TOWNSHIP OF MACHAR

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011

 

 

Call to Order, Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest; nil.

 

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

 

Guests:

 

Ed Matthews, Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Management Supervisor

Risto Maki, South River Machar Fire Chief

                b.  Forest Fire Management Agreement Review presentation (30 minutes)

                c.  Inter-Agency Fire Response Operating Guidelines

 

An agreement has been in place since 1959.  Agreements were standardized in 1995.  We have had 20 fires in the last 42 years.  The benefits and costs of the agreement were discussed.  SP 103 training is a requirement and will take approximately 12 hours.  Copies of the mapping were provided to the Fire Chief and Clerk.  Coverage boundaries should be reviewed for next year’s renewal of the agreement.

 

Public Meeting for Joint Building Committee permit fee increase, motion

                a.  ad, info and by-law

 

No public attended.

 

162-11  Gagnon, Russell

THAT we give 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final reading to By-Law No. 18-11; being a by-law respecting building construction, demolition, change of use, conditional permits and inspections.  CARRIED

 

BUSINESS

 

1.  Adoption of Apr 26 minutes, motion

 

163-11  Bennison, McLaren

THAT we adopt Regular meeting minutes of Apr 26, 2011 as amended,

FURTHER THAT they now be released for distribution.  CARRIED

 

                a.  Review of RFPs for Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Update, motion

 

Discussion ensued.  Costs (total and per day), expenses, work program, experience and references were considered.

 

164-11  Bennison, Gagnon

THAT we award update of Official Plan and Zoning By-Law to Meridian Planning per RFP submitted.  CARRIED

 

                b.  Draft ad for Sunday Hunting Public Meeting on Jun 13, motion

 

165-11  Gagnon, Bennison

THAT we approve ad for Jun 13, 2011 Public Meeting on Sunday Hunting to be put on our website and advertised in 1 edition of the Almaguin News.  CARRIED

 

                c.  Update on OPA2 deemed complete and target date for Ministry = Oct 18

 

The Clerk inquired on the target date and Ministry Planner is hoping to move the matter along as fast as possible, before the Oct date.  Clerk to draft a letter to Regional Director for the Mayor’s signature for assurance the matter will be expedited.

 

                - discussion/direction on matters referred to Landfill and Road Committees

 

To be referred by the Clerk for either action (ie. resolution) or discussion at Committee.

 

2.  By-law that provides 1/3 of remuneration paid to Council considered as expenses, motion

 

166-11  Russell, Bennison

THAT we give 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final reading to By-Law No. 19-11; being a by-law that provides 1/3 of the remuneration paid to the elected members of Councils and their local boards shall be considered as expenses.  CARRIED

 

3.  By-Law to constitute and appoint a Committee of Adjustment, motion

 

167-11  McLaren, Gagnon

THAT we give 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final reading to By-Law No. 20-11; being a by-law to constitute and appoint a Committee of Adjustment for the Township of Machar.  CARRIED

 

4.  Pay List as of 06 May 2011, motion

 

168-11  Russell, Bennison

THAT we approve Pay List as of 06 May 2011; $110,896.80.  CARRIED

 

                a.  Almaguin Highlands Ontario Canada regional marketing organization $4,330 + HST

 

No previous membership and no interest.  Forwarding of invoice is deceptive.

 

COMMITTEES

 

Human Resources

 

169-11  Russell, Gagnon

THAT we proceed into Closed Session in order to address a matter pertaining to; labour relations or employee negotiations.  Time – 7:20 pm.  CARRIED

 

170-11  Bennison, Russell

THAT we come out of Closed Session with agreement as follows; ratify Collective Agreement as of May 5, 2011 for the term Jan 1, 2010 until Dec 31, 2013.  CARRIED

 

5.  Machar By-Law Enforcement Report for Apr, motion

 

171-11  Russell, McLaren

THAT we approve By-Law Enforcement Report for Apr 2011.  CARRIED

 

HR Chair Bennison gave a report on sample ticket from Burks Falls.  It was felt our ticket should be all encompassing, however set fines are only approved for the Dog By-Law.  All other by-laws have fines up to a set amount where the Provincial Offences Act would be applicable.  HR Chair will check with By-Law Enforcement Officer to ascertain his discussions on this.

