Part 1: Reviewing Libraries, Renewable Energy, Waste Innovation, and Governance Updates - 06/26/2025
- PECConnect
- Jun 26, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 28
The Committee of the Whole meeting held on June 26, 2025, brought County councillors together at Shire Hall in Picton for a long working session focused on community services, emerging development proposals, and several policy updates that will move forward to Council for final consideration. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Brad Nieman (Bloomfield/Hallowell) and opened at 1:00 p.m. with members of Council, senior staff, and members of the public attending in person and online . At the outset, Nieman outlined the procedural nature of the meeting, noting that any motions made were recommendations only and would require formal approval at the July 22, 2025 Council meeting. He also confirmed that no members of the public had registered to speak during the audience comment portion later in the agenda.
View the entire PEC Council meeting, or continue to speaker comments and councillor votes.
Expanding Role of Libraries
The first presentation of the afternoon came from Barbara Sweet, Chief Executive Officer of the Prince Edward County Public Library, who delivered the 2024 Annual Report to Committee. Sweet framed the presentation around the Valuing Ontario Libraries Toolkit, a provincial framework used to assess library impact across seven areas including education, inclusion, economic development, and civic engagement.
Sweet described the library system as a deeply embedded community asset, pointing to a 54 percent increase in programming in 2024 compared to the previous year. She highlighted record attendance in early childhood programs, particularly storytime at the Picton Branch, which reached capacity on a weekly basis.
Education and learning featured prominently in the presentation, with Sweet outlining initiatives such as County Reads, author talks, and partnerships with organizations like the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada during the total solar eclipse. She also described new programming introduced through partnerships with the County Foundation, including multilingual children’s books and an author series tied to Pride Month and Canadian Multiculturalism Day. Economic development formed another key theme, with Sweet explaining how federal My Main Street funding supported programming at the Picton and Bloomfield branches. She described the library’s role as a community hub that draws residents and visitors into nearby commercial areas, reinforcing the library’s connection to local business activity.
Councillors responded with comments and questions following the presentation. Councillor Pennell, shared feedback from new residents who cited the library as a key factor in feeling welcomed to the County. Mayor Steve Ferguson asked whether the scale and breadth of library programming was typical for a rural municipality, prompting discussion about how the Picton Branch compares to larger urban libraries. Additional comments came from Councillor Maynard who emphasized the library’s role in serving youth, seniors, and vulnerable residents, and Councillor Roberts who referenced research demonstrating strong economic returns on public library investment. Following discussion, Committee formally received the presentation, with no additional motions arising from the report
Agrivoltaics Proposal Introduced for Elmbrook Area
The first deputation of the afternoon came from Robert Caputo, representing Compass Greenfield Development, who introduced the Elmbrook Agrivoltaics Project, a proposed solar energy installation combined with agricultural use. Caputo outlined Compass Greenfield’s background as a long-term owner and operator of renewable energy projects across Ontario and Saskatchewan. He explained that the Elmbrook proposal is being developed in response to provincial energy demand forecasts, which anticipate significant growth through 2050 due to electrification, population growth, and industrial expansion.
The proposed site is located near Highway 49 and Elmbrook Road and is designated rural under the County’s Official Plan. Caputo stated that the project complies with provincial requirements that prohibit solar installations on prime agricultural land, and that the site benefits from existing natural screening and proximity to existing hydro infrastructure. Caputo described the project as a long-term installation with annual community benefit payments tied to the system’s generating capacity, lease payments to the landowner, and job creation during construction.
He also outlined plans for sheep grazing beneath the solar panels as the primary agricultural use, with potential future exploration of crop production.
Committee members raised a wide range of questions during discussion. Roberts questioned the scale of the proposed community benefit payments and raised concerns about whether agricultural use would remain primary over the project’s lifespan. Maynard focused on decommissioning timelines and financial securities, asking how future costs would be calculated and who would bear responsibility if the company ceased operations.
Pennell raised concerns about community consultation radius and long-term land suitability, while Ferguson asked about the number of panels proposed and how the installation would appear in the surrounding landscape. Environmental considerations, including soil impacts and long-term land restoration, were also discussed.
Following the deputation, Committee passed two motions. The first formally received the deputation, and the second directed that the request be referred to staff for a report at the earliest feasible meeting, allowing for further technical review and consultation before Council considers any support resolution.
Zero-Waste Organic Waste Concept Presented
The second deputation featured Brian Hart, representing Kate’s Rest Foundation, alongside Daniel O. Livvarcin, founder of Vectors Group, who introduced a proposed zero-waste organic waste management system branded as Bio Sustainer.
Hart explained that the concept emerged from work on housing and employment initiatives for people experiencing homelessness. Livvarcin described the proposed facility as an alternative to traditional composting, producing organic liquid fertilizer without odour or harmful emissions. The presenters outlined a vision that combined waste processing, fertilizer production, affordable housing manufacturing, and hydroponic farming. Livvarcin stated that the proposed facility could process more organic waste than the County generates, allowing service to neighboring municipalities as well.
Committee discussion focused on feasibility, employment outcomes, and next steps. Maynard asked why the proposal was being brought to Council at this stage, while Councillor Chris Braney (Hillier) suggested engagement with agricultural organizations such as the County Federation of Agriculture. Roberts asked how many long-term local jobs could realistically be created and whether specialized staff would be sourced locally.
Albert Paschkowiak, Environmental Services and Sustainability Supervisor, asked about implementation timelines and municipal involvement.
Staff clarified that the County is already undertaking an organics processing feasibility study, and that early conversations with the proponents had occurred. The deputation was framed as informational, with no immediate decisions requested. Committee formally received the deputation, with no additional direction given at this stage
Civic Recognition Awards Program Revisions Reviewed
Committee then considered a report from the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer regarding proposed updates to the Civic Recognition Awards Program. Joy McLeod, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, presented the proposed revisions, explaining that the current program has received limited nominations and lacks clarity. The updated guidelines introduce clearer eligibility criteria, expanded award categories, a formal nomination process, and the possibility of an annual recognition event rather than ad hoc presentations during Council meetings.
Discussion revealed differing views among councillors. Some emphasized the value of a dedicated annual celebration that allows for deeper engagement with recipients and their families, while others expressed concern that moving recognition away from Council chambers could diminish the sense of occasion. Despite differing perspectives, Committee voted to approve the updated administrative guidelines, allowing the revised program to move forward.
Governance Updates and Procedural Matters
Later in the meeting, Committee reviewed a report from the Corporate and Legislative Services Department regarding required updates to bylaws and policies reflecting Strong Mayor Powers introduced by the Province. Victoria Leskie, Municipal Clerk, explained that the changes were largely administrative and required to align local policies with provincial legislation.
A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Pennell, with the motion ultimately carrying.
The meeting later moved into closed session to address legal and property matters, before reconvening briefly in open session to pass motions arising from closed session discussions. The Committee of the Whole meeting concluded at 4:14 p.m., with multiple items referred forward to staff or scheduled for formal consideration at the July 22, 2025 Council meeting. No final decisions were made on development proposals, and several items were clearly identified as informational or preliminary in nature.
Key Takeaways
Libraries continue to expand their community role, with programming, partnerships, and federal funding supporting education, inclusion, and economic development.
New development and sustainability proposals, including Elmbrook Agrivoltaics and the Bio Sustainer zero-waste system, were introduced for early consideration and technical review.
Updates to the Civic Recognition Awards Program and governance procedures reflect a focus on transparency, clarity, and alignment with provincial legislation, preparing for future Council approval.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 3:16:01 Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
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