MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
June 12, 2007

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

ALSO PRESENT:
ABSENT:


1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Resolution No. 2007-124

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Meeting Agenda be adopted as prepared.
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 - May 22, 2007

Council noted that Resolution No. 2007-120 and Resolution No. 2007-121 stated that the Public Meetings were to be held on June 19th, but this has been changed to June 26th.

Resolution No. 2007-125

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on May 22, 2007 be approved as amended.
CARRIED.

6. REPORTS FROM MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

6.1 Road Superintendent's Report - written report has been filed
- Landfill Report - Council discussed the comment from the Landfill Attendant regarding people not listening to her on where to put their garbage. Council directed that the Attendant should record names of these people and forward them to the office for the Clerk to send letters.

6.2 Fire Chief's Report - not at this meeting

6.3 Clerk's Report

- Report on Attendance at Essentials of Fire Protection - filed
- Copies of MIFPIS and Risk Assessment for Conmee - For Council's Information
- Police Road Closures - Admin. Report #2007-23

Council discussed section 134 of the Highway Traffic Act which states that emergency vehicles may travel on closed roads in an emergency. This has been an issue during the times when the police have closed the roads because they are chasing criminals into our Township. It was suggested that Fire Department members should carry a copy of the Section to show any Police Officer that tells them they cannot respond to an emergency. It was agreed by Council members that if a Police Officer still refuses to allow the emergency personnel to travel on closed roads there would not be much that could be done at that time. It was also noted that depending on the nature of the road closure it may not be safe for the people to enter the area.

6.4 Councillor Reports

The report from Councillor Spithoff on her attendance at the Essentials of Fire Protection was presented for Council's consideration.

7. DISBURSEMENT LIST

7.1 Disbursement List No. 06A 2007

Resolution No. 2007-126

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor S. Hunt

THAT the Accounts in the amount of $39,278.50 as per Disbursement List No. 06A 2007 be approved for payment.
CARRIED.

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.1 Update on Tax Registered Properties - Admin. Report #2007-24 - filed
8.2 NOMA Education Award - Request for Extra Funding

Council discussed the challenge from O'Connor Township Council to provide a $2.00 per capita funding to the Northern Ontario Medical School Award Fund. Council directed the Clerk to send a letter advising O'Connor Council that the people of Conmee Township contributed $100,000.00 to the new Regional Hospital when the other Townships did not, therefore it was felt that our ratepayers had contributed more than their fair share to the medical system in Northwestern Ontario.


8.3 Powerpoint Presentation - New Municipal Act

The Clerk provided Council with an update on the changes to the Municipal Act and the impact those changes would have on the Township of Conmee.

8.4 Letter from D. Tyre - Admin. Report #2007-26

Council reviewed the letter from Mr. D. Tyre appealing Council's imposition of fines for beginning construction without a permit. The Clerk was directed to send a letter to Mr. Tyre advising that the fines would not be removed due to the fact that Mr. Tyre had made no attempt to obtain approval before beginning construction, even after being requested to do so by Township staff.

8.5 Sale of Pit to Lehto - Admin. Report #2007-27

The Clerk advised Council that the pit that was sold to Mr. Lehto was never zoned as Extractive Industrial while the Township owned it. Mr. Lehto has applied to grandfather the pit under the new Pits and Quarries legislation.

Resolution No. 2007-127

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Clerk be directed to set up a public meeting on July 24, 2007, beginning at 6:00 pm, to change the zoning from Rural to Extractive Industrial on the property sold to Mr. Lehto.
CARRIED.

8.6 Resolution re Gas Tax Funding

Resolution No. 2007-28

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff


WHEREAS the Federal Government has implemented a system to provide Gas Tax funding to municipalities;

AND WHEREAS the Federal Government has restricted the use of the funds to projects which may not be appropriate for smaller municipalities;

AND WHEREAS the gravel road systems are considered our transit systems, and ditches, culverts and bridges are our water systems;

AND WHEREAS most small municipalities are struggling to fund the day-to-day operation, repairs and maintenance of municipal infrastructure;

AND WHEREAS the Federal and Provincial Governments have promised to allow the municipal level of government to make decisions appropriate for their unique situations at a local level;

NOW THERFORE THE COUNCIL FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF CONMEE hereby requests that the Federal Government reconsider the restrictions on the use of Federal Gas Tax funds and allow municipalities to use funds in an unrestricted manner as decided by individual Councils as being most pressing for their areas;

AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to all the members of the Thunder Bay District Municipal League, NOMA, and our local MPP and MP for their support.
CARRIED.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 By-law No. 914 - Fireworks - Admin. Report #2007-25

Council discussed the Fire Chief's request to implement a Fireworks By-law and permit system. Council has directed that this issue be published in the July newsletter, with written comments to be accepted until July 24, 2007.

9.2 Report from Wardrop Engineering re Landfill

Council discussed the annual report from Wardrop Engineering on the Landfill. Council was concerned about the reported remaining life of the landfill as it seems to be losing 2 years for each year of operation. Council discussed the possibility of allowing each "cell" to be mounded above ground. The issue with this would be that the Township does not have a loader capable of lifting the cover material up. The current bulldozer can only push on a horizontal basis. Council will discuss this matter further. Council also agreed with Wardrop's recommendation that testing be reduced to twice yearly with the approval of MOE.

9.3 TBDHU - Resolution Support - Contraband Tobacco

Resolution No. 2007-129

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Council for the Township of Conmee supports the resolution from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit regarding Contraband Tobacco (copy attached);

AND THAT this support be forwarded to our local MPP.
CARRIED.

9.4 TBDHU - Resolution Support - Children in Need of Treatment

Resolution No. 2007-130

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Council for the Township of Conmee supports the resolution from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit regarding Children in Need of Treatment Program (copy attached):

AND THAT this support be forwarded to our local MPP.
CARRIED.

9.5 TBDHU - Resolution Support - Establish Fluoridation Office - not supported.

9.6 AMO Alert - Lead Control Requirements in Drinking Water - filed

9.7 Ambulance Base Lease - return to next meeting

Resolution No. 2007-131

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the meeting time be extended past 9:30 pm.
CARRIED.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

10.1 Min. of Northern Dev. And Mines - Progress Report
10.2 TBDSSAB - Audited Financial Statements
10.3 Letter from M. Gravelle to Min. of Natural Resources - Resolution Support re Our Support of Dryden Resolution

Budget Review - Budget to Actual

Council reviewed the draft budget and the budget to actual figures provided. Further information was requested regarding some items on the budget that have already gone over the budget amounts. The Clerk advised that information on costs for engineering reports will not be available until June 26th. Council advised that the Road Superintendent could proceed with the application of calcium to the roads at the appropriate time. The budget will be brought back to the next meeting.


11. ADJOURNMENT

Resolution No. 2007-132

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT we do now adjourn at 9:46 pm.
CARRIED.



_____________________
Reeve



_____________________
Clerk