Council Reports: November 24, 2008

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

November 24, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9.02 a.m. – 1.07 p.m. and 1.39 p.m. – 3.39 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7.06 p.m. – 7.16 p.m.
All members of Council present

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: None.

OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW UPDATE: MHBD Planning Consultants presented a draft Background Report for the Official Plan Review. (An OP Review is required every 5 years and is an important document regarding land use.) Their next steps are to review the new County of Simcoe OPA that was approved on Nov. 25th and then meet with senior staff and council to consider both the mandatory and discretionary changes. Subsequently, a public meeting will be held to present the plan for discussion.
One immediate problem for the consultants to resolve is that the County Plan’s designation of “Rural” includes shoreline properties. As Tiny has a specific definition for “Shoreline” clarification has been sought. There is also correspondence with the County re waste disposal sites.

HEAVY ITEM PICKUP: Thanks to Deputy Mayor Lawrence and officials of other municipalities, the County of Simcoe has reinstated the annual pickup. The schedule will be published in due course.

STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW: Council completed its discussion of Strategic Plan projects, which began on November21st. Decisions about which projects to undertake will be made during budget meetings.
The wording of the Vision Statement and the Guiding Principles were completed. These must still be approved, but the wording we heard for the Vision was: “The Township of Tiny – an environmentally focused, diverse family of communities providing a healthy lifestyle.”
There are Guiding Principles for each of five areas – Environment, Culture and Heritage, Recreation, Shoreline, and Municipal Administration. The two draft Shoreline Guiding Principles are:

“Improve access to all municipally owned shoreline properties for recreational use and enjoyment while respecting privately owned shoreline properties.

“Preserve and protect the ecology of municipally owned shoreline properties.”

MOBILE RADAR FOR TINY?: A proposal was received from the OPP recommending the purchase of a mobile radar unit for Tiny only. This will be considered during budget discussions. The unit, which is small and pulled behind a cruiser or parked at roadside, measures speeding and traffic volume.

TINY CARES: David Gravelle from the Southern Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment Program presented a report, which noted donations of $10,000 from Tiny Township, plus $21,000 from the annual golf tournament organized by Councilor George Cornell, plus $2,700 raised by the Tiny Cottager Challenge.

PARKING ON THE DECLINE: A Report from Steve Harvey, Tiny’s Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, included the information that sale of non-resident parking permits declined for the second straight year. A maximum of 150 are available. In 2007 only 125 were issued and that number declined to 113 in 2008. The number of parking permits issued to Tiny residents also declined slightly from 2036 in 2007 to 2016 in 2008.

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Council Reports: November 10, 2008

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

November 10, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:02 a.m. 12:36 p.m. and 1:04 p.m. – 4:19 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:18 p.m. – 8:11 p.m.
All Members of Council present

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:04 p.m. – 2:33 p.m.

PHRAGMITES CONTROL: Results of investigation by the Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) have shown that “Roundup” applied by a licensed applicator is the most effective control measure for Phragmites (Common Reed). Cutting, mulching, covering with black plastic and pulling are generally ineffective. Spraying after frost has no effect since the plant becomes dormant. SSEA recommended that landowners preserve existing natural vegetation on their properties as it is more resistant to invasive species and that they learn to recognize invasive species and act quickly to prevent their spread when they appear. “Providing landowners with information on identifying Phragmites, options for controlling it, and general information on shoreline stewardship best management practices can help establish a coordinated approached to preventing the spread of invasive species.”
Council authorized the use of “Roundup” applied by a licensed applicator as a control measure for Phragmites on Township-owned property and directed staff to contact neighbouring municipalities “as a cost saving measure for best practices” and to “investigate whether the Phragmites could be classified as a noxious weed.” (That designation would give the municipality authority to require private landowners to control it.)
SSEA found Phragmites at many points along the shore of Tiny Township, both on municipally owned land and on private property. Their Report mentioned four stretches of publicly owned beach as having established stands Phragmites, namely Wahnekewening (one large patch), Cawaja (five patches), Jackson (seven patches), and Woodland (seven patches).
The full report is available at tiny.ca / Council Agenda / Committee of the Whole Agenda – 2008 / COW 19 November 10, 2008 / Complete CWC Agenda / F Staff Reports to Council / 3 Public Works / b) Public Works Report PWR-029-08 re: SSEA Survey and Control of Phragmites.

