CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF JOHNSON
Council Meeting
April 16, 2014
These minutes are comprised of resolutions and the Acting Clerk’s interpretation of the meeting held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at the Township of Johnson Council Chambers at 1 Johnson Drive, Desbarats.
Presided by: Mayor Ted Hicks
PRESENT:
Council: Councillors – Robert Gjos, Heather Kirby, Marlee Hopkins, Frank Hicks
Staff: Acting Clerk - Paula Spurway, Public Works Superintendent – Mike Caruso
A) CALL TO ORDER:
Res: 61 Moved by: R. Gjos Seconded by: M. Hopkins
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson open the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Carried
B) CO NFLICT OF INTEREST: None Declared
C) ACCOUNTS:
Res: 62 Moved by: H. Kirby Seconded by: F. Hicks
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson approve the Accounts as presented. Carried
D) MINUTES:
Res: 63 Moved by: M. Hopkins Seconded by: R. Gjos
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson approves the minutes of March 19, 2014 and April 10, 2014 as presented. Carried
E) DELEGATION: None
F) STAFF REPORTS:
1. Recreation Coordinator Report
· Recreation Coordinator met with representative of Waterfront Trail and the Lake Huron North Channel Bicycle Route. At this time the Sault to Sudbury initiative is looking for municipal endorsement to the planned cycling route. Council discussed the cost commitment and has requested additional information from the recreation coordinator.
Res: 64 Moved by: F. Hicks Seconded by: H. Kirby
WHEREAS the Lake Huron North Channel Cycling Route initiative is to create a safe and continuous route from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury; and
WHEREAS the route is being developed to be primarily on-road which will provide economic, tourism, health and environmental benefits for residence and visitors as part of Northern Ontario; and
WHEREAS the vision for the Lake Huron North Channel Cycling Route is to develop a route that is geared towards touring and recreational cyclist which connects communities between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury as well as to connect key destinations and attractions; and
WHEREAS the Waterfront Regeneration Trust will be the coordinating agency of the route and sees it as an extension of the existing Provincial Waterfront Trail which is a continuous 1400 km signed route and will be part of a Great Lakes Waterfront Trail network;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of Johnson is in full support of the Lake Huron North Channel Cycling Route and a partnership with the Waterfront Regeneration Trust to implement the route and further that this resolution be sent to FONOM.
Deferred
Res: 65 Moved by: M. Hopkins Seconded by: R. Gjos
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson accepts the Recreation Coordinators Report as presented. Carried
2. Public Works Superintendent Report
· 2014 priority roads, winter maintenance and fleet update.
Discussion on upcoming seasonal work and capital purchases versus contracting out, options to transport the riding mower to various locations and options for applying cold patch to surface treated roads.
Action: The Superintendent will gather quotes on a landscape trailer and tractor both with and without attachments for further discussion with Council.
Action: Analyze costs incurred in the past for time, equipment rental/use, benefits, capabilities, versatility, safety and efficiencies. This information is to be available for direction at a road specific discussion.
Action: Superintendent to research efficiency options for applying cold patch to surface treated roads.
The TJ Mahony certificate course is a prerequisite to attending the CS Anderson course and is a mandatory requirement of the Association of Ontario Road Supervisor (AORS) certificate program. The cost of the course will be included in the 2014 Transportation/Roads education budget.
Action: Council approved the attendance of the Public Works Supervisor to the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) Educational Services course on May 5-7, 2014 in Guelph.
Res: 66 Moved by: R. Gjos Seconded by: H. Kirby
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson accepts the Public Works Superintendents Report as presented. Carried
G) COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MINUTES & REPORTS:
1. Councillor Hopkins: Update on the ADMA meeting on March 22, 2014
· Next ADMA meeting – September 20, 2014 in Sault Ste Marie
2. Councillor Hopkins: Update on the Huron North West Professional Recruitment & Retention meeting on March 24, 2014.
· Next HNWRR meeting – June 25, 2014 at 6:00pm in Thessalon
Res: 67 Moved by: R. Gjos Seconded by: H. Kirby
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson accepts Section “G” Council Committee Minutes and reports as presented.
