Council determines fishing platform barrier not required
On a motion from Councillors Linda Farquhar and Derek Stephens, council rejected a quote from J.L Richards for the addition of a removable barrier on the Accessible Fishing Platform in Providence Bay “without prejudice.” Following debate on the issue, the council determined that the original purpose of the barrier was not required.
“The original concept was based on a platform in Sudbury,” noted CAO Ruth Frawley. Upon further investigation it was determined that the Sudbury platform was very similar to what is currently in place in Providence Bay.
Council regulates exotic animals
On a motion from Councillors Ted Taylor and Alex Baran, council read three times and passed a motion to “Regulate the Keeping of Exotic Animals.” Councillor Derek Stephens requested a recorded vote on the motion, with Councillors Alex Baran, Ted Taylor, Dale Scott, Linda Farquhar and Patricia MacDonald voting for the motion and Councillor Stephens voting against. The bylaw came about as the result of communications with Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board CAO Fern Dominelli, noted Central Manitoulin CAO Ruth Frawley. “They had trouble in one of their units,” she said, “but when it came to dealing with it, there was nothing they could fall back on.”
Council defers physician recruitment donation
On a motion from Councillors Derek Stephens and Dale Scott, council approved that a donation in the amount of $6,000 to the Physician Recruitment Initiative be considered during 2016 budget deliberations, pending the receipt of the 2015 financial report.
Unopened road allowance improvements approved with conditions
On a motion from Councillors Dale Scott and Ted Taylor, council approved the municipality signing an agreement with Rodney Bowie regarding improvements to the unopened road allowance between Concessions 10 and 11, Lots 21 and 22, in the Township of Carnarvon, Municipality of Central Manitoulin.
“This follows the council’s policy, so long as the applicant adheres to the municipal policy,” noted CAO Ruth Frawley.
No overnight parking signs approved for Providence Bay
On a motion from Councillors Alex Baran and Ted Taylor, council passed a bylaw to permit the erection of traffic control signs reading “No overnight and/or vehicle parking between 10 pm and 6 am” on John Purvis Road be given three readings and passed.
The motion addressed an issue where vehicles were causing a safety issue in the area of a boat launch. CAO Frawley explained that the parking issue has been a matter of ongoing concern to the municipality and that discussions are ongoing with the marina operator to find a solution to overcrowded parking in the popular area.
Support for paved shoulders and cycling
On a motion from Councillors Dale Scott and Derek Stephens, council supported the Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates’ request to the Ministry of Transportation to add paved shoulders when Highway 540 is resurfaced between 2016 and 2018, and further that the municipality would like to see Manitoulin Island recognized as a top cycling destination in Northern Ontario, and further soliciting the Ministry of Transportation’s assistance in achieving that objective as municipal roads often do not offer connections between communities.
Culverts approved
On a motion from Councillors Ted Taylor and Linda Farquhar, council approved that the municipality accepts the Cranston Road Culvert and Learmont Road Culvert engineering reports.
Sidewalk tender approved
On a motion from Councillors Derek Stephens and Dale Scott, council approved that the municipality accepts the Belanger Construction quote of $91,982 (HST included) for the replacement of the sidewalk from Wilson’s Corner Store east to Forest Street in the village of Mindemoya.
There was an unusual quote from the Ministry of Transportation on the work.
“That did seem unusual,” noted CAO Ruth Frawley, but she suggested that the quotation likely flowed from a question on what it would cost to have the Ministry of Transportation complete the work as they were engaged in construction along that road and would still be in the future.
Ms. Frawley explained that the proposed extension of the sidewalk included in the replacement originated from a recognition of the expansion of development in that section of the municipality.
Councillor Alex Baran appointed to the library board
On a motion from Councillors Ted Taylor and Dale Scott, council approved the appointment of Councillor Alex Baran to the Central Manitoulin Library Board.
Water line to hatchery approved on condition
On a motion from Councillors Derek Stephens and Alex Baran, council approved a proposal made by Al Holroyd on behalf of the United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin to install a 1-inch buried waterline at the Mindemoya Lake Pavilion in order to provide an adequate water supply to support the proposed hatchery operation conditional upon the appropriate ministry and municipal approvals.
Minutes and financial reports approved
In a series of three motions, council approved the minutes of the Provincial Offences Act (POA) meeting held on September 15, 2015 as circulated, the Minutes of the Community Policing Advisory Committee meeting held on September 9, 2015 as circulated and the minutes of the Manitoulin Centennial Manor Board meeting held on June 18, 2015 as circulated. Council also approved the year to date financial report dated September 30, 2015 as presented. Council later approved the year to date Road Committee financial report ending October 30, 2015 and that the proposed Road Department 2016 operating budget be forwarded to the Committee of the Whole meeting in 2016 for further consideration. Council also later approved the year to date financial report ending October 2015 for the Water, Waste and Education Committee as presented and that the proposed Water, Waste and Education Committee 2016 operating budget be forwarded to the Committee of the Whole meeting in 2016 for further consideration. Council also accepted the minutes of the Mindemoya Arena Advisory Steering Committee minutes from June 9, 2015 and October 14, 2015 and gave permission to allow additional advertising around the ice surface and throughout the building with the locations to be determined in consultation with the maintenance supervisor.
