Part 1: Community Recognition, Big Projects, and Tough Conversations – 01/30/2024
- PECConnect
- Jan 30, 2024
- 5 min read
The County Council met at Shire Hall on the evening of January 30, 2024, marking one of the first full Regular Council meetings of the year. The meeting brought together elected officials, staff, and members of the public to address a wide range of matters, from community recognition and advisory committee updates to recreation planning, housing, and major financial decisions.
Mayor Steve Ferguson chaired the meeting and formally opened proceedings at 7:01 p.m., welcoming residents in attendance and those watching remotely. He acknowledged that the meeting was being livestreamed and that public participation would form part of the official public record. Council also began with a traditional land acknowledgement, recognizing the Indigenous peoples who have stewarded the land for generations.
View the entire PEC Council meeting, or continue to speaker comments and councillor votes>
Proclamations and Early Announcements
He advised Council of an upcoming notice of motion requesting the Province review the financial relationship between municipalities and Ontario, a topic that would return at a later meeting.
Council also heard two formal proclamations. February 11 was proclaimed 211 Day, recognizing the 24/7 service that helps residents connect with health, social, and community supports. As part of the proclamation, Shire Hall was set to be lit red to mark the day. February was also officially proclaimed Black History Month, with Ferguson emphasizing its role in celebrating achievement, acknowledging trauma, and fostering inclusion as the County’s population continues to diversify.
Celebrating Community Impact and Courage
The meeting then shifted into a series of presentations that highlighted local efforts and individual contributions. Ferguson presented a cheque on behalf of the municipality to the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation as part of the annual Feed the Meter campaign. The funds, collected through downtown parking meters in December, support Food for Learning programs that provide school breakfasts, snacks, and lunches. Council heard that hundreds of the County students rely on these programs daily, a figure expected to grow due to rising food costs.
Council also paused to recognize Ahmed Mustafa, who received a Civic Recognition Award for his actions during a house fire in Wellington in May 2023. Ferguson described how Mustafa, who arrived in the County as a refugee with his family in 2016, helped save six family members during the fire. The recognition focused not only on the event itself but on Mustafa’s character and the broader support the community rallied around his family afterward.
Built and Cultural Heritage Work Comes Into Focus
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a detailed presentation by Sandy Latchford, Chair of the Built and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee. Latchford provided Council with the committee’s 2023 annual update, explaining how several long-standing advisory bodies had been merged into one and how the committee restructured its work to manage a heavy workload.
Latchford walked Council through the creation of working groups and task teams focused on priorities such as heritage designations, street naming, heritage permits, and cemetery management. She explained that changes to provincial heritage rules created tight timelines for designations and added pressure to complete work quickly, especially for property owners seeking heritage status.
The most detailed discussion centered on cemeteries, an area with immediate legal and financial implications for the municipality. Latchford explained how the County currently manages dozens of cemeteries, many of which were transferred to the municipality when private operators or volunteer groups could no longer maintain them. She outlined licensing requirements, safety standards, and changing burial practices, including growing demand for green and natural burials.
Council members asked questions about burial plots, care and maintenance funds, cremation limits, and inheritance of interment rights. Latchford emphasized that cemetery operations are tightly regulated and that failure to comply could expose the municipality to liability. Council formally received the presentation following the discussion.
Pickleball Proposal Moves Forward
Council then heard from Stephanie Roth, Chair of Prince Edward Pickleball, who returned to provide an update on fundraising efforts and to request confirmation of a permanent site for dedicated pickleball courts. Roth explained that the group had raised over $100,000 through donations, grants, clinics, and tournaments, and that confirming a location was critical to securing future funding and finalizing designs.
Roth identified Delhi Park in Picton as the preferred location, noting existing infrastructure such as power access and washrooms, as well as space for future expansion. Council asked questions about lighting options, environmental testing, long-term maintenance, and whether the group would support pickleball development in other parts of the County.
Following discussion, Council passed motions confirming Delhi Park as the future site and directing staff to continue working with Prince Edward Pickleball on design, orientation, communication, and budget considerations.
Public Voices on Leeward House
The tone of the meeting shifted again during Comments from the Audience, when residents spoke about the proposed Leeward House transitional housing project. Cassandra Buckley and Donna Joyce, both neighbouring property owners, raised concerns about property values, personal security, and the lack of early consultation. Both speakers said they learned of the project through media coverage rather than direct communication and asked for more transparency and opportunities for dialogue, such as a public meeting or town hall.
Council members asked follow-up questions, and staff acknowledged the concerns. The comments were formally received, setting the stage for later debate during the Committee of the Whole report.
Financial Decisions and Emergency Planning
Council moved through several financial reports without extended debate. These included approval of the 2024 Land Ambulance Budget, authorization for temporary borrowing for the year, and confirmation of compliance with Ontario Regulation 284/09, which requires municipalities to disclose certain financial impacts. All reports were approved as presented.
Council also addressed emergency preparedness, reappointing Chris Braney, to act as alternate Head of Council for declaring an emergency when required and to serve on the Emergency Management Program Committee.
Leeward House Returns for Debate
Later in the meeting, Council returned to the Leeward House project while considering the Committee of the Whole report. The discussion focused on how the project would operate, funding through Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Social Services, and the absence of early consultation with nearby residents. Staff confirmed that the project would not create an operating cost for the County and would include on-site management and tenant supports.
Council ultimately approved the project while adding a clear direction that staff consult with impacted landowners and interested persons to address concerns during implementation. The amended motion was carried, formally advancing the project while acknowledging the need for better engagement.
The meeting concluded with approval of multiple by-laws, including agreements related to Leeward House, borrowing authority, zoning amendments, and staff appointments. Council passed a confirmatory by-law and adjourned at 8:59 p.m., closing a long meeting that covered both celebratory moments and difficult policy decisions.
Key Takeaways
Council signaled strong support for community-driven initiatives, from student nutrition programs to recreational infrastructure like pickleball courts.
Heritage and cemetery management remain major operational and financial responsibilities, with changing regulations and long-term implications for taxpayers.
The Leeward House decision highlighted tensions between urgency and consultation, showing Council’s willingness to move forward while committing to stronger engagement with affected residents.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:00:06. 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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