County Council Highlights for Dec. 4, 2024

Warden Commends Those Embracing the Spirit of Giving

Warden Hilda MacDonald praised staff and residents who are getting into the holiday spirit by volunteering and donating to make the Christmas season merrier for others.

Both the Essex County roads staff and Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics have been participating in Christmas parades and festivities in local municipalities, the warden noted in her opening remarks at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Paramedics also volunteered to collect donations during the Windsor Goodfellows’ newspaper drive, and County of Essex staff are again donating gifts for the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, MacDonald said.

“Essex County Council is grateful to all those who are working and volunteering to make the holiday season brighter for others,” the warden said. “Thank you for embracing the spirit of the season!”

She also encouraged residents to join activities at their local Essex County Library branch to get into the holiday spirit. A calendar of events is available on the library’s website.

Council Approves Waste Authority’s 2025 Budget

The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority’s budget for 2025, which increases the cost to municipalities by 4.1 per cent, was approved by Essex County Council.

County of Essex municipalities are being assessed for $7.2 million in 2025, while Windsor is being assessed $8.3 million in fees, says a report to council presented by EWSWA General Manager Michelle Bishop and Manager of Finance and Administration Steffan Brisebois.

Council also approved the authority’s $3.7-million budget for an organic waste collection program being launched in the fall of 2025 in Windsor, Essex, Lakeshore, LaSalle and Tecumseh. Green Bin collection will be expanded to Amherstburg, Kingsville and Leamington in the fall of 2026. The county’s portion of the cost in 2025 is $1.3 million.

Miller Waste Systems Inc. has been awarded the contract to collect organic waste, which is to be processed by Seacliff Energy Corp.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Provides a Review of its Activities in 2024

Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee members presented council with a review of the activities and initiatives they undertook in 2024, including the launch of an Outdoor Accessibility Fest-for-All.

Their presentation and report also included updates on the implementation of initiatives in the county’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, the annual Accessibility flag raising and the committee’s WE Check the Trails project aimed at making pathways across Essex County accessible.

Council Receives Update on Truth and Reconciliation Steps

Reviewing and revising its land acknowledgement, marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a flag raising, and providing staff with opportunities to learn more about Indigenous history and culture are among the measures the County of Essex has taken to advance truth and reconciliation.

As well, the 2025 Budget includes funding for a consultant to develop a diversity, equity and inclusion plan to support truth and reconciliation efforts, says a report to council.

County has Adjusted Administrative Building Access and Security

The County of Essex has made modifications to access, safety and security measures at its administration building since adopting policies in 2023 that cover public conduct, visitors and trespassing.

Members of the public must register upon entering and are required to register to attend Essex County Council meetings. Due to a recent change and increased security measures, the west entrance of the Essex County Administration Building is now open while council meets and a staff member is available to register and direct members of the public, says a report. Previously, the doors were locked 15 minutes after the meeting started.

Policy Updates and Addition Approved

Council approved an updated Delegations to County Council Policy that clarifies definitions, adds formatting changes and removes the requirement that Council vote to hear pre-scheduled delegations, but is otherwise substantially the same. It also adopted amendments to its Accountability and Transparency Policy and approved a new Closed Meeting Policy.

Funding for Local Conference Booth Approved

Council approved funding a booth at the 2025 Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario conference in Windsor, as well as updating its Funding of Conferences Held Locally Policy.

A booth at the June 2025 conference costs $2,900 and associated promotional materials are expected to cost $1,500 says a report.

Contract with OPP for Dispatch Service Renewed

The OPP will continue to provide the dispatch service that directs 911 calls to the appropriate first responders for all municipalities in Essex County except Amherstburg.

Council authorized administration to execute a new agreement with the OPP, which has confirmed it will not increase the per resident fee charged to local municipalities, says a report. Amherstburg receives the service through the City of Windsor as part of its contract for policing.

Asset Management Plan to Aim for Maintaining Service Levels

Council approved a report discussing the 2025 Asset Management Plan and levels of service.

“The current performance indicators across all County departments generally reflect a strong level of reliability, quality and accessibility, a direct result of Council’s commitment to protecting the County’s valuable infrastructure,” says the report. It also indicates that maintaining that standard will require additional investments. These will be set out in the updated Asset Management Plan council will consider in 2025.

New Deputy Clerk Named

Council approved a by-law appointing new Deputy Clerk Crystal Sylvestre. She was recently promoted to the position of Manager, Records and Accessibility/Deputy Clerk following Katherine Hebert’s promotion to Clerk.