REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL – Wednesday January 8th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and two Councillors attended the meeting, councillor Walma virtually. Mayor Evans in the chair.
DEPUTATIONS TO COUNCIL – OPEN
Dr. Boris Kowalsky – Re: Calandra Letter
Mr. Kowalsky referred to the letter which explained the process of carrying out a referendum and specifically how it could be held prior to the next election. He also referred to Minister Calandra’s statement that elected municipal officials are accountable to residents for their actions. And encouraged the Tiny Township council and residents to continue their dialogue and work together to reach a resolution to this matter. Mr. Kowalsky requested that if a referendum is not supported, that Council consider holding public engagement sessions, allowing for active engagement from residents and open discussion in a more inclusive setting.
He also noted that he has asked for his previous letter to be tabled at a future meeting for discussion.
Ms. Karen Zulynik.
Ms. Zulynik expressed concern over the financial trends in the 2024 financial actuals, noting that due to the seasonal nature of the community, expenditures should typically decrease in the latter months of the year.
Ms. Zulynik also raised concerns about the proposed 7% budget increase, pointing out that the current inflation rate is approximately 2%. She urged Council to target a tax rate increase in line with inflation highlighting the economic challenges posed by an impending recession. As well she noted that comparing us to other communities was unfair given that we do not have an industrial/ commercial tax base.
Mr. Paul Bell
Mr. Bell cautioned that assuming debt for the municipal building could present additional costs to the municipality. He noted that small municipalities face unique challenges due to a limited tax base which increases financial risk.
DEPUTATIONS TO COUNCIL – SCHEDULED
Diane Leblovic – Procedure By-law and Staff Overtime
Mayor Evans advised of procedural concerns with the deputation received by Mrs. Leblovic and offered her the opportunity to make a deputation at a future meeting once all requirements have been adhered to. Ms. Leblovic will resubmit her deputation request at a future meeting.
ADOPTING/RECEIVING MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
12 03 2024 Township of Tiny Administrative Centre Committee Meeting – Minutes
Councillor Brunelle asked about grubbing which means getting the site cleared of trees and brush and is estimated to take place in mid to late February after the environmental study is concluded.
Mayor Evans asked when the site sign would be installed. Within 2 weeks
Councillor Brunelle asked when the project supervisor would be coming on board. T. Leitch advised that 15 companies have submitted proposals for construction supervision. Submissions are currently being reviewed.
12 11 2024 Committee of the Whole – Minutes
Clerk’s Report CR-016-24 – Alternate Voting Method for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election deferred awaiting costing information on different methods of voting.
Minutes were received and adopted as distributed
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
By-law 25-003 – Being a By-law to authorize the aggregate borrowing of $1,500,000.00 for the year 2025.
By-law 25-004 – Being a by-law to authorize a levy of taxes before the estimates are adopted for the year 2025.
BY-LAWS
The proposed bylaws were passed and enacted.
By-law 24-062 – Being a By-law to Adopt a Freedom of Information Policy and a Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination of Municipal Records Policy.
By-law 24-065 – Being a By-law to adopt Official Plan Amendment Number 4 to the Official Plan of the Township of Tiny with respect to Part of Lot 22, Concession 20 West (890 Sandy Bay Road)
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING – Wednesday January 8th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and two Councillors attended the meeting in person, councillor Walma virtually. Mayor Evans in the chair.
STAFF REPORTS CONSENT ITEMS
• By-law 3rd Quarter Activity Report for 2024 and Comparative Departmental Activities (October 1, 2023 & September 30, 2024)
Chief By-law Officer, S. Harvey gave a high-level overview of his report which is broken down into 10 sections. Court activities were outlined as well as the trend of complaints which were trending downward. Noise complaints specifically are trending downward. STR licences were down to 177 vs 273 in 2023. 146 complaints were received with 87% of licensees receiving no complaints. A number of STR cases are slowly proceeding through the courts. Parking tickets issued increased over 2023 with Balm Beach requiring the highest level of attention.
The full report is available on the Township website.
• Public Works Report PWR-001-25 – Township of Tiny Administration Centre
(TTAC) Planning Site Report Submission
Director Leitch gave an overview of the report which reflects that studies have been carried out to ensure all environmental issues have been addressed and posted on the Township website here. Scroll down under Relevant Documents.
- EnvironmentalImpactStudy-GeneralsitecompletewithnotedIceAgeGrass which has been mapped through the Natural Heritage Study. Next step is the EIS study for the actual building location. Initial Natural Heritage Study – Complete. Final detailed EIS Study specific to building location – January 2025.
- TrafficImpactStudy-Studiestheofpotentialtrafficimpactsofthedevelopment on the adjacent road network and identify improvements that may be required to accommodate the development. No issues noted.
