REPORT ON COUNCIL
August 10 and 28, 2017
Committee of the Whole Meetings: August 28, 2017: 9:00 a.m. – 3:02 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: August 10, 2017: 9:00 a.m. – 11:22 a.m.
Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart all present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- September 14, 7-9 p.m., Town Hall Meeting, Tiny Township Community Centre
- September 17, 9 a.m., Terry Fox Run, Perkinsfield Park
- September 19, 6:30 p.m., Dufferin Aggregates Meeting, Wyebridge Community Centre
- September 29, 2 p.m., CBO Park Arboretum Grand Opening
- September 30, Official Plan Evaluation Deadline
- September 30, Parking Program Evaluation Deadline
GREAT LAKES & ST. LAWRENCE CITIES INITIATIVE ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE REPORT:
Cayley, of the Severn Sound Environmental Association, reported on the meeting of the coalition of 130 Canadian and American cities that work together to protect, restore and sustain the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Five municipalities represent the Severn Sound area, the Townships of Tiny and Tay as active members, the Towns of Penetanguishene and Midland and the Township of Georgian Bay as lapsed members that may be updating their membership. The Mayor of Tay, Scott Warnock, was elected to the GLSLCities Board of Directors.
The wide-ranging discussion included the need for flood plain/prone mapping, identification of areas at risk, climate change, partnerships with indigenous peoples, governmental cooperation, and formation of a local gathering of Great Lakes mayors.
Resolutions concerned coal tar sealants, aging oil pipelines and Line 5, federal restoration funding, maritime industry, a marine sanctuary in Lake Michigan, pharmaceutical and personal care product pollution, public management of water services, designation of the lakes and river as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
OFFICIAL PLAN OPEN HOUSE:
At the August 25 Open House on the Township’s Official Plan Update, Kris Menzies, MHBC Planning, spoke to some 35-40 Township residents about the Update, explaining that it brings the Township’s OP into line with the County of Simcoe’s Official Plan and with the Province’s policy statements and legislation. (The draft Update is available on the township’s website at http://www.tiny.ca/Pages/Official-Plan-Review–Update.aspx.)
After Menzies’ presentation, residents were invited to make comments and ask questions. Several people zeroed in on the expanded scope for secondary residences/garden flats in the shoreline area. In allowing them, the Province thought it was finding a way to create more affordable housing, but the worry along the shore is that such secondary structures might instead become income generating accommodation aided by Airbnb and the like. Concerns were also raised about the grading and filling of lots to raise them above the 178m line.
Comments may be submitted until September 30. (FoTTSA’s assessment of the Update will appear in the fall issue of The Tiny Cottager.) The Update will then be revised to reflect residents’ comments “where necessary and appropriate”, in preparation for a Public Meeting, probably early in 2018, during and after which residents will have a second chance to comment and ask for changes.
KITCHING LANE:
On August 28, there were a number of deputations regarding the 10’ wide Kitching Lane path to the shore south of Balm Beach and the addition of private property stickers to the signage delineating the extent of township-owned property there. Members of a recently formed back lot association, the Balm Beach Community Association (representing 50 properties), raised points that had already be made in a letter to Tim Leitch, the Director of Public Works, asking when the stickers were added, why they were added, and who authorized them. The Association also asked for all relevant justifying documentation.
Leitch said that the stickers were added on July 26th, that they were installed as a result of a series of Public Works reports, and that the decision to affix them was taken by Public Works.
In some deputations, discussion wandered to garbage cans and questions about other places where township signage delineates private property. A waterfront owner spoke in support of private property delineation by the township. Following its usual policy, Council said it would make decisions about matters raised in the deputations during a subsequent meeting.
PROTECTING OUR POLLINATORS:
After applying for an Ontario 150 Partnership Program Grant, the township was awarded $147,000. With the money, Laura Baldwick was hired to be the Coordinator of a Protecting Our Pollinators Program working with four students, Nicole Scott, Zachary Maurice, Alex Vergados, and Andrew Hall. On August 28, all five spoke about the summer’s activities — field trips to gain better understanding of pollinators, outreach to the general public at all major township events, purchase of wildflower seeds, and the creation of educational displays, a biweekly newsletter, interpretive signage, wildflower gardens in township settlement areas and wildflower meadows.
The five members of Council thanked them. They had become fans of the project after seeing the group’s regular strategy meetings and activities around the township and hearing many compliments about their work. The group will be making recommendations and submitting a formal report this fall. There was talk about the possibility of continuing the work in future summers and of taking on other environmental tasks.
CONCESSION 9 CROSSWALK:
At the end of August, in response to a deputation by the Carusoe Bay Association, speed limits were lowered in the vicinity of Tiny Beaches Road South and Concession Road 9 West and crosswalk lines and signs were installed from the north side of the Concession across TBRS to the township beach access point. This is a pilot project and one that may become a model for crosswalks to other township-owned beach areas.
ADDITIONAL OFFICE PORTABLE TO BE LEASED:
Council decided to accept the recommendation of Public Works Director, Tim Leitch, to lease an office portable for five years to house his department. The move would free up a trailer for use by the Recreation Department, and that in turn would open some much-needed space in the Township Offices. No decision has yet been taken about whether to build a new Town Hall or to renovate and expand the current building.
FUNDING APPROVED FOR LAFONTAINE BEACH EQUIPMENT:
Council approved $55,080 for new accessible playground equipment and for two Bocce Ball courts at Lafontaine Beach Park. Both were recommended by the LAMP (Lafontaine Master Plan) Committee, and are to be installed this fall.
