Report on Council: April 11, 2016

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

 Apr. 11, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. –  2:45 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 3:45 p.m. – 4:25  p.m.
All Members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart.

COMMUNITY BBQ:

This is to take place on July 23.

NEW IT/GIS TECHNICIAN. Robert Scozzaro took up this position in early April.

WYEVALE PARK MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION:

Wyevale Park’s Master Plan is moving forward by stages. Proceeds from the sale of lot 29, Plan 51M-361 ($75,000) are to be used for its implementation. In addition, Council approved $295,000 for the first stage of the Master Plan – construction of the soccer fields – in the budget. Options for this work have been presented by R.J. Burnside & Associates. The design of the selected mid-level option (Surface Drainage and Irrigation) is to be completed in detail and tendered.  The total estimated cost is $518,670. The anticipated shortfall of $150,000 is to be taken from the Wyevale Park Master Plan Implementation Capital Allocations in the 2016 Budget.

FOURTH TOWNSHIP HERITAGE DESIGNATION: Sainte-Croix Church in Lafontaine is the fourth property in Tiny to be officially designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

COUNTY OF SIMCOE OFFICIAL PLAN OMB HEARING: After an in camera discussion, Council directed Shawn Persaud (Manager of Planning & Development) and Kris Menzies of MHBC Planning “to proceed to a settlement of Schedule 5.1 of the County of Simcoe Official Plan as outlined in the MHBC Confidential Report dated April 4, 2016.”

 

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Report on Council: March 30, 2016

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Webmaster

 REPORT ON COUNCIL
Mar. 30, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. –  3:09 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6 p.m. – 7:18 p.m.
All Members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma (absent after 1:45 p.m., but back for the Regular Meeting), and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart.

PILOT PARKING STRATEGY: According to a report prepared by Steven Harvey, Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, and Dawn McConnell, Engineering Technologist, staff was to be guided by the following principles when developing a pilot parking program for implementation this summer from Concessions 8 to 12 and west, roughly, from the Nipissing Ridge (see the map attached to the report under Staff Reports/Administration and Finance):

  • Major beach parks should be made accessible to all residents and visitors on a permit or pay parking basis.
  • Parking at major beach parks should be managed and controlled to minimize negative impacts on surrounding residential areas.
  • Other smaller public beach areas must be made accessible to all residents of the Township and to a limited number of residents (150 permits available) from surrounding municipalities on a permit parking basis only.
  • All “open parking” which provides access to shoreline areas should be eliminated and replaced with permit parking.
  • Parking Permits are to be limited to 2 per municipal property.

Each road used as an entry and exit point to the area would have signs posted to indicate that open parking is now converted to permit parking. Communication regarding the pilot project would be through the Township’s website and bulk mail-outs. Residents, visitors and beach associations are to be asked to submit comments regarding the pilot strategy by e-mail or letter or, possibly, an on-line survey, up to September 30. Two additional part-time bike staff would be hired to focus on by-law enforcement and parking related issues from Friday to Sunday in the pilot parking area, and the two current bike part-time positions would be expanded to include Fridays.

Council approved the recommendations in the report.

Special Occasion Parking in the pilot area will be considered in a subsequent report.

 

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Report on Council: March 14, 2016

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Mar. 14, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 1:14 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 2:32 p.m. – 3:07 p.m.
All Members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart.

FESTIVAL DU LOUP:
The Festival is to take place from July 14 to 16, 2016.

