THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR

MINUTES

April 10, 2001

The regular meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Reeve Frank Gill, Councillors Rod Blakelock, Marty Corcoran, Joanne Cripps, and Gary McFarlane; guests, Sandy Henshall, Dianne Mehaffey, Sandra Reese, Andy Derkowski, Ron Russell, Phyllis Leggett; staff Les Phinney, CRS,I and Laura Rowley, Clerk-Treasurer. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the minutes of the regular meeting on March 27, 2001 and the special meeting on March 26, 2001 were adopted as circulated.

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST:

No pecuniary interest was declared.

DELEGATIONS:

• -Sandy Henshall, CEO & Dianne Mehaffey, Board Chair, Union Public Library, attended Council to discuss the 2001 proposed library budget. Dianne gave an overview of housekeeping problems the Board has been working on since 1997; policy for sick time; pay equity; annual job performance and bookkeeping done on the computer. The new employee is Cindy Susut and the student is Leanne Maurer. The revised budget and the policy on acquisitions was reviewed and discussed. Sandy informed Council that there would be an increase in hours from 27 to a total of 30 hours per week. She also outlined some extra programs now operating from the library; internet training, preschool program, summer reading club and summer children's program. A resolution was passed accepting the 2001 Library budget.



• -Andy Derkowski attended Council to discuss the subdivision agreement for the subdivision on Pt. Lot 6, Concession 2, Katrine. A staff report was included in the agenda package with related backup material; a letter from the developer requesting revision to the draft agreement; and a letter from the municipal solicitor in reply to the developer's letter and requesting direction from Council. Mr. Derkowski gave a brief history of the subdivision from approval for 40 lots to a revision for 8 lots; explained the completed work of an off site drainage ditch; and reviewed the work still to be completed, a berm on Lot 2, a culvert under Snowshoe Lane and some minor road work on Snowshoe Lane. He requested that the agreement be modified and as expeditiously as possible. This will be discussed by Council at the next regular meeting.



• -Les Phinney, CRS,I attended Council to discuss the road department. The following issues were discussed;
• -new employee, Allan Millar, has been working for 2 weeks.
• -discussion regarding the purchase of a new steamer. Permission was given to order it and the budget adjusted to include the purchase.
• -Les can now get into the bush to determine the area for logging. Tender is to be ready for Council to review at the regular meeting on May 8^th.
• -road accounts voucher # 4-2001 was approved.
• -the Municipal Structure Inspection form & Photographs prepared by Totten Sims Hubicki for the OSTAR program on bridge # 1, Ferguson Road, were reviewed and discussed.
• -proposed 2001 budget was discussed. This is to be revised and brought back to Council at the regular meeting on May 8^th.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING:

• -A special meeting with Bob Miller, planner, to initiate the Official Plan review, was set for Wednesday, April 25^th.



• -2001 Fire budget. Further discussion on the proposed budget was held as well as a review of a resolution passed by the Village of Burk's Falls and a memo from the Township of Ryerson. A resolution was passed accepting the budget, with conditions.



• -A letter to MTO outlining Council's outstanding issues was discussed. Gary McFarlane reviewed the points with Council and will prepare the letter for the Reeve's signature.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING:

• -A staff report on outstanding questions from the East Parry sound Veterinary Service Committee minutes was received and reviewed.



• -Groundskeeper/maintenance person. Council viewed and revised an ad, a job description and a job application. A resolution was passed authorizing the advertisement of the position. A general discussion was held regarding the public park at Doe Lake and the Clerk was directed to contact the Doe Lake Ratepayers Association to see if they wish to make a presentation to Council with regards to needed repairs/improvements.



• -A draft by-law to establish procedures regarding the sale of real property was reviewed and approved by Council. The by-law will be prepared for passing at the next regular meeting.

