Safety, Security and Health Committee
Central Manitoulin council was asked to purchase a security camera for the new fire hall in Mindemoya. Councillor Derek Stephens questioned the cost of the camera as did Councillor Dale Scott, who asked if the camera was necessary.
“We didn’t have that before did we?” he asked. “I am just questioning the necessity of that.” Mayor Stephens replied that the fire hall was left open one time and that the fire hall is a million dollar building with a million dollars worth of equipment in it. Councillor Ted Taylor also noted that things had gone missing from other fire halls over the years. It was decided that council will try to get a lower price for the camera.
Finance and Economic Development Committee
In accepting the 2017 Municipal Financial Statement, Councillor Stephens commented that kudos should be given to staff for getting this report out early. CAO/Clerk Ruth Frawley noted that this was the third year in a row that the Central Manitoulin financial statement placed in the top 15 of 444 finalized municipal statements.
It was recommended to council that the construction of the municipal parking lot project be retendered and further that the clause for the surety bond be altered to allow for the usage of a certified cheque in the amount of 20 percent of construction value as a construction surety guarantee. Although council members agreed that there should be some measure in place to ensure the finishing of the project, there was disagreement on the amount of the surety. Councillor Alex Baran said that it would be wise to consider the problems of small businesses and asked for a 15 percent cheque with Councillor Scott also agreeing with this amount. Councillor Pat MacDonald then said that council has to make sure that the company awarded the contract has enough funds to complete the project. “I believe 20 percent is the standard,” she said. A vote on the issue showed a split and the matter was referred back to committee.
Office and Administration Committee
Council was asked that Bylaw 2018-06, being a bylaw to authorize the delegation of authority to the Chief Administrative Officer for certain acts during a “lame duck” period, be given its several readings and be duly passed. This period, also known as Council Restricted Acts, takes place in an election year. These acts can include the hiring or dismissal of employees or spending over $50,000. If three quarters of the council members run for office again, there is no lame duck period.
Council has hired several students for summer employment. These include Cole Campbell for the labourer’s position, Carolyn Glasby, Leah Brokema and Chris Haner for the Discovery Centre, and Ethan Smith, Terek Tolsma and Jordan Cress for the Information Booth/Museum. Jary White has been hired to lead the Summer Fun Program while the assistant will be Maddy White. Hailee Cress will be the summer swimming instructor upon completion of the water safety course and Matthew Redmond will be the assistant.
Council will donate $250 to help support the Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps and will donate the Providence Bay arena and grounds for the 8th annual Bluegrass in the Country event hosted by the Manitoulin Special Olympics as an in-kind donation
The municipality has declared the weekend of June 15, 16 and 17, 2018, as a “Community Festival” to accommodate the annual Pearson Cup Tournament and will permit the Mindemoya Curling Club to hold an outside beer garden to be held under LLBO regulations and the Municipality’s Alcohol Policy
Council will write a letter of support for the Gore Bay/Manitoulin Airport new terminal building.
New Business
Mayor Stephens will attend the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) conference to be held in Parry Sound. Mayor Stephens will make the trip by bus.
Councillor Alex Baran reported on the fantastic job done for the cleanup of the Providence Bay beach. He noted that he had seen a group of teenagers swimming in Lake Huron on that day.
