Council Reports: June 9, 2008

Posted on June 9, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
June 9, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:01 am – 12:35 and 1:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:29 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:18 p.m. – 3:09 p.m.

ASPHALTING OF THE TINY TRAILS: According to a report from the Works Department, the rise in the price of oil has increased the cost of asphalt. The plan had been to asphalt the north end of the Tiny Trail, from the gate at the border of Penetanguishese (Bridge P16) to the gate west of Bridge P7 at a cost of $30,000. Council was faced with a difficult choice – asphalt only part of the distance or find an additional $24,570. They chose the latter alternative, re-allocating funds originally budgeted for limestone screening of the Trail.

GARBAGE ISSUES: The County of Simcoe has decided to cancel the collection of bulky items which has traditionally occurred in May or June. Both Mayor Breckenridge and Deputy Mayor Lawrence argued vigorously at County that the bulky item pickup is important to many of Tiny’s residents, but failed to gain sufficient support to quash the move. The County intends to move to a voucher system (which will force residents to take their bulky items to the North Simcoe Transfer Station on Golflinks Road themselves, a serious inconvenience and expense for those who own neither a large vehicle nor a trailer. Worse this change comes at a time when many people are shifting to smaller vehicles because of rising fuel costs.)

The Green Bin organics program begins toward the end of September. At that time the County of Simcoe reduces the Township of Tiny to 1 bag of garbage per household. The logistics of getting green bins to seasonal residents is still being worked on.

AN AMENDMENT TO THE TOWNSHIP’S NOISE BYLAW?: The owner of the Surf Restaurant made an oral submission to Council asking that the Noise Bylaw be amended to allow commercial businesses to present outdoor music June 1 – Labour Day, until 10 pm, every day except Sundays.

If passed, this proposal could affect a number of centres along the shore.

The matter will be discussed on July 14.

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Council Reports: May 26, 2008

Posted on May 26, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
May 26, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:02 am – 12:38 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. – 3:56 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:16 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:10 p.m. – 3:53 p.m.

HISTORICAL DESIGNATION FOR CONCESSION 2 RAILWAY BRIDGE? At the previous meeting of Council, Lyn Downer, Chair of the Historical and Heritage Committee of Council, urged Council to give the railway bridge over the 2nd Concession Road just east of County Road 6, formal Heritage Designation. He noted that Council has the power to create such a designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. He emphasized the historic significance in the Township of the railway of which this particular bridge was a component. He pointed to similar designations in other municipalities.

Discussing the recommendation during Committee of the Whole, Council appeared to be divided over the issue of designation, Deputy Mayor Lawrence and Councillors Claire and Warren supporting the idea, while Mayor Breckenridge and Councillor Cornell had reservations. In discussion, Councillor Cornell said that he agreed in principal, but that he wanted the proposal costed out before making a decision. Mayor Breckenridge felt that maintaining Tiny Trails railway bridges had been shown to be very expensive.

In the evening, after an in camera session, Council voted 5-0 to ask staff to “prepare a report outlining the process and implications of the heritage designation; costs involved in the rehabilitation of the bridge and the current condition of the bridge, as well as information regarding the Tiny Trail bridge(s) history and background….”

Members of the Historical and Heritage Committee were not pleased that a key discussion had been held in camera.

We note that the bridge spans one of the roads that will probably serve Site 41 and we suspect that the in camera discussion had something to do with that. Like the Mayor, we recall that huge sums were required to renovate railway bridges but we do not remember that costs associated with this particular bridge were explored. It seems prudent that costs be ascertained before a decision is made about designation.

DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS: A by-law is to be prepared to prohibit the discharge of a firearm on Township-owned land. In addition an education package is to be prepared by the local OPP, the Midhurst Ministry of Natural Resources, and hunting associations”to ensure compliance with all applicable bylaws, regulations and laws” and reported on by September/October. The Township is to encourage joint patrols by the OPP and MNR.

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Council Reports: May 12, 2008

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
May 12, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:01 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. and 1:03 p.m. – 3:58 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 8:47 p.m.
All Members of Council present during Committee of the Whole. Mayor Breckenridge absent during the Regular Evening Meeting.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 12:15 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. – 3:57 p.m.

OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW – SEPTAGE PROCESSING PLANT? The first move regarding the long overdue review of the Township’s Official Plan – Council approval of the draft “Request for Proposals” advertising for a planning consultant – has finally been taken. (Reviews are supposed to occur every five years and the current Official Plan was approved by the Ontario Municipal Board on August 27, 2001.) Oddly, the Balm Beach Secondary Plan is being linked with the Official Plan Review, while the Lafontaine Park Master Plan is not.
Reading the “Request for Proposals”, we were surprised to see Item 11 among the list of Proposal Parameters: “A review of the creation of a new septage processing plant in the Township of Tiny to eliminate the need of spreading subsurface sewage waste in the rural and agricultural area as well as sending it to be treated in other municipal plants.” We recall that among the Strategic Priorities that Council announced last November 26th was “Conduct research and develop strategy regarding septage treatment capability by October 2008.” We are unaware of any staff report or Council discussion of alternatives and unaware that a choice had been made among the alternatives.
The Township’s Official Plan must conform to policies in Simcoe County’s Official Plan, which is being brought up to date this year.

SEPTIC RE-INSPECTION UPDATE: This summer re-inspections are to occur in the northwest quadrant of the municipality, west from Cedar Point Road, north from Concession 16 to Concession 21, plus properties east of Cedar Point Road to Methodist Point Road in Concessions 16 and 17. The fee per re-inspection has been set at $71.95.
C.C. Tatham & Associates estimates that the first pass of the re-inspection program will be completed by the end of the summer of 2009.

STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION IN CAMERA: Originally scheduled for May 28 (and subsequently moved to June 3), this Special Committee of the Whole meeting was held in camera on the recommendation of Clerk/CAO Doug Luker. He observed that the Municipal Act gives eight reasons for a Council to meet in camera and that this particular session qualified. Nigel Warren and George Lawrence both questioned whether this meeting should be in camera.

HUNTING IN URBAN AREAS OF THE TOWNSHIP: Representatives of the OPP and of the Ministry of Natural Resources answered Council’s questions regarding hunting and killing of coyotes, which had strayed onto private land in Tiny Township. Inspector Philbin emphasized that that the offenders were a small group, known to the police, and that by the next hunting season the OPP and the MNR expected to have an effective plan in place and to have become educated as to the relevant legislation. Both authorities assured Council that sufficient regulations are already in place and that a Township By-law forbidding hunting in urban areas was unnecessary.
George Lawrence expressed his and others’ frustration at the slow response time from Animal Control and the seeming lack of effective action by any authority.

TINY TRAILS BRIDGE OF HISTORIC MERIT? In the evening, Lyn Downer gave an oral presentation on behalf of the Historical and Heritage Committee requesting that the bridge that passes over Concession 2 just east of County Road 6 be given Heritage Designation. The presentation argued that it is “the only railway bridge in the Township that spans a concession road” and that it was “a vital part of the North Simcoe Railway” which was “instrumental in the development of the Township.”

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Council Reports: April 28, 2008

Posted on April 22, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
April 28, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:31 p.m. and 1:01 p.m. – 3:41 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:09 p.m. – 8:09 p.m.
Four Members of Council present for much of the day. Mayor Breckenridge left at 2 p.m. of Committee of the Whole. Councillor André Claire absent all day.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 12:23 p.m. – 12:31 p.m.

CRITICISM OF COUNCIL PAY INCREASES: Bob Buchkowsky, a former Councillor, met with the Clerk to discuss his concerns about Council pay increases. He had thought that the last Council’s motion that Council pay increases should be addressed toward the end of a term and put into effect after the election for the incoming Council was binding on this Council. But the Clerk assured him that Council is not bound by a motion of a previous Council.
He was invited to discuss his second major criticism – the size of the pay increases, expressed in his proposed deputation as percentage increases. Council pointed out the inaccuracy of his numbers.
We note that Mr. Buchkowsky was asked by the last Council to comment on a consultant’s recommendations regarding payment of members of Council. The consultant did not include seasonal residents when considering Tiny Township’s population and the workload of members of Council. At that time, in 2006, Mr. Buchkowsky noted:
“- The population numbers in Exhibit 2 represent permanent residents for the municipalities. If the numbers also included seasonal residents then the Township of Tiny would be in the upper end of the comparator group rather than close to the median.
“- There is a significant variance in the high and low salaries for Mayor ($31.5K & S17.5K) and Councillors ($16.3K & $7.7K) across the 12 municipalities.
“The Report provides a good statistical comparison but very little identification of reasons for the differences in salaries or the variations between Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councillor levels.”

