Motions from the June 11 Finance and Administration Committee
Old School windows deferred for engineering study
Council passed a motion from Mayor Gerry Strong and Councillor Ted Taylor to reconsider the purchase of the Old School windows after discussion with staff and that the municipality postpones moving forward with this project be postponed until Tulloch Engineering has assessed the whole building for the municipality.
“We had a lengthy discussion and staff explained what we were up against,” said Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson in moving the motion, seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens. “It was felt (it was) best that we hold off (since there needs to be more engineering conducted on the building).”
“It was a good catch by staff,” agreed Councillor Stephens.
Customers can continue to use VISA and MasterCard for payments
Council passed a motion from Mayor Gerry Strong and Councillor Derek Stephens that the municipality continues to accept Visa and MasterCard payments, without any service fee charged.
“Since we are not allowed to charge a fee for accepting Interact, VISA or MasterCard we discussed our options,” said Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson.
Councillor Adam McDonald noted that the matter came to the committee due to the significant costs ($13,000 per year) associated with accepting credit card payments at the municipal office. “There was concern that we were subsidizing a perk for some taxpayers at the expense of others.” Councillor McDonald indicated that he would not support the motion.
Councillor Ted Taylor inquired if there were a lot of credit card transactions, to which CAO Ruth Frawley replied “yes.”
Mayor Gerry Strong asked if there was any indication that arrears were down since the payments were being accepted. Ms. Frawley replied that this aspect had not been analysed.
“Once we are offering the service, it is hard to take it away,” said Mayor Strong.
“I agree with Gerry (Mayor Strong),” said Councillor Derek Stephens. “It is the cost of doing business. In other businesses it is costed into the price of everything also.”
Councillor McDonald called for a recorded vote. His was the only vote against the motion.
Council supports rodeo
A motion from Councillor Derek Stephens and Gloria Haner “that we recommend to council that we donate the same amount to the Manitoulin Rodeo Committee under the same conditions as last year,” came forward with no specific amount listed. The motion was moved at council by Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson and seconded by Councillor Patricia MacDonald.
“How much did we allow last year?” queried Councillor Adam McDonald.
The amount of the donation last year was not clear, although there was some suggestion that the amount was $500.
Councillor Adam McDonald expressed concern that the rodeo was taking place on the same weekend as the community’s Homecoming Weekend. “I don’t think we even considered that at committee,” said Mayor Gerry Strong.
“I didn’t think of it either, to be honest,” said Councillor McDonald.
“I think a lot of our ratepayers would find this as an attraction,” said Councillor Cannard-Pearson. “Are we not big enough to support this? We always encourage other communities to put their best foot forward.”
“I think the community has been doing a very good job of supporting this,” said Councillor Derek Stephens, “this community and the Island both. The more people we can attract to the Island the better it is for all of us.”
“We have always had this stance,” said Councillor Patricia MacDonald. “If it is good for Manitoulin, it is good for Central Manitoulin. Not everybody accesses Homecoming.”
“I thought the rodeo was in July,” said Mayor Strong.
“The weekend has moved though,” said Councillor McDonald.
Council supports the Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps
A motion brought forward from committee by Councillors Gloria Haner and Ted Taylor “that we recommend to council that the municipality donate $150 to the Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps” was moved by Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens. “We do have members of our community who are members of the Manitoulin Sea Cadets,” said Councillor Cannard-Pearson. “This is a very positive organization for youth,” agreed Councillor Stephens.
Solar panel bylaw sent back to committee
A motion from Mayor Gerry Strong and Councillor Gloria Haner “that we recommend to council that Bylaw 2014-11, being a by-law to establish a permit fee for the installation of solar panels, be given its several readings and be duly passed, with the changes as suggested by this committee” generated debate on the free use of property.
“There was quite a discussion held,” said Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson. “The motion was simplified to include only ground and roof mounted.”
“There needs to be a process,” said Councillor Adam McDonald. “If people put up 10 panels (on the adjacent property), I couldn’t see.”
CAO Ruth Frawley noted that the building code requires setbacks on construction.
“This is for roofs?” asked Mayor Strong.
“This is for both,” corrected Ms. Frawley.
“Is there anything stopping people now if I paid the $50?” asked Councillor McDonald.
“There are the setbacks,” reiterated Ms. Frawley. “Structures have to meet the requirements of setbacks.”