ACCESS CONTROLS TO PROTECT BLUEWATER BEACH DUNES: As a result of concerns raised by the members of the Bluewater Dunes Restoration Advisory Committee, Council directed staff to place a post and board fence at the throat of the boardwalks at Trew Avenue and Nicole Boulevard and posts at the Pinnacle Avenue entrance to restrict access by motorized vehicles.

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Council Reports: October 27, 2008

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
October 27, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:03 a.m. 12:38 p.m. and 1:08 p.m. – 4:22 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:05 p.m. – 7:29 p.m.

All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 3:36 p.m. – 4:22 p.m.

SEPTAGE: Deputy Mayor George Lawrence reported on the OASIS (Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services) conference in Orillia. The Province is expected to impose new rules restricting the disposal of septage. This may restrict future development in Tiny unless adequate disposal/treatment capacities are found.

HUNTING: A new Firearms Control By-Law 08-073 that prohibits the discharge of firearms, air-guns, spring-guns, cross-bows, long-bows or any other weapon on Township of Tiny municipal property was passed on October 27, 2008. Inspector Richard Philbin, OPP, has provided a news release clarifying responsible hunting practices. Private property owners who do not wish hunters to enter upon their property must post “No Trespassing “ signs. If landowners encounter someone hunting on their property without permission, the police should be notified immediately by calling the OPP Communication Centre at 1-888-310-1122. Also, the MNR has a tips line, 1-877-847-7667, should any member of the public witness inappropriate hunting behaviour. Further details are available at www.township.tiny.ca/community/residential/huntingintiny.

STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING: Council intends to set its priorities at a final public meeting on Friday, November 14, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., in the Municipal Council Chamber.

ROADS AND PARKS TOUR: Council’s concluding tour of “Roads and Parks” was scheduled for November 6, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

NB: TREE LIGHTING AND TOY DRIVE: This event is to take place on Sunday November 30, 2008 at the Municipal Offices, 130 Balm Beach Rd. W., 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, caroling, a craft corner, a silent auction, a visit with Santa and the tree lighting. Hot chocolate, apple cider and festive cookies will be served. The event is free with the donation of an unwrapped new toy or a non-perishable food item for the annual township Toy/Food drive. A festive caravan of Tiny Township staff and Woodland Beach firefighters will leave Woodland Beach at 5 p.m. and make their way along Tiny Beaches Road S. and then Balm Beach Rd to the Township Offices.
RALLY AT QUEEN’S PARK RE SITE 41: Noon, Friday, November 21, 2008 as the 7-day walk for water reaches Queen’s Park. For those in Tiny who want to support the walkers, buses leave Wyebridge Community Centre at 8:30 a.m. (to reserve a seat call Marlene at 705-526-1636) and Our Lady of Lourds Church, Elmvale at 8:45 a.m. (to reserve a seat call Ann at 705-322-1340) According to Ray Millar, the walk has two purposes: the first is to bring attention to the growing importance of our finite water resources and the second is to raise awareness of the ZERO WASTE initiative.

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Council Reports: October 15, 2008

Posted on October 15, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
October 15, 2008
Committee of the whole meeting: 9:05 a.m. – 1:16 p.m. and 1:47 p.m. – 4:46 p.m.
Public Meeting and Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 – 7:51 p.m.
All Members of Council present.
Deputy Mayor George Lawrence arrived at 11:00 a.m. after attending a meeting at Simcoe County.

CONFIDENTIAL/CLOSED SESSION: 11:58 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

GEORGIAN SANDS/LAFONTAINE WATER STRATEGIC PLAN: It is estimated that in about four years, nitrate levels in the Georgian Sands and Lafontaine wells will rise above allowable provincial standards.

Moreover, there may not be sufficient water for the long term needs of users of a number of water systems between the 16th and 19th Concessions. Asked to recommend options, R.J. Burnside & Associates Ltd. recommended that the Township complete a Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment. This would identify alternatives and evaluate each with respect to its environmental, natural, socio- and economic impacts. The report recommends that these possibilities be investigated:
1. Remove the nitrate through distillation, reverse osmosis and ion exchange, a relatively expensive process that produces leftover nitrates that need to be disposed of.

