Announcements
Councillor St-Jean announced that the Picton Farmers’ Market will be hosting a hot sauce competition on Sunday, October 15. All proceeds will be going towards the Prince Edward Learning Centre.
Councillor Engelsdorfer invited the public to attend Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 14 in Wellington for a parade and family activities.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed October 15 – 21 as Local Government Week; October 15 as Infant Loss Awareness Day; October 17 as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty; and October 23 as the Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
Deputations
Rosalind Adams addressed Council regarding commercial fisheries. Council discussed adding commercial fisheries into the County’s Official Plan as well as a shoreline study that includes sites/location for priority areas. Council has directed staff to explore the inclusion of commercial fisheries in the Official Plan and to report back to the Planning and Developing Committee in Q1 of 2024.
Jordan McCormack addressed Council regarding commercial fisheries. A brief discussion ensued regarding advocacy with the Federal government on the matter and seeking legal advice.
Amy Bodman addressed Council regarding commercial fisheries. During Amy’s deputation, Councillor Harrison brought forward an amended motion for an advocacy letter. The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will draft an advocacy letter to Diana Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard/Officeholder, regarding support for commercial fisheries at Point Traverse.
Comments from the Audience
Jennifer Ronan spoke to the resignations of Councillors Hirsch and MacNaughton and the reappointment of Councillors to the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Board. She requested that Council appoint courageous voices to continue the fight for better health care.
Four members of the audience spoke in support of commercial fisheries.
Resolution from Mayor Ferguson seeking Council support for the province to develop and implement a Rural Primary Care Strategy.
Prince Edward County has been actively recruiting family physicians through our Family Physician Recruitment Program but recognizes that primary care extends past family physicians.
On January 19, 2023, the Prince Edward Family Health Team addressed Council regarding County Doc’s focus on family physician recruitment and retention for Prince Edward County identifying office space and housing, “orphan” population management, and the need for long-term regional and provincial system solutions as areas of need related to primary care that are beyond the scope of County Docs.
On July 27, 2023, Council deemed it necessary to establish the Primary Care Infrastructure Working Group to focus on the urgent local issue of primary care infrastructure, specifically office space and housing for primary care providers that are new to the County or here temporarily.
Prince Edward County Council supports Hastings County’s requests that the Province of Ontario develop and implement a rural primary care strategy in Ontario that addresses the future of primary care for our communities, focusing on creating an environment that increases primary care access and ensures a strong local integrated health system for rural communities.
Mayor Fergusons resolution asked that Council support the County of Hastings in regard to their letter dated August 15, 2023 in support of Hastings County’s request for action to the Minister of Health, the Honourable Sylvia Jones. This resolution be sent to The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Heath, Ryan Williams, Bay of Quinte M.P., Todd Smith, Bay of Quinte M.P.P., Hastings County, Municipalities within Hastings County, Stacey Daub, CEO Quinte Health, The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO), and The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC).
Read the full resolution here.
Reappointment of Councillors to the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Board
Councillor Pennell sought clarification if re-appointment for Councillors Hirsch and MacNaughton could be re-appointed.
Mayor Ferguson opened the floor for nominations.
Councillor Pennell nominated Councillor Hirsch. He declined the nomination.
Councillor Prinzen nominated Councillor St-Jean. He accepted the nomination.
Councillor Nieman nominated Councillor Roberts. He accepted the nomination.
Councillor Pennell nominated Councillor MacNaughton. She declined the nomination.
Mayor Ferguson closed the nominations.
Councillor St-Jean and Councillor Roberts have been appointed to the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Board.
Other Business
Council approved the 2022 Development Charges Financial Statements report. The Treasurer will forward the statement contained in Appendix 1 to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in accordance with the Development Charges Act, 1997 and Ontario Regulation 82/98.
Council received the Finance and Information Technology department report regarding the financial report for year-ended December 31, 2022.
Council awarded Tender PEC-OPS-0012-2023 – Material A to Greenwood Paving (Pembroke) Ltd. in the estimated amount of $345,087.50 plus applicable taxes for a two-year contract
Council awarded Tender PEC-OPS-0012-2023 – Material B to Black Armour Asphalt Products Inc. in the estimated amount of $296,400.00 plus applicable taxes for a two-year contract
Council awarded a one-year contract extension to Windsor Salt Ltd. with a CPI increase of 4.3%
Report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee from the meeting held September 25, 2023
Highlights include:
- Councillor St-Jean brought forward an amending motion that the Accessibility Site Plan Checklist be provided to site plan applicants and reviewed with staff during the pre-consultation meeting.
