MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
August 28, 2007

PRESENT: Councillor Mary-Lynne Hunt
Councillor Shirley Hunt
Councillor Brenda Spithoff
Councillor Donna Young
Clerk-Treasurer Patricia Maxwell
Road Superintendent Ken Malinoski

ALSO PRESENT: Brian Vanlenthe, Mark Kukkee, Peggy Smart, Bob Kowalczyk

ABSENT: Reeve Robert Rydholm

Resolution No. 2007-160

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT Shirley Hunt be appointed as Acting Reeve in the absence of Reeve Rydholm.
CARRIED.


1. CALL TO ORDER

Acting Reeve Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Resolution No. 2007-161

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Meeting Agenda be adopted as circulated.
CARRIED.

3. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest on the part of any member of Council.

4. DEPUTATIONS AND PETITIONS

There were no deputations or petitions for Council's consideration.

5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

5.1 Minutes - Regular Meeting - July 24, 2007

Council deferred the passing of the previous Minutes as there were not enough people present that had been at the previous meeting.

5.2 Minutes - Closed Meeting - July 24, 2007

Council deferred the passing of the previous Minutes as there were not enough people present that had been at the previous meeting.

6. REPORTS FROM MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

6.1 Road Superintendent's Report

Mr. Malinoski advised Council that the Public Works Department have been working on the Holland Road project, cutting hills and resurfacing the road, doing grading, covering the landfill and taking water samples. Mr. Malinoski advised that the MNR had been out to look at the Township pits for our application under the new Pits and Quarries Act, and that it appears that the pits will not require fencing. A new gate may be required where there is only a wire blocking the entrance.

- Landfill Report - filed

6.2 Fire Chief's Report - filed

6.3 Clerk's Report

The Clerk reported that some non-resident property owners have been requesting a landfill pass so that they can clean up stuff left on their property by other owners. Council generally does not issue landfill cards to non-residents so that waste generated in other townships is not put in our landfill. However, these property owners cannot take the waste back to the City either, and taking it to John Street will cost them money. Council decided that a limited card could be issued to these people under the understanding that only waste from Conmee property can be brought to the landfill and that the Landfill Attendant will monitor what is being brought in. If we find that household waste, such as kitchen waste is being brought in, the landfill pass will be cancelled. Council also directed that a time limit be placed on the cards, to be renewed yearly.

The Clerk advised that JEPP funding was again available. The Clerk noted that Section 13.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act required Council to establish, among other things, an emergency operations centre, and Section 13.2 of the Act requires that the emergency operations centre have "sufficient technology" to operate in an emergency. The JEPP funding was designed to help us buy a generator for the Community Centre. Council directed the Clerk to check what other Townships are doing with this matter.

The Clerk advised that a former resident was requesting that Council allow an extension to Holland Road at Torrie Road to allow for him to build a house in that area. Council noted that they would be in favour of this matter providing that the road was built to MTO specifications and that a turn-around for the snow plow would be provided.

The Clerk reported on a complaint received regarding vehicles parked on the road allowance. Council directed a letter to be sent to the property owner advising that only emergency parking is allowed on any road allowance.

The Clerk reported on a request from lawn care companies regarding grass cutting at Municipal properties. Council requested that this issue be placed in the Township newsletter to see if anyone local would like to tender on the project.

6.4 Councillor Reports - no reports at this meeting.

7. DISBURSEMENT LIST

Resolution No. 2007-162

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Accounts in the amount of $77,529.79 as per Disbursement List No. 08A 2007 be approved for payment.
CARRIED.

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.1 NOMA Fall Conference Registration

Resolution No. 2007-163

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the following persons be approved to attend the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference to be held a the Victoria Inn on September 20th and 21st, 2007:

Councillor S. Hunt (Thursday only)
Councillor Spithoff
Reeve Rydholm
Clerk Maxwell
CARRIED.

8.2 Insurance Quote from AON

Council discussed the insurance quote received from AON Reed Stenhouse. Council had requested the Company to re-quote with a $5,000.00 deductible instead of a $10,000.00 deductible. The Company advised that $10,000 is their standard deductible, and that they were only willing to lower the automobile deductible from $5,000.00 to $2,500.00 for a premium increase of $400.00 a year. Council decided to remain with the current insurance provider.

