REPORT ON COUNCIL
July 11, 2011
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am – 11:52 pm (confidential / closed session 11:24-11:52)
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 pm – 7:20 pm
Mayor Millar, Deputy Mayor Lawrence, Councillors Claire, Warren and Wishart present
PEEK A BOO TRAIL ACCESS
There were several options put forward to resolve the issue of access to the Mailloux property at the end of an unopened road allowance. Councillor Claire moved, and it was approved by Council, that a 175 metre long road way/ driveway fronting the Mailloux property would be constructed from the end of the existing road with turn arounds provided along the road. The costs would be born by Mailleux and a legal agreement would provide that Mailloux cannot develop the property nor obtain building permits until he builds the road to municipal standards. The Mailloux would have to provide a security deposit of $3000 for legal and engineering consulting costs upon written agreement to proceed. No mention was made of whether the public beach could be accessed by this road.
REPORT ON GEORGIAN BAY GENERAL HOSPITAL
The hospital CEO, Paul Henrich, reported that Georgian Bay General has some of the shortest wait times in Ontario for physician assessments in its emergency department. The Hospital needs $12 million to complete the rebuilding of its Emergency Department ($2 million from the community, $2.6 from Simcoe County and $8 million from the Ministry of Health). It has not secured all the money but is moving ahead with the planning phase in order to avoid delays down the road. They are seeking new avenues of funding and have received $1,100,000 in grant money for performance improvements. The problem is that they have to do better than the best in the province in order to continue to receive those grants. They are focusing on three areas of improvement: wait times, patient harm (errors) and customer service. The Minister of Health has visited and has seen the constraints the hospital is working under but no moneys have been forthcoming.
PROPOSED COMMUNITY/SENIORS’ CENTRE IN NORTHEASTERN TINY
The Sawlog Bay Association made an oral submission regarding their concerns for a proposed development of Part Lot B, Concession 20 East as a Community /Seniors’ Centre. The lot was created by Council in 2004 as a buffer zone between Champlain Road and the land sold to Mr. Belanger for a hunting camp. The land supports wildlife and the quality of the stream winding through. Due to the land’s low elevation and high water table Council directed staff to report on the viability of the property as a building site and have Tatham & Associates comment on septic system placement which were not addressed in Planning Report PD-49-11. Council will further discuss the submission at the July 25th meeting.
BLUEWATER BEACH DUNES RESTORATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Bylaw Department is aware of problems with drinking, fires, the use of snow fences for the fires and general trespassing on the dunes. Bylaw feels it is difficult to enforce the rules without monetary consequences. Councillor Warren and the committee would like to see a bylaw with fines attached governing the restoration areas. The Committee put forward recommendations regarding boardwalks, dunes and the planting of vegetation. Councillor Lawrence moved that Public Works review the recommendations and come back with recommendations and costs. Staff is also to work on the development of a by-law to protect environmental restoration projects undertaken by the municipality.
MINISTRY OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS CONCERN WITH NEW LOTS
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs is sending a Provincial Development Facilitator (Paul Madill) to meet with municipal planners on July 14th to gather information on the planner’s concerns regarding the Official Plan and report back to the Minister. The concerns fall on developing new or additional lots.
