Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – April 11, 2023
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
County Councillor Smibert receives support for FCM Board of Director’s nomination
County Council endorsed Councillor Michelle Smibert in her nomination for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors for the period starting in May 2023 and ending June 2024. The FCM Board of Directors is comprised of elected municipal officials from all regions and sizes of communities in Canada to form a broad base of support and provide FCM with the united voice required to carry the municipal message to the federal government. The Board of Directors election will take place at the FCM Conference on May, 28, 2023. For more information on various Boards and Committees with Middlesex County Councillor representation, see Boards and Committees.
OFA provides delegation on Agriculture in Middlesex County
County Council received a delegation from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) in collaboration with the Middlesex Federation of Agriculture. OFA advocates for the protection of farmland, sustainable farming and issues directly affecting farm members in our communities. OFA identified key areas where County and OFA interests align including supply chain challenges and affordability, building infrastructure, energy transition and supply, strengthening Ontario’s labour force and rural health care. For more information, see Agriculture: An Economic Powerhouse and check out Growing Agriculture in your Community.
County of Middlesex Audit Planning Report
County Council received a delegation from KPMG, the County’s Auditor, providing an update on the Middlesex County Audit Planning Report for 2023. The audit will consist of a review of the consolidated financial statements of The Corporation of the County of Middlesex and its subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022. KPMG will present audit findings in July 2023. For more information, see the KPMG Audit Work Plan presentation.
Community Transportation in review for Middlesex County
Following the approval of a grant agreement with the federal government for funding related to exploring accessible and cost-effective transportation options for Middlesex County residents in July 2022, County Council received a delegation on the findings of the Middlesex County On-Demand Transportation Needs Assessment Study. The study recommends various short and long term outcomes of the transportation needs in Middlesex County – including improvements to existing Middlesex County Connect services, as well as new routes and partnerships with other neighbouring intercommunity services. For more information on Middlesex County Connect and transportation services in Middlesex County, see Community Transportation.
Accessibility Update
The Committee of the Whole heard a staff report providing updates on accessibility legislation and requirements of the County. The County of Middlesex provides services to the County and Local Municipal Partners on accessibility initiatives, as well as providing consultation on accessibility related projects, overseeing the implementation of accessibility standards for the corporation and providing ongoing training. For more information on accessibility initiatives in Middlesex County, check out the Accessibility Roles and Responsibilities and the Middlesex Joint Annual Accessibility Status Report 2022.
Middlesex County Forestry Services 2023 Update
The Committee of the Whole received an update on County Forestry Services and the ongoing projects for 2023. Middlesex County owns 1040 hectares (2500 acres) of forests within 27 tracts, including the Banks Tract, Big Swamp Tract and Skunk’s Misery / Bothwell Forest Complex. County Forests are commonly used by the public for trail use, education and research activities and during hunting season. The Forestry Update also highlighted the protection of Woodlots through the Woodland Conservation By-Law. Protection from clear cutting and encouraging sustainable harvests of existing woodlots and woodlands continues to be guided by the County Woodlands Conservation By-law. This by-law helps to protect and improve the County’s forest, soil, fish, water, and wildlife resources. County Forestry provides services on planning files, municipal tree issues, and more. Check out the Middlesex County website for more information on Forestry and Natural Heritage.
Pilot Phragmites Treatment Update
The Committee of the Whole heard an update on the Pilot Phragmites Treatment project. Phragmites is an invasive perennial grass that causes damage to lakeshores, wetlands and beaches in North America, and is commonly found in Middlesex County along roadside ditches, disturbed wetlands and municipal drains. Staff have identified next steps in controlling the invasive weed and developing a policy for how and when areas might be treated with a focus on sightlines, intersections, encroachment, ecological sensitivities, no spray zones and education. For more information, see the Pilot Phragmites Treatment Update.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the April 11, 2023 meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on May 9, 2023. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings.
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