RESPONSE TO FOTTSA’S DEPUTATION ABOUT COMMON REED (PHRAGMITES): Council approved “funding of up to $3,000 to retain a field consultant to report back on the current level of spread of the Common Reed within the Township and on public lands, and further;
“That staff work/liaise with other levels of government and agencies to research mitigation and education programming, and;
“That staff report back on the resources required to implement a Township-wide Common Reed Education and Mitigation program.”
For FoTTSA’s Deputation, click HERE.

DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS IN POPULOUS PARTS OF THE TOWNSHIP: There have been concerns about hunters’ use of packs of dogs to pursue coyotes across privately owned land. Council heard deputations from the Ontario Sporting Dog Association and from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. It had in hand a report from the By-law Department. The problem, as always, is that while most follow the rules and respect private property, some do not.
Many kinds of research must be done before a decision is taken about how to proceed. The Clerk will be preparing a report for Council to consider.

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Council Reports: March 31 and April 14, 2008

Posted on April 14, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
March 31, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:01 a.m. – 12:53 p.m. and 1:16 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:06 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 3:43 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

SSEA FINAL REPORT RE INVESTIGATIONS INTO BEACH WATER QUALITY: In the summer season each year from 2003 and 2007, the Severn Sound Environmental Association attempted to ascertain sources of pollution along the shores of Tiny Township. At first the focus was Balm Beach, Jackson Park, and Woodland Park and streams associated with these public beaches. Later some work was done on effluent from the Nottawasaga River, which emerges in Wasaga, south of Tiny and has a negative effect on water quality in Concessions 1-3. More recently the SSEA did work on the Lafontaine Creek, which emerges south of Concession Road 13.
For the streams, the SSEA collected data concerning such things as flow, temperature, E. coli (usually not a problem itself, but an indication that dangerous bacteria may be present), nitrates, nitrites, suspended solids, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH.
Not surprisingly, it looks as if the E. coli (and associated bacteria) in streams affects beaches near their mouths. Because the Nottawasaga River and the Lafontaine Creek are large, they have a strong impact on beaches near their mouths, but smaller creeks may also have a negative effect. Sampling showed that the streams and creeks pick up E. coli on the way through built up areas. It is encouraging to read in the Report that “It would appear that a significant source or sources of E. coli contamination to Balm Beach Creek have been eliminated through the Township’s re-inspection program.” (The Balm area was the first to be re-inspected and all septics found to be faulty have been repaired, replaced or upgraded.)
The Report recommends five actions –
Continue to inspect and abate faulty or substandard private sewage systems.
Consider treatment of storm water runoff to provide retention and reduction of solids and bacteria prior to discharge near beaches
Consider moving the stream outlets discharging directly onto the Balm and Jackson Beaches (and other beaches). Where feasible these outlets should be directed off the points where dispersion and mixing of their discharge would be accomplished more effectively.
Consider removal or modification of selected groynes in order to improve water circulation in stagnant beach areas, especially in the case of more northern beaches.
Prepare shoreline landowner guides that include care of sewage systems, the value of dune systems to beach quality and the value of naturalization rather than the development of turf grass next to beaches. Measures to protect public beach areas from the modification by adjacent landowners should be considered by the Township.
There was not enough explanation as to why most of the different kinds of stream monitoring were undertaken, and there was no recommendation that monitoring continue at intervals to keep an eye out for trends and sudden changes that might require action. Also, it would be useful if all the raw data (all the sample results, the flow results, the rain gauge measurements etc.) were compiled for future reference.
Members of Council asked many probing questions and asked Staff to report on actions that might be taken.

DEPUTATION ABOUT INVASIVE COMMON REED (PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS): Judith Grant, on behalf of the Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations (FoTTSA), asked to give an oral presentation about actions needed regarding the invasive form of Phragmites australis (Common Reed), which has become established at points along the shore of Tiny Township. Council directed staff to prepare a report by the end of April. For the deputation, click HERE.

SECOND ANNUAL MAYOR’S GOLF TOURNAMENT: This is to take place at 1 p.m. on August 16 at the Balm Beach Golf Club. A maximum of 72 golfers may take part. The funds raised are to go to the Huronia Hospitals Foundation for needed equipment.

VISUAL IMPACT STUDY (WIND TURBINES) AUTHORIZED: Council decided to have the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design & Rural Development conduct a “Wind Energy Facilities Assessment” for the Township of Tiny. The study is to consider the visual impact of wind turbines. The cost of the study — $40,430 – is to be borne by the Coalition of Residents of Tiny (CORT). Township staff is to act as Project Manager.