“We have more and more of them,” said Councillor McDonald.
“The setbacks are 30 feet from the front, 10 feet from the side and 10 feet from the back,” supplied Mayor Strong.
“We did discuss this question,” said Ms. Frawley.
Councillor Cannard-Pearson said the matter was discussed in committee and that the issue was considered largely from the perspective of keeping the municipality in the loop as to where the panels are going.
“We need to review our zoning bylaws,” said Ms. Frawley.
“We need to review our zoning, especially with the new Official Plan,” agreed Councillor Patricia MacDonald. “I don’t think solar panels are the only concern. We need to have further discussion.”
“I think this permit is a problem,” said Mayor Strong. “When I was thinking about it, I was thinking roof top units. As for setbacks, yes they are a structure. If you want to put a solar panel in your front yard in a residential area…”
“Are we putting the cart before the horse with this bylaw?” questioned Councillor McDonald.
“We will be reviewing our zoning after the Official Plan is passed,” said Ms. Frawley.
“I recommend we send this back to committee,” said Mayor Strong.
The motion was withdrawn.
Councillor Derek Stephens voiced his objections to the motion on principle. “If I want to put up a solar panel on my property, you should be able to put one up if you want to,” he said. “It’s my yard.”
“Basically you are saying build anything you want,” replied Mayor Strong. “This is something to discuss in committee.”
Fall Fair supported
A motion brought forward by Councillors Derek Stephens and Gloria Haner “that we recommend to council that the municipality donate $ 1,500 to the Central Manitoulin Public School 2014 Fall Fair” was moved by Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson and seconded by Councillor Stephens.
“I believe this is the longest running school fair,” said Councillor Stephens.
“It covers the whole community,” said Councillor Ted Taylor.
“It is great for the community and great for the school children,” agreed Councillor Haner.
“They do a lot with that donation,” said Councillor Patricia MacDonald.
Council recesses for July
A motion by Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson, seconded by Councillor Patricia MacDonald, called for no meetings to be held during the month of July.
“This is a longstanding tradition in our municipality,” said Mayor Gerry Strong. “Previous councils have done the same.”
June 16 Community Improvement Committee recommendations
A motion from Mayor Gerry Strong and Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson that council “approve application 2014-04 (Mac’s Camp) for the Building Renovation, Restoration and Improvement Program for the amount of $15,000” was carried.
“This is for renovations to the tourist camp,” explained Councillor Cannard Pearson. “They meet all of the criteria for the CIP.” The motion was made by Councillor Cannard Pearson and seconded by Councillor Patricia MacDonald. “This is the maximum amount under the program.”
“I am in support,” said Councillor MacDonald, but that the applicants would have to secure the necessary approvals.
Mayor Strong noted that the municipality would recoup the money from the CIP grants through the increased revenue generated by the increase in property assessments.
June 25 Public Works Committee recommendations
Yonge Street construction contract revised
A motion from Councillors Patricia MacDonald and Beverly Cannard-Pearson was brought forward that “we recommend to council that the municipality approves the revision to the contract of June 23, 2014 with Labelle Bros. Construction for extra rock removal on Duke, Yonge, Thorne and Anglin Streets.”
“We ran into rock, which is pretty evident to anyone within hearing distance of the hammering,” said Councillor Adam McDonald. “We have to revise the contract to remove the rock. We set a cap on the amount of rock they will charge us for.” Councillor McDonald moved the motion, seconded by Councillor Gloria Haner.
“Hats off to staff for negotiating a good rate on this,” said Councillor Derek Stephens.
“Yes, thanks,” said Councillor McDonald. “Although I am a bit disappointed that we did not find the rock in the preliminary study.”
“You use the term ‘we’,” objected Mayor Strong. “It was the engineers.”
“I think this was a project that has been promised,” said Councillor Patricia McDonald. “Do it, put it to rest. We received a substantial grant. It is essential for Central Manitoulin to have that road improved.”
“The contractor is doing a great job,” said Councillor McDonald.
“The financial impact is not going to be as hard as had previously been thought,” said Mayor Strong. “It has come down substantially from the original assessments. It will still hurt a little bit. The contractor had us in a real bind, they really could have put it to us.”
