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Council Minutes - May 13/09
May 3, 2009
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
May 13th, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Stevens and Councillors Crack, Hope and Sullivan. Councillor Marziale was absent with notice.
Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to approve the minutes of the April 8th, 2009 meeting as presented.
Carried
09-46 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher #09-04 in the amount of $67,083.45.
Carried
The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. One item was closed and work is proceeding on others. Considerable work has been done at Forbes Community Park. The big sign will have to be repainted and signage will have to be placed along the boardwalk indicating no bicycles. Further work can be done in the Park during the spring clean-up.
The Clerk’s Report was noted. It has been a busy time with year-end, budget, grant applications and start-up of the marina.
Councillor Crack provided an update on the work to save Matthews Memorial Hospital. Stage 2 has begun where they are looking at alternative models. A presentation will be made to the Northeast LHIN. The Steering Committee requested that all municipalities consider a resolution appointing the co-chairs of that committee to be the official spokespersons on rural health care.
09-47 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to endorse the resolution of the Health Care Steering Committee that the Steering Committee co-chairs are recognized as the official spokespersons in discussions on Rural Health Care.
Carried
The Ministry of Finance provided a workbook on the OMPF funding and the Social Programs Cost Report. It is estimated that the savings to the Village in 2009 will be $9,000 due to uploading.
Correspondence was received from the Township of Hilton indicating that the rates for plowing and grading the dump road will be the same as the other contracted work has been for the Village. When the operating costs were shared on 50-50 basis the Township charged $50/hour for the dump road and $100 for the other roads. They also recommend that some work be done on the road.
09-48 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to accept the rate for plowing and grading of the dump road at the rate of $100 per hour.
Carried
The annual request was received from the Tilt’n Hilton regarding the extension of their liquor licence for Community Night. This has always worked well as it allows for more room for the patrons.
09-49 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to support the application of the Tilt’n Hilton Steakhouse & Beverage Co for a temporary extension to their liquor licence for Community Night on August 1st, 2009.
Carried
Copies of a letter were received from several ratepayers requesting Council to develop a plan to decrease the existing tax rates. Reduction of the tax rate was identified as a priority in the 2006 Community Plan as well as petitioning the Province to increase the OMPF funding to the level calculated by the Province to be the appropriate level. This did not happen until 2009, making it impossible to reduce the tax rate.
Correspondence between the Chair of the Museum Board and the Clerk of the Township of St. Joseph regarding the composition of the Museum Board was considered. There has been a problem with achieving quorum for Board meetings. Currently the Village is short one representative.
09-50 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to appoint Jane Sullivan to serve on the Museum Board as Council’s representative. Lavera Crack will continue to serve as a member and the third Village position will be advertised.
Carried
The Minister Responsible for Seniors provided information on Seniors’ Month.
09-51 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to proclaim June as Seniors’ Month.
Carried
Notification was received that the Trefry Centre will once again be honouring seniors with a barbecue during Seniors’ Month. All persons who are sixty or older or disabled are invited to attend the BBQ at the Legion on June 9th. People are encouraged to call the Trefry Centre to confirm attendance.
The Central Algoma Freshwater Coalition provided information on their organization. Council decided not to join at this time.
Brookfield Power provided information on the temporary closure of the Compensating Works Gate #1 to allow for repairs. Work will be done to reduce the negative impact on the fish. There will be a come and go information session on May 20 at the Waterfront Inn (formerly Holiday Inn).
A letter was received from Ray Stortini confirming that the Lighthouse dedication will take place on May 30th at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. A representative will attend on behalf of Council.
Notice that the annual meeting of the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation will be held at the Island Springs Golf Course on June 16th.
The annual temporary borrowing by-law was presented.
09-52 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to adopt By-law #972 being a by-law to authorize the borrowing of money to meet the current expenditures of the Village of Hilton Beach.
Carried
It was confirmed that the tippage free weekend at the landfill would be from May 16 – 18.