SEWAGE SYSTEM RE-INSPECTION REPORT:
         Sewage re-inspection, which was begun in 2002 and has been managed by C.C. Tatham and Associates ever since, has settled into a six-year cycle of inspections of the sewage system on each lot in the township. Although we’re now in the third pass over Tiny, the program continues to discover malfunctioning systems and to compel owners of deficient systems to bring them into compliance with the Ontario Building Code. Letters are sent to property owners enumerating the problems. If deficiencies are not remedied, then Orders to Comply are sent. If action still is not taken, then the By-law Department proceeds with charges for Failing to Comply in the Ontario Court of Justice.
Re-inspections in the Thunder Beach and Balm Beach areas in 2015 exposed 165 initial deficiencies. Most frequent were root intrusions into the leaching bed area (30 lots) and vehicles parking or driving on the septic tank or leaching bed (23 lots), and the least frequent were instances of holes dug into the surface of the leaching bed (1 lot), water pooling on top of the holding tank (1 lot), and a deficient greywater pit (1 lot). In addition, 272 systems had slightly less than the minimum setback to water sources (dug or sand point wells, drilled wells, or the lake).

This summer, re-inspections are slated for Woodland Beach, Deanlea Beach and Bluewater Beach plus those in wellhead protection areas that are due this year.
Council authorized C.C. Tatham to continue the program for another four years.

COUNTY’S NEW ORGANICS PROCESSING AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT FACILITY:
This facility is to be located in Horseshoe Valley, Springwater.

CONCESSION 17 ROAD CLOSURE:
According to Wayne Young, Interim Manager of Public Works, Concession Road 17 is closed on a yearly basis due to flooding and washouts. It is planned to build the road up later this year.

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Report on Council: February 29, 2016

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Feb. 29, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 3:38 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:05 p.m. – 6:37 p.m.
All Members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart. Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma absent in the evening.

SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT UPDATE:
A Report from R.J. Burnside & Associates made it clear that of the Towns of Midland, Penetanguishene and Wasaga Beach, Penetanguishene is the best prospect for partnership management of Tiny Township’s septage. However, the County of Simcoe is studying whether it should play a role in septage disposal on a regional basis. This may slow Tiny’s decision. A new piece of information is that once the Ministry of the Environment prohibits the spreading of untreated septage, municipalities would have five years to eliminate the practice.

PARKING STRATEGY:
         Councillor Hinton recommended that permit replace open parking on Concessions 4, 9, 11, and 13. Staff is to prepare a report on the implications of this move (signage, potential change in flow, options for paid parking at major beach parks, priority parking for businesses, and enforcement).

INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT:
The possibility of watershed-wide management of invasive species is under consideration.

TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITY POLICY:
Following a presentation by Rogers Communications regarding a new telecommunications tower and a deputation by Barbara Reidl on behalf of the Thunder Beach Association, Shawn Persaud (Planning & Development) drafted a Telecommunication Facility Policy. The draft was posted on the township’s website for 60 days, and was then modified in the light of the three comments that were received.
The resultant Policy is now available on the township’s website. We note that it includes “the use of design features, colour and landscaping…to screen telecommunication towers from view…whenever possible.” It prefers towers to be dark, but “Where Transport Canada requires a telecommunication facility to be lit or where lighting is required for security purposes, the lighting should be to the minimum number of lights and the lowest illumination allowable. All outdoor illumination should be dark-sky friendly (i.e. full cut-off lighting; no up-lighting, or have reflectors installed to direct the light downward).”

PUBLIC MEETING RE TEMPORARY USE BY-LAW FOR THE PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL EXPO, AUGUST 17-20, 2017:
In January Paul Maurice and Phil DeBruyne applied for a Temporary Use By-law on behalf of Donald Stubbs, owner of the North Part of Lot 24, Concession 2, to allow the three cleared fields to be used for an Agricultural Expo on August 17, 18, 19, and 20.
The application described the proposed event as follows: “The event is to showcase agriculture and to give consumers a better appreciation of what farmers do and why they do them. It will be a great opportunity for consumers and farmers to see and experience the tools and techniques of modern agriculture.”
The public meeting is to take place at 6 p.m. during the March 30 meeting of Council.

STORM WATER DRAINAGE INVESTIGATION (DEANLEA/BLUEWATER BEACH):
The Deanlea Beach Association asked that the storm water drainage watershed in its area be investigated for possible causes of previous high E. coli counts. Although the 2015 budget set aside $6,000 for this investigation, it was not done and the funds were not carried forward to 2016. Council authorized $6,000 for the project, and specified that the money should be taken from the Capital Reserve.

