Hilton Township Council Minutes

018

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 was absent. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, attended as well.

Moved by David Leask 2003-31

Seconded by Jim See

Resolved that we do accept the Agenda as presented.

Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-32

Seconded by David Leask

Resolved that we do approve the Minutes of the meeting of February 5, 2003, as presented.

Rick Green, Chairperson for the St. Joseph Island Policing Committee was present to thank Council for its support, evidenced by attending various related functions and by erecting Rural Watch signs throughout the community. The Committee meets on a regular basis to address crime issues on the Island and making suggestions to hopefully reduce them. Their efforts with the Rural Watch program are known to have benefited many areas.

Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, advised Council that the new logo decals have now been mounted on all township equipment.

A by-law authorizing Council to delegate the authority for closing a road in the case of repairs or an emergency was presented. The by-law had been discussed at an earlier meeting with its passage postponed until further information was received regarding the ‘offence’ section.

Moved by David Leask 2003-33

Seconded by Jim See

Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 766-03 being a by-law to authorize the temporary closing of highways for repairs or in the case of an emergency.

Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-34

Seconded by David Leask

Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 766-03 being a by-law to authorize the temporary closing of highways for repairs or in the case of an emergency.

A request was received from the owners of Lot 21, Concession T, requesting permission to brush a section of the road allowance between Lots 20 and 21, Concessions T and U, for the purpose of providing access to their property.

Moved by Jim See 2003-35

Seconded by David Leask

Resolved that we do authorize the owners of Lot 21, Concession T, to improve portions of the unopened 20^th Side Road to provide access to their property. All work performed must meet with the satisfaction of Hilton Township Road Superintendent, Lyn Garside.

Correspondence was received from Walker Engineering, acting on behalf of its client, the owner of Lot 16, Concession Y, to confirm the unopened road allowance between Concessions Y and Z is owned by the Township. If it can be determined the road allowance is owned by the municipality, the owner also requested council’s permission to utilize the road as an access road to his property. The Clerk was asked to confirm the status of the road with Walker Engineering. Any permission to open the road allowance would be dependent on receiving confirmation from the Crown that it would allow the access road to cut through its Lots 14, 15 and 16, Concession Z, should the need arise due to the terrain. The standards to which the road would be built would need to meet with any requirements set by Council.

Correspondence was received from Walker Engineering and the St. Joseph Island Planning Board regarding the proposed Tenby Bay Subdivision. The MNR has raised some concerns about wetland issues affecting the subject area and is requiring an Environmental Impact Statement be completed along with a Cultural Heritage Review. Both of these studies will involve considerable time and necessitate an extension by the Planning Board with regard to its approval of the subdivision plans.

A thank-you was received from Ducks Unlimited for Hilton Township’s contribution toward the Central Algoma Wetland Mapping and Evaluation Project.

Notice was received from the St. Joseph Island Planning Board that rather than pursuing any further the passing of Official Plan Amendment No. 41, the context of the amendment will be incorporated into the Official Plan Update to be undertaken this year. O.P. Amendment No. 41 addresses the rural development policies.

Randy Gardner, Building Inspector/By-Law Enforcement Officer, was present to review with Council a number of permits that have never been closed off, despite the possibility all work may have been completed. The majority of permits were for garages and cottages, and Council directed Randy to complete any necessary inspections so the files may be closed.

The Clerk advised Council that the final unaudited figures for the Building and By-Law Shared Service show a deficit in the administration fees intended to cover various administration related costs. The following resolution was passed to authorize a transfer from the year-end surplus to cover the deficit.

Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-36

Seconded by Jim See

Resolved that, as the Employer for the Building and By-Law Shared Service, and as agreed to by the Building and By-Law Committee at its January 27, 2003 meeting, the expenses exceeding that which is recoverable through the administration fees be deducted from the 2002 year-end surplus prior to the funds being distributed.

The municipality’s insurance policy for the year 2003 was reviewed by Council. Premium costs have escalated 17% over last year’s figures. Part of the increase may be related to the new road equipment although the increase appears similar to what many area municipalities are also facing.

Moved by David Leask 2003-37

Seconded by Annette Fischer

Resolved that we do accept the insurance policy as presented by Algoma Insurance Brokers Limited in the amount of $24,332.62 (including taxes) for the period March 2003 to March 2004.

Moved by David Leask 2003-38

Seconded by Jim See

Resolved that council acknowledges proof of bonding for the Clerk Treasurer has been presented and reviewed in accordance with Section 287 (3) of the Municipal Act, 2001.

Correspondence was received from the City of Elliot Lake regarding the proposed Algoma Manor Redevelopment. Elliot Lake, along with the Township of Michipicoten, has questioned the method of apportionment applied since 1997. Algoma District Homes has asked municipalities to forward their first quarterly payments based on the same apportionment used in prior years. They have assured us that any regulations needed to correct inadequacies in the legislation are currently being investigated.

The Clerk provided Council with a draft Notice Policy designed to establish a standard of adequate methods of providing notice to the public. Council has determined that ‘reasonable’ notice will be satisfied through one or more of the following methods: the Agenda (posted in the Municipal Office); the Minutes (circulated monthly to residents as well as posted in the Administration Office and on the Municipality’s web site); an advertisement published in a weekly newsletter having circulation within the Municipality; the Municipality’s web site (www.stjosephisland.net/hiltontownship). The Municipal Act continues to require specific methods of notice regarding certain issues such as road closures, sale of municipal land, adoption of budget, etc. to ensure the public is kept informed of municipal decisions. Council will pass the by-law at its April 2, 2003 regular meeting.

The Fees and Charges By-law that has been reviewed over the last couple months was presented to Council. The by-law will be presented again for final passing at the April 2, 2003 meeting.

Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-39

Seconded by Jim See

Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 765-03 being a by-law to establish and require payment of various fees and charges.

The draft Procedural By-law was reviewed once again and Council agreed on certain amendments. The Clerk was asked to revise the by-law and present it at the April 2, 2003 meeting.

The Clerk presented Council with a by-law establishing the tax ratios for the current year. The tax ratios are used to determine the yearly tax rate for each class and were not changed from those adopted last year.

Moved by David Leask 2003-40

Seconded by Annette Fischer

Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 775-03 being a by-law to establish the tax ratios for the Township of Hilton for the year 2003.

Council members were reminded that the employees’ yearly performance evaluations would be reviewed at the April council meeting.

Council discussed the need to establish a policy regarding the payment to part-time employees for time spent at training seminars.

Information was received from the Community Futures Development Corporation advising a meeting would be held in Blind River on March 6, 2003 to address the Local Infrastructure Development project.

An invitation was received from the Sault Area Hospital to a "New Hospital Visioning Session" for Community Leaders, to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on March 6, 2003.

Moved by David Leask 2003-41

Seconded by Annette Fischer

Resolved that we do authorize the payment of Township bills for the month of February 2003 in the amount of $22,867.06 as per Voucher No. 02-03. The bills were made up of the following: Administration - $4,129.32; Building – $476.37; Dump - $4,558.44; Fire - $4,357.43; Miscellaneous -$4,163.42; Recreation - $100.00; Roads - $5,082.05.

Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-42

Seconded by Jim See

Resolved that we do pass By-Law No. 776-03 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting.

Moved by Jim See 2003-43

Seconded by Annette Fischer

Resolved that we do adjourn, Council to meet again on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. or at the call of the Reeve.

_______________________________ 

Rodney I. Wood, Reeve

_______________________________

 Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer

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