Committee of the Whole Meetings: October 16, 2019: 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. and October 28, 2019: 9:00 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.
Regular Meetings of Council: October 16, 2019: 5:30 p.m. – 6:09 p.m. and October 28, 2019: 6:21 p.m. – 6:47 p.m.
Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Tony Mintoff and Gibb Wishart were all present October 16. On October 16, Councillor Hastings vacated the Council Chambers at 10:10 a.m. and returned at 1:30 p.m. On October 28, all members of Council were present except Deputy Mayor Walma who was attending a fire fighting training session.
Announcements:
- Tiny Connect – Sign up now at tinyconnect.ca to receive important community news.
- Noel au Village, Tree Lighting Celebration – Saturday, November 23, 2019, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lafontaine.
- Wyevale Santa Claus Parade and Party – Saturday, November 30, 2019, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Wyevale United Church.
- Jackson Park Boat Launch – Closed for the Season.
2020 Budget Meetings: November 4, November 20, and December 16, 2019.
Amending Agreement to the French Road Haul Route Agreement: In a deputation to Council on October 16, Lynne Archibald, Secretary of FoTTSA, asked that Council not pass the amending agreement. (The deputation is available on tiny.ca, Committee of the Whole, October 16, 2019. Links here. It was discussed in camera)
Mike McMillan, Assistant General Manager of the Sarjeant Company, then expressed his opposition to any measures that were specific to his company as opposed to the aggregate industry overall.
In his report about the use of French Road as a haul road, the Manager of Public Works, Tim Leitch, detailed the sums the Township receives each year from TOARC, The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation. It is based on the tonnage removed from pits in Tiny and is meant to assist with infrastructure improvements needed due to pit activity. Over time, according to Leitch, this would produce enough money to replace the haul road when it wore out.
On October 28, after discussing the matter in camera, Council decided to defer passage of the Amending Agreement until staff reports back on discussions with the Sarjeant Company regarding the storing, recycling and processing of asphalt at Waverley Pits 1 and 2 and aggregate extraction below the water table at Waverley Pit 2.
High Water at Farlain Lake: In her deputation on October 16, Elizabeth Di Chiara, President of the Farlain Lake Community Association, asked for assistance in managing the high water level at Farlain Lake by funding a hydrogeological study in the amount of $40,000 and supporting the formation of a working group including representatives from the Township, the Severn Sound Environmental Association and the Farlain Lake Community Association. The funding is to be discussed during 2020 Budget deliberations. Staff is to report on the provision of sandbags and the formation of the working group.
Use of Public Beach at Wahnekewening by Residents: In response to a deputation from Mark VanderHeyden on September 30, on behalf of the Wahnekewening Beach Association, the Committee of the Whole decided that Council and staff would meet with representatives from the Association to discuss issues. It also decided that the legal opinion about usage of Plan 763 is to remain confidential.
Short Term Rentals: The legal opinion from March 29, 2011 related to the Zoning By-law on Rental Cottages, is to remain confidential. The Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer is to report back about several aspects of the problem.
Free Resident Parking Permit: Council supported this concept in principle, but staff is to report back on the specifics of the program.
Changes to the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA): Based on an astute report by staff, Council agreed to make a number of recommendations to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) in response to proposed changes to the ARA and regulations. Following staff recommendations, the township supports
- a more robust application process for extensions of extraction below the water table
- a more robust application process for applications for a Permit to Take Water for gravel washing operations
- a change in the tax assessment for all aggregate operations to an industrial rate
- municipal ability to require haul route agreements
- more frequent reviews of existing aggregate operations
- enhanced reporting on aggregate rehabilitation
- a review of aggregate fees.
Council asked staff to include two more comments:
- The Township of Tiny does not support aggregate extraction below the water table for any existing or future gravel pit operations in the Township of Tiny due to the number of residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells and the potential negative impact on sensitive groundwater resources.
- The Township of Tiny supports a review of inactive aggregate pit licenses to ensure that they meet current standards prior to commencement of operations.
The Cultural Alliance in the Heart of Georgian Bay: In 2019, this regional joint cultural committee was given $10,000 by each of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay and Beausoleil First Nations to explore celebrating, fostering, promoting and leveraging cultural resources in the Heart of Georgian Bay. Besides hosting a number of events, the Alliance provided a regional calendar of events and set up a website called Culture Alliance in the Heart of Georgian Bay. The Alliance asked for an additional $10,000 from each community for 2020. In response, Council asked for a detailed budget and the Alliance’s terms of reference.
Fontur International re: Telecommunications Tower Proposal at 771 Champlain Road: With regard to Signum Wireless’s siting of a tower on land at the back of Toanche Park, staff is to provide a letter of Concurrence and the Township is to enter into a Lease Agreement. Discussion focussed on ways to camouflage the tower (probably by painting it either green or sky blue) and on use of the tower by the township and additional carriers.
Deputation by Tristan Carter re: Parking at Thunder Beach: After considerable discussion, staff was directed to change the signs on Thunder Bay Lane, Green Point Road and Centre Beach Road, pending budget approval. FoTTSA Notes: Anyone who parks on these roads would do well to check the signage in 2020.