LE VILLAGEOIS UPDATE:
We recall from an earlier meeting that Le Villageois had not paid its taxes for some time.
One of the items dealt with in the Confidential/Closed Session was “Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality/Le Villageois Update.” Among other resources, Council had before it the Confidential Treasury Report TR-011-16 and a Confidential Report from the County of Simcoe Human Services – Social Housing regarding Le Villageois. The reports remain confidential. Staff is to “proceed as directed by Council.”

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Report on Council: February 8, 2016

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Feb. 8, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 3:45 p.m. – 4:08 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart.

2016 BUDGET ADOPTED:
Several points are of particular note in this year’s budget. The operating budget spending is up by 16.6% over 2015. This increase is being financed by a tax rise of 3% over 2015, a spending of 15.4% of reserves, and a reduction in the gross capital budget of almost a million dollars as compared with 2015. Also there is to be a 3% across the board tax increase.
The sizable leap in Policing Services Cost is as expected. There is also a ‘backlog’ of Public Works Operational Activities, the funding of Strategic Plan priorities, infrastructure deficits and asset replacements, and a corporate insurance increase. A great deal of advance planning is anticipated including a Public Works organizational review, an Asset Management Plan, Water Financial Plan, Roads Capital Plan, Roads Needs Study, Fire Fleet Plan and Building Condition Assessment, a Development Charges Study. A New Procedural By-law is to be drafted. Individual Items that caught our eye are a 1.7% wage increase for staff and members of council (instead of the usual 2%), a “Beach enjoyment strategy,” support for Farlain Lake’s watermilfoil project, live streaming of COW/Council meetings, and continued engagement with septage management.

NORTH SIMCOE AGRICULTURAL EXPO AGRICOLE EVENT – 2017:
Following a deputation on January 25 from Phil DeBruyne and Paul Maurice regarding the event (included in the Feb. 8 Agenda), Council decided to support the proposed North Simcoe Agricultural Expo Event, but not to sanction it as a Township event, and appointed Councillor Hastings to its executive and steering committees.
This event is “to showcase agriculture and to give consumers a better appreciation of what farmers do and why they do them,” It is to take place on the agricultural section of Dr. Donald Stubbs’ land in Concession 2, August 17-20, 2017. We’ll report in greater detail closer to the time. 

2016 SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE IN BALM BEACH:\
The program proposed by the Business Association of Balm Beach is similar to last year’s, though we note that this year there is no request for exemption from the township’s noise by-law. Staff is to prepare a report on costs and community concerns about in kind requests, including the installation on the beach of 2 permanent net posts for volleyball.

AVAILABILITY OF PARKING AT MAJOR BEACH PARKS:
A staff report informed Council that

  • Lafontaine Beach has 14 permit spaces, 14 open spaces in the lot, and 1 accessible space
  • Balm Beach has 65 pay parking beachfront spaces, 26 more in Parent Park, 16 30-minute open spaces in front of Grill, 4 30-minute open space on Oliver Drive, 12 30-minute open spaces on Balm Beach Rd W, 12 permit space on Balm Beach Rd We, 2 loading zone spaces at the end of Balm Beach Rd W and 4 accessible spaces
  • Jackson Park has 33 pay spaces, 20 pay spaces for trailers, 5 accessible spaces, and 6 permit spaces on Birchdale Ave
  • Bluewater Beach has 6 permit spaces on Nicole Blvd, 1 accessible space on Trew Ave, 6 permit spaces near 54 Trew Ave, 4 permit spaces near 31 Trew Ave, and 23 permit spaces on Concession 5 West.
  • Woodland Beach has 16 pay spaces on Concession 2 West, 1 accessible space on Concession 2 West, 14 permit spaces in its parking lot, and 15 permit spaces on Lawson Road.

The report ignores all the open parking spaces near the 5 parks. It does supply the area of each park as a basis for estimating its carrying capacity.

