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Council Minutes - Dec 13/06
December 13, 2006
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
December 13th, 2006
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Hore and Councillors Crack and Hope. Councillors Stevens and Sullivan advised that they would be late.
06-108 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minutes of the November 8th, 2006 meeting as presented.
Carried
Councillor Stevens arrived at this time.
06-109 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #06-11 in the amount of $39,945.36.
Carried
The Problem Detail Sheet was reviewed. There were no additions or deletions.
The Clerks Report was reviewed. The new accounting program has been installed and data transferred. This program will facilitate billing for water and sewer so will save time.
The Landfill Report showed that things are slowing down now at that facility.
Councillor Sullivan arrived at this time.
Information was received from Infrastructure Ontario on the Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative. The deadline for applications is February 5, 2007.
Congratulations on the recent election results were received from Premier McGuinty, Minister Gerretsen and Leader of the Official Opposition John Tory.
Notification was received that the Village WSIB rate for 2007 is $1.61 per $100 in wages, a decrease from $1.64 in 2006.
The OCWA report on capital repairs for 2007 includes moving the chlorine/ turbidity analyser from the hall to the well pumping station and the installation of an auto dialler in the well pumping station, manhole and pump station cleaning and UPS packs for the water and sewer systems.
Kresin Engineering advises that the Operators Manual for the Villages drinking water system has been updated to incorporate the requirements outlined in the latest drinking water inspection report.
Notification was received from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing that the Official Plan has been screened and determined complete and circulated to the various Ministries for review and comment. It is on the Environmental Bill of Rights website with the registry number 1F06E2049. The website address is www.ene.gov.on.ca and follow the links to the registry.
Notice was received from the Township of Jocelyn of that Councils decision to withdraw from the St. Joseph Island Planning Board.
The inspection report on the landfill was received from the Ministry of the Environment. The need for a litter maintenance program and a firebreak were noted. It was also suggested that the area for larger items be reduced and that the site be surveyed to clearly identify all areas.
The snow plowing contract for municipal buildings was renewed again with Stevens Bros. Contracting with a 3% increase.
Correspondence was received from the Policing Committee commending St. Joseph Township for the lights at Kents Corner. The Committee is working on better signage at the two three-way stops on the Island.
Information on the changes to the structure of Emergency Management Ontario was received. There will be more field officers and an increase in the number of sectors.
Correspondence was received from the Algoma Health Unit and the Town of Bruce Mines in support of the appointment of Gordon Post to that Board. No other expressions of interest were received.
06-110 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to support the appointment of Gordon Post as area representative on the Algoma Health Unit Board.
Seconded
Appointment to the Algoma Services Administration Board were not considered as the meeting was also on December 13th and thus no one could attend.
The possibility of opening the launrdomat in The Waterfront Centre for use by the residents was discussed. This would only be for the period in which the facility at the Hilton Beach Tourist Park is closed for the season. While Council members wanted to provide a service to the residents there were concerns about additional costs of opening and closing if certain operating hours were set and of possible damage to the facility if it was left open. It was recognized that this would not be revenue generator as the funds received would be used to offset the costs of power, propane and cleaning. This would be an additional service for the community. It was decided to leave the facility open for the convenience of the users. However if a problem should occur Council would reconsider the provision of service. It is expected that all residents will keep an eye on the facility when they are in the area. There are only three washers and four dryers so people may have to wait on occasion. Councillor Hope asked for a recorded vote.
06-111 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to open the launrdomat at The Waterfront Centre for public use for a trial period.
Carried
Crack - Yes; Hope No; Stevens - Yes; Sullivan - Yes; Hore Yes
06-112 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to request the supply of 100 tonnes of treated sand for the 2006 2007 season.
Carried
The insurance policy was received. Although the premium was up $215, the property coverage had increased by $170,000. Council chose not to purchase the critical accident insurance for Council members.
06-113 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to accept the insurance policy for 2007 as presented by Algoma Insurance in the amount of $26,460.
Carried
The statements for 2005 were received. As Council members did not have time to review them they will be considered at a future meeting.
06-114 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to accept the financial statements for the year 2005 as prepared by Dennis Thompson Professional Corporation.
Carried
The appointment by-law was reviewed. Members are needed for the Recreation Committee and a representative for the SJI Advisory Committee on Services for Seniors and the Physically Disabled. The appointment by-law will be finalized at the January meeting.
06-115 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to appoint Wilfred Stevens to the St. Joseph Island Planning Board.
Carried
Information on the pilot project to coordinate the Algoma Planning Table for the Local Health Integrated Network System which will be the administering body overseeing the allocation of the provincial health care dollars. Heidi Barton, Program Manager for the Trefry Centre, has indicated an interest in serving.
06-116 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to support the appointment of Heidi Barton to the Algoma Planning Table, which will plan and prioritize the health care needs of the area.
Carried
During every term of Council, the decision on whether or not the Council wishes to consider one-third of the remuneration to be expenses and therefore non-taxable must be reviewed. For municipalities such as the Village where the remuneration is very low this is reasonable while in the municipalities where the members of Council participate in the OMERS pension plan, it is better to consider the whole amount as taxable and pensionable.