 

6.  Machar Roads;

                a.  letter from Park Rd residents that during the past 14 years, waiting patiently for        road improvements, motion

 

172-11  Gagnon, Russell

THAT we forward a reply to taxpayer 4-153/5, copied as applicable.  CARRIED

 

                b.  request from contractor for exception from Noise By-Law for paving of new                Highway 11, motion

 

173-11  Gagnon, Russell

THAT we permit an exception to Noise By-Law for paving of new Highway 11 commencing on May 16, 2011 per May 4, 2011 letter from Aecon Construction and Materials Limited, subject to the following requirements:

-location of asphalt plant,

-identification of route,

-verify notification of residents,

-letter of commitment to repair any damages to roads as identified by Road Superintendent.

FURTHER THAT we may revoke this permission at any time.         CARRIED

 

7.  Machar Landfill; prices for 2 Caterpillar Compactors; $126,000 and $115,000

 

Discussions ensued on negotiations with South River.  We need to achieve some clarity at tomorrow’s joint Sub-Committee meeting on the cost figure to accept their garbage.  This can then come forward at Landfill Committee on Fri to the next Council meeting for discussion.

 

8.  South River Machar Medical minutes of Apr 19, motion

 

174-11  Russell, McLaren

THAT we support motions 1-5 as contained in Medical minutes of Apr 19, 2011; adopt the minutes, purchase 10 chairs, call NGM as per appraisal given, Pay List, now adjourned…  CARRIED

 

9.  South River Machar Fire minutes of Apr 12, motion

 

175-11  McLaren, Bennison

THAT we support motions 16-18 as contained in Fire minutes of Apr 12, 2011; adopt the minutes, AP ledger/income statement, now adjourned…  CARRIED

 

Draft budget is going to Committee on May 10, 2011.

 

10.  South River Machar Arena minutes of Apr 6, motion

 

176-11  Russell, Bennison

THAT we support motions 14-17 as contained in Arena minutes of Apr 6, 2011; adopt the minutes, AP ledger/income statement, Manager’s report, now adjourned…  CARRIED

 

Committee member Russell gave a report on the budget selected at the meeting on May 4, 2011.  The Clerk confirmed his synopsis, per her discussions with the Village Clerk, that the overall budget was staying basically the same as last year, however due to the proportional splits of operational and capital, our share reflects a decrease of 5%.

 

                a.  Elevator Entry Renovation inspection report and Apr 28 minutes, motion

 

177-11  Russell, Bennison

THAT we acknowledge Arena Sub-Committee minutes of Apr 28, 2011.  CARRIED

 

11.  Central Almaguin Economic Development Association minutes of Apr 20, motion

 

178-11  Bennison, Gagnon

THAT we acknowledge CAEDA minutes of Apr 20, 2011.  CARRIED

 

Committee members Bennison and Maeck are attending a workshop on May 12, 2011 to develop a job description for an Economic Development staff person.

 

12.  South River Sundridge Airport minutes of Apr 5, motion

 

179-11  Bennison, McLaren

THAT we acknowledge Airport minutes of Apr 5, 2011.  CARRIED

 

                a.  2011 draft budget, our share $13,263 = 33% decrease, motion

 

180-11  Bennison, McLaren

THAT we accept Airport budget of $13,263.23 our share, subject to overall Township requirements.  CARRIED

 

13.  South East Steering minutes of Apr 28; green energy in general and solar projects in this area, in particular, motion

 

181-11  McLaren, Russell

THAT we acknowledge Steering minutes of Apr 28, 2011.  CARRIED

 

14.  Central Almaguin Planning Board minutes of Mar 16, motion

182-11  Bennison, Russell

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

 

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

 