Resolution No. 2007-164

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the quote for insurance services received from Frank Cowan in the amount of $32,492.00 plus taxes be accepted.
CARRIED.

8.3 Write-Off on Tax Sale Properties - Admin. Report #2007-38

Resolution No. 2007-165

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the taxes on the following roll numbers be written off as uncollectible as the property did not sell in tax sale and will be vested in the Township of Conmee's name:

Roll # 5819000000243000000 - $5,320.92
Roll # 5819000000195000000 - $5,556,39
CARRIED.

8.4 Northern Community Investment Readiness Funding and NOMA - Admin. Report No. 2007-37

Resolution No. 2007-166

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Township of Conmee agrees to participate in the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association led Common Voice Partnership proposal to be submitted under the Northern Community Investment Readiness Program;

AND THAT the Township of Conmee requests that NCIR funding in the amount of $5,000.00 be allocated to the Common Voice Partnership Proposal.
CARRIED.

8.5 Agreement Between Oliver Paipoonge and LRPB re Planning - filed

8.6 Stewardship Ontario - Recycling - Admin. Report #2007-39 - filed

8.7 Fire Truck Tenders

Resolution No. 2007-167

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Tender from Kris Ligate in the amount of $600.00 for the surplus fire truck be accepted.
CARRIED.

8.8 Wolfwood Rezoning - Draft By-law

Council discussed the draft by-law prepared regarding the zoning amendment request to rezone property from Rural to Extractive Industrial. Several Council members noted that they were not in favour of this application due to the increased truck traffic and damage to the roads, as well as the inconvenience to people living on Holland Road. Council requested that the applicant be notified regarding Council's opposition and that the by-law be brought back to the next Council meeting at which time they would be willing to hear the applicant again.

8.9 Fireworks By-law - Admin. Report No. 2007-43

Council discussed the draft by-law and requested changes to be brought back to the next Council meeting.

8.10 VanLenthe Rezoning - Admin. Report No. 2007-42

Resolution No. 2007-169

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized on behalf of the Township of Conmee to affix their signatures to By-law No. 916, being a by-law to permit a motocross racetrack.
CARRIED.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 Ontario 911 Advisory Board Request for Funding

Resolution No. 2007-170

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

WHEREAS the Ontario 911 Advisory Board was formed at the request of Ontario Municipalities;

AND WHEREAS it is now in great need of financial assistance in order to continue to represent our ratepayers in the face of ever-increasing technological advancement;

AND WHEREAS technological advancement and deregulation of the local telephone market makes it necessary to represent municipalities and ratepayers at the Canadian Radio Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) and the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) on a regular basis;

NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Township of Conmee contributes $100.00 to the Ontario 911 Advisory Board in order to allow it to continue to advance a safe delivery of 911 system for police, fire and ambulance emergency services in our municipalities and throughout the Province.
CARRIED.

9.2 Resolution Support Request - Tay ValleyTownship - Mining

Resolution No. 2007-171

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

WHEREAS Ontario municipal governments recognize the importance of Ontario's mining sector to the Ontario economy and to the economies of mining communities;

AND WHEREAS Canadian law has traditionally recognized as a fundamental freedom, the right of the individual to the enjoyment of property, a right not to be deprived thereof;

AND WHEREAS the Mining Act of Ontario recognizes separate mining and surface rights on many private lands, bring about a sate of affairs where there may be two owners to one property;

AND WHEREAS mining activities on these properties have frequently resulted in property damage, environmental degradation, and unmapped mining hazards, disturbing residents quiet enjoyment of the land and risking public health and safety;

AND WHEREAS mining activities, prior to advanced exploration, are not subject to any municipal authority, conservation authority, environmental review, nor the approval of the landowner;

AND WHEREAS municipal governments in regions with an abundance of surface-rights only (SRO) properties have previously called on the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to reunite surface and mining rights on SRO properties to resolve the situation;

AND WHEREAS many of these properties are residential, cottage, recreational lands and some in areas of environmental, cultural and heritage significance where mining is incompatible with established land use practice;

AND WHEREAS the Mining Act provides for Ministerial discretion and the ability to cancel or annul the forfeiture of any lands or mining rights under the Act;

NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that in support of AMO's position, the Township of Conmee petition the Premier and the Minister of Northern Development and Mines to reunite surface and mining rights on SRO properties when requested by the SRO property owner or the municipality in order to resolve this issue.
CARRIED.

