Council Highlights - April 4, 2018

Wyoming, ON – At its regular meeting Wednesday, April 4, 2018, Lambton County Council:

• Heard presentations from the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce, Magic Realty, and Mr. Alex Jongsma regarding the future of the County's Vacancy Rebate Program.
• Approved the continuation of the County's Vacancy Rebate Program for two years.
• Heard a presentation from the Lambton Children's Safety Village regarding financial assistance with building the Safety Village at the Lorne C. Henderson Conservation area and referred the matter to 2019 budget deliberations.
• Heard a presentation from the Lambton Federation of Agriculture regarding current issues affecting local agriculture as well as upcoming initiatives.
• Heard an update presentation from SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT).
• Endorsed the position of the Rail Advocacy In Lambton (RAIL) group which calls for an integrated high frequency and performance rail plan for southwestern Ontario.
• Endorsed a resolution from the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe which requests the Ontario Ministry of Transportation install digital overhead communication signs at every exit along Highway 402 east of the City of Sarnia to where the highway merges with the 401.
• Endorsed a request from Councillor Bradley calling upon the Government of Ontario, and all provincial political parties, to formally grant municipalities, in consultation with local First Nation communities, the authority to approve landfill projects in or adjacent to their communities, and, that in the case of two-tier municipalities, approval be required at both levels.
• Directed staff to appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal provincially directed amendments to the County's Updated Official Plan.
• Received a report from staff regarding the province's transfer of responsibility for the prosecution of Part III offences under the Provincial Offences Act to municipalities, including the County of Lambton.
• Referred an "Alternate Members" policy to the next term of County Council, beginning in 2019.
• Directed Lambton EMS to continue the Community Paramedicine Pilot program to May 31, 2018 and continue working with stakeholders to secure 100% permanent base funding, in the amount of $225,000, to cover its annual shortfall.
• Invited Lambton's Medical Officer of Health to a future meeting of County Council to make a presentation on mental health support initiatives being undertaken by Lambton Public Health.
• Endorsed a request from Councillor Bradley directing staff to prepare a report regarding whether it is possible to appoint a single Integrity Commissioner to act across the County federation and its member municipalities.
• Congratulated Brooke Central Public School on being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its integration of engaging and varied Apple technology in flexible learning spaces throughout the school.
• Congratulated Tyler McGregor of Forest for his involvement in Team Canada's silver medal performance for Canada's Para hockey team at the recent Paralympics in Pyeongchang.
• Noted that Council will next meet in Open Session Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

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Please contact:

Jay vanKlinken
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
County of Lambton
519-845-0809 ext. 5214