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Council Minutes Nov 9/05
November 9, 2005
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
November 9th, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 8:15 p.m. Present were Reeve Hore and Councillors Crack and Stevens. Councillors Hope and Sullivan were absent with notice.
05-154 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minutes of the October 12th, 2005 meeting as presented.
Carried
05-155 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #05-10 in the amount of $112,763.93.
Carried
The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. Two items have been closed - the tires and other debris have been removed from the ball field and some needed brushing was done. No new items were added. Work will progress on others as time permits.
The Clerks Report was noted. Work continues on several tasks including financial, claims for projects and administration.
The report from the marina walkabout of October 30th was reviewed. Again, some tasks have been done, work is progressing on others and still others will be completed in the spring. The open fall has allowed the installation of the interlocking paving stones to continue.
The suggested approach to the launch and haulout was received from the boaters involved with the planning and execution of this operation. The boaters will continue to do everything that they have done previously, which was the whole operation, with the exception that they would now like the Village to handle the payment of the crane and collecting the money from the boaters. This is totally cost recovery from the participating boaters, however as the number of boats has increased, the amount of money has as well. They will provide the information on the amount that each boater owes and the Village will collect it and pay the crane company. Council was pleased that the boaters will continue with the site set-up including the boat assignment to one of the three lift points, timing each lift and calculating the amount owed by each boater based on productive and unproductive time. Launch is always the first Saturday of May and haulout the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Information was received from Little Current on the Spider Bay marina fire. They want to pass on what they learned from their experience this summer to all other marinas. Reeve Hore who is a Director of the North Channel Marine Tourism Council has invited them to provide a presentation next summer for the Village boaters, staff and other interested persons.
The report presenting of the recommendations of the Water Strategy Panel was discussed. Councillor Crack and the Clerk had attended the presentation. The recommendations will be reviewed in detail by the Province, draft legislation will be developed and there will be further consultations at that stage. Some of the recommendations are massive and would change the way that these services are administered Province wide. However until the draft legislation is available it is unclear which recommendations will be developed any further.
Notice of a public information session on the groundwater protection study to be held on November 16th between 7 and 9 p.m. at the Hilton Hall was received. Everyone is welcome. The goal of the study is to evaluate the drinking water sources on the Island, which in turn will allow for protection of the sources.
Notification of the Federal Gas Tax Fund agreements was received. Once the
by-law accepting the agreement is passed the payment will be forthcoming.
A summary of the recycling costs without St. Joseph Township was reviewed. Using the costs for 2005 and apportioning the costs among the remaining municipalities the Village cost will increase by $161.12. The Township of St. Joseph will be establishing their own recycling depot at their landfill and will no longer be participating in the joint agreement.
Notification was received from the Township of Tarbutt, which administers the recycling agreement, that the costs will increase in 2006 by $200 per site or $4,800. The cost allocation will be received prior to the end of this year, as there are grants that will offset some of these costs. Residents should use this service to the maximum as it reduces the use of the landfill. It is a joint agreement so material can be deposited either at the Island turn-off site or at the Echo Bay site. In 2004 225 tonnes were recycled which is up from 158 in 2002 and 195 in 2003. The allocation by household indicates that over 10% of this would have been deposited in the Hilton Landfill.
Information was received from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs regarding nonprofit insurance. Premium costs are increasing and coverage is decreasing. OFSC is now promoting the passage of legislation that will protect volunteers from unreasonable lawsuits when the volunteer has not been negligent or deliberately malicious - just out there doing the best that they can.
05-156 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to endorse the Protect Our Volunteers initiative, an internet campaign to lobby the Government of Ontario to pass legislation to shield volunteers from unreasonable liability claims.
Carried
A proclamation was received from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs for Get Ready for Snowmobiling Week in recognition of the social, recreational, economic and healthy lifestyle benefits that organized snowmobiling provides.
05-157 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to proclaim November 21st to 27th, 2005 as Get Ready for Snowmobiling Week.
Carried
A news release was received from the Ontario Provincial Police to remind everyone that 9-1-1- and the OPP Communications Centres are for emergencies only and not to inquire about road conditions or closures. A recent survey showed that during the course of four randomly reviewed weekends, only eight percent of the 9-1-1 calls were actual emergencies and ninety-two percent were non-emergency or prank calls. This is not acceptable and an endangerment to those experiencing a real emergency.
