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Council Minues - July 4/07
July 4, 2007
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
July 4, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Hore and Councillors Crack, Hope, Stevens and Sullivan.
07-80 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to approve the minutes of the May 22nd, 2007 joint meeting as presented.
Carried
07-81 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minutes of the May 30th, 2007 meeting as presented.
Carried
07-82 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to approve the minutes of the June 6th, 2007 meeting as presented.
Carried.
07-83 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #07-6 in the amount of $86,492.44.
Carried
The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. Two items were closed and no new ones opened.
The Clerks Report was considered. The new accounts receivable and payroll modules have been installed and are operational. Although time consuming at the time it will save considerable time from now on. The Administration and Finance Committee has been meeting to work on the budget. The audit has been started but is not complete. The special activities for the summer have started.
The landfill report was noted. The site was busy with $258 in tippage fees and $19 in sales. The money from the sales will be used in the summer recreation program for children. This program is open to all children at not cost.
The marina statement indicates that the marina will have an excellent season. While it is expected that U. S. transient traffic will be down due to the strength of the Canadian dollar and the price of fuel, the seasonal revenue is up and if the weather cooperates Canadian transient traffic will be good.
Notification was received that the final payment from OSTAR will be processed for the water system upgrades.
Tony Martin, Member of Parliament, requested support for his effort to have a passport office located in Sault Ste. Marie. Passports can be processed much faster at a passport office. Now, if there is a need for quick processing, the applicant has to travel to one such as Toronto.
07-84 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to petition the Federal Government to establish a passport office in Sault Ste. Marie.
Carried
The Municipality of Huron East circulated a resolution petitioning the Province to improve the response time for approvals to carry out the work for the amendments to the Certificates of Approval for upgrades to the water systems. One Branch of the Ministry of the Environment is requiring work to be done by a certain date and another Branch that has to approve the plans is not processing the requests in time to meet the deadlines.
07-85 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to support the position of the Municipality of Huron East protesting the time to acquire Certificates of Approval required for water and sewer systems.
Carried
Information was provided by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services on the obligations of municipalities under the mandatory emergency management program as legislated by the Ontario Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
A copy of correspondence from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to the Township of Jocelyn regarding their concerns with the new Official Plan was received. The Ministry agreed to consider any locally generated proposals regarding the composition of the Planning Board.
Correspondence from the Planning Board to the Township of St. Joseph requested that the time and other expenses for the provision of planning services be tracked for one year. This is in response to queries raised at the joint Council meeting.
The agreement for funding for the Asset Management Program was considered. This program is shared equally by all three levels of government with each paying up to $3,440 and will be used to determine the value of municipal assets in preparation for the new reporting requirements.
07-86 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by W. Stevens
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #908 being a by-law to authorize an agreement for the COMRIF Asset Management Program.
Carried
The amended fees by-law was tabled including the proposed changes that had been discussed previously. The water and sewer usage rates were raised to reflect the increased costs of operating the systems. The water increased from $29 per month to $35 and the sewer from $37 to $40. Notice has been provided that more changes are coming that will increase the operating costs. This results in a cost of just a little over $1/day per household for each of the water and sewer. The cost to deposit a tire at the landfill increased to $3 to cover the costs of having them removed from the site. As well, there will be a $3 charge for computer monitors as that is the fee paid to Clean North by the Village to accept them. The fee to accept a U.S. cheque changed to $15.
07-87 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #909 being a by-law to set the fees and charges for certain services.
Carried
The draft budget was considered. The Administration Finance Committee had worked on several drafts. The levy to the Algoma District Services Board had increased for services such as social housing, social assistance and land ambulance. Council had previously agreed to spread the Villages share of the Algoma Manor redevelopment over three years with this being the first year.
07-88 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the budget estimates for 2007 as finalized.
Carried
07-89 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #910 being a by-law to adopt the current estimates and tax rates for 2007 and to provide for penalty and interest in default of payment thereof.
Carried
While the expenditures increased 11%, the tax rate went up 7%. The increase in expenditures was offset by an increase in assessment, grants and reductions in expenditures in some categories.
Of the increase in expenditures 28% was due to higher levy from Algoma District Services Administration Board, 25% for the payment for the redevelopment of Algoma Manor, 35% for the asset management program (reduced to 11.5% after the grant), 7% for hall operating (mainly power) and 3.5% for the new accident policy for employees.
07-90 Moved by W. Stevens Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to give first, second and third readings to By-law #911 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held July 4th, 2007 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
07-91 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adjourn to meet again on July 25th, 2007 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried
APPRECIATION CORNER
To the Fire Department volunteers who put up the Market tent.
To Jack Hore, Cory Furlong, Richard Laude and Lori Parr who helped the Recreation Committee with the setup of the Garage Sale.
To those who donated items to the Garage Sale. The $283.72 that was raised will be used for the summer program.
To Lydia Hore for the donation of the porcelain doll for a Community Night prize.
SENIOR OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Ona McCarty who was chosen as the Villages Senior of the year for her many years of service to the community. One example is that she has baked six to eight pies for Community Night every year.
RECREATION PROGRAM
The summer program has started. Please watch for the posters. All children are welcome and there is no cost. Funds for all of the recreation activities are from fundraising and not taxation or fees. If you have children, grandchildren or visitors please get them involved.
Childrens program runs Tuesday to Friday with a mixture of games, sports and crafts. There is a weekly art skills workshop on Tuesdays starting at 7 p.m. for those 8 years to adult. Again, everyone is welcome.
Other special activities will be advertised throughout the summer watch for the posters.
The recreation program is fully funded with fundraising events such as Community Night, food sales at special events, garage sales and sales of items at the Landfill.
COMMUNITY NIGHT
Community Night is Aug. 4th. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Village Office. There is a wide variety of tasks some before the event and some during. As always, there is a need for pies for the pie booth. Hopefully eveyone will receive a phone call for pies but if for some reason you are missed, please do not hesitate to bake! Set up on the street will be on Thursday and Friday evenings and preparation for the supper will be on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the day and help is always welcome.
OPEN AIR MARKET
The Open air Market is operating again on Saturdays between 9 and 2. Be sure to drop by and check out the various vendors. The profit from the table rentals and produce sales always go to a Village project. The large chess and checker sets that area at The Waterfront Centre are available to all to use just ask the marina staff and they will get them out for you. The proceeds from two years were used to purchase the Husqvarna lawn tractor and trailer which is being used to maintain the Village and set up for special events. Thus you can get fresh produce and support the Village at the same time!
