County Council Highlights for Nov. 15, 2023
Warden Urges Residents to be Generous and Safe During the Holiday Season
Warden Hilda MacDonald asked residents to think of others as the holiday season gets underway.
“Soon, the Goodfellows and their supporters will be on the streets collecting donations to fill their holiday food boxes and restock their food bank shelves,” she said at the start of Wednesday’s Essex County Council meeting. “The demand has been overwhelming this year, and they need your help more than ever.”
Essex-Windsor EMS volunteers will be out with the Goodfellows hawking papers on Nov. 23, 24 and 25. A group of EMS staff members is participating in the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation’s Grow On Windsor fundraising campaign in November, and County of Essex employees will be collecting toys and clothes to benefit the Children’s Aid Society’s Holiday Gift Drive.
The warden encouraged Essex County residents to support local non-profit organizations with donations or volunteer time if they are able.
“And, most importantly, be safe and keep others safe this holiday season. MADD Windsor & Essex County recently launched its Red Ribbon campaign with the support of Essex-Windsor EMS and local police services,” she said. “Please heed their message: Never drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver.”
Expropriation of Land for County Road 42 Expansion Proceeding
Council passed a by-law approving the expropriation of land required for the expansion of County Road 42.
The by-law authorizes an expropriation plan to be registered on the title to Parts 27 and 28 on Reference Plan 12R-27997, finalizing a process that began four years ago. Initially, the owner had requested a hearing of necessity before the Ontario Land Tribunal but recently withdrew the request, says a report to council.
The first phase of the reconstruction of County Road 42 from the City of Windsor to just east of County Road 19 (Manning Road) is currently underway.
Council Adopts New Code of Conduct
The County of Essex has a new Code of Conduct for Council Members and Members of Local Boards. Council passed a by-law to implement the code after receiving a report that answered questions some members of council had about its provisions.
Public Invited to Review Essex Region Shoreline Natural Hazard Mapping Update
An updated map of the Essex Region’s shorelines that identifies flood-prone areas is nearing completion and will be available for the public to review in early December.
At public open houses, residents will be able to see the new shoreline natural hazard mapping and zoom in to get detailed views of individual properties, says a report to council. The public open houses are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.:
- Dec. 4 at the Atlas Tube Centre in Belle River.
- Dec. 5 in the Municipality of Leamington council chambers in Leamington.
- Dec. 6 at the Essex Arena in Essex.
- Dec. 7 at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing in LaSalle.
The updated shoreline natural hazard mapping will be used by the Essex Region Conservation Authority to assess development proposals and issue development approvals. It will also assist the county, local municipalities, the City of Windsor and local property owners with land use and emergency planning.
More information is available on the County of Essex Shoreline Natural Hazard Mapping Update page.
Draft Updated Active Transportation Plan Master Includes Expansion
The updated County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) Master Plan includes a substantial increase in the planned network of routes and an implementation strategy that ensures they will be maintained.
The 2012 Master Plan, created when CWATS was launched, includes plans for 556 km of active transportation infrastructure, of which 340 km has been constructed. The updated draft Master Plan adds 510 km of new proposed routes, increasing the total length of existing and proposed CWATS routes to 1,066 km, says a report presented to council.
CWATS includes trails, multi-use paths, bike lanes and paved shoulders on land owned by the county, local municipalities and the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Surveys of the public and stakeholders show 91 per cent want the county and local municipalities to continue investing in active transportation facilities, says the report to council. Use of the CWATS network has also increased over the last 10 years.
County Administration and local municipalities are working on an asset management agreement that sets out who is responsible for maintaining different parts of the CWATS network. Essex County Council will be asked to adopt the updated Master Plan at a future meeting.
County Road 46 Environmental Assessment Contract Awarded
BT Engineering Inc. has been awarded the contract to complete an environmental assessment required to prepare for improvements to the County Road 46 corridor from the City of Windsor boundary to County Road 19 (Manning Road).
The firm will be paid $309,437 plus applicable taxes to prepare the operational improvement plan for the corridor, says a report to council. The plan will include safety improvements, additional lanes to improve mobility and infrastructure for active transportation.
The corridor is a priority candidate for capacity improvement due to major economic developments in the area and population growth, says the report.
The Town of Tecumseh has asked that the area studied include Concession 8 and Concession 9 from County Road 46 to the Windsor boundary. The town will enter into a separate agreement with the engineering firm for that portion of the environment assessment.
Road Rationalization Review with Local Municipalities to Start in 2024
Essex County and local municipalities will have the required information and plans in place in 2024 to begin a road rationalization study, says a report to council.
Council has asked Administration to include $50,000 in the 2024 Budget for consulting services to support the road rationalization study, which will look at whether roads within the county are under the most appropriate jurisdiction.
An updated County of Essex Official Plan is expected to be complete in early 2024 and an updated Transportation Master Plan in 2025, both of which will provide information required to complete the road rationalization study, says the report. The county and local municipalities are to develop a project charter and terms of reference to assist in completing the study.
Council Sets New Deadline for Publication of Meeting Agendas
Essex County Council agendas and supporting documents must be available to members and the public at least seven days prior to meetings, according to a by-law amendment approved Wednesday.
The by-law previously stated the agendas should be available to council in the calendar week prior to the meeting and on the county’s public website on the Monday or Tuesday prior to the meeting. Those deadlines did not provide enough time for council members and the public to review the agenda materials, says a motion by LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche that was approved by council.
Report on Regional Health Care Improvements Requested
Council has asked for an administrative report on how to address the health care needs of the region, including the need for an increased number of physicians.
Amherstburg Town Council voted on Oct. 23 to have County Council address the issue of regional health care and also sent a letter to Essex MPP Anthony Leardi seeking assistance in raising awareness of the need to attract physicians to the area.