The Corporation of the Town of Essex

Special Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Location: Essex Municipal Building, 33 Talbot Street South

Present:

• Mayor Sherry Bondy
• Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley
• Ward 1 Councillor Joe Garon
• Ward 1 Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais
• Ward 2 Councillor Kim Verbeek
• Ward 3 Councillor Brad Allard
• Ward 3 Councillor Jason Matyi
• Ward 4 Councillor Rodney Hammond

Also Present:

• Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer
• Joseph Malandruccolo, Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk
• Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services
• Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services
• Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services
• Norm Nussio, Manager, Operations and Drainage
• Diane Emery, Customer Service Representative

​Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request.  Please contact the Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 519-776-7336 extension 1100 or 1101.

 

The purpose of this meeting is to present the Organizational Review Update.

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Bondy called the meeting to order at 5:04 PM.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations (comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples), and of the Huron-Wendat Peoples. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

3.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

There were no declarations of conflict of interest noted at this time.

4.

Adoption of Published Agenda

4.1

Special Council Meeting Agenda for September 16, 2024

• R24-09-001
  Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That the published agenda for the September 16, 2024 Special Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

  Carried

5.

Public Presentations

5.1

Kelly Linton, Partner, Linton Consulting Services Inc.

RE: Town of Essex Achieving Organizational Excellence: Organizational Review Project

Mr.  Linton provided a brief overview of the Organizational Review Draft Final Report Version 6.0 and provided recommendations for various departments in the Town of Essex.

• SP24-09-002
  Moved By Councillor Verbeek
  Seconded By Councillor Allard

  That the presentation by Kelly Linton, Partner, Linton Consulting Services Inc., regarding the Organizational Review Project be received.

  Carried

6.

Reports from Administration

6.1

Office of the CAO-2024-10

RE: Organizational Review Update

Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer, stated that it was important to proceed with Phase 1: Foundation Building recommendations except for R2 as a large number of these changes will improve customer service expectations and standards.

Administration responded to Council’s questions and comments. A discussion was held on the timeline for the implementation of the report.

Councillor McGuire-Blais was opposed to the motion.

• SP24-09-003
  Moved By Councillor Verbeek
  Seconded By Councillor Hammond

  That Office of the CAO Report-CAO-2024-10 entitled Organizational Review Update prepared by Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer dated September 16, 2024, be received;

  That Council endorse in principle all recommendations within the Town of Essex Organizational Review Final report as presented by Linton Consulting Inc.;

  That Council approve all recommendations within Phase 1: Foundation Building except for recommendation R2 which will be brought forward during 2025 budget deliberations;

  That Council review all other recommendations within the Town of Essex Organizational Review report during budget deliberations over the next 3 years; and

  That Council approve the 2024 post budget expense in the amount of $16,268 to be funded from the Town’s Salary Stabilization Reserve (as per Phase 1 critical recommendations identified in report CAO-2024-08).

  Carried

7.

Adjournment

• SP24-09-004
  Moved By Councillor Matyi
  Seconded By Deputy Mayor Shepley

  That the meeting be adjourned at 5:58 PM.

  Carried