Council Minutes May 9/12

May 9, 2012

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
May 9th, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Stevens and Councillors Barich, Crack, Fiegehen and Hope.

12-46 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by C. Barich
Resolved to approve the minutes of the April 11th, 2012 meeting as presented with the correction that the Confirming By-law (Resolution #12-44) is #1046.
Carried

12-47 Moved by V. Fiegehen Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #12-4 in the amount of $28,674.50.
Carried

The Project Summary was reviewed. One item was removed as the marina sign has been refurbished. Another was added as curbs will be placed in the Waterfront Centre parking lot to delineate the parking area and to prevent people parking on the grass.

The Clerk’s Report was noted. Preparation for the audit and budget as well as preliminary work for the summer special events and activities were primary tasks including Invoicing for seasonal dockage. The Administration-Finance Committee has met to work on the budget. The objective is to have it prepared for passage at the June meeting.

Information was received from the Mayors Coalition for Affordable, Sustainable and Accountable Policing. There is concern Province-wide regarding the escalating costs of OPP policing. For example policing costs for the Village rose 30% in 2012. The group has been and wants to continue to lobby for some control over these escalating policing costs. They asked for $1,000 from each of the 343 municipalities that have OPP policing. While Council is supportive of the efforts of this group they did not believe that any fee should be the same for all but based according to size as the policing costs are.

12-48 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to donate $50.00 to the Mayors Coalition for Affordable, Sustainable and Accountable Policing.
Carried

A request was received from the Central Algoma Steering Committee for municipal input into the continuing role, if any, of this committee. They have worked at saving Matthews Memorial Hospital and on other aspects of local health care such as the blood services clinics. They are also involved in the ongoing discussions on the integration of Matthews and Thessalon Hospitals with the Blind River Hospital rather than Sault Area Hospital for administration purposes. This does not affect usage of the Sault Area Hospital by area residents.

12-49 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by C. Barich
Resolved to continue to support the Central Algoma Steering Committee in their role of standing up for rural health care.
Carried

Correspondence was received from the Township of Jocelyn regarding health care. Council concurs with their desire to have blood services reinstated to both hospitals.


12-50 Moved by V. Fiegehen Seconded by C. Barich
Resolved to support in principle the resolution of the Township of Jocelyn regarding the reinstatement of blood services at Matthews Memorial Hospital and Thessalon Hospital.
Carried

A request for funding was received from the Matthews Memorial Hospital Association towards doctor recruitment. This will be included in the budget deliberations.

Notification was received from Tulloch Engineering that the per hour costs will increase from $65 to $70 per hour and mileage will remain the same at $0.50/km for the provision of building inspection services.

The Museum Board budget was tabled. There is a 9% increase to meet additional expenses.

12-51 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by C. Barich
Resolved to approve the St. Joseph Island Museum Board budget with the Village share being $1,547.85.
Carried

An update was received from the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional on the READ program. The intern is primarily responsible to the Sault Innovation Centre with READ contributing $1,000 towards the cost.

12-52 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by V. Fiegehen
Resolved to approve the Village share of the READ budget in the amount of $13.40.
Carried

A presentation was received requesting support for the campaign to protest the closure of three tourist information centres in Northern Ontario. These centres are very effective in promoting local businesses, attractions and events. Without them the travelling public will be more likely to travel trough to the large centres without enjoying the smaller communities along the way.

12-53 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to support in principle the campaign to lobby government to reverse the decision to close three Tourism Information Centres in Northwestern Ontario.
Carried

An invitation was received from War of 1812 Algoma to the Commemorative Event of the capture of Fort Michilimackinac during the War of 1812 on July 17th at Fort St. Joseph.

Information was received from the Ministry of the Environment on the transition of accreditation bodies under the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program. Effective July 1, 2012 the Canadian General Standards Board will no longer be designated as an accreditation body for this purpose. New accreditation bodies will be appointed shortly.