15.  Thank you for donation to Almaguin Highlands Council for the Arts and invitation to Showcase on Sat, May 21 from 10:00-4:00 at Caswells

 

16.  Ministry of Transportation writing to inform you in the summer of 2011, the newly constructed 4 lane expansion of Hwy 11 from Sundridge to South River will be opened, the existing 2 lane Hwy 11 will be redesignated as Hwy 124, pedestrians and cyclists will be prohibited from the new highway alignment, speed limits at 90 km reduced to 80 km, provides for consistency, meeting driver expectation of existing Hwy 124 corridor

 

17.  AMO Watch File – Apr 21, 2011; mandatory retirement for firefighters introduced and received first reading, turn the page on an era of housing policy that didn’t make sense, require propane transfer facilities to file Risk and Safety Management Plans, amendments to Minimum Maintenance Standards requires municipalities to inspect road signage yearly using equipment that could pose added road maintenance costs, Homelessness Partnership…

 

18.  AMO Watch File – Apr 28, 2011; Radon Awareness and Prevention Act, the Ombudsman Statute Law Amendment Act (Designated Public Bodies), Residential Tenancies Amendment Act (Vital Services), AMOs media and communications training provides elected officials and staff the tools to communicate information, 2011 AMO Urban Symposium/Conference…

 

19.  Wed, Jun 1, 2011 the Walkerton Clean Water Centre will be holding Standard of Care – Safe Drinking Water Act, 3 hour session is designed to inform municipal councilors and officials of their oversight responsibilities under Section 19 of the Safe Drinking Water Act which comes into effect Jan 1, 2013 to ensure the protection and safety of the users of municipal drinking water systems, the multi-barrier approach to drinking water treatment and some of the risks associated with drinking water protection and distribution

 

20.  Our Communities…Our Potential, 2011 AMO Annual Conference Aug 21-24, London, Companions Program provides an opportunity to explore the London/Middlesex area

 

21.  College Voice Apr 2011; Province to add student spaces, Engineers net top honours at competition, Marketing plan is golden, New program fills the “gap”, Northern Plan praised…

 

22.  Ontario Arts Council offering an information session on the Compass program for Sudbury and area arts organizations on May 11 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Art Gallery of Sudbury

 

23.  North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit minutes of Mar 23, 2011

 

ADDITIONAL – ROUNDTABLE

 

ARI

 

Committee member Russell advised that he attended a meeting.  Due to a shortfall in finances and awaiting WDO rebates, the Hazmat fee must be adjusted from $2. household back to $3. Household and the 2nd Hazmat collection has been cancelled.  We are awaiting minutes.  Events listing on our website will need to be changed and budget for Hazmat revised.

 

Culture and Rec Committee

 

The members will be meeting at 6:00 pm on May 17 in advance of the Medical Meeting to discuss an Open Forum to be held at 7:00 pm on May 25 at the Arena.  An ad will be placed.

 

Human Resources

 

Committee Chair Bennison advised of a brochure distributed to staff on the new Employee Assistance Program.  Pamphlet to be copied and distributed to Council.

 

North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit

 

Municipal representative for Parry Sound North Eastern Sector still unresolved.

 

Website Upcoming Events

 

A request to place entertainment events on our website was considered.  The events are ongoing, revenue generating and involve reservations.  Our site is not set up for such events.

 

183-11  Russell, McLaren

THAT each motion, resolution and other action passed and taken by the Council at tonight’s meeting are, except where their prior approval of the Ontario Municipal Board is required, hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed,

FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk-Administrator are hereby authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain approval where required and except where otherwise provided, the Mayor and Clerk-Administrator are hereby authorized and directed to affix the Corporate Seal of the Municipality to all such documents,

NOW THEREFORE we adjourn until our Budget meeting scheduled for May 19, 2011.

 

 

 

                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                Per Mayor Doug Maeck

 

 

                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                Per Clerk-Administrator Brenda Paul, AMCT

 

BP May 11, 2011