MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE

                   MINUTES MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2008 AT 9:00 A.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS

______________________________________________________________________________________

PRESENT:        Mayor Ron Oswald, Deputy Mayor Mary Cumming

                        Councillors Stacy Charlton, Mark Davis, Paul Eagleson, Ross Herron, Jack Riley

PRESS:            Mary Golem, Sun Times [till 11 am]

PUBLIC:            Noel Johnson

OBSERVERS:   Jim Marsh, Charlie Cottrill

STAFF:             TREASURER, Joanne Marklevitz

                        WORKS MANAGER, Vernon Weppler

                        Clerk/CAO, Joan Albright

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF:  Eagleson declared an interest in closed session item 2 as he is an abutting landowner and he left the meeting for the closed session

MINUTES

Moved by: S. Charlton                                                    Seconded by:  J. Riley

that the minutes of Nov 10, 2008 be adopted as circulated. Carried

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES: 

Cumming noted she was quoted in the paper as saying Barry Woodyard had received a discount in the spring.  Woodyard advised her it was an Armstrong who had received a discount.

DELEGATIONS

Staff reports: copies of written reports to all

9:00 AM            WORKS MANAGER, Vernon Weppler (closed session re identifiable individual)

9:10 AM            NOEL JOHNSON, (closed session re his personal information)

11:15 AM          TREASURER, Joanne Marklevitz

Reviewed the accounts with Council:  clarified Works invoices with Weppler; noted specific street lights that have been out for some time; Council noted the high cost of annually starting up the arena ice plants—Cumming would like invoice copies for Members of Council;

Reviewed the insurance quote analysis with Council

Deloitte & Touche will be auditing the OSTAR projects this week

Reviewed the 2009 user fee report:  Tara’s capital water deficit should be eliminated by the end of this Council term, discussed financing options; percentage increase for 2009 water and sewer rates—a 5% increase instead of %3 only results in an additional $10.00 per year;

Prior to leaving for lunch, Cottrill asked about the tendering of the watermain replacement on Queen St Paisley:  the job was by invitation bid to the two local contractors, one of whom declined to bid; the bid was a combination of fixed and estimated quantity pricing at a total cost of $54,000

Continued with 2009 rate review after lunch:  garbage rates – 5% increase; recreation rates take effect April 1st so will be reviewed in the new year; administration fees 5%; building permit fees will not cover costs in 2008, Eagleson expects less activity in 2009 with the down turn in the economy, may require less hours of inspection, does not wish to increase building permit fees as they were increased 24% in 2008

Tax collection policy:  Council agreed with the Treasurer’s recommendation to have end of month due dates which fall on weekends or holidays to be automatically due the Thursday before the end of the month and payments must be in the office by 4:30 pm on due date to be free of penalty.

ACCOUNTS – were reviewed with the Treasurer and the Works Manager prior to passage

CORRESPONDENCE – copy to all unless otherwise noted

1          REQUIRING ACTION

            1.1        Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario – requesting recognition of February as Hearth month and permission to canvass door-to-door for donations

2          INFORMATION ONLY

            2.1        Association of Municipalities of Ontario

                        a)  seeking comment on draft joint AMO and OMSSA (Ontario Municipal Social Services                             Association) paper on poverty reduction

                        b)  need participation at the Waste Diversion Act review consultation sessions

                        c)  first joint annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) statement

            2.2        Bruce County Planning – letters to residents

                        a)  Murray Legge

                        b)  W.Kent Milroy Ltd

                        c)  Beitz Development Corporation

                        d)  Murray & Audrey Trelford

                        e)  Marion Ace & Matthew Brailey

                        f)  Sabine Robart – Healy applications on hold until more information and revised site plan                            are received

            2.2.1     Request for comments

                        a)  W.Kent Milroy Ltd – minor variance

                        b)  Murray Legge – zoning and consent

            2.3        Ontario Good Roads Association

                        a)  report of the nominating committee

            2.4        Grey Sauble Conservation Authority

                        a)  2009 draft budget

                        b)  Comments on Christie zoning application

            2.5        Minister of Energy & Infrastructure – Ontario will not match any of the funding commitments that the federal government has made under the COMRIF program

Oswald expects new provincial and federal government programs in the new year;  Herron added they intend to fund more infrastructure to stimulate the economy as was done by US President Roosevelt

            2.6        Henderson, Paddon & Associates Ltd. / GENIVAR – thank you for past business, looking forward to future work together

3          EVENTS

            3.1        Multiple Enterprises Inc – invitation to 25th anniversary Come & Go

            3.2        Schedule of open houses for draft zoning by-law

Eagleson noted it is important for people to look at the mapping and how it affects their property; mapping will be updated following the sessions; Oswald thanked Eagleson for the time he spent reviewing the draft document; Eagleson said most of the thanks goes to the Clerk who put a lot of work into it.

