[0:00] Good evening everybody it is now

[0:04]

[0:04] 6:00 p.m.

[0:06] I now call the september second

[0:10] 2026

[0:10] 2026 regular meeting of county

[0:12] council

[0:12] council to order.

[0:14] we invite you to join council and

[0:16] and administration as we take this

[0:17] this time to observe a moment of

[0:19]

[0:19] reflection and that will lead

[0:20] into the playing of our national

[0:22]

[0:22] anthem.

[0:22] [playing of 'o canada']

[0:50] we acknowledge the land on which

[2:10] the county of essex is located

[2:12] the county of essex is located

[2:12] is the traditional territory of

[2:12] the three fires confederacy of

[2:14] the three fires confederacy of

[2:14] first nations, comprised of the

[2:17] first nations, comprised of the

[2:17] ojibway, odawa and potawatomie

[2:19] ojibway, odawa and potawatomie

[2:19] peoples.

[2:20] we specifically recognize caldwell first nation and other

[2:24] caldwell first nation and other

[2:24] first nations which have

[2:25] first nations which have provided significant historical

[2:27] provided significant historical

[2:27] and contemporary contributions

[2:28] and contemporary contributions

[2:28] to this region.

[2:28] we also value the contributions

[2:32] of all original peoples of

[2:33] of all original peoples of turtle island, who have been

[2:36] turtle island, who have been living and working on this land

[2:38] living and working on this land

[2:38] from time immemorial.

[2:39] from time immemorial.all members

[2:46]

[2:46] of county council are present

[2:48] this evening.

[2:50] good evening everybody, nice to

[2:53] see

[2:53] see you.

[2:54] seems like it's been a long time

[2:56]

[2:56] doesn't it?

[2:57] I would like to begin by

[2:58] expressing my condolences to the

[3:00]

[3:00] family, friends and colleagues

[3:02] of

[3:02] of sun parlour whom employee diane

[3:03] diane who passed away earlier

[3:04] this week.

[3:06] flags have been lowered in her

[3:07]

[3:07] honour at the county of essex

[3:11] buildings, diane was a food service

[3:12] service worker known for

[3:13] speaking her mind and generously

[3:15]

[3:15] sharing her considerable

[3:17] culinary talents.

[3:18] she was devoted to her family

[3:20] and happiest spending time with

[3:22] her

[3:22] her grandchildren, and she will

[3:24] be

[3:24] be deeply missed by her loved

[3:26] ones and her colleagues at sun

[3:28]

[3:28] parlour home.

[3:29] our thoughts are with everybody

[3:31]

[3:31] who knew her.

[3:32] let's pause for a moment of

[3:34] silence.

[3:34] thank you.

[3:55] turning to other matters, we are

[3:57] less

[3:57] less than two weeks away from

[3:58] the third annual outdoor

[4:01] accessibility fest for all, that

[4:02]

[4:02] is organized by the essex county

[4:04]

[4:04] accessibility advisory

[4:05] committee.

[4:05] it is free and open to the

[4:09] public, and the special event is

[4:10]

[4:10] designed to promote inclusion and

[4:13] and accessibility for people of all

[4:14] all ages and abilities through

[4:16]

[4:16] activities, demonstrations,

[4:19] products, services and

[4:20] information.

[4:20] the fest for all takes place

[4:23] friday september 11th from

[4:24] 10:00 a.m. Until 2:00 p.m. At the

[4:26] the communications community

[4:29] centre, the first two events

[4:32] were fantastic.

[4:32] I had such a good time.

[4:34] what a great venue.

[4:37] just -- just a great community,

[4:40]

[4:40] regional community event.

[4:42] we look forward to welcoming everybody

[4:43] everybody back this year.

[4:46] we are also two weeks away from

[4:48] the

[4:48] the september 16th switch to a

[4:50] new

[4:50] new dispatching system for essex

[4:52]

[4:52] windsor ems.

[4:54] medical priority dispatch system

[4:57] or

[4:57] or mpds is designed with one

[4:58] clear purpose, and that is to

[5:00] ensure people experiencing life

[5:02]

[5:02] threatening emergency receive

[5:05] help as quickly as possible.

[5:07] mpd as is a software based

[5:09] system used by ambulance cloud

[5:11]

[5:11] communications officers, to

[5:14] triage, 911 calls based on the

[5:17]

[5:17] severity of a patient's medical

[5:19] condition.

[5:19] it helps them determine urgency

[5:22] of

[5:22] of each situation so ambulances

[5:23]

[5:23] can be sent where they are

[5:25] needed most, when they are

[5:27] needed most.

[5:28] as a result people with non-life

[5:30]

[5:30] threatening conditions may sometimes

[5:31] sometimes wait a little bit longer

[5:32] longer for an ambulance,

[5:34] particularly when paramedic

[5:36] resources are stretched.

[5:38] ministry of health has

[5:39] successfully implemented this

[5:40] system in several municipalities

[5:42]

[5:42] across ontario, it is backed by

[5:45]

[5:45] decades of research and evidence

[5:46]

[5:46] and helps ambulance

[5:48] communications officers make

[5:50] more informed decisions.

[5:52] so if you want to know more

[5:53] about this system, check things

[5:55]

[5:55] out at the county of

[5:58] essex.ca/sevenmac.

[5:58] are there any disclosures of

[6:01] pecuniary interests amongst council

[6:05] council members this evening?

[6:06] councillors rogers?

[6:08] >> thank you madam warden,

[6:09] through you, item 12.6.

[6:14] >> onto adoption of regular meeting

[6:18] meeting minutes and before you

[6:19]

[6:19] are the minutes of the regular

[6:21]

[6:21] council meeting of august 5th,

[6:27]

[6:27] 2026, seeing none?

[6:28] the recommendations of the

[6:29] minutes of the august fifth, 2026 regular

[6:32] 2026 regular meeting be adopted

[6:33]

[6:33] as presented.

[6:34] I'm looking for a mover and a

[6:36] seconder?

[6:36] councillor deyong, councillor akpata?

[6:39] councillor deyong, councillor akpata?

[6:39] any discussion?

[6:41] all in favour by show of hands?

[6:44]

[6:44] thank you.

[6:45] I thought that was your hand of

[6:47]

[6:47] councillor akpata I guess you

[6:49] were just scratching your ear.

[6:52]

[6:52] there are two delegations this

[6:54]

[6:54] evening, welcome, first up the

[6:58]

[6:58] western ontario wardens caucus

[7:00]

[7:00] executive director, kate

[7:02] burns-gallagher, she is here to

[7:03]

[7:03] provide a presentation regarding

[7:06]

[7:06] the 2026-2027 strategic

[7:09] priorities.

[7:09] welcome kate, nice to see you!

[7:12]

[7:12] >> wonderful thank you warden,

[7:14] if it's

[7:14] if it's okay I will stand so I

[7:15]

[7:15] can see everybody better.

[7:17] thank you warden, through you

[7:19] to county council it's a pleasure

[7:20] pleasure to be here again on my

[7:22] annual

[7:22] annual summer tour as we call it,

[7:24] it, where we go and visit all of

[7:26]

[7:26] our 15 counties to give an update on

[7:27] update on all the things we have

[7:28] been

[7:28] been up to in the past year, the

[7:30]

[7:30] successes we had and priorities

[7:32]

[7:32] we focused on.

[7:34] next slide.

[7:35] just a quick overview, lots of

[7:38]

[7:38] things have happened, we are the

[7:42] 15

[7:42] 15 counties in western ontario,

[7:45]

[7:45] spanning from simcoe county all

[7:46]

[7:46] the way down here in

[7:47] essex county, next slide that would

[7:50] would be great.

[7:52] we had covered over 300

[7:54] communities, 117 municipalities

[7:58] and

[7:58] and we are well over 1.6 million

[8:01]

[8:01] residents.

[8:01] and the key part of our

[8:04] organization and why we gather

[8:06] is

[8:06] is we are 90% rural, 90% rural,

[8:11]

[8:11] that's where a lot of the

[8:13] advocacy comes from is

[8:14] advocating for our rural

[8:16] communities.

[8:16] next slide.

[8:20] what do we do?

[8:22] we work collectively, at our

[8:23] core we work to advance key strategic

[8:26] strategic priorities for the 15

[8:28]

[8:28] counties, looking at that map

[8:29] you may think how could there possibly

[8:31] possibly be some things we can

[8:32] all

[8:32] all agree upon?

[8:33] there are several things we can

[8:35]

[8:35] agree upon, and advance

[8:37] together.

[8:37] we really provided a unified

[8:40] voice for the whole of western

[8:42]

[8:42] ontario to upper levels of government

[8:44] government specifically the

[8:45] province and the federal government.

[8:46] province and the federal government.

[8:46] we also conduct research and

[8:49] analysis to form solutions so we

[8:50]

[8:50] are not always going to the

[8:52] upper levels of government but

[8:54]

[8:54] also solutions. And

[8:55] and we also build partnerships

[8:56]

[8:56] that expand capacity for our

[8:58] member counties.

[9:00] our work is consistent,

[9:02] nonpartizan and also very clearly

[9:04] clearly grounded in evidence.

[9:06] next slide.

[9:08] so how do we do this?

[9:10] we don't do it in a silo we do

[9:12] it

[9:12] it within an incredible group

[9:14] within our 15 counties, we have

[9:15]

[9:15] our caucus where we are well

[9:17] represented by warden

[9:18] macdonald, then our ceos table

[9:21] table represented by cao spheres

[9:22]

[9:22] and we have our staff, government

[9:27] government relations and

[9:29] coordinator.

[9:29] supported by an economic

[9:31] development committee, elected

[9:33]

[9:33] officials, staff as well as

[9:35] ministry contact, stakeholders

[9:37] from

[9:37] from across the region.

[9:39] last few years we implemented the

[9:41] the subject matter expert

[9:42] groups, and these are the groups

[9:45]

[9:45] that are really the voice on the

[9:48]

[9:48] ground if you will, staff from

[9:51]

[9:51] all 15 counties that really help

[9:53] inform

[9:53] inform the work that we do and

[9:54]

[9:54] the advocacy we do.

[9:56] from planning we have rebecca,

[9:59]

[9:59] represented from essex, we have

[10:02]

[10:02] don, social services, we have

[10:07] wendy stark and we have caitlin

[10:09]

[10:09] as well.

[10:10] I always like to give a shout

[10:11] out to dee because the reason

[10:12] why we have an administration

[10:14] group is because dee was like can

[10:16] can we get one so we have one.

[10:19] next slide.

[10:22] so what do we aim for?

[10:24] what are our goals really?

[10:26] we want to be a voice for the

[10:28] region, consistent coordinated

[10:30]

[10:30] advocacy.

[10:30] we all want to be an information

[10:34]

[10:34] source, providing our members

[10:36] and counties with insights, data

[10:39]

[10:39] and research.

[10:40] we want to be an asset for our

[10:42]

[10:42] counties.

[10:42] shared regional initiatives like

[10:45] our

[10:45] our conference tools and

[10:46] capacity buildings so when we

[10:48] all work together there is more

[10:50]

[10:50] there as well. And

[10:51] and we also want to be a valued

[10:53]

[10:53] partner of government.

[10:54] collective engagement with the

[10:56]

[10:56] province and federal government

[10:57]

[10:57] both within the minister's

[10:58] offices and the ministries as

[11:00] well.

[11:00] and we have found the structure

[11:02]

[11:02] has really provided the caucus

[11:04]

[11:04] with measurable outcomes and I

[11:05]

[11:05] will dive into those later.

[11:07] next slide.

[11:09] a voice for the region, this

[11:11] year we have been laser focused

[11:14]

[11:14] on three strategic priorities,

[11:16] three

[11:16] three really key strategic

[11:17] priorities for this year that we

[11:19] wanted

[11:19] wanted to tackle ahead of the municipal

[11:20] municipal election in the hopes

[11:22] of

[11:22] of getting wins for the region.

[11:25] those were around

[11:26] infrastructure, workforce,

[11:28] mental health addictions and

[11:29] homelessness.

[11:29] next slide.

[11:31] so for priority one we really

[11:33] focused on the canada ontario

[11:35] partnership to build a.

[11:37] we know in rural ontario building

[11:38] building infrastructure in this

[11:40] region

[11:40] region costs more than an urban

[11:41]

[11:41] centres, linear infrastructure

[11:43]

[11:43] you have further to go with less

[11:46] taxpayers

[11:46] taxpayers along the km than

[11:48] downtown toronto.

[11:49] so the costs go up when you look at

[11:52] at infrastructure in rural

[11:53] communities.

[11:53] so we worked really hard working

[11:57]

[11:57] with minister flacks office under

[11:59] under the canada ontario

[12:00] partnership to build and we were

[12:01]

[12:01] thrilled to attend the

[12:02] announcement sunday for the $1 billion for

[12:07] $1 billion for municipalities,

[12:08]

[12:08] and minister flack gave us some

[12:11]

[12:11] praise in the advocacy we have

[12:13] done,

[12:13] done, and the advocacy we have

[12:14]

[12:14] done really led to ensuring that

[12:18] $1 billion

[12:19] $1 billion was available for rural

[12:23] rural municipalities and smaller

[12:25]

[12:25] municipalities as well.

[12:26] next slide.

[12:28] we have also been doing a lot of

[12:29]

[12:29] work in the homelessness

[12:31] prevention programme, gene has

[12:33]

[12:33] been a huge advocate for you and

[12:35]

[12:35] our social services table.

[12:38] we have been really working to

[12:41] get

[12:41] get a rural dedicated

[12:43] homelessness prevention

[12:44] programme.

[12:44] this is to make sure our rural

[12:48]

[12:48] communities have dedicated

[12:50] funding, we have seen an

[12:51] increase in homelessness in our

[12:53] rural

[12:53] rural communities, it almost

[12:54] looks different categories couch

[12:56]

[12:56] surfing and living out of a car,

[12:57]

[12:57] it's not necessarily individuals

[12:58]

[12:58] on a wait-list or accessing services.

[13:01] on a wait-list or accessing services.

[13:01] we want to make sure that our

[13:02] dollars in order to be able to

[13:04]

[13:04] address the growing concerns and

[13:06] be

[13:06] be able to support our own

[13:09] community members within

[13:10] communities.

[13:10] so we continue to advocate for

[13:13]

[13:13] resources for rural homelessness

[13:15]

[13:15] prevention.

[13:15] next slide.

[13:18] last but not least regional

[13:19] rural transit.

[13:20] we have been pushing hard to look

[13:22] look at a regional model for

[13:24] western ontario.

[13:25] we had an individual from

[13:28] huron county who did some research

[13:29] research for us and found in the

[13:32]

[13:32] gta, the province subsidizes transit

[13:36] transit traditionally $191 per

[13:38]

[13:38] resident per transit which is

[13:40] great, you have the go and

[13:42] metrolinx, but when you look at

[13:45]

[13:45] huron, stratford area, it is $13

[13:48]

[13:48] per resident.

[13:49] so a stark difference in the price

[13:52] price investment in transit

[13:54] between our urban and rural

[13:56] counterparts. So

[13:56] so we are doing the hard work,

[13:59] we

[13:59] we brought on donor consulting

[14:00]

[14:00] to look at where the gaps are

[14:02] for transit within western

[14:03] ontario, where the

[14:06] infrastructure is, where the

[14:08] people are, where the jobs are,

[14:11]

[14:11] where hospitals are as well as

[14:12]

[14:12] employment needs.

[14:13] so by doing that we will be able

[14:15]

[14:15] to see where the gaps are and we

[14:17]

[14:17] can move forward with the

[14:19] province.

[14:19] we met with minister sarkaria

[14:21] and he's committed one of his

[14:23] staff members to sit on that

[14:24] project team, so we are excited

[14:26] to

[14:26] to see how that will move

[14:27] forward this fall.

[14:29] next slide.

[14:30] those were the three laser focused

[14:32] focused priorities we looked on

[14:33]

[14:33] this year.

[14:34] if you think back a couple slides

[14:36] slides ago we were talking about

[14:38]

[14:38] being an information source, and

[14:41] we

[14:41] we really take that seriously.

[14:42] a major strength in it is our

[14:44] ability to provide data, insight

[14:48]

[14:48] and evidence for decision making

[14:49] not

[14:49] not only for ourselves but

[14:50] member counties.

[14:52] some of the examples of work we

[14:54]

[14:54] have done are regional economic

[14:55]

[14:55] development strategies, we have

[14:57]

[14:57] done a workforce strategy

[14:58] launched in 2022, we also worked

[15:01] with

[15:01] with housing and infrastructure

[15:03]

[15:03] data tools with a rural ontario

[15:05]

[15:05] institute, and research

[15:07] partnerships and post-secondary

[15:09] institutions

[15:09] institutions such as western and

[15:11]

[15:11] guelph and waterloo.

[15:13] and we also have been

[15:15] implementing some supply chain

[15:17]

[15:17] mapping where unfortunately we

[15:18]

[15:18] did not get the brand we had

[15:20] applied for -- grant -- for the

[15:22]

[15:22] province but we are exploring

[15:24] options there federally.

[15:26] next slide.

[15:28] as an asset for counties, I just

[15:32] want

[15:32] want to touch on a few of the

[15:34] accomplishments municipalities

[15:35]

[15:35] had this term and the last four years

[15:37] years as an organization.

[15:39] up first, you may remember

[15:40] several years ago the province

[15:43]

[15:43] talked about allowing up to three

[15:46] three lots of severance across

[15:49]

[15:49] the province.

[15:50] that was going to be the

[15:52] equivalent of losing about a

[15:53] million acres of farmland in

[15:55] western ontario alone.

[15:56] when we realized that our planning

[15:59] planning expert team quickly got

[16:01]

[16:01] together, crunched numbers,

[16:03] worked together and our

[16:04] executives met with minister

[16:06] thompson and several other

[16:08] ministers to sound the alarm

[16:10] about the possibility of this

[16:12] legislation and the impact in the

[16:14] the region with a million acres

[16:16] of

[16:16] of farmland and within two weeks

[16:17]

[16:17] they walked that legislation

[16:19] back, primarily due to our

[16:21] advocacy and work. Another

[16:24] another win that we had

[16:25] following that, was on the leave

[16:27]

[16:27] to construct threshold in

[16:29] february 2024.

[16:30] this is where somebody coming into

[16:34] into the region wants to build,

[16:37]

[16:37] get natural gas to their site,

[16:39]

[16:39] if it is -- at the time if it

[16:41] was over $7 million it had to go

[16:43] to

[16:43] to the ontario energy board and

[16:44]

[16:44] up to two years to the build.

[16:47] so we lost a lot of investment

[16:48]

[16:48] within western ontario because

[16:51] of

[16:51] of that.

[16:51] our partners in bc, their

[16:53] threshold is 10 million.

[16:54] so we worked with partners in

[16:56] eastern ontario and enbridge to

[16:57]

[16:57] try to advocate to get that threshold

[17:00] threshold increase and in february

[17:02] february of 2024 that threshold

[17:03] was

[17:03] was increased to $10 million.

[17:05] so any projects under 10 million don't

[17:07] don't have to go through that process

[17:10] process and can be built faster

[17:12] through

[17:12] through the province.

[17:14] third we were able to secure

[17:15] community response pilot project

[17:17]

[17:17] funding for the region, with

[17:19] both simcoe county and

[17:21] lambton county, this is where we

[17:23]

[17:23] partnered social workers with

[17:25] paramedics, and the diversion rates

[17:27] rates we have seen with this

[17:28] programme are incredible.

[17:29] it has been a two year pilot

[17:30] with a wrap up in march of next

[17:33]

[17:33] year and so right now we are

[17:35] progressively advocating to make sure

[17:36] sure this is a permanent

[17:37] programme that will become accessible

[17:39] accessible to all 15 counties

[17:40] because it has been a wonderful

[17:42]

[17:42] programme.

[17:42] last but not least, just this

[17:45] year, we had a big win with a

[17:47] vulnerable sector checks.

[17:49] last summer, all the vulnerable

[17:51]

[17:51] sector checks for anybody who

[17:53] has opp were consolidated into

[17:56] one

[17:56] one central process.

[17:57] at the same time our long term

[17:59] care

[17:59] care homes were requiring

[18:00] vulnerable sector checks it

[18:02] created a perfect storm where the

[18:04] the vulnerable sector checks

[18:05] were taking upwards of months to

[18:07] come

[18:07] come back, we had individuals in

[18:08]

[18:08] longer term care situations that

[18:11]

[18:11] could not start work at

[18:12] long term care facilities, and

[18:14] this

[18:14] this was raised at the

[18:16] administration panel expert

[18:18] table.

[18:18] so we quickly talked to our cao

[18:21]

[18:21] group, wardens group, and

[18:23] brought together the data and

[18:25] information and spoke to the solicitor

[18:27] solicitor general's office and

[18:28]

[18:28] said that this was a concern, so

[18:31] from

[18:31] from last year in august where

[18:32] we

[18:32] we had a months long

[18:34] applications to january, the

[18:37] dedicated 27 day turnaround of a

[18:38]

[18:38] vulnerable sector checks and

[18:40] committed to that in legislation

[18:41]

[18:41] and that was enshrined in

[18:42] legislation in may, vulnerable

[18:44]

[18:44] sector checks will take no

[18:45] longer than 27 days.

[18:47] it all started with our

[18:49] administration subject matter

[18:50] expert team.

[18:51] next slide.

[18:54] as we talked about being a

[18:56] valued partner of government, I

[18:57]

[18:57] can run to the next slide, I don't

[18:59] don't want to go too much over

[19:00]

[19:00] time here, we engage the

[19:02] government at many different

[19:04] levels we have a dedicated queen's park

[19:07] queen's park day in the spring,

[19:10]

[19:10] also we write a policy briefs,

[19:13]

[19:13] we report on environmental

[19:14] registries and all the

[19:15] submissions we can when it comes

[19:17]

[19:17] to our strategic priorities, or

[19:19]

[19:19] issues that are relevant to all

[19:21] of

[19:21] of western ontario and we often

[19:23]

[19:23] meet with ministers whether it

[19:24]

[19:24] is in toronto or whether it is

[19:28] in the

[19:28] in the constituencies offices,

[19:29]

[19:29] we're very fortunate we have a

[19:31]

[19:31] large number of ministers in the

[19:32]

[19:32] province that are based in western ontario so

[19:34] western ontario so we have the

[19:35]

[19:35] advantage of being able to meet

[19:37]

[19:37] them at their constituency

[19:38] offices.

[19:38] next slide.

