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Council Minutes - Sept 9/09
September 9, 2009
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HILTON BEACH
Council Meeting
September 9th, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Stevens and Councillors Crack, Marziale and Sullivan. Councillor Hope was absent with notice.
09-93 Moved by T. Marziale Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to approve the minutes of the August 13th, 2009 meeting as presented.
Carried
09-94 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to authorize payment of Voucher 09-08 in the amount of $119,748.49.
Carried
A request was received from the Soo Mill Road Commission for a grant to do some work on Soo Mill Road. As Mr. Phillip Duffield was in attendance, the item was moved up on the agenda. This is a private road. Prior to a change in legislation, municipalities could not do or pay for any work on private roads or they would become municipal responsibility. Now it is possible to either provide funding or material and/or equipment without assuming any ongoing responsibility. Councillor Marziale summarized his meeting with representatives of the group indicating that they were not intending to bring the road up to standard but to make it passable. Two quotes were provided for information. After discussion it was decided that a grant would be provided to the Commission with the amount to be determined during budget discussions.
The Problem Detail Sheet Summary was reviewed. The manhole cover on Mariners’ Way has been re-positioned so that item is closed. Councillor Crack noted that the book drop box has to be installed at the Library.
The Clerk’s Report was noted. August was a busy month with much accomplished.
The marina report was reviewed. The revenue adjusting for the difference in fuel, is comparable to last year. Fuel revenue was much higher in 2008 but so was the cost of fuel. It is encouraging to have the sales at this level during the difficult economic times.
The landfill report was considered. Mr. Laude has continued to sort and bring items to both the recycling bins at the corner and the hazardous waste site in the Sault. There was a brief discussion of the sale items and what to do with the material that is not selling. Council will discuss this with Mr. Laude when he attends a meeting in the future.
Notification was received from the Clean Marine Program which is part of the Green Leaf Program for commercial entities. The marina has had a “three leaf” rating and after the inspection this summer has been awarded a “four leaf” rating out of the maximum of five. The marina’s overall Eco-Rating Checklist score was 90.4%. There were suggestions for additional measures such as setting environmental performance goals for the proper handling of hazardous substances and reduced use of toxics and monitoring for progress towards these goals.
An update was provided on the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review. It indicates that while the full uploading to the Province will not be completed until 2018, the majority of the costs will be transferred within the next two years. It is expected that for 2010 the projected municipal savings from the scheduled uploads of social assistance benefits will offset the financial impact of possible increases to social assistance case loads associated with the current economic downturn.
Confirmation was received for funding of the employee at the Hilton Web Connection from the Community Access Program. This funding is retroactive to April 1st and runs until March 31, 2010.
Information was received from the Trefry Centre on the Meals on Wheels program that provided hot, healthy meals to disabled persons or persons sixty years of age or older for $4.75 each. Gift certificates can be purchased in advance.
The monthly maintenance reports were received from the Ontario Clean Water Agency. The next cycle of lead testing will be held on September 21st.
There will be a seminar on the Federal Gas Tax Program in the Sault on October 28th offered by AMO at no charge The Clerk will attend.
Information was received from AMO and Tony Martin, M.P. regarding the rural broadband program. ADnet is pursuing both broadband and cellular service for unserviced areas in Algoma.
The Soo Mill road situation had been discussed earlier. A resolution was tabled.
09-95 Moved by T. Marziale Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to provide a grant to the Soo Mill Road Commission in 2010. The amount to be decided at budget time.
Carried
The agreement for the funding under the Stimulus Program was received. The Village had applied for and funding was approved for upgrades for the Hilton Hall. Work includes replacing the roof on both sections, upgrading the HVAC (heating and cooling) system, replacing the kitchen appliances, etc. Two of the units on the HVAC system have already failed and the kitchen equipment is the original when the old school was first converted to the hall. Under the grant the municipality will be responsible for one-third of the cost. With so much necessary work to be done on the hall, Council was appreciative of the funding.
09-96 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by L. Crack
Resolved to adopt By-law #982 being a by-law to approve the signing of the infrastructure Stimulus Fund Agreement.
Carried
The Waterfront Centre project was discussed. Once the flooring is in the rest of the work can be finalized quickly. It is expected that the move will be completed by mid October. The project is above the original budget for several reasons. The tenders received were higher than estimated when the funding proposals were submitted due to marked increases in material costs. As well the mechanical estimates by the architect were under the actual, several items were not in the original specifications such as sound proofing the rental unit walls and ceilings, eavestroughs and the provision for voice and digital reception. In addition Council upgraded the siding. There are a couple of credits as well. Additional funding was received from FedNor. Once the project is complete the financial report will be finalized. Landscaping was considered. Pollari Contracting had provided a quote for grading and the provision of top soil.
09-97 Moved by T. Marziale Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resolved to accept the quote of Pollari Contracting for grading and the supply of top soil for The Waterfront Centre in the amount of $3,360 plus GST.
Carried
Fall projects were discussed. The streetlight system upgrade was in the budget and will have to be done this fall. Work on Birch St. to bring the surface up so the manhole cover will not be damaged during plowing and other tasks were noted.
Mayor Stevens discussed the work that has been done at the landfill and what still has to be accomplished before fall. The Township Road Superintendent Lyn Garside had been on site as well and there was an initial discussion. It was decided that probably another trench will have to be dug this fall. The landfill committee will meet on site with Lyn Garside to confirm the work to be done to facilitate snowplowing. As three months notice has to be given to withdraw from the area recycling agreement and because this does not give enough time to consider this decision for 2010, the item was deferred. There have been several requests from ratepayers that the recycling bins be placed at the landfill. This will require considerable planning and will be on the list for another year.
09-98 Moved by J. Sullivan Seconded by T. Marziale
Resolved to adopt By-law #983 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council meeting held September 9th, 2009 and confirm the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby.
Carried
09-99 Moved by L. Crack Seconded by J. Sullivan
Resoled to adjourn to meet again on October 14th, 2009 or at the call of the Mayor.
Carried
APPRECIATION CORNER
To John Mayer for his contined sale of Community Night Hotdog Booth hats. The funds donated are added to the Community Night revenue and wearing the hats keeps the booth workers complaint with the safe food handling regulations.
To all those who supported the Open Air Market in any way. The crew who put the tend up, those who purchased from the vendors all season, Cindy and Chris at the Tilt’n Hilton for continuing to purchase the unsold lettuce so that the Market can provide both kinds, those who provide bags and containers to cut down operating costs and the Hilton Union Fire Dept for taking the tent down. The combination of net produce sales and table rentals resulted in a contribution of $1,220 to the Special Projects Fund. The market is enjoyed by many permanent and seasonal residents and provides funding to Village projects.
To Tony Marziale for refinishing the used tables in readiness for the new building. They are now quite attractive and will be very functional.
