Report on Council:
June 24, 2013
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am –12:46, 1:15 – 3:11
Confidential Closed Session 1:16-1:52
Regular Meeting: 7:00 pm- 7:58
Mayor Miller, Deputy Mayor Lawrence, Councillors Warren, Wishart, Claire
“La Petite Seduction” Program in Lafontaine
Councillor Claire announced that the program entitled “La Petite Seduction” is
scheduled to air on Radio-Canada television on Wednesday, June 26 th, 2013 at
8:00 pm. The program was filmed in Lafontaine and showcases the breath-taking
landscapes of Georgian Bay, the history, the French heritage, hospitality of the
people and of the legend of the wolf of Lafontaine.
Southern Georgian Bay Ontario Provincial Police/OPP Quarterly Report
Inspector Jacques Bois, Detachment Commander, of the Southern Georgian Bay
OPP provided a quarterly report on police activities in the area. He noted the
auxiliary unit performed a total of 274 hours in this community from January to
March; the OPP Directed Patrol Hours in Tiny totaled 779 hours for the same
period. Auxillary units are volunteers trained by the OPP to serve the community. They are used in flood areas, traffic control, road blocks and other limited activities.
He also reported on Traffic Statistics. A radar trailer is used to ascertain if traffic/speed issues exist and in Tiny the trailer is deployed in hot spots. An officer reviews the readings and geometrics can pinpoint on a map where the OPP gets complaints; where there are enforcement incidents ie. People driving without a license. Council asked if the flow of information could be streamed from the trailer to the Bylaw Officer without it being analyzed first. The Blackberry Pilot Project is being initiated and officers are starting to dictate occurrences but the size of the screen is a problem. The GPS shows where officers are located so the closest officer can be sent even if they are out of their territory. Peers in surrounding detachments are used if they are the closest.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution at the Regular Meeting of Council to receive the report as information
Bluewater Dunes Restoration Advisory Committee
Council discussed the recent resignation of all members of the Bluewater Dunes Restoration Advisory Committee and whether the Committee’s mandate and
terms of reference have been accomplished. They revisited the terms of reference and noted that the dunes had been restored and protected. Additional planting is to be done by Public Works and fencing and signage can also be done by Public Works. Protection of the dunes is a Bylaw issue. It was suggested that the Bluewater Park community be encouraged to get involved in the Township’s Volunteer Program to provide ongoing stewardship to the park.
Staff brought a draft resolution at the Regular Meeting of Council to abolish the Bluewater Dunes Restoration Advisory Committee. All in favour with the exception of Councillor Claire.
County Council Update
Mayor Millar reported that at the next County Council meeting another of a series
of special waste management discussions will take place to hopefully get some
resolve and direction on a few outstanding issues. He also reported on the housing
initiatives from the Human Services Committee meeting minutes. He expressed concerns that most of the spending at the County will not happen in North Simcoe although it contains the Correctional North Facility and when residents are discharged they stay in the township. North Simcoe has a need for housing requirements for marginalized citizens.
Deputy Mayor Lawrence reported that applications from other municipalities
regarding the bulk pickup will be reviewed. He anticipates that the decision will be
a general uniform service. He also noted that the Municipal Law Department
should be applying special County of Simcoe labels to the bulk garbage left at the
roadside in the Township of Tiny.
Places to Grow Implementation Fund
The Committee considered Planning & Development Report PD-041-13, June
24, 2013 from Shawn Persaud, Manager of Planning & Development, regarding the
Places to Grow Implementation Fund application with the Ministry of Infrastructure. The proposed funding is available to municipalities for projects that support or achieve the goals of the Province’s Growth Plans.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution to authorize staff to work with the Township Planning Consultant to submit a Places to Grow Implementation Fund application to the Ministry of Infrastructure for funding to complete a Growth Management Study. This study would review options for accommodating future population and employment growth in Tiny. The study is required to determine if there are sufficient lands within the designated settlement areas to accommodate future growth and to determine the best options for settlement area boundary expansion. The study would also consider if there are areas within existing settlement areas that should be precluded from development due to environmental, servicing or other constraints. The study would provide a strategic long range growth plan for Tiny and would be an input to the Townships’s Officlial Plan review.