2. Blend the water with lower nitrate level water to reduce the levels below provincial health limits. Requires sufficient volumes of alternative water.

3. Find and eliminate the source (possibly fertilizers or septic bed discharges) of the nitrates. But this takes time and even more time is required for the solution to become effective.

4. Manage existing water system demand/and or provide additional water supply in the form of additional wells.

5. Link the water systems serving Georgian Sands, Lafontaine, Vanier Woods, Sandcastle, Tiny Cove and Georgian Highlands into a single system. Additional well capacity and/or water storage capacity may be required.
Completion of such a Class Environmental Assessment would take approximately 2 years to complete and the estimated cost is:

Class EA Process $170,000
Hydrogeological Desktop and Test Well Program $80,000
Test Pilot Program for Nitrate Removal $30,000
Total for Schedule C Class EA $280,000

This estimate would cover the cost of identifying potential well sites and drilling test wells to confirm conditions, but the cost of actually developing and testing new wells would be over and above this.

Councillors George Cornell and Nigel Lawrence questioned Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, as to why the Charlebois Court well had been drilled. Nigel Warren also asked if any outside sources of government funding were available for this project. Henk Blom responded that Charlebois was a test well (current cost of $14,000). Well #14 is a high production well and they need a replacement source. He would investigate grant opportunities.
Nigel Warren asked why the well had been drilled before the proposed study has been authorized? He also suggested that septage spreading may be contributing to the nitrate levels.
Council received the report for 2009 budget deliberations.

TOWNSHIP FEE SCHEDULE: Anita Weatherell, Deputy Clerk, presented a Proposed Fee Schedule amending the current Schedule. When Councillor George Cornell asked if the rates were comparable to other municipalities and effective for cost recovery, he was told that this had been considered with the fee adjustments. The revised fee schedule was passed.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING: Chief Administrative Officer, Doug Luker, proposed the retention of Horizon Management Services to provide a comprehensive and customized multi-year Management Training Program at the cost of $25,000 plus GST. Councillor Cornell and Deputy Mayor Lawrence both questioned why this had not been tendered, and pointed out that the Township’s Financial Procedural By-laws, which require that projects of this magnitude must be tendered, are not being followed. Luker’s response was that the tendering process would further delay the training and this vendor was providing good value. After much deliberation, the contract was approved.

GREEN BIN LINER BAGS: George Lawrence reported that the green bin program is successful. He noted, however, that if bags lining the green bin were not biodegradable, the bags wouldn’t be picked up.

NO PARKING ON TINY BEACHES ROAD SOUTH FROM TREW AVENUE TO NICOLE BOULEVARD: Public Works has been authorized to place “No Parking” signs on both sides of the road from Trew Avenue to 20 metres south of Nicole Boulevard.

PHRAGMITES/COMMON REED REPORT DELAYED: The Severn Sound Environmental Association did not submit its promised Report regarding their survey of patches of Common Reed on municipally owned land and their recommendations of what should be done to control the spread of this invasive species. The Report is expected at the November 10th meeting of Council.

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Council Reports: September 29, 2008

Posted on September 29, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

September 29, 2008

Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:05 a.m. – 6:26 p.m.

Public Meeting and Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:43 p.m.

All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL/CLOSED SESSION: 10:34 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 3:48 p.m. – 6:26 p.m.

OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW BEGINS: Kris Menzies and a colleague made a brief presentation to Council about the Official Plan Review that is to be undertaken by their firm, MHBC Planning.  They foresee no fundamental change of direction.  What they are to do is “review” not “rewrite”.  Over the next month or so they will consider all the mandated changes that must be made to bring the OP into conformity with Provincial and County policies. Mayor Breckenridge asked specifically about size for waterfront lots of record, and whether the allowable size for shoreline properties should be brought into conformity with the larger standard in nearby municipalities.

