THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR

MINUTES

November 23, 2004

The regular meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Tuesday, November 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, Steve Anema and Pat Stephens from the North Bay General Hospital, Leanne Crozier, Emergency Management Coordinator; guests, Karen Kowalchuk, Jane Anema, and Wendy Whitwell, Clerk-Treasurer.

CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING:

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

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST:

  • -None.

DELEGATIONS:

  • -Pat Stephens and Steve Anema, North Bay General Hospital gave a presentation on the status of the new hospital project. The North Bay Regional Health Centre will include beds for both the North Bay General Hospital, and North Eastern Mental Health Centre. Costs associated with the mental health centre are funded 100% by the Province with the Hospital funded at 70%. The presentation including information on the location, design, and scope of the project, economic impact, and proposed funding sources. A Municipal task force study information package was left with the clerk for further review. Any financial commitment Armour Council could provide for this project would be appreciated. Pat and Steve were thanked for the detailed, informative presentation.

  • -Leanne Crozier, Emergency Management Coordinator attended to answer any questions Council may have regarding the draft emergency plan and Canadian Red Cross agreement. The plan was reviewed and Leanne detailed the expertise, equipment and assistance available in an emergency, by the Canadian Red Cross. The clerk was instructed to prepare the by-laws for both documents for the next meeting.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING:

  • -Women's Own Resource Centre/ Micro Business Centre, request for commitment for 2005 funding and a reply from Armour's request for further budget and finance information. A resolution authorizing support in the amount of $ 371.70 was passed.


  • -A resolution was passed authorizing the purchase of a Canon iR3300 laser/digital copier from Cannon Business Solutions, North Bay.

APPLICATIONS:

CONSENT

  • -1558868 Ontario Limited, B-041/04, Lots 1 & 2, Con. 6 and B-042/04 Lot 2, Con. 5. Council reviewed the applications, planner report from Tunnock Consulting and comments from municipal planner Robert Miller. A resolution was passed approving the application with a condition.

BY-LAWS:

  • -By-law # 36-2004, being a by-law to stop up, close and convey the original shore road allowance and road allowance, Lots 5 & 6, Concession 4, was read a first, second and third time.


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  • -By-law # 37-2004, being a by-law to remove the holding designation on Part Lots 1 & 2, Concession 8, was read a first, second and third time.
  • -By-law # 38-2004, being a by-law to enter into an agreement for the joint management of the Union Public Library, was read a first time.

REPORTS:

  • -Arena Board, November 17th, Jerry and Richard gave a verbal report.
  • -Library Board, November 17th, Rod gave a verbal report.
  • -Jim Mahoney, By-law officer, report to Council, re letter from Sylvia Gethons-Green.

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CORRESPONDENCE:

  • -Township of Augusta, request for support of a resolution to urge the Province of Ontario, Minister of Finance, to re-examine the access to the gas tax fund allocation to be distributed so that municipalities that are without public transportation would also be assisted. A resolution of support was passed.


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  • -Township of Augusta, request for support of a resolution to urge the Province of Ontario to either leave the CRF allocation as it is currently with somewhat the same funding formula, or replace the CRF with some other form of funding that will be comparable in the dollars received. A resolution of support was passed.
  • -Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, request for support of a resolution requesting the Ontario Government support the dairy farmers and rural community in general with the reinstatement of the dairy herd improvement funding. A resolution of support was passed.


  • -Eastholme , Home for the Aged, Invitation to the official opening of the twenty-four new long-term care beds, and the seventy-two redeveloped beds. No Council member is available to attend.


  • -Fowler Construction, invitation to a Christmas celebration to be held on Wednesday, December 8th, at Ouiinbyrd, 4805 Highway 169, Foots Bay. No one will be attending.


  • -Notification of the 2005 FONOM/Northeastern Ontario Municipal Conference, May 11 - 13th, 2005 hosted by the Town of Parry Sound.


  • -Algonquin Health Services and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, news release regarding the joint planning retreat held November 5th and 6th, to discuss the focus of the new organization and how to improve upon patient and client services.


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  • -Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Dr. Susan J Adams, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, North Bay Psychiatric Hospital, information letter regarding the current and planned changes to mental health care in the Northeastern Ontario Region
  • -The Ontario Trillium Foundation, information letter regarding grants available to community libraries under the Special Initiative for Rural and Small Communities programs.


  • -Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, copy of the new rural plan, Strong Rural Communities: Working Together for Success.


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  • -Debbie Hunt, comments regarding Bill 132, an amendment to the Dog Owner's Liability Act, to increase public safety in relations to dogs, including pit bulls. Council have no reply to this letter at this time.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

  • -Ministry of the Environment, proposed amendments to the Drinking Water Systems Regulations (O Reg. 170/03).


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  • -letter from Terry Forde dated November 5, 2004, regarding Highway 11 four laning project and interchange locations. The clerk was instructed to forward a letter of reply.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • -AMO Alert, Canada, Ontario and AMO launch COMRIF Program, details of the program including application guide for Intake One, November 2004. Information regarding this program was also forwarded by Bob Sjonnesen, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Deadline for the first round of applications is January 10, 2005. Council will consider options for this, with discussions with Greer Galloway and Les Phinney. Further discussion will be required at the next meeting.


