Council Minutes - Oct 4/06

October 4, 2006

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
October 4, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Reeve Hore and Councillors Crack and Stevens. Absent with notice was Councillor Hope. Councillor Sullivan had advised that she would be late.

06-96 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to approve the minutes of the September 6th, 2006 meeting as presented.
Carried

The Problem Detail Sheet was discussed. A ratepayer suggested that a checkerboard sign be placed at the Sixth St. and Birch St. intersection. Council agreed that this should be done, as it will help those who are unfamiliar with the area. The suggestion of a streetlight in this location and an improved light on Sixth St. will be considered at budget time. Councillor Crack presented a list prepared by a caterer who uses the hall of items recommended for kitchen as well as other suggestions for maintenance.

Reeve Hore declared a conflict of interest on the next item and Councillor Stevens assumed the chair.

06-97 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #06-09 in the amount of $75,135.06.
Carried

The Clerks Report was reviewed. Considerable work was accomplished in this past month. Without a capital project for the first time in five years in the fall and winter it is expected that the workload will lighten and things will be done in a more timely manner.

The September Landfill Report was noted. After a busy summer the volume is decreasing somewhat.

The Marina Statement was reviewed. Fuels sales are lower than in 2005, transient dockage is about the same while seasonal dockage is up. A complete comparative statement for the season will be available at the next meeting.

The Municipal Groundwater Source Protection Pre-screening Survey has been completed by Harden Environmental. There are no apparent threats to the Hilton Beach water supply. The source water protection map has been included in the new Official Plan. The Ministry of the Environment concurred with the Villages request that the remaining money from the grant be spend on locating any wells that were not decommissioned after the municipal system was built. The funding for the pre-screening was fully funded by the Province.

The annual report by the Ministry of the Environment on the water system was reviewed. A couple of administrative deficiencies were noted which must be corrected - copies of some documents were not available such as O Reg 170-03, there was no written emergency contingency plan, OCWA has to update contact information and the operations manual must be updated. These will all be completed within the specified timeline.

The report did include verification that the Ministry of the Environment has concurred that the Villages water supply is not groundwater under the influence of surface water (GUDI). Council has been actively pursuing this designation for a couple of years. It does mean that an ultraviolet system will not have to be installed which will save an estimated cost of over $200,000 because in addition to the system itself, the well pumping station would have to be modified and the electrical system upgraded. With this decision, once the new Certificate of Approval is received the OSTAR water project can be finalized thus completing another capital project. The savings to the Village will be the capital costs, interest costs, as OSTAR is extremely slow in processing payments and administration time.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs inquired as to the timing of the 2005 statements and Financial Information Return. They will be completed shortly. A combination of workload and scheduling has made it late again this year. It is expected that now that the capital projects are finished the reports will be completed on time.

The revised draft surveys for the sale of portions of laneways and road allowance were reviewed and approved. Now the intent to stop up, close and sell these portions will be advertised.

Ron LeBlanc, the Building Inspector, suggested that a modification to the building permit requirements be considered. Council agreed with this suggestion.

06-98 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved that a building permit not be required when replacing exterior cladding components with similar materials for aesthetic or maintenance purposes i.e. similar roof shingles, siding or replacement windows when the identical size is being reinstalled.
Carried

Use of the launrdomat during the winter by the general public was discussed. The launrdomat is for boaters only when there is a privately owned facility in the community. However there have been requests by residents to use the one in the Waterfront Centre once the one in the Trailer Park is closed for the season. As well there is a handicapped shower in each washroom that may be used by people in the community who find it hard to use a regular shower or tub. It was decided to wait until after the boats are out for storage to see how snow removal can be handled to allow people to park on the lower level. The topic will be discussed again at the November meeting.

Councillor Stevens brought forward a request from ratepayers that the fall hours of the landfill be changed to allow for the Wednesday hours to continue until mid November. During discussion it was decided that it would be difficult to make changes for this fall but that it will be considered for 2007.

06-99 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #887 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on October 4th, 2006 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried

06-100 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on November 8th, 2006 or at the call of the Reeve.
Carried






COUNCIL

The following have been acclaimed to office for a four-year term.

Reeve Jack Hore

Councillors Lavera Crack, Robert Hope, Wilfred Stevens and Jane Sullivan

School Board Brent Rankin


APPRECIATION CORNER

To the St. Joseph Island Lions Club for the donation towards the cost of the Community Night power project.

To the St. Joseph Island Arts Association for giving the Hilton Beach Recreation Committee the opportunity to organize the Giant Christmas Craft Show. The Committee has asked the Hilton Union Public Library to provide the lunch and the Childrens Library to be responsible for the door as has been done in previous years. This is a fundraiser for the two libraries. The show will be on November 4th form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thus by attending the show you will be supporting the Recreation Committee and both Libraries as well as finding unique items for Christmas decorating and gifts.

To George Olmstead for his suggestions for the Birch St South St. intersection which will improve safety and the streetlight upgrade.

To Carol Nattress and Liz MacDonald for their suggestions for the hall.



WINTER SAFETY

Remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors this fall.

Ensure that your chimney and pipes are cleaned for the winter.