DATES OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS IN 2016:
These are to occur from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, May 28 and September 24. The May meeting is to take place in the Pavilion at Lafontaine Park, and the one in September in the Tiny Township Community Centre.

MAYOR’S CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT:
The tournament and dinner are be held on August 19, 2016 at the Midland Golf and Country Club. The charities supported this year include the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre, the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health, and the Royal Victoria Hospital Child and Youth Mental Health Services.
The Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations (FoTTSA) is a lead sponsor of the event.

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Report on Council: January 25, 2016

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL

Jan. 13, 2016
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting Regarding Township Parking Strategy: 9 a.m. – 2:37 p.m.

Jan. 25, 2016

Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:00 p.m. – 6:27 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart.

2016 SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE IN BALM BEACH:
The events proposed and in kind support requested by the Business Association of Balm Beach are to be discussed at the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Council on February 8. There is no request for exemption from the township’s noise by-law.

PARKING STRATEGY MEETING:
On January 13, Council heard open deputations about parking issues in particular areas from Mary Jane Price, President of Deanlea Beach Association; André Claire, resident in the Bluewater Dunes area; Nicholas Leblovic, resident immediately south of Balm Beach; Diane Harvey, resident in Bluewater Dunes area; Chris Tulley, President of Carusoe Bay Association; Karen Thomson, President of Wahnekewening Community Association; Andrew Chomentowski, on behalf of the Cawaja Propertyowners Association; Dorene Trunk, member of Rochelle Beach Association; Alan Smith, President of Edmor Beach/Georgian Heights Ratepayers Association; and David White, with regard to beach capacity and the environment. Judith Grant made a scheduled deputation on behalf of the Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations, asking that Council consider using the word “municipal” rather than “public” when describing Township parks to make it clear that township parks are not provincal. She emphasized that all residents should be able to enjoy township-owned beaches, that they should be managed in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. She also spoke about persistent problems.

On January 25, Council made several moves in response to the presentations and discussion on January 13. It set “the total number of permits for non-residents at 150 per year on a first come first serve basis with non-residents being defined as residents from the Township of Tay, Town of Midland, Town of Penetanguishene and the Township of Springwater” and “further that the process for the sale of resident permits be maintained as is for the 2016 season.”

Given the overcrowding at many beaches in 2015, there was considerable feeling among attendees on January 13 that no permits should be sold to non-residents, but members of Council were strongly in favour of selling permits to neighbouring municipalities.

Council decided that Township Parking Strategy would be on the Agenda of its Regular Committee of the Whole Meetings hereafter until it decides otherwise. It directed staff to prepare a report on the square footage of the Township’s five major shore parks and also on existing parking arrangements at these parks.

ZONING BY-LAW 06-001 HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENTS:
There were housekeeping amendments to Zoning By-Law 06-001 in 2008 and again 2012. This series of amendments deals with minor inconsistencies and items requiring clarification.

WEEKEND BY-LAW PATROL: An inquiry by Councillor Hinton elicited the information that the township does not provide weekend patrols between November 28th and February 19th, as “traditionally there have been very few complaints received over the winter season.”

 

 

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Report on Council: January 11, 2016

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Jan. 11, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:24 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 2:00 p.m. – 2:47 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

 2016 ONTARIO 55+ SUMMER GAMES:
The four northern County of Simcoe townships are supporting the 2016 Ontario 55+ Summer Games, along with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ontario Senior Games Association. The goal of the games is to encourage older adults to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. They include both physical and mental challenges. They are to take place in Penetanguishene, Wyebridge, Port McNicoll, Tiny, Tay, and Midland from August 9 to 12. Over 500 volunteers are needed to assist in various aspects of the games (see www.midland2016.ca).

ANNUAL APPOINTMENT OF A COUNCIL MEMBER TO THE COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT:
Councillor Cindy Hastings was appointed for an additional year.

COMPARATIVE BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY FOR 2014 AND 2015:
Jamie Wilson, Building Official, reported that building activity in the Township of Tiny continues to be healthy. The 2014 value of construction, $21,938,000, rose in 2015 to $24,944,000.

