REPORT ON COUNCIL:
November 25, 2013
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am –11:55 am
Regular Meeting: 7:00 pm – 7:40 pm
Mayor Millar, Deputy Mayor Lawrence, Councilors Warren, Wishart, Claire
OPP
The letter dated November 5, 2013 from Jacques Bois, Inspector Detachment Commander of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment regarding the Business Planning Consultation, was discussed. The municipality wants to know what the OPP priorities are. They mentioned being more strategic in traffic management and more selective in deployment. The OPP want input from the municipality to be more effective in crime prevention. Tiny wants greater Police presence on Thursday and Friday nights of the long weekends, particularly in the five major parks. The need for their presence would be affected by the weather. Strict enforcement would be coordinated with Bylaw Officers. Tiny has the challenge of establishing the boundaries of public and private beaches. The onus is on the property owner to establish the boundaries of their property to ensure an enforceable charge of trespassing. Technical improvements provide daily reports on paid duty so that it is possible to see where police need to be deployed.
The billing model will come into effect in 2015 to make police costs uniform across the Province. The model’s assessment base is only based on households and needs to include commercial and industrial.
Mayor Millar will contact Inspector Jacques Bois to obtain clarification on the requested information. Mayor Millar requested the Committee’s input on policing issues and priorities to enable the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment to formulate a business plan specific to the Township of Tiny’s needs. The feedback is requested by December 6, 2013.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution at the Regular to forward the identified key issues and priorities to Jacques Bois, Inspector Detachment Commander of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment.
Parks and Recreation
In 2012 council passed a resolution notifying Recreation Associations that the Township was not renewing their Memorandum of Understanding. Meetings were held to assist Associations and the Township with the transition to new governance models. The Township now manages, maintains and books all facilities and sports fields and collecting recreation and related fees passed by Council March 11, 2013. All renters must carry a minimum of $2 million commercial general liability insurance. The Township of Tiny joined the Facility User Group Program designed for OMEX and members. The plan is affordable, simple and managed by Staff. Thirty rentals per month are booked in Lafontaine, Wyebridge and Tiny Community Centers.
Mr. Ron Belcourt, Director of Recreation, Parks and Properties, Township of Springwater, requested funding for the Elmvale Community Arena. Council approved the $2,500 increase for an annual contribution of $7,500.
Bylaw and Dog Control
Bylaw Officers are taking a more proactive approach to dog control. Between 2012 and 2013 the number of proactive complaint investigations increased from 13 to 102 and the charges from 11 to 30.
Waste Management
Public Works picks up garbage in the ditches. Simcoe County will accept the garbage but it has to be sorted and this is time consuming so Tiny uses their Public Works bin. Monday mornings there are tons of garbage in the Parks and Public Works is trying to find a better way of disposing of it.
Development Charges
Council approved the 2014 proposed development charge at $4,959. from $4,944/ residential household and $16.95 from $16.89 per sq. meter gross floor area for non residential.
Affordable Housing
North Simcoe is not in the priority areas list but there is great need because of CNCC and Waypoint discharges. Residents are released into the community without the resources to support them. While Tiny does not qualify on the basis of growth Mayor Millar was able to have the priority areas removed to enable Tiny to be considered. In putting together the Task force it is hoped that members can work together in a collaborative manner, without turf wars and look at the big picture. North Simcoe has a deficit of affordable housing. Mayor Millar would like to spend the county’s operating surplus on infrastructure deficits, particularly affordable housing.
Farlain Lake
Farlain Lake is looking at using divers to hand pick Eurasian Watermilfoil from the lake. The community has a three year control program of hand harvesting, education and awareness. It is important to start as soon as possible. Mayor Millar wondered if the Fire Department could provide breathable compressed air for divers. Farlain Lake is requesting that the Township assist with weed control by granting $5,500 to the Farlain Lake Community Association. Part of it will be used to erect an information kiosk at the Townships’ Park on Andrew Ave. Farlain suggested that the funding could be derived by harvesting timber in the Township’s land in the Farlain Lake community. The Farlain Community Association will contribute $4,150. to a 3 year project through fund raising and donations plus $3,000 in volunteer time. The control of Eurasian Watermilfoil on Farlain Lake will ensure invasive species will not spread to other bodies of water by boaters and anglers.
