Hilton Township Council Minutes |
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M I N U T E S Regular Council Meeting February 5, 2003 - 7:30 p.m. Council met in the Meeting Room of the Municipal Building on the above date. Present were Reeve Rod Wood and Councillors Annette Fischer, David Leask and Jim See. Councillor Pat Garside advised he would be arriving late. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, attended as well. Councillor Fischer requested that the results of a recent Museum Board meeting be added to the agenda. Moved by David Leask 2003-17 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do accept the Agenda, as amended. When approving the previous month’s Minutes, it was noted that "Annette Fischer, Acting Reeve" was mistakenly identified as the Chairperson. The Minutes should read "Rodney Wood, Reeve". Moved by Jim See 2003-18 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do approve the Minutes of the meeting of January 5, 2003, as amended. Council reviewed items to be included in the annual amalgamated tender arranged through the East Algoma Road Association. The one kilometre of surface treatment included in the tender will be laid on Base Line. It represents the remainder of the Road Improvements Project under the NOHFC grant. Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-19 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do tender for the following items through the amalgamated tender:
3 boxes 8 ½" x 14" Paper (#1 Grade) Calcium Chloride or Magnesium Chloride – 34 R.W. Flake Tonne Equivalent 1 High Wear Wing Blade 4 - 8" x 84" Heat Treated Grades Blades 2 - 8" x 84" Heat Treated Ice Blades - 1 ½" Teeth 4 Pcs. Corrugated Plastic Smooth Bore: 6.3 M x 450 mm (3 couplers) 2 Pc. Corrugated Plastic Smooth Bore: 6.3 M x 600 mm (1 coupler) 12 5 / 8" x 8" x 44" - One Way Plow Blades - 8" hole spacing 1 Kilometre of Double Surface Treatment In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and Ontario Regulation 239/02, a by-law to identify and classify all highways within the municipality’s jurisdiction is required. First and second reading to the by-law was given at the January 2003 meeting. Moved by Jim See 2003-20 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 767-03 being a by-law to inventory and classify highways. Concern was raised at last month’s meeting over the intersection at Hilton Road and Whybourne Road. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, has since plowed the snow in such a manner that it is now necessary for drivers travelling south onto Whybourne Road to first ensure there is no oncoming Hilton Road traffic. Council members agreed the change should be made permanent in the spring with the required road construction. An application was received from the owner of Lot 7, Concession 15, to purchase the shoreroad allowance, as well as the unopened road allowance, lying in front of the owner’s property. The section of unopened road allowance leads from Whybourne Road through to the P Line. The area involved is very marshy and could not be opened to vehicular traffic without considerable effort and cost. Council was unwilling to relinquish the future possibility of this occurring and turned down the application to purchase the road allowance. Council had no objection to the purchase of the shoreroad but as this purchase was contingent on the owner obtaining the road allowance also, the application was refused. Councillor Pat Garside arrived at this time. A general discussion took place regarding the removal of trees scheduled to be cut from the P Line road allowance this year as part of our road improvements. The affected landowners will be contacted by the Road Superintendent to determine whether they want the wood, and, if so, it will be placed on their property. If the owners do not want the wood, the Road Superintendent will arrange for its removal. A notice was received from Jocelyn Township regarding the Maple Syrup Stampede to be held February 8, 2003 and the road crossings in our municipality that would be included in the race. The Clerk advised Council of numerous by-laws and documents respecting the municipality’s fire policies that had been requested by the Fire Marshal’s Office. The local Fire Protection Adviser will be reviewing these documents and getting back to us in the next few months advising any necessary changes. Notice was received of the "Lifesavers’ Sweetheart Dance" to be held February 14, 2003 with proceeds going to the three Island Fire Departments, Red Cross and the Ladies Auxiliary, Branch 374. Minutes from a recent Building and By-Law Committee meeting, along with draft year-end financial figures for the shared building inspection service, were reviewed by Council. While the overall service closed with a surplus (permit fees collected less administration, mileage, training, wages), the cost for Hilton Township to deliver the service resulted in a deficit. This deficit results from associated costs of providing the service (advertising, audit, administration, dues, stationery, subscriptions and telephone) totalling more that the $20 per permit paid to our municipality. This situation has repeated itself annually and while increasing the per permit administration fee has been considered, it was decided to have it remain status quo and, once again, reduce the overall surplus with a compensating payment to Hilton Township. BBC members agreed that while the member municipalities always endorse this action, it should be specified in the formal agreement. Such a change will be made to the Agreement this year. Bill 124: The Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, 2002 was also discussed. This Act is set to come into force in 2004. One of its requirements is that any surplus resulting from building permit operations may only be used to fund the cost of administering/enforcing building inspection and not fund other aspects of municipal operations. This may change the way any future surpluses are handled. This year marks another election year. A training workshop is being sponsored by AMCTO. Moved by Pat Garside 2003-21 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do authorize Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer, to attend the Municipal