County Council Highlights for Dec. 15, 2021

Get Vaccinated, Follow Precautions for Safe Holiday Season: Warden

A happy holiday season means being vaccinated against COVID-19 and taking the precautions health officials have been promoting throughout the pandemic, Warden Gary McNamara said at Essex County Council’s final meeting of 2021.

He thanked residents who have stepped up to get their two doses of vaccine and those 50 years and older who are now getting their booster shots. He also gave a shout-out to youth aged five to 11 who are getting their first doses.

McNamara encouraged residents to keep wearing face masks in public, stay home as much as possible and limit the size of holiday gatherings.

“If we all take these steps, we can have a joyful holiday season while taking care of our mental and physical health – and each other,” he said.

He acknowledged that fighting COVID-19 is taking longer than everyone had hoped.

“This virus has shown us we can’t let our guard down,” McNamara said. “The latest curveball it has thrown at us is the Omicron variant, which is now spreading rapidly through Ontario and around the globe.”

He thanked local health-care providers, residents, businesses and organizations for protecting the vulnerable and supporting their communities.

He also thanked county councillors for strong leadership and county staff for stepping up to every challenge.

Solid Waste Authority Budget Approved

The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority’s (EWSWA) budget for 2022 includes a 4.1 per cent increase in the amount assessed to the seven Essex County municipalities and the City of Windsor.

County council approved the increase, which will cost the municipalities $536,140. It also approved EWSWA’s projection that an additional 4,950 tonnes of municipal waste will be handled next year. The added waste will cost the municipalities $198,000 more than they paid in 2021.

In total, the county municipalities and Windsor will pay the EWSWA $13.8 million in assessment and fees for waste disposal in 2022. The assessment portion of the cost is divided based on population. As well, each municipality is charged $40 per tonne for waste delivered for disposal.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Plans to Expand Trail Project

The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee is planning to expand its WE Check the Trails project to gather more feedback from trail users.

The WE Check the Trails project was launched in 2021 in collaboration with the Essex Region Conservation Authority. It has a web page and online form users can fill out to provide their recommendations for making the Greenway trails more accessible.

The committee is continuing to review the feedback, says a report to council. Common themes in the comments relate to the trail condition, the placement of gates and access points, and the need for rest areas.

One of the committee’s goals for 2022 is to add more trails to the feedback forms, including some County Wide Active Transportation System trails.

Essex-Windsor EMS Purchasing Seven New Ambulances

Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is buying seven new ambulances in 2022 for a total price of $1.4 million plus HST.

The ambulance purchase, approved by county council Wednesday, is to replace aging vehicles in the EMS’s 39-ambulance fleet.

The contract was awarded to Crestline Coach Ltd., which is the sole ambulance vendor available, according to a report to council by Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter.

The price for the ambulances has gone up 14 per cent in the past year due to increases in the prices charged by chassis supplier General Motors and the suppliers of other components.

The new ambulances are expected to be delivered in the spring of 2022.

Contract Awarded for Dry Cleaning of EMS Uniforms

Blondie Cleaners has been awarded the contract for dry cleaning Essex-Windsor EMS uniforms and other items frequently used by paramedics.

The three-year contract was approved by council following a request for proposals and an assessment of the sole bid, which was from Blondie Cleaners.

Essex-Windsor EMS has always provided dry cleaning services for staff uniforms and items, like bags and belts, to avoid cross-contamination between work and personal clothing.

The contract awarded to Blondie Cleaners is for a base cost of $992,260 plus HST for 2022 to 2024, with the possibility of a two-year extension.

Emergency Management Program Updated

The County of Essex Emergency Management Program continued its track record for providing both public education and staff training, despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic in 2021.

As a result, staff emergency preparation training was done virtually, says a report to council.

County council approved revisions made to the program in 2021, authorized the submission of the annual Emergency Management Program Statement of Completion and received the updated Hazard Identification Risk Assessment for Essex County.

Court Services Agreement Renewed

County council has approved a five-year renewal of the Windsor-Essex area intermunicipal courts service agreement.

Under the agreement, the City of Windsor operates the region’s Provincial Offences Act courts and each participating municipality is allocated its share of the annual cost or surplus. Traditionally, the courts generate a surplus, though that has decreased in recent years.

The renewed agreement, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and expires Dec. 31, 2026, includes the seven Essex County municipalities and Pelee Island.

Warden’s Reappointment to SWIFT Board Supported

Council is supporting Warden Gary McNamara’s re-appointment to the South Western Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) board of directors.

McNamara, who is the board’s chair, is completing his current two-year term at the end of April 2022. He has been an active and vocal supporter of SWIFT, a non-profit municipally-led broadband expansion project created to improve internet connectivity in underserved communities and rural areas across Southwestern Ontario.

Council Calls for Report on Speed Limit Reduction on County Road 34

Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain made a motion, supported by council, to have administration prepare a report on the possibility of lowering the speed limit on County Road 34 between Dawson and Manning roads in Lakeshore.

County Councillors Wish Constituents, Staff Happy Holidays

The mayors and deputy mayors of Essex County’s seven local municipalities took turns at the close of Wednesday’s meeting offering holiday greetings.

They thanked County of Essex and local municipal staff for working so hard during the pandemic, praised frontline workers for standing strong in the fight against COVID-19 and extended seasons greetings to residents across the County.

They also encouraged everyone to get vaccinated or get their booster shot to keep themselves, their loved ones and their community safe.