Council cans composters but considers education campaign
Last week, the Northeast Town council continued its discussion of purchasing composters for Northeast Town residents and selling them at cost.
Town CAO Dave Williamson reported back to council that after a staff investigation into the concept, they recommended that the endeavour should not be taken on, reasoning that the price would be the same if an individual was to purchase a composter from a local store.
“There is no point in us competing with local businesses,” agreed Councillor Michael Erskine. “It might make more sense to launch a campaign encouraging residents to compost.”
“I agree with Councillor Erskine,” added Councillor Marcel Gauthier. “However, I think we also need to educate about recycling because I still see people placing recyclables in their garbage.”
Council requested that staff look into developing a compost and recycling education campaign.
Council passes tax-capping bylaw
The Northeast Town council passed bylaw 2014-22 last Tuesday evening, “being a bylaw of the Corporation of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands to authorize tax-capping and tax clawback procedures for the 2014 taxation period.”
Mr. Williamson informed council that there were only four properties left in the municipality that still fell under the bylaw.
The Island Jar granted patio
Mr. Williamson reviewed a letter with council from The Island Jar, requesting permission from council to have a small table and chairs in front of the Water Street store.
The town CAO informed council that the owner, Natasha Rueter, would enter into an agreement with the town, paying a fee for the table and chairs, but required the permission of council also.
Council carried a motion granting Ms. Rueter permission to do so.
Minor hockey to host yard sale at Welcome Centre
The Northeast Town council reviewed a letter from Little Current Minor Hockey executive Jackie Hubbard requesting permission to use the Little Current recreation centre parking lot for a minor hockey fundraiser on July 5.
Mr. Williamson told council that there was a wedding booked at the recreation centre that day and that through conversations with Mr. Hubbard they had agreed to change their request to the Manitoulin Welcome Centre parking lot.
Council approved the request.
Council gives fish and game club a helping hand
The Little Current Fish and Game Club (LCFGC) and Manitoulin Streams requested an in-kind donation from council of three hours of backhoe time to do work on the Bass Lake stream.
“It would involve removing three logs that acted as finger dams,” explained LCFGC president Bill Strain. “These logs have deteriorated over the years to the point where they are not doing what they were designed to do. In place of these logs we will be adding six to eight boulders.”
“Historically, we do not loan town equipment ‘in-kind’,” explained Mr. Williamson when asked by council. “Instead, if council would like to support this cause, they could donate the funds. It is cleaner (in terms of bookkeeping) and supports the private sector.”
A motion was put forward to donate $225, which would equal the average fee of a backhoe rental ($75) for three hours.
Councillor Melissa Peters requested a recorded vote, stating that she felt council had “limited knowledge of the budget.”
In the recorded vote Councillor Michael Erskine, Marcel Gauthier, Christina Jones, Bill Koehler, Dawn Orr, Paul Skippen Bruce Wood and Mayor Al MacNevin voted yes, carrying the motion, while Councillor Peters voted against the motion.
Library board minutes
Councillor Christina Jones reviewed June’s Little Current Library board minutes with council. She noted that the new group of board members were doing well and that the new technology support program for seniors was also going well.
She added that the board had set a goal of September for its 2015 budget.
Airport minutes
Mr. Williamson, who also acts as the Manitoulin East Municipal Airport treasurer, reviewed the airport’s recent audit with council. He reported that there was a surplus of over $10,000.
“Though sales were down from the budgeted amount,” said Mr. Williamson, “due to cost control measures taken by airport staff, they were able to generate a surplus.”
Council’s representative on the airport commission, Councillor Gauthier, reported that May had been a good month for the airport with lots of activity resulting from fuel sales.
He also commented that the recent fly-in at the airport had gone well, despite the weather, bringing in nine planes.
Fire report
Northeast Town Fire Chief Darren Bailey delivered the June fire report to council at the community services and public works committee meeting late last month.
Chief Bailey reported that there had been three calls since his last report including a fire alarm call in Little Current on May 27, a call for the elevator alarm at the Little Current recreation centre on June 12 and a house fire on June 13 on Wilson Street in Little Current.
“To date (this year) we have had 29 calls for service,” added Chief Bailey, ”and the apparatus and equipment is in good working order.”
Community services report
Reid Taylor presented council with the community services report. He began with the recreation centre, stating that maintenance and repairs to prepare for upcoming events was being performed by staff and that the capital upgrades are in process.
“This month at the recreation centre we have the museum dinner, Little Current Public School graduation, Lovin’ Little Current Day and a wedding on July 5.”