- Councillor MacNaughton brought forward an amendment regarding a staff report on the draft zoning by-law. Planning staff would be happy to attend a future meeting and provide an overview/gather committee feedback but cannot commit to drafting an official report. The presentation approach is utilized by staff for other advisory committees’ comments on projects.
- Council has directed planning staff to provide the Accessibility Advisory Committee with a presentation regarding items in the Draft Zoning By-Law which affect accessibility for the Committee’s review and comments.
- Council approved the draft grant support letter templates and letters of support will be provided through the Committee as often as practicable and informed by a deputation to the Committee, when feasible.
- The Mayor will provide letters of support on behalf of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for accessibility focused projects, events, grant applications, and other relevant requests pursuant to the Terms of Reference when required for time sensitive requests;
- Sarah Moffatt was appointed as to the Primary Care Infrastructure Working Group pursuant to the Terms of Reference.
- Council approved that the Accessibility Advisory Committee meetings are held in-person with the availability of virtual for those who need it.
- The Accessibility Site Plan Checklist will be provided to site plan applicants and reviewed with staff during the pre-consultation meeting and the Site Plan Checklist will be posted on the County’s website.
- A Planning Working Group will be established for the Accessibility Advisory Committee to provide comments on:
- Planning files that have been identified by planning staff to require accessibility advise,
- Site Plans between meeting dates; the Committee will work with the Clerk’s Office to develop Terms of Reference for the Planning Working Group.
- The Mayor will write a letter encouraging the Province to develop a comprehensive accessibility Site Plan Checklist to assist municipalities in this legislative requirement as per Section 41 of the Planning Act.
- Planning staff will provide the Accessibility Advisory Committee with a presentation regarding items in the Draft Zoning By-Law which affect accessibility for the Committee’s review and comments.
- Council approved the questions for the Visit the County Tourism survey with the expectation that the data will help inform the 2024 tourism season.
Report of the Traffic Advisory Committee from the meeting held September 27, 2023
Highlights include:
- A question and answer period ensued regarding Bakker Road parking, and seasonal speed humps. A discussion ensued on the need for rationale for a name change for the Committee. The Clerk requested a pause on the name change, as it is a change to the terms of reference.
- Council will refer the matter of seasonal parking restrictions on Bakker Road to the annual Tourism Management Plan, which will be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2024
- Parking By-Law 75-2021 Schedules ‘F’, ‘H’ and ‘I’ will be amended to restrict parking on Bakker Road westerly, from the westerly limits of the Bakker Road parking area to the westerly limits, at all times
- Council directed staff to bring back a preliminary verbal report on the sightlines around 3462 County Road 3, and whether additional signage is recommended, to a future Traffic Advisory Committee meeting
- Council directed staff to bring back a staff report on Traffic Calming options for West Lake from Ridge Road to Sand Banks to a future Traffic Advisory Committee meeting
- Municipal School Zone Maximum Speed Signs with accompanying signage will be installed to designate the school safety zone around Sophiasburgh Central School
- The installation of Traffic Signs on Highways By-Law 2262-2008 Schedule ‘C’ be amended for the designation of a community safety zone on County Road 15 in Sophiasburgh Ward – 0.5 kilometres in length, 250 meters in both directions of the entrance of Sophiasburgh Central School
- The Rate of Speed By-Law 4473-2019 Schedule ‘C’ be amended for the change in the posted speed limit on County Road 15, from ~135m east of County Road 21 Easterly ~320m, to 60 km/h Maximum Speed, from 7am-9am, 3pm-5pm, Mon-Fri, Sept-June
- Council approved the installation of seasonal temporary speed humps (Union Road)
- The request for the Committee to rename the Traffic Advisory Committee to the “Transportation Advisory Committee” be referred to the Committee to provide the rationale, and Clerk’s staff outline the steps necessary for a change to the terms of reference.
Council approved minutes from various boards and committees
Next Council meeting: Regular Meeting of Council Tuesday, October 24, 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.