Council Recap – May 21 Regular Meeting of Council
Announcements
Councillor St-Jean announced his intent to bring forward a notice of motion for a public code of conduct to the next feasible Council meeting.
Councillor Grosso announced the Ameliasburgh “community conversation” that took place on May 22 at the Ameliasburgh Town Hall (13 Coleman Street).
Councillor Nieman announced that the Bloomfield/Hallowell Recreation Committee is hosting an old-fashioned BBQ picnic on June 1 from 11 am – 3 pm at the Mill Pond Park in Bloomfield.
Councillor Pennell announced the Storehouse Wellington and District foodbank sale.
Councillor St-Jean announced the Prince Edward County SXS/ATV 2nd Annual Poker Run on June 1.
Councillor Maynard announced that June 6 is the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy landings. She encouraged people to visit your local Legion or their website to view resources and learn more.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed June as Seniors Month, Pride month and National Indigenous History Month and June 21 as National Indigenous Peoples Day. He also proclaimed 99.3 County FM radiothon, and May 26-June 1, 2024 as National Accessibility Week.
Presentations
Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health addressed Council regarding the 2024 beach sampling report and public health merger. View the presentation.
Deputations
Johanne Strome and Roxanne Bird from Community Living Prince Edward addressed Council regarding Community Living Prince Edward & Blue/Green Shirt Day. Click here to view the deputation.
Joe Dale and Geoff Craig from the South Shore Joint Initiative addressed Council regarding the south shore footpath project. Click here to view the deputation.
Comments from the Audience
John Ambrose provided a comment on item 11.1 regarding the H.J McFarland Memorial Home – Long Term Care Development Agreement. He spoke to needing sustainable long-term care with net zero energy through a geothermal design. He noted that there are many benefits to net zero energy, and how it can cut carbon dioxide by 380 tonnes/year. John Ambrose noted it may relieve the tax burden by $200,000 per year and that this builds high accumulative value and how the savings can be used to reinvest in other buildings or repay the debt.
Councillor MacNaughton asked if an analysis could be conducted using the current specs for the rebuild and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities grants.
Items for consideration
Council directed the Mayor and CAO to enter into a long-term care Development Agreement with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Long-Term Care for the H.J McFarland Memorial Home – New Build for the fulfillment of the Provincial grant milestones.
Council approved the Video Surveillance – Municipal Properties Policy.
Committee of the Whole Highlights – May 23, 2024
Deputations
Dominique Jones, Executive Director of The County Foundation addressed Committee regarding the community grants review. Click here to view the deputation.
Susan Wallis addressed Committee regarding the Athol Town Hall daycare opportunity. Click here to view the deputation.
Stacey Stanford, Executive Director of The Hub Child & Family Centre addressed Committee regarding the Athol Town Hall daycare opportunity. Click here to view the deputation.
Nicola Chapman addressed Committee regarding the Athol Town Hall daycare opportunity.
Comments from the Audience
Umbreen Tapal provided a comment from the audience on item 6.1 regarding Daycare Opportunity at Athol Town Hall. She noted that there is a need for childcare in the community and strongly supports the daycare opportunity at Athol Town Hall. She highlighted the multi-generational use of the space will be a delightful change.
Leah Garfield-Wright provided a comment from the audience on item 6.1 regarding Daycare Opportunity at Athol Town Hall. She noted the commitment to having childcare as a priority for candidates during the 2022 municipal election, and that there needs to be a sustained commitment for the program. She shared her availability to assist during this transition and encouraged all to see how they can work together to elevate and have a vision for an intergenerational community.
Rebecca Dunning provided a comment from the audience on item 6.1 regarding Daycare Opportunity at Athol Town Hall. She noted the proposal is a no-brainer for children, and parents to be able to return to work, not struggle and have to delay their careers for not having another choice. Rebecca Dunning advised how the upgrades to the hall will bring new purpose and life to the historical building.
Deborah Marshall provided a comment from the audience on item 6.1 regarding Daycare Opportunity at Athol Town Hall on behalf of the Women’s Institute. She noted that the proposed lease agreement does not include language about sharing the space and asked that this provision be included.
Glen Wallis provided a comment from the audience on item 6.1 regarding Daycare Opportunity at Athol Town Hall. He noted that residents of Athol are being asked to lend a hand to correct a failure and spoke to the cost of not permitting volunteers access to the Town Hall and other fees and charges connected with the use of the Athol Town Hall.
Items for consideration
Report of the Recreation & Community Facilities department regarding the Daycare Opportunity at Athol Town Hall
Upon written approval from the Ministry of Education confirming the space meets provincial requirements; Council directed the Mayor and the CAO to enter into a Lease agreement with The Hub for the shared use of Athol Town Hall as a daycare for a term of five years.
A By-Law to enter into a Lease agreement with The Hub to be brought forward to the June 25 Council meeting with a final updated version of the agreement, following consultation with the Women’s Institute, Athol Recreation Committee, and the HUB outlining shared use in the lease.
Report of the Community Services, Programs & Initiatives department regarding the Community Funding Review
Council directed staff to consult with the not-for-profit/community groups sector on the proposed amendments to FIN-09 Community Grants Policy and return to Council with final recommendations prior to the 2025 budget deliberations.
Report of the Corporate & Legislative Services department regarding Road Network Asset Management Planning for Urban Roads
This matter was removed from the agenda and will come forward to a future Committee meeting.
The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 7 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Thursday, June 13, 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.