Municipality of West Elgin

Minutes

Council Meeting

-
Council Chambers
160 Main Street
West Lorne
Present:
  • Mayor Leatham
  • Deputy Mayor Tellier
  • Councillor Navackas
  • Councillor Denning
  • Councillor Statham
Staff Present:
  • M. Badura, CAO/Treasurer
  • L. Gosnell, Manager of Operations & Community Services
  • Robert Brown, Planner
  • Terri Towstiuc, Clerk

Council Meetings are held in-person at 160 Main Street, West Lorne, and the post-meeting recording available at www.westelgin.net, when available (pending no technical difficulties).


Deputy Mayor Tellier called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

  • Resolution No. 2023-383
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby adopts the Agenda as presented.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-384
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Robert Brown, Planner regarding Zoning By-law Amendment Application D-14 21-2023 – Recommendation Report (Planning Report 2023-50).

    That West Elgin Council approve the zoning by-law amendment for the subject parcel on Marsh Line to rezone the property from Residential First Density, Holding One (R1-H-1) Zone to Residential First Density Special Regulation 9 (R1-9) including site-specific regulations as outlined in Figure Three of this report.

    That West Elgin Council consider the by-law to amend the comprehensive Zoning By-law, as presented in the by-law portion of the December 21, 2023, Council Agenda.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-385
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That Council proceed into a Public Meeting pursuant to the Planning Act, for the purpose of two (2) Minor Variance Applications.



    Carried

Mr. Fox provided Council with proposal for funding to assist with the break walls at the Port Glasgow Marina channel. Mr. Fox advised that they are facing safety issues, and the repairs will be a significant cost. 

Council recommended the group apply for the FedDev Tourism grant, and that we will take this proposal into consideration when budget deliberations start in the New Year. 

Council confirmed their desire to see the repairs done at Port Glasgow Marina to continue tourism growth, and will assist if able, once determined, but encourage the FedDev Grant application route for the Port Glasgow Marina Committee. 

Don Shropshire and Carolyn Krahn, County of Elgin, Provided Council with an Education Session regarding the upcoming possibilities and planning for growth within the region with the upcoming PowerCo SSE GigaFactory. 

Ms. Krahn discussed the opportunities that will be forthcoming for community engagement, preparing for future growth and the benefits that will come from the potential growth. Ms. Krahn left council with information to digest regarding their appetite for growth, and what that will look like for West Elgin in the coming years. 

Mr. Shropshire introduced the idea of a more centralized planning network through the County, with Planning staff employed by the County and supporting the lower-tier municipalities, based on volume of work. Mr. Shropshire reviewed the current municipalities that are taking this same approach and the benefits of a County based Planning department.

Mr. Shropshire advised that at this time, they are not looking for any commitment from Council, but providing the information for future collaboration, potential for growth, development and business retention.

  • Resolution No. 2023-386
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting on November 23, 2023 and the Special Council Meeting on December 7, 2023, be adopted as circulated and printed.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-387
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives and files the Consent Agenda for December 21, 2023 as presented.

     



    Carried

10.1

 
  • Resolution No. 2023-388
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Mayor Leatham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Corey Pemberton, CBO   Re: Building Department Summary Report for the month of November 2023.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-389
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Lee Gosnell, Manager of Operations & Community Services for information purposes.



    Carried

10.3

 

Break from 5:35 - 5:41 pm, prior to Clerks Reports.

  • Resolution No. 2023-390
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Mayor Leatham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Terri Towstiuc, Clerk Re: Frivolous and Vexatious Request Policy; And

    That Council approve the policy as amended and reviewed with the County of Elgin Legal Department; And

    That the policy be adopted in the by-law portion of the meeting.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-391
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Terri Towstiuc, Clerk Re: Joint Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Plan; And

    That Council approve the Joint Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Plan, as presented; And

    That Council direct staff to post the plan on the Website, as required.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-392
    Moved:Councillor Statham
    Seconded:Mayor Leatham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Terri Towstiuc, Clerk Re: Trumpia Enrollment Update as Information Only.



    Carried

Council requested "Expand the use and reach of social media channels" be replaced with "Expand the use through all communications channels".

  • Resolution No. 2023-393
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Terri Towstiuc, Clerk Re: 2023-2027 West Elgin Strategic Plan; And

    That Council hereby approve the final 2023-2027 West Elgin Strategic Plan, as amended, as presented by Jennifer Kirkham, Mischievous Cat Productions.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-394
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Terri Towstiuc, Clerk; And

    That Council direct staff to initiate a resident survey specific to Off-Leash Dog Parks in Municipality, advertising of Social Media, Municipal Website, Electronic Sign and the Newspaper, for a two week period.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-395
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Terri Towstiuc, Clerk for Information Purposes. 



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-396
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura re: Reserves and Reserve Funds Policy and that West Elgin council approves the policy as presented; and

    That a new Reserve Fund entitled Arena Facility Upgrades (01-3000-3040) be created to be used to transfer Kraft Hockeyville funds and accumulate interest at the rate the municipality earns from the financial institution;

    That a new Reserve Fund entitled Arena Dehumidification System (01-3000-3042) be created to be used to transfer money to reserves and accumulate interest at the rate the municipality earns from the financial institution;

    That a new Reserve Fund entitled “Playground Equipment – Rodney Park” (01-3000-3041) be created to be used to transfer donations received throughout the year.

    That a new Reserve Fund entitled “Parks & Recreation – Pool” (01-3000-3043) be created to be used to transfer donation received from Rodney Cemetery Board.

    That a new Reserve Fund entitled “Municipal Buildings – Old Town Hall Washroom Fund” (01-3000-3044) to be used to transfer donations received from Rodney Cemetery Board.