ONTARIO RURAL CONNECTIONS BROADBAND PROGRAM UPDATE: On September 18, 2008, the County of Simcoe submitted an application for funding to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Rural Connections Program. The County of Simcoe would be responsible for securing and administering two thirds of the program funding from vendors and other stakeholders. The other third would be provided by the OMAFRA grant. The expansion area would be along the western shore from Balm Beach, north and then east to and including Thunder Beach. Mayor Peggy Breckenridge protested that the area should be expanded to include the Northwest Basin.

MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT REINSTATED: Individual Members of Council asked about the status of particular projects and reports, and then asked that the monthly progress report be reinstated.

BUDGET MEETINGS SCHEDULED: Meetings for the discussion of the 2009 draft budget have been scheduled for December 2, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and for January 19 and February 16, 2009.

MODEST ACTION REGARDING SEPTAGE: Deputy Mayor George Lawrence expressed an interest in attending the upcoming Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services (OASIS) Rural Waste Water Treatment Expo and Conference on October 23 -25, 2008 in Orillia. This association deals directly with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Municipalities must soon comply with new Provincial guidelines for disposal of septage. Mayor Breckenridge agreed that this would be a useful conference since Tiny does not have a sewage treatment facility and must find alternative methods of dealing with septage. Deputy Mayor Lawrence, Councillor Warren, Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, and Dawn Lacroix, Engineering Technologist will attend the conference.

BEACH WATER QUALITY REPORT — AGAIN:  The first draft of this SSEA Report was commented on in the Council Report for March 31, 2008.
In the months since March, the Severn Sound Environmental Association added three recommendations and fleshed out its original five.  The new recommendations are:
The drain represented by Station BW1 (i.e. the drain at the north end of Deanlea or the south end of the Bluewater Park) should be further investigated for sources of pollution and followed up with corrective action as necessary.
Measures to reduce soil erosion and stream bank erosion through maintenance and establishment of natural vegetation buffers should be pursued for watersheds such as Lafontaine Creek….
The Township should be aware of and comment on any proposals to modify the mouth of the Nottawasaga River in order to protect beaches in the southern coast of the Township from further regional adverse effects of the River discharge.
Council has not yet discussed the eight recommendations.

CONCESSION 19W WELL/CHARLEBOIS COURT: Councillor Warren requested an update on the test well at Charlebois Court. Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, explained that a test “hole” was dug to determine the type of soil and whether or not it would produce water. No water is being pumped, so there is no impact on surrounding wells. The Ministry of the Environment would require the Township to monitor the test well to prove that there is no negative impact on nearby wells.

TOWNSHIP WEBSITE REDESIGN: The Mayor informed Council that the County of Simcoe is asking for Website redesign feedback by October 17th. The Township’s Website is hosted by the County of Simcoe and they have requested a wish list from the municipalities for enhancements and added features for their websites. The Mayor stated that the Township was open to public input.

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Council Reports: September 4, 2008

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

September 8, 2008

Committee of the whole meeting 9.00 a.m. – 12:44 p.m. and 1:17 p.m. – 5:27 p.m.

Regular evening meeting 7:06 p.m. – 7:24 p.m.

All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:55 p.m. – 5:27 p.m.

AUDITORS OKAY TINY’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The external auditors, BDO Dunwoody, presented their assessment of the 2007 financial statements.  In their opinion General Accepted Accounting Practices had been met and the results were satisfactory.  There were four Control Weaknesses identified.  All are minor in nature. Three have been corrected and the fourth was lack of a centralized purchasing system, which would be complex to implement. The CAO stated that this would be considered in conjunction with other pending projects in 2009.

COUNTY COUNCIL UPDATE: Deputy Mayor George Lawrence, who sits on the Corporation Services Committee of the County of Simcoe which deals with garbage, noted that at its next meeting he’d like to support the proposal made by another municipality that heavy pickup be reinstated. Council supported this proposal. Unfortunately, in his estimate, chances of the proposal being adopted are slim.
Mayor Breckenridge noted that the Committee considering governance changes at the County of Simcoe seemed ineffectual.

