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Council Minutes - Sept 10/08
September 10, 2008
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
September 10th, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Hore and Councillors Crack, Stevens and Sullivan. Absent with notice was Councillor Hope.
08-83 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to approve the minutes of the July 30th, 2008 meeting as presented.
Carried
08-84 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to approve the minutes of the August 5th, 2008 meeting as presented.
Carried
08-85 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #08-08 in the amount of $120,631.66.
Carried
The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. One item was added – the trees on the South St. hill have to be trimmed to improve visibility. Fixing the guardrail was already on the list.
The Clerk’s Report was noted. August was a busy and productive month. Tenders are out for the addition to The Waterfront Centre as well as for the power line along Mariners’ Way.
The landfill report was reviewed. The attendant requested a sign for the amounts charged for the various items. Councillor Crack volunteered to make the sign for easy reference of the attendant and users. It is noted that we charge for computers but not TVs. The fees will be reviewed and any changes will be noted in the Fees and Charges by-law.
Information was received from AMO and the Ontario Good Roads Association on the new infrastructure announcement. The allocations were made primarily on the basis of population and can be used for any municipal capital expenditure. The Village allocation is $16,366 and funds will flow in the next couple of weeks.
The Ministry of Finance indicated that there would be workshops this fall to provide information to municipal staff on the changes to the property tax and assessment systems.
Algoma Public Health submitted two resolutions for consideration regarding housing and income support for low income persons. These issues are quite complex and difficult to compress into a short resolution.
A further update was received from ADnet on the broadband and cellular services. Implementation is still likely two years away. There is still time to submit letters of support which will be sent to the funding agencies.
Copies of emails from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Ministry of Natural Resources on the possible divestiture of the marina property to the municipality was noted. This is a lengthy process.
Round 2 of the lead testing program will take place on September 24th. Hopefully the results will be as good as the first round and our requirements will be reduced for future years.
The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated that there will be no change in the number of antlerless tags to be issued this fall.
Correspondence was received from the Chiefs, Mayors and Reeves Council regarding the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations and phase-in issue. The summary for the Village shows that the tax rate would have been 35% lower on the average since OMPF funding was initiated in 2005. A summary showing all the area municipalities indicates that the Village is losing the highest percentage of funding due to the phase-in. As Council has petitioned over the past ears, this is partially due to an error in the former programs formula and it is carried forward to OMPF. The spreadsheet also identifies the municipalities that are receiving more than the amount calculated by the Ministry of Finance as their correct allocation. Representatives of the Chiefs, Mayors and Reeves Council will meet with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Finance to review the information.
The temporary short-term borrowing by-law was updated. The amount to be borrowed did not increase.
08-86 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #948 being a by-law to authorize temporary borrowing from time to time to meet current expenditures.
Carried
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs staff had previously suggested that policies for various aspects of the operation be written. While these policies and protocols had been in place for many years they were not in writing. This will be even more important as there are staff changes in the future.
08-87 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #949 being a by-law to establish a written cash handling policy for the marina.
Carried
08-88 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #950 being a by-law to establish a written cash handling policy for special events.
Carried
08-89 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #951 being a by-law to establish a written policy for the use of the corporate credit card.
Carried
08-90 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #952 being a by-law to establish a written policy for the submission of grant claims.
Carried
The contract for consulting services for the expansion of The Waterfront Centre was considered.
08-91 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #953 being a by-law to enter into an agreement with Caughill Consulting Services Inc. for professional services for the design, working drawings, tendering, field review and contract administration for The Waterfront Centre expansion project.
Carried
08-92 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #954 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held September 10th, 2008 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
08-93 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on October 8th, 2008 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried
APPRECIATION CORNER
To the many, many people who helped make Community Night such a success. There are over 125 on the volunteer list and that is not counting the pie bakers! The revenue was down approximately $900 from the previous year. The pie booth was down because the calls were not made early enough. We already have a volunteer to do the calling for 2009 so the results will be better. Other booths varied a little up or down from previous years. The expenses were down as well as a lot of the prizes were bought early as items came on sale. As well, unfortunately there were fewer bands. The Shriners haven’t come for a few years now, the Bandettes have dissolved and the Navy League couldn’t come this year. As the bands charge up to $800 each this is a significant cost, although it is well worth it as people enjoy the bands. The Recreation Committee organizes the activity but it could not happen without volunteers from every municipality of the Island, the Trailer Park, the Marina and the Sault. Thank you to eveyone.
To Elmer Tuominen for reporting the stop sign down at the corner of the K Line and Canoe Point Rd.
To John Missere for reporting the visibility problem created by the trees growing in on the South St. hill.
To eveyone who supported the Open Air Market over the summer. The profits from the produce this year will be spent on purchasing signage for the special events as well as more tables for the events.
