| THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR MINUTES December 13, 2005 The regular meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Reeve, Richard Thomas; Councillors, Rod Blakelock, Marty Corcoran, Jerry Brandt and Bob MacPhail; delegates, Shawn Peebles, staff, Les Phinney, CRS-I, and Wendy Whitwell, Clerk-Treasurer. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: The minutes of the regular meeting on November 22, 2005 were approved as circulated. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST: - Councillor Brandt declared pecuniary interest regarding item # 42 and # 43, quote for printing contract for 2006 from Almaguin News and Almaguin Forrester. DELEGATIONS: Shawn Peebles, attended to discuss the use of the road allowance between Lot 15 and 16, Concession 3 & 4 for logging purposes. Council reviewed a sample by-law and agreement for the use of road allowances. A resolution was passed authorizing the use, conditional upon entering into a licence agreement with the Township setting out required conditions. Les Phinney, CRS-I, attended to discuss the following road issues: - road accounts voucher # 12-2005 in the amount of $ 89,530.86 was reviewed. - Pickerel Lake Lodge, letter requesting speed bumps was read and discussed. Council do not approve the use of speed bumps due to safety and liability concerns. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 km. from west of Russ Haven to the end of the road. - Greer Galloway Group, Pevensey Road Bridge, detailed design and tender call quote, was reviewed and a resolution accepting same was passed. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING: - Bruce Campbell, Chair, Arena Fund Raising Committee, letter requesting loan of $ 1000.00. A resolution was passed authorizing this loan. - Copies of resolutions from the Arena Board appointing the fund raising committee and accepting the final business plan. - Copies of a resolution from the Township of Ryerson accepting the business plan and appointment of the fund raising committee. - A resolution was passed accepting the recommendation from the Arena Board to approve the final report for the Armour, Ryerson and Burk's Falls Arena Business Plan and endorse the Fund Raising Committee members. - Council authorized a further $ 50.00 Christmas bonus be given to Karen Fraser. ACCOUNTS FOR APPROVAL:
- general accounts voucher # 12-2005, in the amount of $ 211,941.17 was approved for payment by resolution. - landfill accounts voucher # 12-2005, in the amount of $ 16,959.88 was approved for payment by resolution. APPLICATIONS: Zoning Amendment - Heintzman - 283 Doe Lake Road - Plan 27. The following were reviewed: - application for zoning amendment to recognize the reduced road frontage. A resolution to forward the appliction to the planner for by-law preparation was passed. - Raffle: Outward Bound Canada. The following were reviewed: - application for a raffle licence, draw date of January 23, 2006. A resolution was passed authorizing the issuance of the licence. - Shore Road Closing: Thomas Eadie, 274 Doe Lake Rd. The following were reviewed: - application for Division Street and shore allowance - correspondence dated June 1990 from Township to surveyor - copy of resolution of Council dated June 26, 1990, old survey plan - minutes from June 14, 2005 - staff report - new draft survey plan with structures plotted A resolution was passed to close and sell the shore road allowance in front of Lot A & B, Plan 27, 274 Doe Lake Road and Division Street with conditions. BY-LAWS: - # 38-2005, being a by-law to execute a settlement agreement with Roma Insurance Program and Ontario Municipal Insurance Exchange, was read a first, second and third time. - # 39-2005, being a by-law to authorize the execution of a promissory note with Roma Insurance Program was read a first, second and third time. - # 40-2005, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of council was read a first, second and third time. REPORTS: - Steering Committee, November 24th, no report. - POA, November 24th, Richard gave a verbal report. - Tri R, December 7th, Richard gave a verbal report. - Fire Brd, December 8th, Marty & Richard reported. Budget to November 30, 2005 was discussed and a resolution authorizing payment of November expenses which results in an over-budget expenditure was passed. - Planning Board, December 12th, Richard reported. - Council reviewed copy of correspondence to the North Bay Parry Sound Heath Unit from Reeve Thomas dated November 30, 2005. CORRESPONDENCE: - City of Cornwall, request for support of a resolution to lobby the Province of Ontario to make the appropriate statutory amendments to more specifically direct interest arbitrators to take into account ability to pay and economic conditions in their decisions pertaining to labour relations. A resolution in support was passed. - Township of South Algonguin, request for support of a resolution requesting the Ombudsman and Premier McGuinty recognize that the Provincial Government should undertake a systemic review of current value assessment during the 2005 moratorium period to develop and implement a more equitable, stable and transparent assessment system. A resolution in support was passed. - Town of Essex, request for support of a resolution to lobby the Province of Ontario to amend the Negligence Act. R.S.O.1990 so that only where a municipality is found to be at least 50% liable, would a full claim be paid out. A resolution in support was passed. - Town of Halton Hills, request for support of a resolution to fully support the efforts of the Ombudsman of Ontario in the review of the fairness and transparency of the property assessment system as administered by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. A resolution in support was passed. - Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, information regarding the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement. - AMO Alert, Bill 123 - The Transparency in Public Matters Act, recommended for third reading. - AMO Alert, Provincial auditor releases report on land ambulance. - AMCTO Express, November 16, 2005 legislative update. - Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Minister, Northern Development and Mines, announcement regarding the Northern Communities Investment Readiness initiative. - AMO Alert, Province to amend Taxpayers Protection Act to exempt municipal governments to open door to new revenue tools. - Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Northern Communities Investment Readiness, invitation to the information session and luncheon on Wednesday, January 11, 2006. - AMO Alert, The Province is providing funding over a five year term to municipalities and others to proceed with technical studies, mapping of watersheds and identifying potential threats to drinking water sources. - AMO Alert, Government introduces a proposed Clean Water Act to protect drinking water resources at the source. