Council Minutes Oct 12/05

October 12, 2005

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
October 12th, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Reeve Hore and Councillors Crack, Hope and Stevens. Councillor Sullivan was absent with notice.

05-139 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minutes of the September 14th, 2005 meeting as presented.
Carried

Reeve Hore declared a conflict of interest on the Voucher and Councillor Stevens assumed the chair for this item.

05-140 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #05-09 in the amount of $85,672.50.
Carried

The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. No items were added. Work on others is being done.

The Clerks Report was reviewed. The marina landscaping is progressing. Work is continuing to catch up after the summer, which was very busy. Cashflow continues to be a challenge as the Village, like many other municipalities, await senior levels of government to process grant claims.

The Landfill Report shows that the amount of material going into the landfill is slowing down after the busy summer period.

The report on the inspection of the landfill was received from the Ministry of the Environment. While there were no major concerns, there were recommendations to improve the facility. Signage directing people where to put the material as well as a sign at the gate with hours of operation and material accepted was suggested. Sample verbiage was included. As well, it was recommended that there be an annual litter clean-up program. This has been done in the past but not in the last couple of years. It was also suggested that a firebreak be cleared around the base of the exposed face and that the size of this face be reduced. A survey of the site would help to identify all areas of the landfill. The recommendations will be implemented as possible. The first one will be the signage.

Notice was received from the Township of St. Joseph that they will withdraw from the joint agreement with the other seven area municipalities for the operation of the recycling depots at the end of the 2005. The Township of Tarbutt, which administers the program, suggested that a meeting be held to discuss the next steps and the future of the program. Council was of the opinion that there was no need for a meeting that the rest would just have to pick up St. Joseph Townships share of the costs. The facility, while it does have its problems at times, is very well used and does keep a considerable amount of material out of the area landfills. It was noted that even when the Township of St. Joseph does pull out of the agreement that their ratepayers will probably still use it but there is no way to control that and it would just happen. If a depot is put at their landfill, it would most likely have the same operating hours as the landfill and ratepayers will use the group facility for convenience.

An update was received from Kresin Engineering regarding the proposed design for the water system upgrades. Council suggested that the use of insulated pipe should be investigated as a less expensive alternative to the proposed design.

An initial letter of understanding was received for Harden Environmental, the firm selected to complete that ground water study for the Island. Councillor Hope indicated that the next steering committee meeting would be held the following night.

The certification for the water well and distribution system has been reviewed and the new certificate provided.

Information was received from the Office of the Fire Marshall on the two-day training session Essentials of Fire Protection aimed at administration. Items covered include the required by-laws and agreements, services and programs, fire protection and public information. It seemed excessive to have a two-day workshop for this. The Clerk will attend one or two days.

05-141 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to authorize the attendance of Gloria Fischer at the Essentials of Fire Protection seminar in Sault Ste. Marie on November 22nd and 23rd.
Carried

The hardship that exists for farmers because the Province does not provide compensation for livestock loss due to cougars/pumas was circulated by the Township of Oro-Medonte. Although there are no farmers in the Village Council wanted to lend their support to farmers in general by endorsing this resolution.

05-142 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to support the resolution of the Township of Oro-Medonte petitioning the Ministry of Agriculture to initiate a program of compensation to livestock owners for predation by cougars/pumas.
Carried

The Algoma District Municipal Association circulated a resolution protesting the significant additional, non-recoverable costs incurred by municipalities undertaking the Provincially mandated water system upgrades due to the long delays in the processing of grant claim payments. Council concurred and added that it is not just this program for which payments are exceedingly slow. Interest costs are not an eligible cost under the majority, if not all, grant programs and because of the long delays they can be significant indeed.

05-143 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to support the resolution of the Algoma District Municipal Association petitioning the Federal and Provincial Governments to accept the major share of interest costs incurred by municipalities for the upgrades to and replacement of water treatment facilities and that municipalities be reimbursed for interest costs incurred after thirty days of receipt of the claims by the funding authorities.
Carried

There will be a special presentation by the Province on the Water and Waste Water Report and Recommendations. These recommendations are apparently massive in nature. It was thought that the Village should be represented at this meeting to get the information.

05-144 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize Gloria Fischer and Lavera Crack to attend the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines presentation on the Water and Waste Water Report and Recommendations in Little Rapids on October 27th, 2005.
Carried
MPAC provided information on the assessment update program. Notices are currently being sent out and the Assessment Rolls will be delivered to the municipalities on December 13th. The deadline for filing a Notice of Complaint with the Assessment Review Board is March 31st, 2006 and for filing a Request for Reconsideration with MPAC is December 31st, 2006. This is the time frame that causes so many problems for the municipalities: the various Boards use the Roll as returned on December 13th, 2005 to establish their levies to the individual municipalities; municipalities have to set their budgets by June, 2006 based on the Roll and any other information they have to date; and ratepayers have until December 31st to appeal with the results of those appeals not received until into the following year. With the exception of the school board there are no adjustments to the assessment base on which those levies are based.

