by Sylene Argent
2023 Council meeting dates approved
Essex Council approved the dates for the 2023 Regular Council Meetings.
As per the Procedural By-Law, Regular Meetings of Council are to be held on the first and third Mondays of each month, beginning at 6pm, unless otherwise decided by a majority vote.
The By-Law also notes when a Regular Meeting falls on a Monday that is a Civic or Public Holiday, or on a day when Town Hall is closed for business, the meeting will be held on the following date that is not a public holiday or on a date agreed to by Council.
In addition, the 2023 schedule will move Council meetings to the following Tuesday for ones that landed on Canada Day, Labour Day, and Family Day, and in August to allow Council members to attend the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference.
Update provided for My Main Street
Local Business Accelerator Program
Council received an update on the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator Program.
In the Report to Council, it notes the Town of Essex was one of 65 applicants in Southern Ontario that received funding through the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator Program in December of 2021. The funding supported a Main Street Ambassador one-year contract position, customized marketing research, data analysis, and non-repayable funding contributions for small businesses in Essex Centre and Harrow downtown areas.
The funding included a non-repayable contribution of $57,500 towards the 12-month salary and equipment purchases of a Main Street Ambassador downtown Essex Centre and Harrow; Community Market Profiles; Market Research Reports; and ten $10,000 non-repayable contributions to support local businesses. Five are available for existing businesses, while five are available for new businesses.
To date, 92 businesses were contacted and engaged in Essex Centre, and another 29 in Harrow.
So far, four businesses have been approved for a grant: Sanford & Son Supermarket to complete outdoor façade improvement; Talbot Massage Therapy for outdoor signage, new equipment, and promotional funding; Billy’s Taphouse for a new walk-in fridge in order to source more local products; The Dreaming Tree was approved to implement a new loyalty program, new scanner to track loyalty points, website improvements, and marketing for the new loyalty program.
The My Main Street program expires February 3, 2023.
Councillor Sherry Bondy said she was sad when the municipal grant Community Improvement Programs for Essex Centre and Harrow expired recently, as they were a way to help rejuvenate the downtown areas. She called the Main Street Ambassador program out-of-the-box thinking, which continued support for the two business areas.
Construction value up 49.6%, comparing September in 2022 to 2021
Council received the Economic Development Review for the month of September, which noted the total construction value - including all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments that required a building permit – was $15,901,200.
This was up 49.6 percent, compared to September of 2021.
In addition, the average home sale price in September 2022 in Wards 1 and 2 was $477,466, which was considerably lower than the $597,830 that was recorded in 2021. The average home sale price in September 2022 in Wards 3 and 4 was $641,167, which was considerably higher than the $479,139 that was recorded in 2021.
Nelson Silveira, Economic Development Officer, said in terms of residential development, this has been the highest year on record for Essex, contributing mainly to the Essex Town Centre subdivision.
Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said this is evidence of what Administration and Council was able to achieve the past four-years.
Essex Bridge Rehabilitation Tendered for 2022
Council awarded the Essex Bridge Rehabilitation Tender to Front Construction Industries Inc, in the amount of $1,136,353.94, the lowest bidder.
As per the 2022 approved budget, $780,000.00 has been allocated for the subject works. This Request for Tender result was $1,136,353.94.
The projects are:
The additional funding of $339,084.72, above the approved 2022 Capital Budget of $220,000, for South Malden Road/County Road 11 from the Town’s OCIF Reserve. The rehabilitation works will address safety concerns and extend the useful life by 40-years.
David McBeth, Manager of Capital Works and Asset Management, noted the increase in the cost was based on a previous report. The Engineer, however, later realized the railing system would not accept the guardrail as part of the scope, which greatly increased the project cost.
The additional funding of $3,436.86, above the approved 2022 Capital Budget of $360,000, for 4th Concession/McLean Bridge from the Town’s Asset Management Reserve. This will provide a minimum 60-years before replacement.
The additional funding of $13,832.36, above the approved 2022 Capital Budget of $200,000, for Ferris Sideroad/4th Concession Road from the Town’s Asset Management Reserve. This will provide a minimum 80-years before replacement.
Council receives Private Hydrant Inspection, Maintenance and Fire Safety Plans
Essex Council received Fire & Rescue Service’s report “Private Hydrants Inspection, Maintenance and Fire Safety Plans.”
Fire Chief Rick Arnel explained Council directed Essex Fire & Rescue to provide a report with a comprehensive list of all privately owned hydrants in the municipality, and provide information regarding the inspection and maintenance of these hydrants and Fire Safety Plan requirements at the regular Council meeting on August 22, 2022, after the matter was brought up by Councillor Sherry Bondy.