[19:40] for 2026 and beyond, next slide,

[19:44] as

[19:44] as we move forward, we continue

[19:45]

[19:45] to have a strong engagement with

[19:48]

[19:48] our partners, and we will

[19:49] continue to advocate with

[19:51] clarity and purpose, strengthen

[19:53] our

[19:53] our relationships with all

[19:54] levels of government and remain

[19:56]

[19:56] nonpartizan, and support our

[19:58] members as we do that work.

[20:00] as we move into january 2027

[20:02] with our a gm we will kick things

[20:04] things off with a brand new

[20:05] strategic plan, as you come into

[20:08]

[20:08] our a gm don't be surprised you

[20:10]

[20:10] will be hearing from strategic

[20:12]

[20:12] planners to get engaged and find

[20:15]

[20:15] out how the wowc has helped you

[20:18]

[20:18] and how you would like to see the wowc

[20:20] the wowc help in the future, we

[20:22] are

[20:22] are looking forward to getting

[20:23]

[20:23] that external strategic plan

[20:24] developed for the next

[20:25] four-year term.

[20:27] we look forward to continuing a

[20:29]

[20:29] partnership and having you members

[20:32] members as the wowc and I am happy

[20:33] happy to answer any questions

[20:35] warden. >>

[20:36] >> thank you kate, appreciate

[20:38] that.

[20:38] are there any questions?

[20:40] councillors rogers?

[20:41] >> thank you madam warden,

[20:42] through you, I appreciate the

[20:45] presentation and efforts, if you

[20:46]

[20:46] need help anywhere we can get

[20:48] it.

[20:48] the great lakes initiative, some

[20:53] of our

[20:53] of our counties and local

[20:54] municipalities are members, I

[20:55] know eastern ontario ward caucus

[20:58] are

[20:58] are members, can understand that

[20:59]

[20:59] have been in conversations with

[21:01] federal

[21:01] federal organizations, maybe just

[21:02] just an update with where we are

[21:03]

[21:03] at if you have one? >>

[21:05] >> through you warden to

[21:06] councillors rogers, yes, so the

[21:09]

[21:09] great lakes city saint lawrence,

[21:12] I

[21:12] I often get them mixed up, long

[21:15] one

[21:15] one kirk apologies, the event in

[21:17]

[21:17] may, the conference we signed a

[21:19]

[21:19] memorandum of understanding.

[21:21] so now we meet bimonthly, staff

[21:24]

[21:24] team and support all work they

[21:26]

[21:26] are doing.

[21:27] there is great synergies there,

[21:29]

[21:29] and since then we also had a number

[21:31] number of our member counties

[21:32] join the great lakes initiative

[21:34]

[21:34] as well.

[21:35] we are very pleased to be part

[21:37] of that

[21:37] of that organization. >>

[21:39] >> anyone else?

[21:41] thank you kate, appreciate your

[21:44]

[21:44] time and effort to come down

[21:46] here and report back to

[21:47] the county council. >>

[21:49] >> thank you warden.

[21:52] >> next up we have delegation,

[21:56] gordon

[21:56] gordon orr, a ceo, investments

[22:00]

[22:00] transixteen tourism windsor

[22:02] essex pelee island will provide

[22:03]

[22:03] presentation to council with

[22:05] regard to the twepi and

[22:07] investments windsor essex

[22:09] activities in the essex windsor

[22:11]

[22:11] region.

[22:11] welcome gordon, always a

[22:13] pleasure. >>

[22:13] >> thank you warden macdonald

[22:14] and members of essex county

[22:16] council, I will sit so you can't

[22:19]

[22:19] see me which will be great if

[22:20] you could always good to be with

[22:21]

[22:21] you.

[22:21] I would like to acknowledge I'm

[22:23]

[22:23] not here alone I'm joined by my

[22:25]

[22:25] stellar fellow leadership team,

[22:26]

[22:26] some of them are here, jason

[22:29] toner, ed dawson and wendy

[22:32] stark, I had the privilege of working

[22:33] working with these fine folks on

[22:34]

[22:34] a regular basis.

[22:36] thank you very much for the

[22:37] opportunity to provide an update

[22:39] on

[22:39] on the work invest windsor essex

[22:41]

[22:41] and tourism windsor essex has

[22:42] done as well as presented the

[22:44] recommendations presented --

[22:46] committed by consulting and I will

[22:47] will begin with a brief overview

[22:49] of

[22:49] of performance by the

[22:50] organizations before discussing

[22:51]

[22:51] recommendations before council

[22:52]

[22:52] this evening.

[22:53] next slide, please.

[22:55] we will begin with windsor

[22:57] essex.

[22:57] economic development continues

[22:58] to

[22:58] to be much more attracting new

[23:01]

[23:01] investment, it is about

[23:03] supporting existing businesses,

[23:05] fostering

[23:05] fostering entrepreneurship and

[23:06]

[23:06] positioning windsor essex for future

[23:08] future opportunities.

[23:09] these performance metrics

[23:11] highlight another strong year

[23:12] for 2025 economic development,

[23:15]

[23:15] investments essex facilitated

[23:17] more than $382 million in new

[23:19] investment, 961 new jobs, 56 business

[23:23] business expansions, and 86

[23:25] business start-ups.

[23:26] next slide, please.

[23:27] during the year invest windsor

[23:28]

[23:28] essex through our small business

[23:30] and

[23:30] and entrepreneurship aspect

[23:32] delivered over 1201 on one

[23:34] consultations and 105 business

[23:37]

[23:37] support sessions with more than

[23:40] 2200 attendees.

[23:40] next slide, please.

[23:41] our communications and marketing

[23:43]

[23:43] efforts continue to extend well

[23:44]

[23:44] beyond our borders, site

[23:46] visitors come from canada,

[23:48] united states, china, singapore

[23:50]

[23:50] and germany, reflecting the

[23:52] national and international audiences

[23:54] audiences we are reaching

[23:55] through our invest and

[23:56] interaction marketing efforts.

[23:57] next slide, please.

[23:59] looking at our past highlights

[24:01]

[24:01] we finalized the invest windsor

[24:03]

[24:03] essex new 2025 through 2028

[24:05] strategic plan, providing a road

[24:07]

[24:07] map focused on investment

[24:08] attraction, business growth,

[24:10] innovation and stakeholder

[24:11] communication.

[24:11] the region also celebrated

[24:14] significant investment in advanced

[24:15] advanced manufacturing and at

[24:16] the same time we continue

[24:18] expanding beyond automotive

[24:20] through targeted industry

[24:21] diversification initiatives.

[24:22] next slide, please.

[24:23] I will now turn to tourism

[24:27] windsor essex and pelee island,

[24:28] tourism

[24:28] tourism is a critical component

[24:29] of

[24:29] of the windsor essex economy,

[24:32] going beyond attracting

[24:34] visitors, it supports local

[24:35] businesses, promotes our

[24:36] municipalities and strengthens

[24:38]

[24:38] community pride.

[24:39] next slide, please, windsor

[24:41] essex and pelee island welcomed

[24:43]

[24:43] more than 5.1 million visitors

[24:45]

[24:45] who generated approximately 816 million

[24:47] 816 million in visitor spending

[24:49] kirk

[24:49] kirk tourism is a vital industry

[24:50]

[24:50] as it remains a significant economic

[24:52] economic generator and job creator.

[24:53] economic generator and job creator.

[24:53] next slide, please.

[24:55] those economic outcomes are

[24:57] supported by highly effective

[24:58] destination marketing, 2025

[25:00] showed record breaking

[25:01] engagement, and we all know

[25:03] awareness creates interest and

[25:04]

[25:04] interest creates visitation.

[25:06] next slide, please.

[25:07] this year's official visitor guide

[25:09] guide launched on april 23rd

[25:11] includes 292 tourism partners,

[25:13]

[25:13] with over 4000 printed copies

[25:16] copies distributed and 100,000

[25:17]

[25:17] digital views to date.

[25:18] next slide, please.

[25:20] our partner programmes, more

[25:22] than 550 partners featured

[25:23] through these programmes, these

[25:25]

[25:25] collaborative initiatives help

[25:27] drive

[25:27] drive visitation across all

[25:28] municipalities.

[25:28] next slide, please.

[25:30] I would like now to turn to

[25:32] purpose of tonight's report, earlier

[25:34] earlier this year with the

[25:35] support of both invest windsor

[25:36]

[25:36] essex and tourism windsor essex

[25:38]

[25:38] pelee island board we had an independent

[25:42] independent consulting firm

[25:43] undertake an objective review of

[25:44]

[25:44] how invested windsor essex

[25:46] tourism windsor essex can best

[25:48] position

[25:48] position themselves for longer

[25:49]

[25:49] term success, over the course of

[25:51] four

[25:51] four months north guide reviewed

[25:53]

[25:53] evidence models from across

[25:54] canada, organizational financial

[25:56]

[25:56] information, conducted stakeholder

[25:58] stakeholder interviews and

[25:58] facilitated workshops with both

[26:01]

[26:01] boards and both teams.

[26:02] their recommendations are

[26:03] evidence based, practical and

[26:05] designed to strengthen regional

[26:07]

[26:07] service delivery while building

[26:08] on the

[26:09] on the success both

[26:10] organizations have already achieved

[26:11] achieved preclinic slide

[26:12] please.

[26:12] this slide captures what I believe

[26:15] believe is the most important

[26:16] message in the report, north

[26:17] guide concluded both

[26:19] organizations are highly respected

[26:21] respected and perform

[26:22] effectively, this review was not

[26:23] initiated

[26:23] initiated because of financial

[26:24]

[26:24] challenges, or organizational

[26:26] shortcomings but rather

[26:27] recognizing opportunities to

[26:28] build on our existing strengths,

[26:32] the

[26:32] the opportunity lies in creating

[26:33]

[26:33] a stronger government structure,

[26:36] improving

[26:36] improving operational

[26:37] coordination, and reinvesting

[26:39] efficiencies into expanding

[26:40] capacity.

[26:40] the objective is a strong

[26:43] organization not a smaller one,

[26:45]

[26:45] and any efficiencies should

[26:46] allow us to do more for the

[26:47] region not less.

[26:47] next slide, please.

[26:49] north guides first

[26:50] recommendation focuses on

[26:51] governance.

[26:51] they recommend replacing the

[26:54] current two boards with one

[26:55] unified skill based board of

[26:57] approximately nine to 11

[26:59] directors, that board would be

[27:00] selected

[27:00] selected using the skills matrix

[27:01]

[27:01] to ensure expertise in areas

[27:03] such as finance, governance,

[27:06] legal, marketing,

[27:07] communications, tourism and economic

[27:09] economic development.

[27:10] importantly the warden of essex county

[27:12] essex county and the mayor of

[27:13] windsor would continue to serve

[27:15]

[27:15] ensuring strong municipal

[27:16] involvement.

[27:16] the warden and mayor may each

[27:18] designate a member of their

[27:19] respective council as an

[27:21] alternate, this would ensure

[27:22] consistent municipal

[27:24] representation and accommodate

[27:26]

[27:26] scheduling conflicts and other

[27:27]

[27:27] commitments.

[27:27] separate advisory committees for

[27:30]

[27:30] both economic development and tourism

[27:32] tourism would have specialized

[27:34]

[27:34] sector expertise.

[27:35] next slide, please.

[27:36] one of the most common questions

[27:38]

[27:38] we receive today was whether either

[27:40] either organization's brand

[27:41] would disappear, the short answer

[27:42] answer is no.

[27:43] north guide specifically

[27:44] recommends maintaining both

[27:45] invest windsor essex and tourism

[27:47]

[27:47] windsor essex as distinct

[27:49] business units under one legal

[27:52] parent

[27:52] parent organization.

[27:52] both brands build significant

[27:54] credibility with different

[27:56] audiences, maintaining those

[27:57] identities protects the equity

[27:59]

[27:59] that has already been built up

[28:00]

[28:00] over many years, and any future

[28:02]

[28:02] consideration of branding would

[28:04]

[28:04] occur only after the

[28:06] organizations have successfully

[28:07]

[28:07] integrated operationally.

[28:08] next slide, please.

[28:10] the next recommendation focuses

[28:12]

[28:12] on shared services.

[28:13] rather than duplicating

[28:14] administrative functions across

[28:16]

[28:16] the two organizations, north guide

[28:17] guide recommends consolidating

[28:18]

[28:18] areas such as finance human

[28:20] resources and information

[28:21] technology support, and by

[28:24] consolidating these services

[28:25] would create operational

[28:26] efficiencies.

[28:26] efficiencies achieved will be

[28:29] reinvested directly into expanding

[28:31] expanding services and regional

[28:32]

[28:32] prosperity growth.

[28:33] next slide, please.

[28:35] integration is much more than just

[28:37] just governance, it's also about

[28:38]

[28:38] creating a shared organization

[28:40]

[28:40] culture.

[28:40] north guide recommends beginning

[28:42]

[28:42] immediately by developing shared

[28:43]

[28:43] mission vision and values between

[28:44] between the two organizations,

[28:46]

[28:46] and the report identifies long term

[28:49] long term objectives of

[28:49] eventually bringing both teams

[28:52] together

[28:52] together into one shared

[28:52] location by 2029.

[28:54] next slide, please.

[28:55] north guide recommends a careful

[28:58]

[28:58] phased in implementation, phase

[29:00] one

[29:00] one beginning this year focuses

[29:01] on

[29:01] on governance, legal structure,

[29:03]

[29:03] shared mission vision values and

[29:05]

[29:05] establishing a foundation for the

[29:06] the integrated organization.

[29:08] phase two introduces shared

[29:11] services, harmonized policies,

[29:13] formal

[29:13] formal pathways and greater

[29:14] operational alignment.

[29:16] phase three extends through 2029,

[29:19] 2029, considering shared space,

[29:20]

[29:20] a future brand review, and a

[29:22] governance assessment act of three

[29:24] three years.

[29:24] this phased in approach minimizes

[29:26] minimizes disruption, allowing

[29:28] each

[29:28] each milestone to build upon the

[29:29]

[29:29] previous one.

[29:30] next slide, please.

[29:32] successful integration depends

[29:33]

[29:33] on strong communication and staff

[29:35] staff engagement, the report

[29:37] recommends direct communication

[29:39] from

[29:39] from leadership, consistent to

[29:41]

[29:41] funders, like we are here

[29:42] tonight and stakeholders and involving

[29:44] involving staff in designing the

[29:46] future

[29:46] future organization.

[29:47] the objective is to build a stronger

[29:49] stronger organization by

[29:50] investing in people, not

[29:52] reducing capacity.

[29:53] next slide, please.

[29:55] ultimately success will be

[29:56] measured by outcomes.

[29:57] success means a unified board,

[29:59]

[29:59] providing strong oversight, it

[30:01]

[30:01] means a streamlined operation allowing

[30:03] allowing resources to be

[30:05] directed towards programmes and

[30:06]

[30:06] services.

[30:06] it means staff working

[30:08] collaboratively within a shared

[30:10]

[30:10] culture built around a common

[30:11] mission and values.

[30:12] and most importantly meaning the

[30:14]

[30:14] region continues receiving

[30:15] exceptional service from two trusted

[30:17] trusted brands that are now working

[30:19] working even more effectively

[30:21] together.

[30:21] the recommendation before

[30:23] council tonight hopefully is

[30:24] straightforward, we request

[30:26] the county council approve in

[30:27] principle the alignment

[30:28] recommendations, unanimously

[30:30] endorsed by north guide --

[30:33] endorsed by invest windsor essex

[30:35]

[30:35] and tourism windsor essex pelee

[30:37]

[30:37] island board of directors at the

[30:39] meeting

[30:39] meeting of june 30th,

[30:40] recommendations related

[30:40] specifically to governance,

[30:42] organizational structure and

[30:44] phased in approach integration,

[30:46]

[30:46] as outlined in the north guide

[30:48] report.

[30:48] and any future representation

[30:50] measures will be requiring board

[30:53]

[30:53] approval and city and county

[30:54] councils will receive a progress

[30:56] update

[30:56] update during the first quarter

[30:57]

[30:57] of 2027.

[30:58] in closing I would like to thank warden

[31:00] warden macdonald and of course

[31:01]

[31:01] members of county council for

[31:03] their continued partnership and

[31:05]

[31:05] support on both invest windsor

[31:06]

[31:06] essex and tourism windsor essex

[31:08]

[31:08] pelee island.

[31:08] I would like to specifically

[31:10] thank and recognize warden

[31:12] macdonald who has the

[31:13] distinction of serving on both

[31:14]

[31:14] boards of directors and we very

[31:16] much

[31:16] much appreciate your leadership

[31:18] two

[31:18] two thank you.

[31:18] I would also like to recognize

[31:21]

[31:21] mayor dennis rogers and

[31:23] mayor malloy who both serve on

[31:24]

[31:24] the tourism board, thank you both

[31:25] both for your leadership and active

[31:28] active engagement, in particular

[31:29] I would

[31:29] I would like to give a shout out

[31:30]

[31:30] to mayor meloche, for her

[31:35] constant support and being a great

[31:38] great soundboard, it's very much

[31:39]

[31:39] appreciated, thank you very much.

[31:40] appreciated, thank you very much.

[31:40] I would also like to thank and

[31:41]

[31:41] recognize the entire

[31:42] administrative team here, at

[31:44] the county of essex.

[31:45] we know your ceo zwiers, we know

[31:50] the tone

[31:50] the tone is set at the top and

[31:51]

[31:51] all of her department heads and staff

[31:53] staff are a pleasure to work with

[31:54] with and we appreciate working

[31:56]

[31:56] with them on many projects and

[31:57]

[31:57] initiatives.

[31:57] moving forward, both invest

[32:00] windsor essex and tourism windsor

[32:01] windsor essex pelee island continue

[32:02] continue to attract investment,

[32:04] will continue

[32:04] will continue to grow

[32:05] businesses, support

[32:06] entrepreneurs, welcome visitors

[32:08]

[32:08] and will strengthen long term

[32:10] prosperity of our region of the

[32:12]

[32:12] north guide recommendations

[32:13] represent an opportunity to build

[32:14] build on that success, and deliver

[32:16] deliver even greater value to our

[32:17] our municipalities, businesses,

[32:20]

[32:20] residents and visitors and I want

[32:21] want to thank you very much for

[32:22]

[32:22] your time this evening and at the

[32:24] the appropriate time I would be

[32:25]

[32:25] happy to answer questions, thank you. >>

[32:27] happy to answer questions, thank you. >>

[32:27] >> thank you gordon.

[32:28] we will start with questions.

[32:32] councillor bondy? >>

[32:34] >> thank you warden macdonald,

[32:36]

[32:36] that is a lot, you talk fast but that

[32:38] that is good we are used to it

[32:40] and it

[32:40] and it has a lot to digest. It's

[32:41] it's not a surprise the

[32:43] direction that is being

[32:45] recommended.

[32:45] one question that I'm sure you

[32:47]

[32:47] are getting asked by everybody

[32:49]

[32:49] so I will just ask it here in this

[32:50] this room, and I do have a

[32:51] follow up question, what caused

[32:55] what

[32:55] what are the county or city see

[32:57]

[32:57] by merging -- we have one less

[33:01]

[33:01] office, one top cat or top dog

[33:05]

[33:05] now, is there a decrease in the

[33:08] levy

[33:08] levy request going forward

[33:09] because of that?

[33:12] >> am I a top dog or cat? [chuckling]

[33:16] >> am I a top dog or cat? [chuckling]

[33:16] big question.

[33:17] I had 10 minutes I tried to fit

[33:18]

[33:18] it all in.

[33:19] thank you very much, through you

[33:21]

[33:21] warden to the council.

[33:23] it's a very good question and we

[33:24]

[33:24] have been asked that question.

[33:26]

[33:26] the intent is any savings that

[33:28]

[33:28] we find between the two

[33:30] organizations, we would then reimagine

[33:32] reimagine within the

[33:33] organization. There

[33:33] there is no real cost savings to

[33:36]

[33:36] the city and county because as

[33:37]

[33:37] you know kirk we have

[33:39] experienced certainly on the

[33:40] investment side, flat funding for

[33:42] for over a decade.

[33:44] and I know you have a lot of budget

[33:46] budget pressures and that's not

[33:47] a

[33:47] a slam to the city or county, it's

[33:49] it's the reality.

[33:50] we recognize -- I think that's

[33:51]

[33:51] why the two boards recognized

[33:52] that one way that we could

[33:54] perhaps be more efficient and effective

[33:56] effective is to look internally

[33:57]

[33:57] and see how we can have some

[33:59] savings as you suggest, with for

[34:02]

[34:02] example one cao, we have one

[34:04] manager, administrative services

[34:06]

[34:06] now, so those dollars would then

[34:07]

[34:07] be able to be reimagined and

[34:09] reinvested in the organization,

[34:11]

[34:11] so we don't have a budget for

[34:13] you to share because for 27 and

[34:17]

[34:17] probably 28, we will have two separate

[34:19] separate budgets for both

[34:20] organizations and we will be

[34:22] coming to city and county council

[34:24] council with those budgets. So

[34:26] so right now what we would be doing

[34:27] doing is for example my salary

[34:29] is

[34:29] is paid by tourism, and then we will

[34:32] will have the salary to invest

[34:34]

[34:34] windsor essex.

[34:35] I hope that helps answer your

[34:38] question. >>

[34:38] >> thank you.

[34:39] since you are here, I have another

[34:42] another challenging question, so you

[34:45] you gave a very good

[34:46] presentation, about a year ago

[34:49]

[34:49] in colchester, a short term

[34:51] venture about municipal

[34:53] accommodation tax.

[34:54] something really resonated with

[34:56]

[34:56] me in the divide between the

[34:58] amount of tax dollars that the

[34:59]

[34:59] city of windsor is going to have

[35:01]

[35:01] and the amount of tax dollars the

[35:02] the county has, I wonder if you

[35:04]

[35:04] can give us a high level?

[35:05] if we are talking marketing and

[35:07]

[35:07] everything, and I'm not saying

[35:09] I

[35:09] support municipal tax or not,

[35:11] I'm just gathering information,

[35:13] and

[35:13] and I think this is a good venue

[35:15] because

[35:15] because you are here.

[35:16] if the county municipalities don't

[35:18] don't come together and support

[35:19] municipal

[35:19] municipal accommodations tax

[35:21] which has a lot of pros and

[35:23] cons, were the consequences when

[35:25] it

[35:25] it comes to competing against the

[35:26] the city of windsor for tourism

[35:28]

[35:28] dollars?

[35:28] >> three warden to the

[35:30] councillor, that is a very good

[35:33]

[35:33] question.