Further correspondence was received from MPAC detailing the significant progress in all four areas for product quality, service delivery, productivity and communications that have been obtained and planned future improvements.

An update was received from OMERS on the new rates that will be in place for 2006 for the municipal pension plan.

An invitation was received from the City of Sault Ste. Marie to attend a Northern Leaders Round Table meeting and a reception for the Lieutenant Governor.

Correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario stated that the Thorne Speech offers little help for municipalities. The Province states that the strong communities is a major goal but AMO argues that the $3 Billion Provincial-Municipal fiscal gap was not addressed. AMO states that while it is realized that the funding gap cannot be closed quickly that a plan should be put into place to address the issue. Ontario is the only province in Canada where municipal property taxes are used to subsidize provincial health and social services programs, like welfare and employment services, disability benefits, drug benefits, social housing, childcare, homes for the aged, public health and ambulance services. AMO believes that these income redistribution programs should be funded through income taxes. The Village for example would be $24,550 better off in 2005 if it did not receive any Provincial operating funding and did not have to pay a portion of these services. Policing is an additional $28,000 that is now funded through property taxation.

Two houses were removed in 2005 and the taxes have to be written-off for the portion of the year since the removals.

05-145 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to write-off the taxes on the following properties due to the demolition of the buildings: Roll 1620-00 - $311.67 and Roll 165-00 - $147.20.
Carried

Agreements for the funding for the water system upgrades are ready to be approved. The OSTAR program covers two-thirds of the cost of the project and the NOHFC will cover one-sixth of the cost leaving one-sixth for the municipality. The costs of borrowing until senior level funding flows to the municipality is not considered to be eligible for this funding. While the final costs will not be known until the design for the ultraviolet system is finalized and the project tendered it is expected that the total cost may be somewhat lower than originally anticipated.

05-146 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #859 being a by-law to authorize entering into the agreement for funding under the Canada Ontario Infrastructure OSTAR Program.
Carried

05-147 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to approve the application to the NOHFC Capital Assistance to Enhance Drinking Water Protection in Northern Ontario program for funding for the upgrades to the drinking water system funded under the OSTAR initiative.
Carried

The by-law to formally close up and sell that portion of Huron St. that forms the Mariners Way lots was considered.

05-148 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #860 being a by-law to stop-up, close and sell the portion of the original allowance for Huron St. described as Parts 1 to 8 inclusive, Plan 1R-10835.
Carried

Council had to go into closed meeting to discuss a land acquisition issue.

05-149 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to go into closed meeting.
Carried

05-150 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to return to open meeting.
Carried

A ratepayer wished to convey two lots to the municipality.

05-151 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to accept the offer to assume ownership of Lots 88 and 89, Fourth St. and to write off the taxes in the amount of $99.28.
Carried

05-152 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #861 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on October 12th, 2005 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried


05-153 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on November 9th, 2005 or at the call of the Reeve.
Carried



FIRE/SMOKE ALARMS

Remember to change the batteries in your smoke/fire alarms when you change your clocks at the end of the month.


OFFICE CLOSED

The Office will be closed October 19th to 21st.


DRAFT LONG TERM PLAN

Be sure to submit your comments on the long-term plan by the end of October. Council will review the comments and finalize the plan in November. This is an opportunity to provide your comments and make suggestions on the direction for the municipality.


APPRECIATION CORNER

To those residents and business owners who have decorated for the fall season. The Waterfront Centre businesses have particularly nice displays.

To The Dew Drop Inn Reunion Dances and the Young Families for making a generous donation to the Hilton Hall Capital Fund from the proceeds of the dances.

To the Matthews Memorial Hospital Association for their innovative fundraiser Pamper Me for the Hospital and cancer bunker.

To the many volunteers who serve on the various committees and boards and those who may not serve in this capacity but who are always willing to volunteer for one or more of these community services. The Library, the Museum, Recreation and the Fire Department all have a group of these loyal supporters. If there is someone in the community who would like to find out more about volunteering for these services or others, please contact them directly or ask at the Village Office. For example, there is currently a vacancy on the St. Joseph Island Advisory Committee for Seniors and the Physically Disabled (the Trefry Centre).


RECYCLING

Remember that the Hazardous Waste Depot closes for the season at the end of October. Bring in your old paint cans, partially used prescriptions, batteries, aerosol cans, oil, etc. Be sure to tell them that you are from Hilton Village so it is recorded correctly. Everyone wants as accurate a record as possible of the use and sometimes the staff may forget to ask and assume you are from the City. The Village pays $7 per household to use this service to keep these items out of the landfill and inevitably out of the ground water and air. They should no longer be deposited with other household garbage in the landfill.

The recycling depot at the corner seems to be maintained more often now. This facility keeps literally tons (or tonnes) of material out of the landfill. Remember to shove your material as far back in the bins as possible. Often they are not nearly as full as they look as material is deposited just at the very front.