Council stands ground on new bleachers
A motion was put forward by Councillors Patricia MacDonald and Beverly Cannard Pearson that “we recommend to council that the municipality write to Crista King regarding her concerns about the safety of the Mindemoya ball field’s new bleachers, letting her know that any additions to the bleachers would pose greater liability to the municipality and not comply with the CSA and Ontario Building code standards, and further that council is satisfied that staff did its due diligence when purchasing this manufacturers product.”
Discussion centred on the issue of liability for the municipality should the town make modifications to the engineered design.
“I have an issue with this,” said Councillor Derek Stephens. “If people would just take responsibility for their own actions, there would not be issues like this. Don’t let your kids play on it and they won’t fall off.”
“We have met the standards,” interjected Mayor Gerry Strong.
“Don’t order the second set,” said Councillor Gloria Haner. “We can save $20,000.”
Fishing platform tender awarded
A motion from Councillors Derek Stephens and Ted Taylor recommended to council that “Hill Property be awarded the contract in the amount of $84,000 plus HST for the construction of the educational and fishing platforms at the Mindemoya River in Providence Bay.”
“This came to committee on recommendation from staff,” noted Councillor Adam McDonald. “This was the lowest bid.”
Councillor McDonald moved the motion “for discussion” seconded by Councillor Stephens. “Do we have the specifications?” asked Councillor McDonald.
“It is basically plug and play,” said CAO Ruth Frawley, who indicated that the assembly will be done under close observation from town staff.
Councillors indicated that they had received phone calls in regards to the connections between the bidders.
“I had the same phone calls,” said Mayor Strong. “Council is expected to take the lowest tender, but the work must be completed to standards.”
“Everything was fair,” noted CAO Ruth Frawley regarding the bidding process.
“I just want clarification that the contractor can do it to what it has said it can,” said Councillor McDonald.
“Just like every other project,” noted the CAO.
“No payments will be made until the engineers have reviewed it,” said Mayor Strong.
“Quality of workmanship is what we are left with,” said Councillor McDonald.
“We have to guard the money of our taxpayers,” said Mayor Strong.
“We are not obligated to take the lowest bidder,” said Councillor McDonald.
“No, but we would have to have a pretty good explanation,” replied Mayor Strong.
“It is plug and play,” reiterated CAO Frawley.
“I didn’t get the call,” said Councillor Patricia MacDonald, who appeared to be uncertain as to what issue was being discussed by those who had.
“It is the right of all taxpayers to call the councillors,” said Mayor Strong.
Lions use of parking lot granted for yard sale
A motion by Councillors Gloria Haner and Derek Stephens “that we recommend to council that the Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club be allowed to use the Providence Bay Community Centre parking lot to hold their annual yard sale on June 28” was moved by Councillor Adam McDonald and seconded by Councillor Beverly Cannard-Pearson.
Additional work okayed for Monument Road boat launch
A motion from Councillors Derek Stephens and Beverly Cannard Pearson that “we recommend to council that we approve the additional work required by the Ministry of Natural Resources for the Monument Road Boat Launch in the amount of $9,594.90” was carried.
Extra work was required due to changes in the MNR permitting process. “It was inititated by them, but it resulted in a bigger cost. This was extra work the MNR said had to be done,” said Councillor Derek Stephens.
“The ministry changed the rules,” agreed Councillor Adam McDonald.
Extra security installed at water plant
A motion brought forward by Councillors Gloria Haner and Derek Stephens “that we recommend to council that we approve option No. 2 in the amount of $1,000.05 for the installation of two outdoor bullet cameras at the Mindemoya Water Treatment Plant by Direct Satellite and Security Inc” was moved by Councillor Adam McDonald and seconded by Councillor Derek Stephens.
“Water treatment is the biggest asset of the municipality and this is about the security and safety of our water treatment plant,” said Councillor Beverly Cannard Pearson.
“Don’t play around people,” said Councillor Adam McDonald, referring to the theft of the previous monitoring system.
Fire protection pact with neighbouring municipalities
A motion brought forward by Councillors Derek Stephens and Ted Taylor “that we recommend to council that the municipality enter into a fire protection agreement with the Town of Gore Bay for the provision of fire protection services specifically for Manitoulin Lodge” was moved by Councillor Adam McDonald and seconded by Councillor Ted Taylor.
A further motion that “we recommend to council that the municipality enter into a fire protection agreement with the Township of Billings for the provision of fire protection services for various locations that are adjacent to the Municipality of Central Manitoulin” was also passed.
