Middlesex County Council Meeting Highlights – December 13, 2022
Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Middlesex County Council or Committee of the Whole at business meetings. The Council Highlights are not an official record of County Council proceedings. To view official agendas and minutes, please visit Council Meetings and Minutes.
Council confirms Board and Committee Appointments for new term
At the December 13, 2022 meeting of Council, the Warden and Deputy Warden recommended Council and citizen appointments to various Boards and Committees for the 2022-2026 term, including the Middlesex County Library Board, the Middlesex-London Emergency Medical Services Authority Board and the Middlesex-London Board of Health. To see the full list of appointments approved by Council, check out Appointments to Boards and Committees for the 2022 to 2026 Term of Council. More information about Committees of Council can also be found on the County’s Boards and Committees webpage.
Council backs Paramedic Service Pilot Program aimed at reducing pressures to 9-1-1 system
Council received an update from the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service (MLPS) about the record-breaking demand for emergency response units experienced over the past 12 months. So far this year, MLPS has seen a 9.0% increase in demand for its services over 2021. This demand, combined with a dramatic increase in emergency room offload delays, has placed unprecedented pressure on the 9-1-1 system. To help address these pressures, MLPS has proposed a Treat and Refer pilot program to the Minister of Health that would allow 9-1-1 patients to be assessed and referred to an on-duty community paramedic where appropriate. Following this report, County Council unanimously supported a motion to include the request for approval of the proposed pilot program in discussions with the Minister of Heath at the 2023 Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference in January. For more information, see the MLPS System Status Update.
Calls for increased funding for Dedicated Offload Nurse Program supported by Council
Council passed a motion to support a business case submitted to the Ministry of Health by Middlesex-London Paramedic Service (MLPS) for increased funding for the Dedicated Offload Nurse Program. The additional funding would enable London Health Sciences Centre Emergency Departments to dedicate a nurse 24 hours per day to the care of 9-1-1 patients and enable paramedics that would otherwise be waiting at hospitals to transfer patients to get back to the 9-1-1 system. Council also directed the Warden and the Chief of MLPS to include the request for increased funding for the Dedicated Offload Nurse Program in discussions with the Minister of Health at next year’s Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference. For more information on the Dedicated Offload Nurse Program, check out the Offload Nurse Report.
Blacks Bridge replacement moves forward
Following a competitive procurement process, County Council approved the bid submitted by Sierra Bridge Inc., for the replacement of Black’s Bridge located over the Ausable River on West Corner Drive in the Municipality of North Middlesex. The County received seven bids for this project. Sierra Bridge Inc. was the low bidder with a total bid price of $4,062,594.08 including HST. For more information on the project, see the Blacks Bridge Replacement Report.
Plans underway for Pike Road and Waubuno Creek Bridge replacements
The Committee of the Whole approved recommendations to enter into agreements with BT Engineering Inc. for the Pike Road and Bridge Replacement and BM Ross and Associates for the Waubuno Creek Bridge Replacement projects. The Pike Road Bridge is scheduled for replacement as part of the Pike Road reconstruction project. The Waubuno Creek Bridge is also scheduled for replacement due to natural wear and tear. These projects will include an environmental assessment process to consult with the public and consider alternative solutions, as well as the completion of detailed design and contract documents. The projects are expected to be ready for tendering in late 2023 with construction expected to commence in 2024.
2023 Budget Timetable approved by Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved the proposed budget timetable for the preparation and approval of Middlesex County’s annual estimates for 2023. Departments are expected to prepare Draft Budgets by December 19, 2022. The County’s Budget Committee will begin their review of the draft budget documents in January 2023. For more information about the Budget Timetable, see the 2023 Budget Schedule.
Recommendations made by the Committee of the Whole at the December 13, 2022 meeting will be considered by County Council at its next regular meeting on January 17, 2023. The Legislative Services Department maintains the official record for all County government proceedings
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