County Council Highlights for May 15, 2024

Warden Applauds Library’s Litter Cleanup and Previews Paramedic Services Week

Warden Hilda MacDonald praised the Essex County Library for its litter cleanup campaign and urged residents to thank paramedics next week.

The library’s litter cleanup campaign in April resulted in 342 bags of garbage being collected by civic-minded residents. The library – with the help of sponsors – provided gloves, garbage bags, tracking sheets and prizes.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to clean up Essex County! Let’s keep this positive momentum going by preventing and cleaning up litter every day,” MacDonald said.

The warden also noted that May 19-25 is Paramedic Services Week.

“This is the week we honour the hardworking, dedicated paramedics and support staff at Essex-Windsor EMS,” she said. “Not only do they respond to emergencies, they work hand-in-hand with local partners to provide vital health care services to the residents of Essex County and Windsor.”

This year’s theme for Paramedic Services Week is Help Us Help You. Watch for more information on the Essex-Windsor EMS Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Presents Accomplishments and Plans

The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee is preparing for National AccessAbility Week (May 26 to June 1) and invited council members to the raising of the county’s accessibility flag on May 27 at the Civic Centre.

The committee updated council on its accomplishments to date and plans for the coming year.

Council Supports Resolution on Housing and Homelessness

Council supported a resolution from the Municipality of Trent Hills calling on the government of Ontario to “significantly increase funding for housing, shelters and other necessary social services to ensure adequate levels of service to meet the needs” of residents.

Council Asks for Report on Tecumseh Community Safety Zones Request

Council asked for an administrative report on a request from the Town of Tecumseh to designate county roads adjacent to schools in community safety zones that are in effect at all times.

Call for a Review of Ontario Works Payments Supported

Council supported a letter from the Town of Essex calling on the province to review Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program financial assistance rates.

Leamington Taking over Sections of County Roads in its Urban Area

Leamington is taking over 2.77 km of county roads within the urban area of the municipality under an agreement approved by county council.

Each of the seven local municipalities has connecting links agreements with the county for stretches of local roads and streets that connect county roads. Leamington Council approved amendments to its agreement with the county to take over the following stretches of road:

• County Road 20 (Seacliff Drive) from Branton Drive west to just east of Fraser Road;
• County Road 34 (Talbot Street West) from Armstrong Drive west to just east of Fraser Road; and
• County Road 48 (Oak Street West) from Industrial Road west to just east of Fraser Road.

Also under the amended agreement approved by both councils, three small parcels of land in the same area will be transferred to Leamington, says a report to council.

County Launching a Development Charges Study

Council has approved spending up to $60,000 from the county’s rate stabilization reserve to pay for a development charges study.

The study is required for the county to proceed with levying development charges to cover the added costs for services, says a report to council. The study will assess county-wide services, including library services, land ambulance services, long-term care, roads and waste diversion.

While local municipalities collect development charges, the County of Essex has not to date.

Family Services to Provide Homelessness Programs in the County

Family Services Windsor-Essex will run homelessness programs in the County of Essex under a new agreement authorized by council.

Family Services has been operating the Essex County Homelessness Hub for the past two years. Under the new agreement, it will also take over the Emergency Shelter Program for the county from the City of Windsor.

Funding for the county services will come from Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program via the City of Windsor, which is the regional service provider, says a report to council.