[35:33] right now if I were to take round numbers

[35:36] round numbers I would say that

[35:38]

[35:38] tourism is funded right now 66 by

[35:40] by the city and 33% by the

[35:43] county. And

[35:43] and it is becoming increasingly

[35:46]

[35:46] difficult to try and just spend

[35:50]

[35:50] the money the city gives us on

[35:53] city led

[35:53] city led initiatives.

[35:54] we are getting pretty good at it

[35:56] but

[35:56] but it is becoming more difficult,

[35:58] difficult, the more money we

[35:59] raise through the municipal

[36:00] accommodation tax.

[36:01] I think the county is being left

[36:02] behind

[36:02] behind and I think I have said

[36:04]

[36:04] that to all of you in the past,

[36:06] because

[36:06] because there's a number of

[36:07] municipalities in the province

[36:09]

[36:09] collecting it, and those

[36:10] municipalities are outpacing us in

[36:13] in promotion and marketing, and

[36:15]

[36:15] using dollars to lure events whether

[36:17] whether it is sporting events to

[36:19]

[36:19] your town's, or other events.

[36:21] it is becoming a challenging.

[36:23] I think we are fortunate the

[36:26] city of windsor is still looking

[36:27] at this

[36:27] at this very much as a regional

[36:29]

[36:29] approach and working very well

[36:31] together.

[36:31] I think on the tourism side.

[36:35] but I know that the county is

[36:37] looking at that and it is

[36:38] becoming more challenging for us

[36:40]

[36:40] internally to look at what was

[36:43]

[36:43] once a global regional budget,

[36:46] now

[36:46] now looking at it being more of

[36:48]

[36:48] a separated budget.

[36:50] so I would implore the

[36:52] municipalities to really do

[36:53] another hard look, and I know some of

[36:55] some of you are more advanced in

[36:56] this

[36:56] this and are appreciative, but

[36:59]

[36:59] collecting that accommodation

[37:00] tax would be a game changer because

[37:02] because we won't have to go back

[37:03] to

[37:03] to the county taxpayer to ask

[37:05] for more money, nor will there

[37:06]

[37:06] be a greater divide between what

[37:08]

[37:08] the city and county fund that

[37:10] organization. >>

[37:12] >> I just want to thank you for

[37:13] answering

[37:13] answering that for us,

[37:15] thank you.

[37:15] something to keep in mind in the

[37:17]

[37:17] future.

[37:17] >> councillor bailey?

[37:20] >> thank you very much, through

[37:22] you

[37:22] you warden, very thrilled to see

[37:24]

[37:24] this report, very thrilled to

[37:25] see the integrated work that's

[37:26]

[37:26] been going on, highly

[37:29] supportive.

[37:29] you will note too lakeshore

[37:31] recently did another thing, we

[37:33]

[37:33] will be bumping up at 33% I

[37:35] hope, and seeing a bit more

[37:37] happening in the counties so we

[37:38]

[37:38] hope to do that.

[37:39] I was wondering if you can walk

[37:41]

[37:41] me through slide number 14,

[37:45] mostly around the composition around

[37:48] around the board tables.

[37:49] fully understood the advisory

[37:52] committee approach on both sides

[37:53] of

[37:53] of the house, understand

[37:56] integration very well.

[37:57] just wondering about the board

[37:58]

[37:58] table, I heard you say the

[38:00] warden and mayor of the city, I

[38:01]

[38:01] wonder who else fills those

[38:04] positions?

[38:04] >> through you warden, thank you

[38:07] very

[38:07] very much for the question and

[38:08]

[38:08] thank you to lakeshore for

[38:11] implementing the municipal

[38:12] accommodation tax.

[38:14] I would like to point out that

[38:15] in

[38:15] in the past, the university

[38:17] board always had the mayor and

[38:18]

[38:18] the warden sit on that board.

[38:20] the tourism board always had three

[38:23] three representatives from city

[38:24]

[38:24] and three from county and a mayor of

[38:25] mayor of pelee island. And

[38:26] and that it was done based on

[38:28] the necessity about 15 years ago

[38:30]

[38:30] when the organization was

[38:31] struggling, and the elected

[38:34] officials wanted to get a hold

[38:35] of

[38:35] of the public funds and build

[38:37] that trust.

[38:38] we did that I think quite

[38:40] successfully and then we brought

[38:41]

[38:41] on four stakeholders to round

[38:44] out 11 member board.

[38:45] but we have continued that

[38:47] path. Now

[38:47] now that we are looking at this

[38:50] new

[38:50] new organization, it was felt that it

[38:51] that it may be at a higher level

[38:53]

[38:53] we would have more of a skilled

[38:55]

[38:55] based board and we would still

[38:57]

[38:57] have very importantly municipal

[38:59]

[38:59] representation. And

[38:59] and that would be the head of council and

[39:02] council and the head of the

[39:03] city council and county

[39:05] council.

[39:05] it was actually mayor meloche that

[39:07] that came up with a great idea,

[39:10] an

[39:10] an idea to the consultants that

[39:12] there will

[39:12] there will be an alternate,

[39:14] because we both know that the mayor

[39:15] mayor and the warden are very busy

[39:17] busy and if they cannot attend

[39:18] a

[39:18] meeting, then that

[39:19] representation is not there.

[39:21] so we came up with this idea of

[39:23]

[39:23] an alternate which I think is a

[39:24]

[39:24] great idea, I look at it for the

[39:26] four

[39:26] four years as well, and when the

[39:28] mayor

[39:28] mayor or warden, I'll take the

[39:31]

[39:31] warden example, they will get one

[39:33] one vote of their alternatives

[39:34]

[39:34] their, if they are both there,

[39:35] elizabeth

[39:35] elizabeth will be in tune with

[39:36]

[39:36] what's going on and have a

[39:37] chance to speak to the item.

[39:40] then the other positions we have

[39:41]

[39:41] failed because we don't have

[39:44] necessarily skills in finance,

[39:46]

[39:46] legal, hr, those would be the

[39:50] sorts of folks we would look at the

[39:52] the governance table.

[39:54] very much there is a need for expert

[39:59] expert representation, that's

[40:00] why we felt the secretary advisory

[40:02] advisory committee would come

[40:03] and play.

[40:04] we would have two silos, so to

[40:05]

[40:05] speak,, the tourism and

[40:08] economic.

[40:08] they would be open to people

[40:10] that are engaged and those

[40:13] environments, and they will

[40:15] funnel ideas, thoughts kirk

[40:17] suggestions to leadership of both

[40:19] both organizations and that

[40:21] information will be shared to me

[40:23]

[40:23] and brought to the board.

[40:25] the two secretary advisory

[40:26] committees will not have

[40:28] governance power, but more

[40:30] importantly they will be

[40:32] providing their time and expertise.

[40:33] providing their time and expertise.

[40:33] that is how we looked at

[40:35] structuring the new governance

[40:37]

[40:37] model of the organization. >>

[40:39] >> thank you so much, I am highly

[40:42] highly supportive of this model,

[40:44]

[40:44] expertise will be around at the

[40:46] table

[40:46] table and you will have that

[40:47] integration team going that will

[40:49]

[40:49] be a powerhouse, I'm happy to

[40:51] see people there.

[40:53] thank you.

[40:54] >> councillor mcnamara?

[40:56] >> thank you madam warden.

[41:00] certainly, no real question here but

[41:03] but a more comment, I think it

[41:08]

[41:08] is highly timed that we combined

[41:11] both.

[41:11] I firmly believe that tourism is

[41:14]

[41:14] another pillar of economic

[41:16] development, and when you start

[41:18]

[41:18] looking at the numbers, 5.16 million

[41:23] 5.16 million visitors, and

[41:25] spending over 800 million, and

[41:27]

[41:27] you look at 266 million in tax

[41:31]

[41:31] revenue, you are talking --

[41:33] those are big numbers.

[41:36] and I really like the concept in

[41:38]

[41:38] terms of combining that into an

[41:41] economic

[41:41] economic development because as

[41:43]

[41:43] I stated earlier, it is a pillar

[41:46] of economic

[41:46] of economic development.

[41:47] I really supported the fact that

[41:49]

[41:49] you are looking at a more broad based

[41:52] based professional board, a

[41:55] governance structure.

[41:56] I think it is high time, I think

[41:59] both

[41:59] both organizations, you alluded

[42:00] to

[42:00] to the reason why it was more

[42:03] involvement from the municipal

[42:06]

[42:06] representation, I firmly believe

[42:09] over the

[42:09] over the course of the years both

[42:10] both organizations have matured

[42:12] quite

[42:12] quite nicely and have done

[42:13] tremendous amount of work.

[42:16] as they say, figures don't lie,

[42:20] and

[42:20] and you have proven obviously

[42:21] time and time again.

[42:24] on the map tax I firmly support

[42:27]

[42:27] that, I remember when I was

[42:28] president of amo, my last term

[42:31] was

[42:31] was introduced as the provincial

[42:34] government

[42:34] government said, we would give

[42:36]

[42:36] you more tools in the toolbox to

[42:38]

[42:38] generate revenue.

[42:39] and what people have to

[42:40] understand is well, the revenue

[42:43]

[42:43] generated there from visitors coming

[42:44] coming into the community, it's

[42:46] not

[42:46] not from our own property tax

[42:48] owners and so forth.

[42:50] ploughing those dollars back into

[42:52] into promotion and other

[42:54] programmes, it takes away the

[42:55] pressure in terms of looking at

[42:58]

[42:58] additional rounds coming from

[42:59] the property tax base.

[43:01] I fully support that particular

[43:05]

[43:05] direction.

[43:05] it makes a whole lot of sense.

[43:08]

[43:08] I think it's timely that you are

[43:11]

[43:11] here, looking at these

[43:13] recommendations.

[43:13] I think it is now time to move

[43:20]

[43:20] forward and professionalize

[43:22] obviously the organization to

[43:23] the next level.

[43:25] because we're not competing just

[43:28]

[43:28] regionally or obviously the

[43:31] province, this is rural class,

[43:33]

[43:33] and I were trying to attract

[43:36] investment to the region on a

[43:37] professional level, as well as

[43:41]

[43:41] bringing those revenues here, I

[43:43]

[43:43] think that would be critical.

[43:45] I think the makeup of the board

[43:49]

[43:49] and using those resources that

[43:51]

[43:51] you already have, combining them

[43:55]

[43:55] under one roof in 2029 makes

[43:57] great sense.

[43:58] madam warden certainly the

[44:00] proper time I would be ready to

[44:01]

[44:01] move the recommendation. >>

[44:04] >> I will take note of that,

[44:06] thank you.

[44:07] councillors rogers? >>

[44:08] >> thank you madam warden,

[44:09] through you, appreciate this, seems

[44:12] seems like we have seen a lot of

[44:13]

[44:13] you guys lately.

[44:14] I will be straight to the point

[44:16]

[44:16] as I am good at, with two words

[44:17]

[44:17] at a point I would at me was

[44:20] beyond and automotive. We

[44:21] we all know the power and strength

[44:22] strength we have in the tool of the

[44:24] the automotive sector, but with

[44:28]

[44:28] windsor-essex here you know I will

[44:29] will ask about that.

[44:29] we have 3000 acres of under glass

[44:34] glass and that attracts a lot of

[44:36]

[44:36] those medium sized businesses.

[44:38]

[44:38] maybe some conversations you

[44:39] have moving forward, where did

[44:41]

[44:41] that invest windsor-essex is doing

[44:43] doing looking to attract those

[44:44]

[44:44] businesses to the county? >>

[44:47] >> through you warden, thank you

[44:49]

[44:49] very much.

[44:50] we hear you, every time you do

[44:52]

[44:52] mention -- yes, we are certainly

[44:54]

[44:54] automotive and that is very much

[44:56]

[44:56] the backbone, so to speak, of

[44:59] the area, at the end of the day there's

[45:01] there's a number of different sectors

[45:02] sectors we are looking at,

[45:04] defence is another one

[45:05] obviously, it is very hot right

[45:07]

[45:07] now, and we -- we hear you, and

[45:12]

[45:12] our investment attraction team

[45:13]

[45:13] is working diligently. >>

[45:17] >> councillor akpata? >>

[45:18] >> thank you madam warden,

[45:19] through you to the team, truly

[45:21]

[45:21] just a comment.

[45:21] had an opportunity to go to the

[45:23]

[45:23] opening of the gordie howe

[45:24] bridge, the first time, and then

[45:26]

[45:26] the second time, which was

[45:28] actually the realtime, I just want

[45:29] want you to take back to the

[45:31] staff you had on sandwich

[45:32] street, watch how they engage american

[45:34] american cyclists that came

[45:35] over.

[45:35] listened to some conversations

[45:38] and

[45:38] and eavesdropping kind of way

[45:40] but just involved kind of way,

[45:42] one of

[45:42] one of the things I really

[45:42] noticed was the engagement that

[45:44] your

[45:44] your folks had with the people

[45:45]

[45:45] who are visiting.

[45:47] and it was for me, sitting beside

[45:49] beside the small business owners

[45:52] where

[45:52] where the tourism stand was if

[45:54] I can

[45:54] can call it that, I watch how they

[45:56] they interact with business

[45:57] owners, and I watched how

[45:59] business owners interact with the american

[46:00] the american cyclists that came,

[46:01]

[46:01] and I just wanted to tell you please

[46:03] please take it back.

[46:05] wonderful.

[46:05] it was a really great day,

[46:10] especially -- I don't cycle but

[46:11] to see

[46:12] to see all these people cycling

[46:13] and

[46:13] to stop and talk to some of

[46:15] our american visitors who cross

[46:17]

[46:17] that day on their

[46:18] that day on their

[46:18]

[46:18] bicycles, who

[46:19] had never come over before, I

[46:21] was there when they discussed --

[46:22] there is

[46:22] there is a noodle factory across

[46:24] the

[46:24] the bridge we don't speak about

[46:25]

[46:25] it anymore, I was listening to the

[46:26] the gentleman talk about the noodle

[46:28] noodle factory with the owner of

[46:30]

[46:30] rockbottom, and just that entire

[46:31]

[46:31] engagement was done right beside

[46:34]

[46:34] your stand and your staff were

[46:35]

[46:35] engaged and it was wonderful.

[46:37] please bring my comments back.

[46:39] thank you.

[46:41] >> councillor meloche? >>

[46:43] >> thank you warden, through you,

[46:44] you, I just want to say

[46:45] thank you to your team and north

[46:46]

[46:46] guide, you guys worked very fast. [chuckling] in

[46:49] guide, you guys worked very fast. [chuckling] in

[46:49] in a very short period of time,

[46:50] got a

[46:50] got a lot of work done.

[46:52] I appreciate the fact that you

[46:54]

[46:54] took our comments from both

[46:55] wards to heart and presented us with something

[46:57] with something that I think

[46:58] everybody was very comfortable

[46:59]

[46:59] with moving forward, and that

[47:01] was not an easy task.

[47:02] I appreciated the three phases

[47:04]

[47:04] because I think this is a big

[47:05] step for our organizations, and

[47:07]

[47:07] a great way to move forward.

[47:09] I especially love that as of right

[47:11] right now you are keeping the two

[47:13] two brands because it is

[47:13] something we were very

[47:15] passionate about and did not

[47:15] want to lose, people know the logo

[47:18] logo and the brand, in west

[47:20] windsor essex so that it was

[47:22] important.

[47:22] thank you again and your team and

[47:25] and north guide because you guys

[47:26] really

[47:26] really listened to the members

[47:28] of

[47:28] of the board before you put this

[47:30]

[47:30] together, and I think you

[47:32] presented something that is

[47:34] really positive and will help

[47:36] our region moving forward so

[47:39] thank you. >>

[47:39] >> thank you, anybody else?

[47:42] in that case I am not going to

[47:45]

[47:45] -- sorry, I need to see hands a

[47:48]

[47:48] little higher if you don't mind.

[47:49] little higher if you don't mind.

[47:49] must be my eyesight, councillor

[47:52]

[47:52] bailey?

[47:52] >> thank you for giving me a second

[47:54] second chance, I wanted to say

[47:58] I

[47:58] hope you continue to reach out

[47:59]

[47:59] to local administration and

[48:02] local mayors when you come into

[48:03] our

[48:03] our communities as well, in

[48:06] particular because we are asking

[48:07]

[48:07] the province to you know consult

[48:09]

[48:09] with us and let us know before

[48:10]

[48:10] they do hydro connections and

[48:12] some of those bigger things

[48:13] happening.

[48:13] we are up against changing

[48:16] clients, data centres, and I

[48:18] hate to find out backwards

[48:20] right?

[48:20] as these things happen in our community

[48:22] community I hope the

[48:23] collaboration with our

[48:24] administration and council

[48:26] continues so we know that these

[48:28]

[48:28] consultations or questions or things

[48:30] things that are coming up we would like

[48:31] would like to know about them.

[48:33]

[48:33] welcome you to continue that good

[48:34] good collaboration and dialogue

[48:35]

[48:35] with us. >>

[48:37] >> through you warden, to the

[48:39] councillor, thank you very

[48:40] much.

[48:40] absolutely.

[48:40] and I will also say we have a

[48:44] regional tourism committee now,

[48:45]

[48:45] and regional economic

[48:46] development committee.

[48:47] a lot of them shared the same

[48:49] hat, but we are going to keep

[48:51] those folks from the

[48:52] administrative teams certainly up

[48:53] up to date, and you have my

[48:55] commitment as much as you have

[48:56] for

[48:56] for the last 16 years of being

[48:58] out

[48:58] out to council at least once a

[48:59]

[48:59] year.

[48:59] itis, we are there. >>

[49:03] >> thank you.

[49:05] I won't reread the entire

[49:07] recommendation for council but

[49:10] for the

[49:10] for the recommendations county

[49:11]

[49:11] council, county of essex council

[49:13]

[49:13] approve the alignment

[49:15] recommendations, and that is

[49:16] moved by councillor mcnamara,

[49:18] looking for a secondary?

[49:20] councillor meloche.

[49:21] any further comments or questions

[49:23] questions in that regard?

[49:25] will we vote electronically?

[49:27] okay, we will vote

[49:28] electronically please.

[49:31] and that is a unanimous stamp of

[49:47]

[49:47] approval, well done.

[49:48] well done.

[49:49] looking forward to what is

[49:51] next.

[49:51] thank you and thank you to your team

[49:54] team as well we appreciate all

[49:55] of

[49:55] of you puck moving on to

[49:58] communications, there are 12

[50:00] pieces of correspondence listed

[50:01] on

[50:01] on the agenda this evening, one of which

[50:03] of which council has already

[50:05] received, any items of

[50:07] correspondence that council

[50:07] wishes to discuss further?

[50:10] councillor bondy. >>

[50:11] >> thank you warden macdonald,

[50:13]

[50:13] there are two items in particular

[50:15] particular interest to myself,

[50:16] I

[50:16] will start with the easy one,

[50:18] which is ten .1.8, I would like

[50:22]

[50:22] to pull that and see if there is

[50:25]

[50:25] a will from county council to

[50:27] support it.

[50:27] it is in regards to the public

[50:30]

[50:30] library operating branch, it

[50:32] appears the branch has been frozen

[50:34] frozen since the 90s and so we

[50:36]

[50:36] are stuck at the same value even

[50:38]

[50:38] though there is increases each

[50:40] year.

[50:40] so it would be really nice to

[50:42] see if the province would revisit

[50:45] revisit funding that grant more,

[50:47] which would

[50:47] which would help us here locally

[50:49]

[50:49] so I would like to move that we

[50:50]

[50:50] endorse the resolution passed by

[50:52]

[50:52] the township of armour regarding

[50:55] the

[50:55] the sustainable ontario public

[50:56]

[50:56] library fund, and further

[50:58] council directed staff to

[51:01] support this letter and send it

[51:05] to the

[51:05] to the premier and perhaps also

[51:06]

[51:06] amo and federation of ontario

[51:08] public libraries and perhaps the

[51:11]

[51:11] western wardens conference?

[51:14] >> western ontario conference.

[51:16] >>

[51:16] >> yes, them.

[51:18] if I could get a seconder I

[51:19] would like to support that

[51:20] please.

[51:20] >> councillor bailey is the

[51:23] seconder, any further comments

[51:24]

[51:24] or questions by anyone?

[51:27] then I will ask all in favour?

[51:30]

[51:30] opposed?

[51:30] and that is carried.

[51:33] okay.

[51:33] and there is another one?

[51:37] >> yes thank you warden.

[51:41] 10.1.9.

[51:41] I was really happy to see this

[51:46]

[51:46] annual report from chc, it has

[51:48]

[51:48] some very good tidbits in there

[51:50] but I

[51:50] but I know they are investing

[51:51] into their current stock in the

[51:54]

[51:54] county.

[51:54] what I did notice is they do have

[51:57] have some new builds, and none

[52:00] of

[52:00] of them happened to be in the county.

[52:02] of them happened to be in the county.

[52:02] so we do know the service

[52:04] manager for housing was

[52:05] scheduled to come to county

[52:07] council on the 16th, and they

[52:09] have now said they are not coming.

[52:11] have now said they are not coming.

[52:11] so I want to see all the work

[52:13] they are doing, but I also think

[52:16] it's

[52:16] it's imperative for us as this

[52:18]

[52:18] current council to reach out to

[52:19]

[52:19] the service manager, city of

[52:21] windsor because current council

[52:22]

[52:22] asked many questions.

[52:23] we have not got any answers when

[52:25]

[52:25] it comes to housing.

[52:27] on july 17th, I sent several

[52:30] questions in as per the request

[52:33]

[52:33] to discuss with the service

[52:35] manager in advance.

[52:36] I am wondering if there is

[52:39] support to have questions sent

[52:41] to

[52:41] to the service manager by writing

[52:44] writing and have them write back

[52:45]

[52:45] to us.

[52:47] I am looking to the warden and

[52:49]

[52:49] cao for advice. I

[52:50] I would like to get it on record

[52:52] that

[52:52] that I want them to look into the

[52:53] the ratio of how people go into

[52:55]

[52:55] housing, I want them to look

[52:57] into what new builds are coming

[52:58]

[52:58] into essex county, what are the

[53:00]

[53:00] major investment projects coming

[53:02] to

[53:02] to the county, when social

[53:04] housing reports go to city council

[53:05] city council can we find them on

[53:06]

[53:06] our county council agenda, what

[53:08]

[53:08] is the distribution of housing

[53:10] in

[53:10] in the city versus the county,

[53:11] and where

[53:11] and where are the newest builds

[53:13]

[53:13] located, and what is the last

[53:15] housing wait-list review, and

[53:17] this is the one that is almost

[53:19]

[53:19] the most important -- what security

[53:21] security measures are being put

[53:22]

[53:22] in place for county units that

[53:25] are

[53:25] are experiencing an increase in

[53:27]

[53:27] crime?

