Motions from Closed Session
Council made a motion to amend the Appeals Committee Terms of Reference to comprise of 4 members of the public and 2 members of Council. Council appointed 4 members of the public to the committee.
Announcements
Councillor Nieman announced that the Bloomfield Santa Claus Parade is happening on Friday, November 24. The streets will close at 6pm and the parade will begin at 6:30 pm. Click here for more information on the street closure and traffic restrictions during the parade.
Councillor Engelsdorfer announced that he will be bringing a notice of motion to the next Council meeting concerning an updated financial plan regarding water and wastewater infrastructure.
Councillor St-Jean promoted the PEC Angel Tree program. He acknowledged the great work done by the community volunteers that are helping to run the program so that local families and children in need can be looked after during Christmas. He noted that the program will begin on Tuesday, November 21 and will run from 12 pm – 5 pm, Tuesday – Friday and 10 am – 4 pm on Saturdays up until the week before Christmas. The Angel Tree will be located at St. Mary Magdelene Church (335 Picton Main Street) across from Shire Hall.
Councillor MacNaughton announced that the Picton Santa Claus Parade is happening on Sunday, December 3 beginning at 1 pm. More information will be posted online when it becomes available.
Councillor Maynard announced that the Consecon Santa Claus Parade will also be happening on Sunday, December 3 beginning at 1 pm. More information will be posted online when it becomes available.
Comments from the Audience
Kelly McGillivray, Chair of the Traffic Advisory Committee, presented the committee’s request to Council to change the name of the committee from ‘Traffic Advisory Committee’ to ‘Transportation Advisory Committee.’ Kelly stated that the term ‘traffic’ refers to vehicle-centric road networks. The term ‘transportation’ is more inclusive and is a more accurate term to reflect the work that the committee is doing.
Amy Dickens, Source Water Protection Coordinator for Quinte Conservation, spoke to Council in support of the motion for 11.5 to stop the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ proposal to expand the use of the permit-by-rile to waste management systems, storm water management systems and certain water taking activities. She noted the importance of advocating for the process to remain the same, and the detrimental economic impact long term
CAO Update: Third Quarter Report
The CAO provided Council with information on the key activities and challenges faced by the municipality in the third quarter of 2023.
The Q3 report covers the period from July 1 to September 30, when summer projects came to a close, and several departments were engaged in annual activities. Most projects from the 2023 budget were underway or tendered in this quarter.
From a financial perspective, the Q3 report illustrates that the municipality is in a stable financial position coming into the end of 2023. Shortage of goods and/or time delays continue to impact supply chains and have impacted some of the capital works. A construction loan to finance some of the larger capital works will be undertaken in Q4. As of September 30, 2023, the municipality has spent 57.3% of its overall budget. It is important to note that no transfers to or from reserves have been recorded at September 30, 2023. Read the full report here.
Resolution from Councillor Roberts seeking Council support for the province to establish a guaranteed livable income
Councillor Roberts brought forward a motion that County Council join other municipalities across Ontario to urge the Federal and Provincial governments to establish a Guaranteed Livable Income program. The resolution will be sent to The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, The Honourable Michael Parsa, M.P.P., Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Ryan Williams, Bay of Quinte M.P., Todd Smith, Bay of Quinte M.P.P. requesting a response on this matter within 30 days of receipt. This resolution will also be shared with all 444 municipalities in Ontario, The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO), and The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC). Click here to read Councillor Robert’s full resolution.
Resolution from Councillor Maynard seeking Council support for the province to stop the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ (MECP) proposal to expand the use of the permit-by-rule to waste management systems, storm water management systems, and certain water taking activities
Councillor Maynard brought forward a motion that County Council support the concerns outlined by Quinte Conservation Authority and urge the Provincial government to stop the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ (MECP) proposal to expand the use of the permit-by-rule to waste management systems, stormwater management systems, and certain water taking activities. This resolution will be sent to Premier Doug Ford, Todd Smith, Bay of Quinte M.P.P. and Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The resolution will be shared with all 444 municipalities in Ontario, The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO), The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) and all Ontario Conservation Authorities. Click here to read Councillor Maynard’s full resolution.
Other Business
Council received the Finance and IT Department report regarding Construction Loan. Council authorized the submission of a loan application in the amount of $23,395,345 to Infrastructure Ontario/Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) for loans to provide construction financing for water and wastewater infrastructure.
Council received a report from the Finance and IT Department regarding the 2024 Interim Tax Levy. Council approved a draft by-law to provide for an Interim Tax Levy for 2024, for the payment of taxes by installment on or before the due date of March 15, 2024 and to provide penalty and interest charges on taxes in default as listed in the draft by-law.
Council appointed Councillors Engelsdorfer and Braney to sit on the Appeals Committee.
Council awarded Tender for the Sand Dome Repair PEC-BLD-0234-2023 to A+ Roofing Canada in the amount of $286,249.00 plus tax.
Council approved minutes from various boards and committees.
Council amended the motion from item 12.4 regarding the Traffic Advisory Committee. The amended motion removed clauses 8 – 10, regarding changing the name of the Traffic Advisory Committee to the ‘Transportation Advisory Committee’ from the Traffic Advisory Committee’s report.
Next Council meeting: Regular Meeting of Council Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Shire Hall, 332 Main Street, Picton.
This summary is not a complete record of the proceedings of the meeting. 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.