REPORT ON COUNCIL
August 10, 2009
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:02 a.m. – 1:31 p.m. and 2:01 – 5:00 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All Members of Council present
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 11:54 a.m. – 1:31 p.m. and 2:01 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SUPPORT FOR LE VILLAGEOIS, LAFONTAINE:
A Special Emergency Meeting of the Committee of the Whole was held on July 30, 2009 to discuss a financing issue with the subject project. The project had provided letters of credit in lieu of a reserve fund to support the long-term maintenance of the water and septic systems. The project managers requested a significant reduction in the amount of the letters of credit citing costs as being onerous. Council decided that was not a prudent move considering that the project is not complete and no reserve fund has yet been established. To assist the project, they voted to provide a loan of $15,000, repayable on Dec. 31, 2009. It was confirmed that the Mayor and Manager of Administrative Services were legally entitled to make this loan.
REVISED SIGN BY-LAW:
Improvements were made to the Sign By-law making it easier for staff to administer. (The By-law forbids the placement of advertising signs on municipal road allowances and property and sets fines for those who violate it.) This is a positive step toward protecting the natural beauty of our township.
SWIMMING POOL MANAGEMENT:
As the result of a question raised by Mayor Breckenridge, Council and staff discussed issues associated with filling pools from one of the Township’s water systems and with the emptying of chlorinated pool water into the Bay or into ditches. Staff was asked to investigate and report back with recommendations.
PHRAGMITES MISMANAGEMENT:
Members of Council had observed several instances where this invasive weed was mismanaged when channels were dug and roadside weeds cut. Council directed staff in the Public Works Department to attend a training/education session on the proper identification and handling of the plant.
LONG OVERDUE SIGNAGE – STILL OVERDUE:
The latest designs were reviewed and general consensus was obtained. We hope that the design can be finalized at the next regular meeting and progress can actually be achieved.