[53:27] because people are getting put

[53:30]

[53:30] in housing units in the county

[53:32]

[53:32] without the proper supports, and

[53:34]

[53:34] I get messages every single day,

[53:37]

[53:37] almost every single hour, there

[53:39]

[53:39] is a crime posted on

[53:41] social media into the

[53:43] municipality of essex due to

[53:44] people put in housing without

[53:46] the proper support.

[53:47] this discussion has been pushed

[53:49]

[53:49] and pushed, and it cannot wait

[53:52]

[53:52] until 2027 because this council

[53:53]

[53:53] has been asking residents

[53:55] experiencing crime daily, because of

[53:57] because of a lack of support

[53:57] from the service manager at the

[53:59]

[53:59] city of windsor, we cannot

[54:01] wait.

[54:01] I seek the advice from the cao

[54:03] and

[54:03] and warden on what can be done

[54:04] in

[54:04] in the current term of council

[54:06]

[54:06] to address the housing issues we

[54:09] have

[54:09] have from the failed action from

[54:10]

[54:10] the city of windsor service

[54:12] manager. >>

[54:13] >> three warden to county

[54:14] council, so I would have no issue

[54:18] issue taking your questions and

[54:19]

[54:19] thank you councillor bondy for

[54:20]

[54:20] forwarding them, kind of like a

[54:22]

[54:22] last call for the rush to the

[54:23] group if you have other questions

[54:25] questions you would like to

[54:26] include, then I kind of put them

[54:28] together

[54:28] together and we can send them in

[54:30]

[54:30] writing to the city, and request

[54:33] they

[54:33] they respond in writing.

[54:35] we can do that out of this

[54:37] meeting.

[54:37] just a comment about your

[54:39] reference to crime and things

[54:42] happening, really a reminder to

[54:44]

[54:44] the public that if crimes are

[54:46] being committed, posting them on

[54:48]

[54:48] social media has no effect.

[54:50] please contact the proper

[54:52] authorities, call 911, call the

[54:55]

[54:55] police, to make sure those items

[54:57]

[54:57] are addressed, using

[55:00] social media as another

[55:02] channel.

[55:02] not quite frankly is sending

[55:05] them to us to put in writing to

[55:07]

[55:07] the city.

[55:07] those are serious issues and

[55:09] let's respond accordingly, but

[55:11]

[55:11] we can certainly put together a

[55:13]

[55:13] written package and in

[55:14] collaboration with our social

[55:17] manager and director of

[55:20] community services we can send

[55:21]

[55:21] that to the city for a

[55:23] response. >>

[55:24] >> thank you, through you warden

[55:25]

[55:25] macdonald, I want to thank our

[55:27]

[55:27] ceo for taking the questions, that

[55:29] that is greater.

[55:30] I will continue to relay the

[55:31] message to residents to call

[55:33] police, many times they do call

[55:34]

[55:34] police, the police do what they

[55:36]

[55:36] can, the people go in jail and then

[55:38] then they get let back out

[55:39] because of the court system.

[55:41] so the court system is failing

[55:43]

[55:43] our residents.

[55:44] and I also get calls on the

[55:46] amount of calls per service and

[55:47]

[55:47] our social housing, and it is through

[55:50] through the roof.

[55:51] from an opp calls per service

[55:52] because we get billed calls per

[55:55]

[55:55] service, we want people to call

[55:56]

[55:56] the police but right now we are

[55:58] reactive,

[55:58] reactive, we are not proactive

[56:00]

[56:00] in serving the needs of our community

[56:02] community because the system

[56:03] that the city of windsor service

[56:05]

[56:05] manager has in place for how

[56:06] people go in housing, is failing

[56:09]

[56:09] all of us.

[56:10] acid three or four times and I

[56:11] will

[56:11] will say it again, I encourage

[56:13] county

[56:13] county councillors to also

[56:15] submit questions, I will go through

[56:17] through the list more, but

[56:18] something has to change and it

[56:20]

[56:20] cannot keep waiting. >>

[56:24] >> thank you.

[56:25] any other correspondence you

[56:27] want to pull out?

[56:29] deputy mayor?

[56:30] sorry, deputy warden?

[56:32] >> thank you, through you

[56:34] warden, a question I would like

[56:35] to

[56:35] to pull out, 10.1.5 and perhaps 10.1.3

[56:44] 10.1.3 I know we have the general

[56:45] general manager of the windsor

[56:46]

[56:46] essex conservation authority

[56:48] here, on the correspondence it

[56:50]

[56:50] gives timelines to be able to provide

[56:52] provide input I believe,

[56:54] september 14th, regarding the

[56:56] western lake erie and transition

[56:58] board

[56:58] board that is being formed.

[57:00] just if we can ask mr. Burney to

[57:02] come

[57:02] come up, I do have some questions

[57:04] questions for him regarding this

[57:06]

[57:06] correspondence. >> sounds

[57:07] >> sounds good to me, tim do you

[57:09]

[57:09] mind coming up?

[57:12] there is a five minute rule,

[57:19] just throwing that out there.

[57:20] [laughter]

[57:20] you know before the end of the

[57:22] term I

[57:22] term I had to do that.

[57:25] >> thank you.

[57:27] I would just like to start out,

[57:28]

[57:28] I know that you have some

[57:32] concerns of being a board member

[57:34] on

[57:34] on the windsor essex

[57:35] conservation authority for many

[57:36]

[57:36] years, I see the work that is

[57:39] done and now with the transition

[57:41] team

[57:41] team that we see, in the other

[57:43]

[57:43] correspondence with yourself and

[57:45]

[57:45] the chair, what is going to

[57:49] happen to things that we have in

[57:52]

[57:52] place?

[57:52] are we able to provide input --

[57:55]

[57:55] the impact that our conservation

[57:57]

[57:57] authority will have?

[57:58] my concern is in terms of

[58:00] affordability, who is going to

[58:02]

[58:02] control the levy?

[58:04] obviously the new board, and

[58:05] have you seen any numbers going

[58:08]

[58:08] into the future, what that may

[58:11]

[58:11] entail?

[58:11] because in terms of our region

[58:13]

[58:13] here, essex region conservation

[58:16]

[58:16] authority, we have been running

[58:17]

[58:17] a lean machine in terms of making

[58:19] making sure our local

[58:21] municipalities come budget times

[58:24]

[58:24] here -- what do you foresee, what

[58:25] what are you hearing?

[58:27] that is kind of a question, in

[58:29]

[58:29] terms of the two correspondence

[58:30] I would

[58:30] I would like to make sure we

[58:31] have the proper input.

[58:34] >> thank you, through you

[58:36] warden.

[58:36] we have received some

[58:38] information recently with

[58:40] respect to the potential for

[58:44] levy portion in a result of the

[58:46]

[58:46] redistribution, as the

[58:48] contributions always prided

[58:50] themselves of being one of the

[58:51]

[58:51] lowest, one-third of the 36

[58:54] conservation authorities for

[58:56] levy portions.

[58:57] that has been kept low, we have applied

[58:59] applied for a senior level

[59:01] grant, ngo grants to support a

[59:03]

[59:03] programmes and the operations of this

[59:08] this organization.

[59:08] at the moment the conservation

[59:11]

[59:11] authorities levy apportioned on

[59:14]

[59:14] operations is $18.58 per $300,000 household

[59:21] $300,000 household based on the

[59:23]

[59:23] modified evaluated assessment.

[59:26]

[59:26] our nearest neighbour, levy

[59:29] again is $300,000 assessment,

[59:32] value is $32 per household.

[59:35] the other predecessor

[59:39] conservation authorities and the

[59:41] new

[59:41] new amalgamated group we

[59:42] referred to as [unclear] will be

[59:46]

[59:46] forcedwill be forced to operate

[59:49] to with

[59:50] an average levy apportionment

[59:51] that operate will be a

[59:53] that operate will be a

[59:53]

[59:53] significant

[59:54] increase from what erca has been

[59:56]

[59:56] able to offer the city of

[59:59] windsor and other municipalities

[1:00:01] of

[1:00:01] of the county.

[1:00:02] at this point in time, we are

[1:00:05] anticipating over a $1 million

[1:00:08]

[1:00:08] levy increase, just as a result

[1:00:12] of the

[1:00:12] of the redistribution going from

[1:00:16]

[1:00:16] local appointment to a more

[1:00:19] blended, regional level.

[1:00:20] so windsor essex can be looking

[1:00:23]

[1:00:23] at, without any budgetary

[1:00:25] increase and anything else, a

[1:00:27] redistribution of apportionment

[1:00:29]

[1:00:29] increase and a levy by a million

[1:00:31]

[1:00:31] dollars.

[1:00:31] >> and that is why I want to

[1:00:36] raise this point.

[1:00:38] if this council is open to it,

[1:00:41] just

[1:00:41] just send a letter to a local

[1:00:44] mpp who told us that this is a

[1:00:46]

[1:00:46] good thing.

[1:00:47] it is just redistributing, it is

[1:00:50]

[1:00:50] making everybody stronger.

[1:00:51] there are no changes.

[1:00:54] but when these changes impact local

[1:00:56] local municipalities in terms of

[1:00:58]

[1:00:58] their tax levy, and we heard it

[1:00:59]

[1:00:59] here with these changes, these

[1:01:01]

[1:01:01] are huge numbers.

[1:01:03] and I would like, perhaps, a response

[1:01:06] response on how this is good

[1:01:08] moving forward.

[1:01:08] this whole restructuring, where

[1:01:10]

[1:01:10] it is costing our local

[1:01:11] taxpayers money in the end.

[1:01:13] so I don't know if we can send

[1:01:15] a

[1:01:15] letter, but I would like a

[1:01:16] response from our local mpps on

[1:01:18]

[1:01:18] this, thank you.

[1:01:21] >> I will support that letter.

[1:01:27]

[1:01:27] >> that was my question.

[1:01:28] so you want to make the motion

[1:01:30]

[1:01:30] that we send a letter to our

[1:01:32] local mpps in regards to the

[1:01:34] conservation authority?

[1:01:36] >> if you don't mind.

[1:01:37] through you warden, if they can

[1:01:40]

[1:01:40] draft the letter, I trust the

[1:01:42] contents as basically the legend

[1:01:44] is

[1:01:44] is how this is good to justify

[1:01:48]

[1:01:48] the million, correct.

[1:01:49] thank you councillor.

[1:01:51] >> it has been moved by deputy

[1:01:53]

[1:01:53] warden and seconded by

[1:01:55] councillor bondy, all in favour

[1:01:56] of

[1:01:56] of sending a letter?

[1:01:58] opposed?

[1:01:58] and that's carried.

[1:02:00] thank you.

[1:02:01] tim, thank you.

[1:02:04] any other correspondence anyone

[1:02:06]

[1:02:06] wants to pull out?

[1:02:09] seeing none, there is a

[1:02:11] recommendation that the correspondence

[1:02:12] correspondence listed on the

[1:02:13] regular agenda be received and

[1:02:15]

[1:02:15] any noted action approved.

[1:02:18] moved by councillor verbeke,

[1:02:21] seconded by councillor gibb.

[1:02:22] all in favour by show of hands?

[1:02:25]

[1:02:25] opposed?

[1:02:25] that is carried, thank you.

[1:02:29] no resolutions this evening.

[1:02:31] on consent agenda there are three

[1:02:33] three items listed.

[1:02:34] they are amendments of the essex

[1:02:37]

[1:02:37] windsor solid waste authority

[1:02:38] board meeting.

[1:02:39] minutes of the windsor essex community

[1:02:41] community safety and well-being

[1:02:43] advisory

[1:02:43] advisory committee and

[1:02:44] outstanding matters report for

[1:02:46]

[1:02:46] september second.

[1:02:47] any questions for administration

[1:02:48] on

[1:02:48] on the matters listed on

[1:02:50] consent?

[1:02:50] seeing none, then the

[1:02:53] recommendation is that the

[1:02:54] minutes presented as items 11.1

[1:02:57]

[1:02:57] and 11.2 and the administrative

[1:03:00] report

[1:03:00] report listed as item 11.3 on

[1:03:01] the consent agenda be received

[1:03:03] as

[1:03:03] as information.

[1:03:05] moved by councillor mcnamara

[1:03:06] and seconded by councillor

[1:03:08] shepley.

[1:03:08] any discussion on the motion?

[1:03:12] I will ask you to vote

[1:03:13] electronically, please.

[1:03:17] and that is carried, thank you.

[1:03:30]

[1:03:30] we are on to reports and

[1:03:32] questions.

[1:03:32] the first report is the regional

[1:03:35]

[1:03:35] planning framework for

[1:03:36] artificial intelligence and high

[1:03:39]

[1:03:39] density data centres.

[1:03:40] for that report we have rebecca,

[1:03:44]

[1:03:44] manager of planning.

[1:03:46] rebecca?

[1:03:46] over to you.

[1:03:52] >> thank you warden,

[1:03:56] good evening.

[1:03:56] the report to county council this

[1:03:58] this evening is provided in

[1:03:59] response to the notice of motion

[1:04:02] directing

[1:04:02] directing administration to

[1:04:03] report back with the scope of

[1:04:05] work and resource requirements

[1:04:07]

[1:04:07] needed to study the land use

[1:04:09] planning policies related to ai

[1:04:10]

[1:04:10] data centres.

[1:04:11] should council direct

[1:04:13] administration to advance this

[1:04:15]

[1:04:15] regional study, the rfp can be ready

[1:04:18] ready to be completed by the end

[1:04:19]

[1:04:19] of september, with a draft report

[1:04:21] report addressing ai data centres

[1:04:23] centres planned to be ready

[1:04:24] during the first quarter of 2027.

[1:04:27] during the first quarter of 2027.

[1:04:27] due to the significant workload

[1:04:29]

[1:04:29] already in the planning department,

[1:04:31] department, it is recommended

[1:04:32] that a contract be pursued for the

[1:04:35] the specialized consultant

[1:04:37] services and that this perceived procurement

[1:04:40] procurement with a maximum upset

[1:04:41]

[1:04:41] limit of 150,000 to be funded through

[1:04:44] through the county's rate

[1:04:45] stabilization reserve.

[1:04:47] the report also summarizes the

[1:04:50] complex

[1:04:50] complex jurisdictional overlap

[1:04:51] and

[1:04:51] and addressing the approval process

[1:04:54] process relating to large scale

[1:04:55]

[1:04:55] ai data centres with the

[1:04:58] identification that the county

[1:04:59] s

[1:04:59] rule is actually quite limited

[1:05:03] .

[1:05:03] at the time that the report was

[1:05:06] under

[1:05:06] under preparation, the province

[1:05:08]

[1:05:08] then released the draft

[1:05:09] data center playbook on the

[1:05:11] environmental registry, seeking

[1:05:13]

[1:05:13] feedback with a deadline

[1:05:15] of september 12th.

[1:05:17] as noted in the report, the

[1:05:20] playbook is specifically a grid

[1:05:22]

[1:05:22] connection framework that

[1:05:24] outlines how the province will

[1:05:25]

[1:05:25] make grid connection decisions.

[1:05:28]

[1:05:28] it contains specific guidance,

[1:05:31] criteria

[1:05:31] criteria that must be met with

[1:05:33]

[1:05:33] new ai data centres to be

[1:05:36] approved for connection to the

[1:05:37]

[1:05:37] electricity grid.

[1:05:40] only proposals that meet the

[1:05:42] strategic priority assessment

[1:05:43] pillars will be considered for

[1:05:45]

[1:05:45] approval.

[1:05:45] the final version of the

[1:05:47] playbook is intended to be

[1:05:49] available by the end of this

[1:05:51] year.

[1:05:51] pending county council's

[1:05:54] directions this evening, a response

[1:05:56] response will be prepared

[1:05:58] addressing the recommended

[1:05:59] comments in the report.

[1:06:03] and this response on the

[1:06:04] playbook would be sent seeking

[1:06:07]

[1:06:07] further advocacy.

[1:06:08] the proposed correspondence also

[1:06:11] formally

[1:06:11] formally recommends a trilateral

[1:06:14] and

[1:06:14] and collaborative technical

[1:06:16] siting strategy.

[1:06:18] this concludes my comments on

[1:06:20] the report, but I would be

[1:06:21] pleased to answer any questions

[1:06:23]

[1:06:23] of county council. >>

[1:06:24] >> thank you rebecca.

[1:06:25] comments, questions? Councillor

[1:06:28] councillor waldstedt, we will

[1:06:29] start with you. >>

[1:06:30] >> thank you madam warden.

[1:06:31] I read the report in detail.

[1:06:34] I really don't see the advantage

[1:06:35] of

[1:06:35] of the county spending $150,000

[1:06:38]

[1:06:38] on a report or 90 to $150,000.

[1:06:43]

[1:06:43] and you mentioned the county's

[1:06:45]

[1:06:45] jurisdiction is somewhat

[1:06:47] limited.

[1:06:47] so I think this type of issue

[1:06:49] needs to be left up to the

[1:06:50] individual municipalities.

[1:06:51] I know lakeshore has already

[1:06:54] taken some action with a bylaw

[1:07:00]

[1:07:00] to delay -- I. Forget exactly what the

[1:07:03] what the terminology is.

[1:07:04] to delay it for a year.

[1:07:05] and then it can be extended

[1:07:07] another year.

[1:07:08] that motion is already on the

[1:07:09] floor at lakeshore.

[1:07:11] so I really don't see the necessity

[1:07:13] necessity or the need for the

[1:07:15] county to spend that kind of money

[1:07:18] money in a rushed manner.

[1:07:21] I'm sure the report would be

[1:07:23] done properly, but I just don't

[1:07:25]

[1:07:25] see the benefit of spending 90 up

[1:07:29] up to $150,000 for something

[1:07:30] that will be, in this case, will

[1:07:33]

[1:07:33] be and should be left at the

[1:07:35] local level, thank you.

[1:07:38] >> anyone else?

[1:07:41] councillor shepley?

[1:07:43] >> through you madam warden.

[1:07:45] my understanding is the study that

[1:07:46] that we are going to have to do,

[1:07:49] you

[1:07:49] you will be looking at it from

[1:07:50] a

[1:07:50] lens of our municipal for us,

[1:07:54] not just broadly at the county

[1:07:55]

[1:07:55] level, we looked at it at what

[1:07:57]

[1:07:57] will be beneficial to all the

[1:07:59] municipalities of the area,

[1:08:01] correct?

[1:08:01] >> through you warden, that is

[1:08:04]

[1:08:04] correct.

[1:08:04] the intent of the study will

[1:08:06] look at the county official

[1:08:07] plan, local official plans, the

[1:08:11]

[1:08:11] specifics of your zoning bylaws,

[1:08:13]

[1:08:13] your site plan control bylaw and

[1:08:16] even

[1:08:16] even recommendations relating to

[1:08:19]

[1:08:19] other local bylaws.

[1:08:22] there may be -- this is such a

[1:08:25]

[1:08:25] specific land use and the

[1:08:26] implications associated with this

[1:08:28] this land use are something we

[1:08:29]

[1:08:29] have never contemplated before.

[1:08:32]

[1:08:32] so there may also be

[1:08:34] recommendations for other local

[1:08:37]

[1:08:37] bylaws, updates to your bylaws.

[1:08:40] >> thank you.

[1:08:40] further to that, I initially was

[1:08:41] of

[1:08:41] of the same opinion that broadly

[1:08:43]

[1:08:43] the county wouldn't be able to

[1:08:45]

[1:08:45] do a whole lot if they looked at

[1:08:48] it

[1:08:48] it just from the county lens.

[1:08:50] but I can support it on that and

[1:08:53] at

[1:08:53] at the same time, we will still

[1:08:55] be

[1:08:55] be submitting those questions in

[1:08:58] our

[1:08:58] our positions to the province for

[1:08:59] for the 12th, -- correct?

[1:09:02] >> through you warden, that is

[1:09:04]

[1:09:04] correct.

[1:09:04] we would be putting together the

[1:09:06]

[1:09:06] scope of work for the rfp for

[1:09:08] the regional study.

[1:09:10] at the same time, the drive

[1:09:13] letter, should we be directed

[1:09:14] this evening to advance the

[1:09:16] letter, it will be finalized

[1:09:19] under the warden's signature and

[1:09:20]

[1:09:20] sent to amo for advocacy.

[1:09:23] there is a deadline

[1:09:25] of september 12th and it was

[1:09:27] identified that the playbook is

[1:09:29] intended

[1:09:29] intended to be completed and finalized by

[1:09:32] finalized by the end of this

[1:09:33] year.

[1:09:33] so the sooner that letter goes

[1:09:35]

[1:09:35] in, the sooner there is

[1:09:37] opportunity for consideration of those

[1:09:38] those comments that are listed

[1:09:40] in

[1:09:40] in the report.

[1:09:42] as well as noted in the report,

[1:09:44]

[1:09:44] we are, in addition to what is

[1:09:46]

[1:09:46] recommended in the playbook,

[1:09:48] recommending consideration of a

[1:09:50]

[1:09:50] trilateral strategy as well.

[1:09:54] >> councillor deyong?

[1:09:58] >> thank you warden.

[1:09:58] I want to thank rebecca for the

[1:10:00]

[1:10:00] report.

[1:10:00] I know there is probably more in

[1:10:02]

[1:10:02] it than we started with because the

[1:10:04] the playbook came out right in

[1:10:05]

[1:10:05] the middle of our discussion.

[1:10:07] I definitely agree with the study's

[1:10:09] study's scope, I think you have

[1:10:11]

[1:10:11] hit just everything in there and

[1:10:13]

[1:10:13] it shows how little is actually

[1:10:14] known

[1:10:14] known about this, that we need

[1:10:17] this

[1:10:17] this information and it is not

[1:10:19]

[1:10:19] easily attained right now.

[1:10:21] and I appreciate the feedback letter

[1:10:23] letter and just want to highlight

[1:10:24] highlight that I think the most

[1:10:25]

[1:10:25] important point is the

[1:10:27] municipalities must be offered

[1:10:28] a first

[1:10:29] first right of refusal prior to

[1:10:30]

[1:10:30] the province approving any grid

[1:10:31]

[1:10:31] connections for this industry.

[1:10:35]

[1:10:35] with respect to whether the idea

[1:10:38]

[1:10:38] is we should start now or wait,

[1:10:40] I think

[1:10:40] I think that is the discussion

[1:10:41] now.