Election Workshop to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on March 25, 2003. Information detailing Algoma Health Unit’s 2003 budget was received from the Island’s AHU Board Representative, Vince Vernelli. Municipalities may be facing an 11% increase in their levies due to significant increases in AHU staff wages and computer updates. Copies of correspondence regarding the proposed Algoma Manor redevelopment were received from both the Township of Michipicoten and the City of Elliot Lake. Both these municipalities are not in support of the funding formula proposed for the redevelopment. The proposed formula would involve each district municipality contributing an amount equal to eleven times its normal annual levy. The District Administrator for Algoma Homes for the Aged will advise municipalities further once they receive some direction from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The Clerk advised Council that Wayne Van Sickle was kind enough to convert the suggested ‘Feedback Form’ to an online format. Now internet users may simply e-mail any concerns they may have directly to the office. The form is listed on the municipality’s home page at: www.stjosephisland.net/hiltontownship The Fees and Charges By-law has not yet been passed as we first had to incorporate updated building inspection fees. The Building and By-law Committee met recently to review some specific fees that were inadvertently excluded from the original schedule. The fees address specifically: occupancy permits($20)/change of use permits($25)/plumbing permits($20)/moving to another location($20). Council approved the fees suggested but will wait until confirmation is received from Jocelyn Township and the Village of Hilton Beach that their councils are in agreement as well. At that time, our Fees and Charges by-law will be passed. Councillor Garside left the meeting at this time. Final readings were given to by-laws respecting the sale of municipally owned land; staff and council remuneration and working conditions. Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-22 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 769-03 being a by-law to establish procedures for the sale of land owned by the Municipality. Moved by David Leask 2003-23 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 768-03 being a by-law respecting remuneration and expenses for payment thereof to Members of Council and Municipal Employees of the Corporation of the Township of Hilton. Moved by David Leask 2003-24 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 763-03 being a by-law respecting certain conditions effecting the good and welfare of the Employees and Officers of the Corporation of the Township of Hilton. Employee Performance Evaluation forms were distributed to Council and will be reviewed with staff by the April 2003 council meeting. As a result of a presentation at last month’s council meeting by Tracey Latulippe of Ducks Unlimited, the following resolution was passed. Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-25 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do agree to contribute $1,000 and partner with the MNR and Ducks Unlimited Canada in a project designed to map, evaluate and preserve area wetlands. A copy of correspondence, sent by the MNR to the consultants for the Tenby Bay Subdivision, was received and reviewed by council. The letter identified various issues that could result in part of the area being designated a provincially significant wetland. The MNR recommended an Environmental Impact Statement be completed prior to approval of the plan of subdivision. A response was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the submission of Official Plan Amendment No. 41 addressing changes to rural development policies. MMAH suggested the proposed changes be incorporated into the new official plan (study currently underway) rather than through this amendment to the present OP. Grant applications were received from Human Resources Development Canada for the Summer Career Placement Program – 2003. Moved by David Leask 2003-26 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do apply for a grant under the Summer Career Placement Program to employ two students for a period of seven weeks each for the Twin Lakes swim program. Councillor Fischer advised Council the St. Joseph Island Museum will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and the Board has been planning some special events to celebrate. An "Ask the Expert" event is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. People are invited to bring any antiques they may have questions about and experts will be there to provide answers. The St. Joseph Island Economic Development Corporation advised of workshops scheduled for Volunteer Recruitment (February 15/16) and Marketing for Businesses, Municipalities and Organizations (February 21/22) at the Hilton Hall. Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-27 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do approve the payment of Township bills for the month of December 2002 in the amount of $4,320.66 as per Voucher No. 12A-02. The bills were made up of the following: Administration - $270.47; Algoma Dist School Bd - $2,118.78; Fire - $506.00; Recreation - $89.94; Recycling - $113.30; Roads - $739.06;Workers’ Compensation - $483.11. Moved by David Leask 2003-28 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do approve the payment of Township bills for the month of January 2003 in the amount of $29,125.40 as per Voucher No. 01-03. The bills were made up of the following: Administration - $5,640.71; Assessment - $3,467.36; Building - $115.30; Fire - $1,706.43; Miscellaneous - $3,104.70; Policing - $2,778.00; Roads - $12,312.90. Moved by Jim See 2003-29 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do pass By-Law No. 773-03 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. Moved by Jim See 2003-30 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do adjourn, Council to meet again on March 5, 2003, or at the call of the Reeve. _______________________________ Rodney I. Wood, Reeve __________________________________ Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer |
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