TOWNSHIP PROPERTY RECORDS UPDATE: Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, reported that identification of Township-owned roads, beaches, laneways, lands, and blocks is continuing, and is complete for
66% of 22 roads, 3 beaches & 12 laneways in Concession 8
66% of 19 roads, 2 beaches and 6 lands in Concession 9
90% of 31 roads, 3 blocks in Concession 10, and
66% in Concession 11.

——–

REPORT ON COUNCIL
April 14, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:02 a.m. – 10:47 a.m.
Four Members of Council present.
Mayor Breckenridge away on vacation. Deputy Mayor George Lawrence chaired the meeting.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: None.

PLANS OF SURVEY REGISTERED BY TOWNSHIP FOR PARTS OF PLANS 735 AND 776: If we understand the maps aright, in Plan 735 this concerns the beach in front of the properties along Trew Avenue plus one lane, and in plan 776 this includes the Township-owned beach from Marina Road west to Jackson Park and north to Lundy Lane.

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Council Reports: March 10, 2008

Posted on March 10, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
March 10, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:03 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:03 p.m. – 4:41 p.m. 
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:06 p.m. – 7:44 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:36 p.m. – 4:36 p.m.

NEW WAYS TO DISPOSE OF SEPTAGE: One of Council’s strategic planning objectives is to arrive at a plan for the disposal of septage. The entire Township uses private septic systems, which must be pumped out at regular intervals. The resultant “septage” is spread on farmers’ fields licensed by the MOE. But the Province’s 2003 Nutrient Management Act said that such spreading was to end in 2007. And the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement makes it clear that lot creation depends on sewage treatment capacity.

When Don McNalty of R.J. Burnside Associates explained the Province’s views on septage to Council back in 2004, the only alternative envisioned, once spreading of septage became illegal, was treatment at a sewage plant. In the years since 2004, nothing was done by the municipality with regard to the disposal of septage, and the 2007 deadline passed without any action by the province.

However, according to McNalty, recently, the MOE has shown some willingness to work with stakeholders to develop new standards and technologies. Thirteen municipalities got COMRIF funds to undertake experimental disposal techniques. New, safer types of land application are being explored, involving such methods as alkaline stabilization, composting, geo tubes, dewatering trenches, reed and sand bed filers, and the use of hydrogen peroxide.

In one respect Tiny Township has been ahead of regulatory requirements – the septic re-inspection program. The Source Water Protection Act recommends septic re-inspections, and the Building Code act will soon require re-inspection.
Staff is to report on next steps.

2008 BUDGET APPROVED: Overall, Tiny’s residential tax rate is up 2.45% compared to 2007 (the Township’s third is up 2.50%; the County’s third is up 4.75%; and the education third remains unchanged). According to two charts included with the budget presentation, the Township’s share of municipal taxes per $100,000 of Current Value Residential Assessment was among the lowest in Simcoe County in 2007 and was less than a third of that imposed in Penetanguishene and Midland.

Staff began to prepare a draft budget last August. Once it was ready, as has been the custom for a number of years, Council discussed it in special meetings that were open to the public, on November 22, 2007, January 21, 2008, and February 4, 2008. Because work began earlier than usual on this year’s budget, it was possible to approve it a month earlier than usual.
Water fees for those on Township water systems remain unchanged at $200 capital and $556 operating. A strategic water supply plan to eliminate anticipated future nitrate level issues at Lafontaine and Georgian Sands is to be prepared. A new requirement – for lead testing – has increased annual costs by $75,000 and the province’s insistence that a large reserve fund be built up to replace outworn water systems in the future means that the fees are unlikely to fall any time soon.

The budget includes monies set aside for Council’s various strategic planning initiatives – much of it, at this stage, for planning studies. Among other things there is to be a Township Offices functionality/needs assessment, continuation of the identification of Township-owned land, a study about future management of septage and hauled waste, and an update of the Township’s Official Plan.

Reserves and Reserve Funds are to increase by 8.4% to $4, 824,166.
Of particular interest to shore area residents are a Secondary Master Plan for Balm Beach, a Master Plan for Lafontaine Beach Park, and implementation of the Woodland Beach Master Plan. Money has been set aside for washroom upgrades and repair at Jackson Park and Stott’s Park and for wind barrier fencing, boardwalks, and educational signage at Bluewater Beach Park. There is money for a Beach Management Plan (required, apparently, before the DFO will approve changes at beach parks).