A list of places where the Sault Ste. Marie Visitors Guide is available was received. The Village has advertised in this publication which is widely distributed to those asking for information as well as the Tour Train, all major hotels and motels, tourist information centres, incoming guests at conventions and conferences, etc.

A resolution was sent by the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional regarding the extraordinary powers of the Ontario Society of Prevention and Cruelty of Animals. It allows the SPCA to seize animals that appear to be in distress with no guidance on what constitutes “distress”. The fact that the inspectors who lay charges or seize animals are paid with donations raised by publicity through the sale of seized animal which is seen to be a conflict of interest. It is recommended that new legislation be drafted.

12-54 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by V. Fiegehen
Resolved to support in principle the resolution of the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Additional requesting the Provincial Government to consider new legislation that will ensure an approach to animals’ welfare that protects animals but is also aware of agricultural practices and is open to government oversight.
Carried

There is a requirement for a municipality with the number of employees that the Village has to appoint a health and safety representative. As the Village has one full time person the Clerk-Treasurer will be appointed.

12-55 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by V Fiegehen
Resolved to appoint Gloria Fischer, Clerk-Treasurer, as the health and safety representative for the Village of Hilton Beach.
Carried

New signage in the Village is being prepared and installed. It will present a better image of the Village. Funding is potentially available to assist with the costs.

12-56 Moved by C. Barich Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to apply to the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation’s Discretionary Fund for $3,000 towards the new signage for the Village.
Carried

The Fire Department budget was presented for consideration. There was a small increase to each municipality. In 2011 the used pumper was purchased and in 2012 breathing apparatus will be purchased. The pumper was bought from funds in the reserve fund. In 2011 and again in 2012 $20,000 was budgeted for the reserve funds for future purchases. The Fire Board had recommended the budget for approval.

12-57 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by V. Fiegehen
Resolved to approve the budget of the Hilton Union Fire Department with the Village share being $25,312.50
Carried

Councillor Crack presented a copy of the new policy manual for the Hilton Union Public Library. It outlines everyone’s roles and responsibilities.

Councillor Barich reported positive feedback from residents about the newly refurbished marina sign.

Council had to go into closed meeting to choose a “senior of the year”.

12-58 Moved by C. Barich Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to go into closed meeting to consider the following subject matter in accordance with the Municipal Act S.239(2): personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
Carried

12-59 Moved by V. Fiegehen Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to return to open meeting.
Carried

12-60 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adopt By-law #1047 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held May 9th, 2012 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried

12-61 Moved by V. Fiegehen Seconded by C. Barich
Resolved to adjourn to meet again June 6th, 2012 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried







PROBLEMS WITH FLUSHABLES


There have been problems at the sewage treatment plant with material plugging the pumps. It is imperative that the sewage system is not used for disposal of any cloths including those that may be advertised as disposable or flushable such as wipes to clean the kitchen. As well no liquids such as paint thinner, paint, oil should be flushed. All of the above causes expensive maintenance to the system and must be added to the levies to users. Just use the toilets to dispose of what they were designed to dispose of. Anything else should be disposed of either at the landfill or hazardous waste facility. This is critically important to the functioning of the system.


BURNING

Remember that you must have a Fire Permit to burn. There is no charge for the permit which details the guidelines.

Everything is still very dry and utmost care must be used. A person on the North Shore had a fire that got away and his bill from MNR alone was $20,000. There may also be one from the local Fire Department. Thus if your fire gets away there could be significant costs associated with putting it out as well as the damage.


APPRECIATION CORNER

• To all those involved with the launch of the boats last weekend. This operation which is completed by volunteers from the boating community is well organized and executed. Special thanks go to Cheryl and Keith Bayles for coordinating the project.

• To Jack Hore for all of his work to create the walking trails. Shortly the trails will have additional signage to ensure that no one takes a wrong turn. Jack has spent a great deal of time planning for and creating the trail system.

SUMMER EVENTS

Planning is beginning for the summer events. If you are able to help in any way please contact the office. Help is needed for each of the activities and there is certainly a great variety of tasks.