Council Highlights – March 26 Regular Meeting of Council
Reports from Closed Session
Coming out of Closed Session, Council directed staff to explore an agreement with Sandbanks Provincial Park/Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding the use of the municipal parking area in Sandbanks Provincial Park near the Dunes Beach entrance. Staff will bring a report to Council in open session at a future meeting.
The County’s CAO and Municipal Lawyer provided Council with a verbal report regarding StayPEC Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Financial Accountability Agreement. Council approved the MAT Financial Accountability Agreement with StayPEC for the purpose of dispersing MAT funds. This agreement will be reviewed every 5 years to reflect any future program changes and ensure that the terms and conditions continue to support all parties’ mutual goal of strengthening the local economy and growing the tourism industry. Staff will bring forward a by-law in open session to approve and implement this agreement.
Announcements
Councillor Engelsdorfer announced his notice of motion seeking Council support for the province to amend Ontario Regulation 391/21: Blue Box for “ineligible” sources to the April 9 Council meeting.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed April as Daffodil Month. He urged all County residents to fight back against cancer by supporting the Canadian Cancer Society’s online fundraising campaign.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed the month of April as “Be a Donor” Month and encouraged all residents to learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Residents are encouraged to pledge their support by visiting BeADonor.ca
Deputations
Addition of American Eel to the list of Wildlife Species at Risk
Kendall Dewey addressed Council regarding public consultation check-in of addition the American Eel species to the list of Wildlife Species at Risk (Schedule 1) of the Species at Risk Act. Kendall touched on the historical and present importance of eel to commercial fishery and how economic importance has been lost due to the drastic decline in eel population in combination with other environmental disruptions.
Further to Kendall’s deputation, Council directed the Environmental Advisory Committee to provide comments to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) through the Species at Risk Public Registry regarding adding American Eel to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk (Schedule 1) of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) utilizing the research presented as listed on the Council agenda. Click here for more information.
Comments from the Audience
Steve Sykes and Rick Conroy provided comments on agenda item 11.1. Discussions included the lending and borrowing process and the municipality’s liability.
Amy Bodman spoke on behalf of Rick Beaver, a Mississauga Ojibwe elder (Michi Saagiig Anishnaabe) from Alderville First Nation regarding the deputation about adding the American Eel to the list of Wildlife Species at Risk.
Items on the Agenda
Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation requests loan to support continued pre-construction activities
Council approved the provision of a construction loan for $5 million with interest payable at a rate of 2.5% for a term of 5 years to the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation. Council also declared the Niles Street (Wellington)and the Disraeli Street (Picton) affordable housing project as Projects of Community Interest. More information is available in the staff report to Council.
Council approves the County’s Council Remuneration and Expense Policy
Council approved the Council Remuneration and Expense Policy. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to the Mayor and Council with respect to remuneration required in an official capacity as a member of Council. It also provides consistent rules for Council as to how expenses will be addressed and establishes the procedures for how expenses will be reimbursed for those appointed by Boards or Advisory Committees where expenses are eligible in their terms of reference.
Councillors Pennell and MacNaughton seek support for ‘Call to Action’ to meet deadline of an Accessible Ontario by 2025
Council will strongly encourage action on the part of the provincial government to urgently create a “Municipal Accessibility Fund” for municipalities to develop, implement and enforce AODA standards. Council will also help urge the provincial government to commit to working with municipalities to implement the Donavan Review immediate crisis recommendations. Mayor Ferguson will write a letter in support of this resolution to the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, the Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus, and all Ontario Municipalities. Click here to read the full resolution.
Council approves various tenders for infrastructure projects
Council approved various tenders for serval infrastructure projects. Click here to view the agenda to view the approved tenders.
Committee of the Whole Highlights – March 28, 2024
Deputations
K-6 Nature-Based School
Claire Telford addressed Council regarding the building of a K-6 nature-based school that provides County families with an alternative or supplement to traditional schools on Edwin County Farms. Click here to read Claire’s deputation.
Presentations
Councillor MacNaughton addressed Council as the Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee regarding the Committee’s 2023 annual update to Council. Click here to read the Committee’s report.
Items on the Agenda
Asset Management Plan Update
Staff provided Council with an update on the County’s Asset Management Plan. The upcoming Phase 3 requirements of the plan include the development of proposed levels of service for the next 10 years, an updated inventory analysis, a lifecycle management strategy, a financial strategy to support service growth, and a risk analysis. Click here to learn more.
Ward Recreation Committee Membership Requirement Review
Council amended the Ward Recreation Committees’ Terms of Reference to include a minimum of 5 public members and a maximum of 10 public members. Previously, the Terms of Reference allowed for a maximum of 9 public members. Click here to learn more about the County’s Ward Recreation Committees.
The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 7 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Thursday, April 11, 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.