THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR

MINUTES

March 23, 2004

The regular meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Reeve Richard Thomas; Councillors Rod Blakelock, Jerry Brandt, Marty Corcoran and Bob MacPhail.; delegates; John Stark, Fire Prevention Officer; Laura Rowley; Dave Langerud, Burk's Falls Special Events Committee; Gail Sawyer; and Gerry Church and his counsel, Robert van der Wijst, guests; Phyllis Leggett, Paul & Sylvia Robinson, John Oxley, Karen Kowalchuk, Jack Blackwell, Lorne Dyck, Frank and Diane Pellegrino, Easter Tonelli, Paul Rivais and Henry Tanner; and Wendy Whitwell, Clerk Treasurer.

CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

The minutes of the regular meeting March 9, 2004 were approved as circulated.

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST:

Councillor MacPhail declared pecuniary interest on item # 4, ATV By-law, general nature thereof, presented ATV petition and signed petition.

DELEGATIONS:

Eric Searle, regarding Highway 11 four- laning, was not able to attend.

John Stark, Fire Prevention Officer, attended to discuss the fire safety plan he is working on for the Katrine Community Centre. John reviewed the plan with Council and indicated he will be completing plans for all municipal buildings. The proposed by-law for the provision of security boxes containing fire safety plans was discussed in detail. This by-law has been passed by the Township of Ryerson and the Village of Burk's Falls. Once passed, public buildings and multi-residential buildings will be required to comply with a security box containing fire safety plans, hazardous material and hazardous physical agent information and provide keys for building access, to prevent the spread of fire. The clerk was instructed to prepare the by-law for reading at the next meeting. John was thanked for his informative presentation.

Laura Rowley, attended to represent the people who had signed a petition in support of an A.T.V. by-law and discuss any concerns Council have regarding passing such a by-law. Council indicated they are concerned with liability issues, possible additional road maintenance, enforcement and the potential for some individuals to not use care and control when using ATV's on the municipal roadways. Councillor Brandt read the report he prepared after attending the A.T.V. seminar at the OGRA/ROMA conference. Paul Robinson also read a prepared letter giving reasons why Council should move forward and pass an A.T.V. by-law. The possibility of Councillor Brandt forming a committee with a group of interested individuals to work on solutions to Council's concerns was discussed.

After a lengthy discussion, the clerk was instructed to prepare the draft by-law submitted by By-law enforcement officer Jim Mahoney for first reading at the next Council meeting. It was agreed that the by-law would be read once at the next three meetings to allow for further public input.

Dave Langerud, Burk's Falls Special Events Committee, advised Council that the committee will not be presenting a rodeo this summer, but is hopeful for next summer. They are considering other events for this summer, including a boat run from Burk's Falls to Magnetawan, and will keep Council updated as plans are finalized.

Gail Sawyer, attended Council again to discuss Part of Lot 7, Concession 13 and the problems created by the merging of the lots. Mrs. Sawyer is requesting Council support her request to split this property. The planning board staff have advised her that the consent process must be followed. Council reviewed comments from municipal planner Bob Miller. The clerk was instructed to ask the planner how we can facilitate the splitting of the lot. Mrs. Sawyer will be contacted when we have this reply.

APPLICATIONS: LOTTERY

  • -Knights of Columbus, request for a raffle license. A resolution authorizing a licence to be issued for a raffle on May 22, 2004 was approved.

REPORTS:

  • -POA, March 9th, minutes included in the agenda package. Richard gave a verbal report.


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  • -Emergency Planning, March 10th, North Bay. Richard gave a verbal report, and left the training manual for any member of Council to read.


  • -MTO, public information session March 10th. Richard gave a verbal report.


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  • -Fire Board, March 16th. Marty gave a verbal report. As of May 1st the emergency services will be dispatched from Parry Sound.


  • -Arena Board, March 17th. Jerry gave a verbal report. The board is reviewing rental rates. Minutes of the this meeting were included in the agenda.


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  • -Library, March 17th. Rod gave a verbal report. The library has received a $ 4000.00 grant. The board is currently reviewing the layout of the library to create more space in specific areas. The library will not be relocating to the Land of Lakes School.


  • -By-law Officer's report, February 29, 2004 was reviewed by Council.


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  • -AHIC, progress report prepared by Tony Ehrsam, Councillor Perry Township was reviewed by Council.
  • -Resolution to move into closed session was passed.


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  • -Resolution to move out of closed session was passed

CORRESPONDENCE:

  • -Ministry of Energy, Ontario's Conservation Action Team, requesting submissions on any major initiatives that have been successful in our community. Reeve Thomas will prepare comments.


  • -County of Hasting, requesting support of a resolution to allow MPAC access to the vital statistics data base in an effort to improve the accuracy of municipal voters lists. A resolution in support was passed.