[1:10:41] whether it makes sense to wait

[1:10:43]

[1:10:43] until the playbook comes out and

[1:10:44]

[1:10:44] figure out what municipalities

[1:10:46]

[1:10:46] can do, or start the study and

[1:10:52] have

[1:10:52] have something in our back

[1:10:53] pockets before this may become

[1:10:55] something

[1:10:55] something that we now have to

[1:10:56] fight against.

[1:10:57] and I thought about that since

[1:10:59]

[1:10:59] reading the report and I think

[1:11:02]

[1:11:02] we are kind of in a bit of a fortunate

[1:11:04] fortunate situation that we can

[1:11:05]

[1:11:05] get a little bit ahead of it.

[1:11:06] the province hasn't decided exactly

[1:11:08] exactly what they will do yet.

[1:11:09] we can get comments and start the

[1:11:11] the study and then when we are

[1:11:13]

[1:11:13] ready to assert something, we will

[1:11:15] will actually know what it is we

[1:11:16] need

[1:11:16] need to assert.

[1:11:17] and right now we don't.

[1:11:18] and in terms of each

[1:11:20] municipality doing their own

[1:11:21] thing, anyone who wants to put

[1:11:22]

[1:11:22] in an interim control bylaw, which

[1:11:25] which some may want to do that,

[1:11:26] that

[1:11:26] that requires a study.

[1:11:27] you cannot put an interim

[1:11:29] control bylaw without a study.

[1:11:31]

[1:11:31] so I think the fact that the county

[1:11:32] county can do that on behalf of

[1:11:34]

[1:11:34] everyone makes sense to me.

[1:11:36] so I do appreciate your work here

[1:11:38] here and I will support the

[1:11:39] recommendation that we go

[1:11:41] forward.

[1:11:41] thank you.

[1:11:43] >> councillor prue?

[1:11:46] >> on a similar vein, I want to

[1:11:48]

[1:11:48] make sure that whatever company

[1:11:49] we

[1:11:49] we hire to do this study, they

[1:11:51]

[1:11:51] will do the study on behalf of the

[1:11:53] the whole county.

[1:11:55] and then they will make

[1:11:57] recommendations to the

[1:11:58] municipalities.

[1:11:58] or if the municipalities are

[1:12:01] involved later on in having some

[1:12:04]

[1:12:04] corporation say they want ai,

[1:12:06] will that same group be able to

[1:12:08]

[1:12:08] advise the county through your

[1:12:13]

[1:12:13] office and have that transfer to

[1:12:14]

[1:12:14] any of the municipalities so that

[1:12:16] that they can prepare their

[1:12:17] bylaws?

[1:12:17] I just want to make sure, because

[1:12:20] because if that is the thing,

[1:12:21] this is essential.

[1:12:24] >> through you warden, the

[1:12:26] intent of the scope of work is

[1:12:28]

[1:12:28] to get into the weeds of looking

[1:12:29]

[1:12:29] at your official plans, your

[1:12:32] zoning bylaws.

[1:12:33] you are going to look at your

[1:12:35] weather municipal bylaws and see

[1:12:37]

[1:12:37] how they could be updated and be

[1:12:41] a

[1:12:41] a resource at such a time that

[1:12:43] a

[1:12:43] data center comes forward, that

[1:12:44]

[1:12:44] you are already ready for it.

[1:12:46] coming out of this study, there

[1:12:48]

[1:12:48] will be implementation that will

[1:12:50] need

[1:12:50] need to happen at the local

[1:12:52] level.

[1:12:52] if there are recommendations

[1:12:55] coming out of this that the

[1:12:58] zoning bylaw very likely needs

[1:13:00]

[1:13:00] some updates, the local planning

[1:13:02]

[1:13:02] department will then have to go

[1:13:05]

[1:13:05] away and run a form of a zoning

[1:13:07]

[1:13:07] bylaw amendment, possibly an

[1:13:09] official plan amendment, updates

[1:13:11] to

[1:13:11] to the site plan control bylaws

[1:13:13]

[1:13:13] as some examples.

[1:13:14] so there will be local

[1:13:15] implementation when we are doing

[1:13:17]

[1:13:17] this study.

[1:13:18] >> I just want to make sure that

[1:13:20] the

[1:13:20] the whole thing that the local

[1:13:21]

[1:13:21] does will be predicated on what

[1:13:23]

[1:13:23] the county has said and what has

[1:13:27] been

[1:13:27] been recommended.

[1:13:28] >> through you, warden, I have

[1:13:31]

[1:13:31] already talked to the municipal

[1:13:33] planners,

[1:13:33] planners, they are fully informed.

[1:13:35] planners, they are fully informed.

[1:13:35] I met with them last week.

[1:13:37] they will be a part of the

[1:13:39] planning steering committee, they

[1:13:40] they have already received the

[1:13:42] report that

[1:13:42] report that is in front

[1:13:43] of county council this evening.

[1:13:45]

[1:13:45] they will be at the table all

[1:13:46] the way throughout the process.

[1:13:49]

[1:13:49] >> I thank you very much.

[1:13:50] then I will support the report

[1:13:52]

[1:13:52] as well.

[1:13:54] >> councillor bailey?

[1:13:56] >> thank you warden, through

[1:13:58] you, I was very thrilled with

[1:13:59] the report.

[1:14:00] and in particular some of the advocacy

[1:14:02] advocacy that will be able to go

[1:14:03] in.

[1:14:03] in particular, related to the grid

[1:14:05] grid connections.

[1:14:06] because we see these things

[1:14:07] happen in the community all the

[1:14:09] time.

[1:14:09] I was really happy about that.

[1:14:13]

[1:14:13] councillor deyong, you took most

[1:14:14] of

[1:14:14] of what I was going to say

[1:14:16] because I also had in my notes

[1:14:17] the

[1:14:17] the things that you stated, I won't

[1:14:19] won't state those things again.

[1:14:21]

[1:14:21] I am highly supportive of the

[1:14:23] report pending, in fact

[1:14:24] lakeshore did table a motion for

[1:14:26]

[1:14:26] the interim control bylaw and will

[1:14:29] will proceed through that process

[1:14:30] process and into the

[1:14:31] moratorium. And

[1:14:31] and it is pending the

[1:14:34] collaboration with the county in the

[1:14:36] the development and

[1:14:37] implementation of this report,

[1:14:38]

[1:14:38] thank you for that.

[1:14:41] >> councillor mcnamara?

[1:14:44] >> thank you madam warden.

[1:14:47] one of the concerns that I have

[1:14:48]

[1:14:48] as well is that -- and you

[1:14:51] alluded to councillor deyong,

[1:14:55] you said at amo, when the

[1:14:57] premier was speaking and this was

[1:14:59] was part of his speech, talked

[1:15:02]

[1:15:02] about data centres and so

[1:15:04] forth.

[1:15:04] and it didn't give me a lot of

[1:15:07]

[1:15:07] confidence in terms of the

[1:15:09] direction that the province is

[1:15:11]

[1:15:11] going.

[1:15:11] and I think this is a critical

[1:15:13]

[1:15:13] stage for us, because this is

[1:15:15] new, as you alluded to.

[1:15:19] and we have to find some sort of

[1:15:25]

[1:15:25] baseline for all municipalities

[1:15:26] in

[1:15:26] in the region because you certainly don't

[1:15:28] certainly don't want to be

[1:15:28] pitting one against the other when

[1:15:30] when they are trying to find

[1:15:34] areas of, in their mind, where

[1:15:37]

[1:15:37] they should be placed and so

[1:15:39] forth, to have some sort of a standard

[1:15:42] standard bylaw or rules of

[1:15:43] engagement, known exactly in

[1:15:46] terms of the power requirements,

[1:15:48]

[1:15:48] water and everything that goes

[1:15:51]

[1:15:51] into the requirements of data centres.

[1:15:53] into the requirements of data centres.

[1:15:53] at least there's a standard

[1:15:55] within our region and so forth.

[1:15:57] I think it buys us a bit of

[1:15:58] time, because obviously the

[1:16:02] province -- would be interested

[1:16:03]

[1:16:03] enough to see what the province

[1:16:05]

[1:16:05] has come down in terms of

[1:16:07] regulations that they are

[1:16:09] proposing.

[1:16:09] but there really was no real

[1:16:13] direction.

[1:16:13] it was well, we can go this way

[1:16:16] or we

[1:16:16] or we can go that way.

[1:16:19] and so it didn't send a comfort

[1:16:21] level

[1:16:21] level in terms of a lot of the

[1:16:24]

[1:16:24] municipal delegates that were

[1:16:25] sitting in the room.

[1:16:26] so I think I will be supporting,

[1:16:28]

[1:16:28] obviously, the recommendation.

[1:16:30]

[1:16:30] because it does make sense.

[1:16:32] it gives us time and to put something

[1:16:33] something that I think is critical

[1:16:35] critical that all municipalities

[1:16:38]

[1:16:38] will at least have a great template

[1:16:40] template in terms of what we

[1:16:41] should and shouldn't do.

[1:16:44] >> and we will be sharing the

[1:16:47] cost of that study as well,

[1:16:49] amongst the seven of us.

[1:16:51] councillor akpata?

[1:16:52] >> thank you madam warden and

[1:16:53] through you. I

[1:16:54] I had a question from a resident

[1:16:56]

[1:16:56] who read this and loved it.

[1:16:57] they said kudos to you and some

[1:17:00]

[1:17:00] very nice things.

[1:17:01] the question is, from start to

[1:17:03]

[1:17:03] finish -- and you may not be able to

[1:17:04] able to answer this because I didn't

[1:17:05] didn't want to jump into it.

[1:17:07] if, for some reason, the

[1:17:08] legislation changes and these

[1:17:11] things are mandated, they said

[1:17:14]

[1:17:14] you shall.

[1:17:14] what happens to what we are

[1:17:15] working on? That

[1:17:16] that is a question they asked me

[1:17:20] me.

[1:17:20] >> through you warden, I hate to

[1:17:24]

[1:17:24] say this, we will have to see.

[1:17:26]

[1:17:26] this will be helpful

[1:17:28] information, no matter what.

[1:17:30] hopefully useful information.

[1:17:32] however, if it comes down that

[1:17:35]

[1:17:35] they are mandated, we will have

[1:17:36] to

[1:17:36] to consider our options at that

[1:17:39] point.

[1:17:39] but presently our documents or

[1:17:43]

[1:17:43] official plans and zoning bylaws

[1:17:44] don't

[1:17:44] don't address them at all.

[1:17:47] because we have never

[1:17:48] complicated something like

[1:17:50] this.

[1:17:50] so no matter what cactus is helpful

[1:17:53] helpful information for us.

[1:17:55] but we will have to see what

[1:17:56] approach we take if they come

[1:17:57] down in the mandate.

[1:18:00] >> and supplemental, madam

[1:18:02] warden, the group that contacted

[1:18:06] do

[1:18:06] do not want them.

[1:18:08] they want to make sure that as

[1:18:11]

[1:18:11] was described, a travelling road

[1:18:12]

[1:18:12] show going throughout the county

[1:18:13]

[1:18:13] so that folks would be able to

[1:18:15]

[1:18:15] travel within their own

[1:18:16] municipality or others to bring

[1:18:19] forth

[1:18:19] forth directly to the

[1:18:19] consultants.

[1:18:19] and again, not knowing just want to

[1:18:23] to make sure that is something

[1:18:24]

[1:18:24] that the public would be invited

[1:18:26] across

[1:18:26] across municipalities to bring

[1:18:27]

[1:18:27] forth comments and attend.

[1:18:28] and I want to make sure I don't

[1:18:30]

[1:18:30] want to speak on behalf of you.

[1:18:33]

[1:18:33] >> thank you warden.

[1:18:35] addressing comments and

[1:18:37] concerns, the comments that we

[1:18:38]

[1:18:38] will be submitting back on the

[1:18:41]

[1:18:41] playbook factor around and look

[1:18:44]

[1:18:44] at building monitoring, ensuring

[1:18:48]

[1:18:48] there is protections for

[1:18:50] municipalities and community

[1:18:54] benefits.

[1:18:54] so a lot of the clarifications

[1:18:55]

[1:18:55] that will be addressed back in

[1:18:58]

[1:18:58] the response back to the

[1:19:01] province, just seek greater

[1:19:04] clarification on that.

[1:19:07] the study that we are about to

[1:19:09]

[1:19:09] initiate does involve

[1:19:10] significant public

[1:19:11] consultation.

[1:19:11] they will be invited all the way

[1:19:13]

[1:19:13] along as part of this process.

[1:19:16]

[1:19:16] as well, one of the

[1:19:18] recommendations in response to

[1:19:20]

[1:19:20] the playbook is proponents of

[1:19:23] data centres also go through a public

[1:19:25] public engagement process of

[1:19:27] their own.

[1:19:29] so they -- this is one of the

[1:19:31] recommendations we will put forward.

[1:19:33] recommendations we will put forward.

[1:19:33] they are required to also host

[1:19:34]

[1:19:34] public meetings prior to any

[1:19:36] commitments for data centres and

[1:19:37]

[1:19:37] communities.

[1:19:37] >> thank you madam warden.

[1:19:41] it was obvious to me but I didn't

[1:19:42] didn't want to speak without

[1:19:43] speaking to you first, thank you

[1:19:45]

[1:19:45] madam warden.

[1:19:47] >> councillor gibb?

[1:19:48] >> thank you madam warden,

[1:19:49] through you.

[1:19:51] there are times where several

[1:19:53] individual municipalities and there

[1:19:55] there are times where we are one county.

[1:19:56] there are times where we are one county.

[1:19:56] this is one of those times where

[1:19:58] we

[1:19:58] we are one county.

[1:20:00] you know, the federal government

[1:20:02]

[1:20:02] is moving extremely fast on

[1:20:05] certain projects.

[1:20:06] the provincial government, from the

[1:20:10] the way it sounds in the report,

[1:20:11] I

[1:20:11] I will use the term it sounds

[1:20:12] like they are flying by the seat

[1:20:14] of

[1:20:14] of their pants with this

[1:20:16] playbook.

[1:20:16] there are so many times we sit

[1:20:19]

[1:20:19] around this horseshoe and we

[1:20:21] react to things.

[1:20:22] I think this is an excellent

[1:20:24] opportunity to be proactive and say

[1:20:26] say to our residents, you know

[1:20:28] what?

[1:20:28] we hear you, we need to find out

[1:20:30]

[1:20:30] answers as well.

[1:20:33] I think this is money well

[1:20:34] spent, it makes no sense to have

[1:20:37] seven

[1:20:37] seven municipalities spent $750,000 when

[1:20:38] $750,000 when we can do this for

[1:20:40]

[1:20:40] everyone.

[1:20:40] so I am absolutely supportive of

[1:20:43]

[1:20:43] this, I think it is proactive

[1:20:45] governance and I hope that it

[1:20:47] passes tonight.

[1:20:50] >> anyone else? Councillor

[1:20:52] councillor waldstedt?

[1:20:53] >> thank you madam warden.

[1:20:54] maybe I'm reading this wrong, my concern

[1:20:56] concern is that at the end of the

[1:20:57] the day, I haven't spoken to

[1:21:00] anyone in lakeshore and a lot of

[1:21:02]

[1:21:02] municipalities.

[1:21:02] it's just a blanket no.

[1:21:04] my concern is that we spend the

[1:21:07] money

[1:21:07] money on this report and $150,000

[1:21:11] $150,000 is $150,000.

[1:21:12] but at the end of the day, if one of the

[1:21:16] one of the conclusions possibly at

[1:21:18] at the end of the report, these are

[1:21:19] are all the negative things that

[1:21:22]

[1:21:22] is wrong with these and that we

[1:21:23]

[1:21:23] don't like.

[1:21:24] which we already know, most of

[1:21:29] us.

[1:21:29] my concern is if there will be some

[1:21:30] some kind of reference in there

[1:21:32]

[1:21:32] that, well, there is a lot wrong

[1:21:34]

[1:21:34] with these but this municipality

[1:21:38]

[1:21:38] has better land suited for it

[1:21:40] than this municipality,

[1:21:42] therefore maybe lakeshore is a better

[1:21:43] better fit than say lasalle or

[1:21:44]

[1:21:44] amherstburg or something like that.

[1:21:46] amherstburg or something like that.

[1:21:46] I don't want to pay $150,000 for

[1:21:48]

[1:21:48] that.

[1:21:48] because unequivocally, I want to

[1:21:53]

[1:21:53] say no, we don't want them.

[1:21:54] end of this report is going to

[1:21:59]

[1:21:59] substantiate and confirm what the

[1:22:02] the gentleman at the last

[1:22:04] meeting gave us, then I am fine

[1:22:06]

[1:22:06] with that.

[1:22:07] but I don't want it to end up,

[1:22:10] as

[1:22:10] as many of us said here, playing

[1:22:14] one

[1:22:14] one against the other.

[1:22:14] I think that's why a lot of us

[1:22:15]

[1:22:15] would be supporting the report,

[1:22:17] so

[1:22:17] so that doesn't happen.

[1:22:19] but is there a possibility that

[1:22:21]

[1:22:21] could happen in the conclusion

[1:22:23]

[1:22:23] or the results of the report?

[1:22:27] >> through you warden, there are

[1:22:29] two

[1:22:29] two things going on here.

[1:22:31] one is recommendation of a

[1:22:34] trilateral collaborative siting

[1:22:38] strategy

[1:22:38] strategy that the

[1:22:38] municipalities, the province and

[1:22:40]

[1:22:40] the federal government would all

[1:22:40]

[1:22:40] be a part of.

[1:22:42] and that would determine, based

[1:22:45] on the

[1:22:45] on the objectives of the federal

[1:22:46] and

[1:22:46] and provincial government,

[1:22:48] working towards data sovereignty

[1:22:51] sovereignty.

[1:22:51] that would look at the reality

[1:22:52]

[1:22:52] that data centres are coming to

[1:22:54]

[1:22:54] canada and where they can be most

[1:22:56] most appropriately located to

[1:22:58] accomplish objectives, as noted

[1:23:02] in the

[1:23:02] in the report with the least

[1:23:04] environmental impacts.

[1:23:05] that is one of the main

[1:23:07] recommendations coming out of

[1:23:09] this.

[1:23:09] the other is that we don't have

[1:23:12]

[1:23:12] inappropriate land use planning

[1:23:14]

[1:23:14] framework and essex county to

[1:23:16] consider a data center right

[1:23:18] now.

[1:23:18] so the scope of work this

[1:23:24] evening is we need this land use

[1:23:26]

[1:23:26] planning framework to process and

[1:23:28] and consider what types of

[1:23:30] policies you need in your plans

[1:23:33]

[1:23:33] to consider the land use. What

[1:23:34] what are the other protections

[1:23:36] and

[1:23:36] and regulations and bylaws that

[1:23:39]

[1:23:39] you need, should a data center

[1:23:41]

[1:23:41] proponent come forward, that

[1:23:42] will help you to process this as

[1:23:44]

[1:23:44] well. That

[1:23:44] that is the other objective.

[1:23:48] >> further -- >> I guess

[1:23:50] >> I guess the term I like to use

[1:23:51] use is I just don't want to see

[1:23:53] us lean

[1:23:53] us lean into a left hook.

[1:23:56] basically because -- perhaps you

[1:23:58] couldn't

[1:23:58] couldn't answer my question, but

[1:24:00] I know

[1:24:00] I know you want to look at all

[1:24:02] of the

[1:24:02] of the parameters and

[1:24:03] infrastructure and everything

[1:24:04] from the municipalities.

[1:24:05] but I'm still concerned in the

[1:24:07]

[1:24:07] end that if it's 100% no we

[1:24:11] don't want these but yet the

[1:24:13] report comes back and says it

[1:24:15] would be a better fit here or

[1:24:17] here, are you telling me that is

[1:24:21] a

[1:24:21] a possibility or it's not?

[1:24:23] if it's not a possibility and the

[1:24:25] the report is going to say these

[1:24:26]

[1:24:26] are the reasons why it wouldn't

[1:24:27]

[1:24:27] fit in essex county or any of the

[1:24:30] the municipalities, and all of the

[1:24:32] the detriment and problems that

[1:24:33]

[1:24:33] it will cause like the last

[1:24:35] meeting, then I'm okay with it

[1:24:38] .

[1:24:38] but I don't want to pay that money

[1:24:40] money and have any cracks left

[1:24:42] in

[1:24:42] in the wall if somebody is going

[1:24:43]

[1:24:43] to crawl through with an ai

[1:24:47] business, thank you.

[1:24:48] >> I believe madam cao, you

[1:24:50] would like to answer?

[1:24:52] >> there is nothing in the scope

[1:24:54] of

[1:24:54] of recommendation for this

[1:24:55] report that seeks to evaluate

[1:24:58] acceptable sites within the

[1:24:59] county of essex.

[1:25:02] so the answer is no to your

[1:25:03] question and a confirmation that

[1:25:05]

[1:25:05] nothing in the list and scope of

[1:25:07]

[1:25:07] this report has the intent to waive

[1:25:11] waive municipalities, way better

[1:25:13] locations,

[1:25:13] locations, that is not the

[1:25:14] intent of this report at all.

[1:25:17] >> thank you.

[1:25:20] councillor deyong?

[1:25:21] >> maybe you are ready for a motion

[1:25:23] motion and if you are, I would

[1:25:24]

[1:25:24] like to move -- >> I

[1:25:26] >> I want to read it because it

[1:25:27]

[1:25:27] is rather lengthy but then I

[1:25:28] will come to you first, how does

[1:25:30]

[1:25:30] that sound?

[1:25:30] >> perfect. >>

[1:25:33] >> it be received for

[1:25:35] information that council endures

[1:25:40] the

[1:25:40] the correspondence to the

[1:25:40] province of ontario as contained

[1:25:43]

[1:25:43] in report number 20260902ipsr ten rlb.

[1:25:48] in report number 20260902ipsr ten rlb.

[1:25:48] the framework for artificial

[1:25:50] intelligence, ai, high density

[1:25:53] data centres

[1:25:53] data centres and be authorized

[1:25:55]

[1:25:55] to submit responses that may arise

[1:25:58] arise from any bills or related

[1:26:00]

[1:26:00] regulations.

