Mayor DeViet opened the meeting by reminding the public about the Middlesex Centre Fire Service’s “Boot Toll” in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada on Saturday, April 8, 2023.
The meeting began with a presentation by Brian Horner, General Manager, and Mari Veliz, Healthy Watersheds Manager, from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
Mr. Horner and Ms. Veliz provided an overview of the Category 3 Services (non-mandatory) provided by ABCA. These include programs and services ABCA has provided for many years, such as watershed and environmental monitoring, watershed stewardship restoration, and conservation education and outreach. Under recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, conservation authorities must establish agreements with municipalities to continue providing these services. Mr. Horner mentioned that municipal funds cover 12% of the total cost of offering these services, with grants and self-generated fees making up the balance.
As a headwaters area, Middlesex Centre is part of five conservation authorities. Each conservation authority will be bringing forward an agreement for these services over the coming year.
During the meeting, Council:
- Sitting as the Court of Revision, approved the Schedule of Assessment for the Risdon Municipal Drain.
- Received an update on the Thames Valley District School Board’s community planning meeting held March 2, 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to share information about growth patterns to support the board’s long-term student accommodation planning.
- Approved a request from the Poplar Hill and District Lions Club for $1,000 in funding for the Trees Middlesex project under the Council Grants Program.
- Received information on available federal funding for the agricultural sector under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
- Approved the appointment of Dennis Adlington to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Working Group for the 2022-2026 term of council. The working group, which consists of staff, council, and a public member, makes recommendations to Council on approval of funding applications received under the CIP.
- Approved the appointment of Karen Foster to the Cemetery Board for the 2022-2026 term of council. The Cemetery Committee facilitates the sale of burial plots at Campbell Cemetery and supports the maintenance of existing historical cemeteries owned or managed by the municipality.
- Approved a fee increase to the cost of monuments at the Campbell Cemetery to align with changes required by Ont. Reg 30/11 under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002.
- Received an update on the recent property tax sale held by the municipality.
- Received the minutes from the February Community Services Advisory Committee meeting.
- Approved a new license agreement with the Ilderton Farmers Market as the market is under new management this year. As per the request of the new manager, the market will be held in Heritage Park starting this June.
- Supported resolutions from the Township of Lucan-Biddulph with regards to removing barriers for women in politics and the future accuracy of the register of electors, and from the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) regarding the downloading of utility locate costs to Ontario municipalities.
- Endorsed the 2023 Middlesex Centre Sidewalk Program. The Sidewalk Program looks to install or replace sidewalks as part of a complete streets approach that aims to reduce car-dependency and make neighbourhood streets welcoming, equitable, safe, and accessible for community members of all ages, abilities and means. Funding was approved as part of the 2023 capital budget. New sidewalk locations for 2023 are along Millcreek Lane, York Street, Osborne Street and Atkinson Court in Delaware (map).
- Approved the use of $165,000 to cover a budget overage associated with design and rehabilitation of the bridge on Carriage Road just north of Harris Road. Detailed inspection of the bridge as part of the design work identified the north bridge bearing, which connects the top part of the bridge with the supports beneath, to be in poor condition. Repairing the bearing now is expected to extend the life of the bridge, reduce future bridge replacement costs, and minimize future impacts on residents.
- Endorsed the continuation of the Vision Zero road safety campaign for 2023. Initiatives planned for this year include:
- Continuing the “Respect the Limit” lawn sign campaign – Signs are available free of charge to residents and businesses (pick-up at the municipal office or the Komoka Wellness Centre).
- Deploying speed radar trailers in problem areas and upon request
- Add permanently mounted radar display boards on Longwoods Rd. in Delaware
- Installing centre-line markers on streets with concerns. Locations are Wellington St. in Delaware fronting Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School; Osbourne and York St. in Delaware fronting Delaware Central School; Union Ave. in Komoka; Westbrook Dr. in Kilworth (west of Kilworth Park Dr.); and Kilworth Park Dr. from Glendon Dr. to Westbrook Dr.(maps)
- Continuing to engage with the County on vehicle speeding concerns and pedestrian safety along county roads
- Working with the OPP, local school boards and other community stakeholders on public safety blitzes
- Identifying opportunities to include traffic calming and complete streets design principles and best practices in new developments through review of the Municipal Design Standards
- Expanding the use of temporary speed cushions in residential areas as a form of traffic calming. Speed cushions are installed as per the best practices in the Transportation Association of Canada's "Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming." Locations are: Jefferies Rd. between Glendon Dr. and Stephen Moore Dr., Kilworth; Jefferies Rd. between Stephen Moore Dr. and Westbrook Dr., Kilworth; Oxbow Dr. in Komoka fronting Parkview Public School; Stephen Moore Dr. fronting Kilworth Optimist Park; Westbrook Dr. fronting Westbrook Park; and Westbrook Dr. from Jefferies Rd. to Stephen Moore Dr. (maps)
Next Council Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Middlesex Centre Council Meeting is set for Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Meeting times are subject to change, so please confirm with the meeting agenda when posted.
For More Information
For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk. You can view the meeting on YouTube.
Meeting highlights are prepared to give residents timely updates on council decisions. The Council Meeting Minutes are the official record of the meeting.