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  • -City of Kawartha Lakes, requesting support of a resolution requesting the Government of Ontario review the system of current value assessment (CVA) and implement a system that protects property owners from volatile significant property assessment increases, and promotes a more stable system of property assessment . A resolution in support was passed.
  • -City of Katwartha Lakes, requesting support of a resolution to request the Premier to take steps to permanently reinstate the prohibition on the disconnection of electricity in the winter by Hydro One. A resolution in support was passed.


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  • -City of Kawartha Lakes, request for support of a resolution requesting the Province to limit the powers of the Ontario Municipal Board to dealing with amendments to municipal official plans and zoning by-laws. No support was given.


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  • -Township of South Stormont, request for support of a resolution to recognize the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association as the certifying body for recreation facility professionals. No support was given.


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  • -Township of Ryerson, request for support of the nomination of Jack Miners, as Ward 4 representative on the District of Parry Sound Municipal Association. A resolution in support was passed.


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  • -AMO Alert, Announcement of changes to the seasonal campground assessment and the cancellation by the Minster of Finance of notices forwarded for the 2003 taxation year.

  • -Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers, request for support of a resolution requesting the Minister of Northern Development and Mines and the Minister of Agriculture and Food support the agriculture sector through ongoing support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. A resolution in support was passed.


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  • -Northern Shores District Health Council, request for municipal representation for the Parry Sound District. No names will be submitted from Armour.


  • -Micro Business Development Centre, notification of conference May 5, 2004, "Prosper from the Pavement - Making the Most of the 4 Lane Opportunity". The clerk bring further information to another meeting.


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  • -Sundridge Senior's request for support of a resolution requesting the Provincial Government support the Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police Detachment and rectify this under-serviced area by providing twenty-four hour policing service. A resolution in support was passed.


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  • -Algonguin Health Services, requesting representation for East Parry Sound on a "Recruitment Committee". No names will be submitted from Armour.


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  • -Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, request for donation towards the 2004 Graduation Awards Program. A resolution authorizing a donation was passed.


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  • -Worldwide Wellness Pain Control Organization, thank you for previous donation and a request for a further donation. No support was given.
  • -Correspondence from L. Boughton, regarding municipal water supply. The clerk was instructed to reply.

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NEW BUSINESS:

  • -Girl Guides of Canada, Sprucedale, notification of free swimming lessons at the camp this summer. Armour will not facilitate swimming lessons this summer, but will offer support for a bus to provide transportation to the camp.


  • -District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, notification of Spring meeting, Monday, April 26, 2004 in Magnetawan and minutes of the fall meeting, October 6, 2003. A resolution authorizing the registration of four people to attend was passed.


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  • -The clerk notified Council that Donna Smith has resigned to accept a full time position with the Village of Sundridge. The clerk was authorized to advertize and hire as required.

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

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RESOLUTIONS:

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 9, 2004 be adopted as circulated. (Carried) Councillor MacPhail abstained due to his absence from the meeting.

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby approve the application for a raffle licence submitted by the Knights of Columbus and the licence fee shall be $ 5.00 . (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, BE IT RESOLVED That the Council of the Township of Armour move into closed session at 8:55 p.m. in order to discuss matters pursuant to Section 239 2 (e) of the Municipal Act. (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the Council of the Township of Armour move out of the closed session at 10:26 P.M.. (Carried)

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

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the County of Hastings and request the Province of Ontario make the necessary changes to allow the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to provide to the municipalities an accurate voters list. (Carried)

- Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, The Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the City of Kawartha Lakes and petition the Government of Ontario and Premier Dalton McGuinty to review the system of Current Value Assessment (CVA) and implement a system of property assessment that protects owners in Ontario from volatile significant property assessment increases and promotes a more stable system of property assessment within the Province of Ontario.(Carried)

- Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the City of Kawartha Lakes, and request Premier McGuinty and Dwight Duncan, the Energy Minister, to take immediate steps to permanently reinstate the prohibition on the disconnection of electricity in the winter by Hydro One, put in place by the previous provincial government. (Carried)

- Moved by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the nomination of Jack Miners, Councillor Township of Ryerson, to be the Ward 4 Director for the District of Parry Sound Municipal Association. (Carried)

- Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township Armour hereby support the resolution from the Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers, and petition the Minister of Northern Development and Mines and the Minister of Agriculture and Food to ensure the future of ongoing financial support for the Agricultural Sector from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution submitted by the Sundridge Senior Citizens Group, "The Happy Gang", and request the Provincial Government provide funding for twenty-four hour staffing for the Almaguin Highlands O.P.P. Detachment. (Carried)

- Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize a donation of $50.00 to the Almaguin Highlands Secondary School graduation awards program for 2004. (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the registration of 3 Councillors and 1 staff member to attend the District of Parry Sound Municipal Association meeting on April 26, 2004 at the Magnetawan Community Centre. (Carried)

- Moved by Martin Corcoran, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That we do now adjourn at 12:05 p.m. until the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for April 13, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. or at the call of the Reeve. (Carried)