THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR

MINUTES

June 26, 2001

The regular meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Reeve Frank Gill, Councillors Rod Blakelock, Marty Corcoran and Joanne Cripps, Councillor Gary McFarlane was absent. Guests attending were Marie Stitt, Richard Holloway, Joy Holloway, Diane McIntyre, Ken McIntyre, Ron Russell, Bob Gray, 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 June 12, 2001 were adopted as circulated.

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST:

No pecuniary interest was declared.

DELEGATIONS:

  • -Andy Derkowski was unable to attend Council to discuss his subdivision agreement and has rescheduled for the meeting on July 10th.


  • -Diane McIntyre & Bob Gray, Berriedale Community Centre Club attended Council to discuss the boil water advisory issued by the Muskoka - Parry Sound Health Unit. They informed Council that they have been using bottled water since the advisory, that the hose from the well had been removed and that the switch for the pump was disconnected. The only thing scheduled at this time are the bi-weekly card parties, and using bottled water was not an inconvenience. Council passed a resolution to reflect the above action.


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  • -Richard Holloway, Katrine Community Centre Club attended Council to discuss the operation of the summer rec program from the Centre and to request that some clean up be done. Council passed a resolution. Wendy Whitwell will instruct the summer rec program staff and the Clerk will contact the groundskeeper.


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  • -Les Phinney, CRS,I, attended Council to discuss road related issues;

- update of bridge study - Council reviewed and approved, by resolution, an ad for engineering services.

- By-law # 19-98, to provide for the erection of stop signs, was reviewed. Les will prepare a list of new locations to be added at the next meeting.

- Council moved into closed session at 8:30 P.M. and out of closed session at 8:42 P.M.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING:

  • -Rogers AT&T - requesting date for public meeting be rescheduled. Council set the date to Thursday, September 13th.


  • -Bayview Rest, Katrine. Request from Ted Shelley to be permitted to install pipes under the Township road from the cottages on the north side of Doe Lake Road to a septic system on the south side of Doe Lake Road. Council requested that Mr. Shelley and his consultant attend a council meeting.


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  • -Official Plan Review & Consolidation of Zoning By-law. Council reviewed a memo from Bob Miller re AutoCad mapping for the zoning by-law and a resolution was passed to accept the quoted price of $2,800.00. A resolution was passed to advertise the public meeting on July 14th .

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BUSINESS ARISING FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING:

  • -A draft by-law to establish Parkland Dedication Fees for the Township of Armour was included in the agenda package for Council's review. Councillor Cripps requested that any discussion be tabled until she had time to make revisions and bring it back to Council.

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APPLICATIONS: LOTTERY LICENCE:

A resolution was passed to approve the application of the Armour, Ryerson & Burk's Falls Agricultural Society for a Nevada Licence.

BY-LAWS:

  • -By-law # 13-2001, being a by-law to rescind By-law # 838, was read a first & second time.

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REPORTS:

  • -Fire Board - June 14th - minutes of the meeting were available for review as well as a draft by-law to establish fees and By-law # 28-92. The Clerk was instructed to have the by-law to establish fees ready for passing at the next meeting. Each member of Council is to review By-law # 28-92 and inform the Clerk of any suggested changes for a report to Council at the August 14th meeting.
  • -Almaguin 2000 - June 19th - minutes of meeting were available.
  • -Arena - June 20th - minutes of meeting were available
  • -Amalgamation - June 21st - general discussion

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • -Town of Midland, requesting support for a resolution to petition the Ontario Legislature to provide the necessary legislation to municipalities that would permit the determination of an opening prayer by Municipal Councils in the proceedings of Council meetings. A resolution of support was passed.


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  • -Township of Stirling - Rawdon, requesting support for a resolution to request the indefinite deferral of radio communication fees collected from municipalities by the Federal Government and vehicle licensing fees collected from municipalities by the Provincial Government. A resolution of support was passed.


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  • -AMO, update on a Municipal Election Project Team created by AMCTO to work on proposed changes to legislation.


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  • -Ministry of Finance, announcing consultations on the Community Reinvestment Fund to explore funding model alternatives. Councillor McFarlane will be preparing a submission.


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  • -Almaguin Highlands Community Adjustment Committee, update on current activities and seeking input from members of Council on pertinent issues to be added to the Terms of Reference for the Consultant.

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

  • -Letter & invoice from Graham, Wilson & Green re Armour Township et al ats Brandt et al. A resolution was passed authorizing the payment of the invoice and the letter will be discussed once the decision is received.


