May 25, 2017 - Special Council Meeting

Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL
To Be Held in the Council Chambers
Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Council’s Special Meeting Agenda

 

For consideration:

 

1. OPENING
a) Adoption of Agenda
b) Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

 

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

 

4. DELEGATIONS

 

5. REPORTS

 

6. ACTION REQUIRED ITEMS
a) Public Works Garage/Fire Hall Structural Condition Assessment
b) Budget Discussion
c) Jeff Tuerk: Fish Cage Proposal Presentation

 

7. INFORMATION ITEMS

 

8. BY-LAWS

 

9. CLOSED SESSION

 

10. ADJOURNMENT

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Minutes

THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ASSIGINACK

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

 

The Special Meeting of the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Assiginack was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, May 25th, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

 

Present: Mayor Paul Moffatt, Councillor Brenda Reid, Councillor Hugh Moggy, Councillor Les Fields, Councillor Robert Case

Staff: Alton Hobbs: CAO, Jeremy Rody: Clerk, Deb MacDonald: Treasurer

Others: Jeff Tuerk, Ross Herbert

 

OPENING:

#136-11-17    H. Moggy – L. Fields

THAT the Special Meeting of the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Assiginack be opened for business with a quorum of members present at 10:00 a.m., with Mayor Moffatt presiding in the Chair.  CARRIED

 

AGENDA:

#137-11-17    L. Fields – H. Moggy

THAT the agenda for this meeting be accepted as presented. CARRIED

 

DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST:

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.

 

ACTION REQUIRED ITEMS:

 

 A) Public Works Garage/Fire Hall Structural Condition Assessment (10 am – 10:20 am)

 

Council had a scheduled conference call with Tulloch Engineers, Dan Moody and Cole Howson, from Sault Ste Marie, to discuss the Structural Condition Assessment Report on the Public Works Garage/Fire Hall.  The Engineers took Council through the report that they had prepared regarding the condition of the building.

Council asked the engineers to explain the options for renovating the building and putting an addition on the building to accommodate more space for the Fire Hall and Public Works.  The engineers explained that the building could easily be expanded on the east or west sides without too much difficulty.  They indicated that they could give Council a quote on preparing drawings and a cost estimate for an expansion and renovation of the current building and that the drawings and estimates could be prepared in two weeks once Council approves the quote.

After the conference call, Council had a short discussion and instructed staff to contact the engineers for the quote on preparing the drawings and cost estimates.

 

B) Budget Discussion (10:20 am – 11:24 a.m.)

 

  • The Treasurer prepared an updated capital budget for Council that included some new items and some new cost information that had been requested by Council.
  • The CAO indicated that he acquired a price for the engineering study for the lagoon aerators as well as to explore the options of converting to a slow sand filtration system of $20,000.
  • Councillor Reid suggested that the $60,000 earmarked for the Burns Wharf Theatre Renovations, conditional on receiving funding, be used to fund the Public Works Garage/Fire Hall renovation. Noting that the $60,000, if needed for Burns Wharf would come out of the Working Funds Reserve.
    • Councillor Moggy opposed this suggestion, noting that Council had promised to contribute 10% to the Burns Wharf Renovation.
    • Therefore, a budget statement will be made that Council is committed to providing 10% of the Burns Wharf Renovations when it is needed and that it will come from the Working Capital Reserve. This allows Council to use the $60,000 from this year’s capital budget to put towards the Public Works Garage/Fire Hall Renovation.
  • Mayor Moffatt asked about the building repairs that are required at the Museum building. Staff replied that the repairs can wait until the fall will be part of an assessment of all Township buildings.  Council indicated that they may ask the Historical Society to contribute to Museum repairs.
  • Council decided to budget $25,000 towards the asbestos removal and demolition of the Mastin House on Queen Street.
  • The Post Office/Bank building on Arthur Street needs some work to the heating and sewer system. Council budgeted $10,000 for an inspection and repair of the heating system.
  • The CAO advised Council that the capital budget from 2017 will be similar to 2016 in that, there are a number of projects that need to be done but the costing information is not easily attainable, therefore Council needs to be prepared to commit to a flexible capital budget in addition to selecting key projects to be completed.
  • Councillors Case and Moggy commented that extra money in the budget for hardtop is not a good idea as the product is not lasting as long as it should.
  • The Treasurer took Council through the proposed water budget which budgets for an overall rate decrease to the Mantiowaning water and sewer system of 1.09% and a 1.10% rate decrease for the Sunsite Estates water treatment plant.
    • Councillor Fields commented that it is nice to see cost to users going down considering the increase to operating expenses that our waterworks plants receive annually.
  • Council advised staff that the $12,000 budgeted for the arena stage should be put in a reserve for arena soundproofing instead of the stage noting that the soundproofing should be completed and then a new stage can be looked at again.

 

NOTE: Council moved the Closed Session ahead on the agenda as the Fish Cage Proposal was scheduled for 12 p.m.

 

CLOSED SESSION:

#138-11-17    B. Reid – R. Case

THAT in accordance with By-law #15-30 and Section 239 of the Municipal Act, as amended, Council proceeds to a “Closed Session” at 11:24 a.m. in order to attend to a matter pertaining to:

b) Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees. (Municipal Act, 2001, c.25, s.239(2)(b))

CARRIED

 

#139-11-17    R. Case – B. Reid

THAT we adjourn from our Closed Session at 11:46 a.m., approve the minutes of the closed session of May 16, 2017 and resume our regular meeting.  CARRIED

 

ACTION REQUIRED ITEMS

 

C) Jeff Tuerk: Fish Cage Proposal Presentation (12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.)

 

Notes: Council received a presentation from Jeff Tuerk and Ross Herbert of New North Fisheries.  They are proposing to raise lake whitefish for commercial food as there is an opportunity in the market.  A project like this has never been done before and they would be the first to do this in North America.  They have determined that Manitowaning Bay has all of the necessary characteristics that would create an ideal environment for the project.  This would be a one year pilot program and they have requested Council’s support.  Council advised Mr. Tuerk and Mr. Herbert to forward applicable documentation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and to put their request in writing and Council will officially respond in that manner.  Council was favourable to the idea and opportunity but noted that necessary permits and consultation would need to be part of the process before any approvals from the Township could be offered.

 

#140-11-17    H. Moggy – L. Fields

THAT we thank Jeff Tuerk and his business partner, Ross Herbert, for attending this meeting and making their presentation to Council.  CARRIED

 

CLOSING:

#141-11-17    B. Reid – R. Case

THAT we adjourn until the next regular meeting or call of the Chair.  CARRIED

 

________________________                  _________________________

Paul Moffatt, MAYOR                                  Jeremy Rody, CLERK

 

1:20 p.m.

These Minutes have been circulated but are not considered Official until approved by Council.

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