REPORT ON COUNCIL
November 13, 2007
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 3:53 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
All Members of Council present.
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:50 p.m. – 3:52 p.m. Jim McIntosh of legal firm of Burgar Rowe Professional Corporation was present.
STAFF CHANGES: 1) ACTING CAO/CLERK APPOINTED: Doug Taylor, the Township’s Treasurer, is to serve as Acting CAO/Clerk until a new appointment is made. 2) CHIEF MUNICIPAL BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER LEAVES AND A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT APPOINTED: Shawn Crawford has accepted a position with Orillia as that city’s Chief By-Law Enforcement Officer. As Orillia has a population of 30,000, this is clearly a good career move. We wish him well. We were fortunate to have his clear head and dedication for the period he served in Tiny. Andrea Smith has been appointed Acting Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer.
ONLINE PAYMENT OF PARKING TICKETS: On the recommendation of a report from Shawn Crawford, Council authorized the purchase of software to allow online payment of parking tickets (consistent with the practice in neighbouring municipalities).
POWER OF ENTRY BY-LAW: In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and on the recommendation of a Report from Shawn Crawford, Council passed By-law 07-082 providing authority for the municipality to inspect land for compliance to all the Township’s By-laws. The Municipal Act says that during an inspection, a municipality may – Require production of documents; – Inspect and remove documents for the purpose of making copies or extracts; – Require information from any person concerning a matter related to the inspection; – Examine or take tests, samples or photographs necessary for the purposes of the inspection.
COUNCIL COMPENSATION DECISION DELAYED: Council has discussed a number of reports regarding Council compensation, and has heard one oral presentation urging some form of pay for performance. They decided to wait for input from the new CAO/Clerk before making a decision on the matter.
REQUEST BY CHURCH IN THE PINES FOR AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION REJECTED: Church in the Pines, which holds services attended by 20-50 people on eight weekends each summer at Cawaja Beach, asked that an electrical connection be supplied in the park for its sole use. Apparently the property owner who has been supplying electricity turns the power off when away from the cottage. Staff recommended that the Church use a neighbouring supply or a generator, as it is inappropriate that Township resources be provided for a private group and that providing such a resource implied that property rights were ceded over the park. Council rejected the request.
REPORT ON THIS YEAR’S COMBINED BRUSH/LEAF AND YARD WASTE COLLECTION: It was unfortunate that most leaves were still on the trees when the pickup was done on October 15-19. But the late fall was only one reason for a light collection of 17 tonnes. Moreau Enterprizes reported that only one in 20 homes put yard waste out for collection. The County charged the Township $2.56 per household, whether households participated or not, for a total $24,024. In his report, Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, noted that “leaf drop off at the Transfer Station is free.” When authorizing this experimental collection, Council was conscious that it might take some time for residents to become alert to the existence of this service. They therefore decided to have a similar collection next autumn, on November 15. After that collection they will decide whether to persist with this service. However, they also asked staff to obtain cost estimates for an “in house” (rather than a County) pick up service for 2008.
