Regular Council

THAT the Council minutes from the September 26, 2022 regular meeting be approved. -

WHEREAS municipal drains are considered critical rural infrastructure that support food production, food security, the environment and economic sustainability in rural Ontario; AND WHEREAS the creation, maintenance and contribution requirements towards municipal drain infrastructure are governed by the Drainage Act; AND WHEREAS an official from CN Rail has formally communicated to the Township of Warwick that “CN’s decision is that it is a federally regulated entity under CTA guidelines, as such, are not governed by provincial regulations”; AND WHEREAS the implication that any public utility could become exempt from the financial requirements invalidates the underlying principle that all benefitting from municipal drain projects are required to contribute financially, including all public utilities; AND WHEREAS there are currently at least fifty-five municipal drainage projects in Ontario being impacted by CN’s actions and refusal to contribute as per the Drainage Act; AND WHEREAS the Township of Warwick and many rural municipalities have expressed concerns over this CN Rail position to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs consistently over at least the past fours years; AND WHEREAS the Township of Warwick and other rural municipalities met with Minister Thompson at the Association of Municipalities in Ontario (AMO) on this issue and Minster Thompson has confirmed it remains the Provincial government’s position that the Drainage Act does apply to all federally regula

THAT the GL report presented on October 17, 2022 be received and filed. -

THAT non-action correspondence items 10-01 to 10-24 be received and filed. -

THAT Warwick Township Council approves the request for funding from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 172 for their restaurant experience in November. -

THAT Warwick Township Council approves a one-time donation request from the Watford Youth Activity Club for $500. -

THAT report CAO-11-22 - CAO's Q3 2022 Quarterly Status Report be received and filed as information. -

THAT Warwick Township Council approves report FIRE-06-22 - Proposed Changes to Lambton Shores Fire Agreement – Arkona Fire Area; AND THAT By-law 76 of 2022 be approved. -

THAT Warwick Township Council approves report P&D-24-22 – Quarterly Update – Economic Development & Promotions. -

THAT Warwick Township Council hereby approves the recommendation from the Drainage Superintendent to proceed with improvements of the Woolvett Drain under Section 78 of the Drainage Act; AND THAT after 30 days' notice to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, a new report be prepared by Spriet Associates, before the work can proceed. -

THAT Warwick Township Council hereby approves the recommendation from the Drainage Superintendent to proceed with improvements of the Dolan-McKenzie Drain Extension under Section 78 of the Drainage Act; AND THAT after 30 days' notice to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, a new report be prepared by Spriet Associates, before the work can proceed. -

THAT Warwick Township Council hereby approves the recommendation from the Drainage Superintendent to proceed with improvements of the Thomas Drain No. 1 under Section 78 of the Drainage Act; AND THAT after 30 days' notice to the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, a new report be prepared by Spriet Associates, before the work can proceed. -

THAT Warwick Township Council move into an In Camera meeting of Council pursuant to Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons: ii) A matter regarding personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees - Section 239(2)(b); iv) A matter regarding labour relations or employee negotiations - Section 239(2)(d); -

THAT Warwick Township Council reconvenes in open session. -

THAT the minutes from the in camera regular Council meeting on September 26, 2022 be approved. -

THAT By-laws 76 and 78 of 2022 be read a first and second time. -

THAT By-laws 76 and 78 of 2022 be read a third time and finally passed. -

THAT Warwick Township Council hereby adjourns. -