For the complete budget presentation, go to tiny.ca — Administration>Departments & Services>Treasury>2008 Budget Information

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Council Reports: February 11, 2008

Posted on February 11, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
February 11, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:04 a.m. 11:42 and 12:56 p.m. – 3:18 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:06 p.m. – 7:55 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 1:38 p.m. – 3:17 p.m.

OFFICIAL TREE FOR TINY TOWNSHIP: Representing the Township’s Historical and Heritage Committee, Gordon Robbins recommended that the Sugar Maple, which is featured on our national and provincial flags, be designated as the Township’s official tree.  Apparently First Nations peoples who lived in Huronia when Samuel Champlain arrived early in the 17th Century were already making maple syrup, a practice that became more efficient in the mid 1600s when they were able to trade furs for nails and axes and metal pots.  Once logging and lumbering began more than a century later, the sugar maple was used by the wealthy in the area and farther afield for floors because of its tight grain and strength.  By the 1800s, maple syrup had become a staple of the area and was sold throughout central Ontario.  Township soils allow the tree to flourish; it provides shade in parks and is hardy.

Receptive to the idea of a Township tree, Council asked staff to report about rules and procedures.

SEPTIC RE-INSPECTION UPDATE: C. C. Tatham & Associates reported that last summer’s 1205 inspections covered the entire northeast corner of the Township (everything east of Methodist Point Road and north of Concession 16 east, including Farlain Lake).  Their estimate is that the first pass of the re-inspection programme (only the north west quadrant is still to be done) will be completed by the end of the summer of 2009.

Only the 2002 inspections now have no outstanding problems.  A total of 34 properties from 2003, 2004 and 2005 have orders not to occupy until remedial work has been completed.  Both C. C. Tatham and the By-law Department check from time to time to make sure those properties are not in use.  Follow up work is also being done on unresolved issues from 2006 and 2007.

Once the entire Township has been re-inspected, it’ll be time to start back at the beginning, since many properties will, by then, not have been re-inspected for more than 10 years.

DECISION RE GIANT’S TOMB ISLAND ROAD: At the January 28 meeting of Council, Delva Lacroix made a presentation to Council on behalf of four cottagers on Giant’s Tomb Island, asking that they be allowed to purchase the part of the township-owned road allowance behind their individual waterfront lots.  The road is about 1.5 kilometres in length and the proposed purchases would be spotted at intervals along it.  Council decided to leave the unopened road allowance as public land and to ascertain whether the Ministry of Natural Resources wants to add the road to the abutting Provincial Park lands.

GOVERNANCE REPORT RE COUNTY COUNCIL: Mayor Peggy Breckenridge noted that Simcoe County’s CAO/Clerk has prepared a report recommending substantial changes to the County’s political governance structure, without seeking advice from a consultant in the field or from the general public. The report is to be discussed at County on March 20 at 9 am.

COUNTY TO RECYCLE ELECTRONICS: On April 1, residents may take used electronic equipment to the North Simcoe Transfer Station for recycling any time during regular opening hours, Monday to Saturday.  The usual modest weight charge will apply (the County will be running the program at a loss, but the GEEP recycling facility in Barrie will harvest the precious metals and recycle all parts of computers, printers, monitors, TVs, fax machines, modems, pagers, telephones, cameras, radios, speakers, and video equipment).

ONE BAG LIMIT COMING THIS FALL: Mayor Breckenridge drew attention to information in a letter from the Corporate Services Department of the County of Simcoe.  When green bin organic collection begins this fall, the bag limit in Tiny Township (and elsewhere in the County) will be reduced from two to one. The following items are to go into the green bin:

fruit/vegetable peelings & table scraps

bones, fat, meat, chicken & fish

bread, rice & pasta

coffee grounds, filters & tea bags

vacuum bags, soiled paper towels & dryer lint

houseplants, hair & fur.

NOTE: Disposable diapers are NOT included.  On the other hand, vacuum bags, dryer lint, hair & fur (all items that cannot be put into green bins in Toronto) are included in the Simcoe green bin programme.

