Regular Meeting of Council Wednesday October 9th, 2024
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three Councillors attended the meeting.
Mayor Evans in the chair.
Reports of Consultants or Third Parties
Township of Tiny – 2023 DRAFT Consolidated Financial Statements- Rebecca MacDonald, Pahapill and Associates:
Ms. MacDonald (via Zoom) presented the 2023 DRAFT statements to Council.
The report was received and approved as presented.
Open Deputations to Council
Paul Bell – Ice Age Grass Endangered Species Mr. Bell advised that Ice age grass, a designated endangered species and species at risk, has been found growing on property being prepared for the new administration building on the 9th Concession.
He asked that Council proceed cautiously with further development given the legal implications of not protecting this species. Mr. Bell was thanked for his delegation.
Dave Wulff – New Municipal Building Correspondence TrackerMr. Wulff requested clarification on what the comments listed in the correspondence tracker on the website mean. And what do staff and council take from the comments. He asked if there would be more detail put forward on what the comments pertain to.
Mr. Wulff was thanked for his delegation.
Karen ZulynikMs. Zulynik started to discuss the correspondence tracker addressed by Mr. Wulff but was advised she was unable to discuss items that were already discussed.
She then advised that based on the reported financials, 15% of tax revenues are still outstanding totaling $2.29 Million and hoped that action would be taken by staff to recover this shortage. She also pointed out that approximately 66% of tax revenues go to staff compensation of $9.66 Million and expressed concern that this is too high and hoped council would keep an eye on hiring. Ms. Zulynik was thanked for her delegation.
Clerk Walton clarified that there is no further action on issues raised via open deputation unless otherwise instructed by council.
Committee of the Whole Reports
Since he was absent, Councillor Walma re-opened the discussion on the Breast-feeding coalition request for a proclamation and flag raising which was denied at the September Committee of the Whole meeting.
After much deliberation a new vote was taken with Councillor Brunelle opposed and Councillor Helowka abstaining. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Walma in favour resulted in the request being approved.
Support of Funding Application – Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund for Wyevale Ball Diamond Lighting Upgrade Project
Staff recommended applying to the Infrastructure Fund for the lighting upgrade project. Application deadline is October 29, 2024. Council supported the opportunity and directed staff to proceed accordingly.
By-laws
The following by-laws were presented and approved by Council.
By-law 24-052 – to provide for the Erection of a Three-Way Stop at the Intersection of Tiny Beaches Rd. N. and rue Jules Leger.
By-law 24-053 – to authorize an agreement between The Corporation of the Township of Tiny, along with other participating municipalities, and the County of Simcoe to establish and operate a multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incident response team.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday October 9th, 2024
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three Councillors were in attendance at the meeting.
Councillor Helowka in the chair.
Staff Reports
Consent Items
- MHBC Planning – Overview of New Provincial Planning Statement 2024
Councillor Brunelle commented that under the new Provincial Planning Statement, Tiny is not listed as a large and fastest growing municipality.
He questioned what the process would be to update the Township’s Official Plan and noted that Wasaga was looking for public engagement to update theirs.
Matters for Consideration
Firefighting Water Supplies The Fire Chief reported on firefighting water supplies regarding alternative water supplies for firefighting suppression. Based on the ongoing Water Master Plan and limited time to determine costing in advance of the 2025 budget deliberations, staff recommended against the installation of a water reservoir. In the interim, it was requested that staff report back on cost-effective alternative water supply interim solutions for consideration during the 2025 budget deliberations.
Council directed staff to report back on the financial implications of two to three options, in consideration of the 2025 budget, in support of firefighting endeavours in terms of water supply.
Trew Avenue and Concession 5 West Parking Council motioned to receive the report as information and further direct staff to report on the potential costs and implications of reintroducing pay parking at Bluewater Beach.
Review of Proclamation and Flag Raising Request Policy Council discussed various components of proclamations and flag raisings includingevaluation criteria, approval authority and practices in other municipalities. The meritsof proclamations versus flag raisings were also discussed. It was requested that staffreport back on an amended Policy with evaluation criteria for assessing requests.
Council directed staff to amend the policy based on adding an evaluation and criteria component and to include that at the beginning of each Council term, proclamations will be forwarded to Council prior to implementing the five-year protocol.
