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Township of St. Joseph January 21, 2003 Council met at the Municipal Administration Building at Richards Landing on the above date. Present were Reeve Lorraine Aelick; Councillors Margaret Butters, Wayne Van Sickle, Vince Vernelli and Jody Wildman; and Clerk/CAO Michael Jagger. The meeting was opened with a prayer. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do adopt the minutes of the December 17, 2002 and January 7, 2003 meetings as presented. -cd.- Councillor Van Sickle declared a conflict of interest respecting the issue of budget advances to the Public Library Board to be considered at this meeting, as his spouse is an employee of that Board. Options for the provision of a deck addition to the new marina services building were reviewed. Correspondence was received from AMO regarding the resignation of Chris Hodgson as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and proposed new drinking water regulations. An update on the status of the proposal for redevelopment of Algoma Manor was received from the District Homes for the Aged Board. Notice of extension of the deadline to complete the GUDI study of the municipal water system was received from the Ministry of the Environment. The final report of that GUDI study was received from Kresin Engineering Corporation. Information on a new initiative for rural and small communities was received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Notice that the Annual Maple Syrup Stampede will be held on February 8, 2003 was received from the Township of Jocelyn. Correspondence providing an update of activities, and notice of an upcoming volunteer workshop, were received from the St. Joseph Island Economic Development Corporation. Information on membership and promotion opportunities was received from the Voyageur Heritage Network. Copies of the minutes of recent meetings of local boards and committees were received and reviewed. Membership and representation in the Algoma District Municipal Association was considered. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do become members of the Algoma District Municipal Association for the year 2003 at a cost of $150.00; And be it further resolved that we do appoint Councillors Vernelli and Van Sickle as our voting representatives to that Association; and Councillor Wildman as an alternate. -cd.- Information on their REACH funding program was received from Persona Communications. Notice of the need for renewal of encroachment permits was received from the Ministry of Transportation. Moved by Wayne Van Sickle Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do renew our encroachment agreements with the Ministry of Transportation for watermains, sanitary sewers and forcemains, streetscaping and sidewalks, and streetlights located on Highway 548 in Richards Landing. -cd.- An invitation for membership was received from the Ontario Municipal Water Association. Requests for support of resolutions were considered. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do petition the Province to establish a funding program specifically for small rural schools. -cd.- Draft Terms of Reference for the Seniors/Disabled Services Advisory Committee were received from that committee. The need for a couple of minor changes was discussed. Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do approve the Terms of Reference for the Seniors/Disabled Services Advisory Committee, as amended. -cd.- Contracts for proposed repairs and improvements to the small craft harbour facility in Richards Landing were received from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do enter into contracts with Fisheries and Oceans Canada respecting repairs and improvements to the small craft harbour facility in Richards Landing; and that we do authorize the Reeve and/or the Clerk/CAO to execute all documents related thereto. -cd.- Dr. Janet McLeod was in attendance to discuss physician recruitment and displayed for Council some of the promotional material developed this year to help attract physicians to this area. The issue of smoking in public places and workplaces was discussed. The Clerk was requested to draft a policy to prohibit smoking in all municipally owned buildings. Council also agreed to draft a resolution requesting the Province to recognize and deal with the issue of smoking in the workplace as a provincial responsibility for consideration at the next meeting of Council. The 2003 Business Plan and budget of the Algoma Health Unit was discussed. The need to hire a Rink Caretaker for the balance of the current season was discussed. Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do re-advertise the position of Rink Caretaker for the current season. -cd.- A by-law to provide for a 50 km/hr. speed limit on certain roads was presented for Council’s consideration. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do give First and Second Reading to By-law No. 1778 being a by-law to prescribe a maximum rate of speed on certain highways. -cd.- Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do give Third and Final Reading to By-law No. 1778 being a by-law to prescribe a maximum rate of speed on certain highways. -cd.- Information on the 2003 FONOM/NEOMC Conference was received. Notice of the Annual Northeastern Fire Education Conference to be held in North Bay was received. A letter of resignation from the Planning Board was received from Mr. Bruce Ibbitson. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do accept, with regret, the resignation of Bruce Ibbitson as a representative of this municipality on the St. Joseph Island Planning Board. -cd.- Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do appoint Margaret Butters to the St. Joseph Island Planning Board for the balance of the current term. -cd.- A request for support of a resolution respecting affordable housing was considered. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Jody Wildman Be it resolved that we do endorse the resolution by the County of Perth, the City of Stratford and the Town of St. Marys requesting the Province to increase their contribution levels under the affordable housing initiative. -cd.- An offer to renew the municipality’s pest control contract was considered. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do renew our pest control contract with Bugland Pest Control for the year 2003 at a cost of $831.60 plus GST. -cd.- The annual report of the volunteer fire department was received. The Heritage River Signage Project, and the proposed location of signage at the Richards Landing Marina as part of that project, was discussed. The need for budget advances for the Public Library Board was discussed. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Jody Wildman Be it resolved that we do authorize an advance(s) to the Public Library Board of up to 50% of their total grant for the previous year. -cd.- Councillor Van Sickle provided an update on the ADnet project. The FedNor Youth Internship program was discussed. Councillor Wildman invited Council to meet with Ontario NDP Leader Howard Hampton in Richards Landing the following week. Councillor Wildman also provided Council with additional information on the Recreation Development Fund. The possible inclusion of a kitchen addition to the Trefry Centre in this year’s budget was suggested. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do go into closed session to consider a proposed real estate transaction (10:23 p.m.). -cd.- Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Vince Vernelli Be it resolved that we do return to open meeting (10:53 p.m.). -cd.- Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do appoint the following persons to the Community Development Working Group: Council Representatives - Jody Wildman - Wayne Van Sickle Business Sector Representatives - John Gibbs, Neirdre Powis-Clement, Neil Caughill, Brent Gilbertson Funding Sector Representative - Cathy Jensen, MNDM -cd.- The Clerk was instructed to advertise for two community representatives to also serve on the Community Development Working Group. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize payment of Voucher No. 03-1B in the amount of $28,594.82. -cd.- Moved by Vince Vernelli Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved we do pass By-law No. 1779 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. -cd.- Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do adjourn to meet again on February 4, 2003 or at the call of the Reeve. -cd.- _______________________________ CLERK-A. Michael Jagger _______________________________ REEVE-Lorraine Aelick |