COUNCIL SALARY INCREASES APPROVED: A report prepared by Doug Luker, CAO/Clerk, made a number of recommendations to bring Council compensation into line with that in municipalities similar to Tiny.  The key recommendation was the first one:

That compensation for the Mayor’s position be adjusted to the median of the comparator group (adjusted for 2007-08 CPI) totaling $29,733, the compensation for Council members be set at 65% of the Mayor’s base compensation at $19,326 and that the Deputy Mayor’s base compensation be set at 75% of the Mayor’s position at $22,300.

While preparing the report, the Clerk/CAO learned that the Mayor’s salary was the lowest among the comparators and substantially below the median.  He noted that in establishing the appropriate compensation for the Deputy Mayor and Councillors, he took into account the fact that Tiny has fewer Council positions than the comparators so that each of them carries a heavier work load.

He recommended that Council remuneration be reviewed in the last year of each Council’s term for implementation following the election of a new Council.

Members of Council were sharply divided about the report’s recommendations. Mayor Breckenridge and Councillors Claire and Cornell agreed with them, while Deputy Mayor George Lawrence and Councillor Nigel Warren expressed discomfort with the size of the increases and with the notion of voting themselves increases.  The recommendations were carried 3-2.

(For the complete report, see Clerk’s Report CR-005-08 in the Regular Meeting of Council Agenda for February 11, 2008 under Reports of Staff/Committees/Consultants/Third Parties.)

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Council Reports: January 28, 2008

Posted on January 28, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
January 28, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:05 a.m. – 12:27 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:29 p.m. 
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:13 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 11:23 a.m. – 11:59 a.m.

PERMIT TO TAKE WATER / SITE 41: Council had asked John Easton of Golder & Associates and Keith Sherman of the Severn Sound Environmental Association for advice now that the County of Simcoe has applied to the Ministry of the Environment for permission to draw off water from the aquifer underlying Site 41 during construction of the first garbage cell.
Easton explained that the withdrawal of water was necessary. Once the overburden of ground is removed down to the clay layer to make room for the liner and the garbage, the pressure of the water in the aquifer below will cause the clay layer to bulge upward unless the pressure is reduced by drawing off a great deal of water. (It sounds as if some dewatering of the aquifer will be necessary until the weight of the garbage equals that of the ground that is to be removed.)
Keith Sherman spoke about the impact of all that water on Macdonald Creek, a tributary of the Wye, which passes Site 41. He recommended that the water be piped to the creek, rather than into a ditch and thence to the creek, as the latter method would cause turbidity. He also recommended that the County be asked to spill the water into the creek to allow it to absorb air. Without these two measures, the dewatering exercise would have a negative impact on fish in the creek.
Members of Council expressed concerns about what would happen if things do not go as expected.
Staff is to prepare a letter to the Ministry of the Environment, raising Sherman’s and Council’s concerns.

WOODLAND BEACH MASTER PLAN: Mike Sullivan of LGL Ltd. and John Bell of John D. Bell Associates presented a slightly revised version of the draft Woodland Beach Master Plan. For details see last fall’s Tiny Cottager. Staff is to prepare a report estimating costs and implementation timelines.

CLOSED MEETING INVESTIGATOR: A recent amendment to the Municipal Act says that a person may ask for an investigation of whether it was appropriate that a particular meeting (or part of a meeting) was closed to the public. On the advice of a report prepared by Doug Luker, CAO/Clerk, Council decided to have JGM Consulting serve as “Closed Meeting Investigator”. JGM will be providing this service for municipalities across Simcoe County.

FISH HABITAT AND BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN PROPOSED: Keith Sherman of the Severn Sound Environmental Association presented to Council an oral proposal regarding fish habitat and beach management. If we understood him correctly, he wants to assemble and correct data possessed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the County of Simcoe showing elevation points along the whole of Tiny Township’s shore (including Farlain Lake). He then wants to create a digital elevation model of the 178 m level above sea level, the 177 m. level, and the level at 1 metre and at 2 metres depth in the Bay. He explained that more detailed plans of particular beaches showing the near shore substrate, the nature of a beach, the location of dunes and of stream discharges would be required if effective approaches were to be made to the Department of Fisheries for changes at public beaches. These detailed plans might be prepared in subsequent years. His proposed budget for the initial mapping was $25,000.

HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENT (ZONING BY-LAW 06-001): Now that it has been working with the Township’s new comprehensive Zoning By-law for two years, the Planning Department presented a report recommending that a number of “housekeeping” changes be made to make the By-law “more complete and user-friendly.” These changes concern
• the definition of a “Bunkie”
• the definition of “Established Grade”
• the definition of “height”
• reduction in the setback of buildings and structures from laneways
• development on vacant lots with an area of less than 10,000 square feet
• and amendments to 10 zoning maps
There is to be a public meeting about these proposed changes at a time convenient to seasonal residents.