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  • -A resolution was passed regarding the proposal for a centralized assessment and data call centre.

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  • -Staff report on Township property - Commerce Court. The Clerk was instructed to arrange a meeting with Michael Nychuk, the economic development officer in Burk's Falls and Reeve, Frank Gill.


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  • -Letter from Eastholme, update on redevelopment of "D" beds and 24 new long-term care bed award.

    • NEW BUSINESS:

  • -Fire department looking for volunteers to work at the July 1st fireworks display. Councillor McFarlane was volunteered.


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  • -Request from groundskeeper for the rate of $ 10.15 to be increased for cutting the grass at 12 Three Mile Lake Road. The Clerk is to discuss this further with him as well as picking up the garbage for the summer rec program.


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  • -A resolution was passed authorizing the payment of the annual Cemetery grants.


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

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RESOLUTIONS:

  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the minutes of the regular meeting held on June 12, 2001 be adopted as circulated. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby instruct the Berriedale Community Centre Club to disconnect the existing well and to use bottled water at all functions. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Frank Gill, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby instruct the summer rec program director to ensure that the following duties are done at the Katrine Community Centre;

Daily - sweep/vacuum floors; wipe tables used; clean up any spills; ensure kitchen and bathrooms are tidy, remove & take all garbage to landfill by groundskeeper

Weekly - wash floors in kitchen/bathrooms/tiled floor in main room; clean kitchen cupboards & sinks; clean bathroom sinks & toilets; check parking lot/outside play area and pick up all garbage (Carried)

  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the Clerk to advertize for Engineering Services for the Bridge Study in Accordance with the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Township of Armour move into closed session at 8:30 P.M. in order to discuss personnel matters pursuant to Section 55 (5) (d) of the Municipal Act. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Joanne Cripps, That we move out of the closed session at 8:42 P.M. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize digital mapping for the consolidation of Zoning By-law # 27-95 at the quoted price of $2,800.00 from Hynde Paul Associates Inc. (Carried)

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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the advertisement of the public meeting on July 14th for the Official Plan Review and Property Standards By-law Review. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby approve the application for a Nevada Licence by the Armour, Ryerson & Burk's Falls Agricultural Society and the licence fee shall be waived. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 13-2001, being a by-law to rescind By-law # 838 (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That By-law # 13-2001 be read a second time. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That By-law # 13-2001 be read a third time, signed and the seal of the Corporation affixed thereto and finally passed in open Council this 26th day of June , 2001. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Town of Midland to petition the Ontario Legislature to provide the necessary legislation to municipalities that would permit the determination of an opening prayer by Municipal Councils in the proceedings of Council meetings. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution of the Township of Stirling - Rawdon to request the indefinite deferral of radio communication fees collected from municipalities by the Federal Government and vehicle licensing fees collected from municipalities by the Provincial Government.


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  • -Moved by Joanne Cripps, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the payment of invoice # 46531 from Graham Wilson & Green in the amount of $ 4,929.61. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran,

WHEREAS the property tax is a vital part of municipal funding;

AND WHEREAS accurate assessment prepared by qualified assessors familiar with the area they service are essential to the administration of the tax roll and tax billing process;

AND WHEREAS the Regional Assessment Office has provided a professional service to area municipalities for which the municipalities are billed;

AND WHEREAS the importance of this service delivery being done locally for the betterment of the community, municipality and residents should not be under-rated;

AND WHEREAS the quality of the assessment service is sure to decline with a centralized call centre removed from the service area resulting in staff being unfamiliar with properties and thereby unable to assist municipal Clerks;

AND WHEREAS costs for assessment services will not necessarily decrease due to travel time, travel distance and travel expenses;

NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Township of Armour hereby calls on the board of directors of the Ontario Municipal Assessment Corporation to halt the project calling for a centralized assessment and data call centre in an effort to prevent disruption and poor quality of this essential service (Recorded vote - For - Blakelock, Corcoran, Gill; Opposed - Cripps)(Carried)

  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the payment of the following Cemetery grants for the year 2001: Chetwynd Cemetery $ 100.00; Berriedale Cemetery $ 100.00; Burk's Falls Cemetery $ 100.00; Berriedale Catholic Cemetery $ 100.00. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That we do now adjourn at 10:15 p.m. until the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for July 10, 2001, or at the call of the Reeve. (Carried)