REPORT ON COUNCIL
May 11, 2009
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:02 a.m. – 12:44 p.m. and 1:16 p.m. – 6:03 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:17 pm – 7:42 pm
Mayor Breckenridge and Councillors Claire, Cornell, and Warren present. Deputy Mayor Lawrence absent, ill.
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 3:46 p.m. – 6:03 p.m.
VISUAL ASSESSMENT FOR WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT — DRAFT REPORT: – James Taylor from the University of Guelph presented a comprehensive update regarding his group’s study of the impact of commercial wind turbines on views in Tiny Township. The draft report will be ready by early June when it will be circulated for feedback and then the final report will be completed. Staff will then ascertain how to incorporate this data into the Official Plan.
The report suggests appropriate setbacks from “areas under protection through policy” and from “sensitive landscapes”. If the proposed setbacks were used, there would be almost no place in the Township where a wind farm could be located. The presentation can be viewed on the Township website under Council Agenda / Committee of the Whole Agenda – 2009 / COW 09 May 11, 2009 / Complete CWC Agenda / D Reports of Consultants or Third Parties
MIDLAND LIBRARY EXPANSION: The Midland Library is planning an extensive addition to its current building, which they expect to be mainly funded by the provincial government and the town of Midland. They asked the Township to “be a partner in their application for funding from the Rural Economic Development Program”, and they are hoping for additional funding from Tiny and other surrounding municipalities. This request will be considered during 2010 budget discussions.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO FEE SCHEDULE BY-LAW—PARKING: Among the changes recommended in this report was the establishment of rates for the new Pay & Display Parking Machines at Woodland Beach Park and in Jackson Park. The fee proposed was $.25 per 7.5 minutes ($2 per hour), with a maximum of $15 a day and a minimum of $4. Noting that the pay back period for the new machines had not been included in the report, members of Council also observed that the quality of this report, as with other recent reports, was not satisfactory.
2009 SEPTIC RE-INSPECTION PROGRAM: This year’s re-inspections in Thunder Beach will complete the first round of septic re-inspections in the Township. The program will then return to properties in the shoreline area between Concession 9 and Concession 11 (where the program began in 2002).
SIGNAGE AT LAST? Council approved an expenditure of $18,800 to have MC3 Global Retail determine a style and design for the many Township signs that need to be replaced due to their poor condition. This is not an “image” proposal but a design for signage only. The proposal’s deliverables were not clear and are to be confirmed before the contract is let.
CHANGES AT BALM BEACH: Four temporary light standards are to be installed along the beach as a safety measure.
New concepts for parking, landscaping, lighting and a walkway will be presented at a Public Information meeting to be held on June 13, 2009 from 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
