County Council Highlights for May 18, 2022
Essex County Counts During Provincial Election Campaign: Warden
Warden Gary McNamara opened the meeting by praising the health care heroes of Essex County, noting last week was National Nursing Week, next week is Paramedic Services Week and Thursday is Personal Support Workers Day.
“The Paramedics of Essex-Windsor EMS and the nurses and PSWs at Sun Parlor Home have stood strong on the COVID-19 frontlines and I want them to know that Essex County Council and the residents of Essex County are grateful for their ongoing dedication and service,” said McNamara.
The Warden also praised the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee for its relentless advocacy for a barrier-free society and for its many groundbreaking initiatives. He also lauded Community Living Essex County for all the good it does and noted blue and green lights were shining on the Civic Centre to mark Community Living Month.
McNamara highlighted the Essex County Counts campaign endorsed by County Council, which identifies six priority issues for the provincial election campaign.
“Ask your candidates about these priorities when they knock on your door or send them a message to see where they stand,” said McNamara. “The 401 doesn’t end in London and it’s important Essex County send to Queen’s Park representatives who understand local issues and who will fight for local interests.”
ECAAC Unveils Accessibility Flag, Promotes Other Initiatives
The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee unveiled at County Council Wednesday night a newly-designed flag that will be hoisted at the Civic Centre on Monday, May 30, to celebrate National AccessAbility Week.
The flag was designed by Kristine Verbeek and selected above other designs by accessibility committee members from each local municipality and the County. It features the word “Accessibility” beneath a stylized figure in a wheelchair facing the right side of the flag, with a series of seven chevrons pointing in the same direction.
These chevrons symbolize the seven local County municipalities moving forward with accessibility together, in the right direction, suggesting momentum, progress and action.
The flag raising is just one of several initiatives that have been launched or will soon be launched by the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee. Others include:
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan: The County of Essex needs your feedback to assist in the development of the 2023-2027 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. The plan will outline how the County of Essex will prevent and remove barriers to accessibility that people with various abilities may face when accessing our programs, services, and facilities. Your input is important as we create this plan to continue to improve on our services to all our residents and staff. Learn more!
WE Check The Trails, Phase Two: The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee worked with the Essex Region Conservation Authority last year and engaged the community in a crowdsourcing initiative to identify any accessibility issues with the Greenway trails. Trail users were empowered to report issues with an online form that was geolocation enabled. Phase Two launches in June and will examine other trail networks for accessibility issues.
‘No Barriers, No Problem’ Speakers’ Forum: The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee is bringing in experts to speak about accessibility issues for a public forum beginning at 2 p.m. on June 27th. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.
Council Awards Contract for EMS Sheets, Blankets
County Council awarded a multi-year contract worth $713,600 plus HST to EMS Surplus Canada Inc. for the supply and delivery of linen and blankets to Essex-Windsor EMS.
Essex-Windsor EMS uses disposable linen sheets to cover stretchers and also makes use of heavy cloth blankets. It requires an annual supply of 44,000 linen sheets and 1,000 blankets, said a report to Council.
Rise in Asphalt Prices Impacts Cost of Road Projects
County Council voted to draw funds from its Rate Stabilization Reserve to ensure multiple projects could be completed as planned this season despite the rise in asphalt prices.
The cost of asphalt routinely fluctuates during the year so contracts are structured to take that into account, but the variance this year is larger than expected because of inflation. The cost of asphalt was about $915 per tonne when the tenders closed but is expected to hit $1,300 per tonne at the time of paving, said a report to Council.
Rather than cutting any projects and running the risk that asphalt prices could be even higher in the future, Council opted to cover the variance with its Rate Stabilization Reserve.
Council Awards $394,500 Contract for Culvert Replacement
County Council awarded a $394,500 plus HST contract to low bidder Sterling Ridge Infrastructure Inc. for the replacement of the County Road 8 culvert over the Cameron Curry Drain.
“The scope of the work on this project includes the complete replacement of the existing culvert with a precast concrete box culvert, installation of precast block wingwalls and replacement of the asphalt wearing surface,” said a report to Council. “A full road closure of County Road 8 is required to complete the proposed works safely and efficiently. County Road 8 will be closed for a period of approximately four-weeks during which time a road detour will be implemented.”
Construction is expected to begin in late July.
Council Expands Road Rehab Program to Include Connecting Link Project in Essex
County Council approved partnering with the Town of Essex on a milling and paving project on King Street East in Harrow. King Street is designated a Connecting Link for County Road 20 and is owned and operated by the Town of Essex. The milling and paving project is for the stretch between Walnut Street and Sunset Drive.
"County Connecting Link projects are very often driven by, and managed by the local municipality as the local Road Authority. It is, however, possible for the County of Essex to partner with, and manage, a basic paving project on behalf of one of our local municipal partners,” said a report to Council. “Given that the County of Essex has a contract for similar work immediately to the east of the subject area, and a willing contractor, it is possible and reasonable to extend the contract to include additional work. Working with local municipalities in this, and similar circumstances, will continue to encourage and strengthen cooperation.”
The total cost of the project is estimated at $211,000. The Town of Essex will be responsible for about $74,000 and the County will be responsible for about $137,000, with that funding coming from its Roadway Expansion Reserve.
Council Urges Provincial Action on Opioid Crisis
County Council joined the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in supporting a set of recommendations put forth by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to address the opioid crisis.
“Despite regional activities in response to the opioid crisis, there remains an urgent need for heightened provincial attention and action to promptly and adequately address the extensive burden of opioid-related deaths being experienced by those who use substances,” says correspondence addressed to the Minister of Health from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
The local health unit penned a similar letter to the health minister, pointing out there were 416 opioid-related emergency department visits in 2021, 58 more than the 358 reported in 2020 and nearly quadruple the 108 reported in 2016. Windsor-Essex saw 68 opioid-related deaths in 2020, the highest number since reporting began in 2005.
“These upward trends are expected to continue as local data becomes available for 2022, with 33 opioid-related mortalities recorded in the first seven months” of 2021, said the health unit.
County’s Finances in Excellent Health at End of 2021
The County’s “financial health can be measured as sustainable, flexible and well positioned to meets its service and financial obligations,” according to the 2021 County of Essex Consolidated Financial Report.
At the end of 2021, the County had an accumulated surplus of $441,518,961, compared to $389,565,631 at the end of 2020. The accumulated surplus represents the county’s equity or retained earnings, which is different than an annual budget surplus or deficit.
The County had reserves at the end of 2021 totalling $241,429,380, including $27 million for the new hospital system, up from $200 million the year prior.
The County’s consolidated financial statements include the Essex County Library and 50 per cent of the financial statements of the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority – which is funded equally with the City of Windsor. KPMG audited the statements and found they fairly reflect the county’s financial position.