MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 2007

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

ALSO PRESENT: Aime Spencer, Fire Chief
ABSENT:


1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The Clerk advised that an addition should be made to the Agenda - 9.10 By-law No. 904 - Appointing Facilities Manager.

Resolution No. 2007-01

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Meeting Agenda be adopted as amended.
CARRIED.

3. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

There were no declarations of pecuniary 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 - December 12, 2007

Councillor Young requested that 9.4 be amended to read "set a limit".

Resolution No. 2007-02

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor S. Hunt

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on December 12, 2006 be approved as amended.
CARRIED.

6. REPORTS FROM MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

6.1 Acting Road Superintendent's Report

Mr. Malinoski reported that the Department has removed some trees on Olson Road to improve sight lines on a sharp corner, and erected directional signs. The Department has been sanding and scarifying the roads, but have had to do only a little snowplowing so far. Mr. Malinoski noted that the 951B (landfill bulldozer has been repaired). He also noted that the Department has used most of the mixed sand already, which was about 3 times the amount usually used by this time of year.

6.2 Fire Chief's Report

Chief Spencer attended Council to speak on several items. The first item was regarding the invoices from the 2003 plane crash. Despite repeated efforts by Chief Spencer, Clerk Maxwell and the Township Solicitor, the Township has been unable to collect on those invoices. The Solicitor has advised that the next step would be litigation, however, the cost for taking the matter to court would probably end up more than what we would collect. Chief Spencer advised he had notified the O.P.P. and the Coroner's Office that the Conmee Emergency Services would not respond to these kinds of incidents again, until we had been assured, in writing that the costs would be paid. Council passed the following resolution:

Resolution No. 2007-03

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor S. Hunt

WHEREAS the Conmee Emergency Services responded to a plane crash outside of the Township of Conmee boundaries at the request of the O.P.P. and the Coroner's Office in 2003;

AND WHEREAS the Emergency Services Department invoiced the insurance company for $21,000.00 for men and machine time in this matter;

AND WHEREAS the Township has been unable to obtain payment of these invoices, despite requests to the insurance company, insurance broker, O.P.P. and the Coroner's Office by the Clerk, the Fire Chief and by the Township Solicitor;

AND WHEREAS it has been almost 4 years since the invoices were originally sent;

THEREFORE the Council of the Township of Conmee hereby declares that Invoices 2005-21 and 2005-22 (attached) in the amount of $21,000.00 are uncollectible, and directs the Clerk to make an entry into the General Ledger to remove them from the Accounts Receivable.
CARRIED.

The second item for Chief Spencer was regarding the Departments repayment of the amount taken from the Consolidated Reserve funds to pay for the new fire truck. Chief Spencer noted that at the rate the loan was being repaid, it would not be finalized for 30 years. In the meantime, the Department was not increasing its own reserves to ensure adequate funding for future needs. Chief Spencer provided several alternatives to Council. Council passed the following resolution:

Resolution No. 2007-04

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor S. Hunt

WHEREAS the Conmee Emergency Services Department borrowed the money needed to purchase a new fire truck from the Township Consolidated Reserves;

AND WHEREAS the Emergency Services Department has been repaying this money at the rate of $5,000.00 per year plus interest;

AND WHEREAS because this money has to be repaid, no funds are being allocated to the Emergency Services Department Reserve for future equipment acquisition;

AND WHEREAS if this situation continues, the Emergency Services Department will be required to re-borrow money from the General Reserves in 10 or 15 years to replace equipment, thereby placing them back into the current situation;

THEREFORE the Council of the Township of Conmee hereby declares the loan to Conmee Emergency Services from the General Township Reserves, as paid in full, so that budgeted amounts to the Emergency Services Reserves will increase those reserves to offset any future equipment purchases without further borrowing.
CARRIED.

Chief Spencer also advised Council that he would be purchasing a multi-media projection unit for the Emergency Services using some of the grant money. This unit will be available to all departments when needed.

Chief Spencer noted that a sand box had been purchased for the fire hall and ambulance building as the ice was creating treacherous walking. Chief Spencer thanked the Roads Department for their quick action in providing sand for the box.

Chief Spencer questioned Council on the possibility of the Emergency Services using some of the Federal Gas Tax funds to upgrade the doors at the Fire Hall to allow for quicker opening and closing. As the Roads Department had been approved by AMO to replace their doors, it was felt that the Province would not have a problem with the same use for the Fire Department. The Clerk advised that permission would be sought from AMO before any expenditure of funds. Council asked that this issue be placed back on the Agenda for the next meeting.

Resolution No.2007-05

Moved by Councilor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT we do now adjourn to a closed session to discuss a personnel issue at 7:13 pm.
CARRIED.

See Closed Session Minutes Numbered 2007-01

Resolution No. 2007-06

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT we do now adjourn the closed meeting and return to the open meeting at 7:32 pm.
CARRIED.

6.3 Clerk's Report

The Clerk reported that the History Books had been removed from two establishments in Kakabeka Falls due to problems with record keeping and remitting of sales proceeds.

The Clerk advised that although there had been a donation of a Christmas Tree to the hall by Mutti Pajamaki, the tree was not complete. Council directed the Clerk to proceed with the purchase of a pre-lighted tree as previously discussed.

