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St. Joseph Township October 15, 2002 Council met at the Municipal Administration Building at Richards Landing on the above date. Present were Reeve Lorraine Aelick; Councillors Wayne Van Sickle, Vince Vernelli and Jody Wildman; and Clerk/CAO Michael Jagger. Councillor Margaret Butters joined the meeting in progress. The meeting was opened with a prayer. Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Jody Wildman Be it resolved that we do adopt the minutes of the October 1, 2002 meeting as presented. -cd.- The joint recycling program was discussed. The Clerk was instructed to obtain a quotation for a sign to be placed at the waste disposal site to promote recycling. A draft letter to local businesses promoting recycling was also reviewed. Councillor Butters joined the meeting during the above discussion. The proposed by-law to prohibit the discharge of firearms in a portion of Richards Landing was again considered. It was noted that provincial statutes dealing with the safe use of firearms are already in place. Further discussion of the proposed by-law was therefore not felt to be necessary. Councillor Wildman presented a draft resolution respecting electrical power rates. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Whereas the Government of Ontario has divided the former Ontario Hydro into Hydro One (transmission) and Ontario Power Generation (generation) which were fully publicly owned assets, and Whereas privately held companies such as Great Lakes Power were forced to break up their operations and create separate generation and transmission companies, and Whereas the electricity market in Ontario was deregulated and opened to competition on May 1, 2002, and Whereas the Government of Ontario has committed to the sale of 20 per cent of Hydro One and 100 per cent of the assets of Ontario Power Generation, and Whereas the electricity generation and transmission was formerly regulated in order to provide power "at cost" to Ontario consumers, and Whereas the regulated electricity market in Ontario provided a competitive advantage to attract residents and business to this province, and Whereas under deregulation the Government of Ontario has mandated the Independent Market Operator to set prices subject to market forces rather than "at cost," and Whereas residents and businesses have seen prices for electricity soar since the introduction of deregulation to the Ontario market, and Whereas the deregulated electricity market in Ontario has seen the profits of electricity corporations maximized at the expense of the needs of Ontario consumers, and Whereas the deregulated electricity market in Ontario has been the profits of electricity corporations put ahead of environmental protection, and Whereas electricity is a necessity for all Ontarians, Therefore be it resolved that the assets and ownership of Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation be returned to public ownership and that privately held companies such as Great Lakes Power that had operated under the regulated system be allowed to re-constitute themselves as one entity as they see fit, and Be it further resolved that a renewed regulated electricity market in Ontario emphasize the need for environmentally friendly and sustainable options for the production and distribution of electricity, and Be it further resolved that the electricity market in Ontario be re-regulated in order to provide electricity to Ontario consumers "at cost" and to prevent the subjection of this essential service to the whims of the market. -cd.- Correspondence was received from AMO regarding proposed changes to the Municipal Elections Act and new flu control standards. Correspondence regarding the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program was received from the Secretary of State for Rural Development. Notice of approval of funding to assist with a winter tourism promotion project was received from the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation. A copy of proposed terms of reference for the seniors/disabled services advisory committee was received. Copies of the minutes of recent meetings of various local boards and committees were received. Mrs. Gail Murdock and Mr. John Wilkinson, Directors of the St. Joseph Island Economic Development Corporation, and Economic Development Intern Christ O’Brien, were in attendance to update Council on the activities of that organization. Notice of a workshop on road related issues under the new Municipal Act was received from the Ontario Good Roads Association. Requests for comments on two consent applications were received from the Planning Board. Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do advise the St. Joseph Island Planning Board that we have no objection to Consent Application #7/02 by the Estate of Myrtle Cooper, part of Lots 27 and 28, Concession A; subject to the usual conditions regarding payment of taxes and cash in lieu of parkland. -cd.- Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do advise the St. Joseph Island Planning Board that we have no objection to Consent Application #8/02 by Ken Littleton, part of Lot 3, Concession V. -cd.- Correspondence regarding tendering for proposed upgrades to the community’s water treatment plant was received from Kresin Engineering Corporation. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize Kresin Engineering Corporation to proceed with the calling of tenders for the upgrading of our water treatment plant in accordance with Section 2 of our Consolidated Certificate of Approval. -cd.- The possibility of holding an appreciation dinner for municipal staff and volunteer board and committee members was discussed. Notice of an upcoming festivals and events workshop to be held in Sault Ste. Marie was received. The Clerk was requested to provide information on this workshop to the Cornfest Committee and a number of other local organizations. Notice of their support of the concept of redevelopment of Algoma Manor to accommodate a 64 bed facility was received from the Algoma District Homes for the Aged Board. Correspondence regarding the OSTAR Option 1 initiative was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Formal approval of the municipality’s request to defer the start date for the Economic Development Intern project until next spring was received from FedNor. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize the Reeve and the Clerk/CAO to sign an amendment to our FedNor Youth Internship Program agreement. -cd.- A request that his lease of the storage building behind the Town Hall be terminated because of the new power rates was received from Bob Holmes. Council was agreeable. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do agree to terminate our lease agreement with Mr. Robert Holmes in regard to part of Lot 12, West side of Richards Street, Plan 503, as requested by Mr. Holmes. -cd.- The need for a special meeting to consider tenders for the construction of the proposed new marina services building was discussed. It was agreed that Council would meet on October 19, 2002 for that purpose. The anticipated operating costs and need for a business plan for that building was discussed. Council was informed that it had been determined that the names of the owners of land is protected personal information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will therefore no longer be provided to the public by municipal staff. It was noted however that the assessment roll will continue to be available for public inspection. The possibility of renting vehicles instead of paying mileage in some travel situations was discussed. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do go into closed session to consider a legal matter (9:40 p.m.). -cd.- Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do return to open meeting (9:55 p.m.). -cd.- An upcoming social in honour of Inspector Mark Andrews of the O.P.P. who has been promoted and transferred was noted. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize Councillor Butters to attend the social to be held on October 18, 2002 in honour of Inspector Mark Andrews. -cd.- Councillor Wildman reported on activities of the volunteer fire department. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do authorize payment of Voucher No. 2002-10A in the amount of $86,888.81. -cd.- Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do pass By-law No. 1765 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. -cd.- Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do adjourn to meet again on October 29, 2002. -cd.- __________________________________ REEVE-Lorraine Aelick __________________________________ CLERK-A. Michael Jagger
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