Assisted living
Council discussed what to do with the property donated by the municipality for senior housing development. Council had a deputation by Dr. Roy Jeffery on behalf of the Island Seniors Housing group at a council meeting last month. Dr. Jeffery updated council on their work in developing an assisted living facility on the property, noting that they were having problems securing funding.
Mayor MacNevin said that staff is looking for direction as to whether they should continue to work with the group on developing the project, or open the project up to other potential project developers.
Council decided to direct staff to continue to work with the Island Seniors Housing group on their project, but also to contact other developers who have expressed interest in the property in the past.
Stop up and close
Council carried a motion to stop up, close and sell a portion of public road not travelled to the adjacent property owner at 89 Manitowaning Road.
Landfill report
Town CAO Dave Williamson reviewed the annual monitoring and operations report of the landfill with council.
He noted that there a few recommendations such as “the additional down gradient property (the former Mountain View Trailer Park) be registered as landfill buffer lands and that the existing Environmental Compliance Approval be amended accordingly to recognize the new buffer land.”
The report also recommends that the surface water sampling be revised from twice annually and during storm events to three times annually, in the spring, summer and fall to coincide with the groundwater monitoring program.
“It is recommended that the leachate sample schedule from the manhole be decreased from monthly to quarterly,” the report also recommends.
Council carried a motion, accepting the recommendations and the report.
Fire department
Northeast Town Fire Chief Darren Bailey informed council that there had been 24 calls for service to date for 2017. He also shared that the department had responded to a call for assistance with the OPP and EMS to retrieve an injured hiker on July 17. “Firefighters have been doing extra training outside of our regular Tuesday training,” he added, “on a couple Sundays each month to keep their skills in check at our training house. As well, apparatus and equipment is in good working order.”
Community services and public works
Community Services Manager Reid Taylor’s report stated that staff are busy cleaning, painting and prepping the recreation centre for upcoming events.
“Pickle ball continues three days a week and there will be numerous events at the recreation centre as part of Haweater Weekend in August,” he states in the report. “Spider Bay is seeing steady business daily and very busy weekends and the downtown docks are now busy every day,” the report continues. “The parks are being inspected regularly and the ball fields and soccer fields are being maintained. The community picnic at Low Island Park was very well attended.”
Mr. Taylor said that the Port of Little Current will have cruise ships on July 29, August 6, 7, 16, 21 and 24.
Staff recommended a two percent increase to the recreation centre rates. The committee made a recommendation to council to approve the change. Councillor Bill Koehler requested a recorded vote on the motion with Councillor Laurie Cook, Michael Erskine, Marcel Gauthier, Dawn Orr, Paul Skippen, Bruce Wood and Mayor MacNevin voted in favour of the increase, while Councillor Koehler voted against it.
