Motions from Closed Session
Council received the resignation from Sheila Stene from the Hillier Ward Recreation Committee. Council will send a letter of appreciation to Sheila.
Enid Grace was appointed a voting public member of the Hillier Ward Recreation Committee for the term of Council or until reappointed.
Announcements
Mayor Ferguson announced his intent to bring forward a resolution and letter on the need for the province to develop and implement a Rural Primary Care Strategy in Ontario. The strategy would address the future of primary care, with focus on creating an environment that increases primary care access and ensures a strong local integrated health system for rural communities. The resolution will be brought forward to the October 10 Council meeting.
Mayor Ferguson proclaimed October 1 as National Seniors Day; October 8 – 14 as Fire Prevention Week; and September 28 as British Home Child Day in Prince Edward County.
Councillor Hirsch and Councillor MacNaughton announced their intent to resign from the Prince Edward Hastings Board of Health.
Deputations
Sarah Keys addressed Council regarding the Coalition for Healthy School Food.
Jenn Barrett addressed Council regarding the 2023 Feed the Meter Campaign. A discussion ensued on the merits of the voluntary toll and “Giving Tuesday” campaign on November 28, 2023. Council endorsed that a voluntary road roll be put in place for the Feed the Meet campaign. The HPE Learning Foundation will work with the CAO’s Office to make it happen.
Comments from the Audience
Wendy Russell spoke to item 11.3 regarding criteria for septic systems. Wendy described her personal experience with the Development Services department about the tertiary septic system requirement on their property.
Oliver Wigington spoke to item 11.3 regarding criteria for septic systems and his experience with the Development Services department.
Resolution from Councillor Roberts seeking Council support to endorse the Coalition for Healthy School Food.
The Coalition for Healthy School Food, established in 2014, is the largest school food network in Canada, comprised of over 260 non-profit member organizations from every province and territory, and advocates for the creation of a universal cost-shared school food program for Canada that would see all K-12 students having daily access to a healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate meal or snack, in a non-stigmatizing manner, at school;
On June 15, 2023, Vicky Stuthers, Community Development, Special Events & Grants Coordinator for Hastings & Prince Edward Learning Foundation addressed Council regarding the annual Feed the Meter Campaign which supports Prince Edward County’s children and student nutrition programs.
On July 25, 2023, Council expressed support for a more generous Canada Child Benefit targeting low-income families struggling with food insecurity. Council urged the Federal government to expedite its 2021 election promise to roll-out Canada’s first national school food policy.
County Council will join other cities across Canada including Toronto, Kingston, Halifax, Vancouver and Victoria in endorsing the Coalition for Healthy School Food mission to work with partners across Canada to:
- advocate for a universal cost-shared healthy Canada-wide school food program;
- strengthen commitments from provinces and territories, local governments and school communities; and
- support replication, networking and sharing of best practices for the thousands of diverse school food programs and models across Canada
This 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. and the Coalition for Healthy School Food, The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), The Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO), and The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC).
Councillor Roberts full Resolution is available here.
Resolution from Councillor Nieman seeking Council support to develop criteria for septic systems in Prince Edward County
Staff were directed to bring forward a report on the criteria for septic systems in Prince Edward County, utilizing applicable legislation for the November 16 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Other Business
Council approved the Schedule of Meetings for 2024. Council also approved statutory and advisory board/committee meetings to continue to be held electronically, with the opportunity to meet in-person once a year.
Council awarded proposal PEC-FIRE-0002-2023 (Fire Dispatch Service) to the City of St. Catharines in the amount of $1,415,040.00 plus applicable taxes.
Council received the Street Naming for New Developments in Wellington report. Council made a motion that Country Club Estates Street ‘A’ shall be named Walker Street, Street ‘B’ shall be named Grant Street, Street ‘C’ shall be named Rorke Street and Street ‘D’ shall be named Turner Street. The unnamed Lane shall now be named Spafford Lane.
In addition, fields of Wellington Street ‘B’ shall be named Grant Street, Street ‘N’ shall be named Covert Street, Street ‘P’ shall be named Bamsey Street, Street ‘R’ shall be named Raynor Street, Street ‘S’ shall be named Stuart Street, Lane “O” shall be named Burd Lane and Lane “Q” shall be named Fitch Lane.
Council approved minutes from various boards and committees.
Next Council meeting: Regular Meeting of Council Tuesday, October 10, 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.