April 3 Public Meeting
Council hosted a public meeting on its April 3 meeting date regarding a temporary use application for Bonnie and Douglas LeBrocq. The couple is planning on opening a chip stand on a vacant lot not far from the Kicking Mule Ranch this summer.
Despite the many spectators, no one spoke either for or against the application.
Council deferred the decision to its next regular meeting.
Accounts for payment
Council approved the following accounts for payment: general, $88,944.70; and payroll, $18,463.84.
Marina lease RFPs
Staff notified council that it had received two request for proposals for the summer lease of the Manitowaning Marina from: Michael White and Troy Cooper. However, staff were not able to prepare a report in time for the April 3 meeting and so will have one available for the April 17 meeting.
Animal control
Mayor Paul Moffatt vacated the seat while council discussed the nearing end of contract for the animal control office, which is operated by the mayor’s son. CAO Alton Hobbs said council has two options: ask for an extension on the contract or put the contract out to tender. (The current contract sees the current employer paid $20,000 a year for his services.)
Mr. Hobbs explained that the municipality has paid more in the past for these same services.
Councillor Brenda Reid said that since the municipality began the two-year contract with Mr. Moffatt it was a reduction in cost, but they’ve also seen a reduction in dogs. “I think it should be tendered,” she added.
Councillor Bob Case said that should the contract go to tender, Assiginack will likely see an increase in cost.
Councillor Hugh Moggy said he agreed with Councillor Reid in tendering the contract.
A motion was made to tender the animal control officer contract.
Fixing our Felines
Councillor Reid said she would like to see the funding increase for Fixing our Felines from $200 to $500.
Councillor Moggy said he agreed.
A motion was passed to update the funding to $500 for 2018 with a recommendation made for the next council to make it a permanent move in future years.
Bylaws
Council passed Bylaw 18-08 to enter into a contribution agreement between the Queen and the Township of Assiginack for funding under the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program. Mr. Hobbs explained that this was for a branding study, to be conducted next winter.
March 20 Preliminary 2018 budget
Council reviewed the draft budget of the 2018 budget with treasurer Deb McDonald.
She noted that the new fire hall and the generator for the municipal office were the main capital expenditures for the year.
“Right now we’re sitting at a zero percent tax rate for the municipal portion and for the combined rate (education levy) at -0.5 percent.
Councillor Hugh Moggy asked about the $60,000 in reserves for the Burns Wharf Theatre, should they find funding for the repair project.
Councillor Brenda Reid said it isn’t included in the budget. Councillor Moggy queried whether it would still be available in case of funding, to which the response was “yes.”
It was pointed out the water/wastewater budget has decreased, which saw murmurs of approval from council.
Councillor Reid reminded her fellow council members that the municipal office generator would also serve as a means to make the office a warming station. She also asked about the Jay Bryant Sideroad and whether there was money in the budget for repairs. Council learned that there isn’t.
Major budget changes from the previous year include a line item for anticipated legal costs in relation to the Norisle Steamship Society in the amount of $216,800 (any portion of this amount that is left unspent will be set up a reserve for legal fees); and a line item of $1,500 for future costs of a booth at the Manitoulin Trade Fair (in 2019).
Councillors’ corner
Councillor Hugh Moggy commented on the Family Day weekend sleigh riding party and fireworks session, calling it “tremendous. The people who organize it deserve a lot of credit.” Mayor Paul Moffatt gave credit to the Assiginack Fire Department for its work at hosting the event.
Councillor Leslie Fields spoke of the great March Break Madness events hosted by the municipality under the direction of events coordinator Jackie White.
Community policing
Upon review of the Community Policing Advisory Committee (CPAC), Councillor Leslie Fields asked about the officer replacement when Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Constable Rob Mellan retires on April 30. Councillor Moggy said the new officer, once hired, will be assigned to the Manitowaning office. Councillor Fields asked if this is indeed the case, as it was her understanding that OPP officers served all of Manitoulin.
“Yes, for now, anyway,” Councillor Moggy said in reference to the soon-to-be-built detachment in Little Current.
Councillor Fields also questioned the large increase in extra hours officers spent in Assiginack in recent months, saying she was “shocked.”
“I was really quite shocked and surprised and concerned, considering the amount of police presence I’ve seen,” she added.
“It seems like a pile of hours for a quiet community,” the mayor noted.
“Why the difference?” Councillor Field questioned. “What’s going on?”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Expositor contacted Staff Sergeant Kevin Webb and posed this question to him. He explained that last fall, Assiginack council gave him direction that more police presence should be allocated in the municipality. The increase in hours is in relation to this and not due an increase in crime or “civil disobedience.”
Coyote/wolf predation staff report
Council reviewed a report on the coyote/wolf compensation program following a request from Councillor Moggy on the topic.
It was noted in the report that there are currently two Island municipalities that have similar programs: Burpee and Mills and Gordon/Barrie Island. In the latter, the municipality offers $50 per pelt up to a maximum of $2,000 per year. The predator must be taken within the boundaries of the municipality and must be presented at the municipal office during regular business hours. The hunter or trapper must fill out a form indicating the lot and concession where the animal was taken.
It was indicated that this fee structure would be the same one Assiginack would enact.
The bylaw to enact the program will be prepared for the next meeting of council.
New ice plant condenser
Council passed a motion authorizing the purchase of a new ice plant condenser for the Manitowaning arena, to be funded from the arena reserve account.
Mr. Hobbs explained to council that the replacement will likely take place in early summer.
“We’ve got to give Wes (Virtanen) a lot of credit for keeping that plant going in the condition it’s in,” Councillor Fields said.
Burns Wharf Theatre Players transfer
The Burns Wharf Theatre Players requested a transfer of funds from their summer concert series account to the Players general account in the amount of $4,899.
Hydro One meeting
Assiginack council received a letter from Wiikwemkoong Chief Duke Peltier, following up on a letter from council dated February 8 in regards to the Hydro One transfer station fire.
“The Wikwemikong Band Council is requesting a meeting with Hydro One Inc. to review outages and plans to address them,” Chief Peltier states. “The Assiginack council is welcome to participate in these discussions for the benefit of your community.”
Councillor Fields suggested the entire council makes the effort to go once the meeting has been set.
Assiginack support Salmon Classic
Assiginack received correspondence from the Manitoulin Expositor Salmon Classic. When asked about a donation, staff explained that Assiginack provided in-kind donation in the form of the weigh station. It was agreed that Assiginack would again provide that service.
Fire hall design bylaw
Council passed Bylaw 18-06 to approve and authorize an agreement between the Corporation of the Township of Assiginack and Tulloch Engineering Inc. to obtain engineering services related to the new fire hall design.
Councillor Brenda Reid asked for a recorded vote, with all voting in favour of the agreement.
