MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
March 13, 2007

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

ALSO PRESENT: Chief Aime Spence, Deputy Chief Terry Baxter, Paul Campbell, Harold Spithoff, Diane Baxter, Amanda Ward

ABSENT:


1. CALL TO ORDER

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

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Resolution No. 2007-49

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

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 - February 27, 2007

Resolution No. 2007-50

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor Hunt

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on February 27, 2007 be adopted as circulated.
CARRIED.

5.2 Minutes - Budget Meeting - March 5, 2007

Resolution No. 2007-51

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor M. Hunt

THAT the Minutes of the Budget Meeting of Council held on March 5, 2007 be adopted as circulated.
CARRIED.

6. REPORTS FROM MUNICIPAL OFFICERS

6.1 Road Superintendent's Report - filed
- Landfill Report - Not at this meeting

6.2 Fire Chief's Report

Resolution No. 2007-52

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

THAT Council accepts the report from the Fire Chief on the requested inspections.
CARRIED.

At this point Reeve Rydholm presented a Certificate and medal to Paul Campbell for his 20 years of service and dedication to the Conmee Fire and First Response.

Reeve Rydholm also had the pleasure of presenting a picture of Deputy Chief Terry Baxter graduating from the Fire College. Deputy Chief Baxter was part of the first class to graduate outside of the college. Terry also received a plaque from the Township and the Fire Department for his achievement. Terry invested 4 years of his own time to this course. Council congratulated both Paul Campbell and Terry Baxter and thanked them for their dedication.

6.3 Clerk's Report - filed

6.4 Councillor's Reports

Reeve Rydholm presented information and drawings he obtained from attending the Waterfront Improvement project. The information is on file at the office if residents would like to see what is proposed.

7. DISBURSEMENT LIST

7.1 Disbursement List No. 03A 2007

Resolution No. 2007-53

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Accounts in the amount of $40,663.36 as per Disbursement List No. 03A 2007 be approved for payment.
CARRIED.

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.1 By-law No. 908 - MNR Agreement

Resolution No. 2007-54

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
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. 908, being a by-law to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources for Fire Protection.
CARRIED.
8.2 Survey Results

The Clerk advised that only 10 surveys were returned out of 287 sent out. Council felt that this was an indication that people were not interested in the services being provided in the Township and will advise the Nor West Community Health Centre of this result.
8.3 Building Permit Information/Inspector

Resolution No. 2007-55

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
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. 907, being a by-law to enter into an agreement with Cheryl Maki, Building Inspector.
CARRIED.

The Clerk also advised that a building permit application had been submitted under the new fee guideline. The By-law states that the basement is to be considered a story, and it is subject to the square footage costs. This doubles the cost of a building permit. Council agreed that unless the plans call for a full completed basement, it would not be subject to the fee. Council also agreed to pay back the applicant for the amount charged to the basement.

8.4 Policy of Use of Equipment

Resolution No. 2007-56

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT Council approves of the modification to the procedure Policy regarding the use of Township equipment.
CARRIED.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.1 Resolution from Thunder Bay District Social Services

Resolution No. 2007-57

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor Hunt

THAT the Council for the Township of Conmee does not support the resolution from the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board that endorses the 211 project;

AND THAT the Council for the Township of Conmee does not agree with the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration plans to fund this project in the amount of $48,000.00
CARRIED.

9.2 Clerk's Request to Attend AMCTO Zone 9 Meeting

Resolution No. 2007-58

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the Clerk be authorized to attend the Spring AMCTO Zone 9 Meeting to be held in Fort Frances on April 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2007.
CARRIED.

9.3 Pinewood Court - Board Update and Meeting Invitation

Resolution No. 2007-59

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT the following persons be authorized to attend the Pinewood Court Board of Management Meeting to be held on March 23rd, 2007 at 2:00 pm at the Airlane Hotel. - Reeve Rydholm.
CARRIED.

9.4 MNDM - Summer Student Applications

Council is not going to hire summer students under the MNDM wage program for 2007.

9.5 NOMA Resolution re Forging the Future

Resolution No. 2007-60

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT having reviewed the Report "Forging the Future...and economic vision for Northwestern Ontario" authored by the NOMA led Regional Recovery Program Committee;

IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the report be endorsed in principle by the Council for the Township of Conmee, and;

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the concept of the creation of Northwestern Ontario Regional Development Authority (NWORDA) be endorsed in principle by the Council for the Township of Conmee and;

THAT NOMA be advised of the decision.
CARRIED.

9.6 By-law No. 909 - Borrowing By-law

Resolution No. 2007-61

Moved by Councillor 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. 909 being a by-law to authorize borrowing from time to time.
CARRIED.

9.7 Auction for Used Equipment

Council decided not to participate at this time.

9.8 Using Bags at Landfill - Councillor S. Hunt

Councillor Hunt advised that she had been at the landfill and witnessed a resident dumping a garbage can directly into the pit. The garbage was not contained in a bag and immediately began to blow away from the pit. Councillor Hunt requested that a notice be placed in the newsletter asking people to please use garbage bags to help contain the garbage to the put until cover can be put on.

9.9 Newsletter Article - Littering on Roads - Councillor Hunt

Councillor Hunt requested a newsletter article regarding the littering occurring on our roads. It was noted that fast food bags, coffee cups and other litter is appearing at a greater rate on the roads. It was noted that there is a fine for anyone caught littering on the roads.

9.10 Donation of History Book to Chinese Auction

Resolution No. 2007-62

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Township donate a Conmee History Book to the Chinese Auction with the proceeds of the Auction to be used to benefit the Conmee Fire and First Response Department.
CARRIED.

9.11 Information on New Accounting for Tangible Assets - Admin. Report No. 2007-10

The Clerk advised that this was for Council's information and that further discussion will be held at a later date.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

10.1 Reply from Min. of Transport re Canada Post
10.2 TBDSSAB 2007 Budget
10.3 Copy of Letter from Ian Angus to Premier re TBDSSAB Support Program Costs
10.4 Min. of Culture re Disability Plans
10.5 Ken Boschoff re Meeting with Council in Spring to Discuss Federal Issues
10.6 Minutes of Thunder Bay District Health Unit
10.7 MMA Processing Official Plan Amendments

Resolution No. 2007-63

Moved by Councillor S. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Young

THAT we adjourn to a closed session to discuss legal and personnel issues at 8:18 pm.
CARRIED.

Resolution No. 2007-64

Moved by Councillor Young
Seconded by Councillor Hunt

THAT we adjourn the closed session and return to the open meeting at 9:05 pm.
CARRIED.

Resolution No. 2007-65

Moved by Councillor M. Hunt
Seconded by Councillor Spithoff

THAT the Township Solicitor be directed to proceed with option No. 3 as per her advice dated March 5, 2007.
CARRIED.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Resolution No. 2007-66

Moved by Councillor Spithoff
Seconded by Councillor Hunt

THAT we do now adjourn at 9:09 pm.
CARRIED.


_____________________
Reeve



_____________________
Clerk