H) CORRESPONDENCE/INFORMATION:
1. PUC Services – Desbarats Drinking Water System Annual & Summary Reports 2013.
2. Central Algoma Freshwater Coalition letter shared perspectives on the Gord Nielsen report on Desbarats Lake.
3. MPAC – Are you on the voters list? Visit www.voterlookup.ca or call 1-866-296-6722.
4. FONOM Conference in Sault Ste. Marie – May 7-9, 2014. Several Council members and staff are anticipating attending.
5. MNR – Desbarats Ripple Rock is a candidate for Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.
6. MacDonald, Meredith & Aberdeen Additional – Nurse Practitioner survey results.
7. Michael Mantha MPP – Letter from Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regarding available funding for physician recruitment in Northern Ontario
8. Sault Ste. Marie Innovation – proposed Desbarats Lake Restoration Project using BioCord Floating Island Technology.
Res: 68 Moved by: M. Hopkins Seconded by: F. Hicks
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson accepts section “H” Correspondence/Information as presented. Carried
(I) OLD BUSINESS
1. Central Algoma Joint Disaster Relief Committee – requesting financial assistance for the ODRAP funding.
Res: 69 Moved by: H. Kirby Seconded by: R. Gjos
Be it resolved that Council approves the donation of $500.00 to the Central Algoma Joint Disaster Relief committee. Carried
2. Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal on the Township Zoning By-Law #2012-685 – Hearing date unchanged.
3. Farmers Market – request to build onto the west side of the Pavillion at the JTCC. Council had refused this request in the past due to maintenance concerns. Ted Hicks, Bob Gjos, Heather Kirby, Edith Orr, Enos Sherk, Judy Hughes and Denise Methot met onsite to revisit this request. Highlights of the decisions/comments were :
· Necessary culvert cost is budgeted for in the Farmers markets funding application.
· Some landscaping costs are included in the funding application.
· Township approval is required when deciding on the type of landscape material used that would limit the “tracking in” to the community centre.
· JTCC manager commented on the limited room to maneuver with the Zamboni and dumping snow from Zamboni around the corner is not an option
· Snow off roof is a concern – need signage and possibly fence off the walk-through area in winter.
J) NEW BUSINESS:
1. Lupus Foundation of Ontario
Res: 70 Moved by: M. Hopkins Seconded by: R. Gjos
Be it resolved that The Council of The Township of Johnson Proclaim May 10th as World Lupus Day and October as Lupus Awareness Month in the Township of Johnson.
2. Minister Responsible for Senior Affairs
Res: 71 Moved by: F. Hicks Seconded by: M. Hopkins
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson Proclaim the month of June as Seniors Month in the Township of Johnson
2. Senior of the Year.
Action: Council reviewed previous recipients and will bring names forward for consideration at the next council meeting.
4. Gordon Lake Hall. The Gordon Lake Hall committee has requested Council to meet with the committee to discuss needed repairs to the hall. All Council members are planning on attending along with S. Spurway who will take minutes of the meeting.
Action: The Treasurer will provide unaudited figures to Council prior to the meeting showing revenue and expenses for 2013.
K) BY-LAWS:
Res: 72 Moved by: M. Hopkins Seconded by: F. Hicks
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson reads and passes By-Law # 2014-760, being a by-law to confirm meeting proceedings. Carried
L) HEALTH & SAFETY: None
M) CLOSED MEETING: None
N) COUNCIL CONCERNS:
Councillor Marlee Hopkins:
· May 1, 2014 is “Doctor Day”. Thank your local doctor through this web site. www.ontariosdoctors.com.
· Will the Fire Departments cube van be sold? T Hicks confirmed this is the plan.
Councillor Heather Kirby:
· Shared information from the Health & Safety workshop in Sault Ste Marie.Health and Safety awareness training deadline is July 1, 2014 for all Council and staff. Resource material needs to be ordered.
· Recreation committee announced the theme of the 2014 Community Day as “Memories” to help celebrate the Townships 125th birthday.
Councillor Robert Gjos:
· Have to look at replacing beam upstairs hall ceiling by the viewing windows.
· Need an “evac-u-chair” for upstairs at the Arena for when power is out and the elevator is not available.
· Why are we paying 2 bills at arena. 1 electrical service at front and one for ice plant. R Gjos is waiting for a name and phone number to get more information on combining the two and power saving options.
· Need to apply for funds for a generator for up at the arena.
· Where are we at, with the yard clean up. Need to add more to the list.
Councillor Frank Hicks:
· Understands that some of the road department requests need to be figured out soon.
O) ADJOURNMENT:
Res: 73 Moved by: R. Gjos Seconded by: H. Kirby
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Johnson adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Carried
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Date Adopted Ted Hicks, Mayor
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For Ruth Kelso, CAO/Clerk
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