April 20, 2021 - County Council Highlights

Council Receives Update from MPAC  

Council received an update presentation from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). MPAC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded by all Ontario municipalities. This organization’s role is to accurately assess and classify all properties in Ontario in compliance with the Assessment Act and regulations set by the Government of Ontario.

MPAC completes a province-wide Assessment Update every four (4) years based on a legislated valuation date which is established by the Ontario government. Market increases in assessed value between Assessment Updates are phased in gradually over four years. As a result of COVID-19, this Assessment Update was postponed and property values continue to be based on the market at January 1, 2016.

The full presentation by MPAC is included in the April 20, 2021 County Council Agenda Package. More details about MPAC can be found here.

Planning Update

Final Approval Given for Kokomo Beach Phase Two

The Manager of Planning advised Council that Final Approval was given for a Plan for Subdivision in the Municipality of Central Elgin in the Village of Port Stanley. Phase Two of the Kokomo Beach residential subdivision is comprised of 146 single detached residential lots, three (3) apartment residential blocks, two (2) parkland blocks, one (1) stormwater management block, two (2) future development blocks, and one (1) natural heritage block, all served by five (5) new local streets.

Council Approves Purchase of Registered and Deposited Plan Images

Council approved the single source purchase from Teranet to obtain all County of Elgin Registered and Deposited Plan Images for a total amount of $20,328.70, in accordance with section 4.7 (c,d) of the Procurement Policy. This will allow the County to purchase digital versions of every historic plan (R-Plans, M-Plans etc.) from Teranet.

Teranet is the exclusive provider of Ontario’s online property search and registration. They have developed, own and operate the Ontario Electronic Land Registration System. Any documents submitted for registration at the Registry Office are uploaded and maintained by Teranet.

The one-time purchase of these historic plans will ensure that the County’s GIS Elgin Mapping GIS system reflects the correct parcel data information for the County and addresses any gaps in information over the years. This will make available accurate information to the community, stakeholders and local municipalities.

Engineering Services Update

County Directs Staff to Investigate Local Municipal Requests

The Municipality of Central Elgin requested that the County of Elgin make permanent the temporary signal improvements installed at the Carlow Road and Sunset Road intersections of Warren St. in Port Stanley. These improvements were installed as a temporary measure during the King George VI Lift Bridge capital project. Council considered the matter and directed staff to gather additional information related to rental costs of the temporary signals and the degree to which the Municipality of Central Elgin will be involved in the recommended endeavor. 

Brent Clutterbuck Reappointed to Thames -Sydenham and Region Source Water Protection Committee

County Council reappointed Mr. Brent Clutterbuck, Drainage Superintendent for the Township of Southwold, to the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Committee on behalf of the County of Elgin, and subject to acceptance by the County of Essex and Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Mr. Clutterbuck has represented Elgin County, Essex County and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent on the Thames-Sydenham for the past four (4) year term which will end on June 1,2021.

More Information about the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Water Protection Committee appointment can be found in the April 20, 2021 County Council Agenda Package.

Council Directs Staff to Develop School Retention Plan

In the spirit of solidarity with its neighbours and to ensure a consistent approach to advocacy across the region, Elgin County Council passed the following resolution at its meeting held on April 20, 2021:

THAT Elgin County Council support the resolution passed by the Municipality of Thames Centre on January 18, 2021, which includes the following actions:

1. Include a school retention plan as part of the County’s Strategic Plan and advocate accordingly;
2. Maintain ongoing membership in the Community Schools Alliance (CSA);
3. Support, through resolution, the CSA’s endorsement of the Rural and Northern Education Fund (RNEF) as an appropriate differentiator and funding model for rural and northern schools;
4. Request that the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) suggest possible reallocation of Grants for Student Needs (GSNs) to support a net funding neutral increase in the RNEF;
5. Recommend that the TVDSB review its policies for capacity planning and pupil accommodation reviews to formally recognize the importance and value to the community of rural and single school community schools;
6. Request communication and notification on an ongoing basis of all relevant School Boards of any areas of study considering possible consolidation, closure, additions, or new builds within Elgin County;
7. Request annual planning reports from all relevant School Boards for all Elgin County schools and possibly related/affected/affecting schools and compare municipal growth forecasts and school board(s) growth forecasts identifying discrepancies.

Staff will develop a School Retention Plan incorporating Elgin’s current advocacy efforts and present it for Council’s consideration at a future meeting.

The complete April 20, 2021 County Council Agenda package can be found here.