County Council Highlights for March 2, 2022

‘We are All Ukrainian’ after Russia’s Invasion, Warden says

The County of Essex stands with the Ukrainian people and backs Canada’s condemnation of the Russian invasion, says Warden Gary McNamara.

The warden opened Wednesday’s council meeting with words of support for Ukraine and Essex County residents with family ties there. The unprovoked invasion has “shocked, saddened and horrified” the community, he said.

“This attack on Ukraine has awoken us to the need to defend the sovereignty and freedom of democratic states – as imperfect as they may be. Today, we are all Ukrainian,” McNamara said, adding that blue and yellow lights would shine on the Civic Centre in solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people.

The warden also encouraged residents to celebrate International Women’s Day by raising awareness about women’s equality and supporting female-focused charities. Break the Bias is the theme of International Women’s Day this year, which is being marked on March 8.

McNamara congratulated the County of Essex information technology and GIS team for being a finalist in the WEtech Alliance Tech Awards’ Tech Team of the Year category. The winner will be announced during the fifth annual TeCK Week YQG, which takes place virtually from March 21 to March 27.

“Thank you to the WEtech Alliance and the region’s entire tech sector for all you do to make us better, stronger and smarter,” the warden said.

Report on Council Remuneration for 2021 Submitted

A report detailing how much each member of council and its associated committees earned and received for expenses in 2021 is now available.

The annual statement of remuneration, required by Ontario’s Municipal Act, shows expenditures on mileage, indemnities and conferences were low compared to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The salaries of Essex County councillors are calculated by averaging the remuneration paid to council members for each of the seven municipalities.

Essex County Counts Campaign for Provincial Election Supported

The County of Essex will advocate for support in six key areas during the campaign leading up to the June 2 provincial election.

Council approved an Essex County Counts campaign focusing on six priorities:

1. Provincial support to ensure the new Windsor-Essex Hospitals System is built.
2. Increased and more stable funding for the rehabilitation and construction of roads, sewers, and water and wastewater services.
3. Increased funding for building and maintaining affordable housing, along with consistent and substantial funding for health and human services provided by municipalities.
4. Faster expansion of broadband service to rural areas.
5. Financial support to address climate change.
6. Reforming of laws and pooling of resources to reduce municipal liability and insurance costs.

Details of each of the priorities are set out in position papers that will form the basis of the county’s messaging during the provincial election campaign.

Tax Ratios Set

The only change the county is making to tax ratios in 2022 is a reduction for multi-residential properties that was approved in principle two years ago.

A phased reduction of the multi-residential tax ratio by 0.21385 annually over four-years began in 2021 and continues until 2024.

The county is continuing its tax assistance program for low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities. It is also extending its 40-per-cent tax rebate for eligible charities and similar organizations that occupy commercial or industrial property. The organizations must apply to get the rebate.

Council passed a by-law to establish tax policy and levy property taxes for 2022 that includes a 35-per-cent tax reduction for vacant and excess industrial land, and a 30-per-cent reduction for excess commercial land.

Tender Awarded for Hot Mix Asphalt over CIREAM for Road Rehabilitation

Coco Paving Inc. has been awarded the contract to provide hot mix asphalt over cold in-place recycling with expanded asphalt mix (CIREAM) to rehabilitate almost 20 km of road this year.

The contract for $3.9 million plus HST includes $395,000 that will be charged to the Town of Essex for rehabilitation on North Malden Road.

Two of the rehabilitation projects, both on County Road 50, include the creation of paved shoulders.

Tender Awarded for Hot Mix Overlay and Mill and Pave Road Projects

Mill-Am Corporation has been awarded the contract for hot mix overlay and milling and paving for 40 km of county roads this year.

The cost of $7.6 million plus HST includes provisions for connecting links for County Road 20 (Front Road) in LaSalle and County Road 16 (Alma Street) in Amherstburg.

Request for Controlled Intersection to be Reviewed

County administration will review a request by the Town of Kingsville for a controlled intersection at County Road 20 and County Road 23, and report back to council with recommendations.

Council supported a motion by Kingsville Deputy Mayor Gord Queen to investigate the best options for dealing with traffic at the intersection and consider making it a controlled intersection.

County to Fly Accessibility Flag for AccessAbility Week

County Council agreed Wednesday to raise and fly the Accessibility flag at County facilities during AccessAbility Week, which takes place this year from Sunday, May 29, to Saturday, June 4, 2022.

Kingsville Deputy Mayor Gord Queen introduced the motion on behalf of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee.