REPORT ON COUNCIL
June 11 and 25, 2018:
Committee of the Whole Meetings: June 11, 2018: 9:00 a.m. – 4:12 p.m. and June 25, 2018: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Regular Meetings of Council: June 11, 2018: 4:45? p.m. – 5:20 p.m.; and June 25, 2018: 6:00 p.m. – 6:18 p.m.
All five members of Council were present on June 11, and four were present all day on June 25. Councillor Richard Hinton was present until 5 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
July 11, 2018, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Tripp Lane Drainage Project Public Information Session, Council Chambers
July 11, 2018, 7 p.m. – Official Plan Public Meeting, Tiny Township Community Centre (Draft 3 of the Update is available on tiny.ca)
July 12-15, 2018 – Festival du Loup, Lafontaine Park
July 13, 2018 – Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament and Dinner, Brooklea Golf & Country Club
July 21, 2018, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Community BBQ, Perkinsfield Park
August 12, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Balm Beach Family Fun Day
STAFF ADDITIONS:
Maciej Zelazny, Water Distribution Operator 2 (a replacement)
Mary-Jo Santi, Water Compliance Auditor (an addition)
Jean-Francois Robitaille, Engineering Manager (an addition)
BALM BEACH MASTER PLAN:
After Tim Leitch, Director of Public Works, told Council about the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO’s) Main Street Revitalization Funding, Council authorized the necessary Funding Agreement and recommended that the grant monies ($48,000) be earmarked for Balm Beach revitalization. Council further directed staff to survey the community, including at the Balm Beach Family Fun Day, to determine priorities for the use of the money and develop a plan to solicit community input on the revitalization. The Township has until 2020 to spend the funding.
ENCROACHMENTS ON MUNICIPAL PROPERTY:
The Township’s encroachment policy is to be enforced at Concession 19 West and Farlain Lake in response to complaints. Moveable objects are to be tagged and if not removed in a week, they are to be removed at the owners’ expense.
BUDGET MEETINGS:
These have been scheduled for December 17, 2018, January 21, 2019 and February 4, 2019.
BREASTFEEDING:
Council approved a Breastfeeding Friendly Place Policy.
ADDITION TO MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER:
Two-storey cobblestone house (built 1880, 2nd storey and section to right added later) at 480 Concession 5 West
NORTH SIMCOE BROADAND GAP ANALYSIS PROJECT:
This project sought to understand the current level of internet service available to residents, businesses, and public organizations in North Simcoe. It also sought to identify gaps in internet service and to supply information for a business case to develop internet in North Simcoe. The project learned that almost 80% of residential properties, 68% of seasonal properties, and almost 71% of commercial properties in North Simcoe have internet access. However, many properties in Tiny (32.4% residential, 30.85% seasonal, and 19.66% commercial) are “under serviced” having a download speed of 5 Mbps or less given that the CRTC’s 2016 policy saw a download speed of 50 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps as desirable. Unhappily, North Simcoe partners (Beausoleil First Nation, Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay, and Tiny) rank in the bottom 25% percentile when compared to other regions and cities for which data is available. A full report and recommendations are to be available soon.
THE GUESTHOUSE SHELTER:
A representative from The Guesthouse asked Council to forgive its debt of $25,000. The request was deferred to the 2019 budget deliberations, and staff is to obtain statistical and financial background information.
ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION INC:
Council passed By-law 18-071 authorizing the Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc Franchise Agreement.
TRANS CANADA TRAIL KIOSKS:
Council decided to enter into a contribution agreement with the Trans Canada Trail for the construction and installation of four informative kiosks: one at each of the northern and southern termini of the Rail Trail, another at Bernie LeClair Park in Perkinsfield, and a fourth in Wyevale Park. TCT will contribute $16,900 and Tiny $22,502.29.
AUTOMATED PHONE ANSWERING SYSTEM:
Council accepted the recommendation of two staff committees that the township move to an automated phone answering system, one that presents options for residents quickly and includes the opportunity to dial “O” at any moment to speak to a live operator. It is to be installed in the 3rd quarter of 2018, and there will be opportunities for feedback about the new system.
FULL-TIME BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT AT TREW AVENUE:
After considering a Report from Steven Harvey, Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, Council decided that an additional by-law officer would be hired to police Trew Avenue from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., from July 6 to September 3.
POLICE SERVICES BOARD:
Now that the Police Services Board has been expanded from three to five members, Council appointed Mayor George Cornell as the additional Council Representative on the Board.