The Village clean-up will be held on May 20th starting at 7:00 p.m. Work can be done at Forbes Park, the hall grounds and along Marks St. The streets will be swept by Kari Contracting this year so there will be no need to manually sweep them. However the garbage pick-up and other clean-up work can be done.
The proposal for the Enabling Accessibility Fund was considered. The funding is for up to $50,000 with no matching requirements to ensure facilities are upgraded to meet the accessibility requirements that will come into effect in 2010. The proposal includes a chair lift to the lower level of the Hilton Hall, upgrading of the entrance to the older portion of The Waterfront Centre and the required automatic door openers and lever door handles for the municipal buildings.
09-53 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to endorse the application to the Enabling Accessibility Fund in the amount of $58,655.
Carried
The proposal for the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund was considered. These grants are cost shared equally among the three levels of government. The Village’s share will be funded from various sources including reserves and donations. The project is to upgrade the Hilton Hall including the HVAC system, kitchen, roof, alarm system and windows (there are still eight single pane windows). If full funding is not received the projects will be prioritized. The projects can be completed over a two year period.
09-54 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to endorse the application to the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund in the amount of $153,170.
Carried
The draft budget as prepared by the Administration Finance Committee was presented. The budget will eliminate the remainder of the deficit, continue to reduce the loans on schedule and result in a 5% reduction in the residential tax rate. This is primarily achieved through the additional funding received under the OMPF grant and the increase in assessment. Further advances should be achieved in 2010 as the OMPF funding is to remain at this level and 2009 is the last year that the municipalities will be responsible for the operating and capital costs of Algoma Manor.
The sewer and water rates were both increased by $3 per month to offset the additional capital costs. The Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (new mandated licensing system) will cost money both this year and next. Thus the new monthly rate per unit is $38 and the sewer rate is $43. This works out to $2.66 per day per unit for water and sewer together and the increase is $72 per year per unit or 20 cents per day. Since the Walkerton incident the requirements for operation of water systems have increased considerably and continue to do so. The costs of the new licensing requirements are still not completely known.
Council made no changes to the draft budget. The Museum Board and Library Board budgets were incorporated into the Village budget as presented and thus are approved.
09-55 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adopt By-law #973 being a by-law to provide for the adoption of the current estimates and tax rates for 2009 and to provide for penalty and interest in default of payment thereof.
Carried
Council had to go into closed meeting to discuss a personnel issue and to choose the Senior of the Year to be honoured at the Seniors’ BBQ.
09-56 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to go into closed meeting.
Carried
09-57 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to return to open meeting.
Carried
09-58 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to hire Dave Leishman to do routine repair and maintenance duties for the Village.
Carried
09-59 Moved by R. Hope Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to adopt By-law #974 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held on May 13th, 2009 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
09-60 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by R. Hope
Resolved to adjourn to meet again June 10th, 2009 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried
VILLAGE SPRING CLEAN-UP
The spring clean-up will be held on May 20th starting at 7:00 p.m. To help with the coordination and disbursement of garbage bags etc. everyone can meet at the workshop behind the hall at 7:00 p.m. If you can’t join until later just go to your location of your choice and pitch-in. Please bring gloves, a rake and any other tools that you think would be useful.
APPRECIATION CORNER
To those who worked at removing the dead trees at Forbes Community Park. The area is now improved in appearance and safety.
To the Island Cast-a Weighs, the SJI Lions Club, the Community Quilters, Shawna-lee Sullivan and the Trefry Centre for writing letters of support for the Enabling Accessibility Fund proposal.
MUSEUM BOARD MEMBER
The Village needs to appoint one more person to the Museum Board. If you have an interest in Island history and wish to serve on the Board please do send a letter of interest to the Village Office. If you have any questions on the Museum, the function of the Board and the scope of the duties of serving on the Board please do contact Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Crack or Board Chair Annette Fischer.