THE SEVERN SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION’S NEW ROLE IN TINY: The Mayor informed Council that the SSEA will be administering the Water Protection Act not just for the half of our Township which lies within the Severn Sound watershed, but for the whole Township.  Our fees are to rise substantially (though not as much as would have been the case were water matters deal with by the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority).  If the old fee formula were applied to the whole of the Township, our fees would increase from $6,700 to $49,000, but with a proposed new formula they would increase only to $29,000. Let us hope that the proposed new formula wins the support of all of the SSEA member municipalities.

COUNCIL TO VISIT BEACHES AND ROAD ENDS: As a result of two reports prepared by Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, Council will spend a day on October 6th touring municipal beach areas listed below. This will allow them to which consider a number of actions, which Mr. Blom recommended be undertaken at points along the shore.  Among these is a new boardwalk for Woodland Beach Park, a boardwalk at the Concession 9 road allowance from Tiny Beaches Road South to the Beach, and completion of the west leg of the Bluewater Beach Park boardwalk.  Council agreed to the construction of all three, but said that the Woodland Beach boardwalk may not be installed until the Woodland Park Master Plan is approved. Council’s tour is to include:

1 Woodland Beach Lawson Road to Tamarack Trail,

2 Edmore Beach from Monica Road north

3 Concession 4 Road end and Park Block

4 Bluewater Beach and Georgina Beach from Bluewater Park to Cleopatra Resort

5 DunsFord Lane and Concession 7 Road Allowances

6 Concession 8

7 Jackson Park and ancillary beach

8 Concession 9 and Park Block

9 Balm Beach

10 Concession 11 Road End

11 Cawaja Beach frontage

12 Concession 13 Road End and Wahnekewaning Beach

13 Concession 14 Road End

14 Concession 16 and 17 area various small parks

15 TeePee Park

COMMUNICATIONS: Because Council receives numerous communications each month, Doug Luker, CAO/Clerk recommended (and Council agreed) that all be acknowledged, but active support be considered only for those items that directly impact the township.

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Council Reports: August 8th, August 11th and August 29th, 2008

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORTS ON COUNCIL
August 6, 2008
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 11:58 a.m. and 12:34 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
All Members of Council present.

STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION: With the assistance of Richard Gerofsky, a facilitator from Focus Management, the Members of Council drew together a Vision Statement that is to help them prioritize the various objectives arrived at during four days of Strategic Planning Sessions in August-September 2007. The statement is: “Tiny — an environmentally-focused, diverse family of communities providing a healthy and relaxed lifestyle.”
They also established a set of principles to guide future decisions in five areas, namely:

Environment:

1.1 Committed to environmental stewardship (vision, practices and procedures) and protection of our natural environment

1.2 Balance social and economic impact with our environmental practices and policies

Culture and Heritage:

2.1 Protect, nurture and enrich our heritage through respect for our distinct cultures and tradition

Recreation:

3.1 Optimum access to a wide variety of recreational pursuits to meet the needs of all residents

3.2 Work co-operatively with the community, volunteers and neighbouring communities

Shoreline:

4.1 Enhance access for all residents to Township-owned shoreline property while respecting privately owned shoreline property

4.2 Preserve and enhance municipally-owned shoreline property

Municipal Administration:

5.1 Commitment to excellence in municipal management with a focus on accountability, transparency, communication and customer service

Council also made lists of projects under the headings Mandatory, High, Medium and Lower. Among the 19 High priority items, for example, were

Office Functionality New / Addition to Town Hall

*Balm Beach Master Plan Review

Compensation Review

*Wind Turbine Study

*Internet Capabilities

*Visual Identity / Image

Communication Plan (asterisks indicate projects that are already under way)

The three Lower priority items were

Septage Strategy

Review of Legal / Consultants

Municipal Land Use Issues Resolution

For the complete Meeting Output report, see tiny.ca > Community > Resident Information > Strategic Planning Input August 29, Requested from Residents > Strategic Planning Meeting Output Dated August 6, 2008

August 11, 2008

Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:01 a.m. – 11:31 a.m. 
Regular Evening Meeting: 6:31 p.m. – 6:40 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 7:11 p.m.
Four Members of Council present. Councillor George Cornell absent.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 10:03 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

TOWNSHIP WELL – 19TH CONCESSION: Councillor Nigel Warren asked about the expenditure of $6,562.50 on an exploratory well at Charlebois Court in Concession 19. The purpose of the well was to ascertain whether there is sufficient water there to be piped south to supply Georgian Sands and Lafontaine.  This was a budgeted item: the well would be very deep and would not impact wells of local area residents.
(This exploratory well is just one in a series of moves that must be made if water is to be piped south.)
Councillor Warren asked for a total of costs to date on this project.