     

    That the Federal Gas Tax Reserve Funds (01-3000-3101) be renamed to “Canada Community Building Fund Reserve Fund”;

    That the RES- WL COMM IMPROVEMENT (01-3000-3012) be renamed to “West Lorne Main Street Reconstruction Reserve Fund”.

    That $40,940.66 be transferred from the RES – Prior Year’s Capital (01-3000-3030) to the Contingencies Reserve (01-3000-3002); and $150,000.00 be transferred to Arena Facility Upgrades (01-3000-3040) (Res. 2023-117); and close depleted account RES – Prior Year’s Capital (01-3000-3030);

    That depleted Reserves – Safe Restart Funding (01-3000-3015) be closed;

    That depleted Reserves – 2021 COVID-19 Recovery funding (01-3000-3038) be closed; and

    That depleted Reserves – RES-HAVEN LAKE ROAD (01-300-3026) be closed.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-397
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura, CAO/Treasurer re: 2023 YTD Financials as of November 30, 2023 to be received and filed.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-398
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Mayor Leatham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura, CAO/Treasurer re: 2023 Carry Forward Projects; And

    That West Elgin Council hereby authorizes that the following list of 2023 approved projects be carried forward to the 2024 fiscal year for completion and that the balance of the 2023 budget allowances for each of the respective projects be carried forward to the 2023 fiscal year.

     



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-399
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Magda Badura, CAO/Treasurer; And

    That West Elgin Council hereby approves payment from the Premium Employment Insurance Rate reduction to all full-time employees in the total amount of $1,530.73, being 5/12 of the total savings of $ $3,673.74 realized by West Elgin in 2023.



    Carried

Break from 7:01 - 7:10 pm, prior to discussion on 2024 Employee and Council Remuneration.

  • Resolution No. 2023-400
    Moved:Mayor Leatham
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura, CAO/Treasurer re: 2024 Employee and Council Remuneration; and that West Elgin Council approves wage increase of 3.3% as indicated in attached Schedule A, B, C & D.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-401
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura CAO/Treasurer re: 2024 Fees and Charges; And

    That West Elgin Council approves recommended rates as presented in Schedule A of this report.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-402
    Moved:Councillor Statham
    Seconded:Mayor Leatham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura CAO/Treasurer, re: 2024 Insurance Programs as set out in the renewal documents provided by Intact Public Entity dated Dec. 18, 2023.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-403
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura, CAO/Treasurer re: GIS/Asset Management position; And

    That West Elgin Council authorize staff to formalize shared services agreement with the Township of Southwold.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-404
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That Council hereby receive and file the Heritage Home Minutes for October 2023.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-405
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That the Mayor and Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign Payment Voucher #12 amounting to $ $780,072.83 in settlement of General, Road, Water and Arena Accounts including EFT#7493-7645 online Payments#1285-1299, Cheque# 26343-26354 and Payroll Pay Period 24-25.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-406
    Moved:Mayor Leatham
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin direct staff to write a letter of support for a Liquor License Extension, for the events as request by the Elgin International Club.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-407
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That Council hereby receive the letter dated December 5, 2023 from Jenn Blanchard and Jennifer Keech Re: Closure of Employment Services Office.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-408
    Moved:Councillor Denning
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That Council directs staff to review existing policies and Rental agreements for Municipal Facilities; And

    That Council requests staff to provide a follow-up report and recommendations to establish a Code of Conduct for anyone renting and attending events at Municipal Facilities at a future meeting of Council.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-409
    Moved:Councillor Statham
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That council direct staff to submit a grant application for The FedDev grant for the Farms Open West Elgin ten (10) day event.



    Carried

Deputy Mayor Tellier queried when Budget Deliberations would begin, and Council was advised discussion would begin in January 2024. 

15.

 
  • Resolution No. 2023-410
    Moved:Mayor Leatham
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That By-law 2023-92, Being a By-law to Provide for Drainage Works in the Municipality of West Elgin for the Lamont Drain, be read a third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-411
    Moved:Councillor Statham
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That By-law 2023-103, Being a  By-Law to Set Rates of Remuneration for Municipal Employees, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-412
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That By-law 2023-104, Being a  By-Law to Set Rates of Remuneration for Member of Council, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-413
    Moved:Mayor Leatham
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That By-law 2023-105, Being a By-Law to Amend the Municipality of West Elgin Comprehensive Zoning By-Law No. 2015-36 for VL NS of Marsh Line and repeal By-law 2023-97, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-414
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Denning

    That By-law 2023-106, Being a By-law to Authorize the Execution of an Agreement with the Municipal property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) for the purpose of a Data Sharing and Services Agreement, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-415
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That By-law 2023-107, Being a By-Law to Provide for Various Fees and Charges for the Municipality of West Elgin for 2024, and Repeal By-law 2023-10, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-416
    Moved:Mayor Leatham
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That By-law 2023-108 Being a By-Law to adopt Policy HR- 9.2 Unreasonable, Frivolous or Vexatious Complaints Policy, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-417
    Moved:Councillor Statham
    Seconded:Councillor Navackas

    That By-law 2023-109 Being a By-Law to adopt Policy AD 3.5 Reserve and Reserve Fund  Policy, be read a first, second and third and final time.



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-418
    Moved:Mayor Leatham
    Seconded:Councillor Statham

    That By-law 2023-110, being a By-law to confirm the proceeding of the Regular Meeting of Council held on December 21, 2023, be read a first, second and third and final time. 



    Carried
  • Resolution No. 2023-419
    Moved:Councillor Navackas
    Seconded:Mayor Leatham

    That the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin hereby adjourn at 7:49 pm to meet again at 4:00 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2024 or at the call of the Chair. 



    Carried
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