REPORT ON COUNCIL
June 29, 2009
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9.02 a.m. – 1.12 pm and 1.37 pm. – 4.06 pm
Regular Evening Meeting: 7.04 pm – 7.34 pm
All members of Council present
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:58 p.m. – 3:02 p.m. (Jill Dougherty, of WeirFoulds, was in attendance.)
ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Outdoor Music at Balm Beach – John and Elizabeth Marion made a submission regarding the music on a restaurant patio in Balm Beach. They reminded Council that this issue was raised last year and that the by-law governing outdoor music should be clarified or enforced. They noted that all surrounding municipalities do not allow live music outdoors at commercial establishments.
Jackson Park/the 8th Concession – Dorene Trunk made a presentation arguing that the number of parking spaces at the 8th should be reduced given the limited space available at the shore on Township-owned land.
North Shore Drive – The Cedar Point Cottagers Association wants (and has been wanting for many years) the Township to pave or tar the gravel sections of North Shore Drive. They requested Council to review the Public Works Department’s priorities and noted that many roads with fewer residences seem to have been given higher priority.
REPORTS OF CONSULTANTS AND THIRD PARTIES:
Official Plan Update – Kris Menzies of MHBC Planners reported that the Province has delayed its approval of the County’s plan. As a result, the Township plan will probably not be finalized until June 2010. She noted that this is the time for public input and all interested parties should provide comments to Mr. Doug Luker, the CAO. She observed that residents believe that the results of The Wind Turbine Visual Impact Study that has just been completed should be incorporated into the plan. She also noted that the Province has just produced a new “Places to Grow” plan, which reduces the population growth targets for Tiny Township significantly. This document is currently in circulation for comments. The previous version set growth in Tiny at 2700 residents by 2031 whereas the revision allocates the Township only 550 additional persons by that date. Only people captured by the census are included in Tiny’s population numbers.
Summerama Business Plan – The Summerama Committee presented an update and budget for the proposed August 15 festival at Balm Beach. (The complete presentation is in the township website in the Committee of the Whole Agenda for June 29, 2009.) A long discussion ensued as there was also an oral submission from a resident who opposes the festival and there were 13 written submissions from the surrounding community, which raised concerns and asked for an opportunity for input.
Council is generally very supportive of the festival but noted that the committee had to make further attempts to address the concerns of residents. Council also noted that the financial support the committee was requesting (more than $12,000) was too high and must be reduced. There is not much time for the committee to respond.
Mayor Breckenridge noted that the township has a plan to significantly enhance Balm Beach and that it is important to increase community involvement and fund raising capability. When Council approved the proposal in principle last February, they gave the committee direction that the plan was not to include a beer tent. That is still included, however, because it is an important revenue source. Deputy Mayor Lawrence now supports the tent because he is satisfied that it will be professionally operated with appropriate safely precautions in place.
DECLINE IN BUILDING PERMITS: Year to date totals decreased from $12,282,000 in 2008 to $6,241,000 in 2009. May 2009 activity was down from $7,162,000 in 2008 to $1,658,000 this year.
CEMETERY DESIGNATED: At the request of the Historical and Heritage Committee, Council designated the municipally-owned cemetery on Cemetery Lane (the Copeland Hill Cemetery). As a result, the property is to be surveyed and the Public Works Department will provide regular maintenance.