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: - Robert Miller Land Use Planning Services, Official Plan Update Project Status report. - Heintzman - Plan 27, road closings. Copy of Plan 27 was reviewed by council. The decision of council is no fee will be applied to the value of the lands shown as roadways. NEW BUSINESS: - sample agreement for the use of road allowances. Council wish to proceed with a by-law and agreement for the use of un-opened road allowances. - Municipal Insurance Services, 2006 renewal. The quoted cost is $ 37,369.00 plus tax, which represents an increase of $ 165.00. A resolution authorizing the renewal was passed. - Almaguin-Nipissing Travel Association, request for support for 2006. A resolution authorizing the 2006 renewal at the same cost as 2005 was passed. - Almaguin News 2006 printing contract. A resolution accepting the contract for 2006 at the same cost was passed. - Almaguin Forrester, quote for the 2006 municipal advertising rate and requesting consideration for our printing needs. Council directed the clerk to consider using the Almaguin Forrester for printing needs. - Staff report - Tax write-offs. A resolution authorizing write-offs was passed. - Tentative date set for a meeting to discuss proposal from Township of Perry regarding AHIC. The clerk will notify council when the date and time are confirmed. - Draft by-law regarding tax registration process was reviewed and discussed. - List of correspondence received, not on agenda. - Resolution to move into closed session. - Resolution to move out of closed session. RESOLUTIONS: - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the minutes of the November 22, 2005 meeting be approved as circulated. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour agree to allow Shawn Peebles of Northern Prime Wood Products to use the un-opened road allowance between Lot 15 and 16, Concession 3 and 4 for logging purposes, upon entering into a licence agreement with the Township of Armour setting out the required conditions.(Carried) - Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That Road Accounts Voucher # 12-2005 in the amount of $ 89,530.86 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, The Council of the Township of Armour hereby accept the proposal submitted by Greer Galloway Group Inc. dated November 28, 2005 for the detailed design and tender call for Pevensey Road Bridge rehabilitation. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize a loan in the amount of $ 1000.00 to the Arena Fund Raising Committee for start up costs. It is understood this is a loan to be repaid when funds become available. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour accept the recommendation from the Arena Board to approve the final report for the Armour, Ryerson and Burk's Falls Arena Business Plan; and further that we recognize and endorse the Fund Raising Committee members as set out in the resolution from the Arena Board. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That General Accounts Voucher # 12-2005 in the amount of $ 211,941.17 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried) - Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That Landfill Accounts Voucher # 12-2005 in the amount of $ 16,959.88 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the clerk to forward the application for a zoning by-law amendment submitted by Gregory and Louise Heintzman, 283 Doe Lake Road to the municipal planner for preparation of the amendment to recognize the reduced road frontage. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour approve a raffle licence for Outward Bound Canada for a draw to be held on January 23, 2006, at Outward Bound. Licence fee $ 5.00. (Carried) - Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour agree in principle to close and sell the shore road allowance in front of Lot A & B, Plan 27, 274 Doe Lake Road and Division Street as applied for by Thomas Eadie upon completion of the required process and payment of the applicable fees. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 38-2005, being a by-law to enter into a settlement agreement with Roma Insurance Program Inc. and the Ontario Municipal Insurance Exchange. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That By-law # 38-2005, be read a second time. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That by-law # 38-2005, be read a third time, signed and the seal of the Corporation affixed thereto and finally passed in open Council this 13th day of December, 2005. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 39-2005, being a by-law to enter into a promissory note agreement with Roma Insurance Program Inc. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That By-law # 39-2005, be read a second time. - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That by-law # 39-2005, be read a third time, signed and the seal of the Corporation affixed thereto and finally passed in open Council this 13th day of December, 2005.(Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 40-2005, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its meetings. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That By-law # 40-2005, be read a second time. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That by-law # 40-2005, be read a third time, signed and the seal of the Corporation affixed thereto and finally passed in open Council this 13th day of December, 2005.(Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the payment of the November Fire Board expenses in the amount of $ 35,654.72, which results in an over budgeted expense for 2005. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour support the resolution from the City of Cornwall and initiate discussions with the Province of Ontario to make arbitrators take into account ability to pay and local economic conditions in their decisions pertaining to labour relations. (Carried) - Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour support the resolution from the Township of South Algonquin and petition the Province to extend the moratorium on assessment increased through the 2006 taxation year, petition the Province and the Ombudsman to undertake a systemic review of current value assessment during the 2006 moratorium period in order to develop and implement a more equitable, stable and transparent assessment system. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the Town of Essex and lobby the Provincial Government to amend the Negligence Act R.S.O. 1990 so that only where a Municipality is found to be at least 50% liable would a full claim be paid. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour support the resolution from the Town of Halton Hills and support the efforts of the Ombudsman of Ontario in the review of the fairness and transparency of the property assessment system as administered by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the clerk to sign the required memo instructing Municipal Insurance Services Ltd. to proceed with the issuance of the policy documents for the 2006 municipal insurance package and invoice as per the quote dated November 30, 2005 in the amount of $ 37,369.00 plus tax. (Carried) - Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the renewal of the membership to the Almaguin - Nipissing Travel Association for 2006. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby accept the tender submitted by the Almaguin News for printing services as per tender dated November 24, 2005 in the amount of $ 299.60. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the treasurer to write-off taxes as per the staff report submitted. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby move into closed session at 9:45 p.m. in order to discuss matters pursuant to Section 239 (2) (b) (c) of the Municipal Act. (Carried) - Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour move out of the closed session at 9:51 p.m. (Carried) - Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the hiring of Nancy Austin as part-time administrative assistant, with a three month probation period and rate of pay as per staff report dated December 8, 2005. (Carried) - Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That we do now adjourn at 9:52 p.m. until the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for January 10, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. or at the call of the Reeve. (Carried) |