REPORTS OF MEMBERS – copies of any written reports to all

CUMMING

Recreation meeting with Staff November 13th; everything seems to be going well with Brian McAllister facilitating now, the rest of the Staff works well with him.

November 14th met to do a new budget for the doctor recruitment committee since the recruitment consultant has resigned, Joe Rhys has taken over the roll of recruiter.

Paisley Health Clinic met [Cumming was unable to attend] to formally turn the building over to the Municipality, will be receiving notice.  Oswald had a call from Paul Crysler about setting up physiotherapist; Cumming added that the individual wanted to set up on the board room which was denied by the Health Clinic Committee; circulated copies of the minutes of November 5th, 2008

Attended County Council for the Mayor on November 20th.

DAVIS

Asked if the County is paving at the south end of Chesley, Oswald said the County intends to finish as soon as possible

Asked about the parking in front of the Turner four-plexes; Oswald thought it was part of the road design to create a paved boulevard; Davis is concerned that the area should not be public parking so the residents can back out on the boulevard rather than the road.  Discussed reviewing site plan provisions that would deal with resident and visitor parking.

Chesley deputy fire chief applications close today; working on retirement recognition for Jack Lancaster

EAGLESON

            a)         Notes from proposed Healy subdivision development meeting; Eagleson said Healy had a good proposal prepared by Brad Pryde; Conservation Authority needs yet to be satisfied, requires more work; looked at sanitary sewer servicing; looked at initial development along Brook St; looked at incorporating Arran Ward portion into the Tara planning area; discussed the land swap with the Municipality's lot, waiting on final development plan; project is doable, Healy seems to be pleased with the process to date.

Christie proposed development on Mill St:  Eagleson supports development in that area, may require road construction and cul-de-sac to handle increased traffic; if neighbours are happy he would support it; will need site plan to see what is actually being proposed

Attended BASWRA:  commodity prices have dropped significantly; budget projections were presented; household cost currently $17.22, proposing $27.13 [in 1992 we paid $22.00, dropped dramatically to $10.00, in hindsight it should have stayed put]; if not accepted by the membership will have to be reviewed; Davis wondered if construction of a storage building would enable stockpiling till prices rise;

Tara Deputy Fire Chief has moved; resignation received; announced that Al Herron has agreed to the appointment till younger members may be qualified; Clerk to prepare by-law for passage later today.

Will be attending the Tara zoning open houses, Ward Councillors could attend their local session

Will be attending the Tara Legion banquet on Saturday

RILEY

Hardtop is down in Paisley

Confirmed that the Municipality is putting a float in the three Christmas parades

Expects positive financial position for the 2008 International Plowing Match; Oswald congratulated him on his leadership as Chair of the match

HERRON

Re Grey Sauble Conservation Authority 2009 draft budget item:  the Directors are recommending a 7% increase to spread the anticipated future financial burden over both 2009 and 2010; reported on forestry management harvest contracts;

He and Eagleson attended Remembrance Day services in Tara

Attended Grey Sauble Conservation Authority meeting

Last week met with Solicitor re contract for new CAO

He and Works Manager met with group from West Arran Lake who made a presentation at Council last month re road conditions

Asked what is happening with the bale wrap, if it will not be picked up there is no point stockpiling it:  Weppler said if it comes in clean enough, it will be picked up—if not clean on arrival it is refused for recycling and charged for land filling it; Weppler to include the recycling conditions policy in the next newsletter

CHARLTON

Had a good turn out for Remembrance Day services in Chesley, attended the dinner

Attended Chatsworth Council about the operation of the Scone Dam which affects Sullivan properties

Got several calls on sidewalks in Chesley about what is and is not being done; Channel 6 called about the way kids are standing on the street waiting for buses; asked if the parents, the school and the Board couldn’t arrange for kids to stand in driveways, has not heard back yet.

Announced meeting on November 29th in Owen Sound promoting local agricultural products to restaurants and residents.

Saugeen Country Tourism project approved to provide office staff funding

Received a letter from Paul Davies, Pres./CEO, South Bruce Grey Health Centre, confirming he will be contacted to attend the strategic planning meetings

Commended Cedarwell Contracting for immediately cleaning up the Scone intersection following removal of the road closed signs

OSWALD

            a)         Mike Milinkovich, Mayor, Township of Black River-Matheson – time has come to band together and create an organization to stand up and speak for mayors:  Head of Councils Association of Ontario (HCAO)

Read his report of meetings and events attended.