TINY TRAIL BRIDGES: Bridge replacement on the Tiny Trail is expected to continue over the next three years. (Bridges P16 to P7 at the north end of the trail have already been replaced with creek level footbridges. P3, south of Wyevale, has also been replaced, but at huge expense, with a bridge similar to the original railway bridge.) Bridge P6, just south of P7, is being replaced this year with a bridge similar to the footbridges north of it. Council referred the replacement of P5 to their 2009 budget discussions but it will probably go ahead with another footbridge at an estimated cost of $27,000. The projected bridge would accommodate snowmobiles but not the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs’ heavy groomer. Replacement of the existing steel and concrete bridge with a similar structure would cost approximately $243,000. Asked whether it were willing to supply the extra funds required for the strong bridge, the Association said no and is making arrangements with adjacent landowners to reroute the groomer around the new bridge.
August 29, 2008
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. –12:03 p.m. 
All Members of Council present.

COUNCIL WANTS RESIDENTS’ REACTIONS TO ITS STRATEGIC PLANS: Council called a public meeting on August 29 in the Wyebridge Community Centre. Attended by 200-250 residents of Tiny, this meeting heard Mayor Breckenridge present Council’s vision and its guiding principles and had a chance to read its statement of the vision and the various subtopics on large sheets of paper posted on the walls. After Mayor Breckenridge finished, the crowd was divided into four discussion groups, each equipped with huge flip pad on an easel, and each with a quickly appointed person to record that group’s reactions to the vision and principles. At the end, the four recorders presented the groups’ reactions.

A version of these reactions is now available on the Township website. This attendee noticed many inaccuracies in the recording of points made and felt that many points were expressed in such a partial manner that it is impossible to understand what was meant.

Council would like MORE INPUT FROM RESIDENTS and has provided three documents on the Township website about its Strategic Planning. See tiny.ca > Community > Resident Information > Strategic Planning Input.

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Council Reports: July 28, 2008

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

July 28, 2008

Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:04 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. – 3:31 p.m.

Regular Evening Meeting: 7:01 p.m. – 8:43 p.m.

All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 2:09 p.m. – 3:28 p.m. and 7:03 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.

POLICING ON WEEKENDS: Because of continuing activism regarding the fence at Balm Beach, Council arranged to have hourly police patrols on the last weekend in July and to have additional security during the long August weekend.

We would like to know how much this increased surveillance, which has been necessitated by the bad behaviour of a few individuals, is costing the taxpayers of Tiny Township.

CONSEQUENCE OF MESS AT 8TH CONCESSION ROAD ALLOWANCE: No sooner had the Public Works Department made the 8th Concession Road Allowance parkette pleasanter by importing sand and re-routing the drainage channel, when trucks bringing loads of sand and concrete pads for a walkway by way of the 8th road allowance to properties to the north and south made a rutted mess of the park. There were other problems as well, including the safety of children playing as the trucks passed along the beach. The upshot is that no access permits are to be issued for shore access points until after Labour Day and existing permits are to be reviewed and may be revoked. Staff is to prepare a report about requests for access across Township-owned beach lands. Where need can be demonstrated (for access to a well or a septic system) exceptions may be allowed.

OFFICIAL PLAN CONSULTANTS CHOSEN: Council selected MHBC Planning Consultants to undertake the Official Plan Review at a cost of $56,688.84.

BROADBAND OPPORTUNITY: Doug Taylor, Treasurer, reported that the Province of Ontario has allocated $30 million over 4 years to address rural broadband gaps in Ontario south of Parry Sound. The government will supply up to a third of eligible project costs, up to $1 million (ie a $3 million project). Taylor submitted the required “Intent to Apply” notice on July 17; a comprehensive application must be submitted by September 18th, 2008 and/or February 12th, 2009. The application must be accompanied by a “council resolution stating that the application is a priority for the municipality and that it commits to securing the remaining project funding.” The Treasurer estimated that the project could cost as much as $1-2 million over 2 years.

