Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties public meetings in 2021

Regular Council Meeting

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Council is meeting to consider routine administrative items and several action items, including approval of the County Forest 5-Year Operating Plan (2022-2026), renewal of occupational accident insurance, and a public meeting on Official Plan Amendment No. 8. Council will also vote on multiple by-laws, including a memorandum of understanding for forest management, sign encroachment agreements, and formalizing access to County Road 2. The agenda includes a closed session for legal, land, and contract matters.

• Public meeting on Official Plan Amendment No. 8 (housekeeping)
• Approval of County Forest 5-Year Operating Plan (2022-2026)
• Occupational Accident Insurance Renewal (WSIB proposal 2022-2023)
• By-law BL-5326: MOU with South Nation Conservation for forest management
• By-law BL-5328: Formalize access to County Road 2 at McIntosh Inn

Council approved the County Forest Five-Year Operating Plan (2022-2026) and directed staff to review the Finch Roxborough Boundary Road for potential inclusion in the County road system, as well as a system-wide review of the road network. They also approved several by-laws, including a housekeeping amendment to the Official Plan, and supported Prince Edward County's call for action on abandoned cemeteries. The meeting included a closed session for legal and land matters.

• Approved County Forest 5-Year Operating Plan 2022-2026
• Directed staff to review Finch Roxborough Boundary Road for inclusion in County road system, report by June 30, 2022
• Directed system-wide review of County road network for potential transfers with local municipalities
• Approved job description and recruitment for Construction Supervisor – Bridges
• Passed By-law 5326: MOU with South Nation Conservation for forest management
• Passed By-law 5330: Official Plan Amendment No. 8 (housekeeping)
• Supported Prince Edward County's call for action on abandoned cemeteries
• Authorized implementation of confidential in-camera recommendations

Inaugural Meeting

This is the inaugural meeting of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties council, held on December 17, 2021. The agenda contains only procedural boilerplate and no substantive decisions or discussion items.

The inaugural meeting of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry was held on December 17, 2021. Carma Williams took the Declaration of Office and was declared Warden for 2022. The ceremony included an invocation, singing of the national anthem, and congratulations from various officials. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Carma Williams declared Warden for 2022

Special Budget Meeting

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry will meet to discuss the 2022 draft budget and next steps for the Education Report. The meeting also includes a closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

• 2022 Draft Budget
• Education Report Next Steps
• Closed session regarding an HR matter

The council approved a $50,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities from the Council Donation reserve and amended the draft Police Services budget to increase the Equipment line item to $15,000 for 10 OPP defibrillators, funded from Police Services surplus. The 2022 draft budget was presented but not approved; staff will bring it back for further deliberation at the January 24, 2022 council meeting.

• Approved $50,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities from Council Donation reserve (carried)
• Amended Police Services budget: Equipment line increased to $15,000 for 10 OPP defibrillators, funded from Police Services surplus (carried)
• 2022 draft budget presented; approval deferred to January 24, 2022 meeting

Police Services Board

The Police Services Board is meeting to review reports and discuss equipment updates. The session includes a discussion on defibrillator replacements led by Detachment Commander Marc Hemmerick.

• Discussion on defibrillator replacements
• OPP Report for July - September 2021
• OAPSB Zone 2 Fall Meeting Minutes
• Thank you letter from Koala Place

The board approved a motion recommending that Council reallocate $3,000 from the 2021 Police Services equipment budget to the 2022 budget to help fund replacement defibrillator units. The OPP reports for July-September 2021 were accepted for information. The agenda and previous meeting minutes were approved. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved the agenda as presented.
• Adopted the minutes of the October 7, 2021 meeting as presented.
• Accepted the OPP reports for July-September 2021 for information purposes.
• Recommended to Council that $3K be reallocated from the 2021 Police Services equipment budget to the 2022 budget for future purchase of defibrillator units.

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole is meeting to consider a staff report on a feasibility study for the historic SDG Jail. The agenda also includes routine items such as approval of minutes and disclosure of interests. No other substantive items are listed.