Made a suggestion to Council re sale of former Chesley library:  Wilfrid Krug donated funds for that building; suggested the proceeds go back into the Krug Bequest Fund for future projects.  Council confirmed the sale proceeds will go back to the Chesley Water Reserves which funded the construction of the new library over and above the Krug Bequest Fund in addition to the medical clinic rent revenues.  Eventually when all is paid, the Krug Bequest Fund must be restored to its pre-library construction level.

REPORTS OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS – copies of written reports to all

            1          Report of Livestock Valuer – Lynn Caldwell for Elderslie property

            2          On Aug 11/08, Council changed the mileage rate to $0.45 effective September 1/08 when gas prices were $1.30 to $1.40 per litre; gas is now back down to 6-year lows at $0.78 to $0.85 per litre;

            3          Draft Building By-law for comment – held over for further consideration

BY-LAWS

            1          Tile drainage

            2.         Tara-Arran Deputy Fire Chief appointment

CLOSED SESSION

            13.1      Treasurer to discuss identifiable individuals

            13.2      Disposal of property

MOTIONS

Moved by: S. Charlton                                                    Seconded by: R. Herron

that we go into closed session with the Works Manager, and then Noel Johnson and the Clerk/CAO to discuss identifiable individuals.                                                    Carried

Moved by: R. Herron                                                       Seconded by: S. Charlton

that we return to regular session.                                     Carried

Moved by:  M. Davis                                                       Seconded by: S. Charlton

that we direct staff that, in regards to the Johnson-Leslie dispute regarding 1) direction of downspouts 2) sump pump discharge and 3) noise of air conditioner, that that the Municipality will no longer be involved in this dispute.                                                                         Carried

Moved by: R. Herron                                                       Seconded by: J. Riley

that accounts payable voucher #20-08  in the amount of $571,197.78 be paid.

                                                                                    Carried

Moved by:  R. Herron                                                      Seconded by: M. Davis

that we accept the insurance quotation from Jardine Lloyd Thompson for 2009 in the amount of $121,489.72 including P.S.T.                                                                           Carried

Moved by:  P. Eagleson                                                  Seconded by: S. Charlton

that we direct Staff to prepare 2009 water and sewer rates at 5% above the 2008 rates;

and that notice of the intention to raise the rates be given per our notice by-law.

                                                                                    Carried

Moved by:  P. Eagleson                                                  Seconded by: M. Davis

that a by-law to amend the Municipal Code (Tara-Arran Deputy Fire Chief) be read a first and second time.

                                                                                    Carried

Moved by:  M. Davis                                                       Seconded by: P. Eagleson

that the by-law to amend the Municipal Code (Tara-Arran Deputy Fire Chief) be read a third time, finally passed and numbered 36-08.                                                            Carried

Moved by:  M. Cumming                                                 Seconded by: S. Charlton

that we recognize February 2009 as Heart Month and permit the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario to carry out a door-to-door canvass for donations.                                 Carried

Moved by:  R. Herron                                                      Seconded by: J. Riley

that we give the following direction to Staff with respect to the following 2009 rate increases:

garbage rates – 5%

administration fees & charges – 5% or GST "extra" if currently included

                                                                                    Carried

Moved by: J. Riley                                                          Seconded by: M. Davis

that we accept the Report of Livestock Valuer and pay $875 to Lynn Caldwell for damage on or about November 14, 2008, at his Elderslie property.                                        Carried

Moved by:  J. Riley                                                         Seconded by: S. Charlton

that effective December 1, 2008 the mileage rate be 40¢ per kilometre.

                                                                                    Carried

Moved by: M. Davis                                                        Seconded by: S. Charlton

that a by-law to impose rates in respect of money borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act, (Dorian, McEwen), be read a first and second time.                                                     Carried

Moved by: M. Davis                                                        Seconded by: S. Charlton

that the by-law to impose rates in respect of money borrowed under the Tile Drainage Act, (Dorian, McEwen), be read a third time, finally passed and numbered 37-08.                 Carried

Moved by: R. Herron                                                       Seconded by: S. Charlton

that we go into closed session with the Treasurer and the Clerk/CAO to discuss identifiable individuals and the disposal of property.                                                                    Carried

Moved by: S. Charlton                                                    Seconded by: R. Herron

that we return to regular session.                                     Carried

Moved by: J. Riley                                                          Seconded by: S. Charlton

that we do now adjourn to the call of the Mayor.                Carried

Adjourned at 3:20 pm