Council asked staff to contact the County of Simcoe about a possible partnership with regard to broadband.

TAXATION AND TRAILER PARKS: Council asked if any action were required to ensure that the new rules for taxing trailer parks be applied in Tiny’s trailer parks. They were assured that MPAC needs no prompting.

We note that in its Spring Edition 2008, MPAC News reported that “On January 14, 2008, the Court of Appeal, Ontario’s highest court, ruled that trailers in campgrounds are assessable in the name of the landowner.” This means that the value of trailers is now to be included in the campground owners’ “Current Value Assessment.”

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Council Reports: July 14, 2008

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

July 14, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:03 a.m. – 12:41 p.m. and 1:07 p.m. – 5:29 p.m. 
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:27 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 4:13 p.m. – 5:28 p.m.

NO CHANGE TO NOISE BYLAW: The Township’s Noise Bylaw prohibits noise at any time that causes neighbours to complain. Last summer there were complaints from a neighbour of the Surf Restaurant in Balm Beach about its patio music.
At the June 9 meeting of Council, the owner of the Surf Restaurant asked Council to amend the Noise Bylaw and allow commercial businesses to present outdoor music June 1 – Labour Day, until 10 pm, every day except Sundays. He emphasized that the music would be “quality music.”
On July 14, the Business Association of Balm Beach introduced itself to Council, and spoke in support of patio music. And right after its presentation, a long-time resident of Balm Beach, Diane Leblovic, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendment. She had checked with neighbouring municipalities and learned that all of them have Noise Bylaws similar to that of Tiny. She expressed a range of concerns about the requested withdrawal of the protection of the Noise Bylaw. She also pointed out that a decision about the Noise Bylaw was premature and should be considered in the context of the Balm Beach Secondary Plan discussions.
Although staff would have preferred an amendment to the Noise Bylaw specifying what would be permitted in Balm Beach and what not, four members of Council felt that the current Bylaw that forbids excessive noise and that allows the Bylaw Department to exercise discretion ought to be sufficient. They urged the community to be reasonable regarding noise levels. They were reluctant to remove the protection of the Noise Bylaw and supported the status quo. Mayor Breckenridge seemed to favour an amendment permitting quiet patio music. She volunteered to serve as mediator between the Surf Restaurant and its neighbour should the need arise.
The decision was to have By-law Officers monitor the situation and enforce the current by-law.

PROGRESS AT BLUEWATER PARK: Dawn Lacroix of the Public Works Department and Eugene Chambers, Chair of the Bluewater Dunes Recreation Advisory Committee, reported on encouraging developments at Bluewater Park. The five-year restoration plan, now in its third year, is finally having an impact. Most of the planned walkways and wooden snow fences are now in place. The Township’s Public Works Department has constructed walkways with sturdy high handrails that serve as barriers to snowmobiles and ATVs. Also, once local owners of such vehicles read informative flyers distributed by the Committee, which explained that restoration of a sensitive environment was being attempted, they co-operated. As a result, vegetation has reestablished itself throughout the park and, encouraged by the walkways and snow fencing, a front row of sand dunes has begun to re-grow.
Educative signage is not yet in place. It awaits Strategic Plan decisions about “branding” and “signage.” (See the next entry.) Identification and replacement of non-native trees in the back or upper dune area has still to be undertaken. Fundraising by neighbouring beach associations is proceeding apace, and the Committee has been looking into grants that might be acquired.
More details of the plan are available on the Tiny Township website – tiny.ca – under Public Notices.

VISUAL IDENTITY/BRANDING FOR TINY TOWNSHIP: Niels Bjerno of McKinnon Calderwood showed Council examples of “branding” which promote product or business recognition through consistent use of colours, logos, style and the like. His review of the Township’s signage demonstrated that it is inconsistent in approach, dated in appearance and lacking a common theme.
This presentation is connected to one of Council’s Strategic Objectives – namely setting the Township’s style and creating a consistent look for signage, stationery and the like.

