MICA visits council
Council received a delegation from Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates’ (MICA) Maja Mielonen and Guy Nielen at its December 18 meeting of council. Ms. Mielonen gave an overview of the extensive work MICA does to attract cycling tourism to Manitoulin Island, as well as its work in lobbying the provincial government to see, to date, almost all of Manitoulin’s major roadways’ shoulders paved.
Following her presentation, Ms. Mielonen asked council to become a municipal member of MICA with a $500 donation.
Councillor Laurie Cook asked of the Northeast Town had donated to MICA in the past. CAO Dave Williamson explained that yes, they had, but not in that amount.
Council will review the request during its budget deliberations.
Cannabis opt in
Council finalized its committee decision to ‘opt in’ to allow for retail cannabis sales locations in the municipality with a motion to approve.
Code of conduct
With March 1, 2019 legislation looming that states all councils must have a code of conduct, council passed its code at the December 18 meeting, but it won’t come into effect until the March date. Councils must also have an integrity commissionor in the upcoming year and the code of conduct cannot be enacted until one is secured, Mr. Williamson explained, hence the March 1 date of enactment.
The code of conduct lays out the roles of mayor, council the CAO and administration and sets rules on such things as the acceptance of gifts, use of town property, communications and social media, conflict of interest, confidential information, conduct at council meetings and staff relations.
The document also lays out a recommended complaint procedure.
Council appointments
As per procedure, Mayor Al MacNevin set the schedule of committee memberships and council representation for this term. They are as follows: Manitoulin East Airport Commission, Bill Koehler and Jim Ferguson; Little Current Business Improvement Area, Barbara Baker; Community Policing Advisory Committee, Al Boyd; Northeast Town Public Library, Laurie Cook; Manitoulin Centennial Manor, Dawn Orr; North Channel Marine Tourism Council, Michael Erskine; Welcome Centre Building, Al MacNevin; Community Services Advisory Committee, Barb Baker and Michael Erskine; Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah, Laurie Cook; and McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm Committee Grant, Al MacNevin and Al Boyd.
Signing authority
Council passed Bylaw 2018-47 to designate persons authorized as bank signing officers.
For cheques more than $5,000, signing officers shall be any one of: Al MacNevin, Laurie Cook or Bill Koehler in combination with either Pam Cress or Dave Williamson.
For cheques not in excess of $5,000 and all other transactions, signing officers are Al MacNevin in combination with either Pam Cress or David Williamson.
OPP site plan agreement
Council passed a site plan agreement for the new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Little Current. The purpose of a site plan, Mr. Williamson explained, would be to ensure that anything that concerns neighbours of the new detachment, or the municipality, would be addressed, giving the examples of drainage and parking.
“The simpler the site plan, the better,” Mr. Williamson said, “as it’s less to come back on the municipality.”
The CAO told council that the perimeter will be fenced and there will be three entrances: two off Boozeneck Road and the other from Hayward Street.
“It’s about everything outside of the building,” Mr. Williamson added.
Council approved the site plan, which will then be registered on title.
Insurance tenders
Council received just one tender for its property and liability insurance, from its existing insurance company MIS Insurance to the tune of $126,465 plus PST.
Mr. Williamson noted that the tender was over $20,000 more than last year, but recommended that council accept it as the increase was due to the municipality’s claims history, including two overturned snowplows in one year, the public works garage fire and numerous lawsuits.
Sale of Crown land for Boyle Marine
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) contacted the Northeast Town, seeking approval for the sale of a portion of Crown land to Boyle Marine. The 2’ by 5’ section falls under McGregor Street, the road that leads from Water Street into Knockerville and the marina.
