REPORT ON COUNCIL
December 5, 2006
Inaugural Meeting: 7 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.
All Members of Council present.
The swearing-in of Peggy Breckenridge as Mayor, George Lawrence as Deputy Mayor, and André Claire, George Cornell, and Nigel Warren as Councillors was a noteworthy occasion. The Council Chambers were packed with well wishers and dignitaries who watched and listened as George Restrup piped the Council-elect into the Chambers and Clerk/CAO Ruth Coursey administered the oath of office to each of the five.
Once each Councillor and the Deputy Mayor had spoken briefly, the Mayor gave a challenging speech. After describing the many component elements of the Township’s complex character, she reminded her audience that “fair and responsible” government had been a recurrent theme in the campaigns of the members of the new Council. She said that this meant “being as informed as possible, getting the facts, reading all the materials, debating the issues, having full discussion, and making decisions that are in the best interests of the community.” To be fair and responsible, the new Council had to learn how to be accountable, transparent in its decision-making, and effective in communicating with each other. More, the new Council had to relate effectively with neighbouring municipalities and other levels of government and it must establish a positive image of the Township in the minds of staff and those beyond Tiny’s borders.
The evening concluded with conversation and refreshments.
REPORT ON COUNCIL December 11, 2006 Committee of the Whole Meeting: 1:00 p.m. – 6:11 p.m. Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. –7:21 p.m. All Members of Council present
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 5:45 p.m. – 6:11 p.m.
CONTACTING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: Each member of Council decided (or was to decide) on the information that staff is to give out if a constituent wants to get in touch. This information is now posted on the Township’s website. See tiny.ca / Administration / Contact Us / Mayor & Members of Council. The key facts are these:
Mayor Peggy Breckenridge, Mayor: Phone 705-790-0178; E-mail
George Lawrence, Deputy Mayor: Phone 705-526-4204; E-mail
André Claire, Councillor: Phone 705-526-4204; E-mail
George Cornell, Councillor: Phone 705-526-4204; E-mail
Nigel Warren, Councillor: Phone 705-526-4204 ext. 300; E-mail
If an issue is of sufficient importance that a member of the public needs to meet with the Mayor and the relevant member of staff, such a meeting can be arranged for a Friday afternoon by contacting Vera Finlay at 705-526-4204. If it might be useful, such a meeting may also involve the Deputy Mayor or one of the Councillors.
COUNCIL REPRESENTATION ON COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL:
Community Monitoring Committee for Site 41: Mayor Peggy Breckenridge, Deputy Mayor George Lawrence, with Councillors André Claire and Nigel Warren as alternates
Bluewater Dunes Restoration Advisory: Councillor Nigel Warren
Community Policing: Nigel Warren
Historical & Heritage: Councillor André Claire
Huronia Airport Commission: Councillor George Cornell
North Simcoe Heads of Council: Mayor Peggy Breckenridge and Deputy Mayor George Lawrence
Severn Sound Environmental Association: Mayor Peggy Breckenridge
Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce: Mayor Peggy Breckenridge
MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION RE A LOT IN PLAN 867, CONCESSION 4: The vacant lot in question, at 6,000 square feet, is substantially smaller than the 10,000 square feet required by the Official Plan. Yet C.C. Tatham has given its approval, as it is possible to install a septic and a drilled well on the lot. Similarly small lots in the vicinity had conformed to lot size requirements by purchasing more land, and there had been an opportunity for this landowner to do the same, though not enough to get to the required size. The owner chose not to acquire the additional land. Members of Council raised many questions. However, the key fact appeared to be that the lot in question is a “lot of record,” acquired as a building lot. And when such lots meet certain tests, they slip through the standards of the Official Plan.
The Committee of Adjustment was sufficiently uncomfortable with this instance that it rejected the proposal. The matter has been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board and the Township’s Planner will appear as a “friendly witness” in support of the application.
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS: These are public and are to take place on January 22, February 6, and, if necessary, March 19, each one beginning at 9 a.m.
DISCUSSION OF 10-YEAR RECREATION MASTER PLAN: After Jim Morgenstern of dmA Planning and Management Services summarized the Master Plan prepared by his group, Council raised a number of points including the failure to get input from seasonal population of Tiny Township, the lack of public meetings and surveys, the omission of recreation amenities like the trails and waterfront parks, and the lack of response by half of the Parks and Rec Associations to questionnaires. In the short term, Council decided to authorize the hiring of a new Parks and Recreation Co-ordinator as this individual could help guide the next phase of thinking about recreation in the Township.
As many things remain unresolved about the proposed Plan, residents with an interest in organized recreation would do well to read and consider it. We note that the assessment of needs in various areas was based on permanent residential numbers only and that the recommendation that small parcels of municipally owned land (many of them building lot size, given by developers over the years in fulfillment of the park requirement) be sold to fund recreation requirements needs very careful consideration. We recall Councillor Ray Millar’s comment that such lots are a good investment and also the protest by residents in one subdivision about the sale of one such lot as they treasured it for passive enjoyment of natural beauty.
SILVERBIRCH DRIVE FENCE: Council authorized staff, in consultation with the Township Solicitor, to initiate the removal of a fence that had been erected on a Township road allowance.