[1:26:00] and to forward the report and in

[1:26:07] a

[1:26:07] a letter, seeking consideration

[1:26:09] of

[1:26:09] of the county's feedback and

[1:26:10] expressing support for the advocacy

[1:26:12] advocacy position to establish

[1:26:16] a

[1:26:16] trilateral siting strategy

[1:26:18] supporting the meaningful

[1:26:19] inclusion of municipalities and

[1:26:21] the

[1:26:21] the evaluation and

[1:26:22] approval/denial for large scale

[1:26:24]

[1:26:24] data centres and request the

[1:26:26] delay in finalizing the playbook

[1:26:28]

[1:26:28] to address identified concerns,

[1:26:31]

[1:26:31] including the necessary legal

[1:26:32] mechanisms for the protection of

[1:26:34]

[1:26:34] residents and the environment host

[1:26:37] host communities.

[1:26:37] and that council authorize funding

[1:26:39] funding from the rate

[1:26:41] stabilization reserve of up to

[1:26:44] $150,000 for

[1:26:44] $150,000 for completion of a

[1:26:45] county specific study on the

[1:26:47] framework for artificial

[1:26:49] intelligence ai and high density

[1:26:52]

[1:26:52] data centres.

[1:26:53] and that is moved by councillor

[1:26:57] deyong

[1:26:57] deyong seconded by councillor

[1:26:59] meloche.

[1:26:59] any further discussion?

[1:27:02] voting electronically?

[1:27:05] I will ask you to vote

[1:27:06] electronically, please.

[1:27:10] and that is carried unanimously,

[1:27:25]

[1:27:25] thank you.

[1:27:27] on to council procedure by law and

[1:27:30] and governance review.

[1:27:31] for that report we turn to

[1:27:34] catherine, our clerk.

[1:27:35] over to you.

[1:27:37] >> thank you warden.

[1:27:39] and county council, I have several

[1:27:41] several pages of notes here to go

[1:27:42] go over with you tonight, so I

[1:27:43]

[1:27:43] hope that you are bracing

[1:27:45] themselves for a long one.

[1:27:49] so with regards to council

[1:27:51] procedure bylaw and review, I just

[1:27:52] just wanted to talk a bit about

[1:27:53] why

[1:27:53] why this is before council this

[1:27:55]

[1:27:55] evening.

[1:27:55] county administration engaged

[1:27:58] in

[1:27:58] in governance trading which provided

[1:27:59] provided recommendations and best

[1:28:01] best practices for streamlining

[1:28:02] the

[1:28:02] the governance procedures for

[1:28:04] council and for administration.

[1:28:06]

[1:28:06] over the current term of

[1:28:08] council, there have been some

[1:28:10] changes, some lessons learned,

[1:28:12] some

[1:28:12] some pinch points highlighted as

[1:28:14]

[1:28:14] well as perhaps most notably, the

[1:28:16] the development of the county's

[1:28:18] first

[1:28:18] first ever strategic plan.

[1:28:21] attendance at each of your local

[1:28:25]

[1:28:25] council meetings with the cao

[1:28:27] and the clerk, and the warden,

[1:28:30] feedback

[1:28:30] feedback gained over the course

[1:28:31] of the

[1:28:31] of the term as well as through

[1:28:33] seven

[1:28:33] seven engagement sessions with

[1:28:34]

[1:28:34] each of you and most of your

[1:28:36] alternates.

[1:28:36] the governance review team has

[1:28:38]

[1:28:38] been able to find some

[1:28:40] commonality among your

[1:28:41] suggestions on how to improve

[1:28:43] procedures, meeting flow, support

[1:28:46] support mechanisms and

[1:28:46] communication in order for

[1:28:48] council to be well served by

[1:28:51] government documents, bylaws and policies

[1:28:53] policies as well as county

[1:28:54] administration.

[1:28:54] so what has changed and why?

[1:28:58] the procedure bylaw has some

[1:29:01] changes, most being minor in

[1:29:03] nature, which have not been

[1:29:04] extensively outlined in the

[1:29:06] report.

[1:29:06] instead we have focused on the

[1:29:09] most

[1:29:09] most significant changes.

[1:29:10] one being ease of use.

[1:29:13] significant reordering of the

[1:29:14] bylaw to reduce duplication, improve

[1:29:18] improve findability and minimize

[1:29:19]

[1:29:19] the potential for

[1:29:20] misunderstanding.

[1:29:20] two, aligning reality with policy.

[1:29:25] two, aligning reality with policy.

[1:29:25] so removal of outdated language

[1:29:27]

[1:29:27] and out of practice clauses,

[1:29:29] adding language in to formalize

[1:29:32]

[1:29:32] current practices.

[1:29:32] three, agenda reordering.

[1:29:35] adding sections and realigning

[1:29:37]

[1:29:37] sections to improve the flow of meetings

[1:29:39] meetings and to reduce the need

[1:29:40]

[1:29:40] for multiple motions for

[1:29:42] information items.

[1:29:45] and four, updating election

[1:29:47] procedures, providing council with

[1:29:48] with modernized and transparent

[1:29:51]

[1:29:51] format for the meeting,

[1:29:52] including the election of the

[1:29:54] warden.

[1:29:54] with the delegation policy, it

[1:29:57]

[1:29:57] was updated to align with

[1:29:58] suggestions and feedback

[1:29:59] received by the majority of

[1:30:00] members of council during our

[1:30:02] governance sessions.

[1:30:05] provisions of clear parameters

[1:30:06]

[1:30:06] for which delegations may appear

[1:30:09]

[1:30:09] that align with the county scope

[1:30:10]

[1:30:10] and with council's ability to

[1:30:12] address the matters before

[1:30:13] them.

[1:30:13] allocation of 5 minutes, rather

[1:30:17]

[1:30:17] than ten, for standard

[1:30:18] delegations, defining that

[1:30:21] presentations will be considered

[1:30:22]

[1:30:22] outside of the parameters of the

[1:30:24]

[1:30:24] delegation policy when invited

[1:30:25]

[1:30:25] by council, however compliance

[1:30:27]

[1:30:27] with decorum policies and

[1:30:28] procedures is required.

[1:30:32] highlighting that council may

[1:30:33] elect to dispense with the specific

[1:30:35] specific condition of that policy

[1:30:36] policy with a motion to suspend

[1:30:37] the

[1:30:37] the rules of the procedure

[1:30:39] bylaw.

[1:30:39] several policies were reviewed,

[1:30:43]

[1:30:43] including public conduct,

[1:30:44] visitor and trespass policies,

[1:30:46]

[1:30:46] these were revised to soften the language

[1:30:48] language and to ensure that the

[1:30:50]

[1:30:50] county is not infringing on

[1:30:51] freedom of expression

[1:30:53] unreasonably, while maintaining

[1:30:55] clear

[1:30:55] clear safety, security and

[1:30:57] decorum positions.

[1:30:59] the council report got a refresh

[1:31:01]

[1:31:01] and is included as an appendix,

[1:31:04] as

[1:31:04] as is a new tool, which is the

[1:31:06]

[1:31:06] addition of a notice of motion

[1:31:08] impact

[1:31:08] impact assessment form, which is

[1:31:10]

[1:31:10] intended to help council make decisions

[1:31:13] decisions and pivot as necessary

[1:31:15]

[1:31:15] with a notice of motion at the

[1:31:17] last

[1:31:17] last minute.

[1:31:19] other matters considered during

[1:31:20]

[1:31:20] these feedback sessions were

[1:31:22] related to technology changes,

[1:31:24]

[1:31:24] training and development for

[1:31:26] council and administration, alternate

[1:31:29] alternate members of council,

[1:31:30] roles and responsibilities,

[1:31:32] communication and referrals for

[1:31:35]

[1:31:35] the strategic planning process.

[1:31:37]

[1:31:37] the governance review team,

[1:31:39] which is comprised of dave,

[1:31:43] claire, sylvester and myself, we would

[1:31:45] would like to thank you all for

[1:31:47] your

[1:31:47] your participation in the

[1:31:48] governance review process.

[1:31:50] members of council and your

[1:31:51] alternates.

[1:31:51] we are confident that we have provided

[1:31:55] provided council with

[1:31:56] recommendations and provisions

[1:31:58] to the

[1:31:58] to the government's documents on

[1:31:59]

[1:31:59] which council can rely as their

[1:32:02] foundation for

[1:32:02] foundation for accountable,

[1:32:02] transparent and fair governing.

[1:32:05]

[1:32:05] the changes are elaborated upon

[1:32:08] in

[1:32:08] in detail and I will not go through

[1:32:09] through them all.

[1:32:10] but council was provided it in

[1:32:12]

[1:32:12] advance of the typical

[1:32:13] publishing schedule to allow for

[1:32:16] a

[1:32:16] a thorough review.

[1:32:18] what administration is proposing

[1:32:20] is

[1:32:20] is contained in the

[1:32:20] recommendation on page 11 of the report

[1:32:22] report and I am prepared to

[1:32:23] answer any questions if council

[1:32:25]

[1:32:25] has any.

[1:32:26] >> thank you kate. I

[1:32:28] I will start with you,

[1:32:29] councillor shepley.

[1:32:31] >> first of all I want to

[1:32:32] thank you for having those

[1:32:34] governments, the changes we would

[1:32:36] would like to see, I can see

[1:32:37] that reflected in the report.

[1:32:41] and I fully support it and

[1:32:42] appreciate all the effort you

[1:32:43] put into this.

[1:32:46] >> that's it?

[1:32:49] okay.

[1:32:49] councillor deyong?

[1:32:51] >> I just want to highlight that decrease

[1:32:53] decrease in time from ten to

[1:32:55] 5 minutes.

[1:32:56] is this where council can use the

[1:32:57] the motion to put the policy

[1:32:59] aside to allow someone to finish if

[1:33:00] if they were going over that

[1:33:02] 5 minutes?

[1:33:03] >> yes, through you warden, the

[1:33:06]

[1:33:06] motion to suspend the rules can

[1:33:08]

[1:33:08] be supplied to a very specific

[1:33:10] rule

[1:33:10] rule that is being implied.

[1:33:13] so if there is a moment where council

[1:33:14] council would like to waive the

[1:33:15]

[1:33:15] rules to extend a time.

[1:33:17] or a specific delegation to

[1:33:19] continue to speak, you can do so

[1:33:20]

[1:33:20] at that time.

[1:33:24] >> councillor bailey?

[1:33:27] >> thank you.

[1:33:28] and through you, I am wondering

[1:33:32] what

[1:33:32] what the current number of days

[1:33:34]

[1:33:34] is for nonagenda items.

[1:33:37] my concern is that there seems

[1:33:38]

[1:33:38] to be a shift -- and I

[1:33:39] appreciate the consultation, I quite

[1:33:41] quite enjoyed it.

[1:33:42] I also think that the report is

[1:33:44] very

[1:33:44] very comprehensive and took a lot

[1:33:45] lot to kind of integrate a lot

[1:33:47] of

[1:33:47] of different things. I

[1:33:48] I just want to say thank you for

[1:33:49]

[1:33:49] that.

[1:33:49] one of the areas that I found lacking

[1:33:52] lacking though was that

[1:33:53] residents need reasonable access

[1:33:55] to

[1:33:55] to council and I am worried that

[1:33:56]

[1:33:56] this really shifts the balance

[1:33:59] of

[1:33:59] of governance.

[1:34:00] so moving to 20 business days to

[1:34:04] a resident

[1:34:04] a resident seems like a long time.

[1:34:05] a resident seems like a long time.

[1:34:05] what is it currently?

[1:34:09] >> are you referring to the

[1:34:12] delegation application?

[1:34:14] >> yes, I am referring to the

[1:34:17] shortening of the delegations

[1:34:18] requiring 20 business days for

[1:34:20]

[1:34:20] nonagenda matters.

[1:34:23] >> currently there is not a

[1:34:28] requirement for a delegation to

[1:34:30]

[1:34:30] be speaking to a specific agenda

[1:34:32] item.

[1:34:32] they can speak to any item at any time

[1:34:35] any time that is within the

[1:34:35] scope of county council.

[1:34:39] >> thank you. So

[1:34:42] so that I understand that a

[1:34:43] little better, right now there

[1:34:44]

[1:34:44] is no set time at all and what

[1:34:46]

[1:34:46] we are doing is going to be

[1:34:48] setting 20 days?

[1:34:50] so we are going from no notice

[1:34:52]

[1:34:52] to 20 days?

[1:34:55] >> the notice would be the same

[1:34:57]

[1:34:57] notice for any delegation.

[1:35:00] so the current delegation policy

[1:35:04]

[1:35:04] says you have to apply within --

[1:35:07]

[1:35:07] after the agenda is published,

[1:35:09]

[1:35:09] you have two days here with the

[1:35:13]

[1:35:13] clause. But

[1:35:13] but it is not different for a

[1:35:15] nonagenda item.

[1:35:18] >> thank you for that.

[1:35:19] I think what I'm understanding

[1:35:21]

[1:35:21] is that now it would be 20

[1:35:24] days.

[1:35:24] so something happens for

[1:35:26] residents, it is concerning and

[1:35:28] it

[1:35:28] it is a 20 day wait before that

[1:35:30]

[1:35:30] can happen in terms of being

[1:35:32] addressed at county. So

[1:35:34] so that was the only thing I

[1:35:35] really pulled out that I thought

[1:35:37]

[1:35:37] residents deserve access to the people

[1:35:39] people that are sitting around

[1:35:40]

[1:35:40] the table and it needs to be

[1:35:42] more than them calling one of the

[1:35:44] the mayors and the mayor

[1:35:46] creating hoopla.

[1:35:48] this 20 days seems to be

[1:35:50] encouraging that kind of mayoral

[1:35:55]

[1:35:55] or deputy mayor reaction, rather

[1:35:58] than

[1:35:58] than encouraging that maybe I

[1:36:00] could have those residents reach

[1:36:01]

[1:36:01] out to administration and have

[1:36:03] a

[1:36:03] discussion with administration.

[1:36:06]

[1:36:06] maybe it goes away there and

[1:36:07] they don't end up here.

[1:36:08] but I would really like a way to

[1:36:09] be

[1:36:09] be able to say it doesn't take

[1:36:13] 20 days

[1:36:13] 20 days when something is urgent

[1:36:14] to you.

[1:36:14] you don't often see folks coming and I

[1:36:15] and I know we set aside the rules

[1:36:17] rules and say I'd like to make a

[1:36:18]

[1:36:18] motion for so-and-so to speak.

[1:36:20]

[1:36:20] it is pretty rare.

[1:36:22] but I feel like this is really

[1:36:24] pushing

[1:36:24] pushing residents away from

[1:36:25] their access here and also pushing

[1:36:27] pushing mayors and deputy mayors

[1:36:28]

[1:36:28] to continue with the poor code

[1:36:30] of

[1:36:30] of conduct of going to the media

[1:36:32]

[1:36:32] and other things like that.

[1:36:33] so I am not supportive with that

[1:36:35] clause in

[1:36:35] clause in it and those are my

[1:36:36] reasons why.

[1:36:39] >> thank you.

[1:36:41] if I could, warden, the intent

[1:36:45] of

[1:36:45] of including an advanced time limit

[1:36:46] limit on that is to allow for

[1:36:48] administration to prepare on

[1:36:50] items that aren't specifically

[1:36:52]

[1:36:52] within our current scope of work

[1:36:54]

[1:36:54] that we are attending to in the

[1:36:57]

[1:36:57] immediate future.

[1:36:58] so if a member of the public would

[1:37:01] would like to bring forward a

[1:37:02] delegation regarding something

[1:37:05] that

[1:37:05] that administration isn't currently

[1:37:06] currently focused on, we do need

[1:37:07]

[1:37:07] some time to prepare in advance

[1:37:09] for that

[1:37:09] for that and that was the

[1:37:10] rationale for adding that extra

[1:37:12]

[1:37:12] time.

[1:37:12] david, I don't know if you want

[1:37:14]

[1:37:14] to speak additionally to that.

[1:37:16]

[1:37:16] >> through you warden, I will say

[1:37:18] say the same thing. That

[1:37:20] that it is probably time for

[1:37:21] administration to prepare as necessary

[1:37:23] necessary within the county

[1:37:24] scope.

[1:37:24] so again, there are two points.

[1:37:27]

[1:37:27] 5.2 deals with how to appear as

[1:37:30] a

[1:37:30] a delegation for agenda items and

[1:37:32] and there's one for the nominee

[1:37:34]

[1:37:34] agenda with the county scope of

[1:37:36]

[1:37:36] work. So

[1:37:36] so we would be able to prepare

[1:37:38]

[1:37:38] the board for council's

[1:37:39] awareness.

[1:37:39] >> thank you for that.

[1:37:43] and I read that in the report.

[1:37:44] I think that was one of the

[1:37:45] things that I was talking about

[1:37:47] with the

[1:37:47] with the shift that goes from

[1:37:50] the democracy of residents

[1:37:52] having concerns and councillors

[1:37:54]

[1:37:54] hearing those concerns and having

[1:37:55] having reasonable access to

[1:37:56] members of council as opposed to

[1:37:59] an

[1:37:59] an administrative lens.

[1:38:00] I know it requires a balance of

[1:38:02]

[1:38:02] trust between administration and

[1:38:03]

[1:38:03] council, because council could

[1:38:06] make

[1:38:06] make decisions on the fly,

[1:38:07] right?

[1:38:07] they heard from residents, they

[1:38:08]

[1:38:08] make a decision on the fly, they

[1:38:10] don't

[1:38:10] don't have the report.

[1:38:12] some councillors are saying what

[1:38:14]

[1:38:14] about getting the report in

[1:38:16] advance?

[1:38:16] but I think that is kind of the

[1:38:17]

[1:38:17] balance of democracy. That

[1:38:19] that is the part of democracy

[1:38:20] that I like.

[1:38:21] that residents can have

[1:38:22] reasonable access and that the

[1:38:24]

[1:38:24] people around the table that are

[1:38:26]

[1:38:26] seasoned and in these roles,

[1:38:28] just to say just a minute I

[1:38:30] don't know the financials, just

[1:38:32] a

[1:38:32] a minute, I don't have the

[1:38:32] report on that.

[1:38:33] I prefer that, I don't want 20 days

[1:38:35] days later to have a report from

[1:38:37]

[1:38:37] administration that says don't

[1:38:38]

[1:38:38] do what the resident is asked

[1:38:39] for 20 days ago and here's the

[1:38:41] report

[1:38:41] report as to why.

[1:38:42] so thank you, I understand it

[1:38:45] and I'm mainly glad my

[1:38:46] understanding is clear.

[1:38:47] I'm just not supportive, but

[1:38:49] thank you very much for the work

[1:38:50]

[1:38:50] that went into it.

[1:38:53] anyone else?

[1:38:54] councillor deyong?

[1:38:56] >> just further, do you have a

[1:38:58]

[1:38:58] recollection -- you surveyed us

[1:39:00]

[1:39:00] all, I think they have a 14 day

[1:39:02] if

[1:39:02] if it's not on the agenda,

[1:39:03] there's a 14 day delay,

[1:39:05] basically a meeting cycle.

[1:39:08] and is that the norm or are we the

[1:39:10] the only one and you liked ours

[1:39:11] so

[1:39:11] so much you picked 20?

[1:39:13] I'm just curious about how you

[1:39:15]

[1:39:15] chose.

[1:39:15] >> I don't have my notes in

[1:39:17] front of me from all of the

[1:39:18] consultation sessions, however,

[1:39:22]

[1:39:22] our agenda cycle here is 19 days

[1:39:24]

[1:39:24] in advance of a meeting that we

[1:39:27]

[1:39:27] have to have our reports written

[1:39:29] and

[1:39:29] and submitted for approval.

[1:39:30] so that is the rationale behind

[1:39:31]

[1:39:31] the time limit that we have

[1:39:34] added for council's

[1:39:35] consideration.

[1:39:35] and we did get that feedback

[1:39:38] from more than one municipality

[1:39:40]

[1:39:40] when we did our consultations with

[1:39:42] with the seven locals.

[1:39:45] >> you are okay with that now?

[1:39:51]

[1:39:51] >> I was just curious, does everyone

[1:39:54] everyone have a weight or some

[1:39:54]

[1:39:54] don't have any weight at all?

[1:39:56] do you recall at all?

[1:39:57] I just heard lasalle is 21 days

[1:39:59]

[1:39:59] and another was 14.

[1:40:01] does everybody know what theirs

[1:40:02]

[1:40:02] is? >>

[1:40:02] >> not by heart, I can't tell

[1:40:05] you what everyone's.

[1:40:06] is for delegations.

[1:40:08] however, I can get that back to you if

[1:40:09] you if that is something you

[1:40:10] want to hear before this goes

[1:40:13] through here.

[1:40:14] that will take a little while to

[1:40:15]

[1:40:15] find out.

[1:40:18] >> councillor prue?

[1:40:22] >> if I might, just to say

[1:40:25] amherstburg has either 14 or 28

[1:40:27]

[1:40:27] days, depending on how long the

[1:40:28]

[1:40:28] report is that staff has.

[1:40:30] they say we can do it in the

[1:40:32] next scheduled meeting, it's

[1:40:34] done. If

[1:40:34] if they say it's going to take

[1:40:36]

[1:40:36] longer, it takes two cycles.

[1:40:38] that is what we do.

[1:40:40] anyways, that is not

[1:40:41] -- I. Promised kate I. Wouldn't

[1:40:42]

[1:40:42] ask a question with the

[1:40:44] additional one minute.

[1:40:45] but I do have a question about

[1:40:48]

[1:40:48] page 309, 32.1 that says request

[1:40:53] for

[1:40:53] for proclamations, the raising

[1:40:55] of

[1:40:55] of flags and building

[1:40:57] illumination shall be addressed

[1:40:58] in

[1:40:58] in accordance with the county

[1:40:59] policy.

[1:40:59] the reason I am asking this is

[1:41:02] it

[1:41:02] it came to me on monday, we had

[1:41:04] a

[1:41:04] a group come forward with

[1:41:08] childhood cancers.

[1:41:08] we raised the flag, we read the

[1:41:11]

[1:41:11] proclamation and after we did that

[1:41:12] that we were told that three

[1:41:14] municipalities had refused them because

[1:41:15] because it is not in accordance

[1:41:16]

[1:41:16] with their policies.

[1:41:18] I don't want to tie myself into

[1:41:22]

[1:41:22] something where we have to say

[1:41:24]

[1:41:24] no to groups like that.

[1:41:27] >> through you warden, the

[1:41:29] county already has a policy that

[1:41:32]

[1:41:32] does not allow for that type of --

[1:41:34] -- we don't do any proclamations

[1:41:36]

[1:41:36] at all.

[1:41:37] and flag raising we do very

[1:41:39] limited.

