Extended tie-ups banned
Central Manitoulin council passed a motion to prohibit extended tie-ups at the municipal docks.
“This is an issue we have been attempting to address for some time,” said Councillor Patricia MacDonald in bringing forward the motion from the Administration and Finance committee. “We decided at the committee that we really do not want extended tie-ups at the docks.”
“In the bylaw does it state that the council can give permission when there are extenuating circumstances?” asked Councillor Derek Stephens.
“It was felt that it would be important for people to be able to transport building materials,” agreed Councillor MacDonald.
Asset management plan presented
An asset management plan for the municipality, mandated by the province as a precondition for any application for provincial funding, was presented and passed by council.
“We actually hired a firm to produce this plan,” said Councillor Patricia MacDonald, who brought the motion forward from the Administration and Finance committee. “This was really spearheaded by the provincial government and we wouldn’t be able to apply for certain funding without it. It was not something that was wanted by the municipality. I am not sure it would be useful for us unless we were applying. Councillor Beverly Cannard Pearson seconded the motion.
“I hope we can see the silver lining and maybe see more money put out for the municipality by the province,” suggested Councillor Derek Stephens, shaking his head.
He noted that the wording of the motion indicated clearly that the municipality was presenting and accepting the report and that the municipality was paying the entire cost of the asset management report. “Perhaps something good will come out of it.”
World Lupus Day declared
Council passed a motion from the Finance and Administration committee to declare May 10 World Lupus Day.
“This disease is not all that well known by the public,” said Councillor Patricia MacDonald. “Even though there are a lot more people than you might suspect have the condition.”
The motion to declare May 10 World Lupus Day was seconded by Councillor Ted Taylor.
Building permit fee forgiven
A motion to donate the full cost of a building permit for the Manitoulin Central Family Health Team for construction of the capital construction project and that the donation be recognized as the municipal contribution to the project was brought forward from the Administration and Finance Committee by Councillor Patricia MacDonald.
“We have been huge supporters of the health services being provided in our community,” said Councillor MacDonald. “I would like to recognize the program and the employment that it brings in the community.”
The motion to donate the cost of the building permit to the Manitoulin Central Family Health Team was seconded by Councillor Gloria Haner.
Municipality to accept donations for Manitoulin Central Family Health Team expansion
A motion to allow the utilization of municipal staff and time to accept donations and provide tax receipts to those wishing to donate to the Manitoulin Central Family Health Team capital expansion project was brought forward to council from the Finance and Administration committee by Councillor Patricia MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Beverly Cannard Pearson.
“The Central Family Health Team cannot apply for a legal charity status,” noted Councillor MacDonald. (The Manitoulin Central Family Health Team does not qualify as a charitable organization as it is organized as a business.)
“They require that the municipality accept donations on their behalf,” said Ms. MacDonald.
“It doesn’t take up a lot of our staff time,” noted Councillor Derek Stephens.
“No, not really, not a lot of time,” confirmed Clerk/CAO Ruth Frawley. “Not a lot comes in.”
“Hopefully a lot will,” said Councillor Cannard Pearson.
May 4 to May 10 Emergency Preparedness Week
A motion from the Administration and Finance committee brought forward by Councillor Patricia MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Ted Taylor, that council declare May 4 to May 10 Emergency Preparedness Week in Central Manitoulin, was passed.
“Are we doing anything?” asked Mayor Strong.
“Yes,” replied Clerk/CAO Ruth Frawley. “We are going into the schools. We find that when the kids bring something home, the parents tend to pay more attention to it.”
“It is a really good time to go over these things, after the kind of hard winter we have had,” suggested Councillor Taylor.
Cheque register of $429,447.43 passed
Council passed a motion approving the February cheque register of $429,447.43 without comment. The motion was moved by Councillor Patricia MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Beverly Cannard Pearson.
Council also passed the financial reports for the year to date on a motion by Councillor MacDonald seconded by Councillor Gloria Haner.
Alcohol policy amended
A motion from the Administration and Finance committee brought forward by Councillor Patricia MacDonald and seconded by Councillor Adam McDonald sought to amend the municipal alcohol policy to restrict the size of outdoor beer gardens to 540 square metres came under heavy debate over its potential impact on the popular Ride Manitoulin event before a compromise solution was accepted.
Councillor McDonald expressed concerns over the liability issues facing the municipality with a larger venue. “Municipal liability is what is dragging us down,” he said.
Councillor Derek Stephens noted that the Ride Manitoulin event had “absolutely no problem” in the years that it has been run and that the organizers provide sufficient security to keep things well in hand.
The motion to restrict beer gardens to a maximum size of 540 square metres was defeated on a recorded vote, with only Councillor McDonald and Mayor Gerry Strong voting in favour of the motion.
Further debate saw a motion put forward to allow beer gardens at Providence Bay to utilize up to 3,600 metres. For communities outside of Providence Bay, the area allowed would remain at the 540 square metres proposed in the original motion.
A recorded vote on that motion passed with Mayor Strong and Councillor McDonald being joined by Councillor Gloria Haner against the motion, but Councillors Patricia MacDonald, Ted Taylor and Bev Cannard Pearson ensured the passage of the motion.
