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Township of St. Joseph March 18, 2003 Council met at the Municipal Administration Building in Richards Landing on the above date. Present were Reeve Lorraine Aelick; Councillors Margaret Butters, Wayne Van Sickle 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 March 4, 2003 meeting as presented. -cd.- Councillor Van Sickle declared a conflict of interest in regard to the resignation of his spouse as an employee of the St. Joseph Township Public Library Board. Possible attendance of the municipality’s water plant operator at an upcoming seminar was discussed. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize our water plant operator Barry Elliott to attend the AMO Drinking Water Seminar to be held in Sudbury on April 7, 2003. -cd.- Concerns regarding the high cost of home heating oil were discussed. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Jody Wildman WHEREAS the price of home heating oil has increased by nearly 100% during the past year; AND WHEREAS the oil companies have failed to justify increases of this magnitude; AND WHEREAS many northern residents rely on home heating oil as their primary heat source and can no longer afford to heat their homes; NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that we do petition the Federal Government to investigate and consider regulating the price of home heating oil. -cd.- The proposed appointment of a municipal health and safety officer was considered. Moved by Wayne Van Sickle Seconded by Jody Wildman Be it resolved that we do appoint Barry Elliott as a Health and Safety Representative and do authorize him to attend basic certification training in Sault Ste. Marie on April 29, 30 and May 1, 2003. -cd.- Correspondence regarding the appointment of the Hon. David Young as the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Province’s child supplement proposal, was received from AMO. A copy of the agenda for the Spring Symposium of the Algoma District Municipal Association was received. Acknowledgement of a number of Council resolutions was received from Mike Brown, M.P.P. Notice of changes to the submission date for Engineer’s Reports required to be filed under the Safe Drinking Water Act was received from the Ministry of the Environment. A copy of her letter to the Public Library Board advising of her resignation as Librarian was received from Mrs. Karen Van Sickle. Correspondence expressing their appreciation, for the forgiveness of a portion of their property taxes, and the authorization to use an increased portion of lottery proceeds for hall maintenance, was received from the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 374. Notice that National Volunteer Week is April 27 to May 3, 2003 was received from Volunteer Canada. An invitation to participate in a teleconference on grief counselling and coping with public tragedy was received from the VON Algoma Branch. Copies of the minutes of local board and committee meetings were received. A request for comments on an application for consent to sever land was received from the Planning Board. Moved by Wayne Van Sickle Seconded by Jody Wildman Be it resolved that we do advise the St. Joseph Island Planning Board that we have no objection to Consent Application #1/03 by Maria Gebhart subject to the usual conditions regarding payment of property taxes and cash-in-lieu of parkland, and a requirement for re-zoning of the severed portion to reflect normal rural zoning. -cd.- Mr. John Taylor of the Seniors/Disabled Services Advisory Committee was in attendance to discuss plans and anticipated costs for expansion of the parking lot at the Dr. Harold S. Trefry Memorial Centre. Council suggested that this work be proposed as a one-time capital expenditure in the 2003 budget submission to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for the programs being operated from that property. A request for support of a resolution was considered. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do endorse the resolution by the City of Sault Ste. Marie proposing a meeting with the Minister of Finance and officials from MPAC regarding concerns about employee reductions and decreased service levels in Sault Ste. Marie. -cd.- A request for a contribution to their Veterinary Assistance Program was received from the Algoma Veterinary Committee. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do participate in the Veterinary Assistance Program for the year 2003 at a cost of $285.00. -cd.- Correspondence was received from the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Add’l regarding a proposed meeting to discuss funding for the new hospital proposed to be constructed in Sault Ste. Marie, the design of the proposed 4 laning of Highway 17 in that municipality, and the sharing of casino revenues. Reeve Aelick agreed to attend the meeting to discuss hospital funding. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do endorse the request by the Township of Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen Add’l that the Ministry of Transportation redesign the Highway 638, Pioneer Road, Findlay Hill Road intersection of the Highway 17 4-Lane project in that municipality, due to safety concerns with the current design. -cd.- Moved by Wayne Van Sickle Seconded by Margaret Butters Whereas since May 1999 the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has donated $5.1 million generated from the Casino Sault Ste. Marie Charity Casino, to the City of Sault Ste. Marie to use at their discretion. And Whereas the Township of St. Joseph lies within 40 km of the City of Sault Ste. Marie and falls within the "catchment area" of the Casino Sault Ste. Marie Charity Casino. Therefore Be It Resolved that the Township of St. Joseph request the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to allocate a percentage of the dollars generated from Casino Sault Ste. Marie Charity Casino to the Township of St. Joseph to use at our discretion. -cd.- The final report of Local Infrastructure Development project was received and discussed. Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do renew our membership in ADnet for the year 2003 at a cost of $500.00. -cd.- The Clerk requested permission to attend an upcoming municipal election seminar. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize the Clerk to attend the Municipal Elections Seminar to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on March 25, 2003. -cd.- Two proposals to provide computer support services were considered. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do accept the proposal by Island Microtek to provide computer support/consulting services at a cost of $15.00 per hour. -cd.- A recent meeting with prospective tenants for the restaurant portion of the new marina services building was discussed. It was noted that while some lease details would require further discussion, it was anticipated that they could be worked out satisfactorily. A request that the municipality(ies) consider taking over their billboard on the Bridge Road (Highway 548) was received from the St. Joseph Island Hunters and Anglers Association. Council felt that this matter should be considered by all four Councils at the annual joint council meeting. The need to appoint an Acting Co-ordinator for the seniors and disabled services programs was discussed. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Margaret Butters Be it resolved that we do appoint Heidi Barton as Acting Co-ordinator of Seniors and Disabled Services on an interim basis effective March 31, 2003. -cd.- Winter use of the non-household refuse section of the municipal landfill site was discussed. It was agreed that this section of the dump would remain closed until after spring break-up this year and that this issue would be reviewed prior to next winter. Correspondence was received from AMO regarding the provincial legislature being prorogued and postponed, and the Kids Voting Canada program. The proposed 2003 budget for the St. Joseph Island Planning Board was received. An invitation for members of Council to attend a session on director responsibilities as they relate to the financial reporting process was received from the municipality’s auditors, BDO Dunwoody. Notice of the annual work schedules for the Algoma and Northshore Forests was received from the Ministry of Natural Resources. A request for adjustment of water and sewer rates and parking requirements as the result of discontinuation of use of part of a building for commercial purposes was received. It was noted that water and sewer rates are based on the availability of service to the property rather than useage, but that parking space requirements might be affected by this change. The Clerk was requested to look into this matter further. The 2003 Budget was discussed. It was noted that budget proposals had not yet been received from some boards, committees and departments, nor had the Algoma District Services Administration Board budget been received. The Clerk was instructed to request that all such budgets be submitted as soon as possible. A number of road related matters were discussed including long range road improvement plans, the need for handicap parking space signage and repainting of parking space lines in the downtown area of Richards Landing. Possible office space rental in the Municipal Administration Building was discussed. Councillor Butters reported on the Sault Area Hospital’s recent visioning exercise and a recent meeting of the Public Library Board. Moved by Jody Wildman Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do authorize payment of Voucher No. 03-3A in the amount of $191,846.38. -cd.- Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Jody Wildman Be it resolved that we do pass By-law No. 1786 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of this meeting. -cd.- Moved by Margaret Butters Seconded by Wayne Van Sickle Be it resolved that we do adjourn to meet again on April 8, 2003 or at the call of the Reeve. -cd.- _______________________________ REEVE-Lorraine Aelick _______________________________ CLERK-A. Michael Jagger |