Council Highlights – July 23 Regular Meeting of Council
Presentations
Kim Pothier was presented with a civic recognition award for her success in speed skating at the Special Olympic National Winter Games in Calgary and swimming at the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games in Waterloo.
Announcements
Councillor Pennell sought a challenge to look at all possibilities on how money can be used differently or in a more objective manner, in anticipation of the 2025 budget.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed July 21 – 27 as National Drowning Prevention Week. Click here to read the proclamation.
Reports from Closed Session
Council appointed Doug Little as a voting public member of the Wellington Ward Recreation Committee for the term of Council or until reappointed.
Deputations
Prior to the deputations, Mayor Ferguson made an announcement that the Minutes of Settlement that were put forward by Council on June 25, 2024, have been officially accepted by Picton Terminals. He recognized that this impacts several people and is a difficult matter to communicate, however is his responsibility as the Head of Council.
Sarah Viau, Municipal Lawyer provided information regarding the context on this matter, and noted that on June 25, 2024, via Motion 2024-304, Council agreed upon terms of settlement, and directed settlement on that basis. That was a legally binding commitment, and as a result, these terms of settlement have been accepted, and Council does not have the ability to alter the terms of settlement that were approved on June 25, 2024. She stated the terms will become public at a future meeting of Council.
10 members of the public made deputations to Council regarding the Picton Terminals. The deputations included concerns expressed by residents on matters such as the Terminals’ location, questions about the proposed legal advice and how Council’s decision on the matter will impact future generations and the environment.
Comments from the Audience
Dorothy Bothwell spoke to item 11.2, regarding a long-term care build update and the progress towards provincial milestones.
7 members of the audience spoke to item 12.2 regarding the Picton Terminals. The audience expressed concerns about Council accepting the agreement and the legal process around Picton terminals’ operation. The audience also discussed how some residents’ quality of life will be affected by the expanded operation.
Items on the Agenda
Resolution from Councillor Engelsdorfer seeking Council support calling on the Federal and Provincial Governments for Investment in Municipal Infrastructure for Eastern Ontario’s Small and Rural Communities
Prince Edward County will join the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in calling on the Federal and Ontario Governments to immediately and sustainably partner with Municipal Governments by investing in both the new and ongoing maintenance and repairs of municipal infrastructure in Eastern Ontario’s small rural municipalities. Click here to read Councillor Engelsdorfer’s full resolution.
H.J. McFarland Memorial Home – LTC Build Update – Progress towards Provincial Milestones
Staff will return to Council with a recommendation on the construction tender award prior to the final November 8 “Approval to Construct” provincial milestone. Click here to read the staff report.
County will explore opportunities for future use of the existing H.J. McFarland Memorial Home Property
Staff will conduct an Expression of Interest process to explore opportunities with external parties for the reuse of the existing H.J. McFarland Memorial Home site and report the results to Council in Q4 of 2024. Click here to read the staff report.
2022-2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan – 2023 Progress Report
Council received the 2022-2026 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan – 2023 Progress Report. Council approved amending Schedule “J” Accessible Parking Spaces in the staff report with the following amendments:
- Bloomfield parking: Remove the 264 Bloomfield Main St spot to be relocated to the first spot west of the driveway of the Bloomfield United church parking lot.
- Staff explore the feasibility of changing the proposed accessible parking space from 130 Main St to relocate it to 131 Picton Main St before implementation, and report back to Council.
Committee of the Whole Highlights – July 25, 2024
Deputations
Mark Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of Loyalist College, addressed Council regarding Loyalist College programs and local workforce skills development. Click here to read Mark’s deputation.
Bill Wybenga, President, and Greg Locke, Board Member of the Prince Edward Common Element Condominium Corporation #15, addressed Council regarding a request for municipal garbage and recyclable waste collection for the freehold homes within the Port Picton development.
County staff will explore the feasibility and the implications of municipal garbage and recyclable waste collection for the freehold homes within the Port Picton development and will bring forward a report for Council consideration by the end of September 2024.
Items on the Agenda
Skilled Trades & Construction Business Retention + Expansion Survey Results
Due to the results of the survey staff will use 2024 Rural Economic Development funding to engage a consultant to review and recommend improvements to Economic Development, Development Services and Planning policies and procedures, with the aim of improved service for the business community.
Staff will build an inventory of existing vacant or under-utilized public and private lands zoned for industrial, manufacturing or employment use, and where there is owner permission, promote available properties on the Doing Business section of the corporate website.
Staff will include funds in the 2025 draft budget to engage a qualified specialist to gauge future employment lands needs, and direct staff to include commercial development requirements and design guidelines based on these findings when updating the Picton, Wellington and Rossmore Secondary Plans, as scheduled in 2024 and 2025.
Staff will explore measures to allow temporary housing for skilled trades and construction workers at active housing development sites and return to Council in early 2025 with recommendations. Click here to read the staff report. Click here to view the summary of the survey’s responses.
Non-Core Asset Management Plan
Staff will use the Non-Core Asset Management Plan and the Core Asset Management Plan to inform the 2025 Capital Budget. Staff will return with a discussion in Q1 2025 to confirm service standards for all assets in order to establish a long-term funding strategy for a consolidated Asset Management Plan to meet the provincial regulatory deadline of July 2025. Click here to read the staff report.
Development Charges By-laws Amendments
Council made amendments to several Development Charges by-laws, to come forward for consideration to the August 27, 2024 Council meeting. Staff will align the definitions of Affordable Housing with the Municipal Housing Project Facilities By-Law, for the purposes of qualification for a Development Charges Exemption for the provision of affordable housing, as part of the Development Charges Background Study update.
The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 1 pm at Shire Hall.
This summary is not a complete record of the proceedings of the meetings. For the official record, please refer to the minutes in the next Council agenda. A video of this meeting is available on The County’s YouTube Channel.