County Council Highlights for April 6, 2022

Warden Welcomes New Investment and Start of Roadwork Season

The County of Essex is embarking on an ambitious reconstruction of County Road 42 and a significant list of rehabilitation projects as roadwork season gets underway, says Warden Gary McNamara.

Utility relocation has begun along County Road 42 from the Windsor boundary to Manning Road, a corridor that is being widened and enhanced over the next five to seven years. The project involves the construction of new roundabouts, bicycle lanes, sidewalks and multi-use trails.

“The result will be a road that can accommodate more traffic, serve the expanding needs of businesses and safely connect growing residential neighbourhoods,” McNamara said at the start of Wednesday’s county council meeting. To find out more about the “New 42” and get updates, go to the County Road 42 project page on the County of Essex website.

The warden thanked the Infrastructure Services team for “the excellent work they have done on this project and the preparations they have made to rehabilitate 58 kilometres of county roadways this year.”

He encouraged drivers be alert and slow down when approaching construction sites.

The warden also applauded the recent good news that LG Energy Solution, one of the leading battery manufacturing companies in the world, and Stellantis N.V. are going to invest over $5 billion to build a plant in Windsor.

“The County of Essex is making significant infrastructure improvements and stands ready to assist in other ways to make this pivotal investment as successful as possible,” McNamara said.

Tender Awarded for Wigle Creek Bridge Rehabilitation

Council awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the bridge over Wigle Creek on County Road 50 to Sterling Ridge Infrastructure Inc. for $397,500, plus H.S.T.

The project includes the removal of the exterior girders, replacement of the expansion joint seal, repairs to the concrete abutments, replacement of the asphalt wearing surface and upgrading of the guiderail.

Work is expected to start in late July and will require the closure of County Road 50 at the bridge for six weeks.

Speed Limit Reduced on County Road 34 at Manning

The speed limit on County Road 34 from east of Dawson Road to County Road 19 (Manning Road) is being reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h.

Council voted to make the change following a review done when, in May 2021, the Municipality of Lakeshore requested a speed limit reduction on County Road 34 east of the intersection with County Road 19. The reduction of the speed limit to 60 km/h extends 920 metres east of the intersection. The posted speed limit west of the intersection is 50km/h.

County in a Healthy Position to Take on Debt if Needed

The county is in a good position to commit funds to future projects because of a long-term pay-as-you-go approach to funding capital projects, says a report to council by Director of Financial Services/Treasurer Sandra Zwiers.

Based on the county’s 2020 Financial Information Return and considering a loan guarantee to Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology rural broadband projects, it has an annual repayment limit of $28,217,631.

The annual repayment limit is the maximum amount the county can commit to debt payments and financial obligations before it must obtain Ontario Municipal Board approval. The limit is calculated using specific revenues and existing debt charges. The county’s net debt charges in 2020 totalled $5.6 million.

County Seeking Funding to Run Temporary Foreign Worker Isolation Centre

The county is applying for Public Health Agency of Canada funding to take over operation and administration of the regional International Agri-Food Temporary Farm Worker Isolation and Recovery Centre.

The centre was established in the summer of 2020 in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on foreign temporary agricultural workers in Essex County. The Public Health Agency of Canada provided funding for the initiative, which involves the collaboration of local governments, health agencies and agri-food representatives.

The City of Windsor took on the administration and oversight of the operation of the centre. Medical oversight has been provided by Erie Shores Health Care, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Windsor Regional Hospital. The city gave notice that it will cease operating the centre as of June 30 and has secured funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada until then.

The centre, which has accommodated 1,200 workers, is currently empty. However, it is expected it will be required to accommodate or isolate agricultural workers over the next year, says a report to county council by Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter.

“Although the majority of the workers have originated from the areas of Kingsville and Leamington, the international agri-food worker impacts all areas of Windsor and Essex County,” says the report. “From farms to greenhouses, from processing plants to residences, each Municipality, Town or City is touched by this population.”