Municipality of West Elgin

Minutes

Special Meeting of Council

Wednesday, May 28, 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

Staff Present:

• Jeff McArthur, Fire Chief
• Terri Towstiuc, Manager of Community Services/Clerk
• Magda Badura, Manager of Corporate Services (Treasurer)
• Robin Greenall, Chief Administrative Officer
• Lee Gosnell, Manager of Operations and Community Services
• Dave Charron, Manager of Infrastructure & Development

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Leatham called the Special Meeting of Council to order at 4:00 pm.

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• SCM 2024- 06
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That West Elgin Council hereby adopts the Special Meeting Agenda of May 28, 2025, as presented.

  Carried

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

No disclosures

4.

Closed Session

• SCM 2024- 07
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin Council hereby proceeds into Closed Session at 4:01 pm, to discuss matters pursuant to the Municipal Act, Section 239 (2)(d), being labour relations or employee negotiation (employee wage review).

  Carried

5.

Report from Closed Session

Report from Closed Session at 4:29 pm.

Council received one item, relating to labour relations or employee negotiations, for information purposes only. 

6.

Municipal Delegation Request Form for the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference

Councillor Statham will be attending the AMO Conference in Ottawa in August. Council wishes to submit a delegation, to discuss the challenges that present Ontario farmers are facing losing significant acreage to large corporations. Councillor Statham has spoke to local farmers and OFA members, who are supportive of the delegation. The delegation will also include the near impossibility for anyone wishing to get into farming, that does not own or inherit any farm land.

The delegation submission deadline is Friday, May 30, 2025 at 5:00pm.

7.

M. Badura, Manager of Corporate Services/Treasurer Re: 2025 Draft Budget

M. Badura, Manager of Corporate Services/Treasurer provided Council with the draft 2025 Operating budget, for review and discussion. The presentation included budget objective and overview, with a snapshot of each department that experienced significant increases. Council brought forth items of clarification for transparency and constituent understanding, including OMERS increases, increase in equipment purchases for administration, IT service increase, dust-suppressant options for cost reduction, Rodney Park site preparation, and EV Charging Station cost. Suggestions were made from Council to defer ergonomic furniture for administration staff, enquire about cancelling the EV Charging Station grant to allocation the municipal portion towards the WEFD tanker purchase, and enquiring about shared expenses at the Port Glasgow Marina. 

Budget documents will be returned to Council for review, at the next schedule Special Meeting on June 3, 2025. 

• SCM 2024- 08
  Moved: Councillor Denning
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That West Elgin Council hereby receive the 2025 Draft Budget and presentation from Magda Badura, Manager of Corporate Services/Treasurer, for discussion and information purposes. 

  Carried

8.

Confirmatory By-law

• SCM 2024- 09
  Moved: Deputy Mayor Tellier
  Seconded: Councillor Statham

  That By-law 2025-30 being a By-law to confirm the proceeding of the Special Meeting of Council held on May 28, 2025, be read a first, second and third and final time. 

  Carried

9.

Adjournment

• SCM 2024- 10
  Moved: Councillor Statham
  Seconded: Councillor Denning

  That the Council of the Municipality of West Elgin hereby adjourn the Special Meeting of Council at 6:22 pm to meet again at 4:00pm, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 or at the call of the Chair.

  Carried