L’Orignal, June 8, 2016

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

To the Warden and Members of Council, United Counties of Prescott and Russell

The Committee of the Whole met in L’Orignal at 9:00 a.m. on June 8, 2016.

Were present: Gary J. Barton, Jeanne Charlebois, Guy Desjardins, Fernand Dicaire, Robert Kirby, Conrad Lamadeleine, Pierre Leroux and, Council Members.

Stéphane P. Parisien (9h – 9h45), Michel Chrétien, Anne Comtois Lalonde, Louise Lalonde, Carole Lavigne, Julie Ménard Brault, Louis Prévost, Department Heads, Andrée Latreille, Clerk

Were absent: François St-Amour, Council member; Marc Clermont, Department Head.

The report is presented as follows:

1. AMO Conference Delegations The Chief Administrative Officer enquired on the number of Members attending the AMO Conference to be held in Windsor from August 14 to 17, 2016. Mr. Desjardins is the only member attending and he intends to request a delegation for the transfer of County Road 17. The said request will be prepared by the CAO’s office.

2. ROMA and OGRA Conference in 2017 It was determined by the Board of Directors of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) that their conference will no longer be held jointly with the OGRA Conference. The Chief Administrative Officer does not yet know which conference the Province will choose to attend. Moreover, the Counties will not be in a position to provide one hospitality suite for each conference and therefore will have to determine which one to choose. It was suggested that this activity be discontinued. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED that a resolution be adopted by Council to express its concerns regarding the division of the conferences and to ask ROMA to reconsider its position.

3. EOWC Meeting with Federal MPs on Parliament Hill The Chief Administrative Officer stated that the EOWC met with Federal MPs in on May 30th during a luncheon on Parliament Hill to discuss priorities and partnership opportunities that would directly benefit rural Ontario. The Minister of Transportation also attended the meeting.

4. New location for the Prescott-Russell Residence Following the information heard in camera on May 25th last regarding a possible land exchange, the Chief Administrative Officer mentioned that Council must consider a new site for the future construction of a long-term care facility. A discussion resulted and, among others, the importance of centralizing the future facility in Prescott- Russell. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED that the Chief Administrative Officer be mandated to identify and list suitable land for construction on the territory, along with prices and services available and to submit a detailed report at a future meeting.

5. 2016 Projects for the Water Resources Program Mrs. Ronda Boutz, of the South Nation Conservation presented a list of the 2016 projects to be managed by the Eastern Ontario Water Resources Program (EOWRP formerly EOWRC) out of our $50,000 funding. Projects include: $30,000 for the infrastructure assessment; $4,000 for the Alfred and Plantagenet groundwater study; $5,000 for the evaluation of two BMPs to control nutrient migration from cropping systems; $1,500 for the SNC Volunteer Rain Gauge Network; $2,750 for Well Decommissioning Grants; and $5,375 for the Water Festival. Committee of the Whole - 2 - L’Orignal, Ontario June 8, 2016

6. Letter from Mayor Lamadeleine to the Premier of Ontario The Mayor of Casselman circulated his letter addressed to the Premier of Ontario regarding the government’s intention to eliminate the use of natural gas for home heating. He expressed concern about the proposal made by the Premier and asked for reconsideration of the matter.

7. Fire Dispatch Process The Mayor of Champlain explained that since the feasibility study on the fire dispatch process in 2014 conducted by WillowFall Consulting, municipalities are still waiting to resolve this issue as negotiations are at a standoff. He again appealed for help from the Director of Emergency Services to coordinate the file in order to bring together all municipalities involved and allow them to make a quick decision.

In 2015, the consultant submitted a cost analysis should a transfer of the dispatch service to Ottawa would occur and costs increase for other municipalities if one of them leave the Hawkesbury service. The City of Clarence-Rockland currently served by the Ottawa Dispatch Centre and the Town of Hawkesbury do not intend to absorb additional costs that could occur in this matter and they advised that costs should be borne by the six municipalities involved.

The Chief Administrative Officer approved the involvement of the Director of Emergency Services for the sole purpose of improving direction within the group.

THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED that the Emergency Services Director, on behalf of the six municipalities, be authorized to act as coordinator of the Fire Dispatch Process file.

8. Roadside Advertising on County Road 17 east of Hawkesbury The Mayor of Champlain mentioned that there are too many advertising signs on the side of County Road 17, East of Hawkesbury. He is of the opinion that these advertising signs alter the landscape and can have a negative impact for municipalities. He asked for the possibility of implementing the signage policy on county roads. The CAO confirmed that we can control the signs installed on our road rights-of-way but not those installed on private land.

9. Asset Management Plan In the absence of the Public Works Director, the Treasurer presented the updated Asset Management Plan (AMP). This plan will help the UCPR in its investment decisions, develop strategies and prioritize spending of our infrastructure needs. In order to be eligible for provincial grants, our AMP must demonstrate that the monies are directed towards the most critical needs.

The Treasurer reviewed the inventory and the state of our road infrastructure, bridges and culverts, buildings, and replacement costs. Our analysis shows that we require $14,424,893 to meet our current infrastructure need. She informed that if we maintain the current 2016 budget for the next ten (10) years, we will have a shortfall of $21.7 million.

Therefore, it is recommended to follow the developed strategies as follow: • Allocate $7.2 M to roads to attain the recommended level of service • Allocate $2.2 M to bridges and culverts to maintain current level of service • Allocate $1 M for buildings to maintain current level of service

THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEDED that Council adopt the UCPR Asset Management Plan revised June 1st, 2016 and that the same be published on our Website thereby meeting the requirements of the Province.

Committee of the Whole - 3 - L’Orignal, Ontario June 8, 2016

10. Flood Plain Studies The Director of Planning and Forestry wishes to conduct a floodplain study to identify flood zones and insure the protection of people and property. This study will ensure that development does not occur in areas that are susceptible to flooding and erosion. The mapping would be part of our Official Plan to better guide future development.

To carry out this work, an annual sum of $50,000 would be budgeted for the next ten years. If the Counties are eligible for federal funding, the Director recommended to go ahead with the project.

The Director is of the opinion that the study would respond to the questions and concerns of the specific issues surrounding floodplains. Both Mayors of the Town of Hawkesbury and the Township of asked whether their municipality may be excluded from the study. The Mayor of Alfred and Plantagenet proposed to establish a pricing method to recover a percentage of the costs of the study by the future promoters.

11. Adjournment The Committee of the Whole adjourned at 10:21 a.m.

ALL OF WHICH IS RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.

Guy Desjardins, Chairman

Moved by Conrad Lamadeleine Seconded by Gary J. Barton

THAT THIS REPORT BE ADOPTED

Adopted by Council June 22, 2016

Guy Desjardins, Warden

Andrée Latreille, Clerk