Hilton Township Council Minutes |
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M I N U T E S Regular Council Meeting December 4, 2002 - 7:30 p.m. Council met in the Meeting Room of the Municipal Building on the above date. Present were Councillors Annette Fischer, David Leask and Jim See. Reeve Rod Wood and Councillor Pat Garside were absent with notice. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, attended as well. Moved by Jim See 2002-126 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that in the absence of Reeve Rod Wood we do appoint Councillor Annette Fischer as Acting Head of Council. Moved by David Leask 2002-127 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do accept the Agenda, as presented. An error was identified in the previous month’s Minutes. The resolution to adjourn was noted as seconded by Annette Fischer when, in fact, it was seconded by Jim See. Moved by David Leask 2002-128 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do approve the Minutes of the meeting of November 14, 2002, as amended. As decided at last month’s meeting, an amending by-law was passed to authorize the change in winter maintenance to certain sections of Whybourne Road and Haight Road. Moved by David Leask 2002-129 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 760 being a by-law to amend By-Law No. 496 regarding the provision of winter maintenance to those sections of Haight Road and Whybourne Road currently maintained by the municipality. Moved by Jim See 2002-130 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 760 being a by-law to amend By-Law No. 496 regarding the provision of winter maintenance to those sections of Haight Road and Whybourne Road currently maintained by the municipality. Moved by Jim See 2002-131 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do request the Ministry of Transportation to include in their stockpile of winter sand at the local patrol yard 500 M. Tonnes for our 2002/2003 winter requirements. Lyn Garside, Road Superintendent, advised council that one of the tracks had broken on the excavator and despite some temporary mending, replacement tracks would need to be ordered. An incredible amount of work was accomplished by the excavator on this year’s Road Improvements Project (Canoe Point Road, Base Line, 20th Side Road and M & N Road). The municipality was able to include the operating costs associated with the excavator (and truck) as part of our in-kind contributions, saving us $15,000. As one of the conditions of the grant, a sign has been ordered according to Ministry specifications to be erected on the M & N Road, noting the financial assistance provided by NOHFC. The Clerk advised council that, largely as the result of the surface treatment quote including Provincial Sales Tax, the overall costs for the Road Improvement Project came under budget by almost $11,000. We have been encouraged by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to submit a second application prior to the end of the year to utilize the remaining funds. Different projects were discussed and the final recommendations centered on upgrading some recreational areas in the municipality. While use for the remaining funds has to be specified prior to December 31, 2002, the actual work does not have to be completed until December, 2004. Moved by Jim See 2002-132 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do give first and second reading to By-Law No. 761 being a by-law to authorize a second application for funding through the Northern Communities Capital Assistance Program for upgrading certain roads and parks within the Township of Hilton. Moved By David Leask 2002-133 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do give third and final reading and pass By-Law No. 761 being a by-law to authorize a second application for funding through the Northern Communities Capital Assistance Program for upgrading certain roads and parks within the Township of Hilton. Correspondence was received from the East Algoma Road Supervisor Association advising that the contractor who had been successfully awarded the amalgamated tender for surface treatment in 2002 was willing to guarantee the same low price for next year. That low price, coupled with the NOHFC grant, was what allowed council to commit to so much surface treatment being performed this year. The Road Superintendent confirmed that not only was the price good, but quality work resulted. Council was advised that endorsing the motion to accept the same rate for next year did not mean they were committed to ordering any specific amount. Moved by David Leask 2002-134 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do endorse extending the 2002 Surface Treatment contract of Greenwood Paving for the year 2003 at the 20% rate in the 2002 contract of $1.05 per sq. metre for Single and $2.10 per sq. metre for Double with all rates plus G.S.T. only. Requests were received to plow the end of the following roads during the winter months. Moved by Jim See 2002-135 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do agree to plow the ends of Jocques Bay Road and Old Orchard Road for the 2002/2003 winter season to allow for the parking of vehicles off the highway. Council was advised that funds from the Fire Volunteers’ Account had been requested by the Fire Chief to offset the cost of the meal for their Christmas social night. Council indicated both they and the Village Council would gladly cover the cost of the meal and directed the Clerk to replenish the Volunteers’ account. Fire Chief, Joe Books, provided council with an update on the compressor purchased jointly by the three Island Fire Departments. Unfortunately, numerous delays have resulted but it is anticipated the compressor will be delivered by the end of this month and housed at the Jocelyn Fire Department. The Final Draft of Amendment No. 41 to the Official Plan was reviewed by council. The purpose of the amendment is to revise the severance policies for rural areas. Moved by David Leask 2002-136 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do advise the St. Joseph Island Planning Board that the Council for the Township