MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE
MINUTES MONDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
______________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Mary Cumming
Councillors Stacy Charlton, Mark Davis, Paul Eagleson, Ross Herron
REGRETS: Mayor Ron Oswald, Councillor Jack Riley
PRESS: Mary Golem, Sun Times
PUBLIC: Peter Knipfel, Donald McClure, Dennis McGuire, Brian Phillips
OBSERVERS: none
STAFF: WORKS MANAGER, Vernon Weppler
TREASURER, Joanne Marklevitz
WATER/SEWER FOREMAN, Scott McLeod
Clerk/CAO, Joan Albright
DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF: none
MINUTES
Moved by: S. Charlton Seconded by: R. Herron
that the minutes of February 11, 2008 be adopted as circulated.
Carried
BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES:
DELEGATIONS
9:00 AM PETER KNIPFEL, CHESLEY & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber is looking for relief from taxes on the Dawson House, is unable to financially handle the building costs and the museum, their shortfall is the property tax amount; the Chamber looks after a number of downtown enhancements: the hanging and boxed flowers, banners and Christmas lights, with a tax exemption they could manage with their dues and rents, cannot raise dues [$90/year] as if they were any higher they would lose members, have found they cannot operate under the County Museum’s guidelines, the Chamber feels there is enough material locally to operate this museum with the Chamber’s assistance to the Museum Board it has created.
Questions: requesting relief—does this include the outstanding taxes as well as future—yes; what are their financial hardships—they have been given a building with two rental apartments—tenants pay rent [plus their own utilities—the Ontario Government rents office space at $200 per month]; Trillium picked up half the cost of the museum person, with assistance could afford a part-time person; questionable if they could afford their expenses without the Trillium grant, perhaps they cannot afford the venture—the museum is dragging down the Chamber; reviewed expenses and past practice regarding Chamber grants; member questioned the renovation requirements—thought they were excessive—requirements were those of the Ontario Building Code—not the Municipality. Stressed the importance of the role of the Chamber, need an amount they can plan on from year to year. Council needs to see some stats on the museum and the Chamber finances and the Clerk will work with the group to prepare a proposal. The group thanked Council for its consideration.
ACCOUNTS – were reviewed with Staff prior to passage
CORRESPONDENCE – copy to all unless otherwise noted
1 REQUIRING ACTION
1.1 OPP – require Council's agreement to continue computer lease for extended service office
Council would like more information
1.2 Dennis & Ruth McGuire – request to plow sidewalks with grader wing
The Works Manager will talk with the McGuire’s
1.3 Allenford Community Park Committee – 2008 funding request for playground upgrades not covered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant
Council would like more information. There are now two groups working on Allenford improvements. Reply that Council Members and the Works Manager will arrange to meet with them.
1.4 Town of Northeastern Manitoulin & the Islands - requesting support of its February 5, 2008 resolution requesting the Province of Ontario to assume ownership and responsibility for the operation of all municipal drinking water systems in the Province which are subject to Provincial regulations and oversight.
Council did not support this request.
1.5 City of Mississauga – 'Cities Now' campaign in response to insufficient Federal funding for municipal infrastructure, has given approval in principal to a five per cent infrastructure levy
1.6 Western Ontario Warden's Conference - requesting support of its resolution petitioning the Province of Ontario to provide compensating revenue to the municipalities of Ontario that have been negatively impacted by the transition from the Farm Tax Rebate Program to the agricultural property tax rate reduction program.
1.7 Municipality of Grey Highlands - requesting support of its February 11, 2008 resolution objecting to the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the funding formula for conservation authorities.
1.8 Ontario Municipal Water Association - requesting support of its position regarding fair funding for infrastructure
1.9 Town of Newmarket - requesting support of its resolution R1-2008 requesting the Premier of Ontario to take action to eliminate the misuse of disabled parking permits and parking spaces
1.10 Town of Amherstburg - requesting support of its January 14, 2008 resolution requesting the Province of Ontario to immediately provide funding for mandated Lead Testing for Municipal Drinking Water
2 INFORMATION ONLY
2.1 Bruce County Highways – minutes/notes from January 28th meeting re 1st Ave S
2.2 Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing – Province to consult on fire sprinklers
2.3 Bruce County Planning
a) advice re upcoming zoning/consent applications for Al & Joyce Smiley, Burgoyne
2.4 Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services – acknowledgement that we have fulfilled our requirements under the Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act and Ontario Regulation 380/04 for 2007.
