United Counties of Leeds & Grenville council briefs

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

EMC News - The following made up part of discussions at the regular United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council meeting held Jan. 19.

COUNTIES SUPPORTS RESOLUTION FOR INCREASING WATER LEVELS

Counties Council is supporting a St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators resolution for the creation and adoption of a new plan to increase water levels on the St. Lawrence River. The request for support has been circulated to the Town of Prescott, the City of Brockville and the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and was brought forward to the Counties by council member Bill Sloan, Mayor of Edwardsburgh /Cardinal. Mr. Sloan also noted it is an initiative Senator Bob Runciman has worked toward for many years. Counties Council agreed St. Lawrence River water levels are important for all Leeds Grenville municipalities as well as trade and tourism. Council noted all Leeds Grenville municipalities should be informed of the St. Lawrence County Board's initiative, including the Town of Gananoque.

COUNTIES-WIDE POLICING CONTRACT INVESTIGATED

Letters are being sent to all Leeds Grenville municipalities to determine if there is interest in the Counties investing a counties-wide policing contract. If there is interest, the Counties will complete research to determine the best value for Leeds Grenville residents. At present, some United Counties municipalities have Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) contracts while others do not.. A deadline for responses from municipalities has been set at March 1, 2012. A recommendation will be presented to the Governance and Finance Committee.

COUNTIES TO BECOME FCM MEMBER

The Counties passed a motion to join the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) following a recommendation from the Governance and Finance Committee. Staff members have confirmed that under a Counties membership, Leeds Grenville member municipalities will be able to take advantage of funding opportunities individually. Gananoque, Prescott and Brockville have been invited to join the Counties under one membership. CAO Steven Silver said the membership will provide additional educational opportunities on a variety of municipal matters and lobbying strength at the Federal level.

EXTENDED ACCESSIBILITY PLAN APPROVED

Counties Council has approved a three to five-year Accessibility Advisory Committee Plan designed to improve outreach and increase community awareness. An Accessibility Advisory Committee is a requirement under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) for all municipalities with populations over 10,000. In 2012, the Committee will increase partnerships and collaborations with other Accessibility Advisory Committees and community and service groups focusing on accessibility. This year the focus will be on the development of promotional items that can be used at trade fairs and community events. There will also be an increased presence with clear messaging on the new Counties website. Later in the five-year plan, workshops will be planned and a regional trade fair could be held by 2016. For more information contact Kevin Spencer, Health and Safety, Emergency Planning and Accessibility Coordinator, at 613-342-3840 ext. 2388.

WARDEN MEL CAMPBELL NAMED EOWC CHAIRMAN

The Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus (EOWC) last week elected Mel Campbell, Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Reeve of the Township of Augusta, as its new Chair for the coming year. Incoming Leeds Grenville Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Andy Brown will be the EOWC Secretary-Treasurer and Nigel White, Leeds Grenville's Director of Corporate Services/Treasurer, will be the Chair of the EOWC Treasurer's Group. Mr. Campbell noted the areas of focus for 2012 will be economic development, legislative change and fiscal issues. For more information contact Steven Silver, CAO, at 613-342-3840, ext. 2301.

LEEDS GRENVILLE EMS MANAGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT:

Dan Chevrier, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager and Chief for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, announced at the Joint Services Committee meeting on January 18th his plan to retire. Warden Mel Campbell commended Chief Chevrier today for his 36 years of service in the land ambulance field.

For the past six years, he has held the top EMS post with the Counties. His retirement is effective February 3, 2012.

For more information contact Steven Silver, CAO, at 613-342-3840, ext. 2301.

Submitted by the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville.