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Wyoming, ON – At its meeting on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at 12:30 p.m., Lambton County Council:
- Endorsed a resolution by the Township of Wellesley demanding that rural Ontario and Canada demand their fair share of the gas tax revenues as promised by the federal government. Council also endorsed a resolution from the Township of Augusta that urges the Minister of Finance and the province of Ontario to re-examine the access to the gas tax fund allocation to be distributed so that municipalities that are without public transportation would also be assisted.
- Nominated Councillor Joe Dedecker, Mayor of St. Clair Township, to the Ministry’s special recognition program for Long Standing Service by municipal politicians with 25 or more years of service. Councillor Dedecker has served on County Council for a total of 26 years.
- Approved by-law No. 60 of 2004 which outlines the circumstances, mechanisms and authorities under which the County will forgive upper-tier taxes.
- Received an update from the Finance Department, which is projecting a $551,787 surplus by year end. Staff noted a case was heard in the County's Provincial Offences Court and a charge by the Ministry of Labour (under the Occupational Health and Safety Act) resulted with a guilty verdict. A substantial fine has been imposed to a corporation, and it is anticipated that this fine should be paid to the County by year-end, which will also impact the year end surplus position.
- Noted unexpected, new (one-time) funding from the provincial government. The $444,695 has been funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and will be used to reduce the 2004 projected deficit within the Ontario Works program.
- Approved minor amendments to the County’s Emergency Response Plan. The plan was approved in principle and will be circulated to local municipalities for their comment by December 31, 2004.
- Supported the general directions within the Public Works Depot Allocation Report and that these projects be referred to the Capital Budget Process for consideration in 2005. Staff propose making improvements to the Oil City Public Works Depot, the Petrolia Depot, and the Forest Depot. Staff propose deeming the Alvinston Depot “surplus”, and disposing it in accordance with the restrictive covenants placed on the original transfer from the MTO in 2001. Staff also propose that the County retain the Warwick Depot until such time as the restrictive covenants placed on the original transfer from the MTO expire in 2011.
- Tabled correspondence from residents residing on London Line who have concerns about truck traffic, speed, passing zones, shoulder markings and police surveillance. Council directed staff to prepare a report that addresses the various issues and bring a historical perspective to the County’s involvement with this particular road section since 1997.
- Indicated that the rehabilitation/reconstruction of Bear Creek Bridge on Petrolia Line is Council’s high priority project for 2005 at an estimated cost of $380,000.00 and that the project be submitted as the County’s COMRIF (Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund) Intake One submission.
- Directed staff to update the Family Counselling Agreement and that the rates increase to $510.00 for a family assessment and $510.00/case for counseling services. These rates had not been adjusted since 1998. This Agreement is required as part of the Ontario Works Act which stipulates that an applicant under the age of 18 is ineligible for social assistance unless special circumstances exist which prevent him/her from living at home. Counseling provides an assessment of the special circumstances in order to justify the issuance of assistance.
- Petitioned the Government of Ontario to reconsider the cost sharing arrangement related to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) such that the Province of Ontario assume responsibility for 100% of all costs related to the delivery of the program, including administration, client allowance and other benefits.
- Directed staff to update the Wallis Residential and Queen’s Lodge Agreement effective July 1, 2004 to reflect a maximum per diem payment of $41.20 and a maximum personal needs allowance of $116.00.These domiciliary hostels are permanent residences for persons with special needs and these per diems allow the operators to provide the residents with accommodation and supports to daily living.
- Publicly acknowledged the significant contribution of the participating organizations to the success of the Youth Recreation and Sports Program (YRASP). YRASP is delivered by the Sarnia-Lambton YMCA and is designed to improve the mental health and well being of parents receiving social assistance benefits by providing recreation and leisure opportunities for children newborn to 17 years of age. In 2003 YRASP was able to provide 577 children with the opportunity to participate in organized leisure activities throughout the County. Agencies that contributed toward fee reduction for children during 2003 included Bluewater Gymnastics, Courtright Bowling, Forest Minor Hockey, Gallery Lambton, Girl Guides of Canada, Tomlyn Acres, Koshinrin Karate, Lambton Church Camp, Point Edward Skating Club, Sarnia Boys Soccer Club, Sarnia Boys Hockey, Sarnia Girls Soccer Club, Sarnia Minor Athletic Association, Sarnia Sports & Entertainment Centre, Strathroy Karate, Taxandria Soccer, Wildcat Soccer, YMCA of Sarnia-Lambton.
- Extended its congratulations to the students and staff of St. Benedict’s School on receiving the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) School Community Award, acknowledging the significant efforts to enhance active, healthy living opportunities for the children and youth in its school community.
- Directed staff to proceed with plans to expand the Halloween fundraiser at Lambton Heritage Museum to include a ticketed, catered adult dinner.
- Directed staff to examine the feasibility of rent-to-own units in the County, with the possibility of taking proceeds from the sale of the “rent-to-own’ units and putting them toward construction of new units.
- Heard a presentation from George Mallay, General Manager Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP), who updated Council on activities and issues of SLEP and the Sarnia-Lambton community.
- Objects to the LHINS (local health integration networks) model as currently proposed by the provincial government due to the lack of true consultation and the concern that LHINS are divisive by nature and will only exasperate problems existing within the health care sector. Furthermore, Council stated the province should outline full costing of any such proposal as LHINS prior to implementation.
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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Contact:
Darlene Coke,Communications & Marketing Coordinator County of LambtonTelephone: (519) 845-0801 ext. 407Cell: (519) 383-2101Fax: (519) 845-3160email: darlene.coke@county-lambton.on.ca
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