Acting Warden, hereinafter referred to as the Deputy Warden, would be conducted following the same procedure as the election of the County Warden.  She noted that the ballot(s) would be distributed to and collected from all members of the County Council by the scrutineers and that the first candidate to obtain a simple majority would be declared the Deputy Warden.

Ms. Birch performed the Roll Call and it was determined that Nelson Santos would stand for the position of Deputy Warden, unopposed.  Accordingly, Nelson Santos was acclaimed to the position of Deputy Warden.

10.1
Declaration of Office of the County Deputy Warden

The Honourable Mr. Justice George W King administered the Declaration of Office to Nelson Santos for the position of Deputy Warden of the County of Essex for the term 2018-2022.

10.2
Deputy Warden's Remarks

Deputy Warden Santos provided remarks.

 

11.
Selection of Striking Committee

Warden McNamara advised that the Clerk would proceed with the election of a Striking Committee.

11.1
Explanation of Procedure
This item has attachments.

1.Striking Committee Procedure 2018.pdf

Ms. Birch reviewed the procedures for the election of the Striking Committee.  Warden McNamara called for a motion regarding spoiled ballots.

  • 241-2018
    Moved ByTom Bain
    Seconded ByMarc Bondy

    That any ballot containing more or less than four names shall be considered spoiled.

    Carried

11.2
Call for Nominations

The following nominations were received for the Striking Committee:

  • Larry Verbeke nominated Hilda MacDonald
  • Joe Bachetti nominated Marc Bondy 
  • Gord Queen nominated Deputy Warden Nelson Santos
  • Larry Snively nominated Richard Meloche
  • Tracey Bailey nominated Tom Bain.

11.3
Call for Close of Nominations

Warden McNamara called three times for any further nominations, and seeing none, declared the nominations closed.

11.4
Confirmation of Nominees

Ms. Birch performed the Roll Call for those nominated to the Striking Committee and it was determined that Tom Bain, Marc Bondy, Hilda MacDonald, Richard Meloche and Nelson Santos would stand for election.

11.5
Appointment of Scrutineers

Warden McNamara appointed Crystal Meloche and Tracey Bailey as scrutineers.

11.6
Election of Striking Committee

Musical entertainment was provided by the Essex Community Concert Band during the counting of the ballots for the Striking Committee.

The scrutineers distributed the ballots to members of County Council, collected them back and retired to perform the tabulation.

It was determined that Tom Bain, Marc Bondy and Hilda MacDonald were elected to the Striking Committee. The Clerk further advised that there was a tie for the final appointment between Richard Meloche and Nelson Santos.

Mr. Meloche withdrew his nomination for the Committee. Deputy Warden Nelson Santos was thus the fourth appointment.

  • 242-2018
    Moved ByTracey Bailey
    Seconded ByLeo Meloche

    That Tom Bain, Marc Bondy, Hilda MacDonald and Nelson Santos be elected to the Striking Committee and that their election be declared unanimous.

    Carried

11.7
Destruction of Ballots re: Striking Committee Election

  • 243-2018
    Moved ByTom Bain
    Seconded ByHilda MacDonald

    That all ballots in regard to the election of the Striking Committee by destroyed.

    Carried

12.
New Business

Warden McNamara asked the members assembled if there was any business or matter which should be dealt with at that time, for the good of the County.  Hearing none, he advised that the first regular meeting of County Council was scheduled for December 19, 2018.

13.
Adoption of By-Laws

13.1
By-law Number 44-2018
This item has attachments.

1.44-2018 Confirmatory By-law December 12 2018.pdf

Being a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex.
(Inaugural Meeting - December 12, 2018)

  • 244-2018
    Moved ByNelson Santos
    Seconded ByCrystal Meloche

    That By-law Number 44-2018 having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

    Carried

14.
Adjournment

Warden McNamara advised that all in attendance were invited to attend the Warden's Reception immediately following the adjournment.

  • 245-2018
    Moved ByJoe Bachetti
    Seconded ByRichard Meloche

    That the Essex County Council meeting for December 12, 2018 be adjourned at 8:00 PM.

    Carried
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