The Clerk read an invitation to attend an open house in honour of Rudy Buitenhuis's 12 years as Reeve for Gillies Township.

The Clerk advised Council that several Township employees had expressed a desire to purchase new computers for personal use and were asking Council to fund those computers through payroll deductions. Council asked that this issue be brought back to the next meeting.

Council discussed setting a date for the first budget meeting and decided on March 5 beginning at 7:00 pm. As per the requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Clerk is to advertise this meeting in the next issue of the Township newsletter.

6.4 Councillor Reports

Reeve Rydholm presented Notes from the Meeting of the DSSAB Area 1 Townships held on December 19, 2006. It was noted that several changes need to be made to the Policy, including adding the names of the Townships in Area 1. The representatives also discussed who would be the representative to the Board. It was decided that the seat should be taken in rotation, with O'Connor taking 2007 and 2008, Neebing in 2009 and 2010, and Conmee in 2011 and 2012. This Policy change will need to be confirmed at the Annual Convention in March of 2007.

Councillor S. Hunt discussed her attendance at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit meeting. It was noted that she would forward the Minutes and Agenda to O'Connor for their information.

Councillor Spithoff advised that a picture would be taken of the current Council at the next regular meeting.

7. DISBURSEMENT LIST

7.1 Disbursement List No. 01A 2007

Resolution No. 2007-07

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Accounts in the amount of $64,478.27 as per Disbursement List No. 01A 2007 be approved for payment.
CARRIED.


8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.1 Invoice from Pac Pro

The Clerk advised that this item was on the Agenda for Council's information only. It was noted that the company picked up 9.5 tons of tires over and above the quoted amount as they had capped their quote as of November, 2006.

Council discussed recycling costs in general and noted that the Township may be forced to impose a cost per bag for regular garbage if the residents do not increase their recycling efforts, in order to save space in the landfill. The Clerk is to place an article in the newsletter advising residents of this possibility.

8.2 The Clerk presented the reply from the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding our request for funding under the Bear Wise program. Our request has been denied. It was noted that there will be another round of funding in 2007.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 By-law No. 898 - Council Remuneration

The Clerk advised that the requirements of Section 283(7) of the Municipal Act, 2001 requires Council to review the remuneration by-law once every term. Council did not make any changes to the current By-law.

Resolution No. 2007-08

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized on behalf of the Township of Conmee to affix their signatures to By-law No. 898, being a by-law to establish the Councillor Remuneration and Mileage.
CARRIED.

9.2 By-law No. 899 - Interim Levy

Resolution No. 2007-09

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized to affix their signatures on behalf of the Township of Conmee to By-law No. 899, being a by-law to establish the interim tax levy and provide for penalty and interest.
CARRIED.

9.3 By-law No. 900 - Tax Ratios

Resolution No. 2007-10

Moved by Councillor S. 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. 900, being a by-law to establish the tax ratios for the year 2007.
CARRIED.

9.4 By-law No. 901 - Appointment to Thunder Bay District Municipal League

Resolution No. 2007-11

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff
THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized on behalf of the Township of Conmee to affix their signatures to By-law No. 901, being a by-law to appoint the Township Representative to the Thunder Bay District Municipal League, being Reeve Rydholm.
CARRIED.

9.5 By-law No. 902 - Appoint Road Superintendent

Resolution No. 2007-12

Moved by Councillor S. 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. 902, being a by-law to appoint Mr. Ken Malinoski as Road Superintendent as per the attached agreement.
CARRIED.

9.6 By-law No. 903 - Seniors Tax Relief

Resolution No. 2007-13

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized on behalf of the Township of Conmee to affix their signatures to By-law no. 903, being a by-law to allow a seniors discount on tax increases.
CARRIED.

9.7 Attendance at Seminar re George Cuff - Effective Councilors

The Clerk presented information on a seminar to be held in Dryden with George Cuff. No Council member expressed an interest as there should be local information sessions in February.

Resolution No. 2007-14

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the following persons be authorized to attend a seminar by George Cuff, in Dryden on January 25, 2007.
DEFEATED.

9.8 Estimated Growth Report from MPAC and Meeting Request - filed

9.9 Ministry of Finance - OMPF Funding - filed

9.10 By-law No. 904 - Appoint Facilities Manager

Resolution No. 2006-15

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor S. Hunt

THAT the Reeve and Clerk be authorized on behalf of the Township of Conmee to affix their signature to By-law No. 904 being a by-law to appoint Dawn Niemi as Facilities Manager.
CARRIED.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

10.1 Bill Mauro, MPP - Meeting Invitation - Table File
10.2 Min. of Community Safety - Changes in Staffing - Table File
10.3 Overview from MPAC Chairman - Table File
10.4 Reply from MNR re Forestry Crisis - Table File
10.5 Congratulations from Premier of Ontario re Elections - Table File
10.6 Society of Engineers - Fee Guideline for Services - filed
10.7 North Superior Training Board - Various Issues - Table File
10.8 Changes to Planning Act - Table File
10.9 Minister of Finance - Thank-you for Participation - Table File
10.10 MMAH - Collection of School Taxes - Table File

11. ADJOURNMENT

Resolution No. 2007-16

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT we do now adjourn at 8:49 pm.
CARRIED.



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Reeve



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Clerk