THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ARMOUR

MINUTES

October 11, 2005

The regular meeting of the Council of the Township of Armour was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Reeve, Richard Thomas; Councillors, Rod Blakelock, Marty Corcoran, Jerry Brandt and Bob MacPhail; delegates, Sgt. Jeff Coleman, O.P.P, Anne Haines, Municipal Property Assessment Corporation; guests, Phyllis Leggett, Ed Robinson, Bob and Elaine Warankie, Neil and Suzanne Yungblut, Paul and Sylvia Robinson, Margaret Herrington; 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 September 27, 2005 were approved as circulated.

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST: None

DELEGATIONS:

Sgt. Jeff Coleman, O.P.P., attended to provide the statistics report from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005. A comparison to the same period in 2004 indicates the calls for service is continuing to decline in the municipality from total calls in 2004 of 363 to 306 in 2005. Sgt Coleman answered questions regarding 911 calls, deer feeding and road hazards, highway accidents and manpower. Reeve Thomas thanked Sgt. Coleman for the information provided.

Anne Haines, MPAC, attended to update council regarding the recent Province wide re-assessment and the impact on the municipality. Anne highlighted the evaluation process, changes in assessment notice form, key dates and how property owners can contact MPAC to discuss their assessment and any concerns or questions they may have. A public information session is being planned in the Burk's Falls area in mid November and Anne will advise once the details are finalized. Anne answered a number of questions including values for water access properties, year round use versus seasonal use of property and how MPAC is funded.

Les Phinney, CRS-I, attended to discuss the following road issues:

- road accounts voucher # 10-2005 in the amount of $ 23,740.23 was reviewed and approved by resolution.

- three quotes were requested for the replacement of four grader tires. Two were received and reviewed. A resolution authorizing the purchase from Gilroy Tire was passed.

- A resolution authorizing the registration of three road department employee's (Dave, Allen and Glenn) to attend the Association of Ontario Road Superintendents plow training seminar was passed.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING:

- Derek Miller, proposed development Part Lot 5, Concession 7, response from council to the proposal was discussed. The clerk was instructed to set up a meeting with the Village of Burk's Falls on October 25^th, prior to responding to the applicant.

ACCOUNTS FOR APPROVAL:

• -road accounts voucher # 10-2005, in the amount of $ 23,740.23 was approved for payment by resolution.

• -general accounts voucher # 10-2005, in the amount of $ 247,645.75 was approved for payment by resolution.



• -landfill accounts voucher # 10-2005, in the amount of $ 10,646.90 was approved for payment by resolution.

REPORTS:

- AHIC, September 28^th and 29^th, Richard gave a verbal report. All municipalities have agreed to sell their portion to Perry, and an offer will be forthcoming.

- Tri R, October 5^th, Bob and Richard gave a verbal report. An emergency certificate of approval is being applied for.

- Arena, October 6^th, Richard reported on the feasibility study/business plan.

- Planning Brd, October 10^th, Richard gave a verbal report.

- Economic Development Committee, Bob reported the public meeting will proceed on October 24^th at 7:00 p.m. at the arena.

CORRESPONDENCE:

- Trans Canada Trails, request for donation. No support was given.

- Northern Ontario Medical School, request for donation to the Northern Ontario Medical School Bursary Campaign. A resolution authorizing a donation was passed.

- North Bay - Blue Sky Net, notice regarding Project Skywire and new partnership with Spectrum 2000 Communication Group Inc.

- AMO Alert, Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, 2002, regarding outstanding elements of Bill 124. A resolution was passed.

- MPAC, notice of the 2005 Annual Meeting, October 19^th, Sheraton Fallsview Hotel and Conference Centre, Niagara Falls.

- AMO, For Your Information, listing of status of legislation relating to municipal governments.

- AMO Alert, proposed resolution regarding Bill 123, private members bill regarding notice provisions, open meetings, minutes, etc. A resolution was passed regarding Bill 123.

- Regional Municipality of Niagara, request for support of a resolution which opposes the requirement for additional documentation to cross the U.S./Canada border. A resolution supporting this position was passed.

- Town of Tecumseh, request for support of a resolution requesting the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services re-affirm their support of the Community Emergency Response Volunteers (CERV) Funding. A resolution of support was passed.