Appointment of a Sewage System Inspector The Planning and Development Report regarding the appointment of a Sewage System Inspector was received and a By-law proposed to appoint Mr. Travis Cry as an Inspector for the Township of Tiny for the purposes of On-Site Sewage System Inspections. And further, the repeal of By-law 24-021 be considered for formal approval at the October 30, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council.
Award of Tender PW-24-12- Winter Sand The tender for the supply, mixing and stacking of winter sand was received and be awarded to Eric Pauze Construction for $124,375 plus HST.
Committees
Matters for Consideration
Heritage Advisory Committee Resolution – Municipal Heritage Register (80 Darby Road) and (110 Darby Road)
Council considered the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) Resolution regarding a Notice of Intent to Demolish or Remove, as submitted by the property owners, to demolish both barns located at 80 Darby Road.
Council considered Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) Resolution regarding a Notice of Intent to Demolish or Remove, as submitted by the property owners, to demolish the southern L-shaped barn located at 110 Darby Road.
The HAC has reviewed these proposals and agrees that a significant portion of the heritage value of the properties has been lost due to the poor condition of the barns. Council supported the HAC’s recommendation to delist the properties from the Municipal Heritage Register accordingly.
Heritage Advisory Committee Resolution – Land Acknowledgement Statement
Council considered the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) Resolution regarding a Land Acknowledgement Statement which was previously presented in long and short versions and has confirmed that they contacted the Huron-Wendat Nation, the Beausoleil First Nation and the Metis Nation of Ontario. Council approved the long and short versions and directed staff to obtain a French translation for the short version.
Discussion of Motion(s) of Which Notice has been Previously Given Councillor Walma requested a staff update on the ATV Pilot carried out within the Township of Tiny and requested a report on the successes/challenges of the ATV pilot and the potential expansion of the ATV/ORV use on the Tiny Townshiproads and the liability implications. Council approved.
Communications
Consent Item
- Township of Georgian Bay – Notice to Withdraw – Severn Sound Environmental Association
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday October 23rd, 2024
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and two Councillors were in attendance at the meeting. Councillor Walma attended via telephone due to illness. Mayor Evans in the chair.
Housing Enabling Water System Fund (HEWSF) Intake 2 Septage Application: Tiny Council held a special meeting to seek Council approval for submitting the application due November 1.
At the recent Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) conference, a discussion with the Honorable Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure led to the resultant grant recommendation from the Minister.
The Township of Tiny is made up of approximately 10,500 individual properties all of which are serviced by private septage management systems. Each property owner is responsible for arranging to have their septage pumped out by a certified hauler on a regular basis. They pay directly for this service. e.g. approx. $300 for field spreading or $600 in off season to a waste treatment plant.
The issue seems to be the long-standing desire to eliminate the spreading of this waste on farm fields during the non-winter months. As staff point out, in 2015 the County of Simcoe started a working group to look at alternatives to field application of septage who determined that until the Provincial Government banned such waste spreading, investment in facilities would not be cost effective. There still is no indication the government has any intention of moving in this direction given this practice is widespread throughout rural Ontario (1.4 million septic systems).
Public Works Director Tim Leitch confirmed that field application in Tiny was confined to two sites. The process is highly regulated, and the site operators are very responsible. The process is safe and well managed.
Tiny represents approximately 60% of the waste volumes at the Midland plant from holding tanks and porta-potties during winter months. Midland has now discontinued receiving waste from Tiny (and others) due to the need for major capital improvements required.
The funding from this grant (and Tiny taxpayers) will go towards the capital upgrades required to the Midland plant to accept all septage and eliminate field spreading. The improvements to the Midland facility is contingent on reaching a receiving agreement with respect to cost-sharing and responsibilities with the Town of Midland. If no agreement is reached the grant can be returned.
CAO Lamb emphasized that this meeting was to deal with the grant application only and that there were more questions than answers with respect to the process and moving forward with the project.
Financial Implications:
Total Project Cost Amount $4,952,587.50 (100%)
HEWSF grant $3,615,388.88 (73%)
Tiny contribution $1,337,198.62 (27%)
If the grant were successful and an intake agreement was reached with the Town of Midland the project could start January 1, 2025, with a target completion date of June 2027.
The following is the Capital cost breakdown by year:
2025/26 – $334,299.66
2026/27 – $668,599.31
2027/28 – $334,299.66
Council approved moving forward with the grant application and the development of an agreement with the Town of Midland.
