REPORT ON COUNCIL
June 23, 2004
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
All Members of Council present.
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. The topic of discussion was “Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees.”
REPORT ON COUNCIL
June 28, 2004
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:04 a.m. – 10:49 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:03 p.m. – 9:43 p.m.
All Members of Council present.
CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 4:37 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. and 9:44 p.m. – 10:49 p.m. The subjects of discussion were:
Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal employees.
Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality.
Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
TOWNSHIP PROCEDURAL BY-LAW PASSED: During Committee of the Whole, Council considered and made minor modifications to the draft Procedural By-law in response to a written submission from former Deputy Mayor Patricia O’Driscoll.
In the evening, former Mayor Anthony Lancia asked a series of questions about the draft By-law. In reply, Councillor Rob Panasiuk observed that the hearing of deputations by Council is a privilege, not a right, as there is nothing in the Municipal Act about them; and that Council may delay an oral submission and under some circumstances it may choose not to hear an oral submission. However, discussion leading to such decisions would be held in public, not behind closed doors. Usually an oral submission would not be heard until the meeting after the one at which Council considers a request. However, if the matter is urgent, Council may waive its Procedural By-law and hear an unscheduled submission immediately.
Panasiuk also noted that the asking of questions in Question Period is a privilege, not a right.
To see the Procedural By-law, go to the Township website – township.tiny.on.ca – and, under Government, click on Bylaws.)
TINY TRAIL BRIDGES AGAIN: As the original estimates ($1.2 million) for bridge repairs on the Tiny Trails were grossly under the tendered cost ($2.1-2.2 million), R. J. Burnside & Associates was asked to give its opinion of the original estimates. Burnside reported that the estimates were not unreasonable, and that there were four causes for increases in costs – the addition of steel pilings as the result of soil analysis, the addition of intermediary pile foundations to make the bridges look like 19th century railway bridges, increases in the cost of timber, and the addition of a bridge.
Burnside was of the opinion, however, that the Council of the day should have been given a heads up as increases in costs were discovered.
There was some discussion about the last Council’s decision to complete P3 (the bridge just south of Wyevale) and to make it historically accurate when it was much the most expensive to undertake. Councillor Panasiuk asked whether there had been adequate public process, and suggested that it would be wise to consult with Tiny’s taxpayers before proceeding with further bridge repairs. The matter will be on the agenda again.
REMUNERATION OF COUNCIL: As has been the practice for the last three years, the increase in Council remuneration is to be the same as that given to staff, and this year, that is 3%. In addition, compensation for travel to and from meetings other than regular meetings of Council is to be reimbursed for the total kilometres traveled, minus 40.
AUDIT OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT: A report from Shawn Crawford, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, about the need to purchase new portable radios for his department triggered a decision by Council that an audit of communications equipment be done in all Township departments – cell telephones, radios, and the like – so that duplications can be eliminated and communications rationalized.
DAVID LAMBDEN’S REPORTS: David Lambden has asked Council to read three of his summary reports before he meets with them. As one of these is missing, staff will have to ask Lambden for a fresh copy. Staff has prepared an extensive list of all communications from Lambden (invoices, maps, reports, letters, reports) in the Township’s possession. Former Deputy Mayor Patricia O’Driscoll suggested that it would be wise to have Lambden confirm that the list is complete (and forward copies of those that are missing), as, according to her files, at least 20 of his communications from her term of office were not listed.
SURVEYS AND COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT: In response to a deputation by Dorene Trunk on the need for surveys before the Committee of Adjustment makes decisions, Council asked staff to prepare wording for the Draft Zoning By-law which would require that a survey prepared by an Ontario Land Surveyor identifying a lot’s boundaries and natural features should accompany development applications whenever no official survey is available.
DEPUTATIONS: Janet Evans gave another is a series of deputations about matters associated with former Clerk/CAO Earl Evans during the term of the previous Council. She presented a binder of information to Councillor Rob Panasiuk.
Melanie Rully, long time resident, spoke about problems arising from the erection of two new homes which, in her view, are out of character with the neighbourhood, block others’ views, and open the way for erosion on others’ lots.
Dave Sparrow, representing the Wymbolwood Beach Association, spoke about excessive speeds on Tiny Beaches Road South from the 6th to the 8th Concession Roads, where children cross. (Vern Owen of the Bluewater Georgina Wendake Beaches Association raised similar concerns at an earlier meeting of Council.)