- City of Greater Sudbury, request for support of a resolution to petition the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to not implement the amended criteria and procedures as they relate to "farm tax credits and allowances" A resolution of support was passed.

- Township of Oro - Medonte, request for support of a resolution requesting the Ministry of Natural Resources recognize the threat of predation to livestock by cougars/pumas within Ontario and initiate a program of compensation to livestock owners for predation by these wild animals within Ontario. A resolution of support was passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

- Discussion regarding council table. The clerk will contact local businesses and the company who built the table and request a cost to make modifications.

- No response to date to the request for a meeting with Minister Takhar to discuss Highway 11 four-laning issues. Reeve Thomas will forward another letter.

NEW BUSINESS:

- OMERS, notification of rate increases for 2006.

- AMO Alert, regarding Bill 206, OMERS reform and related issues.

- AMO, Federal gas tax implementation update.

- List of correspondence received and not on the 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 September 27, 2005 meeting be approved as circulated. (Carried)

- Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That Road Accounts Voucher # 10-2005 in the amount of $ 23,740.23 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried)

- Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the purchase of 4 - 1400 Michelin snow plus tires at a cost of $ 1,626.00 each, plus tax and o rings. (Carried)

- Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Jerry Brandt, That the Council of the Township of Armour authorize the registration of three road department employees to attend the combination plow and mtc. training seminar on October 25, 2005 and agree to cover related costs for same. (Carried)

- Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That General Accounts Voucher # 10-2005 in the amount of $ 247,645.75 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 Jerry Brandt, That Landfill Accounts Voucher # 10-2005 in the amount of $ 10,646.90 be paid as presented and the Reeve and the Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign cheques for same. (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, The Council of the Township of Armour hereby approve a donation in the amount of $600.00 to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine bursary fund. (Carried)

- improved building code knowledge by builders and contractors

- provisions for builder liability insurance for non-residential builders

- longer liability insurance periods for designers

and that the Building Advisory Council review the other recommendations of BRRAG that were omitted in Bill 124, which will create a more equitable building regulatory system in Ontario. (Carried)

- Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock,

WHEREAS the provincial Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills is currently debating Private Members Bill 123 the Transparency in Public Matters Act; and
WHEREAS the proposed legislation includes municipal council and committees; and
WHEREAS the proposed legislation adds requirements to notice provisions, open meetings, minutes, forms of meetings, among other matters all of which are addressed in the Municipal Act, would create confusion for council, administrators and the public; and
WHEREAS the Municipal Act is currently under review and is being informed by input from the municipal and private sectors among others; and
WHEREAS AMO and others have urged the Standing Committee to remove any references to municipal councils or council committees from this legislation and allow transparency and accountability issues to continue to be regulated under the Municipal Act;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Township of Armour urges the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to vote against the Bill if the reference to "municipal councils" is not deleted in the Bill as reported by the Standing Committee; and that Norm Miller, M.P.P and all provincial members of the legislature be advised of the lack of this council's support for the inclusion of "municipal councils" in Bill 123. (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Marty Corcoran, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the Regional Municipality of Niagara, and does not support the additional requirement of a "passport of another document" in order to cross the U.S./Canada border effective December 31, 2006 (air, sea) and December 31, 2007, (land) until "another document" that is easily accessible and affordable by all citizens of all ages is completely defined. (Carried)

- Moved by Marty Corcoran, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour support the resolution from the City of Greater Sudbury and petition the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to not implement the amended criteria and procedures as they relate to "farm tax credits and allowances". (Carried)

- Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby support the resolution from the Township of Oro-Medonte and request that the Ministry of Natural Resources recognize the threat of predation to livestock by cougars/pumas within Ontario and initiate a program of compensation to livestock owners for predation by these wild animals within Ontario. (Carried)

- Moved by Rod Blakelock, Seconded by Bob MacPhail, That the Council of the Township of Armour hereby move into closed session at 9:49 p.m. in order to discuss matters pursuant to Section 239 (2) (b) (e) 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 10:12 p.m. (Carried)

- Moved by Bob MacPhail, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That the Council of the Township of Armour accept with regret, the resignation of Liz Stermsek, effective September 30, 2005. (Carried)

- Moved by Jerry Brandt, Seconded by Rod Blakelock, That we do now adjourn at 10:13 p.m. until the next regular meeting of Council scheduled for October 25, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. or at the call of the Reeve. (Carried)