• Staff report: KIR - Historic SDG Jail - Feasibility Study
• Approval of minutes from September 29, 2021

The Committee of the Whole met virtually and approved the agenda and previous minutes. The only substantive discussion was a staff report on a feasibility study for the historic SDG Jail, where a consultant sought council input on potential uses and key stakeholders. No formal decisions were made on the jail or any other substantive matter.

• Approved agenda as presented (carried)
• Adopted minutes of September 29, 2021 meeting (carried)

Regular Council Meeting

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Council is meeting to discuss rural education improvements, accessibility planning, and affordable housing. The body will also consider by-laws regarding speed limits and a lease extension for the jail kitchen.

• Lease Extension Agreement for Catering2Kidz (Jail Kitchen)
• Speed limit updates for Morrisburg and Winchester
• Improving Rural Education Report
• SDG Natural Heritage Study
• Request to initiate an Official Plan Amendment for Priority Bedrock Area

Council endorsed the 'Improving Rural Education' report and directed staff to prepare next steps for the December 8 budget meeting, including a rural schools symposium. They also adopted the SDG Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2021-2026, received the Natural Heritage Study and directed staff to initiate an Official Plan Amendment, and directed staff to initiate an Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan. Several by-laws were passed, including a lease extension for Catering2Kidz and speed limit updates.

• Endorsed Improving Rural Education report (carried)
• Adopted SDG Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2021-2026 (carried)
• Received Natural Heritage Study, directed Official Plan Amendment and other actions (carried)
• Directed staff to initiate Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan and other housing actions (carried)
• Directed staff to initiate Official Plan Amendment for bedrock resource mapping (carried)
• Passed By-law 5323 lease extension with Catering2Kidz (carried)
• Passed By-law 5324 speed limit updates on County roads (carried)
• Directed staff to fill ditch at Strader Motor Sales as part of Morrisburg Streetscape Project (carried)

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Accessibility Advisory Committee is meeting virtually to discuss the SDG Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2021-2026 and an accessibility report on the SDG website. No decisions are listed; the agenda includes only these two discussion items and adjournment.

• Review of SDG Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2021-2026
• Accessibility report on SDG website

Regular Council Meeting

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry will discuss infrastructure designs for two bridges and approve regional incentive applications. The body will also consider several encroachment agreements and a LiDAR agreement.

• Design of East Castor River Bridge and Hoople Creek Bridge
• August intake applications for the Regional Incentives Program
• Plow and Spreader purchase
• Encroachment agreements for Matilda CON 1 Lot 4 and 11669 County Road 18
• SDG Growth Management Strategy Contract

Council approved $173,181.80 in funding for nine projects under the Stay, Discover, Grow Regional Incentives Program, accepted design contracts for two bridge rehabilitations, and awarded a contract for the SDG Growth Management Strategy. Councillor Carma Williams was elected Warden for 2022 by secret ballot. Several by-laws were passed, including updates to the procedure by-law and agreements for LiDAR, encroachments, and land acquisition.

• Approved $173,181.80 in Regional Incentives Program funding for 9 projects (carried)
• Accepted Jacobs proposal for East Castor River Bridge design at $45,590 plus HST (carried)
• Accepted J.L. Richards proposal for Hoople Creek Bridge design at $42,450.25 plus HST (carried)
• Awarded SDG Growth Management Strategy contract to Watson and Associates and Re: Public Urbanism for $95,000 plus HST (carried)
• Accepted tenders for plow and spreader purchase: Cornwall Freightliner ($134,985) and Gin-Cor Industries ($149,920) (carried)
• Passed By-law 5317 (procedure), 5318 (LiDAR agreement), 5319 (encroachment), 5320 (land as highway), 5321 (encroachment) (all carried)
• Elected Carma Williams as Warden for 2022 (secret ballot)
• Supported that sitting Warden not vote in Warden election as best practice (carried)

Special Council Meeting

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry will hold a special meeting to address a vaccination verification policy for Coronavirus (COVID-19). The body will also consider the ratification of a specific by-law.

• Vaccination Verification Policy Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Ratification of By-Law No. 5316

The Special Council meeting was called to order, the agenda was adopted, and no pecuniary interests were disclosed. Council approved the COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy (1-37) and ratified By-Law No. 5316, which adopts, confirms, and ratifies matters dealt with by resolution. The meeting then adjourned.