of Hilton supports the Final Draft for Amendment No. 41 to the Official Plan. Regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Algoma Manor and the associated cost in next year’s budget of eleven times our annual levy ($43,817), council passed a resolution of support. It is the understanding that once this capital payment is made, the municipality will be relieved of any future financial obligations in supporting the long-term care facility. Moved by David Leask 2002-137 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do support the proposal for the redevelopment of Algoma Manor as presented to the District of Algoma Municipalities at the meeting of November 14th, 2002. An update on the Milford Haven Rest Stop revealed that efforts to have the cement blocks laid had been hindered due to the recent cold weather. It was advised that the work be postponed until spring 2003. Details on the amount to be received under the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) for the year 2003 were received from the Province. The amount to be received in 2003 will be equal to the updated CRF allocation for 2002. The Municipal Act, 2001, to come into force January 1, 2003, requires municipalities to pass a number of by-laws including notice requirements, fees and charges, road closures and road classifications. The government has only recently released much of the information related to these issues. Rather than rushing into passing these by-laws at this meeting, the Clerk suggested council review them prior to our January 2003 meeting. The proper notice requirements will need to be adhered to according to the new legislation. Accordingly, a notice will follow at the end of these Minutes advising the public that by-laws addressing certain subjects will be reviewed at our January 2003 regular meeting and passed at our February 2003 regular meeting. The following year-end resolutions were passed. Moved by David Leask 2002-138 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do transfer any surplus or deficit for the year 2002 to the Reserve for Working Funds. Moved by David Leask 2002-139 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do transfer any surplus or deficit for the year 2002 for the Hilton Union Fire Department to the Fire Department Working Fund Reserve. Moved by Jim See 2002-140 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do transfer any surplus or deficit for the year 2002 for the Roads Department to the Roads Working Capital Reserve. Moved by Jim See 2002-141 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do transfer any surplus or deficit for the year 2002 for the Recreation Committee to the Parks Working Capital Reserve. A recent survey was completed by the Township of Johnson identifying the residential tax rates of fourteen area municipalities. The Township of Hilton occupied the third lowest rate. The Clerk advised council that she had received numerous phone calls from residents receiving their new assessment notices, many noting astronomical increases. The significant increases seemed to be linked mainly to waterfront properties. Residents were encouraged to contact the Assessment Office and file a Request for Reconsideration if they felt their new assessment did not reflect a current market value. In response to many residents’ queries, an increase in assessed value does not automatically translate into a comparable increase in taxes. If the municipality sees a significant increase in its assessment base, its tax rate will be reduced accordingly, provided no increased expenditures are expected in the next year’s budget. As the survey noted above reveals, Hilton Township strives to maintain as low a tax rate as it can while operating in a fiscally sound manner. At the request of council, the management of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) provided additional information on its recent restructuring. After reviewing this information along with correspondence received from union representatives of MPAC, the following resolution was passed. Moved by Jim See 2002-142 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do petition the Minister of Finance to review the impact of the restructuring plan "Futures" implemented by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and to ensure it will not result in a negative impact on the service delivered to both ratepayers and municipalities, especially in Northern Ontario. Correspondence was received from the Algoma and Area Regional Trails Council identifying their intention of finding ways to better service its trail partners. A request was received from the Bar River Branch of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario seeking council’s support in installing flashing lights at the intersection of the entrance to C.A.S.S. and Highway 17 E. Moved by Jim See 2002-143 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do support the request of the Bar River Branch of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario and request the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario install amber flashing lights at the intersection of Kensington Point Road and Highway 17 East in the Township of Johnson in the District of Algoma in an effort to make motorists aware of an increasingly dangerous intersection. Moved by Jim See 2002-144 Seconded by David Leask Resolved that we do approve the payment of Township bills for the month of November, 2002 in the amount of $19,439.27 as per Voucher No. 11-02. The bills were made up of the following: Administration - $4,157.82; Building - $1,257.58; Fire - $3,084.02; Miscellaneous - $3,108.05; Parks - $792.36; Roads - $7,039.44. Moved by David Leask 2002-145 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do pass By-Law No. 762 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. Moved by David Leask 2002-146 Seconded by Jim See Resolved that we do adjourn, Council to meet again on January 8, 2003, or at the call of the Reeve. _______________________________ Annette Fischer, Acting Reeve _______________________________ Valerie Obarymskyj, Clerk Treasurer |
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