County Council Highlights for Nov. 6, 2024

Warden Encourages Reflection for Remembrance Day

Essex County Council watched a short Remembrance Day video at the start of Wednesday’s meeting and Warden Hilda MacDonald spoke of the importance of honouring veterans.

“This is Veterans’ Week and on Monday we will commemorate Remembrance Day. It is a short time to honour all those who have served and sacrificed with courage and a deep sense of responsibility for their fellow citizens,” the warden said.

She cited local Second World War veteran Charles Davis as an example of the thousands of local residents who have served and sacrificed. Earlier this year, Essex County Council invited Davis to attend one of its meetings when he is able, so he can be recognized in person for his service and dedication to honouring other veterans.

“Mr. Davis is 102 years old and has been faithfully paying tribute to his fallen comrades for 80 years, including travelling back to France this past summer,” MacDonald said. In June 1944, Davis drove a truck loaded with ammunition onto a beach in Normandy where hundreds of soldiers had died over the previous four days.

“Let’s wear our poppies with immense pride and gratitude,” the warden said. “Let’s take more than two minutes to listen, learn and reflect. And let’s honour our veterans by showing the same sense of duty to our fellow citizens as they have shown to us.”

Development Charges Study Underway

Council received an update from representatives of Hemson Consulting Ltd., which has been hired to assist the County of Essex with introducing development charges to fund infrastructure required for growth.

The Hemson representatives spoke about the purpose of development charges, which can only be implemented once a background study has been completed and a by-law approved by council.

The study will look at the anticipated residential and non-residential growth over the next 10 years. This information will be used to determine the increase necessary to ensure the County of Essex can provide the same level of service as it has over the last 15 years.

It is expected the development charges background study and policy recommendations will be ready for review in early 2025, says a report. Local municipalities, the development community and interested individuals will be consulted before a final recommendation goes to Essex County Council.

Council Adopts New Official Plan

Council passed a by-law adopting the new County of Essex Official Plan, which will be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for final approval.

“The Official Plan lays the foundation for future land use and growth management, including planning for housing, jobs, agriculture, environmental protection, and climate resilience,” says a report to council. More information is available on the county’s Comprehensive Official Plan Review web page.

Proposed 2025 Budget to be Publicly Released November 14

The Proposed 2025 Budget will be made public on Nov. 14, with Essex County Council scheduled to hold its deliberations on Nov. 28.

The proposed budget, which includes a tax rate increase of 6.34 per cent, will be given to members of Essex County Council on Nov. 7, in advance of the public release.

Changes to the budget format made in response to feedback from council were outlined in a report presented Wednesday by Director, Financial Services/Treasurer Melissa Ryan. The report notes special charges to local municipalities for the new mandatory organic waste collection program, which will be rolled out in some municipalities in late 2025, are being deferred until January 2026.

New Staff Positions and Added Hours Approved in Principle

Council has approved in principle four new staff positions and two other increases in staff resources that will be included in the Proposed 2025 Budget.

A report by Director, Human Resources, Kyla Pritiko outlines the rationale for hiring a Essex-Windsor EMS logistics technician, EMS manager of employee wellness, Information Technology business analyst, and Infrastructure and Planning Services planning co-op student. It also explains why Sun Parlor Home is proposing to add four hours a day for a food service worker and Legal and Legislative services will transition from hiring a law student for the summer to employing an articling student in 2026.

State of Good Repair 2025 Road Rehabilitation Program Presented

Keeping the regional network of roads owned and maintained by the County of Essex in good repair will require spending $20.6 million to rehabilitate 33 km of road, says a report by Manager, Design and Construction, Karyn Templin.

The identified work includes two bridge rehabilitation projects, engineering assignments for two bridge projects, three culvert replacement projects, engineering assignments for two culverts and 13 road rehabilitation projects.

The 2025 road rehabilitation program, to be discussed during Budget deliberations, is proposed to be supported by $4 million in grant funding and $16.6 million from the county levy.

In addition, it is proposed that the County of Essex spend $2.8 million to add 10 km of paved shoulders to the County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS), as well as participate with local municipalities in adding another 10 km of paved shoulders – some of which are being completed this year.

Purchase of Seven New Ambulances Approved for 2026

Essex County Council has given advance approval to Essex-Windsor EMS to purchase seven new ambulances to be delivered in 2026 to replace aging vehicles.

The advance approval is required because ordering the ambulances for a total price of just over $2 million requires a down payment so the parts needed to construct them can be procured by the vendor, Crestline Coach Ltd., says a report.

County Road 9 and Alma Street to get Temporary Traffic Signal

A temporary traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of County Road 9 and Alma Street in Amherstburg.

Essex County Council approved spending $60,000 for the temporary traffic signal, which will remain in place while a feasibility study is conducted in the spring to find a longer-term solution. A report says the intersection doesn’t meet the technical requirements for a traffic signal but “the collision history and the near equal distribution of traffic justify the recommendation for some form of safety modification.”

Contract Awarded for Essex-Windsor EMS Fleet Maintenance

Essex-Windsor EMS received council approval to contract MSJ Automotive Services as its primary service provider for fleet maintenance and repair, and Reaume Chevrolet Buick GMC as its secondary service provider.

The contract is being awarded after a request for proposals was issued in June 2024. Essex-Windsor EMS has 41 ambulances, nine emergency response vehicles. three district chief pickup trucks and several other vehicles used by administrative and support staff, says a report.

Council Asks for Report on Mechanism for Public Feedback

Council directed staff to prepare a report on setting up an online mechanism for residents to send a message to all council members at the same time.