Beach Access Permit, Securities and Enforcement
The Committee considered Public Works Report PWR-021-13 dated June 24, 2013
from Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, regarding possible revisions to the
current Beach Access Permit policy. The report outlined available options to be
considered when contractors/property owners are accessing private property via
municipal property. Option 2 would permit access with a security deposit of a minimum of $500. cash or a certified cheque. Securities would cover situations where corrective measures had to be undertaken by the Township. A pre and post construction site inspection fee of $175 could be charged to recover costs. If corrective actions are necessary there would be a full cost recovery including the time spent to complete all corrective and administrative work. Costs would be based on time and material. Where staff determine that additional securities are warranted due to difficult terrain, drainage works or other features they will increase the deposit as required.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution to direct staff to draft a specific policy consistent with”Permit Access with Security Deposit” as outlined in the staff report including revisions to the existing Policy Procedure PW-01 and “beach Access Permit”, review of the existing legal opinions to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and existing by-laws to ensure enforceability of illegal or unapproved access. Staff was instructed to advise G. Gubins that his request will be deferred pending the review and adoption of the revised Beach Access Permit policy.
Cedar Point Road and Concession 5 Speed Limit Reduction Request
The Committee considered Public Works Report PWR-027-13 and PWR-028-13 dated June 24, 2013 from Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, in response to a request for a reduction in the speed limit along Cedar Point Road and Concession 5W. Staff brought forward a draft resolution to authorize that the speed limit remain at 80 kph and that the Southern Georgian Bay OPP be advised of the concerns expressed with speeding in the area.
Lafontaine Beach Park, Beach Water Quality Improvement
The Committee considered Public Works Report PWR-029-13 dated June 24, 2013
from Henk Blom. The Township undertook a municipal class environmental assessment to study the problem of low water levels and poor water quality. A feasibility study was completed February 2011 by Coldwater Consulting for the Township and it examined whether or not changes to the groynes at Lafontaine Beach Park could assist in improving water quality issues. Historically, the Ministry of Natural Resources issued permits to build groynes and when the lake levels dropped quickly Lafontaine Beach was left with a wet swamp on the shoreline. Results indicated that partial or full removal of one groyne and sediment capping might improve water qualtity. Detailed sediment transport analysis supported their finding that the proposed works were not expected to have any detrimental effects on adjacent shorelines. Organic soils would be covered with clean hard sands and gravels. The Department of Fisheries did not see any problems with partial removal because it would not remove fish habitat; it would simply relocate. With removal and capping in front of the Park (not private property) there would be less stagnant shallow waters and more area for swimming and beaching.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution to approve Option A – Partial Removal of one Groyne and Capping,” as outlined in the presentation by Aqua Solutions and Coldwater Consulting Ltd.
Resident Permit Parking/Concession 14W
Deputy Mayor Lawrence reported that he had received several complaints from local residents regarding the removal of parking spaces at the end of Concession 14W
Road. He pointed out that if the road allowance was brushed, permit parking
could be reinstated on one side of the road.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution to direct staff to proceed with a road widening at Concession 14’s western end to accommodate permit parking. All costs associated with this work are to be taken from the 2013 Brushing and Tree Trimming/Ditching budgets.
During these discussions the issue of how to handle concerns from the public was brought up. If the public has an issue they should be directed by Councillors to seek the help of staff to deal with it. Council members should not go to staff to request work be done; Councillors should go to the Council meeting and ask staff to look at it at the meeting. Coucillors were also reminded that there was a motion to review roads, Concessions 1-18, at a February meeting. Roads will be examined as to whether there are opportunities to provide spots for parking; whether they should be signed with no parking. There was a reluctance to deal separately with Concession 14 because it is part of a larger plan. There are 430km of roads and a large percentage are roads with fire access issues. The review will be ready in the fall in time to determine the strategy for the 2014 budget.
Septage Management Program
Mayor Millar reported that he would be bringing forward a motion at the Regular
Meeting of Council to expand the scope of the Septage Management Program to
include options and alternatives with inter-municipal facility partnerships and the
treatment of septage beyond the borders of Township of Tiny. He wants to investigate every avenue. Lawrence opposed this approach because he feels this would stop the process and he would like to see the process through. In August 2012 Council gave Burnside a directive to pursue a made in Tiny solution.
Staff brought forward a draft resolution at the Regular Meeting of Council to direct R. J. Burnside & Associates Ltd to expand the scope of the study to include options and alternatives which include inter-municipal facility partnerships and the treatment of Septage beyond the borders of the Township of Tiny and investigate all reasonable alternatives as per Phase II Schedule B Class EA and report back to Council. Coucillors Lawrence, Clair and Warren voted against it.
