Hilton Township Council Minutes |
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M I N U T E S Special (Budget) Meeting June 18, 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 Pat Garside, Annette Fischer, David Leask and Jim See. This special meeting was called to address the budget as well as a couple of other issues relating to building inspection and tax arrears. Moved by David Leask 2003-104 Seconded by Pat Garside Resolved that we do accept the Agenda as presented The Clerk advised Council that the application for funding through the Summer Experience Program had not been successful. This program is run by the Provincial Government and is another example of how funds to municipalities are being reduced. This funding has helped to offset the costs associated with the summer swim program and despite our program serving many area municipalities beyond our own, the application was still not approved. The Recreation Committee was aware of the situation but advised Council they did not want to see the participants’ fees increase. The Clerk advised that as a result of the group’s fundraising over the last couple years, a small reserve exists from which the lost funding can be drawn from this year. Councillor Fischer commended the Recreation Committee for their efforts over the past years that have resulted in building this reserve while still offering the programs they have for area children. A preliminary budget meeting was held last month that addressed many of the actual costs we’ll be incurring this year. The Clerk advised that all area municipalities had decided to forego any budget allotment for the proposed SSM hospital until some announcement is made detailing the commitment expected. It was anticipated that the Algoma District Social Services levy would be known by now but ADSS is unable to provide the numbers until all municipalities respond with their tax ratio details. Finalizing the budget will therefore be postponed until the regular council meeting is held on Wednesday, July 9, 2003. Additional dollars from the Parks Reserve Fund were allocated for completing the Milford Haven Rest Stop. Councillor Leask noted those numbers could be reduced by the $1,500 the St. Joseph Island Voyageurs had pledged toward the structure. It was proposed that the Township and the Voyageurs share the future costs of hydro and lighting. The wage scale issue was revisited as part of the budget discussion. It was noted that cost-of-living adjustments had been applied in the Year 2000 to update the 1989 wage scale. No cost-of-living adjustments had been factored into the wage scale since that time. Council agreed to update the current scale by adjusting for each of the prior three year’s annual CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase, less 1% per year. It was agreed to apply this formula on an annual basis with certain provisions included. It was understood that if the CPI increased by less than 1%, no adjustment to wages would be made. Council agreed to review the job descriptions for staff prior to the November municipal election, as well as, amend the current performance evaluation forms. Moved by David Leask 2003-105 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do adopt a new wage scale, as per the attached schedule, to reflect the changes in the cost-of-living and that this change be retroactive to January 1, 2003. Further be it resolved that the wage scale be adjusted on an annual basis the beginning of each year based on the percentage change of the CPI as of December 31st of the prior year, less 1%. Any change of 5% or more will be addressed by Council. The recycling meeting for June 10th had been cancelled and instead, Council was asked to pass a resolution regarding the recycling arrangements. Moved by Jim See 2003-106 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that whereas the contract for the Recycling depots located at 17 East Trading Post and at Echo Bay comes to an end on June 30th, 2003; and WHEREAS there exists a spirit to continue with the highly successful recycling program in some manner; and WHEREAS it is not practical to suspend the program even temporarily in order to finalize a new contract; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council agrees to continue on a month to month basis the present recycling arrangement until such time as a new contract can be implemented. Moved by Annette Fischer 2003-107 Seconded by Pat Garside Resolved that we do agree to continue with the regional recycling program provided the funding method changes from the current equal sharing of costs to one based on either population or assessment with our preference being assessment. Correspondence was received from a local solicitor, on behalf of his client, suggesting an alternate solution to a building inspection issue. The matter had been reviewed by the Building and By-Law Committee and a response had been drafted and presented to Hilton Township Council, prior to the letter being sent. Council agreed that mailing of the letter be deferred until further information was acquired. The Clerk requested Council consider entering into a tax arrears extension agreement. Moved by Pat Garside 2003-108 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do pass By-Law No. 786-03 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a tax arrears extension agreement. Moved by David Leask 2003-109 Seconded by Annette Fischer Resolved that we do pass By-Law No. 787-03 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. Moved by Pat Garside 2003-110 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do adjourn, Council to meet again on July 9, 2003 or at the call of the Reeve. ______________________________ Rodney I. Wood, Reeve ______________________________ Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer |