Council Highlights – January 28 Regular Meeting of Council
Announcements
Councillor Hirsh advised that his previous notice of motion, tabled at January 14, 2025 Council meeting, regarding Picton Terminals quarry operation was placed on hold pending the outcome of the current legal proceedings against Picton Terminals for excavating limestone.
Councillor Braney announced that he would be bring forward a motion regarding placing a question on the ballot in the 2026 municipal election to address a governance review, including the size of Council at the next feasible Council meeting..
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed February 2025 as Black History Month in Prince Edward County.
Public Participation
Council received deputations from:
Sue Mathieu, Secretary of the Prince Edward Fitness & Aquatics Centre (PEFAC) Board of Directors, providing the PEFAC annual update. Click here to view the deputation.
Tanya Marie Logan and Maggie Braun addressed Council regarding the County’s participation in the Partners for Climate Protection program. Click here to find both deputations.
Three members of the audience expressed support of the Partners for Climate Protection program.
Items on the Agenda
Hill Street/Fairfield Street Exchange of Lands in Picton
Council declared a portion of a parcel of municipal land (part of Queen Elizabeth Park on Hill Street, Picton) as surplus to the needs of the municipality for the purpose of conveyance to Richard Raymond Larose and Laurie Sybil Catford-Larose and subject to a parcel of land being transferred to the Municipality. Click here to read the full staff report.
New Agreements Under the Municipal Capital Facilities By-law for Affordable Housing Projects
Council approved the Designation By-Law, for the following properties:
- 30 Disraeli Street, Picton
- The property located on the west side of Nicholas Street near Cumberland Street in Picton
- 1133 County Road 5, Picton
The Municipal Capital Facilities Project Agreements exempt the properties from taxation for municipal and school board purposes annually for the duration of the agreement. Click here to read the full staff report.
Appointment of Councillors to the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation (PECAHC)
Councillors Sam Grosso and Kate MacNaughton were appointed as interim Board members for PECAHC. Letters of appreciation will be sent to Joyce Barretto, Gunta Mackars and Katherine Chislett for their time serving on the Board. Public recruitment for more Board members will occur later in 2025.
Committee of the Whole Highlights – January 30 (to be ratified by Council on February 11, 2025)
Public Participation
Committee of the Whole received deputations from;
Mark Rose, Executive Director of the Picton Business Improvement Association (BIA) providing a report on the 2024 Review/2025 Preview for the Picton BIA. Click here to read the deputation
Sarah Fox, Executive Director of Visit the County, regarding tourism and economic development. Click here to read the deputation.
Duarte Da Silva, CEO of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce, regarding the economic development of the Chamber and requesting a $50,000 grant for a period of three years. Staff were directed to report on an “exceptional partnership” with the PEC Chamber of Commerce to support local business under the new Community Grants Policy.. Click here to read the deputation.
Karen Palmer, on behalf of Erin MacInnis, Closson Chase, provided comments on the Economic Development Action Plan 2025-2030.
Items on the Agenda
Economic Development Action Plan 2025 – 2030
Committee endorsed the Economic Development Action Plan for 2025 – 2030 as a roadmap for directing the work of municipal staff over the next five years. Staff will develop a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and will propose a sustainable funding model, eligibility criteria and application, and an adjudication process for any programs related to the CIP. Staff will bring forward a Terms of Reference, proposed membership and proposed milestones for a Childcare Task Team in 2025. Click here to read the full staff report.
The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, February 11 at 7 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton. The next Committee of the Whole will be held on Thursday, February 13 at 1 pm at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
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.