DISCUSSION ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
For further details on items discussed, please view the agenda or watch the council meeting on our YouTube channel.
Planning Applications
A sign variance for 265 Main Street was approved. This variance allows relief from the Southwest Middlesex Sign By-Law (2021/061). The sign will be allowed to be placed 2.2m from the property line, whereas the sign by-law currently allows for signage to be 3m from the property line.
A zoning amendment for 142 Mill Street was approved to permit the placement of a 15 sq.m. (160 sq.ft.) shipping container that is to be located 7.6 m (25 ft) from the front line along Currie Street and 40 m (131 ft) from a dwelling on a separate parcel, for storage purposes.
Electronic Monitoring Policy
Southwest Middlesex has been working to the Information Technology Services at the County of Middlesex to develop the Municipal electronic monitoring policy. Employers with 25 or more employees as of January 1, 2022 have until October 11, 2022 to have a written policy on electronic monitoring of employees in place. The proposed policy has been established in compliance with Bill 88 to advise employees on the municipality’s practices relating to electronic monitoring of employees.
Bill 88 sets out that the written policy must state whether or not the employer electronically monitors employees, and if the employer does, the policy must include:
• a description of how and in what circumstances the employer may electronically monitor employees;
• the purposes for which the information obtained through electronic monitoring may be used by the employer;
• the date the policy was prepared; and
• the date any changes were made to the policy.
This policy applies to all members of staff and Council of the Municipality, and sets out the guidelines and procedures surrounding the collection and use of electronic monitoring information, privacy and confidentiality and retention of electronic monitoring records.
Mural Proposal
Council approved the installation of two murals at the Glencoe Main Street parkette where physical upgrades are being made to the parkette at the August 24, 2022 council meeting. The goal with the mural installation is to encourage both community beautification as well as public interaction. The location is visible to both pedestrians and vehicular traffic in the centre of our downtown core. We are currently updating the parkette which is often a stop and rest point for locals and visitors, and this will be a further enhancement to the site. We also hope that it will spur continued interest in other areas of our municipality. The plan is to have visual art installation(s) where individuals can stop to take selfies to share which has potential to include future promotional opportunities.
Art installations tie into our CIP perfectly with grants being available to business owners within the CIP area. Mostly we hope to inject positivity into the community for both residents and guests while improving our downtown core.
Artistic renderings are shown below of the chosen mural project at the parkette on Main Street in Glencoe. The artist is Erin Crouch who has created the images with consideration of our local attributes as well as our brand.
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Option #1 Butterfly Wings 1 Cost $850 |
Option #2 Butterfly Wings 2 Cost $950 |
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Option #3 Statement Cost $1100 |
Option #4 Farm Cost $1700 |
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The proposal is to have the murals painted on treated plywood with outdoor weather resistant paint. The size of the murals are 5’ x 8’. We have pursued the Makeover Middlesex Grant but do not have official verification of the grant at this time but we know that funds are available through Middlesex County Tourism. Council chose mural options #1 & #4 to proceed to have created and installed at the parkette, pending funding through Middlesex County Tourism, so keep watching for them!
A notice of motion was presented to council to include $5,000 in the 2023 budget for additional murals - this proposal was approved to be included in 2023 budget considerations.
CAO Recruitment
Council received a report for the recruitment of the Chief Administrative Officer for Southwest Middlesex. Council has requested that the Acting Chief Administrative Officer assist council in recruiting a new CAO along with a CAO Hiring Committee comprised of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, a councillor, and an outside CAO to assist with the CAO recruitment and onboarding process.
The recruitment process will be an internal process with a job posting based on the job description and required education and skills to be reviewed and developed for the position. The job posting would be advertised in several different media outlets and professional associations to attract quality candidates.
CIP Signage Grant Application
A CIP signage grant has been approved for a new business Start-Up at 211 Main Street, Glencoe. The grant is under the Building, Property & Accessibility Grant & Signage Improvement category and is approved in the amount of $266.12. The application described within this report relates to:
- A signage upgrade/replacement project for a single building
- Fills an empty storefront on Glencoe’s Main Street
General Business of Council:
Council Meeting Minutes - September 14, 2022
Adopted By-laws to:
- Zoning Amendment for 142 Mill Street, Glencoe
- Confirming Proceedings of council - September 28, 2022