OFFICIAL PLAN PROPOSALS: Only two firms responded to the call for proposals from planning consultants to manage the five-year review of the Official Plan and to guide the Balm Beach Secondary Plan. As the costs suggested for the Secondary Plan were prohibitive, Doug Luker, Tiny’s Clerk/CAO, asked Council to read the Balm Beach Master plan and submit comments to him regarding what should be done next.

WOODLAND BEACH PARK EXPANSION REQUIRES CAREFUL CONSIDERATION: The Minutes for this meeting of Council record that the Public Works Manager’s recommendation that Woodland Beach Park be extended “to include the beach area, owned by the Township from Woodland Beach park to Block F, Plan 725 north of Tamarack Trail pending further discussion with the Woodland Beach Property Owners’ Association and a further report to Council.”
The Minutes say nothing about referring the expanded Park back to the consultant for additional work, though that had been an aspect of Council’s discussion. We note that if the Park’s area is enlarged a number of clauses in the Township’s Official Plan come into play, most notably B3.4.5 “Large Township Parks on the Western Shoreline,” which begins:
“If…additional waterfront land is deemed to be owned by the Township … Council shall carefully consider how the use of these lands should be managed to minimize the impact of that use, and the associated parking, on the environment and adjacent residential areas. On this basis, it is a policy of this plan that Council shall consult with affected residents and other stakeholders to determine how these lands should be planned and used.”

BEACH FENCE ISSUE: Council instructed staff to draft a letter to the Attorney General and the Solicitor General of Ontario “requesting both financial and mediation assistance in resolving current beach issues” in Tiny.

NOTE:
MONDAY, AUGUST 25 MEETING OF COUNCIL CANCELLED: This meeting could not be held as several members of Council are attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference that day.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 9 AM – NOON, WYEBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE: Presentation of Council’s Strategic Plans and Objectives followed by break out group reactions and input.

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Council Reports: July 2, 2008

Posted on July 2, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

July 2, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:03 am – 12:55 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:47 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:08 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 9:13 a.m. – 11:16 a.m. and 11:54 – 12:55 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. – 2:18 p.m.

BOUNDARY ACT APPLICATION(S): Jeff Cowan of Weir Foulds and Chester Stanton explained to Council that a waterfront owner may cease to have waterfront footage when water levels in the Bay change (especially where a waterfront private property boundary runs at an angle toward a road allowance). However, the owner continues to have a right to waterfront footage. The problem may be rectified by turning the lot lines and the road lines, with the help of an expert surveyor, so that the road allowance and the lot end up having the same share of waterfront as earlier. There are a number of possible angles that might be chosen when the lot lines are turned and these have to be agreed upon by the affected owners. The solution is then confirmed by an application under the Boundary Act.
Council rejected the particular proposal at hand. It is possible that other options will be explored.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS BY PAM DORION AND ELISE BOX: Pam Dorion felt that a boundary act application in her area would reduce the amount of public beach, though she produced no evidence showing that this would be so. Elise Box, representing a group called “Beaches without Borders”, also seemed to feel that the extent of publicly owned beach would be reduced by a boundary application, but again, did not produce any evidence.

SIMCOE COUNTY ASSUMES OWNERSHIP OF ROADS THAT SERVE SITE 41: To the evident relief of Council, the County has agreed to take over ownership, upgrades and mainntenance of the “main haul route” serving Site 41.  The cost the County is assuming is roughly $1.8 million. Council emphasized that this move was taken only after much soul searching, and the motion emphasizes that “the Township continues to be opposed to the concept, location and construction of the proposed landfill Site”, but that they felt that the County should carry the heavy cost of road maintenance associated with the landfill site.  It was noted that roads are outside the mandate of the Community Monitoring Committee.

CONSULTANT TO BE HIRED TO HELP COUNCIL ARRIVE AT AN OVERARCHING MISSION STATEMENT / VISION FOR THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN PROJECTS: The same consultants who shepherded the members of Council through its strategic planning sessions are to return and help Council arrive at an overarching “vision” and are also to assist with a number of public meetings. The cost is to be no more than $15,000. The vote to hire the consultants was 3-2 (with Deputy Mayor Lawrence and Councillor Warren in opposition on the ground that staff could offer the necessary guidance).

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