[1:41:39] >> does that mean that if we agree

[1:41:41] agree with this, that the

[1:41:43] municipalities cannot do what

[1:41:44] they have always been doing because

[1:41:45] because that is contrary to

[1:41:48] county policy?

[1:41:49] because we have always

[1:41:50] recognized these groups.

[1:41:52] we have always tried to help them put

[1:41:54] them put up a flag, read a

[1:41:56] proclamation.

[1:41:56] >> through you warden, this is

[1:42:01] related

[1:42:01] related strictly just to the county

[1:42:02] county facilities.

[1:42:04] >> okay.

[1:42:05] all right. So

[1:42:07] so it does not impact -- it does

[1:42:10]

[1:42:10] not impact the municipalities?

[1:42:12]

[1:42:12] >> amherstburg can raise any

[1:42:13] flag it wants. >>

[1:42:14] >> thank you, that's all I need to

[1:42:15] to know, I'm 100% in support.

[1:42:18] >> councillor akpata?

[1:42:19] >> thank you madam warden and through

[1:42:21] through you, I just want to build

[1:42:22] build on what my friend

[1:42:24] miss bailey has said.

[1:42:25] so if someone shows up with a

[1:42:27] critical incident, a crisis in their

[1:42:29] their municipality, we can waive

[1:42:34]

[1:42:34] -- suspend the rules, have the

[1:42:35]

[1:42:35] person talk and we will never

[1:42:39] -- I. Just want to make sure we

[1:42:40]

[1:42:40] don't deny a citizen of the

[1:42:42] county of essex, who has an

[1:42:45] issue -- and it's called a

[1:42:47] priority about incident x, comes

[1:42:49]

[1:42:49] here to come and speak, that we

[1:42:52]

[1:42:52] can waive the rules and let them

[1:42:53] speak.

[1:42:53] I just want to make sure we would

[1:42:55] would never turn someone away,

[1:42:57] that

[1:42:57] that is my bottom line.

[1:42:59] >> the intent of the time that

[1:43:01]

[1:43:01] is built into the new policy is

[1:43:04] to

[1:43:04] to allow for administration to

[1:43:06]

[1:43:06] make that decision without council's

[1:43:07] council's involvement at all.

[1:43:08] however, council, if confronted

[1:43:11]

[1:43:11] with a member of the public who

[1:43:12]

[1:43:12] would like to speak at a council

[1:43:15]

[1:43:15] meeting, who has either not applied

[1:43:16] applied previously to the clerk

[1:43:19]

[1:43:19] or has approached a council member

[1:43:20] member directly at the meeting,

[1:43:22] council

[1:43:22] council has the ability to waive

[1:43:24]

[1:43:24] the rules.

[1:43:24] it is your bylaw, you have that ability

[1:43:26] ability at any time.

[1:43:29] >> thank you.

[1:43:30] I thought about that.

[1:43:31] but again, as I said, mayor bailey

[1:43:33] mayor bailey brought up some

[1:43:34] salient points and I want to make

[1:43:35] make sure we never close our

[1:43:36] doors to the people who -- we

[1:43:38] have the privilege of

[1:43:39] representing, thank you.

[1:43:41] >> councillor meloche?

[1:43:42] >> thank you.

[1:43:44] and thank you for that

[1:43:45] clarification as well.

[1:43:46] you want to know we are always

[1:43:47]

[1:43:47] open and available to people.

[1:43:49] I know lasalle -- we have a 21

[1:43:52]

[1:43:52] day and I had to do some research

[1:43:53] research to make sure it was

[1:43:54] accurate, but it is important to

[1:43:56]

[1:43:56] get a report from

[1:43:57] administration.

[1:43:57] but I think it's even more

[1:44:00] important that residents who look

[1:44:01] look at our agendas can see

[1:44:03] what's coming. And

[1:44:04] and if they want to also speak

[1:44:05] on

[1:44:05] on that, that gives them a

[1:44:07] chance to register as a

[1:44:09] delegate, which in our municipality

[1:44:10] municipality would be the friday

[1:44:11] before

[1:44:11] before because it would be

[1:44:12] something on the agenda.

[1:44:14] it actually gives the public

[1:44:15] more of a chance to come speak

[1:44:16] on

[1:44:16] on it as well, where if we

[1:44:17] didn't do that, they would come

[1:44:18]

[1:44:18] here and speak and would be like

[1:44:21] I want to

[1:44:21] I want to have an opinion, I want

[1:44:22] want to talk about that and they

[1:44:23] wouldn't

[1:44:23] wouldn't have the opportunity.

[1:44:24]

[1:44:24] I look at it both ways but I'm glad

[1:44:25] glad to know that we have that

[1:44:28]

[1:44:28] power to be able to say there is

[1:44:30]

[1:44:30] an emergency, someone needs to

[1:44:31]

[1:44:31] come talk and we would always

[1:44:32] love to come talk, thank you.

[1:44:35] >> councillor waldstedt?

[1:44:39] >> thank you madam mayor.

[1:44:41] I guess I need further

[1:44:43] clarification on that, because

[1:44:44]

[1:44:44] with this restriction in there,

[1:44:47] the

[1:44:47] the administration is going to say

[1:44:47] say you don't meet the timeline,

[1:44:49] therefore

[1:44:49] therefore you can't can't appear

[1:44:50]

[1:44:50] before council.

[1:44:50] am I missing something here?

[1:44:54] but then council has the

[1:44:55] authority, if they come to the

[1:44:57]

[1:44:57] meeting to waive the rules or waive the

[1:44:59] waive the procedural bylaw, to

[1:45:00]

[1:45:00] hear that. But

[1:45:01] but how do they get notified

[1:45:02] that they can come to council,

[1:45:04]

[1:45:04] despite the fact that administration

[1:45:05] administration says you are not

[1:45:06]

[1:45:06] complying with the procedural

[1:45:08] bylaw?

[1:45:08] so then the irate resident goes

[1:45:12]

[1:45:12] back to the mayor or the deputy

[1:45:13] mayor

[1:45:13] mayor and says well, I've been

[1:45:14]

[1:45:14] told I can't come to county

[1:45:15] council, then we have to tell

[1:45:17] them well, you come to county council

[1:45:18] council and we will try to make a motion

[1:45:19] a motion to have you be heard.

[1:45:21]

[1:45:21] that's kind of messy.

[1:45:22] I just think we should leave it

[1:45:24] the

[1:45:24] the way it was and you will get

[1:45:27]

[1:45:27] my support on the bylaw if we do

[1:45:29]

[1:45:29] that.

[1:45:29] >> so through you warden, there

[1:45:33] is

[1:45:33] is also a provision that the

[1:45:35] clerk shall notify all members

[1:45:38] of

[1:45:38] of council when there is a

[1:45:39] delegation who is denied for any

[1:45:41]

[1:45:41] reason.

[1:45:41] and the reason for that denial

[1:45:44] of the

[1:45:44] of the delegation. There

[1:45:45] there is that awareness factor

[1:45:47] that

[1:45:47] that council would be made aware

[1:45:49] of

[1:45:49] of that fact of denial in any case

[1:45:53] case and you'd be able to either reach

[1:45:55] reach out or instruct or further

[1:45:58]

[1:45:58] contact that person or advise me to

[1:45:59] to contact that person.

[1:46:03] >> it still falls back on us

[1:46:05] then.

[1:46:05] because our bylaws say that they

[1:46:08]

[1:46:08] can't.

[1:46:08] so I just think -- leave it the way

[1:46:12] way it was so we don't get into

[1:46:14] that

[1:46:14] that predicament. That

[1:46:16] that is the only way that I will

[1:46:17]

[1:46:17] support the bylaw, if we don't

[1:46:21]

[1:46:21] change that, leave it open.

[1:46:22] and then we are on the spot, the

[1:46:24]

[1:46:24] mayors and the deputy mayors are

[1:46:25] on

[1:46:25] on the spot wondering if we are

[1:46:26]

[1:46:26] going to get support from the other

[1:46:27] other members of council to hear

[1:46:30] these

[1:46:30] these individuals who we have

[1:46:31] asked to come.

[1:46:33] so it is a bit of a crab shoot

[1:46:34]

[1:46:34] for them and for us.

[1:46:37] so if that wasn't their, we

[1:46:39] wouldn't have that problem,

[1:46:40] thank you.

[1:46:41] >> councillor shepley?

[1:46:42] >> through you madam warden.

[1:46:43] just wondering if after

[1:46:44] listening to some of the

[1:46:45] conversation, if we could maybe

[1:46:47]

[1:46:47] pull this one aside and vote on

[1:46:48]

[1:46:48] the rest, unless there's some

[1:46:51] issues with any other individual

[1:46:53]

[1:46:53] parts of this.

[1:46:56] >> council can divide the question as

[1:46:59] question as you see fit.

[1:47:02] >> councillor bailey?

[1:47:06] >> thank you.

[1:47:07] I will get in on recognizing and

[1:47:10]

[1:47:10] going twice, through you, I just

[1:47:12]

[1:47:12] want to point out to my

[1:47:13] colleague across the table,

[1:47:15] because I also believe it should

[1:47:16]

[1:47:16] come on the agenda, that is the

[1:47:18]

[1:47:18] challenge that I'm trying to

[1:47:19] avoid here.

[1:47:20] what it means is that you get an

[1:47:22]

[1:47:22] email that says so-and-so was

[1:47:23] turned away, the person has already

[1:47:25] already called you, they are not

[1:47:27]

[1:47:27] able to come and you have to do

[1:47:29]

[1:47:29] the theatrics of saying come at

[1:47:30]

[1:47:30] the last minute, it's not on the

[1:47:32]

[1:47:32] agenda, other residents don't

[1:47:33] get to know about it, other people

[1:47:34] people may have wanted to speak

[1:47:35] about it

[1:47:35] about it but they are not in the

[1:47:37]

[1:47:37] room and it's last minute.

[1:47:38] whereas it doesn't take 20 days

[1:47:42]

[1:47:42] to be also on the agenda.

[1:47:43] we know that, because we see

[1:47:45] lots of delegations that come in and

[1:47:47] and don't take 20 days.

[1:47:50] what I'm trying to avoid is the

[1:47:53]

[1:47:53] theatrics of having to bring

[1:47:55] somebody in separately and vote

[1:47:56]

[1:47:56] on it and it just becomes this

[1:47:58]

[1:47:58] gong show and still you don't

[1:48:00] have a report and now it's not

[1:48:02] on the

[1:48:02] on the agenda and no one else knows

[1:48:03] knows about it. It

[1:48:04] it is a shift in democracy and

[1:48:06]

[1:48:06] it is limiting access to

[1:48:09] council.

[1:48:09] thank you.

[1:48:12] >> I believe we have talked this

[1:48:20]

[1:48:20] through enough, what are your

[1:48:22] wishes in regards to the

[1:48:24] recommendation?

[1:48:24] do you propose that we take the

[1:48:29]

[1:48:29] delegation policy out and vote

[1:48:30]

[1:48:30] for that separately?

[1:48:32] I'm looking to you, councillor

[1:48:35]

[1:48:35] bailey.

[1:48:35] because you brought the issue up

[1:48:38] first.

[1:48:38] is that okay with you, madam

[1:48:40] clerk? Or

[1:48:40] or do you have another

[1:48:41] suggestion?

[1:48:41] >> if it is council's preference

[1:48:44] to

[1:48:44] to consider these things

[1:48:45] individually, we can make them

[1:48:47] all

[1:48:47] all individual motions and

[1:48:48] council can vote on them that

[1:48:50] way.

[1:48:50] and if you just want to see the

[1:48:54]

[1:48:54] delegation policy held

[1:48:56] separately and vote on it as

[1:48:59] amended.

[1:48:59] >> councillor bailey?

[1:49:01] >> thank you.

[1:49:02] I would propose an amendment and I

[1:49:04] I would turn it over to

[1:49:07] mr. Sandin, our clerk as well to

[1:49:09] tell

[1:49:09] tell me what the timeline is for

[1:49:11] regular

[1:49:11] regular delegation that would

[1:49:12] appear on the agenda.

[1:49:14] I don't know what that timing

[1:49:15] is, but really my intent isn't

[1:49:16]

[1:49:16] to have last minute decisions

[1:49:18] coming in either, I recognize that we

[1:49:19] that we want it to be on the agenda

[1:49:22] agenda and I also know that it

[1:49:23]

[1:49:23] turns things around and in quick

[1:49:25]

[1:49:25] order for administration.

[1:49:26] but whatever the regular

[1:49:27] delegation time frame would be

[1:49:29]

[1:49:29] is what I propose as an

[1:49:31] amendment to council and I hope

[1:49:32]

[1:49:32] for support.

[1:49:35] >> I will then wait for our team

[1:49:38]

[1:49:38] here to come up with the wording

[1:49:40]

[1:49:40] and we will check back with you,

[1:49:42] is

[1:49:42] is that all right?

[1:49:44] >> through you warden, currently

[1:50:25]

[1:50:25] we publish the agenda seven days

[1:50:28]

[1:50:28] prior.

[1:50:28] the current bylaw, we haven't changed

[1:50:31] changed it yet, the current

[1:50:33] bylaw has noon on the friday

[1:50:35] before. So

[1:50:35] so it would be three and a half

[1:50:37]

[1:50:37] business days before, currently

[1:50:40] of

[1:50:40] of the 20 business days we are

[1:50:42]

[1:50:42] proposing now.

[1:50:42] if that assists you.

[1:50:46] >> can I have some clarification

[1:51:00]

[1:51:00] on what it is you are seeking

[1:51:02] here?

[1:51:02] >> thank you.

[1:51:03] I am proposing an amendment to

[1:51:04]

[1:51:04] what is currently written to reflect

[1:51:06] reflect what was just

[1:51:07] presented.

[1:51:07] >> so to reiterate, the only

[1:51:13] amendment you are proposing is

[1:51:15] to the

[1:51:15] to the delegation policy as

[1:51:17] written, with the provision of

[1:51:18]

[1:51:18] the friday prior to publishing

[1:51:21]

[1:51:21] -- fryer -- friday prior to the

[1:51:23]

[1:51:23] meeting being reinstated into

[1:51:25] the new, proposed delegation

[1:51:27] policy?

[1:51:27] >> correct.

[1:51:28] I'm happy to move the

[1:51:30] overarching policy as well, with

[1:51:33]

[1:51:33] the amendment concluded, shall

[1:51:35] I

[1:51:35] get support.

[1:51:35] >> thank you.

[1:51:36] >> thank you.

[1:51:39] >> I am going to read the

[1:51:57] recommendation, councillor, and

[1:52:00]

[1:52:00] then on the advice of the clerk,

[1:52:01]

[1:52:01] let me run this by you first.

[1:52:04] so the council received the

[1:52:05] report as information and that

[1:52:07]

[1:52:07] the proposed procedure bylaw be

[1:52:08]

[1:52:08] adopted as bylaw 2026-01 and

[1:52:11] that the current bylaw be repealed,

[1:52:16] repealed, and that the proposed

[1:52:17]

[1:52:17] changes to the delegation

[1:52:20] policy, is it a public conduct

[1:52:23] policy

[1:52:23] policy passed to private policy

[1:52:25]

[1:52:25] be adopted as amended, are you

[1:52:27]

[1:52:27] okay with just adding that

[1:52:29] part?

[1:52:29] okay. And

[1:52:29] and that is moved by councillor

[1:52:32]

[1:52:32] bailey.

[1:52:32] looking for a seconder. Councillor

[1:52:36] councillor waldstedt?

[1:52:38] any further discussion on the

[1:52:40] matter?

[1:52:40] >> thank you.

[1:52:42] I do like the compromise.

[1:52:44] my only concern is by going to

[1:52:47] friday

[1:52:47] friday before, we won't have a report to

[1:52:48] report to put on the agenda

[1:52:49] because I think it was seven

[1:52:51] days for the reports.

[1:52:52] so we are still missing that

[1:52:54] component of being able to produce

[1:52:57] produce that for residents to be

[1:52:58] able to

[1:52:58] able to read to decide they want

[1:52:59] to be a

[1:52:59] to be a part of it. If

[1:53:00] if we say friday, no one else could register to

[1:53:03] could register to be a delegate

[1:53:04]

[1:53:04] at that point.

[1:53:06] >> through you warden, you are

[1:53:08]

[1:53:08] correct that administration

[1:53:09] would not have a window of time

[1:53:11]

[1:53:11] to prepare a report for the

[1:53:13] agenda.

[1:53:13] if this passes, I can assure you

[1:53:16]

[1:53:16] as your cao I. Will be more vocal

[1:53:17] vocal at those meetings to

[1:53:18] recommend that council take a

[1:53:20] pause, to give administration

[1:53:22] time to prepare a report, which

[1:53:24]

[1:53:24] would likely result in that item

[1:53:25]

[1:53:25] coming back to a future meeting

[1:53:27] of

[1:53:27] of council.

[1:53:27] I will just be more vocal from here

[1:53:29] here on out if this passes.

[1:53:33] >> you still look perplexed.

[1:53:35] councillor?

[1:53:35] >> I think that my concern is,

[1:53:40]

[1:53:40] again, we want to hear these

[1:53:41] people. But if

[1:53:42] but if we don't get a report, we

[1:53:43]

[1:53:43] haven't come in on friday, a

[1:53:45] delegate for friday on the

[1:53:46] following wednesday, then we are

[1:53:48]

[1:53:48] going to say well, you have to

[1:53:49] come back because we

[1:53:49] come back because we have to get a

[1:53:50] a report and we have now deleted

[1:53:51]

[1:53:51] another two weeks.

[1:53:53] I'm wondering if the seven days

[1:53:54]

[1:53:54] would be fair so that

[1:53:57] administration would be put on

[1:53:59]

[1:53:59] the agenda and we could actually

[1:54:00]

[1:54:00] address the residents when they

[1:54:02]

[1:54:02] are here, instead of saying sorry we

[1:54:04] sorry we have no answers for

[1:54:05] you, come back again in a few

[1:54:06] weeks. That

[1:54:06] that was my only thought. I

[1:54:09] I want to be sure we aren't

[1:54:10] wasting a lot of time but we are

[1:54:11] also

[1:54:11] also able to prepare something

[1:54:12]

[1:54:12] for these people.

[1:54:13] and like I said, anybody else who

[1:54:15] who may want to delegate on that

[1:54:17] will

[1:54:17] will have missed the deadline if

[1:54:18]

[1:54:18] the deadline is the same day. That

[1:54:20] that is my only concern.

[1:54:23] >> duly noted, thank you.

[1:54:28] so I will ask folks to vote.

[1:54:32] and we have it changed on the

[1:54:35] screen.

[1:54:35] so we will be voting

[1:54:38] electronically, correct?

[1:54:41] and that is carried, thank you

[1:55:02] .

[1:55:02] next up we have the appointment

[1:55:06]

[1:55:06] of a closed meeting

[1:55:07] investigator, over to you.

[1:55:11] >> thank you warden and through

[1:55:14]

[1:55:14] you to members of council.

[1:55:15] this is not a new topic for

[1:55:18] council, I will not elaborate

[1:55:19] too much on this.

[1:55:21] on may 20th, 2026, report was

[1:55:23] provided to county council advising

[1:55:25] advising that the current caption

[1:55:26] caption would be concluding at the

[1:55:27] the end of this year.

[1:55:29] council has a choice to either

[1:55:31]

[1:55:31] engage in an independent closed

[1:55:33] meeting

[1:55:33] meeting investigator as a closed

[1:55:42] meeting

[1:55:42] meeting investigator.

[1:55:44] and the county will be in

[1:56:00] compliance with when the las contract

[1:56:02] contract expires at the end of the

[1:56:04] the year.

[1:56:06] >> questions for

[1:56:08] administration?

[1:56:08] councillor bondy?

[1:56:11] >> thank you warden

[1:56:12] macdonald.

[1:56:12] I was happy to see that

[1:56:16] administration took the feedback

[1:56:18]

[1:56:18] and came back with open

[1:56:21] mindedness towards using the

[1:56:23] ombudsman.

[1:56:23] I am hoping county council does

[1:56:26] think

[1:56:26] think about using the

[1:56:27] ombudsman.

[1:56:27] it seems like it is more fiscally

[1:56:30] fiscally responsible, it drops

[1:56:31]

[1:56:31] our corporate legal bills and I think

[1:56:33] think it has more public trust.

[1:56:36] because

[1:56:36] because when we appoint our own

[1:56:37] -- this

[1:56:37] -- this is my opinion -- when we

[1:56:39]

[1:56:39] appoint our own investigator,

[1:56:41] there is a perception of bias by

[1:56:43]

[1:56:43] handpicking our investigator.

[1:56:45] so unless a municipality is

[1:56:47] facing a rare situation, then

[1:56:51] the 30-60 day window is

[1:56:53] appropriate for the ombudsman.

[1:56:54]

[1:56:54] we have had a closed meeting

[1:56:56] investigation in essex, I will

[1:56:59]

[1:56:59] share it now and I feel like the

[1:57:00]

[1:57:00] ombudsman did a very fair job.

[1:57:02] I couldn't imagine the cost it

[1:57:05] could be

[1:57:05] could be if it was a private

[1:57:07] organization, that is just my thoughts

[1:57:07] thoughts and I'm hoping somebody

[1:57:09]

[1:57:09] makes a motion to go with the

[1:57:09] ombudsman.

[1:57:09] >> anyone else?

[1:57:15] councillor prue? >>

[1:57:17] >> and I shall be he.

[1:57:18] I think the ombudsman is the absolute

[1:57:20] absolute best way to go here.

[1:57:22] not because we are going to save

[1:57:24] a

[1:57:24] a lot of money, but the public

[1:57:25]

[1:57:25] perception is very important.

[1:57:27] if you ask anyone out there on

[1:57:29]

[1:57:29] the street in any place around

[1:57:32]

[1:57:32] this whole county, if you ask

[1:57:34] them who they feel most

[1:57:35] confident in dealing with, the

[1:57:39]

[1:57:39] alleged misdeeds of the county

[1:57:40]

[1:57:40] or any of the municipalities, they

[1:57:42] they will tell you the

[1:57:43] ombudsman.

[1:57:43] the ombudsman is called in a lot

[1:57:46] more often

[1:57:46] more often than you might

[1:57:47] think.

[1:57:47] if you only have one, you are lucky.

[1:57:51] if you only have one, you are lucky.

[1:57:51] we have had several requests and

[1:57:53] I

[1:57:53] I am always satisfied, although it

[1:57:55] it does take a long time, it is

[1:57:56]

[1:57:56] free and it is done well.

[1:58:00] the explanation is there and the

[1:58:01]

[1:58:01] person who is advised of the

[1:58:03] reasons why they are or are not

[1:58:05]

[1:58:05] successful.

