Warden Reflects on Challenges and Opportunities 2022 Brought the County

Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald thanked staff for their hard work and commitment in 2022 and applauded residents for stepping up to help citizens of Ukraine.

In her opening remarks at Wednesday’s council meeting, the warden called 2022 a year of “change, challenges and new opportunities.” She also said council will continue to work with regional and provincial partners to ensure staff at Essex-Windsor EMS and Sun Parlor Home are able to carry on providing a high level of service to the residents of Essex County and Windsor amid pressures on the health-care system.

MacDonald thanked council members for their passion for public service, and urged all residents to “keep kindness in our hearts during this holiday season.” At the end of the meeting each council member gave holiday greetings to the residents of Essex County.

All but Procedural Votes to be Recorded with Enhanced Electronic System

Essex County council votes will be recorded votes captured by recently enhanced software used for taking meeting minutes. The only exceptions will be procedural matters, like going in camera and adjournment.

The eScribe Meeting Management software allows council members to vote electronically, with the result displayed on a screen. This way the voting procedure is as transparent to observers as it would be if council members raised their hands, says a report to council. However, the county’s current Procedure By-law only anticipates recorded votes if they are explicitly requested. The by-law will be reviewed in 2023. In the meantime, council has suspended the section regarding recorded votes.

County Asked to Join City in Pursuing Energy Solutions to Support Development

Council has deferred a decision on whether to join the City of Windsor in pursuing timely and sustainable sources of energy to support regional economic development.

The provincial government has directed Hydro One to develop and seek approval for five electricity expansion projects west of London that will increase the power supply in Essex County and Windsor. However, those projects are expected to be completed between 2024 and 2030. That will likely not be soon enough to meet the demand being created by the NextStar Energy vehicle battery plant under construction in Windsor, companies seeking locations near it and the expanding greenhouse industry in Essex County.

Windsor hired Power Advisory LLC, which specializes in electricity markets, to study the situation and make recommendations to alleviate potential electricity supply and transmission challenges. City council subsequently passed a resolution in September adopting Power Advisory’s advice and requesting an endorsement from Essex County council to ensure a consistent regional approach. Power Advisory representatives and Jelena Payne, Windsor’s commissioner, economic development and innovation, presented the resolution and information from Power Advisory’s report to county council Wednesday.

The city council resolution includes:

• Support in principle for the five proposed electricity transmission infrastructure projects announced by the province and measures to ensure their rapid completion;
• Advocating for Ontario to pursue energy efficiency and green energy alternatives, while maintaining the existing energy generation initiatives until affordable, sufficient and sustainable alternatives are in place, as well as helping to alleviate regional electricity supply constraints prior to the completion of new electricity transmission infrastructure in 2030;
• Supporting the Independent Electricity System Operator in contracting the Brighton Beach Generating Station in Windsor to supply power for regional job creation and economic expansion;
• Advocating for Ontario to investigate near-term firm electricity imports from Michigan via the Windsor-Detroit Energy Intertie;
• Supporting in principle Windsor as a host for future projects that will enhance the energy supply;
• Authorizing city administration to participate in, and provide comment to, any public consultations regarding energy supply and development; and
• Requesting that Invest WindsorEssex act as a regional representative to track efforts and vigorously advocate on behalf of the region for short, medium and long-term solutions for adequate and sustainable energy solutions to support economic investments and growth.

Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey noted that the planned expansion of transmission infrastructure through her municipality has raised significant concerns. In response to council questions, Payne said the intent is for Invest WindsorEssex to spearhead a regional task force that would include representatives from the county and all seven municipalities. County council voted to receive the Power Advisory report and the city’s resolution. It deferred making any decision to a future meeting.

Concern Expressed Over More Homes Built Faster Act

Council directed administration to prepare a letter expressing Essex County’s concern to the provincial government over Bill 23, also known as the More Homes Built Faster Act. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has told members of the provincial legislature that there are serious problems with the bill, which was introduced without consultation with municipalities. Individual municipalities have also expressed concerns, either calling for changes or the revocation of Bill 23.

