County Council Highlights for April 20, 2022

Warden Announces End of Emergency, Praises Infrastructure Services 

Warden Gary McNamara announced he would officially be ending on Thursday morning the Declaration of Emergency invoked on March 22, 2020 in response to COVID-19 and rising water levels in the Great Lakes basin. He also announced the Civic Centre would reopen to the public on Monday, May 2.

“While these are obviously positive developments, it doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community and it is likely to do so for the foreseeable future,” said McNamara. “Please, continue making smart, selfless decisions when it comes to protecting yourself, your family and your community. Please, continue supporting the small businesses who are the backbone of our economy and who have struggled beneath the weight of pandemic restrictions.”

McNamara praised Essex County road crews for their snow removal efforts on Easter Monday and throughout the year and praised the entire Infrastructure Services and Planning Department for winning an award recently at the Good Roads conference. The County of Essex team won the Innovative Service Delivery category for its durable paint markings, an in-house innovation that saves both time and money.

The Warden also encouraged anyone thinking of running in October’s municipal election to participate in a free, virtual information session being held via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Former LaSalle Mayor and CAO Ken Antaya will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the process as will representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Registration is required so the event can be interactive and so participants can ask questions in breakout rooms specific to the municipality in which they are considering running.

For more information, visit countyofessex.ca/WEVote2022.

Essex Mayor Honours Hockey Bet with Lakeshore Mayor

Essex Mayor Richard Meloche wore a Lakeshore Canadiens jersey for the County of Essex Council meeting Wednesday night, honouring a bet made with Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain.

The Lakeshore Canadiens knocked the Essex 73’s out of the playoffs in a Game 6 overtime thriller to become the 2022 Stobbs Division champs.

Meloche must also buy Bain a bottle of wine from each of the 10 wineries in Essex along with a $100 gift certificate to Mama’s Place in Essex.

“I congratulate Mayor Bain and the Lakeshore Canadiens and wish them all the luck in the future,” said Meloche. “I’m hoping this is the last time I wear these colours to be honest with you.”

Treasurer Provides Investment Update

Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer, provided County Council with an update on the corporation’s investments as of December 31, 2021.

The corporation’s investments were held across five financial institutions in various short to medium instruments, with investment amounts, interest rates and unrealized gains and losses broken down in an administrative report.

“The Canadian market performed very well during 2021 despite the prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Economists have drawn parallels between 2009, the year after the market crash, to 2021, the year after the beginning of the pandemic,” wrote Zwiers. “In both years, the Canadian market performed well during what can be described as economic rebound periods.”

With the Bank of Canada having recently raised its key interest rate, and with the potential for more rate hikes, “maintaining a highly liquid short-term portfolio will allow the Corporation to maximize returns in a rising interest rate environment,” wrote Zwiers. “Administration will continue to monitor interest rate trends and investigate funding opportunities, taking into consideration cash flow requirements.”

Council Amends By-Law to Allow for Continued Electronic Meetings 

County Council amended its Procedure By-Law to allow for electronic participation in Council and Committee meetings outside of a declared state of emergency.

Prior to COVID-19, Council opted against having members participate electronically and instead allowed municipalities to appoint alternate members should a mayor or deputy mayor not be able to attend. But virtual meetings became the norm during the pandemic and were allowed under the Procedure By-Law because the County was in a declared state of emergency.

“Given our experience in electronic meetings over the past two years, there are a number of reasons that could justify the flexibility of continuing to allow some electronic participation in meetings,” said a report to Council by Director of Legislative Services/Clerk Mary Birch. “In the past year, a substantial investment has been made in a new audio/visual system in Council Chambers which now provides for the technology to allow electronic participation in meetings of just some members of Council, rather than having all members participate electronically.”

Council members can only participate electronically from Canada and are limited to electronic participation three times per year. Electronic participation will not be permitted for the inaugural session of Council or at a meeting where the Budget is being considered save for limited circumstances.

County Appoints Deputy Treasurer

County Council approved the appointment of Heidi McLeod, Manager, Accounting, as Deputy Treasurer for the Corporation of the County of Essex.

“It is appropriate that the Corporation appoint a Deputy Treasurer to ensure continuity of the Corporation’s financial affairs,” said a report to Council. “The Manager, Accounting position is considered most closely linked to the Director, Financial Services/Treasurer position. This position also requires a professional accounting designation and maintenance of current legislative requirements affecting municipal finance.”

Council Awards Pavement Paint Contract

County Council awarded a $380,150 plus HST contract to low bidder Ennis Paint Canada ULC for paint to be used for pavement markings in 2022. The company will supply the County with 35,000 litres of yellow and 50,000 litres of white non-coning water borne traffic paint.

“The County of Essex maintains pavement markings on the County of Essex road network using large capacity, truck mounted application equipment. The equipment is owned and operated by the County of Essex,” said a report to Council. “In 2022 the County of Essex will continue to work with many of our local municipalities to provide pavement marking services.”

Council Awards Tar and Chip Contract

County Council awarded a multi-year contract totalling $146,850 plus HST in 2022 to Shepley Road Maintenance for routing and sealing pavement preservation work.

The contract is for three years with an option to extend for an additional one or two years. The estimated cost of a five-year contract is pegged at about $750,000, depending on the Consumer Price Index and material costs.

“A multi-year, fixed contract will provide budget stability and relieve some workload,” said a report to Council.

The roads identified for routing and sealing in 2022 are: