Municipality of West Elgin

Minutes

Council Meeting

Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

160 Main Street

West Lorne

Present:

• Mayor Leatham
• Deputy Mayor Tellier
• Councillor Denning
• Councillor Statham
• Councillor Dougherty

Staff Present:

• Robert Brown, Planner
• Terri Towstiuc, Clerk
• Robin Greenall, Chief Administrative Officer
• Lee Gosnell, Manager of Operations and Community Services

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).

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Leatham called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm.

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• Resolution No. 2024- 51
  Moved: Councillor Denning
  Seconded: Deputy Mayor Tellier

  That West Elgin Council hereby adopts the Regular Council Agenda for February 27, 2025 as presented.

  
  
  
  Carried

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

No disclosures

4.

Public Meeting

• Resolution No. 2024- 52
  Moved: Councillor Statham
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That West Elgin Council hereby proceed into a Public Meeting pursuant to the Planning Act.

  
  
  
  Carried

4.1

Presentation of Planners Report, Zoning Amendment Application, 25248 Queen’s Line

• Resolution No. 2024- 53
  Moved: Councillor Dougherty
  Seconded: Deputy Mayor Tellier

  That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Robert Brown, Planner regarding Zoning Amendment Application D-14 1-2025 – Recommendation Report (Planning Report 2025-05).

  That West Elgin Council approve the rezoning of lands on the north side of Queen’s Line from General Agricultural (A) Zone to Rural Residential (RR) Zone, in accordance with the attached draft zoning by-law, and

  Further that West Elgin Council consider the by-law to amend the Zoning By-law, as presented in the by-law portion of the February 27, 2025, Council Agenda.

  
  
  
  Carried

4.2

Council Comment

None.

4.3

Public Comment

None.

4.4

Written Comment

No written comments received at the Municipal Office prior to the deadline.

4.5

Adjournment of Public Meeting

• Resolution No. 2024- 54
  Moved: Councillor Denning
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That West Elgin Council hereby adjourn the Public Meeting, pursuant to the Planning Act. 

  
  
  
  Carried

5.

Delegations

5.1

Larry Schnieder - 2025 Fees & Charges for Rodney Pool

Larry Schnieder, resident of Rodney, addressed Council regarding the 2025 Aquafit and general pool fees. Mr. Schneider provided a proposal, for a reduction in fees, with a structure that included seasonal and monthly passes, ten-session pass and single day passes for aquafit. The proposal also included recommendations for public swim pool passes and daily lessons. 

Wendy Woolsley also spoke on behalf of residents, requesting that Council reduce the fees to make the pool for affordable for all residents. Ms. Woolsley also discussed advertising for pool donors, and water safety programs that were previously taught to school aged children. 

Councillor Denning advised the group that Council is responsible finding an equitable balance to ensure the pool remains open for years to come. 

6.

Adoption of Minutes

Break from 4:31pm to 4:38pm. 

• Resolution No. 2024- 55
  Moved: Councillor Dougherty
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That West Elgin Council hereby adopt the Minutes of February 13, 2025, as presented. 

  
  
  
  Carried

7.

Business Arising from Minutes

None.

8.

Staff Reports

8.1

Finance/Administration

8.1.1

Ontario Trillium Grant Application Approval

• Resolution No. 2024- 56
  Moved: Councillor Denning
  Seconded: Deputy Mayor Tellier

  That the West Elgin Council receives the report from M. Badura, Manager of Corporate Services – Treasurer, for information; and

  That the West Elgin Council approves the submission of an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant application for the purchase and installation of accessible playground equipment in Rodney.

  
  
  
  Carried

8.1.2

West Elgin’s EV Charging Network – Application to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program

• Resolution No. 2024- 57
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from M. Badura, Manager of Corporate Services – Treasurer re: West Elgin's EV Charging Network – Application to the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program for information; and

  That West Elgin Council approves the construction of a parking lot, along with the purchase and installation of six electric vehicle (EV) charging stations; and

  That West Elgin council directs staff to proceed with the necessary documentation to secure grant funding.

  
  
  
  Carried

9.

Committee and Board Reports or Updates

Councillor Denning advised that an Economic Development meeting was held this week, and the committee collectively agreed they would like direction from Council, indicating a clear objective for the committee and what accomplishments they would like to see moving forward. The committee would like to see a common purpose, aligning with Council's strategic plan. Deputy Mayor Tellier indicated a similar theme amongst committees and would like to see funding for a rebranding. 

Councillor Dougherty advised that the Rodney Aldborough Agricultural Society (Fair Board) have scheduled September 12-14, 2025 as the Fall Fair dates, with a 2025 theme of "Small Town, Big Roots". 

10.

Notice of Motion

None.

11.

Council Inquires/Announcements

Deputy Mayor Tellier advised that herself, Councillor Dougherty and CAO Greenall will be attending the Elgin Women Who Lead Conference being held at CASO Station, St. Thomas on Saturday March 29, 2025. 

Councillor Dougherty advised that the Gooday Lets Play cornhole tournament was help on February 15th, with thirty (30) registered teams. Over $4,000 was raised to reduce financial barriers for children and families enrolling in minor hockey. 