“Spider Bay Marina is filling up each week with more seasonal boats,” continued Mr. Taylor. “The service dock is busy on weekends. The Port of Little Current is open and is being staffed during the day and on the weekends with a few transient boats having arrived and stayed overnight. All staff have completed the Northeast Town marina training and five new staff have completed Boating Ontario’s Student Training that was hosted at Spider Bay on June 8.”
Mr. Taylor also noted that the town washroom facilities were open and being maintained regularly by staff and that the parks are being maintained weekly.
“The playgrounds are being tilled and maintained regularly,” he continued. “And the new launch dock at the Sheguiandah Government Dock will be completed this week. As well, the new gazebo at the dock was completed yesterday. In Little Current, the Low Island swim dock will be built and installed by the month’s end as will the new Low Island gazebo, weather permitting.”
Councillor Gauthier inquired about the town’s giant rocking chair that was donated by the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.
Mr. Williamson explained that it was in storage awaiting council’s decision of where to put it.
After a discussion, council suggested the Sheguiandah waterfront at the end of the pier.
Public works report
Gary May informed council that roadwork in the municipality was going well with gravel being placed on roads followed by grading and dust control.
“Construction will start on capital projects this week and patching and culvert leveling is being done,” continued Mr. May.
“A pre-construction meeting this week will be held with Lacroix Construction, C2S Engineering and town staff for the Robinson Street forcemain repairs,” added Mr. May. As for the new public works garage, tenders are out and have gone out in two sections; one for what the insurance company will cover and the second with the additions that staff are recommending. The tender closed Wednesday, June 25 and the results will be brought to council for consideration.”
Mr. Williamson further explained that the additions of the second tender included making the building square, larger with automatic garage doors and a steel frame versus wood.
He also noted that White Construction through McLean’s Mountain LLP is continuing to complete work (road work on Townline Road at the Limekiln corner) under the road use agreement.
Concillor Gauthier asked if any work was being done on Harbour View Road in Little Current because he had had several questions from residents who noted on the poor road conditions.
Mr. May responded that town staff was currently working on the road’s culverts and would be chip and tarring it after the work is completed.
Building controls and bylaw report
Brock Sanftenberg reported to council that 24 building permits have been issued to date with an estimated construction cost of $882,554.
He added that parking was being monitored and tickets issued as required, but that there had been no property standards issues.
Councillor Erskine asked Mr. Sanftenberg if, historically, the amount of building permits was on par. Mr. Sanftenberg said it was a little down this year due to a slow start, but that it had started to pick up with the warm weather.
Council says ‘no’ to waiving parking ticket
The Northeast Town council reviewed a letter from Janet Whissel who explained that while employed with Elections Ontario recently she received a parking ticket from the town.
“I noticed there was no place to park at the restaurant (The Edgewater, an advanced polling station) or across (the road) at the TD Bank and the downtown area was full also,” wrote Ms. Whissel in her letter to council. “I noticed the ‘No Parking’ sign but also observed white lines showing where not to park on each side. I parked past the white lines and went into the office.”
Ms. Whissel went on to explain that she had received a ticket and that she had not paid the ticket as she was “acting on principal.”
Mr. Williamson explained that Mr. Sanftenberg had done his job, issuing a ticket to someone who parked in front of a ‘No Parking’ sign.
Councillor Koehler agreed saying, “he should be commended for doing his job.”
Council directed staff to contact Ms. Whissel and explain that council would not be making any exceptions and that she would need to pay her ticket.
Canada Day boat sale gets green light from council
The Business Improvement Area (BIA) wrote council requesting permission to use the first pier closest to The Edgewater to hold the annual in-water boat show on Canada Day.
A motion was carried recommending to council the donation of $230 towards dockage for the BIA to host the boat show.
Honora Bay residents rally together to request speed limit reduction
Council reviewed a letter from the residents of Honora Lakeshore Road, requesting that a sign reducing the speed limit to 20km/hr be posted.
“This road is narrow and only wide enough for one vehicle to pass with many twists and turns and you have to pull over into a driveway to let approaching traffic pass,” wrote Vic Laberge, a spokesperson for the group of eight residents who signed the letter. “We also have quite a few children and adults on this road riding bicycles, walking or crossing over to the water side.”
Council agreed that the request sounded ‘reasonable’ and moved a motion, recommending to council that a 20km/hr sign be posted at the beginning of the road as well as a ‘Children at Play’ sign.
