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Wyoming, ON – At its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 12:30 p.m., Lambton County Council:
- Heard grant request presentations from the Huron House Boys’ Home and the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership. All funding requests were referred to the 2008 budget process.
- Heard a presentation from Tourism Sarnia-Lambton who updated Council on its activities in 2007.
- Noted that the Lambton County Library system will change its loan period for library materials. Changes to the circulation policy, effective March 1st include: the creation of a ‘high demand collection’, a reduction in the loan period from print material from 28 days to 21 days and an increase in the amount of holds permitted per library card. New print material will remain in the high demand collection for six months and then revert to the 21 day loan period. Print material in the high demand collection will circulate for one week and will not be renewable.
- Received a report concerning the Community Health Study. The newly established structure held its first meeting on January 10th and will meet again on February 28th. Members include: Lambton County Warden Jim Burns (Chair), Keith McMillan (unions) (Vice Chair), Dr. Chris Greensmith (Medical Officer of Health), Janet George (Kettle and Stony Point), Alison Mahon (Community Round Table), Dr. Jim Brophy (OHCOW), Larry McKenzie (Village of Point Edward), Anne Marie Gillis (City of Sarnia), Steve Arnold (St. Clair Township), and Dean Edwardson (Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association). Members, not yet named, will also represent Aamjiwnaang First Nations, Walpole Island First Nations, Chamber of Commerce and Victims of Chemical Valley. The group will also name an Independent Process Observer who will monitor the group’s process. The next step is to secure funding so that the study may proceed.
- Reviewed the Community Health Services Department’s plans to proceed with the implementation of provincial Smoke-Free legislation. Effective May 31, 2008, provincial legislation requires a ban on the display of all tobacco products. The Department will notify retailers by letter and information sessions will be held in March.
- Referred a request by the Inn of the Good Shepherd for a one-time grant of $650,000 to the 2008 budget deliberations and determined that any grant provided to The Inn of the Good Shepherd will be financed through short term borrowing in 2008, pending further examination of financing alternatives.
- Reduced the posted speed on County Road 79 (Nauvoo Road) from 90 km/hr to 80 km/hr from a point 70 metres north of Jariott Street north to a point 265 metres south of County Road 22 (Egremont Road).
- Received the 2008 draft budget from staff. The budget recommends an increase in tax rates of 1.43%. Following today’s presentation, Council will perform its own in depth review of the budget. Further debate will take place on March 5 (9am) and March 19 (9am). If necessary, a third meeting will be held at 9am on March 27th. The public is welcome to attend any of these meetings.
- Noted that the Oil Museum of Canada will be hosting a Heritage Week Open House on Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 1-4pm. The public is welcome to attend, free of charge. MP Pat Davidson will make a special announcement at 2 pm.
- Supported a resolution from the City of Ottawa to petition the provincial government for the authority to create a hotel room tax such that some of the municipal costs created by the tourism and hotel industries can be recouped.
- Asked staff to prepare a report identifying criteria to be used for awarding grants.
- Supported David Miller’s invitation to join other cities and participate in Earth Hour – a global World Wildlife Fund lights-out event to raise awareness and support for action on climate change. On March 29th, cities around the world will power down for Earth Hour from 8pm – 9pm.
- Appointed the following councilors to the sub-committee which will deal with the issue of truck traffic on County roads: Lonny Napper, Anne Marie Gillis, Gord Minielly and Warden Jim Burns.
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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Contact:
Darlene Coke,
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 845-0801 ext. 407
Cell: 519 383-2101
email: darlene.coke@county-lambton.on.ca
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