County Council Highlights for Oct. 16, 2024

Local Government Week Focuses on Awareness and Opportunities

Local Government Week in Ontario (Oct. 20-26) is a time for shining a spotlight on the important role municipalities play and the opportunities they have for young adults, Warden Hilda MacDonald said in her opening remarks to Essex County Council on Wednesday.

“People depend on municipal governments for services they use in their day-to-day lives, like roads, sewers, water mains, waste disposal, public transit, public safety, parks and recreation facilities, and the list goes on,” the warden said. She noted that municipalities offer a wide range of employment opportunities for engineers, accountants, planners, IT specialists, lawyers, paramedics, social workers and more.

“We want young people to be involved and add their voices as we plan for the future,” MacDonald said. She encouraged those who are interested to explore municipal websites and reach out to municipal councillors and staff.

The warden also congratulated David Sundin on being named Essex County’s Director of Legal and Legislative Services, a position he has been filling on an interim basis since April while continuing to serve as County Solicitor.

Council Gets Update on the State of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra

Windsor Symphony Orchestra music director Robert Franz and board chair Deborah Severs made a presentation to council on the “State of the Symphony.”

Council Supports Traffic Review of County Road 42 at Renaud Line Road

Council supported a request by the Municipality of Lakeshore for a traffic review of County Road 42 at Renaud Line Road, which would include accident and traffic volume data for the last five years and recommended improvements.

Plans Move Forward for Traffic Signals on County Road 20 in LaSalle

Following a traffic control study, Essex County Council has directed administration to complete preliminary designs and cost estimates for the installation of traffic signals on County Road 20 at Martin Lane and Victory Street in LaSalle.

A report to council notes the traffic on that section of County Road 20 has increased steadily in the last five years and more residential development is planned in the area.

Final Draft of Updated Official Plan being Reviewed

Council received the final draft of the new County of Essex Official Plan, which will be reviewed with Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing staff over the coming weeks to ensure it is consistent with the 2024 Provincial Policy Statement.

Should ministry officials identify any areas of concern, they will be addressed prior to the new Official Plan being presented to council for adoption, says a report by Manager, Planning Services, Rebecca Belanger.

“The preparation of this new County Official Plan has been a collaborative affair, with significant contributions being made by local municipal planning staff, community stakeholders, interested residents, and provincial and regional ministries and agencies who participated in the multi-phase work program leading up to the preparation and submission of the final draft of the County’s new Official Plan,” says a second report to council summarizing the work and consultation that has taken place over the past three years.

Essex County Council heard from several delegations Wednesday regarding the draft Official Plan.

Council Authorizes Cost Sharing Agreement and Land Purchase

Council passed two by-laws relating to land in the Town of Tecumseh. One is a cost sharing agreement with the Town of Tecumseh and the development group Trinity Gardens for storm water management in the County Road 19 corridor. The other by-law authorizes the purchase of land along County Road 22.