• Approved the COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy (1-37).
• Ratified By-Law No. 5316, adopting, confirming, and ratifying matters dealt with by resolution.
• Called the meeting to order and adopted the agenda.
• Adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Police Services Board

The board endorsed the Mobile Crisis Response Team program and directed staff to send a letter of support urging provincial funding. It also approved the 2021 Community Initiatives budget with allocations to six local organizations, and approved the draft 2022 budget for forwarding to the United Counties council. The OPP reports for April-June 2021 were accepted for information.

• Approved the agenda as presented.
• Adopted the minutes of the June 10, 2021 meeting.
• Endorsed the Mobile Crisis Response Team program and directed a letter of support to the provincial Ministry of Health.
• Accepted the OPP reports for April-June 2021 for information.
• Approved 2021 Community Initiatives budget: Baldwin House $1,000, Naomi's Family Resource Centre $1,000, Maison Interlude $1,000, Alzheimer Society of Cornwall (Project Lifesaver Bracelets) $1,000, Akwesasne Healing Centre $500, Koala Place $500.
• Approved the draft 2022 budget as presented and forwarded it to the United Counties Council for consideration.
• Adjourned the meeting to the call of the Chair.

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole is meeting to review staff reports on county infrastructure and administration. Discussions include road signage, vegetation control, and the method of election for the Warden.

• Warden - Method of Election and Term of Office
• Entrance By-law feedback for update
• Signage on County Roads
• Roadside Vegetation Control
• SDG Administration Building - Jail Area

The Committee of the Whole directed staff to bring back budgetary options for extended fence-to-fence mowing by mid-August, a custom signage policy, a revised Entrance By-Law including provisions for pre-existing entrances, and an amendment to the Procedure By-Law regarding the Warden's election and Deputy Warden role. They also requested that feedback on the jail feasibility study be provided to the consultant before the study begins. No formal decisions were made; all items were directed for further consideration.

• Directed staff to bring back budgetary options for extended mowing to complete fence-to-fence mowing by mid-August
• Directed staff to bring back a custom signage policy for further consideration
• Directed staff to bring back a revised Entrance By-Law with provisions for pre-existing entrances
• Directed staff to bring back an amendment to the Procedure By-Law to implement Warden election changes and Deputy Warden role

Regular Council Meeting

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Council is meeting to review infrastructure projects and update local policies. The body will consider designs for two bridges and approve several sign encroachment agreements.

• Design of Ferguson Bridge (RFP 18-548) and Black Creek Bridge (RFP 18-053)
• Sign Encroachment Agreements for Morewood Lucky Mart and GIAG (Alexandria)
• Updated Flag Policy (BL-5312)
• Purchase of an anti-icing tank and 2022 snowplow purchase
• Lancaster Branch Library Evaluation and Feasibility Study

Council approved design contracts for the Ferguson Bridge ($38,860) and Black Creek Bridge ($34,125) rehabilitations, and the purchase of an anti-icing tank ($32,500) funded from the Equipment Reserve Fund. Council also passed a resolution requesting provincial changes to allow upper-tier municipalities to pass Community Improvement Plans, and adopted three by-laws including an updated flag policy and two sign encroachment agreements. In closed session, Council directed the CAO to draft a COVID-19 vaccine policy for staff and Council, and to not give staff September 30th off as a statutory holiday but instead organize educational events.

• Approved HP Engineering proposal for Ferguson Bridge design ($38,860 + HST)
• Approved Keystone Bridge Management Corp. proposal for Black Creek Bridge design ($34,125 + HST)
• Approved purchase of anti-icing tank from RMES ($32,500) funded from Equipment Reserve Fund
• Approved resolution requesting Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to amend Planning Act/regulations to allow upper-tier municipalities to pass Community Improvement Plans
• Adopted By-law 5312 (Flag Policy 4-2)
• Adopted By-law 5313 (Encroachment Agreement for Morewood Lucky Mart Sign)
• Adopted By-law 5314 (Encroachment Agreement for GIAG sign, Alexandria)
• Directed CAO to draft COVID-19 vaccine policy for staff and Council