06-117 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to maintain the designation of one-third of the Council remuneration as expenses pursuant to Section 283(7) of the Municipal Act.
Carried
Transfers to reserve funds have to be made at the end of each year.
06-118 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from operations of the Incorporated Village of Hilton Beach for 2006 to Account #2311 the Reserve for Working Funds.
Carried
06-119 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from operations of the Hilton Union Fire Board for 2006 to the Reserve for the Hilton Union Fire Board Expenditures.
Carried
06-120 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from the sale of property in 2006 to Account #2318 the Reserve for Repayment of the Capital Loan for Waterfront Development.
Carried
06-121 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from operations of sewer and water systems for 2006 to Account #2324 the Reserve for Sewer and Water Operations.
Carried
06-122 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from operations of the Recreation Committee for 2006 to Account #2314 the Reserve for Recreation Working Funds.
Carried
06-123 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from the capital projects of the Recreation Committee for 2006 to Account #2313 the Reserve for Recreation Capital.
Carried
06-124 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus from the Open Air Market for 2006 to Account #2315 the Reserve for Special Events and Projects.
Carried
06-125 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus or deficit from the operations of the Summer Festival for 2006 to Account #2315 the Reserve for Special Events and Projects.
Carried
06-126 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any surplus from the operations of Arts at the Dock for 2006 to Account #2315 the Reserve for Special Events and Projects.
Carried
06-127 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any donations made for special projects in 2005 and 2006 to Account #2315 the Reserve for Special Events and Projects.
Carried
06-128 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to authorize the transfer of any donations made for the Jail restoration in 2005 and 2006 to Account #2317 the Reserve for Jail Restoration.
Carried
For a considerable time Council has been concerned about the unfairness of the funding formula that determines the level of funding each municipality receives. There was an error in the formula for the Village under the Community Reinvestment Fund and this was finally addressed in 2006. However, the funding received under the new program is based on the level received under the old CRF program so the Village continues to be negatively impacted. Council authorized the Clerk to prepare a submission to the Ombudsman to ask for a review of the phase-in aspect of the funding formula. Council reviewed the draft and authorized the submission.
06-129 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to submit the request to the Ombudsman to review the phase-in provision of the funding formula for the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
Carried
The need for high-speed Internet service at the Office has been known for some time. Jake Cormier has worked to get the signal from the Waterfront Centre to the Office but there is no clear line of sight, which is needed. Downloading of material from the government websites, updates to the accounting program, etc. require faster service than is available through dial-up.
06-130 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the acquisition of satellite high-speed Internet service for the Municipal Office to a maximum cost of $600.
Carried
Office closure during the holidays was considered. It will reopen on January 2, 2007.
06-131 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to close the Office from December 18th to December 29th inclusive.
Carried
Councillor Crack provided an update on the peddler issue. The company involved is looking into the behaviour of its agents/employees.
Council had to go into closed meeting to discuss an issue protected under the Act.
06-132 Moved by . Sullivan Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to go into closed meeting.
Carried
06-133 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to return to open meeting.
Carried
06-134 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to accept the resignation of Greg Marshall as Marina Manager.
Carried
06-135 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #890 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on December 13th, 2006 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
06-136 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on January 10th, 2007 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried
SEASONS GREETINGS
Council and staff wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2007. May you enjoy your family and friends during the holiday season.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
To Raymond Schryer who won two silver medals for violin and viola at the bi-annual instrument making competition for the Violin Society of America. He received the highest marks for workmanship competing with over three hundred instruments entered from around the world.
APPRECIATION CORNER
To Joe Books for his work as Community Emergency Management Coordinator. He is instrumental in keeping the Village in compliance with Emergency Management Ontario.
To the ladies who decorated the poles and boats on Marks St. It makes the street look very festive. The festive decorators included Ghislaine Books, Donna Lambert, Norma Shell, Mary Stevens and Joan Soucie.
To the people who helped setting up, preparing, serving and tearing down for the Seniors and Retired persons Luncheon that was held on December 2nd including Tanya Alexander, Pat Davey, Annette Fischer, Helen Hope, Sherry Hoover, Lydia Hore, Lori Parr, Roby Parr and Joanne Springer.
To all those who have decorated their homes for the season.
LAUNDROMAT
The laundromat at The Waterfront will be available for public use. There are three washers and four dryers. There are no dispensers for soap or fabric softener so users will have to bring these items with them.
This is open for a trial period to determine whether the service is needed and whether there will be any problems with leaving the building unattended.
People are asked not to use these machines for oily or very dirty items such as work clothes.
People will be expected to leave the facility tidy.
All residents are asked to keep an eye on the facility. It is to be used for laundry only and not as a hangout.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
A representative is needed for the Advisory Committee for the Trefry Centre. If you are interested, please submit a short note to Council.
Members are needed for the Recreation Committee. There is especially a need for people with young children or youth interested in programming for children. As well if someone has a particular interest in programming for the 11 15 year olds that would be most welcome. Please submit an indication of interest to Council. You may contact the Clerk with any questions that you may have.