ACCOUNTS FOR APPROVAL:

• -The following road accounts, voucher # 4-2001, in the amount of $ 18,976.36, were approved by resolution:

Bell Canada garage phone $ 78.00

Bell Mobility cell phone $ 36.41

Hydro One garage / Mar. 01 $ 556.23

Canadian National Railway mtc. Apr. 01 $ 728.45

Gilroy's Tire Sales cap & casing $ 2,286.60

Les Phinney mileage & meeting March $ 736.56

Lou Dennis Automotive supplies & parts $ 46.23

Mike's Service Centre gas $ 33.70

Hydro One garage March $ 50.17

G.F. Preston Sales parts $ 20.40

C.E.Stack Fuels diesel fuel $ 2,536.54

Thompson Machine Shop backhoe repairs $ 30.78

Ward Tim-br Mart sign posts $ 24.53

Workplace Safety & Insurance March $ 150.74

Payroll March $11,661.02

- The following general accounts, voucher # 4-2001, in the amount of $ 211,811.93, were approved by resolution:

Bell Canada office March $ 308.30

Cintas Canada Ltd. Office supplies $ 69.56

Co-operators Insurance benefits April office $ 177.29

Roads $ 255.16

Conseil Scolaire Catholique 1^st quarter levy $ 6,099.88

Hydro One office March $ 367.35

Le Conseil Scolaire Du Dist. 1^st quarter levy $ 1,400.83

Liberty Health benefits April office $ 415.44

Roads $ 516.03

Municom Internet access $ 393.72

Nipissing - Parry Sound Catholic School Board - 1^st quarter levy $ 9,628.95

Near North Dist. School Board - 1^st quarter levy $ 130,286.50

Petty cash $ 88.49

Township of Ryerson MNR 2001 payment $ 874.51

Union Public Library Board interim payment $ 3,000.00

Royal Bank Visa Gill - OGRA $ 77.74

McFarlane - OGRA $ 96.49

Rowley - internet fees $ 20.50

Almaguin Animal Shelter March & April $ 412.00

Arrow Printing & Publishing office expense $ 35.52

Morrison & Judith Barr Shore road closing refund $ 21.53

Rod Blakelock Councillor fee April $ 375.00

Village of Burk's Falls Arena - Jan. & Feb. $ 4.046.56

Recycling 2000 A/P $ 9,815.05

Burk's Falls Home Hardware office supplies $ 19.48

Marty Corcoran Councillor fee April $ 375.00

Joanne Cripps Councillor fee April $ 375.00

Dye & Durham Co. Inc. office supplies $ 132.09

Frank Gill Reeve April $ 433.33

Grand & Toy office supplies $ 83.13

Hope Floats Project donation $ 50.00

Hydro One street lights $ 22.68

Park $ 51.07

Office $ 180.26

Hynde Paul Associates planning retainer March $ 626.14

O.P. update $ 334.75

Lachlan MacLean shore road closing refund $ 6.89

Christine MacLean shore road closing refund $ 6.89

Lance MacLean shore road closing refund $ 6.89

James Mahoney mileage March $ 114.24

Gary McFarlane Councillor fee April $ 375.00

Minister of Finance OPP Feb. $ 8,770.00

Bev Moore cleaning March $ 100.00

On-Line Community Planning web site 2001 $ 600.00

Parry Sound Municipal Assoc. registration - spring meeting $ 60.00

Township of Perry CBO April $ 1,134.00

Publications Ontario TR Ad $ 137.71

Receiver General payroll deductions March $ 6,322.95

Russell Christie Miller lawyer fees $ 1,118.28

Smith Hardy & Miller lawyer fees $ 1,335.18

Paul Schaefer mileage March $ 231.79

Township of Ryerson Fire expense Jan & Feb $ 6,539.35

Seminar expense $ 101.69

Recycling 2000 A/P $ 4,662.15

Workplace Safety & Insurance March $ 103.84

GST & ITC $ 613.93

Payroll March $ 8,005.82

• -The following Landfill accounts, voucher # 4-2001, in the amount of $ 5,248.45 were approved by resolution:

Bell Canada landfill site phone $ 65.38

Co-operators Insurance benefits $ 19.08

Hydro One landfill site Mar. & Apr. $ 203.75

Liberty Health benefits $ 142.84

Uniongas natural gas $ 297.13

Leggett Propane propane tank refill $ 21.03

Burk's Falls Home Hardware salt $ 17.94

Whitmells winter mtc. $ 1,505.00

Freight $ 275.00

Workplace Safety & Ins. March $ 35.39

Payroll March $ 2,665.91

REPORTS:

• -Public meeting at Katrine - March 28^th - minutes of the meeting were included in the agenda package.
• -Steering Committee - March 29^th - minutes of the meeting and a memo and notice of a meeting on Municipal Risk Management were included in the agenda package.
• -Cost sharing Committee - April 2^nd - minutes of the meeting were included in the agenda package. Reeve Frank Gill gave a verbal report on the results of the survey. Final results will be released at a later date.
• -Tri-R Committee - April 4^th - minutes of the meeting were included in the agenda package.
• -Arena Board - April 5^th - minutes of the meeting were circulated by the Clerk. A resolution was passed with regards to funding of the SCTP project. Reps are to question the free use of the upstairs hall at the next scheduled board meeting.
• -A written report from the By-law Enforcement Officer was included in the agenda package.

CORRESPONDENCE:

• -The Heritage River Music Festival, request for donation. To be brought back to the next meeting.



• -AMCTO - Zone 7 - Spring Workshop to be held in the Municipality of West Nipissing, May 16^th to 18^th. A resolution was passed to approve the registration of the Clerk for the complete workshop and the Deputy Clerk for the May 17^th session.



• -Township of Carling, requesting support of a resolution in their request to deny the District of Muskoka the right to appoint a Commissioner or Local Advisor to study the external boundaries of the District of Muskoka. A resolution of support was passed.



• -Township of Perry, requesting support of a resolution to petition Municipal Affairs to direct the Township of McMurrich/Montieth and the Town of Kearney to not engage in amalgamation discussions with any other municipalities until a decision on the feasibility of amalgamation of the East Parry Sound Planning Board area has been reached. A resolution of support was passed.



• -Township of Perry, requesting support of a resolution regarding the current Labour dispute with the Near North District School Board which has lead to the closure of the Secondary & Elementary schools. A resolution of support was passed.

• -Seguin Township, requesting support of a resolution in their request to deny the District of Muskoka the right to appoint a Commissioner or Local Advisor to study the external boundaries of the District of Muskoka. A resolution of support was passed.



• -The Regional Municipality of Durham, requesting support of a resolution regarding notification to Area & Regional municipalities by the Ministry of Natural Resources with respect to amendments or new applications for Pit or Quarry licences. A resolution of support was passed.



• -Town of Parry Sound, requesting support of a resolution in their request to deny the District of Muskoka the right to appoint a Commissioner or Local Advisor to study the external boundaries of the District of Muskoka. A resolution of support was passed



• -Village of Merrickville-Wolford, requesting support of a resolution regarding the promise of the Federal Government of one billion dollars to the Farmers of Canada. A resolution of support was passed.



• -City of Welland, requesting support of a resolution and the strategies and recommendations of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs regarding an adequately funded Provincial Fire Service Program. A resolution of support was passed.



• -Eastholme, Board of Management, invitation to the official opening ceremony for the new 30 long-term care bed facility.



• -Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, information session for the Livestock, Poultry & Honey Bee Protection Act to be held on April 26, 2001 in Sundridge. The Clerk to contact the municipal livestock valuator with the information.

NEW BUSINESS:

• -Township of Ryerson, information on the spring rabies clinic and requesting continued support from the Township of Armour. A resolution agreeing to participate was passed.



• -A draft by-law to appoint a Committee of Adjustment was reviewed and approved. The Clerk was instructed to have the by-law ready to be passed at the next meeting.



• -A discussion was held regarding the appointment of a municipal auditor. The Clerk was instructed to prepare a tender / competitive bid proposal for Council's approval.



