New librarian
Jake Marion, the new Little Current Public Library librarian, introduced himself to council last week through a deputation. Mr. Marion noted that the library currently provides “top quality programs and services,” is of a good size, is well maintained with a professional and well-trained staff and said he was confident that the library could operate within their budget. He thanked the council for their support and noted that he has had “great assistance” from the municipal staff.
Concerns with town intersections
Jim McMillan made a deputation to council, providing photographs of various road crossings in Little Current that he had concerns with, particularly with the road line paintings which extend into crosswalks. Mayor Al MacNevin responded to those concerns, suggesting that Mr. McMillian meet with town staff to review the issues over line painting on municipal streets, saying that he was no expert in the regulations and rationale for the painting of lines on the roads and that council does not direct staff on the painting of road lines.
Mr. McMillan also expressed concerns about snow removal on the south side of Meredith Street in front of the Rolston Real Estate office building, pointing out that many people utilize that travelway and putting forward the suggestion that it was safer than the sidewalk on the north side of the road. In response CAO Dave Williamson noted that the south side of Meredith is classed as a boulevard and not a sidewalk and that obstructions on that boulevard make it impossible for town equipment to navigate for snow removal. Mayor MacNevin pointed out one such obstruction, a telephone pole that bisects the boulevard, noting that the boulevard is not wide enough to accommodate a sidewalk and that the portion in question is also considered part of the “connecting link” between highways and that would mean considerable consultation with the province in order to do any work on that portion. Mr. McMillan responded that the town had removed snow from that location in the past.
Mr. McMillan pointed out that traffic along Meredith Street is ignoring the town speed limit, particularly traffic coming onto the Island from the swing bridge. Mayor MacNevin pointed out that Councillor Bruce Wood, the municipal representative on the Community Policing Advisory Committee, was taking note of Mr. McMillan’s concerns and would bring them to the attention of the OPP. Mayor McNevin also recognized Mr. McMillan’s request for data on the number of tickets that have been issued in the area and said that information would be shared when the municipality received it from the OPP.
Refugee families
Linda Erskine brought a request to council for a $2,000 donation towards Island efforts to resettle refugees in the community. She explained to the council that although the refugee committee had sufficient funds to meet the statutory needs to resettle the refugees, due to government regulations, those funds cannot be spent until the refugees have arrived, sometime in the coming weeks. “But we can’t expect the owners of the accommodation, the suppliers of the heat and hydro, to not be paid in the meantime,” she said. Ms. Erskine pointed out that two municipalities which are hosting one family each, Central Manitoulin and Assiginack, have both pledged $1,000 to the effort. Since there are two families coming to Little Current, Ms. Erskine expressed the hope that the Northeast Town would provide $2,000. “All of the communities on Manitoulin have been very generous,” said Ms. Erskine. “We feel very blessed.” She noted that the committee has about 75 volunteers working on the effort across Manitoulin. Councillors had a number of questions for Ms. Erskine, including where private donations could be sent. She responded that donations could be sent to the Mindemoya Missionary Church, with a notation that the donation is for the refugee resettlement committee. Councillor Mike Erskine pointed out that donations could also be deposited at any Island branch of the BMO. Councillor Laurie Cook asked what the committee would do to meet the shortfall should a council donation not be forthcoming. Ms. Erskine responded that she was very concerned about that eventuality, especially as she is signing for the refugees when they arrive.
Landfill agreement
The Northeast Town council carried a motion to extend its landfill agreement with Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation for 2016-2017. Mr. Williamson noted that the First Nation agreed to a five percent rise in the contract rate for the landfill usage.
Culvert request
Council received a letter from Linda and Ron Bowerman requesting a culvert (fill in the ditch) fronting their property to enable them to have a mailbox. Mayor McNevin pointed out that no motion from council was required as town policy was that a culvert could be installed, provided the property owners were willing to pay the cost.
Library board
Council reviewed a request to approve the appointment of E.O. (Ned) Martin to the Little Current Library Board. Council carried a motion approving the appointment.
Health Travel Grant
After reviewing a resolution and request from West Nipissing to lobby the Minister of Health and Long Term Care to consider amending the qualifying criteria so that all round trips exceeding 100 km in total travelled distance be eligible for the Northern Health Travel Grant, the Northeast Town council carried a motion of support for the resolution.