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Council Reports: January 14, 2008

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
January 14, 2008
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:03 a.m. – 4:16 p.m.
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:04 p.m. – 7:17 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 10:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.

STAFF CHANGE: Steven Harvey has been appointed as the Township’s new Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer effective February 1, 2008.

A CONSERVATION AUTHORITY FOR TINY? According to Peggy Breckenridge, reporting on a meeting of the Severn Sound Environmental Association, the Province’s new Clean Water Act requires that all of Tiny be under the guidance of a local conservation authority. Currently, only the eastern side of Tiny Township is included in the Severn Sound Environmental Association. If the western half of the township were to be included in the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, the cost would be very heavy. She felt that it would be better to have the SSEA extend its coverage to include all of Tiny. Fees would probably double, but they would still be much less than the cost of being part of the NVCA.

SPREADING OF SEPTAGE ON FARM FIELDS: As a result of concerns raised by Ron Brewster who owns a farm on the 6th Concession regarding the heavy spreading of septage on nearby lands, staff was instructed to prepare a report. Apparently the Ministry of the Environment, which issues permits for such spreading, fails to monitor and control such spreading.

ASSISTANCE FOR UPGRADES TO RESIDENTIAL WELLS AND SEPTICS NEAR MUNICIPAL WELLHEADS: The Province has allocated $7 million for the next four years for protection of municipal drinking water sources. The SSEA is responsible for administering this program in our area. Keith Sherman announced that this money is to be used for
1) private well de-commissioning and/or upgrading;
2) septic system inspections and upgrades;
3) runoff and erosion protection;
4) pollution prevention review for commercial /industrial.
1) and 2) apply to all residential lots within 100 m of a municipal wellhead. Application forms will be on the SSEA website (www.severnsound.ca) soon and all work must be done by October 1, 2008. 50% funding applies, up to $6,000 for wells and $10,000 for septics. Municipalities may top up this 50%, which Sherman recommends.

BUILDING ACTIVITY SLOWED IN 2007: Although, the overall construction value for 2007, at $35,269,000, seemed to compare favourably with the overall value for 2006 at $35,059,000, the fact that $7 million of the 2007 value arose from one public building, the retirement complex Le Villageois in Lafontaine, means that regular building activity slowed considerably.

 

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Council Reports: December 10, 2007

Posted on December 10, 2007 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
December 10, 2007
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:05 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:00 p.m. – 7:26 p.m.
All Members of Council present.

CONFIDENTIAL / CLOSED SESSION: 3:12 p.m. – 5:28 p.m.

CORRIE HAMELIN MEMORIAL COMMUNITY AWARD: This was awarded to Sheila Webb of Wyevale.

COST OF LIBRARY SERVICES RISES: Tiny Township households have the right to use one of the local libraries – Midland, Penetanguishene or Elmvale – at the expense of the township. The cost per user household rose again this year, up $10 to $110 (Midland), up $10 to $100 (Penetanguishene), and up $5 to $75 (Springwater).

COUNTY OF SIMCOE BUDGET INCREASE: Mayor Peggy Breckenridge reported that County Council had approved the County’s 2008 budget at an overall increase of 4.75%.

TOWNSHIP TO DO LEAF COLLECTION IN FALL 2008: Because the County charged the Township $24,024 for leaf and yard waste collection this fall, Council asked Henk Blom, the Manager of Public Works, to find out what it would cost for the Township to do its own brush, leaf and yard waste pickup. He estimated the cost for collection over a three-week period from the last week of October to mid-November, including a disposal fee at the North Simcoe Transfer Station, labour and equipment, to be $13,215.
Council authorized this “in house” collection.

ROAD SIGN CHANGES – FARLAIN LAKE ROAD E & W & ALSO CHAMPLAIN ROAD/CONC. 17: On the recommendation of the Policing Committee and the OPP, Council passed a By-law establishing the speed limit at 50 kph for Farlain Lake Road East and West, from Allport Road to Andrew Drive. Signs are to be posted. On the recommendation of a Public Works Report, Council authorized the placement of a “Yield” sign for the northbound lane of Champlain Road at Concession 17 East to ensure a safe left turn.

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