Part 2: Public Art Policy, Health Care Infrastructure Working Group, and Climate Action – 07/27/2023

This section focuses on who spoke, how councillors positioned themselves, and how decisions took shape during the July 27, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting. As discussions moved across public art, health care planning, climate policy, and electric vehicle infrastructure, councillors raised both practical concerns and broader policy questions.

Public Art Policy and Planning

Phil St Jean (Picton), as Chair, guided the discussion and repeatedly framed the public art conversation as a response to past community tensions. He emphasized the need to get rules in place first before accepting or installing new permanent public art.

Andrea Dawes, Special Initiatives Manager with County Arts, led the presentation and answered questions from across Council. She consistently stressed accessibility inclusion and the idea that public art should reflect many voices and art forms. She confirmed that emerging artists youth artists and non traditional art forms would be part of the process.

Supportive comments came from several councillors. Roy Pennell (Ameliasburgh) spoke about making sure people of all abilities and experience levels can be included in public art opportunities. Bill Roberts (Sophiasburgh) focused on the economic role of arts and culture and questioned whether the County was doing enough to integrate arts into broader municipal decision making. Janice Maynard (Ameliasburgh) highlighted the importance of year round activity and how public art could support shoulder seasons.

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Questions about scope and representation were raised by John Hirsch (South Marysburgh), who asked whether County Arts could represent all artistic sectors including film and digital media. Dawes responded that County Arts already works across disciplines and intends to widen engagement further through public consultation.

When it came time to vote Council unanimously supported receiving the deputation and later supported the staff report. John Hirsch moved the motion to receive the Public Art Policy and Plan report and to place a temporary moratorium on permanent public art installations on municipal property. Bill Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried without opposition.

Primary Care Infrastructure Working Group

This item brought more debate around necessity and overlap. Mayor Steve Ferguson was clear that he did not intend to serve on the proposed working group citing existing involvement in other health care initiatives.

Kate MacNaughton (Picton) questioned whether the group might be short lived but ultimately expressed strong interest in serving. She pointed out that nurse practitioners and other health care providers also need space not just physicians.

Brad Nieman (Bloomfield-Hallowell) and Sam Grosso (Ameliasburgh) both indicated willingness to participate. Roy Pennell spoke in favor of action over delay emphasizing that visible effort matters to residents who are struggling to access care.

After discussion Council voted in stages. First Council unanimously voted to receive the report. Then Council approved the terms of reference. Finally Council voted to appoint members to the working group. Roy Pennell moved the appointment motion and Bill Roberts seconded it. The group appointed included Mayor Steve Ferguson, Kate MacNaughton, Sam Grosso, and Brad Nieman.

Climate Change Program Milestone One

This item saw broad agreement and little controversy. Arryn McNichol, Director of Corporate and Legislative Services, explained the greenhouse gas inventory work and the next steps toward setting reduction targets.

Kate MacNaughton was the most vocal during discussion. She praised staff work and highlighted how the data will help Council understand where emissions are growing or shrinking. She asked detailed questions about transportation waste and post COVID data reliability.

No councillors spoke against the report. Kate MacNaughton moved the motion to receive the report for information and Councillor Roy Pennell seconded it. Council voted unanimously in favor.

Electric Vehicle Charging Phase One

Electric vehicle charging generated a wide range of comments. Julianne Snepsts, Programs Supervisor, explained the proposal and confirmed it was fully grant funded.

Brad Nieman raised concerns about parking loss in Bloomfield.

David Harrison (North Marysburgh) questioned whether slower Level Two chargers would become obsolete and asked about faster technology. Mayor Steve Ferguson focused on the non functioning charger on King Street in Picton and asked whether it could be removed or replaced.

Roy Pennell questioned whether the County should be in the business of providing charging infrastructure long term. MacNaughton supported the locations including arenas noting that families could charge vehicles while attending activities. Bill Roberts highlighted that the County was one of only six communities selected for the grant funding.

Despite differing perspectives Council supported moving ahead. Councillor Sam Branderhorst (Athol) moved the motion and Kate MacNaughton seconded it. The motion approving installation of chargers bylaw changes and creation of a reserve fund carried unanimously.

What This Means for Residents

This meeting set the stage for clearer rules around public art and raised the possibility of future fast electric vehicle charging returning to King Street. For Bloomfield and Wellington locals it confirmed new electric vehicle chargers are coming and that parking tradeoffs were acknowledged but accepted.

Across rural wards the public art discussion emphasized that installations are not just for town centres but could appear in parks libraries and less traveled spaces.

The creation of a health care infrastructure working group signals a more hands on effort to find real space solutions for doctors nurse practitioners and clinics rather than just talking about recruitment.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:40:58. 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.