Regular Council Meeting

RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the meeting held on July 9, 2024 be adopted.

RESOLVED THAT the presentation from the Executive Director of the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus be received and filed.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT we do now move into Committee of the Whole.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Warden’s Activity Report June 2024” from Warden Ketchabaw dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed.

RESOLVED THAT Council approve the proposed changes to the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference as recommended by the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee; and THAT these Terms of Reference come into effect upon approval by Elgin County Council and Central Elgin Council.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT the presentation titled "Elgin County Library Programming & Partnership Update" from the Digital Services Librarian dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin approves Official Plan Amendment No. 24 to the Official Plan of the Township of Malahide; and THAT staff be directed to provide notice of this decision in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Legacy Wells Initiative Year 2 and 3” from the Manager of Emergency Management & Elgin-Middlesex Regional Fire School dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed; and THAT approval be granted for submission of the proposed application for MNRF's Legacy Wells Municipal Transfer Payment Program Year 2 and 3 Funding.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “East Road (CR 23) Pedestrian Crossing” from the Director of Engineering Services dated July 23, 2024, be received and filed; and THAT the Municipality of Central Elgin, as a project partner, be requested to fund the cost of extending the sidewalk on the west side of East Road to facilitate the project.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Calton Line Culvert Replacement” from the Director of Engineering Services dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed; and THAT staff be authorized and directed to proceed with the replacement of an existing culvert on Calton Line, immediately east of Mitchell Road at an estimated project cost of $400,000 and funded from the “Reserves Capital Projects” account.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT the report titled “County of Elgin – Growth Reserve Policy” from the Director of Finance/Treasurer dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed, and THAT the Finance Policy 05-05 presented as Growth Reserve Policy in Appendix A of the report be approved to guide the strategic use of the Growth Reserve

RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to explore the establishment of a No Parking Zone on Fulton Street between Elm Street and Snow Street in Vienna in the Municipality of Bayham, and report back to County Council at a future meeting.

RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to bring this issue forward at the CAOs level to discuss how asset and work order management software systems may affect existing reporting; and THAT these findings be brought to a future County Council meeting.

WHEREAS the state of health care in Ontario is in crisis, with 2.3 million Ontarians lacking access to a family doctor, emergency room closures across the province, patients being de-rostered and 40% of family doctors considering retirement over the next five years; and WHEREAS it is becoming increasingly challenging to attract and retain an adequate healthcare workforce throughout the health sector across Ontario; and WHEREAS Ontario Municipal governments play an integral role in the health care system through responsibilities in public health, long-term care, paramedicine, and other investments; and WHEREAS the percentage of family physicians practicing comprehensive family medicine has declined from 77 percent in 2008 to 65 percent in 2022; and WHEREAS per capita health-care spending in Ontario is the lowest of all provinces in Canada; and WHEREAS a robust workforce developed through a provincial, sector wide health human resources strategy would significantly improve access to health services across the province. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin urges the Province of Ontario to recognize the physician shortage in the County of Elgin and Ontario, to fund health care appropriately and ensure every Ontarian has access to physician care.

Giguère WHEREAS Rail Safety Week is to be held across Canada from September 23 to 29, 2024; WHEREAS, 229 railway crossing and trespassing incidents occurred in Canada in 2023; resulting in 66 avoidable fatalities and 39 avoidable serious injuries; WHEREAS, educating and informing the public about rail safety (reminding the public that railway rights-of-way are private property, enhancing public awareness of the dangers associated with highway rail grade crossings, ensuring pedestrians and motorists are looking and listening while near railways, and obeying established traffic laws) will reduce the number of avoidable fatalities and injuries cause by incidents involving trains and citizens; and WHEREAS Operation Lifesaver is a public/private partnership whose aim is to work with the public, rail industry, governments, police services, media and others to raise rail safety awareness; WHEREAS CN and Operation Lifesaver have requested County Council adopt this resolution in support of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries in communities, including our municipality; It is hereby RESOLVED to support National Rail Safety Week to be held from September 23 to 29, 2024.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT the request for a revised letter of commitment from the County of Elgin Council to proceed with the relocation of the Rodney Library to the renovated Rodney Old Town Hall upon completion be

RESOLVED THAT the resolution from the Municipality of West Elgin regarding the facility expansion of the West Lorne Library be

RESOLVED THAT Correspondence Items #7.2.1 - 7.2.5 be received and filed.

RESOLVED THAT we do now proceed into closed meeting session in accordance with the Municipal Act to discuss the following matters under Municipal Act Section 239 (2): Closed Meeting Item #1 - Closed Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2024 Closed Meeting Item #2 - LS 24-10 - Joint Services Agreement (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; and (k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations

RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report.

RESOLVED THAT the July 9, 2024 Closed Meeting Minutes be adopted.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT staff proceed as directed.

RESOLVED THAT the confidential report from the Director of Human Resources be received and filed.

Giguère RESOLVED THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.

RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 24-30 be now read a first, second, and third time and finally passed.

RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 12:35 p.m. to meet again on August 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

RESOLVED THAT we do now move into Committee of the Whole.

RESOLVED THAT the presentation titled "Elgin County Library Programming & Partnership Update" from the Digital Services Librarian dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Engagement of Modernization of Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA)” from the Manager of Emergency Management & Elgin – Middlesex Regional Fire School dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed; and THAT members of Council be respectfully requested to review the attached Discussion Guide and provide feedback to the Elgin County Emergency Management department, through your municipalities in collaboration with your respective municipal councils, or directly to the Province; and THAT staff provide County Council with a report summarizing proposed comments for submission at the August 13, 2024 County Council meeting.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “Calton Line Culvert Replacement” from the Director of Engineering Services dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed; and THAT staff be authorized and directed to proceed with the replacement of an existing culvert on Calton Line, immediately east of Mitchell Road at an estimated project cost of $400,000 and funded from the “Reserves Capital Projects” account.

RESOLVED THAT the report titled “County of Elgin – Growth Reserve Policy” from the Director of Finance/Treasurer dated July 23, 2024 be received and filed, and THAT the Finance Policy 05-05 presented as Growth Reserve Policy in Appendix A of the report be approved to guide the strategic use of the Growth Reserve

WHEREAS Rail Safety Week is to be held across Canada from September 23 to 29, 2024; WHEREAS, 229 railway crossing and trespassing incidents occurred in Canada in 2023; resulting in 66 avoidable fatalities and 39 avoidable serious injuries; WHEREAS, educating and informing the public about rail safety (reminding the public that railway rights-of-way are private property, enhancing public awareness of the dangers associated with highway rail grade crossings, ensuring pedestrians and motorists are looking and listening while near railways, and obeying established traffic laws) will reduce the number of avoidable fatalities and injuries cause by incidents involving trains and citizens; and WHEREAS Operation Lifesaver is a public/private partnership whose aim is to work with the public, rail industry, governments, police services, media and others to raise rail safety awareness; WHEREAS CN and Operation Lifesaver have requested County Council adopt this resolution in support of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries in communities, including our municipality; It is hereby RESOLVED to support National Rail Safety Week to be held from September 23 to 29, 2024.

RESOLVED THAT the request for a revised letter of commitment from the County of Elgin Council to proceed with the relocation of the Rodney Library to the renovated Rodney Old Town Hall upon completion be

RESOLVED THAT we do now rise and report. Motion

RESOLVED THAT staff proceed as directed.

RESOLVED THAT we do now adopt recommendations of the Committee of the Whole.