TOWNSHIP OF MACHAR

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012

 

 

Call to Order, Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof; nil.

 

Council present; Mayor Doug Maeck, Councillors Ron McLaren, Ron Bennison, Bill Russell and Bonnie Gagnon.  Staff present; Clerk-Administrator Brenda Paul.

 

1.  Adoption of Dec 12, 2011 minutes, motion

 

1-12  Bennison, Russell

THAT we adopt Regular minutes of Dec 12, 2011 as amended,

FURTHER THAT they now be released for distribution.  CARRIED

 

                a.  update on OP Review Background Report

 

2-12  McLaren, Bennison

THAT we receive Official Plan Review/Update Status Memo and Background Report, and

THAT the Background Report be available for review, and

THAT a meeting of the Steering Committee be scheduled.  CARRIED

 

We are in receipt of 2 e-mails concerned with the goals and direction of the current ELCA.  These concerns have been duly noted.

 

                b.  update on Township Boundary signs

 

Slogan selected:  Always in Season.  Population considered; there are discrepancies in the figure dependant on the information source.  Clerk to contact MTO to see if we can do a sign without a population figure.

 

2.  Adoption of Annual by-laws for interest, penalty and Interim taxes, motion

 

3-12  Bennison, Russell

THAT we give 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final reading to Annual By-Laws; interest, penalty and Interim taxes.  CARRIED

 

                a.  Administration update

 

Information.  Status of CGIS training for Superintendent to be queried at Public Works meeting.

 

3.  Draft Spring Newsletter/preparation for Summer Newsletter

 

Discussed and revised.

 

4.  Budget for 2012

 

Discussed and specific line items to be reviewed.  Still awaiting some figures.

 

                a.  Office Accessibility Renovations

 

Further to the 2010 Feasibility Report for the Provision of Barrier Free Access, the office is also in need of renovations to address layout, lighting and heating issues.  The building has pretty much remained static, as it was in 1982 with wood paneling and large windows in the reception area.  Accessibility for washrooms should be included in the renovation plan.  Building material for ramp was discussed.  Administration is to investigate washroom/building plans required.

 

5.  Pay List for Dec 31, motion

 

Not available, due to year end procedures.

 

COMMITTEES

 

6.  Machar Road minutes of Dec 16, motion

 

4-12  Bennison, McLaren

THAT we accept Road minutes of Dec 16, 2011.  CARRIED

 

7.  South River Machar Arena minutes of Dec 7, motion

 

5-12  Gagnon, Russell

THAT we support motions 40-42 as contained in Arena minutes of Dec 7, 2011; adopt the minutes, account payable ledger/income statement, meet again…

 

Councillor Gagnon advised OPG will be conducting a session at the Arena on Mar 5 or 6 regarding water levels.  The public and staff, including Public Works and Fire Dept should be invited to attend.  We could put a notice on our website once received.

 

8.  Central Almaguin Economic Development minutes of Dec 21, motion

 

6-12  Bennison, Gagnon

THAT we acknowledge CAEDA minutes of Dec 21, 2011.  CARRIED

 

7-12  Bennison, Gagnon

THAT we are willing to assume administration of CAEDA for the 2012 term, with review at the end of the 2012 term to consider continuing administration beyond 2012.  CARRIED

 

                a.  Healthy Almaguin request for letter of commitment

 

Healthy Almaguin – HA! is a Committee of individuals from various organizations who are seeking to create a substantial increase in healthy living and recreation opportunities in our area.  Links to Almaguin Highlands Ontario websites and the parties responsible for invoices generated to municipalities in 2011 were noted.

 

8-12  Bennison, Russell

THAT we support Healthy Almaguin in 2012 through a financial contribution of $100.  CARRIED

 

                b.  MTO reply on signage of the circuitous route for Hwy 124 Sundridge to South River

 

The Ministry does not currently have any approved policies to address the request for signage to inform provincial traffic of the circuitous route from the south exit of Highway 124 at Sundridge to the north exit of Highway 124 at South River.  There are however similar initiatives administered by CTODS.

 

9.  Central Almaguin Planning Board minutes of Nov 16, motion

 

9-12  Gagnon, McLaren

THAT we acknowledge Planning minutes of Nov 16, 2011.  CARRIED

 

10.  Almaguin Highlands Economic Development meeting on Jan 19

 

Discussed and no interest in attending, due to our participation in CAEDA.

 

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

 

11.  Carling resolution supports MPP Norm Miller’s Private Members Bill to pave highway shoulders

 

12.  Clarington resolution that the Province establish regulations and a Provincially regulated approval process to govern the quality of fill imported to a receiving site other than for the purpose of Brownfield redevelopment

 

13.  Clarington resolution that if any municipality in Ontario receives special funding from the Province to cover a budget deficit, that all local municipalities receive the same per capita funding

 

14.  WWF-Canada (World Wide Fund for Nature) is thrilled to invite you to participate in 2 events launching early in 2012:  National Sweater Day and Earth Hour, Feb 9 and Mar 31

 

15.  District of Parry Sound Social Services Admin Board minutes of Nov 10, 2011

 

16.  Ontario’s Near North Dec Newsletter; keeping tourism updated, attention all fishing camps and resorts, the Elk Lake meetings, current Near North marketing opportunities…

 

17.  AMCTO Legislative Express; Workshops on Accessibility Coming and a Round-Up of Recently Released Resources and Decisions for Municipal Management and Administration

 

18.  AMO Watch File Dec 15, 2011; 2012 AMO Councillor Training, The Art of Possible the 2012 Urban Symposium comes to King West, on-demand access to municipal news…

 

19.  AMO Watch File Dec 22, 2011; Federal Gas Tax Fund is now a permanent source of funding, AMO Annual Conference, ROMA-OGRA delegations, Invasive Species Centre…

 

20.  Taxing Matters 2011-036(2); Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Agribusiness Association, property taxation for Cemeteries and Crematorium…

 

21.  Electrical Safety in Your Municipality letter and 2010 Ontario Electrical Safety Report

 

22.  Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario Annual Report 2010

 

23.  Municipal World Jan 2012; Strategic Partnerships, the secret to spectacular results for local governments in a green energy economy

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

10-12  Bennison, Russell

THAT we proceed into Closed Session in order to address a matter pertaining to; personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.  Time – 9:05 pm.  CARRIED

 

11-12  Gagnon, Russell

THAT we come out of Closed Session with agreement as follows; adopt Closed minutes of Dec 12, 2011, accept MLEO Report for Dec 2011.  Time – 9:09 pm.  CARRIED

 

ADDITIONAL/ROUND TABLE/NOTICE OF MOTION

 

Agricultural Society

 

Letter received informing Annual General Meeting is Mon, Jan 16 to provide input/add to the success of last year’s Fall Fair and vote on the leadership for the upcoming year.                                  

 

ADJOURN

 

12-12  Russell, Gagnon

THAT we give 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final reading to Confirming By-Law and that we adjourn until our next Regular meeting scheduled for Mon, Jan 23, 2012.  CARRIED

 

 

 

                                                                                                ____________________________________

                                                                                                Mayor Doug Maeck

 

 

 

                                                                                                ____________________________________

                                                                                                Clerk-Administrator Brenda Paul, AMCT

 

BP Jan 16, 2012

File:  ag120109r