The Algoma Health Unit asked that a sign be placed at Forbes Beach for the next swimming season stating the after a heavy rainfall that high levels of bacteria may be in the water for a period of twenty-four to fourty-eight hours.
Correspondence from the Ontario Clean Water Agency indicated that a review of the operation of the water and sewer facilities in the Village indicates that there are no anticipated capital issues in the upcoming year.
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine provided information on the Bursary Fund. They are requesting that every municipality donate $1 for every resident to the Fund. The Ontario Government will match any such contributions made before the end of this calendar year as well as any other private donations.
05-158 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to contribute $175 to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Bursary Fund.
Carried
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario provided detailed information on Ontarios $3 Billion Provincial - Municipal Fiscal Gap that has resulted from the downloading. AMO maintains that it will undermine the fiscal stability of municipalities in every part of Ontario. Municipalities are now responsible for many services that are historically and more appropriately paid for from Provincial funds. The downloading over the past few years has resulted in the net municipal subsidy to the province: Public Health - $266.4 million, Ambulance - $312.7 million, Social Assistance - $1,330.9 million, Senior Services - $242.5 million, Child Care - $193.4 million, Social Housing - $879.7 million. As noted in the last minutes, the Village would be financially better if these costs were uploaded and if no operational grants were received from the Province.
Correspondence was received from the Algoma District Municipal Association, the City of Elliot Lake and the Township of St. Joseph regarding the sizing of and funding for Algoma Manor redevelopment. The first step is to determine what the correct size is based on needs.
05-159 W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to petition the Province to determine the right size for the new Algoma Manor based on the true needs of the Homes catchment area.
Carried
A letter was received from Mayor John Rowswell of the City of Sault Ste. Marie in his capacity of a professional engineer opposing a recent AMO Alert regarding the Building Code Statue Law Amendment Act and the recommendations of the Advisory Group in particular the recommendations around liability insurance. Council did not endorse Mayor Rowswells position.
Information was received from NorthONJobs on the essay contest open to a person between the ages of 16 and 30 on Why should a young person choose to live and work in Northern Ontario?. The prizes are $1,000, $500 and $250 and the deadline is March 10th, 2006. Details can be obtained at northonjobs.com or at the Village office.
A resolution was received from the Township of Chisholm regarding the over abundance of black bears because of the cancellation of the spring bear hunt.
05-160 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to support the Township of Chisholms petitioning the Province to restore the spring bear hunt.
Carried
Information was received from the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding boathouses on the Crown lake bed.
Correspondence was received from MPAC detailing how efficient and effective they have been.
A request for a donation was received from the Volunteer Committee for Learning Through the Arts at the Public School to help offset the local portion of a pilot program that trains artists and teachers to work together to integrate the arts throughout the Ontario curriculum. While Council did not disagree with the benefits of such a program, it was thought that this should be funded by the Province not municipalities. As well, individual residents may decide to support the project.
05-161 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to request the Ministry of Transportation to provide 115 tonnes of treated sand for the 2005 2006 season.
Carried
The agreement for the administration of the Federal Gas Tax program was received from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. This is a five year program from which the Village will receive $3,392.89 for 2005 and it will increase to $11,307.62 in 2009. Eligible projects include water, wastewater, solid waste, community energy systems and certain local roads projects.
05-162 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #862 being a by-law to authorize entering into the agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for the administration of the transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues.
Carried
The responses to the draft long term plan were considered. There was strong support for the objectives of stabilizing the tax rate and repayment of the deficit as well as for the ongoing grounds maintenance program. As well as comments in support of and opposed to ideas on the plan, other suggestions were made such as trying again to get an ATM for the community, lighting for the all-season surface for winter and better community signage. The office relocation and hiring of a deputy clerk was one idea for which there was both support and opposition. Further consideration will be given to the Plan before it is finalized.
05-163 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #863 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on November 9th, 2005 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
05-164 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on December 14th, 2005 or at the call of the Reeve.
Carried
APPRECIATION CORNER
To everyone who took the time to respond to the draft Community Plan. Each response has been reviewed by Council and will be considered in finalizing the Plan.
To John Crack who brought a coal oil lamp to the Village Office during the recent power outage.