• -The lease with Bowes & Cocks will be discussed at the next meeting.



• -Tax Ratio. Information from the Ministry of Finance regarding Transition Ratios and Threshold Ratios was included in the agenda package and a comparison of assessment for 2000 and 2001 was distributed to Council. A discussion was held and the general consensus of Council was to maintain the tax ratios the same as in 2000. The Clerk was instructed to prepare the by-law for passing at the next meeting.



• -Northeastern Ontario Municipal Association Emergency Task Force, information on the Northeastern Ontario "Survival Express" - Hearst to Toronto and a march to Queen's Park on April 19^th. Armour will not be participating.



• -Council moved into closed session at 11:55 P.M. to discuss legal matters and out of closed session at 12:20 A.M.

• -List of correspondence received and not on the agenda.

RESOLUTIONS:

• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 27, 2001 be adopted as circulated (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, That the minutes of the special meeting held on March 26, 2001 be adopted as circulated. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby accept the 2001 budget for the Union Public Library. Armour's share being $ 14,097.99. (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That Road Accounts Voucher # 4-2001 in the amount of $ 18,976.36 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby accept the 2001 Fire budget with $ 10,000.00 MVA reflected in revenue to reduce the budget with any excess set aside in a reserve fund to be used as expense reduction. Armour's share being $ 31,734.00.



• -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the advertisement for a permanent part time contract position as per the job description and application approved. (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That General Accounts Voucher # 4-2001 in the amount of $ 211,811.93 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That Landfill Accounts Voucher # 4-2001 in the amount of $ 5,248.45 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, The Corporation of the Township of Armour will only participate in the SCTP Project on the basis of equal sharing between the three sponsoring municipalities. (Carried)(unanimous)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Gary McFarlane, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby approve the registration of the Clerk for the entire AMCTO workshop to be held in the Municipality of West Nipissing, May 16^th to 18^th; plus accommodation; travel & out of pocket expense and the registration and travel expense for the Deputy Clerk for the Thursday, May 17^th session. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Township of Perry to petition Municipal Affairs to direct the Township of McMurrich/Montieth and the Town of Kearney to not engage in amalgamation discussions with any other municipalities until a decision on the feasibility of amalgamation of the East Parry Sound Planning Board area has been reached. (Carried)

• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That we continue beyond the 11:00 o'clock curfew. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Township of Carling in their request to deny the District of Muskoka the right to appoint a Commissioner or Local Advisor to study the external boundaries of the District of Muskoka. (Carried)



• -Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Gary McFarlane, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Township of Perry regarding the current Labour dispute with the Near North District School Board which has lead to the closure of the Secondary & Elementary schools. (Carried)



• -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Township of Sequin in their request to deny the District of Muskoka the right to appoint a Commissioner or Local Advisor to study the External boundaries of the District of Muskoka.(Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Regional Municipality of Durham regarding notification to Area and Regional municipalities by the Ministry of Natural Resources with respect to amendments or new applications for Pit or Quarry licences. (Carried)



• -Moved by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Town of Parry Sound in their request to deny the District of Muskoka the right to appoint a Commissioner or Local Advisor to study the External boundaries of the District of Muskoka. (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Village of Merrickville-Wolford regarding the promise of the Federal Government of one billion dollars to the Farmers of Canada. (Carried)



• -Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the City of Welland and the strategies and recommendations of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs regarding an adequately funded Provincial Fire Service Program. (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby agree to participate in one area rabies clinic for 2001 and accept, with thanks, the services of the Township of Ryerson in this regard. (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Gary McFarlane, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Township of Armour move into closed session at 11:55 P.M. in order to discuss legal matters pursuant to Section 55 (5) (e) of the Municipal Act. (Carried)



• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That we move out of the closed session at 12:20 A.M.

• -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That we do now adjourn at 12:20 a.m. until the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for April 24, 2001, or at the call of the Reeve. (Carried)