Township of Assiginack Agenda
2023 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
OPENING AND DECLARATIONS
1. ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE:
a) Cemetery: Administration, Rates
Fencing
Columbarium
b) Cenotaph Maintenance
Fencing
2. PUBLIC WORKS:
a) Landfill Hours 2023
b) PW Operator Update
c) Marina Building Costing
3. PROTECTION AND CONTROL:
a) Fire Department overview
b) Food Cart Request
4.RECREATION/CULTURE:
a) Arts Entertainment Centre: Next Steps
b) Arena Advertising
c) Hiking Trails Map Request
Minutes
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ASSIGINACK
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Mayor Brenda Reid, Councillors Janice Bowerman, Dwayne Elliott, Jennifer Hooper, Rob Maguire
Staff: Alton Hobbs CAO/Deputy Clerk, Deb MacDonald Treasurer, Freda Bond Tax Utilities Manager, Crystal Lentir Administrative Assistant, Jackie White PEC
Media: Tom Sasvari, Expositor
Public: Frank Klodnicki, Christianna Jones, Peter Baumgarten
OPENING:
Moved by Councillor Bowerman:
THAT the meeting be opened with Mayor Reid in the Chair.
CARRIED
Mayor read Land Acknowledgement
Disclosures: None
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE:
1a) Hilly Grove Cemetery:
Staff thanked our Public Works Department for all the work this past year for opening and closing graves as well as the maintenance of the grounds. Staff reviewed the legislation and regulations under which the cemeteries are governed. Staff is suggesting rate increases to the regulated fees as ours seem low among Island communities. Staff explained the requirements, the amount of space left, the topographical challenges of the site and the research that has been done to plan for the installation of columbariums on the site. This capital cost will be considered in the budget and the Committee agreed that amending the fee structure was necessary and timely.
1b) Cenotaph Maintenance: The Committee agreed to set aside a small subsidy for the maintenance of the flower beds at the cenotaph and offered its thanks to Deb Smith who has maintained the grounds and flower beds on a voluntary basis for the past few years. Council agreed that changes need to be made to the access and fencing of the cenotaph and this will be considered during the budget process.
1c) Lake Manitou Area Association and Municipal Website: The Committee reviewed a request to post LMAA activities on the municipal website and decided that while it had no objection to linking to the LMAA site and that we would not consider acting as a webmaster/social media convenor for any organization.
PUBLIC WORKS:
2a) Landfill Hours: It was agreed by the Committee that landfill hours should be adjusted to allow for use on Sunday evenings. Staff will prepare a recommendation for the next meeting, staying within the current 20 hours per week.
2b) The Committee was informed that the Hiring Committee will have a recommendation for a new Public Works operator hire for the next Council meeting.
2c) Marina Building, shore stabilization and pilings: the Committee agreed that the concept of a building of that size and use would be beneficial to the waterfront however, would like to further review the whole concept of the waterfront before creating a fixed building. The Committee requested that we seek further information on the requirements and or costs to amend the instability of the shoreline at the access point for the current boat ramp/dockage to be discussed at budget time.
PROTECTION & CONTROL:
3a) The Fire Chief presented a summary of the Fire Department resources, personnel and issues moving forward. The Fire Chief requested that, for insurance purposes, we replace the old apparatus as the insurance company requires the units to be 20 years old or less. The Chief also requested that a small truck be purchased. This would allow for a quicker response time to incidents that require the various pieces of portable equipment it would be designated to carry. Included in this review was the condition of the existing fire hall and its health and safety impacts. The Committee directed the Fire Chief to set up the training for the current firefighters to obtain licensing. The Committee will review these items at budget time and expressed its thanks for the report to the Chief.
3b) Mobile Food Carts: The Committee reviewed the existing policy regarding allowing mobile food carts on existing commercial properties.
RECREATION & CULTURE:
4a) AAEC Design: The Committee agreed to invite proposals to complete the design work required to determine a full project budget as the previous Requests for Tender rendered no replies.
4b) Arena Advertising: The Committee has asked Staff to present a policy for its review.
4c) The Committee agreed to the installation of a trails sign that would be donated by the EBC and would be used at the Highway Information Centre to promote trails on Manitoulin.
4d) The Committee authorized the Public Events Coordinator to apply for Senior’s activities funding to be used to make the access to the waterfront via the stairs more user friendly for this user group.
Moved by Councillor Elliott:
THAT we adjourn until the next regular meeting or Call of the Chair.
CARRIED.
8:30 pm
No other matters were discussed.
______________________________ ______________________
Chair: Brenda Reid Recording Officer: Alton Hobbs