Road Committee
It was recommended and passed by council that the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the operation of the Big Lake Dam be forwarded to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for their review
Council members passed the motion that a “Hidden Intersection” sign be placed at the approach from the west to the intersection of Beaver and Grimesthorpe Roads.
The 2016 gravel tender was awarded by council to C. Pearson and Son at a total cost of $109,267.
The year to date road committee financial report was accepted by council.
Water, Waste and Education Committee
It was recommended by the committee and passed by council the motion that the amounts directed to be financed for the Mindemoya Drain as set out in the 2014 Budget be considered to be expensed in 2014, the year of construction. It was noted that this was simply a housekeeping item in the budget that had to be cleared.
Council passed the motion that the year to date financial report ending April 30, 2016 be approved as presented.
Council passed the motion that the Library Board Minutes of April 6, 2016 be accepted
Property Committee
It was recommended to council and passed that the severance of the property as described in proposal No. 2 proceed with a view to sell the property to the owners of the Island Animal Hospital and that it be understood that all costs associated with the severance will be assumed by the prospective purchaser.
It was passed that the Fire Hall Design Committee membership be reduced to include Mayor R. Stephens, Fire Chief Reid, Perry Keller, the Municipal Building Inspector and Municipal Coordinator. As noted by Mayor Stephens, it made for a more efficient committee to give the membership back to the specialists.
Council approved the “Open Mic” evenings at Huron Island Ice Cream as described in a letter April 19, 2016. Councillor Baran noted that it was very courteous of the new owners to ask for this again and that the sessions end at 10 pm.
Council was asked to proceed with signing the agreement for the approved Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program funding for the improvement of the J.H. Burt Memorial Arena – East Wall. Councillor Scott noted that these improvements are needed as the arena gets older and to allow safe access. Councillor Baran spoke against the motion as he questioned the lack of a plan for the arena while appreciating the valuable contributions the arena has made to the community. He stated that he will vote against the motion to get a plan. Councillor Farquhar agreed that a plan would be helpful. The motion passed.
Council agreed to accept the Providence Bay Community Centre Board minutes of May 4, 2016
Council approved the invitation of the Providence Bay Community Centre Board to the Property Committee to hold their June 14, 2016 meeting at the Providence Bay Community Centre so the Committee has the opportunity to see the completed kitchen renovations. Councillor Baran expressed his thanks to all those involved in this endeavour saying he was very proud of what was done at the Community Centre as a lot of volunteers gave of their time and effort while the tradesmen offered reduced rates of pay. “This is a really, really lovely kitchen,” he said. “It is a fine improvement and kudos to council for their support.”
Council approved the appointment of new members Anna Orford and Bonnie McFarlane to the Providence Bay Community Centre Board.
Council accepted the motion to approve the Property Committee’s year to date financial report to April 30, 2016
Wagg’s Park property sale approved
On a motion by Councillor Dale Scott, seconded by Councillor Alex Baran, council voted to proceed with the sale of a portion the parkland, known as Wagg’s Park, directly behind Manitoulin Chrysler, The Rock and Rail and Laura Martin’s home at 100 feet deep behind Manitoulin Chrysler with the total of the three areas equaling approximately 5,000 square feet.
“We are glad to help out in our local community to assist with commercial addition,” stated Mayor Stephens.
“Should we include the name of the purchaser?” asked Councillor Dale Scott.
“No, we don’t need that,” responded Mayor Stephens.
“This will square up that property,” noted Councillor Ted Taylor.
Councillor Patricia MacDonald noted that the motion was “in principal,” but questioned if the motion was intended as “no matter the cost.”
“We are negotiating the price,” noted CAO Ruth Frawley.
Draft travel trailer placement bylaw given first readings
On a motion moved by Councillor Alex Baran and seconded by Councillor Dale Scott, council passed the first reading of bylaw number 2016-7, being a bylaw to amend the Municipality of Central Manitoulin’s Restricted Area Zoning bylaw number 2002-07 to control the placement and usage of travel trailers.
The motion amends a number of other town bylaws, including the Use of Parking Spaces and which sees the deletion of “sleeping accommodation may be provided in a tourist or travel trailer for a period not exceeding fourteen (14) days” and “sleeping accommodation may be provided in a tourist or travel trailer for a period of twenty-one (21) days consecutive or cumulative in a calendar year. Only one (1) tourist or travel trailer may be permitted on the property at any time and storage of a motor vehicle, boat, tourist trailer or other similar vehicles is not permitted in a hamlet, settlement or shoreline residential zone unless a principal residence has been established; but one (1) office trailer may be used on properties with a commercial or industrial zone designation and must be approved by the CAO/clerk and chief building official.
On a motion moved by Councillor Alex Baran and seconded by Councillor Dale Scott, council passed the first reading of bylaw number 2016-8, being a bylaw to amend the Municipality of Central Manitoulin’s Restricted Area Zoning bylaw number 2007 to control the usage and placement of shipping Containers and/or portable storage containers.
The proposed bylaw is amended to add the following definitions: “shipping containers or portable storage containers” shall be defined as per the industry standard as a standardized, resealable transportation box for unitized freight handling with standardized equipment, and for the purpose of this bylaw a “Shipping Container or Portable Storage Container” shall mean a container, also known as a sea bin, used for the transportation of goods by air, sea or land. Under the amended bylaw, a shipping container or portable storage container shall be considered to be a structure or a building and is to be used for storage purposes only and not for human or animal habitation. Further such containers will only be allowed for the period of a maximum of one year, during the period of construction for which a valid building permit is in place, and shall be used for the storage of materials only. Otherwise a permit must be obtained. A further amendment was to delete the following: no car, van, truck, bus, coach, railway car, caboose or streetcar body or part thereof shall be located or used as a building or structure or as an accessory to a building or structure in any zone, other restrictions were applied in these cases, to wit no car, van, truck, tractor truck and/or trailer, straight truck box, bus, coach, railway car, caboose, streetcar body or any part thereof shall be located or used as a building or structure or as an accessory to a building or structure in a hamlet, settlement or shoreline residential zone.
Both bylaws will now go to public meetings before being brought back to council for second and third readings.
“As long as I have been here we have been trying to pass this bylaw,” noted Councillor Derek Stephens. “People keep finding loopholes. I think, what we have here before us today, while I am not in favour per se, I do realize that we need it.”
“I think now we can use a bylaw where the intent of the bylaw can be realized,” agreed Councillor Scott, adding that the bylaw will provide guidance on what is allowed in the municipality.
As to the public meetings, Councillor Patricia MacDonald noted that “I hate to say it but that is where the loopholes will come out.”