2.5 Industry Canada – notice of additional $50 million to assist municipalities that faced economic challenges related to the implementation of their existing federally funded drinking water projects (our upgrading of Chesley, Tara and Paisley water works)(have forwarded this to HPA)
2.6 Association of Municipalities of Ontario
a) federal Liberal Party pledges infrastructure money
3 EVENTS
REPORTS OF MEMBERS – copies of any written reports to all
CUMMING
Attended the County open house meeting in Paisley, downtown crosswalk location discussed at length
Also attended a Paisley fire meeting last week, two firefighters took the initiative to install smoke alarms in the home of individuals who have since had a fire for which the smoke alarm alerted the family and no one was injured.
DAVIS
Has a list of follow-up business for the Works Manager—will talk with him.
Snow Operators are doing a great job, only minor complaints, our snow removal is far superior to some city streets.
EAGLESON
Has some municipal property issues to discuss with Council in closed session.
HERRON
He and Charlton attended an Allenford meeting on proposed upgrades with the Town of South Bruce Peninsula
We had a preliminary budget meeting, Staff has worked hard, will be meeting again Friday
Have made progress with Union negotiations, meet again this week
CHARLTON
Regional tourism meeting was by teleconference, more participation that way, also attended an Underwood meeting
Attended the Outdoor Adventure Show, Bruce and Grey Counties well represented
OSWALD – County reports
a) 2007 statement of remuneration and expenses
REPORTS OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS – copies of written reports to all
1 The Arran Lake Resort delegation [cancelled Feb 11th due to weather] has been re-scheduled for March 10—please save your draft site plan report from the Feb 11th agenda
2 OPP press release re arrests made
3 Roger Thorne – request for Council's support of its Ontario Trillium Foundation application to install public handicapped washroom facilities in the Tara Rotary Park Picnic Shelter
4 Budget discussion: watermain project confirmation in Paisley;
CLOSED SESSION
1 Acquisition of property
2 Personnel issues
MOTIONS
Moved by: R. Herron Seconded by: M. Davis
that accounts payable voucher #4-08 in the amount of $178,370.42 be paid.
Carried
Moved by: S. Charlton Seconded by: M. Davis
that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the OPP agreement to continue computer lease for JUS#: JUS00SPC659043 Serial #:KCGK9VN. Defeated
Moved by: S. Charlton Seconded by: P. Eagleson
that we do support the City of Mississauga December 14, 2007 letter regarding insufficient Federal funding for municipal infrastructure. Carried
Moved by: R. Herron Seconded by: M. Davis
WHEREAS the Province of Ontario moved from the Farm Tax Rebate Program to a 75% reduction in the agricultural property tax rate reduction program in 1998, at a cost in excess of 100 million dollars annually to the municipalities of the Province;
AND WHEREAS the Province agreed to maintain municipal agriculture property tax revenue when they moved from the rebate program to the reduced tax rate program;
AND WHEREAS municipalities have not received equivalent agricultural property tax revenue compensation from the Province of Ontario;
AND WHEREAS this failure of the Province of Ontario to provide equivalent compensation has negatively impacted the financial position of all municipalities in Ontario with an agricultural tax base, at the above-noted cost in excess of 100 million dollars;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of Ontario be petitioned to provide compensating revenue to the municipalities of Ontario that have been negatively impacted by the transition from the Farm Tax Rebate Program to the agricultural property tax rate reduction program.
Carried
Moved by: M. Davis Seconded by: S. Charlton
that we do support the Municipality of Grey Highlands February 11, 2008 resolution objecting to the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the funding formula for conservation authorities.
Carried
Moved by: M. Davis Seconded by: R. Herron
that we do support the Ontario Municipal Water Association position regarding fair funding for infrastructure.
Carried
Moved by: M. Davis Seconded by: S. Charlton
that we do support the Town of Newmarket resolution R1-2008 requesting the Premier of Ontario to take action to eliminate the misuse of disabled parking permits and parking spaces.
Carried
Moved by: R. Herron Seconded by: M. Davis
that we do support the Town of Amherstburg January 14, 2008 resolution requesting the Province of Ontario to immediately provide funding for mandated Lead Testing for Municipal Drinking Water
Carried
Moved by: P. Eagleson Seconded by: S. Charlton
that, with respect to the Tara Rotary Club's application for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to install public handicapped washroom facilities in the Tara Rotary Park Picnic Shelter, we confirm our endorsement of this project. Carried
Moved by: R. Herron Seconded by: S. Charlton
that we go into closed session with the Clerk/CAO to discuss identifiable individuals.
Carried
Moved by: P. Eagleson Seconded by: R. Herron
that we return to regular session. Carried
Moved by: R. Herron Seconded by: P. Eagleson
that we do now adjourn to the call of the Mayor. Carried
Adjourned at 4:15 pm