Council Highlights - February 7, 2024

Wyoming, ON – At its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 7, Lambton County Council:

• Heard presentations from:
  • Bev MacDougall, former City/County Councillor and Warden of Lambton County, regarding the funding of Social Services programs and the positive impact of Social Services programs that support the unhoused in the 'inner city' of Sarnia and the housing programs for low income people throughout Lambton County.
  • Wraychel Gilmore, Lead Consultant, Wraychel Gilmore Consulting, regarding the renewed Child Care and Early Years 5 Year Service Plan (2024-2028), including progress highlights from the 2020-2023 plan and newly identified community priorities and key performance indicators moving forward.
  • Graham Cubitt, President, Flourish, regarding an action plan that seeks to end homelessness and address the housing crisis through supportive and affordable housing development in Lambton County.
  • Mark Perrin, Executive Director, Tourism Sarnia-Lambton (TSL), providing an update on TSL's plans and activities.
  • Matthew Slotwinski, Interim CEO, and Adrienne Lee, Acting Chair, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP), providing an update on SLEP's plans and activities.
• Held the Annual General Meeting of The County of Lambton Community Development Corporation.
• Pending external funding availability, approved the engagement of a third-party consultant to complete a Demand and Feasibility Study on the need for, and options for, a rural/inter-community transit system.
• Directed staff to pursue the projects listed in the Supportive and Affordable Housing Strategic Development Plan by seeking upper level financial support for the projects, and then seeking further approvals from County Council on a project by project basis with a goal of completing a project within 18 months.
• Authorized staff to secure architectural services to conduct feasibility studies related to building a child care facility at Lambton Meadowview Villa, and report back to Council with the findings from the feasibility studies and recommended next steps for Council consideration and approval.
• Approved the County of Lambton Child Care and Early Years’ Service System Plan 2024-2028.
• Authorized staff to investigate the feasibility of expanding the library space in Sombra, including the costs of the renovation and expansion project and expected allocations thereof between the Township of St. Clair and the County of Lambton, to assess the types of remote / outreach library services that could be offered to Port Lambton residents and the costs to provide such, and any operational considerations that would be taken into account concerning hours of operation and staffing levels and adjustments, and to report back to Council thereon.
• Appointed Ryan Beauchamp as Deputy Clerk for the County of Lambton, effective February 7, 2024.
• Approved the 2023 Service and Fees Schedule.
• Will hold the May 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting at the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park.

Council will next meet in Open Session at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

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Please contact:

Lisa Leggate
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
County of Lambton
519-845-0809 ext. 5214
Email Lisa Leggate