[1:58:05] and I think that in terms of public

[1:58:09] public perception, I would go

[1:58:10] with that.

[1:58:11] the savings may be small because

[1:58:13]

[1:58:13] they are nothing, versus $300 an

[1:58:19]

[1:58:19] hour if there are multiple

[1:58:20] complaints, there's a lot going

[1:58:23]

[1:58:23] on.

[1:58:23] and I have always admired the

[1:58:28] ombudsman since it was

[1:58:30] instituted I think during the

[1:58:31] bill davis government, if my memory

[1:58:33] memory is still right.

[1:58:34] and it has never caused any

[1:58:36] problem to anyone I know in the

[1:58:38]

[1:58:38] whole province.

[1:58:39] I will move that motion.

[1:58:43] >> councillor deyong?

[1:58:45] we will get to the moving, I have to

[1:58:46] have to do it in two separate,

[1:58:49] I

[1:58:49] will actually come back to councillor bondy

[1:58:50] councillor bondy and I will let

[1:58:51]

[1:58:51] you second, how does that

[1:58:52] sound?

[1:58:52] councillor deyong?

[1:58:55] >> I was going to second the

[1:58:57] ombudsman.

[1:58:57] >> councillor meloche, did you

[1:59:02] have your

[1:59:02] have your hand up?

[1:59:05] but I have to separate it into

[1:59:06]

[1:59:06] two, if you don't mind.

[1:59:07] the first is that council

[1:59:08] receives the report as

[1:59:10] information and does anybody

[1:59:11] want to move or second that? Councillor

[1:59:14] councillor mcnamara, deputy warden.

[1:59:16] councillor mcnamara, deputy warden.

[1:59:16] sorry.

[1:59:16] any discussion on the motion to

[1:59:25]

[1:59:25] receive?

[1:59:25] I will ask you to vote

[1:59:27] electronically, please.

[1:59:30] and that is carried.

[1:59:43] next up, we have the

[1:59:47] recommendation that council direct

[1:59:49] direct administration to engage

[1:59:50] with the

[1:59:50] with the ombudsman for closed meeting

[1:59:51] meeting investigator services,

[1:59:52]

[1:59:52] that is moved by councillor

[1:59:54] bondy, seconded by councillor

[1:59:56] prue.

[1:59:56] any further discussion on that

[1:59:59]

[1:59:59] matter?

[1:59:59] I will ask you to vote

[2:00:01] electronically again, please.

[2:00:04] and that is carried, thank you.

[2:00:12]

[2:00:12] thank you kate.

[2:00:14] next up we have servicing

[2:00:15] encroachment and easement

[2:00:18] agreement.

[2:00:18] for that -- we have marisa.

[2:00:23] here to do our report.

[2:00:26] over to you, marisa.

[2:00:28] >> thank you.

[2:00:29] through you madam warden, this

[2:00:31] report

[2:00:31] report before you tonight is

[2:00:32] seeking council approval to enter

[2:00:33] enter into an agreement with the

[2:00:35]

[2:00:35] parties noted for an

[2:00:36] encroachment and solution of a

[2:00:38]

[2:00:38] water system in the county's

[2:00:40] right of way.

[2:00:42] just south of texas and water

[2:00:46] treatment plant, this is a raw

[2:00:49]

[2:00:49] water intake.

[2:00:50] in the report, the county has

[2:00:52] historically had installation of such

[2:00:54] such infrastructure along county

[2:00:55]

[2:00:55] routes, provided that the

[2:00:56] proponent enters into an

[2:00:57] agreement which addresses certain

[2:00:59] certain requirements and

[2:00:59] conditions to operate this

[2:01:01] infrastructure.

[2:01:01] working with a proponent of the

[2:01:06]

[2:01:06] details, we received and have been

[2:01:07] been conditionally approved and

[2:01:10] legal

[2:01:10] legal services have negotiated

[2:01:11] the

[2:01:11] the terms of the agreement, based on

[2:01:13] based on the form which is sent

[2:01:14]

[2:01:14] to council for consideration

[2:01:15] this evening.

[2:01:16] as noted in the report, there

[2:01:18] are no expected issues with this

[2:01:20]

[2:01:20] infrastructure, the proponent is

[2:01:23]

[2:01:23] done by trenchless methods over the road

[2:01:24] the road and the agreement is a

[2:01:27]

[2:01:27] proponent to follow for the

[2:01:28] construction operation of the

[2:01:30] water system within our right of

[2:01:32]

[2:01:32] way.

[2:01:32] and with that we are available

[2:01:33]

[2:01:33] for any questions.

[2:01:36] >> thank you marissa.

[2:01:38] questions from this report?

[2:01:41] councillor prue?

[2:01:43] >> thank you madam warden.

[2:01:45] it's not really a question, I

[2:01:46] just want to say how successful

[2:01:48] the

[2:01:48] the county was last time we had

[2:01:49]

[2:01:49] someone who wanted to go on to

[2:01:51]

[2:01:51] the road, which was walker

[2:01:53] aggregates.

[2:01:53] they went under howard avenue.

[2:01:58]

[2:01:58] and that saved a whole

[2:02:01] intersection, it allowed their

[2:02:02]

[2:02:02] trucks to go under to the two

[2:02:05] parts of their quarries.

[2:02:07] and it was seamless, it happened

[2:02:10]

[2:02:10] very quickly, they did a

[2:02:11] good job.

[2:02:11] and I'm sure that jackson will

[2:02:13] do

[2:02:13] do the same.

[2:02:16] at the appropriate moment, I will

[2:02:18] will support it.

[2:02:20] >> in that case, no one else's

[2:02:23]

[2:02:23] comments, know that there is the

[2:02:24]

[2:02:24] recommendation that council

[2:02:25] received the report as

[2:02:26] information and authorized the

[2:02:28] warden and

[2:02:28] warden and clerk to execute the

[2:02:29] servicing

[2:02:29] servicing encroachment and

[2:02:30] easement agreement it's moved

[2:02:34] and seconded.

[2:02:35] any further discussion?

[2:02:37] again, I will ask you to vote

[2:02:39] electronically.

[2:02:39] and that is carried, thank you.

[2:03:02] thank you marissa.

[2:03:05] next we have the final

[2:03:07] financials projected results

[2:03:10] operations for 2026.

[2:03:12] melissa ryan, over to you.

[2:03:14] >> thank you warden, through you

[2:03:16]

[2:03:16] and the county council.

[2:03:17] this report provides council

[2:03:18] with a mid-year projection of the

[2:03:20] the management results based on

[2:03:22]

[2:03:22] activity up to june 30th, as

[2:03:23] well as updated forecasts from

[2:03:25] the

[2:03:25] the department's.

[2:03:26] at this point in the year, the

[2:03:28]

[2:03:28] county is projecting an overall

[2:03:29]

[2:03:29] year end surplus of

[2:03:30] approximately 2.3 million, which

[2:03:32]

[2:03:32] represents about 1.6% of our

[2:03:35] total 2026 budget.

[2:03:36] I do want to emphasize that while there

[2:03:38] while there is a surplus projected,

[2:03:40] projected, it is a relatively small

[2:03:41] small variance when viewed against

[2:03:42] against overall size of the

[2:03:43] county budget.

[2:03:45] and much of the surplus is

[2:03:46] related to one time or timing related

[2:03:49] related factors such as

[2:03:50] vacancies, salary gaps, different

[2:03:52] different projects and external

[2:03:54] agency

[2:03:54] agency adjustments.

[2:03:55] so these should not be viewed as

[2:03:57] ongoing savings

[2:03:57] ongoing savings that can be

[2:03:58] built into future budgets. So

[2:04:00] so some of the more significant

[2:04:02]

[2:04:02] variances include sun parlour

[2:04:03] home, which is projecting a

[2:04:05] surplus of roughly 740000 and

[2:04:08] that one is primarily due to

[2:04:11] funding which was just indicated

[2:04:12]

[2:04:12] to us about a month ago.

[2:04:15] some vacancies as well as

[2:04:17] utility savings and ems, we are

[2:04:20]

[2:04:20] projecting a surplus of

[2:04:21] approximately 536,000 and it is

[2:04:24] primarily

[2:04:24] primarily attributed to vacant

[2:04:25]

[2:04:25] shifts and associated wage costs.

[2:04:26] shifts and associated wage costs.

[2:04:26] and external commitments, we are

[2:04:28]

[2:04:28] projecting a surplus of

[2:04:30] approximately 469,000 and that

[2:04:33] is primarily

[2:04:33] is primarily due to funding

[2:04:34] returned by the health unit.

[2:04:35] every year they do

[2:04:37] reconciliation from the prior year

[2:04:38] year and we did get some funding

[2:04:39]

[2:04:39] back there.

[2:04:40] the remaining departments are

[2:04:42] generally tracking close to

[2:04:43] budget with some smaller

[2:04:46] favourable variances.

[2:04:46] so overall, administration lays

[2:04:49]

[2:04:49] out this part in the year,

[2:04:51] departments continue to manage

[2:04:52]

[2:04:52] expenditures responsibly while

[2:04:53]

[2:04:53] maintaining service levels and

[2:04:56] a

[2:04:56] strong financial position.

[2:04:58] that said these are still

[2:04:59] projections.

[2:04:59] several assumptions underpin the

[2:05:01]

[2:05:01] forecast, including winter

[2:05:03] maintenance requirements, social

[2:05:05]

[2:05:05] services costs, investment

[2:05:07] performance and inflationary

[2:05:08] pressures.

[2:05:08] so we will continue to monitor

[2:05:10]

[2:05:10] these closely throughout the

[2:05:11] remainder of the year.

[2:05:14] if the projected surpluses

[2:05:15] materialize at year end,

[2:05:17] anything else committed by

[2:05:18] council would be committed to

[2:05:19] the rate stabilization reserve

[2:05:21] in

[2:05:21] in accordance with the policy.

[2:05:24]

[2:05:24] administration may also return

[2:05:25] at

[2:05:25] at year end with recommendations

[2:05:27]

[2:05:27] regarding the allocation of any

[2:05:29]

[2:05:29] ems or son parker home surpluses

[2:05:32] to

[2:05:32] to potentially put into their

[2:05:33] respective capital reserves,

[2:05:34] given the significant capital projects

[2:05:36] projects anticipated in those

[2:05:37] areas. And

[2:05:37] and with that I am happy to take

[2:05:40]

[2:05:40] any questions.

[2:05:41] >> thank you melissa.

[2:05:43] questions for our finance

[2:05:45] director?

[2:05:45] no questions?

[2:05:48] great.

[2:05:48] then the recommendation is that

[2:05:51]

[2:05:51] council receive the report as

[2:05:53] information.

[2:05:53] councillor verbeke?

[2:05:57] councillors rogers?

[2:05:58] any further discussion?

[2:06:00] I will ask you to vote

[2:06:01] electronically please.

[2:06:04] and that is unanimous as well.

[2:06:16] next up we have the meals on

[2:06:18] wheels proposal submission.

[2:06:19] and I believe councillor rogers

[2:06:22]

[2:06:22] has a conflict at this point, thank you.

[2:06:24] has a conflict at this point, thank you.

[2:06:24] so natasha, I believe you will

[2:06:30]

[2:06:30] be reporting.

[2:06:31] natasha?

[2:06:31] >> good evening warden and

[2:06:33] members of council.

[2:06:34] the report before you tonight is

[2:06:36]

[2:06:36] looking for council's

[2:06:37] endorsement to submit a proposal

[2:06:39]

[2:06:39] with south essex community council

[2:06:40] council for meals on wheels services

[2:06:43] services delivered by sun parlor

[2:06:44]

[2:06:44] home.

[2:06:44] you may know sun parlor home is

[2:06:47]

[2:06:47] partnered to deliver meals on wheels

[2:06:49] wheels for more than 20 years

[2:06:50] and this is really an

[2:06:51] opportunity for us to

[2:06:53] reestablish a long-standing

[2:06:54] relationship with experience in

[2:06:57]

[2:06:57] delivering the programme and the

[2:06:59]

[2:06:59] specific in-house skills and

[2:07:02] equipment already on board that

[2:07:04] would

[2:07:04] would require us to do so

[2:07:05] successfully.

[2:07:05] the service is important to our

[2:07:08]

[2:07:08] community as it provides

[2:07:09] nutritious meals and wellness

[2:07:11] checks that help seniors and

[2:07:14] residents remaining independent

[2:07:15] in

[2:07:15] in their homes.

[2:07:16] it aligns with the care and

[2:07:18] services we provide to the

[2:07:19] residents in the home and

[2:07:20] reaches those who one day may

[2:07:21] need long term care home

[2:07:23] support.

[2:07:23] from an operational perspective,

[2:07:27]

[2:07:27] we reviewed the requirements and

[2:07:28]

[2:07:28] have capacity to support the

[2:07:29] programme through the existing

[2:07:31] food and

[2:07:31] food and nutritious services

[2:07:33] resource.

[2:07:33] we do not anticipate needing any

[2:07:35]

[2:07:35] additional staff, equipment or

[2:07:37]

[2:07:37] capital costs at this time and

[2:07:38] are

[2:07:38] are committed to working closely

[2:07:40] with

[2:07:40] with finance to ensure that our

[2:07:41]

[2:07:41] proposal is financially

[2:07:42] sustainable and that there will

[2:07:44]

[2:07:44] be no net new cost to sun

[2:07:46] parlour home.

[2:07:49] this is a competitive process so

[2:07:50] at

[2:07:50] at this point in time we are

[2:07:51] really just looking for council's endorsement

[2:07:52] council's endorsement to allow us

[2:07:53] us to move forward with the

[2:07:55] proposal, but I'm happy to

[2:07:56] answer any questions,

[2:07:57] thank you.

[2:07:58] >> thank you, natasha.

[2:08:00] any questions for our director?

[2:08:03]

[2:08:03] no questions?

[2:08:05] in that case, there is a

[2:08:06] recommendation that council

[2:08:07] received the report as

[2:08:08] information and that council

[2:08:09] endorsed the submission with the

[2:08:11]

[2:08:11] proposal for meals on wheels

[2:08:13] services through south essex

[2:08:14] community council, recognizing

[2:08:16]

[2:08:16] sun parlor's long-standing

[2:08:18] partnership in the delivery of

[2:08:19]

[2:08:19] the programme.

[2:08:20] its experience and operational

[2:08:22]

[2:08:22] capacity to support service delivery

[2:08:24] delivery and the positive impact

[2:08:26] of

[2:08:26] of the programme has for

[2:08:28] residents within the community.

[2:08:31]

[2:08:31] moved by councillor bailey,

[2:08:33] seconded by councillor shepley.

[2:08:35]

[2:08:35] any further discussion?

[2:08:38] seeing none, I will ask you to

[2:08:40] vote

[2:08:40] vote electronically.

[2:08:42] and that is carried.

[2:08:51] no matters of unfinished

[2:08:53] business, onto new business.

[2:08:55] prior to the regular council

[2:08:56] meeting this evening cat council

[2:08:57]

[2:08:57] met for a special closed meeting

[2:09:00] at

[2:09:00] at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to

[2:09:02] section 239 -- 3.1 of the

[2:09:04] municipal act for an education

[2:09:05]

[2:09:05] and training session regarding

[2:09:08]

[2:09:08] truth and reconciliation

[2:09:09] theory.

[2:09:09] council met further in a closed

[2:09:11]

[2:09:11] meeting at 5:00 p.m. Pursuant to

[2:09:14] section

[2:09:14] section 2392dnf of the municipal

[2:09:16]

[2:09:16] act.

[2:09:16] council was provided with

[2:09:18] information regarding ongoing

[2:09:19] legal matters and regarding

[2:09:21] status of collective bargaining

[2:09:24]

[2:09:24] with local union 4.72.

[2:09:26] council further received

[2:09:28] information related to the tentative

[2:09:30] tentative collective agreement

[2:09:31] between

[2:09:31] between the county of essex and

[2:09:34] local

[2:09:34] local 2974.1.

[2:09:35] as a result of the discussion,

[2:09:37]

[2:09:37] the following recommendation are

[2:09:38]

[2:09:38] before council.

[2:09:39] that essex county council

[2:09:41] approved the tentative agreement

[2:09:43] between the corporation

[2:09:43] between the corporation and

[2:09:43] the county of essex and local

[2:09:47] 2974.1, including a drop above

[2:09:51]

[2:09:51] the $45,128 from the health

[2:09:52] benefit rate stabilization

[2:09:54] reserve, subject to ratification

[2:09:56] by

[2:09:56] by the union's membership.

[2:09:58] moved by councillor meloche,

[2:10:00] seconded by councillor gibb.

[2:10:02] any other questions?

[2:10:04] I will ask you to vote

[2:10:06] electronically.

[2:10:06] and that is carried.

[2:10:30] are there any other matters of

[2:10:31]

[2:10:31] new business? Councillor

[2:10:32] councillor mcnamara?

[2:10:33] >> thank you madam warden. Through

[2:10:34] through you to our director of

[2:10:36]

[2:10:36] transportation services, just a

[2:10:38]

[2:10:38] question.

[2:10:38] in terms of when you were

[2:10:42] expecting tenders from the

[2:10:46] manning road drainage, the seer

[2:10:51]

[2:10:51] ponds, I think two or three ponds.

[2:10:54] ponds, I think two or three ponds.

[2:10:54] I think it was a partnership

[2:10:55] obviously with the town, but

[2:10:57] it's going through the county.

[2:10:59]

[2:10:59] >> through you madam warden, that

[2:11:01] that tender is actually closed,

[2:11:02] I

[2:11:02] I believe it was last week.

[2:11:04] so we are now in the process of being

[2:11:05] being able to work through that

[2:11:07] and

[2:11:07] and then we will be commencing

[2:11:08] that

[2:11:08] that in a few weeks.

[2:11:09] >> thank you.

[2:11:12] >> anyone else?

[2:11:14] seeing none then we're moving on

[2:11:15]

[2:11:15] to adoption of bylaws, there are

[2:11:18] three

[2:11:18] three bylaws this evening for council's

[2:11:20] council's consideration.

[2:11:20] they will be read by the county

[2:11:22]

[2:11:22] clerk.

[2:11:22] >> bylaw number 2026-31, being

[2:11:28] a

[2:11:28] bylaw to provide the rules

[2:11:30] governing the order and

[2:11:31] proceedings of the council of the

[2:11:32] the corporation of the county of

[2:11:33]

[2:11:33] essex, committees and local

[2:11:35] boards.

[2:11:35] bylaw number 2026-34, being a

[2:11:40] bylaw to authorize the execution

[2:11:41]

[2:11:41] of a service in, encroachment,

[2:11:43]

[2:11:43] and easement agreement between the

[2:11:44] the corporation of the county of

[2:11:45]

[2:11:45] essex and 100-040-2065 ontario

[2:11:49]

[2:11:49] limited, operating as southern

[2:11:52]

[2:11:52] aqua and 145-4410 ontario inc.,

[2:11:56]

[2:11:56] operating as jax organics.

[2:11:58] and bylaw number 2026-35, being

[2:12:01] a

[2:12:01] a bylaw to confirm the

[2:12:01] proceedings of the council of the

[2:12:03] the corporation of the county of

[2:12:04]

[2:12:04] essex, special, closed, and regular

[2:12:06] regular meetings for

[2:12:07] september second, 2026. >>

[2:12:08] >> there's a recommendation that

[2:12:10]

[2:12:10] bylaws 2026-31, 2026-34 and

[2:12:14] 2026-35 be given three readings

[2:12:16] and

[2:12:16] and having been ready first, second

[2:12:18] second and third time be finally

[2:12:19]

[2:12:19] passed and enacted.

[2:12:22] moved and seconded all in

[2:12:27] favour?

[2:12:27] never mind.

[2:12:28] vote electronically please.

[2:12:30] I thought I would get through one meeting

[2:12:32] one meeting without messing it

[2:12:33]

[2:12:33] up.

[2:12:33] and that is carried.

[2:13:06] are there any notices of motion

[2:13:08]

[2:13:08] to be introduced for

[2:13:09] september second?

[2:13:10] councillor akpata?

[2:13:12] >> thank you madam warden.

[2:13:14] my notice of motion as the

[2:13:15] county of essex has an existing

[2:13:17]

[2:13:17] history and culture deep rooted

[2:13:19]

[2:13:19] in french heritage and it's been

[2:13:20]

[2:13:20] acknowledged that french language

[2:13:22] language heritage and culture are

[2:13:22] are part of the trade

[2:13:23] negotiations with the

[2:13:24] united states.

[2:13:25] and has occurred, trade

[2:13:26] negotiations with the

[2:13:27] united states will affect border

[2:13:29]

[2:13:29] communities and whereby many of our

[2:13:30] our residents are directly impacted

[2:13:32] impacted by these cross-border

[2:13:34] issues

[2:13:34] issues to their livelihood, be

[2:13:35]

[2:13:35] it resolved that the county of

[2:13:37]

[2:13:37] essex ensure that the concerns

[2:13:38] of our

[2:13:39] of our residents are brought

[2:13:39] directly to the federal

[2:13:40] government to consider as part

[2:13:41] of the

[2:13:41] of the future trade positions and

[2:13:44] and discussions, reminding them

[2:13:45] their

[2:13:45] their activities directly affect

[2:13:47] our

[2:13:47] our communities and be it

[2:13:48] further resolved that the french

[2:13:49]

[2:13:49] language history of the county

[2:13:50] of essex

[2:13:50] of essex is also brought to the

[2:13:50]

[2:13:50] attention of the federal

[2:13:51] government to ensure the unique

[2:13:53]

[2:13:53] language and culture of french

[2:13:55]

[2:13:55] canadians is respected in any trade agreements

[2:13:56] trade agreements that are going

[2:13:57]

[2:13:57] to affect and how it will affect

[2:14:01]

[2:14:01] us.

[2:14:01] >> anyone else?

[2:14:04] so all matters of business have

[2:14:07]

[2:14:07] been adjourned -- are addressed,

[2:14:09]

[2:14:09] adjournment is in order.

[2:14:10] so the motion is that

[2:14:12] essex county council meeting for

[2:14:14]

[2:14:14] september second, 2026, be

[2:14:16] adjourned at 8:14 p.m.

[2:14:18] councillor prue?

[2:14:19] councillors rogers?

[2:14:20] all in favour by show of hands?

[2:14:22]

[2:14:22] that is carried.

[2:14:23] thank you everyone, I wish you

[2:14:25]

[2:14:25] all a good night.

Essex County Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda

Transcript