Council Highlights - July 23, 2024

Championing Change: WOWC’s Vision for a Stronger Western Ontario

Elgin County Council received an annual update from Kate Burns Gallagher, Executive Director of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC). The WOWC represents over 1.6 million residents across 15 municipalities, advocating for sustainable economies and communities by addressing key regional issues. Their efforts include engaging with government officials and partnering with local organizations to influence policies affecting western Ontario.

For 2024-25, the WOWC’s priorities focus on housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and mental health. They call on the province to restore housing services as eligible development charge costs, ensure infrastructure investment, and address workforce needs in rural areas. Additionally, the WOWC seeks dedicated funding for mental health and homelessness initiatives in small communities.

The WOWC’s accomplishments highlight their advocacy’s impact, including maintaining rural federal seats and securing funding for regional projects. Through strategic collaboration, the WOWC continues to strengthen western Ontario’s economic and social landscape.

Streamlining Accessibility: Updates to Committee’s Terms of Reference

Elgin County Council approved changes to the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee’s Terms of Reference, as presented by Councillor Todd Noble. The updates include reducing the required annual meetings from four to two, with additional meetings called as needed. This adjustment ensures meetings are efficient and filled with relevant content. The Terms of Reference also reflect a staffing change, assigning accessibility responsibilities to the Manager of Human Resources. These revisions aim to enhance the committee’s efficiency and responsiveness to accessibility needs.

Elgin County Library: Engaging Minds and Building Partnerships

The Elgin County Library continues to thrive as a community hub, with its ten branches offering a variety of successful programs and partnerships. The 2023 Summer Reading Club was a standout success, drawing 3,315 kids to 101 educational programs, and 279 kids participating as Beanstack readers. A notable highlight was the Potato Family Quest Scavenger Hunt which delighted families throughout the summer.

The Library’s collaborative efforts include partnerships with the Thames Valley District School Board, St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership, and more, enhancing its community impact. Winter programs, like the Arctic Circle Reading Challenge, and March Break activities, which saw 1,459 kids attend 38 events, showcase the Library’s ongoing dedication to engaging young minds. With the 2024 Summer Reading Club already proving successful, and the new Chasing Constellations Family Scavenger Hunt program underway, the Library continues to inspire and connect the Elgin County community.

Legacy Wells Initiative: Enhancing Safety and Training in Elgin County

Elgin County Council has approved the Manager of Emergency Management & Elgin-Middlesex Regional Fire School’s proposed application for funding from the Legacy Wells Municipal Transfer Payment Program Year 2 and 3. This program, supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), aims to reduce risks associated with legacy oil and gas wells and enhance emergency preparedness in southwestern Ontario.

Elgin County’s successful Year 1 achievements include training over 650 personnel, educating 125 participants at the Petroleum Emergencies Workshop, and acquiring critical emergency response equipment. Elgin County’s proposal for Years 2 and 3 includes applying for $280,000 in base funding annually to improve emergency response planning, and developing a joint fire training ground to enhance training capabilities for local fire services.

The proposed training facility will offer realistic scenarios with a live fire structure and mobile training props, benefiting municipal fire services and the Elgin-Middlesex Regional Fire School. The initiative will significantly reduce training costs and logistical challenges, enabling more complex training scenarios and fostering collaboration with the County’s Local Municipal Partners. This facility promises enhanced preparedness, improved firefighter skills, and strengthened capacity for multi-jurisdictional response, contributing to safer communities across Elgin County.

Calton Line Culvert Upgrade: A $400K Investment in Infrastructure

The Director of Engineering Services provided Council with a report on the urgent need for a culvert replacement on Calton Line. A 62-year-old steel culvert on Calton Line, east of Mitchell Road in Bayham, has deteriorated. Routine road inspections identified a depression in the pavement surface over the culvert which prompted further investigation. Those findings identified that the culvert had began to deteriorate to a point where supporting soils are being washed away and have begun to jeopardize the structural integrity of the culvert. The old 2.1-metre steel culvert will be replaced with a new 2.7-metre diameter steel culvert pipe, designed to handle a 100-year storm, at an estimated cost of $400,000. This project was unplanned and therefore project funds will be taken from the Capital Projects Reserve. This project is scheduled for completion in 2024, necessitating a temporary road closure and detour.

Safe Crossing: Pedestrian Safety Upgrade for East Road in Port Stanley

Council has approved a plan to enhance pedestrian safety at the intersection of East Road, Joseph Street, Currie Boulevard, and Prospect Street in Port Stanley. The project involves the installation of a new pedestrian crossing with rapid flashing LED beacons, removal of vegetation to improve sight lines, and extension of the sidewalk on the west side of East Road.

The total cost for the improvements is estimated at $75,000. The County of Elgin will cover $65,000 from the Reserves Capital Projects account, while the Municipality of Central Elgin is requested to contribute $10,000 for the sidewalk extension. The project aims to address sight line issues and improve safety for both pedestrians and vehicles. Completion is expected before December 2024.

Fortifying Finances: Elgin County Approves New Reserve Fund Policy

The County of Elgin is taking steps to ensure financial stability and clarity with the approval of a new Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy. The Director of Finance/Treasurer presented the policy to outline the purposes and appropriate uses of the County’s reserves. The policy establishes guiding principles for managing reserves responsibly, ensuring they are used for intended purposes such as future capital expenditures, unexpected events, and life cycle replacement of assets.

With reserves playing a critical role in financial planning, this policy aims to provide transparency for Council, administration, and the public. While the reserves for the Terrace Lodge reconstruction are currently in a negative position due to temporary self-financing, plans are in place to borrow $25 million from Infrastructure Ontario once interest rates decrease. This strategic approach will help replenish reserves and save on interest costs over the next 25 years.

Funding Future Growth: Elgin County’s Strategic Growth Reserve Policy

The County of Elgin has approved a new Growth Reserve Policy, ensuring a strategic approach to managing the County’s infrastructure needs amid ongoing expansion. The Director of Finance/Treasurer presented the policy, which formalizes the County’s commitment to using the Growth Reserve to support capital infrastructure projects that arise from development.

In lieu of imposing upfront Development Charges on developers, which might deter new investments, the Growth Reserve was established to set aside funds from annual growth assessments. These funds are earmarked for the development and expansion of County-owned capital infrastructure, such as library, land ambulance, long-term care, provincial offenses, and roads infrastructure.

The policy emphasizes collaboration with Local Municipal Partners, ensuring that any necessary growth related to County assets is coordinated and beneficial to all parties involved. This approach aligns with the philosophy of development charges whereby “growth pays for growth,” enabling Elgin County to maintain and enhance its core assets while supporting new developments.

Rail Safety Week 2024: Elgin’s Commitment to Track and Train Awareness

Elgin County Council has agreed to support Rail Safety Week 2024, scheduled to take place across Canada and the United States from September 23-29, 2024. In response to a request from CN Rail, Council will adopt a proclamation to raise awareness about the dangers around tracks and trains. This initiative aims to enhance public understanding of rail safety and is a collaborative effort to prevent accidents and save lives. The County’s participation reflects its commitment to community safety and its role in promoting responsible rail practices.