Coverage of Translation Costs for Children’s Dental Program Supported

Coverage of translation services should be included in a provincial program that provides publicly-funded dental care to youth under the age of 18 who otherwise couldn’t afford it, county council agreed. Council endorsed a resolution of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit board that calls on the province to include billing options for translation and interpretation services for the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, which is provided by dentists who voluntarily participate.

Coverage of translation services would reduce one of the barriers to accessing dental care, the health unit said in a letter to Health Minister Sylvia Jones.

Board, Committee and Agency Appointments Approved

County council approved appointments to boards, committees and agencies recommended by the striking committee, as well as a change that will see county appointees to the Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island board paid the standard per diem.

Appointed to the 911 Technical Advisory Committee is LaSalle Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata.

Appointed to the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee are Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, Rachel Jewell, Diana Kirkbride, Julie Miles, Dennis Sanson, Debbie Alexander and Sherri Currie.

Appointed to the Essex County Library board are Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti, Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, Lauren Segedin (Kingsville lay appointee), Sue Desjarlais (LaSalle lay appointee) and Heather Latam (Leamington lay appointee).

Appointed to the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority board are Warden Hilda MacDonald (ex-officio), LaSalle Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata, Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara and Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley. Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt is the alternate for 2023 and 2025.

Appointed to the Windsor Essex Food Policy Committee is Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers.

Appointed to the Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island board are Warden Hilda MacDonald (ex-officio), LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche and Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers.

Appointed to the Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation board are Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti and Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong.

Appointed to the Windsor Essex County Environment Committee are LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche and Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue.

Appointed to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit board are Warden Hilda MacDonald (also representing Pelee Island), Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti, Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue and Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley.

Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara is appointed to the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee, Warden Hilda MacDonald is appointed to the Invest WindsorEssex board and LaSalle Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata is appointed to the Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy.

Updated Emergency Management Plans Approved

Council approved the updated composition of the Essex County Emergency Management Program management committee, the 2022 Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and the revised Emergency Management Program. It also authorized the county’s emergency measures coordinator to submit an annual Emergency Management Program statement of completion to the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management.

Construction Administration Consultant Hired for Phase 1 of County Road 42 Project

Dillon Consulting has been awarded the contract to provide administrative services for Phase 1 of the County Road 42 reconstruction, which is currently underway. The estimated cost is $1.9 million plus applicable taxes. Dillon Consulting previously completed the environmental study report, detailed design and tender documents for Phase 1 of the project, says a report to council.

The construction contract was awarded to Piera Con Enterprises Inc. for an estimated cost of $30 million. The county has budgeted just over $30 million for the project in 2023. The Town of Tecumseh is contributing $5.7 million for sanitary sewers and watermains.

Agreement for New Ambulance Power Load Lifting Devices Approved

An agreement that will see new power load lifting devices installed in Essex-Windsor EMS’s 40 ambulances in 2023 was approved by council. Under the lease agreement with Stryker, the county will pay $211,652 a year over five years to cover the cost of acquiring the devices. This option is preferable to purchasing eight units a year for five years, as prices are expected to increase, says a report to council by EMS Chief Bruce Krauter.

The power load lifting devices assist paramedics in lifting patients and stretchers into and out of ambulances. They work in conjunction with the Stryker power stretchers paramedics use, which reduces physical strain and risk of injury. Essex-Windsor EMS began using the devices in 2014 and the current ones are reaching the end of their life expectancy.

Interim CAO Appointed

Council has appointed Mary Birch interim CAO for the County of Essex as of Jan. 16, 2023, until a new CAO is hired. Birch is the county’s director, legislative and community services, and clerk. Essex County CAO Mike Galloway earlier this month announced that he is retiring in the first quarter of 2023 after 30 years of public service.

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