Highway conditions
Also prompted by a letter from West Nipissing, council passed a motion in support of the reclassification of Northern provincial highways to enable a higher degree of maintenance. CAO Williamson pointed out that the wording of the original (West Nippising) motion was problematic as it could trigger higher classification and standards for municipal roadways. Council adjusted its motion to make it clear that the request was for provincial highways.
Fire department
Northeast Town Fire Chief Darren Bailey presented the fire department report to council. He noted that since his last report in early December of 2015 there had been a number of calls for service including a fire alarm call to Channel View Apartments on December 25, a chimney fire on Campbell Street on December 28, a possible vehicle fire at the Manitoulin Centennial Manor on December 29 and a carbon monoxide call on Indian Mountain Road on December 30.
He also noted that there had been no calls for service so far in 2016.
Community services and public works
Reid Taylor reviewed the community services report with council. He said that the ice schedule at the recreation centre continues to be busy with user groups and customer rentals. He also said that February is a busy month at the recreation centre with the Little Current Lions Winterfest weekend on February 5-7, a wedding fundraiser on February 13, a Family Day free public skate on February 15, a PA day free skate on February 5, daytime exam week activities from February 1 to 4 and after school activities in the complex hall including table tennis, badminton, games and crafts.
Mr. Taylor said that the docks are secured at Spider Bay Marina and are now frozen and that facilities are being monitored. He added that the outdoor municipal buildings and parks are also being monitored and that the Sisson Park ice rink opened on January 19.
Ian Phillips presented the public works department report. The report noted that winter operations are going well and that water meter readings have been read for the year-end billing.
Mr. Phillips said that new propane furnaces have been installed in the Sheguiandah public works garage.
He also noted that there was a sewer backup on Walcot Street last week and that the pumper truck was called in to clear the obstruction.
Mr. Williamson added that the town snowplow was inadvertently backed into a light pole in an attempt to back up at Spider Bay Marina resulting in $8,000 in damages.
Change to rates
The public works department proposed changes to the gate opening at the landfill site from $40 to $60 during regular business hours, but the after hours rate would remain at $119. They also proposed that the water service disconnect or activations fee would change from $30 to $50 during regular business hours and from $90 to $100 for after hours.
Councillor Laurie Cook said she felt the water disconnection rate was already too high for people who are struggling to pay their bills.
Mr. Williamson explained that the cost to pull someone off of a job (a public works employee) and send them to a residence or business to disconnect or reconnect the water or to open the gate at the landfill and escort them to dispose of their waste was in line with the proposed rate changes.
The community services and public works committee made a recommendation to council to accept the proposed rate changes.
Connecting link
Mr. Williamson presented council with a proposal to apply to the Ministry of Transportation’s Connecting Link Program for Meredith Street upgrades in three phases. The community services and public works committee recommended to council to authorize the submission of an application from the municipality to the program for the amount of $976,000 to upgrades to Meredith Street in Little Current.
Animal control
Council reviewed proposed changes to the Northeast Town’s animal controls bylaw. The proposed changes included: the addition of the definition of ‘cat’; the definition of animal noise (barking, crying or howling); specific definitions and regulations for kennels; the addition of ‘no person shall allow a dog to unreasonable disturb the peace, quiet comfort or repose of any person or neighbour in any dwelling unit for a period of 30 minutes by way of barking, crying or howling’; and the addition of ‘the owner of a dog shall not permit or allow the dog to make or continue to make a sound which has the effect of disturbing the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of any individual. Failure to do so will constitute a breach of this bylaw.’
Staff also told council that they investigated the request for costing to add cats to the contract with the animal controls company for the municipality. They said that the additional cost would be over $4,000.
There was a great deal of discussion about the proposed changes. There was concern that with the new definitions of kennels, dog daycares and rescue fosters would be unable to continue in Little Current.
Mayor MacNevin said that the changes were about finding a balance and that animal kennels of any kind in a residential area was not fair to other residents.
Council will be discussing the proposed changes further at its next community services and public works meeting in February.
