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Council Minutes - Mar 6/07
March 6, 2007
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
March 6, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Hore and Councillors Crack, Stevens and Sullivan. Councillor Hope had advised that he would be late.
07-20 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minute of the January 29th, 2007 meeting as presented.
Carried
07-21 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to approve the minutes of the February 7th, 2007 meeting as presented.
Carried
07-22 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #07-2 in the amount of
$47,724.21.
Carried
The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. There were no changes.
The Clerks Report was noted. The exciting news of the month is the fact that the cruise ship Columbus will be coming to the community three times in 2007. The dates are Sept. 22, Oct. 2 and Oct 13.
The annual Water Report was received from OCWA. The results for all samples taken during the year were zero for both E. Coli and Total Coliform.
Two letters were received from AMO regarding the Federal Gas Tax. In the future all projects will have to demonstrate either reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or cleaner air or water.
The Planning Board levy was received. The budget has been increased to include a $5,000 allowance to compete the new Official Plan and By-laws. The municipal levy increased by 38% with the Village portion estimated to be $1,151 based on the 2006 weighted assessment. This could change with the 2007 weighted assessment.
Councillor Hope arrived during this discussion.
The levy for the Algoma Manor decreased somewhat from 2006 to $4,522.
Correspondence from the Township of Hilton to Algoma Insurance regarding ice rescue was noted.
Correspondence to Planning Board from the Township of Hilton and the reply were reviewed. The Township was seeking clarification on sections of the new Official Plan and requesting that another public meeting be held. The Planning Board responded to the queries and is of the opinion that another meeting or open house would be of little value.
Correspondence from Planning Board to the Township of St. Joseph responding to concerns from ratepayers was noted.
Correspondence was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to Planning Board regarding the proposed severance in the Township of Jocelyn.
A further request to share the $746 cost of the lighting at Kents Corner was received from the Township of St. Joseph. That municipality believes that all the Island municipalities should help pay these annual fees. This Councils position is that lighting on the highway is the responsibility of the Province and that installation of the lights was the initiative of the Township of St. Joseph. However, it was decided to assist the Township with the costs and to make a donation on the basis of weighted assessment.
07-23 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to contribute $50 towards the ongoing operation and maintenance costs of the new lighting at Kents Corner based on assessment.
Carried
Correspondence was received that Jean Robbins from the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional is the representative for this area on the Algoma Manor Board.
Council considered the opportunity to enrol the permanent employees in a municipal accident program. Currently staff members do not have any health, dental or medical benefits. While this only covers the employee for expenses that occur as a result of an accident and not non-accidental health costs, the premiums are quite reasonable and the employees will have this level of coverage.
07-24 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to enrol the permanent employees in the Municipal Accident Program offered through Algoma Insurance at an annual cost of $197 per employee.
Carried
Keith Brown and Doug Thompson of the Algoma Maple Syrup Producers Association were in attendance to inform Council of the upcoming events. Canada AM will be on the Island on April 4th to broadcast from Gilbertsons Pancake House. In July the Association will be hosting the Maple Producers Conference and Trade Show with an expected attendance of up to 500 delegates. They have applied for funding from FedNor, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The Association is requesting that each municipality submit an application for $5,000 under the Northern Communities Investment Readiness Program to help defray the costs of the conference. Jocelyn Township has agreed to take the lead position in coordinating a joint application by the Island municipalities. Council was very impressed with the plans and realize the benefits that will accrue to the Island and area. They did want to have some of the particulars of the grant, such as cost sharing, clarified prior to making a decision on the application.
The remuneration by-law was reviewed. It has not been updated since 2004 and thus the lower end of certain ranges was out of date due to subsequent increases to the Provincial minimum wage. This by-law establishes ranges for employee positions and honouraria for Council members.
The deadline for application for the Federal summer employment grant program is March 31st.
07-25 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to apply for funding under the Canada Summer Jobs program for three positions.
Carried
Because Council was successful in working with the Ministry of the Environment to have some requirements removed from the Certificate of Approval process for the water system, there are unexpended funds. Council thought that since these were not required for the original purpose that they should be transferred to the reserve for future costs that will undoubtedly be incurred as the system ages and the regulations change.
07-26 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to transfer the unexpended capital financing for the water system to the Reserve for Water and Sewer Capital.
Carried
Council had to go into closed meeting to review the applications for the marina manager position.
07-27 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to go into closed meeting.
Carried
07-28 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to return to open meeting.
Carried
07-29 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #897 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on March 6th, 2007 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
07-30 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on April 11th, 2007 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried
APPRECIATION CORNER
To all those who participated in the Chocolate Festival in any capacity. The makers, the judges, the consumers and the helpers all make this a tremendous event. More children participated this year, which is very welcome. Suggestions were made and it is expected that the event will get better each year.
To the people who came to the Beat the Winter Blues Potluck and Games Night. Both aspects were very successful and the recommendation was that another one be held before the busy spring and summer. The Recreation Committee will consider this at the next meeting.
To the three people who have come forward to sit on the Recreation Committee. The addition of these volunteers will greatly augment the Committee. Welcome to Devon Hall, Jennifer Matheson and Ann Gilbraith.
CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM AND CHIMNEY
The time changes to daylight savings time this weekend. When you change your clocks, remember to check your smoke alarms and change the batteries. As well, after a winter of wood burning please check your chimney for soot build-up and have it cleaned if necessary.
SPRING IS COMING RECYCLE!
The hazardous waste site will reopen again from May 1 to October 31 in Sault Ste. Marie. So start setting aside your paint cans, unused prescriptions, batteries of all kinds, florescent light bulbs, propane cylinders, etc. These items are not accepted at the Hilton Landfill.
The Village also will arrange the transportation of old and unwanted computers, cell phones, etc. to the Clean North recycling site in the spring. These may be left with Richard Laude at the landfill.
