March 5
Public participation
Tehkummah resident George Kopylov urged council to ensure that all its public documents be posted on the township’s website. For this meeting and the two prior, the agenda had not been posted online before the meeting. Clerk-administrator Roy Hardy said there were difficulties with the current process of having to send documents to the township’s webmaster and said the township would strive to improve its system and post agendas by 4 pm on Friday before a council meeting.
Resident Paul Bowerman said council needed to budget for the care and maintenance of its cemeteries because he said it was required through the Ontario Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act.
Mr. Hardy said the township’s responsibilities for abandoned cemeteries include the safety of individuals accessing the property and to provide for the respect of the dignity of the cemetery—an undefined measure.
Mr. Bowerman was hoping to offer a presentation on cemeteries later in the meeting but his request was not labeled as an official delegation. He expressed his frustration when he was denied the chance to present closer to the end of the meeting. Reeve David Jaggard and Mr. Hardy offered him the chance to present at a future meeting.
Fire chief’s report
The report noted that the fire hall’s generator did not provide enough power to keep the boiler up to temperature and Councillor Michael McKenzie expressed concerns that the generator may have problems or that something may be drawing excess power.
Following the closed session near the end of the meeting, council directed Mr. Hardy to confer with the fire chief and roads superintendent about generators at their facilities. At that time, council also voted to remove Taylor Smith, Adam Striker and David Zehr from the fire roster.
Budget
Mr. Hardy presented a revised draft budget that would effect a mil rate increase of three percent, with an overall average tax levy increase of 7.51 percent across all properties. Certain properties such as farmland received higher assessment increases and will face a steeper tax increase than the average property.
Mr. Hardy added a $50,000 loan over 10 years to support municipal drainage projects. He also prepared a 10-year capital maintenance budget plan to help the township plan for future growth and expenditures, while only borrowing for items that would offer a strong return on investment.
Mr. Hardy proposed a two-tier marina rate system for residents and non-residents. He suggested a five percent increase overall and higher fees for non-residents. He also suggested a parking charge for people who wish to leave their vehicle or trailer on the property.
If required, a new landfill cell would cost $2 million to build. Mr. Hardy suggested a garbage bag tag fee as well as a higher non-resident charge at the landfill. He encouraged tougher enforcement of illegal dumpers as well.
Camping fees were recommended to be increased by five percent, or $75 for a seasonal campsite. He also suggested a $75 surcharge for anyone bringing extra electrical equipment such as freezers, washers or elaborate lighting systems to recover hydro costs.
Mr. Hardy said provincial Main Streets funding can be put toward the old schoolhouse’s roof since it is a heritage building. Remaining funds can be used to replace streetlights in South Baymouth and Tehkummah with more efficient models.
Mr. Hardy said the public works department would consider a fuel tank expansion to reduce delivery costs. There is $21,000 set aside for capital replacement of public works equipment.
Mr. Hardy said the township’s contributions to protect roadways in its drainage maintenance plan will be about $110,000, of which $50,000 will be covered by the loan.
Councillor McKenzie shared concerns with the bridges and culverts and the prime and surface budget amounts, saying this year’s work would exceed these figures. Mr. Hardy said money from the township’s Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) project could be redirected if they are unsuccessful in their bid to rehabilitate the 10th Sideroad.
Tehkummah’s donations budget was reduced to $1,000, which raised concerns from Councillor McKenzie that it would be insufficient to cover the costs. Council discussed existing donation requests from Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates (MICA), Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association and the Manitoulin Fine Arts Association.
Councillor Lorie Leeson said she had reservations about supporting MICA because, based on her observations, the non-profit should already be receiving enough funding from various sources to exceed all its expenses.
Councillor McKenzie expressed concerns about closely watching Manitoulin Streams’ rehabilitation activities in the township over concerns of equipment leaking oil into waterways in the past.
Council resolved to offer half the requested amounts.
Councillor McKenzie insisted he would like the council honorarium to be eliminated. Mr. Hardy said if council was not prepared to pass the budget at that time, there were certain items he would include for the next draft such as repairs to the grader.
Council was largely in favour of deferring the motion to the March 28 meeting, however Councillor Rick Gordon expressed that he was prepared to pass it as presented. The budget is planned to be the only item on the March 28 agenda, barring any emergency business.
Mike Mantha letter
Tehkummah received a letter from MPP Mike Mantha expressing his willingness to support the township’s work on the Roger’s Creek Bridge with Assiginack and offering to help find funding. Council voted to acknowledge its receipt and thank him for his correspondence.
Lottery and
liquor sales
Council approved permitting Ward’s General Store to sell alcohol on certain holidays in 2019. They also approved a request from the Massey Fair to sell its raffle tickets in the township.
United Church
cemetery request
Fairview United Church requested the township remove snow from the church’s parking lot and cut grass at its cemetery. Mr. Hardy said this should be the church’s responsibility and permitting this could lead to future maintenance being uploaded to the township.
Councillor McKenzie declared a conflict of interest and pushed his chair back from the table. Councillor Eric Russell said he would rather that Tehkummah pay to maintain Fairview’s cemetery than contributing to the operations of Assiginack’s Hilly Grove Cemetery, which the township does alongside Ward 3 of Central Manitoulin. He questioned Assiginack’s ability to properly maintain the grounds and made a case for funding the Tehkummah cemetery.
“It doesn’t make sense. We can’t give $500 to here for grass cutting?” he asked. “Our ancestors are down here.”
Councillor Leeson said the church had already been having difficulties maintaining its cemetery and that the township’s assumption of its maintenance was likely to happen in the future. Council deferred this motion following a staff report on the matter.
Building inspector
Mr. Hardy told council that Northeast Town building inspector Rick Armstrong expressed willingness to work in Tehkummah so the township is required to cover its portion of his training costs. Every five years, the inspector must renew his certifications. Council approved its share of the training at $2,544.77.
Superior Propane
Council approved a new one-year contract with Superior Propane, ending January 31, 2020. The new rate is similar to rates for other Island municipalities and is over 60 percent less than what Tehkummah currently pays.
Motions
Councillor McKenzie said if a quick thaw and rain occurred at the same time this spring, Tehkummah could lose the Manitou River bridge on Townline Road.
He said the road crew should be prepared to dig out the road on the west side to save the bridge. He said this needed to be done in years past. Councillor Russell suggested requesting that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reduce the lake levels now to mitigate the flood risk.
Mr. Hardy said he would look at the concerns and report back at the next meeting.
Councillor McKenzie said there was a good chance that this could take place before the next council meeting, and that losing this bridge would result in the loss of every bridge downstream.
Summer students
Councillor McKenzie said the township should be applying for grants now if it was hoping to hire summer students. Mr. Hardy said there was no room in the budget for them and that applying would mean committing to paying for them out of the township’s budget. He added that the township would need a 16-week plan for the students.
Councillor Leeson requested an adjustment to the budget to fund two summer students.