In the Report to Council, it notes the Town of Essex has around 758 fire hydrants located within the municipal right-of-way, of which it is estimated 67 hydrants are on private property and 58 hydrants are supplied by the Town of Amherstburg.
Arnel noted Essex Fire & Rescue started working on trying to locate private hydrants last year to ensure they are maintained. There was some concern about why hydrants are placed where they are. During the planning phase of any project, through the Planning and Building Departments, it is determined where fire hydrants are needed and where their location will be, he explained.
The Fire Code prescribes various inspections and works that must be carried out on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of the hydrant owner to ensure that the requirements of the Fire Code are met, the Report to Council notes.
“While the Fire Service has not experienced a situation where a private hydrant failed during an emergency, it is concerned that without adequate knowledge of their responsibilities, owners may not be maintaining their hydrants to the degree required by the Fire Code,” it explains in the Report to Council.
The Town of Essex Environmental Services is responsible for ensuring that all hydrants on the right-of-way comply with the Fire Code, which includes regular hydrant inspections, maintenance, repairs, pressure/flow tests, tagging, marking, painting, and snow removal.
Reps from Essex Fire and the Town’s Environmental Services department plan to continue meeting on a bi-annual basis to assist in operations.
In addition, Fire and Environmental Services has set a colour coding scheme for private hydrants as well as created a process for any obstructed fire hydrants and how they will be managed to ensure Fire Services has clear and unobstructed access to the hydrants.
With the snowy season not far away, Arnel said it is hoped the painting of the private hydrants will be completed by the spring.
The Fire Service has been working with Town of Essex Environmental Services and Information Technology GIS mapping to obtain a list of private hydrants within the community.
Jacey Brockman, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief, added when the Fire Department comes across a hydrant that’s obstructed, they can approach the property owner about it, with a timeline to have it cleared.
Brockman noted they have met with all 67 private hydrant owners the Town is aware of at this time, and provided them with information about inspection and maintenance and the requirements that go along with that.
In addition to private hydrants, a Fire Safety Plan is required for a variety of buildings, such as retirement facilities, assembly occupancies, and four-storey or more buildings.
Every plan for a building needing to produce a Fire Safety Plan must be approved by a Chief Fire Official. Upon approval, the Fire Safety Plan should be kept in a fire safety box, installed in the vicinity of the main entrance to the building, the Report to Council notes.
Fire Safety Plans shall be reviewed at least every 12-months and shall be revised as necessary.
Of all her time on Council, the motion she brought forward in August on this matter is likely the one of which she is most proud, Councillor Sherry Bondy said. The Fire Department took the matter seriously, and came back with a very comprehensive report.
“Now, something so important as this will never fall through the cracks again. I am really proud of the team and all the work they’ve done,” she said, noting the matter of privately maintained fire hydrants was first brought to her by a concerned resident.
Report a Problem complaints
for 3rd quarter highlighted
Council received the report that provided an update on the third quarter of 2022 for the Report a Problem system.
The online service is accessible via the Town’s website and integrates citizen service requests directly into the CityWorks work order software.
Seven categories were added in 2022, including Short Term Rental noise and parking complaints; vandalism, grass cutting and snow removal; and general categories for construction, noise, and parking.
The Report to Council notes that between July 1, 2022 and August 21, 2022, Town staff received a total of 242 submissions through the Report a Problem system, an increased uptake of the program. There were 68 complaints regarding roads, sidewalks, and bridges; 36 complaints regarding streetlights, powerlines, and overhead utilities; 27 regarding property standards; 23 about parks, playgrounds, and splashpads; 22 about hazard trees and branches; and 17 about drinking water/watermains.
On average, submissions were closed within eight-days. Of all submissions, 42 per cent were closed within three days or less, and 84 percent were closed within 14 days or less. At the time of reporting, 67 submissions remained open, the Report to Council notes.
Councillor Chris Vander Doelen asked if Council could be provided with the details of the complaints on roads, sidewalks, and other Town-owned infrastructure, as that may inform some decision on how to allocate capital funding for future budgets.
CAO Doug Sweet said the Town can provide a summary for each category to explore if there are common themes.
Council approves funding for Community Services Master Plan
Council approved the revised project cost of $50,726.67 for the “Community Services Master Plan,” with the overage of $30,726.67.
Of the overage amount, $20,953.35 will be funded from the Development Charge Reserve and the remaining $9,773.32 from the Parks - General Reserve.
The Report to Council notes $20,000 was approved in the 2022 Budget for the Community Services Master Plan for parks, facilities, recreation, and culture.
When the project was put out to tender, there was one submission, with Stantec Consulting Ltd. bidding $50,726.67.
Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, noted this Master Plan will pave the way for parks and recreation needs for the next decade.
It is hoped to get the project concluded in April of next year, which will aid heading into budget deliberations for 2024.
Harrow Soccer Complex user-group fees to be reinstated in 2023
Council received the “Harrow Soccer Complex – Waiver of User Fees Update.”
The report noted that during the 2022 Budget Deliberations, Council approved the waiver of fees for the complex for sport groups. This was to attract additional user-groups to the Harrow Soccer Complex as part of a one-year pilot project.
While there were some inquiries on the field usage from some of these user groups, the Town of Essex was overall unsuccessful in receiving additional users during the spring and summer. In September 2022, Administration was approached by a local Australian Rules Football team, which is now utilizing field space at the complex.
The Town of Essex waived approximately $880 in waivers in 2020 for use of this field with existing sport organizations.
Administration recommended the user-group rates be reinstated.
Essex Council approves bringing message of pushing back on
province to address ambulance Code Blacks to County Council
Council supported Mayor Richard Meloche and Deputy Mayor Steve Bjorkman to bring the issue of ambulance Code Blacks to County Council at its next meeting on Wednesday, October 19, based on the conversation Essex Council had about the matter on Monday evening.
Bjorkman spoke of how the County of Essex declared a State of Emergency on Monday, regarding ambulance Code Reds – when only two ambulances are available – and Code Blacks – when none are available – to respond to an emergency. This is created by offload delays at hospitals.
This is an issue across the province, but ways need to be found to petition and push back to the government so beds are available for ambulances to offload, Bjorkman said.
He said there are ambulances and paramedics stationed at the hospital parking lots. “We are housing patients in an ambulance with two caregivers,” Bjorkman said. “There has to be a way to improve this. The province needs to open up more beds.”
One of the things that needs to be done, and he and Meloche plan to bring this to County Council, that perhaps the County of Essex needs to charge back the province for using ambulances as waiting rooms and using paramedics as healthcare providers.
“We need to have these ambulances on the streets, we need to have these paramedics available to take care of our residents,” Bjorkman said.
Councillor Chris Vander Doelen said he would like to include hospitals as part of the motion, as it is not the Minister of Health who is leaving these patients in ambulances, it is local healthcare officials.
Al Diemer earns Road Supervision Intermediate certificate
Essex Council received correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) that noted Town of Essex staff member, Al Diemer, earned the Road Supervision Intermediate certificate.
October declared as National Disability Employment
Awareness Month
Community Living Essex County asked Council to proclaim October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Council moved the request.
Community Living Essex County provides supports to over 700 individuals in Essex County, who have an intellectual disability. It aims to help the people it serves to have meaningful lives, and that includes through meaningful employment.
Part of the request was to have blue and purple lights shone on the front on the Essex Municipal Building. It is hoped that can be arranged.
NoM: find a location for the former Harrow Junior School cornerstone
At the September 19 meeting, Councillor Sherry Bondy brought forward a Notice of Motion for discussion at the October 17 meeting, asking Council to consider installing the cornerstone from the former Harrow Junior School at the Harrow Hawk Steel sculpture.
The cornerstone was given to Bondy in trust, and she wants to get it on Town property, whether that be where the Harrow Hawk Steel sculpture is located or the easement, where the junior school development is.
“It is beautiful and should be somewhere to commemorate the former school,” she said.
Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, said Town Administration recommended the Harrow Arena area as a commemorative location, as the easement goes to a stormwater pond area.
Council moved to get the cornerstone to the Harrow Arena/fairground area.
NoM: Policy will look at gateway sign use to promote events,
recognize outstanding citizens
At the October 3, 2022 meeting, Mayor Richard Meloche brought forward a Notice of Motion for discussion at the October 17 meeting, asking Council to consider all the sign banners for gateway entries into the Town of Harrow and Colchester areas be changed to read, “Hometown of Craig C Ramsay - Winning Partner in Amazing Race Canada Season #8!”
Meloche said the original intent was to change the gateways, which were intended for seasonal displays.
Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, is looking to see if Ramsay could be recognized on one side, and current honouree, Lionel Sanders, who is a champion and world-record-making triathlete, on the other. He is working on a policy.
The policy could try to engage more community events to be more promotional. Hopefully buy-in will come from community groups. When an event is done, the signs could be rotated to longer lasting signs, such as the one proposed, he said.
Councillor Sherry Bondy is glad to see a policy coming.
NoM: to be discussed at the November 7 meeting
Councillor Sherry Bondy will ask Council to consider including the land acknowledgement to Town committee meeting agendas in the new Term of Council.
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