9.3 Letter from MNR - Support Appreciation - filed

9.4 Request for Tax Reduction - Admin. Report No. 2007-40

Resolution No. 2007-172

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT as per By-law No. 903, being a by-law to provide relief to seniors and disabled for tax increases, the following amounts be written off for 2007:

Roll # 5819000000025000000 - $525.00
CARRIED.

9.5 Request for Property Designation Change - Admin. Report No. 2007-41 - filed

9.6 By-law No. 919 - Sale of Surplus Property - Admin. Report No. 2007-35

Resolution No. 2007-173

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized to affix their signatures on behalf of the Township of Conmee to By-law No.919, being a by-law to establish a policy for the sale of Real Property.
CARRIED.

9.7 By-law No. 920 - Giving of Notice - Admin. Report No. 2007-36

Resolution No. 2007-174

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized to affix their signatures on behalf of the Township of Conmee to By-law No. 920, being a by-law to establish a policy of the Giving of Notice.
CARRIED.

9.8 Resolution Support Request - West Grey - Amend Building Code

Resolution No. 2007-175

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

WHEREAS Section 36(8) of the Ontario Building Code Act, 1992, as amended, states that "No proceeding under this section shall be commenced more than one year after the time when the subject-matter of the proceeding arose";

AND WHEREAS the effect of this clause is to restrict the ability of a municipality to take appropriate legal action in circumstances where buildings and structures have been placed on municipal properties without having obtained building permits for same;

NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Township of Conmee hereby supports amending Section 36(8) of the Building Code Act, 1992 as amended, to provide municipalities with a time limit of two (2) years from the date of discovery for commencing legal proceedings;

AND FURTHER THAT a letter be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Municipal Affairs Building and Development Branch, Ontario Building Officials Association and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario supporting this change.
CARRIED.

9.8 Resolution Support Request - Mun. of Memora and Lake - Property Tax System Reform

Resolution No. 2007-176

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

WHEREAS on June 29th, 2006 the Province cancelled property tax assessments for 2006 and 2007 to allow MPAC to implement the recent Ombudsman's recommendations;

AND WHEREAS the Ombudsman's report of March 28th, 2006 entitled, "Getting it Right" will improve assessments and eliminate many problems, it will not make our property tax system any less volatile and unpredictable;

AND WHEREAS rapidly increasing property assessments and resultant property tax increases are a hardship to many Ontario taxpayers;

AND WHEREAS the system of province-wide Current Value Assessment (CVA) was designed to bring fairness to Ontario taxpayers. In the current environment of rapidly increasing residential assessments, changes to the tax system are warranted to ensure this fairness for all taxpayers;

AND WHEREAS a system based solely on CVA is not satisfactory;

AND WHEREAS phasing assessment increases over 4 years as proposed in the March 22nd budget will not prevent the volatility of high tax increases; it is not a satisfactory solution to needed reform.

NOW THEREFORE be it resolved that the Township of Conmee requests that the Provincial Government reform the property tax system during the assessment freeze to eliminate volatility and provide a more stable and fair system;

AND FURTHER that this requested be forwarded to Premier Dalton McGuinty, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara and our local MPP.
CARRIED.

9.9 Ambulance Base Lease

Council discussed the ambulance base lease and directed the Clerk to send a letter to the City of Thunder Bay advising of an increase.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

10.1 News Release Re Federal Investment in Molecular Medicine Research Centre
10.2 MNR - Rabies Program
10.3 Min. of Ag. And Food - Ontario Biogas Systems Assistance Program
10.4 OPP 1st/2nd Quarter Report
10.5 Reply from MNR Minister re Sustainable Forestry Licences
10.6 TBDSSAB 2006 Annual Report

Closed Session to discuss personnel issues - Road Superintendent's Contract

Resolution No. 2007-177

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Council for the Township of Conmee adjourn to a closed session to discuss personnel issues at 9:20 pm.
CARRIED.

Resolution No. 2007 - 178

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Council for the Township of Conmee adjourn the closed session and return to the open meeting at 9:20 pm.
CARRIED.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Resolution No. 2007-179

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT we do now adjourn at 9:30 pm.
CARRIED.


_____________________
Reeve


_____________________
Clerk