- ArchaeologicalStudy–CommencingStage2whichwillentailasitewalkthrough to look for any features that would require further review. Report labelled draft until this development footprint has been reviewed on site.
- HydrogeologicalStudy
- TreePreservationPlan-Willbedoneinconjunctionwithlandscapingandsite plan. A vendor has been selected and initial site walk-through has been completed. Final report expected July 2025.
All recommendations will be addressed in the detailed design phase. Council received all items as information
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
Discussion/ Scheduled Deputation of December 11, 2024, from Jim Brown – Proposed Beach Access Project, Concession 5
Councillor Helowka visited the site and asked whether consideration had been given to installing a three-way stop sign to improve safety there. He noted cars traveling northbound at a high rate of speed and turning onto Concession 5. He suggested that the crest in the road was the biggest safety issue and suggested a crosswalk, speedbumps and drop off area be considered.
There was no discussion about the issue of beach access raised by Mr. Brown. Councillor Walma noted that Director Leitch could deal with residents on the privacy issues raised.
A motion was passed to have staff report back with a traffic and safety study for the proposed project.
Amendments to Procedure By-law 24-017
A Procedure By-law amendment was presented to Council with the change of the start time of Council meetings from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Council approved the amending by-law with Councillor Brunelle opposed
Councillor Walma raised the matter of deputations. After discussion staff was directed to report back on deputation options for future consideration.
2025 Draft Budget
Deputy CAO Haley Leblond outlined the surplus noted. As such the revised Draft 2025 budget will result in a blended tax rate increase of 4.54% (Municipal tax rate increase of 6.99%) which will raise $14,263,291 for Operations and $4,155,354 for Capital for a total levy of $18,418,645.
Prior to discussing the draft budget, Councillor Walma raised concern that the volunteer firefighter recruitment/retention issue raised during budget discussions was not fully addressed. Apparently, under the Municipal Act, although Councillor Walma is, and has been a volunteer firefighter for Tiny for years, he is not restricted from discussing the matter as a council member.
He offered justification for the over $100 K. expense for OMERS pension and recognition awards and suggested the budget could be adjusted to allow for this by deferring the purchase of a back-up generator in the amount of $20 K. and using the Culture Alliance withdrawal savings as an offset. He also noted that the SCVA project this year came in at $200K. under budget. The deputy CAO noted that the SCVA was out of fire reserves so was not a savings.
Ultimately council approved moving forward essentially providing OMERS Pension coverage for all volunteer firefighters as well as years of service mementos. Cost estimated at $136 K.
There was very little discussion on the budget itself, and the draft as presented by staff was approved including removal of the $20 K. for the back-up generator.
COMMITTEES – CONSENT ITEMS
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament Working Committee
A resolution was passed regarding the tournament date, June 5th at Orr Lake Golf Club. Councillor Helowka noted that this date conflicts with Seniors Symposium. The Director of Recreation will be working with staff to address the issue.
DISCUSSION OF MOTION(S) OF WHICH NOTICE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GIVEN
Councillor Helowka’s Notice of Motion on a Ban on Electronics in Council Chambers was withdrawn.
COMMUNICATIONS – Consent Items
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Referendum on Municipal Administrative Centre
Councillor Brunelle referred to the letter from Minister Calandra and echoed the sentiments of Mr. Kowalsky to address the concerns of citizens and request that council have a dialogue.
Councillor Helowka, stated that it would cost between $20M and $21M. to retrofit the existing building and $26 M. for a new building that would last 100 years. He fully supports moving forward as directed. He also questioned the validity of the petition which contained signatures from people from Korea and noted that residents were intimidated, hounded and harassed to sign the petition and it has no credibility with him.
Mayor Evans requested a motion be put forward. Councillor Brunelle’s motion to hold a town hall was not seconded so died on the floor.
• Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Proposed Municipal Accountability Act, 2024
Councillor Brunelle highlighted the paragraph requesting input from local municipal representatives at this years ROMA conference in Toronto. He would like to attend ROMA this year.
• Township of Tay – Withdrawal from Culture Alliance
Councillor Brunelle, as the member of the Culture Alliance presented a recommendation that Tiny withdraw from the Culture Alliance. Council approved the recommendation removing item 5 & 6.
No other items were discussed and all were received as information.
NEW BUSINESS
TTAC Ad Hoc Committee
It was agreed that appointments be established by resolution; and that Councillor Helowka and one council representative on the Township of Tiny Administrative Committee be appointed as Council representatives, with the staff resources to be Tim Leitch, Director of Public Works and Jean-Francois Robitaille, Engineering Manager.
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