Regular Meeting of Council Wednesday October 30th, 2024
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three Councillors were in attendance at the meeting.
Mayor Evans in the chair.
Announcements/Presentations
The Director of Public Works advised that a new crosswalk was installed in Lafontaine Village across Lafontaine Road West.
Open Deputations to Council
Mr. Drew Ironstone – Gordian Report on Building Condition Assessment
Mr. Ironstone was previously Manager of Facility Management for the County of Simcoe and is extremely experienced with asset management and building condition assessments. He indicated that many of the replacement costs presented in the Gordian Report are not reliable, seriously overstated and presented examples of his findings.
Council thanked Mr. Ironstone for his comments and suggested that the topic would be further discussed at the following committee of the whole meeting.
Councillor Brunelle questioned whether the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change had contacted the Township re: the ice age grass issue raised by Mr. P. Bell in his deputation. Director Leitch confirmed they have not been contacted.
He then questioned whether the concerns raised by Mr. D. Wulff in his deputation regarding the lack of detail on the correspondence tracker and need for more detail to be put forward on what the comments pertain to was being addressed. Director Leitch confirmed that this will be on the agenda for the next committee meeting.
New Business
Notice of Motion
Councillor Walma brought forward a Notice of Motion requesting council return to the previous meeting schedule (mornings) to be more efficient and reduce overtime.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday October 30th, 2024
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three Councillors were in attendance at the meeting.
Councillor Walma in the chair.
Reports of Consultants or Third Parties
Community Settlement Strategy
Morgane Dunot, Program Coordinator of the Local Immigration Partnership, County of Simcoe, presented on a Community Settlement Strategy.
Community-based planning designed to:
– Foster local engagement of service providers and other institutions in newcomer’s integration process
– Support community-based knowledge sharing and local strategic planning
– Improve coordination of services that facilitate immigrant settlement and integration
• Percent of residents reporting a non-official mother tongue between 2016-2021.
Simcoe County 40.5% increase; Township of Tiny 3% increase.
• Percent of residents identifying as part of a racialized group. Simcoe County 12.4% (65,245) of Simcoe County; Township of Tiny 2.5%
Ms. Dunot was thanked for her presentation which was received as information.
Staff Reports
Consent Items
Corporate Services Report CS-FIN-013-24 – Township Facility Condition Assessments: Further to the deputation by Mr. Ironstone at the regular meeting, staff were questioned on the values being shown in the 1310 page Gordian Report. Staff advised that this was a starting point only and that the numbers would be reviewed as they are put into the Asset Management Plan. The report was received as information.
Corporate Services Report CS-COM-001-23 – Tiny Connect Improvements: The Township will be switching to Voyent for an enhanced communications tool, to replace the current Tiny Connect mass communication software.
Matters for Consideration
Proposed Market Review
Deputy Mayor Miskimins acknowledged the value of carrying out this report to ensure the Township remains competitive.
Council recommended moving forward with the consultant and market review of salaries and benefits of staff and Council at a cost of $26,385.50 inclusive of HST to be funded from operating reserves.
Group Benefits Plan
Councillor Brunelle questioned whether the benefits would change if the move to the County Program was made. Director Leblond indicated that they would be looking at a more enhanced benefit plan while reducing premium costs by around $67,000.
Council approved the appointment of the benefits coordinator presented (Mosey & Mosey) and the subsequent transfer of the Township’s group benefits program to the County of Simcoe Consortium Program, underwritten by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, effective January 1, 2025. There was no mention of the costs for Mosey & Mosey.
2025 Regular and Committee of the Whole Council Meeting Schedule
Council discussed the schedule as presented and amended to reflect a summer break in July. The schedule was approved as amended with further discussion to take place on the notice of motion put forward by Councillor Walma.
Planning and Development Report PD-019-24 – Development Charge Background Study and By-law Update – Award of Contract
The contract was awarded to Hemsom Consulting in the amount of $29,620 (exclusive of HST) which was budgeted at $60 K.
Committees
Matters for Consideration
Two resignations from Mayor’s Ad Hoc Task Force on Community Wellness and one from
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament Working Committee.
Mayor Evans noted that the Mayor’s Ad Hoc Task Force on Community Wellness has had challenges finding a niche and would not be replacing the members until the status of the committee was determined.