12.

Correspondence

• Resolution No. 2024- 58
  Moved: Councillor Statham
  Seconded: Councillor Dougherty

  That West Elgin Council hereby receive and file all correspondence, not otherwise dealt with. 

  
  
  
  Carried

12.1

EOWC Resolution - EOWC Support for Canadian and Ontario Government Negotiations with the U.S. Government on Trade Tariffs

13.

Items Requiring Council Consideration

13.1

Motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted, being Parking By-law Amendment Resolution No. 2024-321

Deputy Mayor Tellier - No

Councillor Dougherty - No

Mayor Leatham - No

• Resolution No. 2024- 59
  Moved: Councillor Denning
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  I, Councillor Denning, so move a Motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted, being Parking By-law Amendment Resolution No. 2024- 321

  That West Elgin Council hereby receives the report from Lee Gosnell, Manager of Operations and Community Services; and,

  That By-Law 2001-50, “Being a By-Law to regulate parking and traffic in the Municipality of West Elgin” be amended to establish restricted parking zones as follows:

  • Munroe Street in West Lorne, north side, from the west property limits of Graham Road to a point 103 meters west of the west property limit of Graham Road.
  • Munroe Street in West Lorne, south side, from the east property limits of Ridge Street to the west property limits of Graham Road, being a distance of 140 meters.
  • Centre Street in Rodney, north side, from a point 130 meters west of the west limits of Furnival Road to the west end of the ROW known as Centre Street, being a distance of 70 meters. Carried

  And That the Amendment be to provide parking on a portion of Munroe Street, in front of what is Municipally known as the "Arts & Cookery Bank".

  
  
  
  Defeated

13.1.1

Report - L. Gosnell, Manager or Operations & Community Services Re: Parking Restrictions – Munroe Street, West Lorne

Lee Gosnell, Manager of Operations and Community Services, provided Council with a report, which detailed the rationale required for decision making purposes, from the request to allow parking in front of the Arts & Cookery Bank, West Lorne. Under the current parking by-law restrictions, no parking signs still allows for unloading and loading purposes (supplies, people, etc.). 

13.2

Ontario Clean Water Agency, Summary Report

2024 Summary Report for the West Elgin Distribution System, prepared by Ontario Clean Water Agency. This Summary Report is to be provided to, and acknowledge by, the members of council by March 31st, 2025.

• Resolution No. 2024- 60
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That West Elgin Council acknowledge receipt of the 2024 Summary Report, prepared by Ontario Clean Water Agency, for the West Elgin Distribution System for January 1st to December 31st, 2024, completed in accordance with Section 11 and Schedule 22 of O. Reg. 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act; And

  That the Summary Report be made available for inspection by any member of the public by posting on the West Elgin municipal website.

  
  
  
  Carried

14.

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

• March 12, 2025, Bo Horvat Community Centre Board of Management (Arena), 9:00am
• March 13, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, 5:00pm (Resolution No. 2025-24)
• March 19, 2025, Recreation Committee Meeting, 7:00pm
• March 27, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, 4:00pm
• March 24, 2025, Heritage Homes, 1:00pm
• March 4 & 18, 2025 - Fair Board, 7:00pm

15.

By-Laws

15.1

2025-11, Zoning Amendment

• Resolution No. 2024- 61
  Moved: Councillor Statham
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That By-law 2025-11, being a By-Law to Amend the Municipality of West Elgin Comprehensive Zoning By-Law No. 2015-36 for property at NS Queen’s Line, be read a first, second and third and final time.

  
  
  
  Carried

15.2

2025-12, Oakview Land Use Planning Services

• Resolution No. 2024- 62
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That By-law 2025-12, being a By-law to Authorize the Execution of an Agreement between The Corporation of the Municipality of West Elgin and Oakview Land Use Planning for the provision of Planning Services, and Repeal By-law 2024-07 

  
  
  
  Carried

16.

Closed Session

• Resolution No. 2024- 63
  Moved: Councillor Denning
  Seconded: Councillor Dougherty

  That the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin hereby proceeds into Closed Session at 5:13pm, to discuss matters pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239 2(b), being personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (CAO Update).

  
  
  
  Carried

17.

Report from Closed Session

Clerk Towstiuc was not present for the Closed Session. CAO (Deputy Clerk) Greenall provided Clerk services (By-law 2025-03). Clerk Towstiuc returned after the Closed Session adjournment.

Report from Closed Session at 6:05pm.

Council received one (1) item pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239 (2)(b) (identifiable individuals), for information purposes only.

18.

Confirming By-Law

• Resolution No. 2024- 64
  Moved: Councillor Dougherty
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That By-law 2025-13 being a By-law to confirm the proceeding of the Regular Meeting of Council held on February 27, 2025, be read a first, second and third and final time. 

  
  
  
  Carried

19.

Adjournment

• Resolution No. 2024- 65
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin hereby adjourn at 6:06pm, to meet again at 5:00pm, on Thursday, March 13, 2025 or at the call of the Chair. 

  
  
  
  Carried