REPORT ON COUNCIL
June 13, 2011
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am – 12:06 pm; 12:48 pm – 4:12 pm
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 pm – 7:38 pm
Present: Mayor Ray Millar, Deputy Mayor George Lawrence, Councillors André Claire, Nigel Warren, and Gibb Wishart
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 3:09 pm – 4:11 pm
VISUAL IMPACT STUDY TO BE INCLUDED IN CURRENT OFFICIAL PLAN:
Council discussed the request by Al Taylor of CORT (Coalition of Residents of Tiny Township) and agreed to direct staff to include the Visual Impact Study in the Township’s Official Plan. George Lawrence observed that including it would send a message to the County and would put it on record for the future. If the County rejects it, a reason has to be given and then it can go to the OMB.
The Mayor and several Councillors questioned why Kris Menzies of MHBC was paid $960 for a letter in which she advised that the Visual Impact Study should not be included in Tiny’s Official Plan. She refused to support the use of the Official Plan for policies that are precluded by legislation. The Province’s Green Energy Act exempts renewable energy projects from municipal control.
COMMUNITY / SENIORS’ CENTRE FOR NORTHEAST?
The request of Hans Merzbacher (chair of the Sunset Bay Community Association), for a Community/Senior Centre was deferred until the association can present a summary report of its various requests (bridge repair, signage etc.). The Association wants to use a 28-acre Township property on Champlain Road for a year-round centre to be built by volunteers, as there are no schools or church basements for meetings in the north end of Tiny: the nearest facility is in Lafontaine. While the North Tiny Community Association (now the Sawlog Bay Association) didn’t support the idea, the Kettle’s Beach and Farlain Lake Associations both supported it. Councillor André Claire suggested donating part of the property for the Centre, not all of it. The property goes to the water. He wondered who would pay for maintenance of the centre. The Township doesn’t want to give up the land. They also wondered how it fits with the Master Recreation Plan.
AIRPORT COMMISSION / TOWNSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:
Mayor Millar questioned whether the Airport Commission has the authority to decide on airport development and land sales or whether the municipalities that own the airport (Tiny, Penetang, and Midland) have jurisdiction. None of the structures on the airport property has been inspected. Mayor Millar wanted some process in place to protect municipal land and to make the municipality aware of decisions that the Commission is making. At the moment the Airport Commission makes decisions without consulting the three municipalities. The Commission has four elected and three non elected members. Tiny has two Councillors on the Commission. The Pilots’ Association is also represented on the Commission. The Mayor wants to know if the airport can operate autonomously, incur debt and bind the municipalities without discussion. The Council directed the Chair of the Huronia Airport Commission to request that the municipal partners get a legal opinion about the extent and limit of the authority of the Airport Commission.
PROCEDURE FOR HIRING A NEW MANAGER OF PLANNING:
A short list has been established for the Manager of Planning position. The CAO, the Treasurer, planning consultant Kris Menzies and as many Councillors as can attend will conduct the job interviews.
SEPTAGE COMMITTEE / CLASS EA / NEW RESOURCES FOR DISPOSAL OF SEPTAGE:
Councillor Nigel Warren, chair of the Septage Committee, voiced his frustrations. The Ministry of the Environment is giving the committee the rules of the game without the facts. The process is also very slow. Councillor Warren wonders what is going to be discussed at the Public Information session on June 25: the consultants have not given the Committee any information about the public meeting.
Penetang has announced that its sewage treatment plant is to be enlarged. The Mayor wondered whether Tiny could buy some space. The CAO of Tiny has contacted the CAO of Penetang about this. Also, the Midland engineering staff claims that the sewage treatment plant there is operating at only 40% of capacity.
PROBLEMS WITH SAND AT BLUEWATER GEORGINA WENDAKE BEACHES:
Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, brought to the attention of Council the sand issue experienced by cottagers at BGW Beaches. Every year they have to return the sand that has blown onto their lots back to the beach. They need approval to put the sand back onto an area without vegetation. They also need approval for an independent operator to bring machinery onto the beach. Councillor Claire suggested that at the end of fall residents put up snow fences to stop the sand from moving in the winter and coordinate this through their Beach Association. In the short term, Council directed the Manager of Public Works to allow Bill McKay to remove the sand until June 30th and to contact Richard Gould. The Manager was also directed to develop a policy for the long term. It is important to replace the sand or eventually the beach will disappear.
