Council met at the Municipal Administration Building in Richards Landing on the above date. Present were Reeve Lorraine Aelick; Councillors Bryon Hall, Phil Sabine, Vince Vernelli and Jody Wildman; and Clerk/CAO Michael Jagger.

A budget planning session was held prior to the regular meeting.

The regular meeting was opened with a prayer.

Moved by B.W. Hall

Seconded by Vince Vernelli

Be it resolved that we do adopt the minutes of the May 21, 2002 meeting as presented. -cd.-

Correspondence was received from AMO regarding the Walkerton Inquiry Report, the Volunteer Firefighters Protection Act, the Province’s ‘spouse in the house’ policy, a proposed Bill to keep Hydro One lands public and the annual commemoration service for victims of crime.

A copy of correspondence to the Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie regarding economic initiatives in Northern Ontario was received from the Secretary of State.

Notice of the 2002 education tax rates for businesses was received from the Ministry of Finance.

A report on the public consultation carried out in respect to the Provincial Policy Statement, and notice of extension of the filing deadline for MPMP and FIR reports, was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Copies of the minutes of recent meetings of local boards and committees were received.

A request for a donation was received from the local elementary school.

Moved by Jody Wildman

Seconded by Phil Sabine

Be it resolved that we do donate $25.00 to the Grade 8 Graduation at St. Joseph Island Central School.

-cd-.

Notice of a planned island-wide Open House was received from the St. Joseph Island Economic Development Corporation.

A copy of a resolution respecting the use of photo radar was received from the Township of South-West Oxford.

Notice of the annual general meeting of the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation was received. The Clerk was instructed to send Council’s regrets due to prior commitments on the date of that meeting.

An invitation to participate in a Dragon Board Festival was received from the Town of Blind River.

A copy of the report on recent consultations on policing services, and a related questionnaire, were received from the Ontario Provincial Police. The Clerk was requested to complete the questionnaire on behalf of Council.

The possibility of posting the minutes of Council meetings on the municipality’s web site was discussed. The Clerk was instructed to look into this possibility. Updating of the municipality’s web site was also discussed.

Mrs. Barb Jackson, Chair of the Seniors/Disabled Services Advisory Committee, and Program Co-ordinator Sheila Campbell, were in attendance to discuss a number of matters respecting those services, including the need for a representative of the North Shore area to serve on the advisory committee, an upcoming fund raiser, and the annual budget. The Clerk was requested to contact a number of municipalities in the North Shore area to which seniors and disabled services are provided to request that they jointly appoint a representative to serve on the advisory committee.

Moved by Phil Sabine

Seconded by Jody Wildman

Be it resolved that we do approve the 2002 Seniors and Disabled Services Budget in the amount of $151,210.00, subject to approval by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. -cd.-

Superintendent Ross Armstrong was in attendance to present his monthly activity report and discuss a number of road related matters. Supt. Armstrong was requested to seek equipment rental rate quotations for consideration at the next meeting of Council.

The economic development planning session to be held the following week was discussed.

The municipal budget was discussed. The Clerk was instructed to prepare a revised draft budget for consideration at the next meeting.

Correspondence was received from AMO regarding health care concerns, a new affordable housing agreement between the provincial and federal governments, and proposed amendments to the Building Code Act.

The annual inspection report on the municipality’s sewage treatment plant was received from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy. No problems were noted.

Correspondence regarding the Winter Cities Forum 2003 was received from the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

An update on activities of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation was received from that organization.

Correspondence outlining employee concerns regarding reorganization plans of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation was received.

A request for support of a resolution respecting the pediatric cardio-vascular surgery program at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario was received from the Village of Merrickville-Walford.

Council was advised that the Ministry of Natural Resources was now prepared to convey to the municipality a narrow strip of land adjacent to Lookout Drive to allow upgrading of that road which will provide access to a proposed subdivision on neighbouring lands, and that the developer has agreed to reimburse the municipality for the costs to be incurred.

Moved by Vince Vernelli

Seconded by B.W. Hall

Be it resolved that we do proceed with the acquisition of part of Lot 2, Concession A from the Provincial Crown for road widening purposes. -cd.-

The costs of providing a community policing office were reviewed.

Council was advised that approval has been received under the Summer Jobs Service program for one part-time student position.

A number of matters related to the municipal marina was discussed.

The municipality’s regulations on the number and size of signs in the rural area were discussed. Council indicated support for maintaining the current regulations.

Moved by B.W. Hall

Seconded by Jody Wildman

Be it resolved that we do authorize payment of Voucher No. 2002-5B in the amount of $25,047.75.

-cd.-

Moved by Phil Sabine

Seconded by Vince Vernelli

Be it resolved that we do pass By-law No. 1744 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. -cd.-

Moved by Vince Vernelli

Seconded by B.W. Hall

Be it resolved that we do adjourn to meet again on June 18^th, 2002 or at the call of the Reeve. -cd.-

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REEVE-Lorraine Aelick 

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CLERK-A. Michael Jagger