  • -Greer Galloway Group, comments relating to an application for the COMRIF program, fee estimate for environmental assessment (Class EA), specialized testing, preliminary design, public consultation, and environmental impact assessment. Council reviewed correspondence and fee estimate for this work. A resolution was passed.


  • -Almaguin-Nipissing Travel Association, request for support on a per capita basis. A resolution of support was passed.


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  • -Staff report regarding Christmas Holidays. A resolution authorizing the closing of the municipal office from December 24th to December 31st, inclusive was passed.


  • -Staff report regarding Christmas bonuses for 2004 was reviewed. A resolution authorizing bonuses for 2004 was passed.


  • -Discussion regarding the cancellation of the 2nd meeting in December. A resolution authorizing the cancellation of this meeting was passed.


  • -Draft hiring policy was reviewed. The clerk will prepare a by-law for reading at the next meeting.


  • -Township of McKellar, Councillor Debbie Zulak, request for support to serve on the Transition Steering Committee for the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit. No support was given.
  • -List of correspondence received and not on the agenda
  • -Resolution to move into closed session.


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  • -Resolution to move out of closed session.

RESOLUTIONS:

  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the minutes of the November 23, 2004 meeting be approved as circulated. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the Micro Business Development Centre, Women's Own Resource Centre with a contribution of $ 371.70.


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  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the purchase of a Canon iR3300 from Canon Business Solutions, North Bay, in the amount of $ 7,199.00 plus tax. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby approve consent application # B-041/04 and B-042/04, Lot 1 & 2, Concession 6, and Lot 2, Concession 5,as applied for by 1558868 Ontario Limited with the following conditions

- 5% cash-in-lieu of parkland as per the Township of Armour by-law # 14-2002 be paid to the municipality. (Carried)

  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 36-2004, being a by-law to stop up, close and convey the original shore road allowance and road allowance, Lots 5 & 6, Concession 4. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That By-law # 36-2004 be read a second time. (Carried)

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  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That By-law # 36-2004 be read a third time, signed and the seal of the Corporation affixed thereto and finally passed in open Council this 23rd day of November, 2004. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 37-2004, being a by-law to re-zone parts of Lot 1 and 2, Concession VIII, also known as Parts 1 and 2 of Registered Plan 42R-16846. This amendment will drop the "H", and restrict the use of the majority of the lands for a single detached home and part of the lands for driveway access from Highway 520 to the new building lot and the retained lands to the near. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That By-law # 37-2004 be read a second time. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That By-law # 37-2004 be read a third time, signed and the seal of the Corporation affixed thereto and finally passed in open Council this 23rd day of November, 2004. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That leave be given to introduce a bill # 38-2004, being a by-law to enter into an agreement for joint management of the Union Public Library. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the Township of Augusta, and urge the Minister of Finance and the Province of Ontario to re-examine the access to the gas tax allocation to be distributed, so that municipalities that are without public transportation would also be assisted. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the Township of Augusta, and urge the Province of Ontario to either leave the CRF allocation as it is currently with somewhat the same funding formula, or to replace the CRF with some other form of funding that will be comparable in the dollars received. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour support the resolution from the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, and request the Ontario Government support the dairy farmers and rural community in general with the reinstatement of the Dairy Herd Improvement Funding program. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail,That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby accept the proposal submitted by Greer Galloway Group for condition survey and evaluation for Ferguson Rd. Bridge # 1, and Pevensey Rd. Bridge # 9, and environmental impact assessment. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize a contribution to the Almaguin-Nipissing Travel Association for 2004, in the amount of $ 123.90. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the closing of the municipal office from December 24, 2004 to December 31, 2004 inclusive, to allow staff family time during the holiday season. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the Christmas bonus for staff as follows: six full time @ $ 100.00 each, two part time @ $ 50.00 each, cleaning staff, CBO, Building Inspector, Community Policing rep, Property Standards comm rep and library rep, all at $ 50.00 each. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby cancel the December 28, 2004 regularly scheduled meeting of Council. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, BE IT RESOLVED That the Council of the Township of Armour move into closed session at 10:30 p.m. in order to discuss matters pursuant to Section 239 2 (b) (c) (e) of the Municipal Act. (Carried)
  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour move out of the closed session at 10:56 P.M.
  • -Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That we continue beyond the 11:00 o'clock curfew. (Carried)

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  • -Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby authorize the clerk to forward the re-zoning application submitted by Paul and Linda May Smith and Lawrence Judd, as amended, to the municipal planner Robert Miller, for preparation of a by-law to remove the holding zone on part of the property known as Pt Lot 9, Concession 9, Part 1 of Plan 42R-6484 to allow for a building envelope. (Carried)


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  • -Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That we do now adjourn at 11:08p.m. until the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for December 14, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. or at the call of the Reeve. (Carried)