Council Recap – May 7 Regular Meeting of Council
Announcements
Councillor Braney announced the Mother’s Day Community chicken dinner at the Hillier Town Hall on Sunday May 12, hosted by the Recreation Committee.
Councillor St-Jean announced the first Picton Farmer’s Market of the season on Sunday May 12.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed May 19 to 25 as National Public Works Week and VON Week, as well as May 19 as Personal Support Workers Day.
Presentations
Mayor Ferguson presented Civic Awards to the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute for their unwavering commitment to community service.
Deputations
Barbara Mason from the Picton Community Gardens addressed Council regarding Picton Community Gardens “Growing Together”. Click here to view the deputation. An amending motion was put forward by the Picton Councillors to make the Picton community gardens a project of community interest.
Mark Pedersen from O’Flynn Weese LLP addressed Council regarding Consent Application- File Nos: B109-21, the Estate of Ronald Lough & Eva Lough. Click here to view the deputation.
Comments from the Audience
Gillian Armstrong of the County Foundation (Grants & Communications Administrator) spoke in support of item 9.2 regarding Municipal Community Grants. She noted that the County Foundation assembles an adjudication committee representing all wards to make grant decisions. Gillian mentioned the different categories and noted there is a gap between funding available and community need.
Joanna Green provided comments regarding item 10.3, Committee of the Whole report regarding the Review of the Water and Wastewater Financing for Wellington Infrastructure. She expressed concern regarding the various aspects of the infrastructure projects, specifically the financial data.
Items for consideration
Council refused consent to File Nos: B109-21, B112-21, The Estate of Ronald Lough & Eva Lough.
Council approved the recommendations of The County Foundation for municipal grants over $5,000 within the approved 2024 operating budget
Council awarded Tender PEC-OPS-0009-2024 (Asphalt Repairs) to Kiley Paving Ltd. and
Council awarded tender OPS-04-2024 supply and delivery of fuels to W. O. Stinson & Son Ltd
Council approved a resolution from Councillor Branderhorst seeking Council support for the Province and Federal Government to work together to help end the national housing affordability crisis.
Council directed the Mayor to write to the Provincial and Federal Ministers of Housing urgently requesting confirmation that financial support will continue for vulnerable households across Ontario currently in receipt of the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit prior to May 31, 2024.
Committee of the Whole Highlights – May 9, 2024
Deputations
David J. Potts addressed Committee regarding Glen Lane. Click here to view the deputation.
Billy Wright addressed Committee regarding Glen Lane. Click here to view the deputation.
Councillor Braney brought forward a motion for staff to explore the application of section 35 of the Municipal Act on Glen Lane.
Comments from the Audience
Dorothy Bothwell provided a comment from the audience on item 6.3 H.J. McFarland Memorial Home regarding LTC Redevelopment Update – Provincial Construction Funding Subsidy TopUp. She expressed concern for the financial figures, and chances of success of obtaining a Provincial grant for the redevelopment.
Items for consideration
Report of the Office of the CAO regarding the CAO Update – First Quarter Report
Procurement based on the 2024 Budget and the implementation of community services represent a large amount of the first quarter work outlined in the report.
At the close of the first quarter, the municipality is in a stable financial position. There were no draws on the municipality’s line of credit as the County remains in a strong cash position. As of March 31, 2023, the municipality has spent 21.3% of its overall budget (this does not include transfers to/from Reserves and Reserve Funds).
Report of the Operational Services Department regarding Transition of Recycling to Producer Responsibility
Council directed staff to work with Circular Materials Ontario or any other delegate of the Producer Responsibility Organizations to establish suitable locations for public recycling receptacles as required to maintain existing service delivery.
Council authorized the execution of a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Circular MaterialsOntario for the collection and management of eligible and non-eligible recyclables from Prince Edward County’s seven Waste Management Sites during the transition period, and approve the ByLaw at the May 21 Council meeting. Council directed staff to return to Council with a report outlining possible options for managing non-eligible recyclables previously captured by curbside collection during and post transition.
Report of the H.J. McFarland Memorial Home regarding LTC Redevelopment Update – Provincial Construction Funding Subsidy TopUp
Council directed staff to move forward with capital project BLD-0184, which was conditionally approved in the 2024 budget, following the announcement of another round of the time-limited construction funding subsidy (CFS) top-up. Council directs staff to return to Council in Q2 and report on the progress towards the provincial grant milestones.
The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 7 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23, 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.