Accessibility Advisory Committee Resolution re Blue Flag Beach Criteria
The Accessibility Advisory Committee requested that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee consider the criterion for Blue Flag Status to determine if any of the standards can be implemented at one or more of the Township of Tiny beaches. And that a member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be permitted to attend a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting to provide input from an accessibility perspective.
There are only 4 blue flag beaches in Ontario which have earned the global Blue Flag designation for their strict commitment to water quality, safety and environmental criteria.
Council directed that the PRAC committee determine what criteria could be adopted and relevant to Township beaches.
Communications
Matters for Consideration
Council received the following communication from the Mayor of Midland for discussion.
RE: Request for Neighbourly Financial Support for the North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre
Dear Mayor Evans,
Pursuant to Midland Town Council directive on May 22nd, 2024, the Town of Midland is officially requesting financial support of the annual operating expenditures for the North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre (NSSRC). As such, the Town of Midland formally requests that the Township of Tiny make an annual contribution, beginning at $5 per household, on behalf of its residents for their full and continued use of the NSSRC to the Town of Midland. This $5 per household recommendation is assumed from the former contributions of $25,000 from the Township of Tiny, which would have been approximately $5.1 0 per household (private dwellings occupied by usual residents) based on 2016 Census information. Without a commitment from our neighbours to contribute to our funding shortfall, the question of whether to add a surcharge for non-midland resident users will inevitably resurface again. As its multitude of users will attest, the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC) is truly a central hub for all North Simcoe residents, both young and old from all area municipalities. The NSSRC is the home of many user groups including the Midland Minor Hockey Association, North Simcoe Girls Hockey Association, Askennonia Senior Centre, Midland Wave Basketball, Sea and Air Cadets, the BGC (formerly Boys and Girls Club) as well as many other smaller yet cultural important groups. The facility offers two ice surfaces, a double gymnasium, and multiple rooms of different sizes available to rent for various uses for the community. Currently, the Town of Midland operates the NSSRC at an estimated current annual deficit of $1.8 million per year. These funds are committed to the ongoing foundational upkeep and ongoing operations of the NSSRC and to do so costs each Midland household roughly $240 per year whether directly used by them or not. The users, however, are from across North Simcoe and not solely Midland. In fact, we estimate that only about 45% of the user groups that call the NSSRC home, are Midland residents – meaning approximately 55% of those that regularly enjoy the use of the facilities live and pay property taxes outside Midland’s municipal boundaries – currently without contributing to its foundational operations and upkeep.
The residency of the various user groups was discussed during the well-attended April 15th, 2024, NSSRC Funding Sustainability Workshop. As you are no doubt aware, the Town invited its major User Groups, as well as representatives from all North Simcoe municipalities to discuss possible funding strategies for this facility, keeping in mind the following guiding principles: Remain accessible and affordable to North Simcoe residents. Keep kids involved in sport. Enhance quality of life and community for North Simcoe. Maintain the importance that the NSSRC is for regional programs. Maintain sports groups utilizing the NSSRC. Minimize administrative burden of collecting other source revenue. Develop a sustainable and ongoing solution. Going into this workshop, one of the options considered was the possible implementation of a Non-Resident fee for the non-Midland patrons that use the NSSRC from the surrounding communities. The overwhelming feedback from the attendees conveyed that this was not an avenue they wanted the Town to implement, and to avoid doing so, the following recommendations were agreed upon.
- That Staff be directed to investigate Naming Rights for the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC) as an option for other source revenue.
- That a Non-Resident, Non-North Simcoe (excluding Springwater) fee be added to all rentals within the NSSRC.
- That a letter addressed to Tay and Tiny Township Councils be sent, requesting contributions to the NSSRC to avoid the need to implement non-resident fees for these communities.
- That the Composite Fees and Charges By-law be amended to include fee increases.
- That as part of the 2025 Budget process, a multi-year fee By-law for the NSSRC be brought forward for Council’s consideration to allow for predictable rate increases for the user groups.
All recommendations of the working group were considered and approved by Midland Town Council on May 22nd, 2024. The mutually valuable relationship between the Town of Midland and the Township of Tiny, that has been established over the years and cemented in previous contributions made towards the NSSRC, is an asset to all residents in our communities and we hope with your help it can continue to thrive.
After significant discussion it was agreed that the letter be received as information.