POLICING TASK FORCE:
Following a resolution by the Community Policing Committee, Council appointed Mayor Cornell, Councillor Hinton, CAO/Clerk Doug Luker, Phil De Bruyne and Michel Gadoury to the Policing Task Force. Staff is to prepare a report on the scope, mandate and terms of reference of the latter.

ROTATING CHAIR FOR COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS:
At the suggestion of Mayor Cornell, Council considered the idea of rotating the chair for the Regular Committee of the Whole Meetings as was done during the last term of Council. As Councillors Hinton and Wishart declined, staff is to draw up a chairing schedule for Mayor Cornell, Deputy Mayor Walma, and Councillor Hastings.

RECRUITMENT OF MANAGER OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Henk Blom has retired. Doug Luker, CAO/Clerk, noted that the position has been advertised on the township’s website, with AMCTO, and Municipal World, and in the local paper. The Township hopes to find a suitable “Professional Engineer or Certified Engineering Technologist with over 5 years of management/supervisory experience either in the public or private sector.” A recruitment firm will handle the initial assessment of applications. The Township’s recruitment committee will consist of the CAO, the Treasurer, the Manager of Planning and Development, and the interim Manager of Public Works. All members of Council will participate in the short list interviews. The goal is to fill the position by the end of March.

 

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Report on Council: December 14, 2015

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Dec. 14, 2015
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 3:39 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 4:46 p.m. – 5:33 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT, LITTLE PROGRESS:
Matters are progressing very slowly. Springwater, Tay, and probably the County of Simcoe have been eliminated from the list of potential partners. In September, Penetang staff revealed that pre-treatment would be required to accommodate Tiny’s septage. There will be further discussion with Midland and Wasaga Beach in January, and both will probably have preliminary requirements. Council asked that a letter be sent to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change regarding the spreading of septage.

SUNDAY GUN HUNTING:
Council decided to support Sunday gun hunting (Walma, Hastings, and Wishart in support, Cornell and Hinton against). What is to happen with regard to Tiny Marsh and County Forests in Tiny appears to be still at issue.

STRATEGIC PLAN APPROVED:
Mayor Cornell emphasized that this is a living document that may be updated and changed, and that will be reviewed annually. The words regarding respect for shoreline private property and owners in the Strategic Plan instituted several terms ago were not re-instated.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING/PARKING STRATEGY:
Council decided that the Special Committee Meeting at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers on January 13, 2016 should include discussion of parking permits, no standing zones, emergency access update, major beach parks and parking strategy with respect to these, parking on Concessions and how to manage.

RECREATION REPORT:
Recreation opportunities provided by staff throughout the year include outdoor ice rinks, golf clinic, March Break camp, soccer, summer day camps, Counselor training, youth initiatives, mobile skate park, tennis lessons, and winter/spring/fall exercise classes.

FUTURE TOWN HALL MEETINGS:
After discussing the three Town Hall Meetings in 2015, Council decided to schedule two further meetings in 2016 on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon.

STREET LIGHTS ON CHAMPLAIN ROAD:
After consideration of principles raised in a presentation by Terry Breckenridge on behalf of the Clearwater Beach Ratepayers and Sawlog Bay Associations, Council directed staff to develop a policy regarding street lighting, including best practices and information on the dark sky initiative.
Many shore residents will welcome this initiative. See “Starry Nights: How Long Will the Skies of Cottage Country Stay Dark,” Tiny Cottager (Fall 2005), available in Issue Archives on the Federation’s website, tinycottager.org.

 

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Sunday Gun Hunting Permitted in Tiny Township

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Webmaster

From a Tiny Township press release dated December 15, 2015:

Tiny – At its meeting of December 14, 2015, the Township of Tiny Council approved Sunday gun hunting in Tiny.

Council and staff through its public input process and deliberations have thoroughly investigated the impact that Sunday gun hunting may have in the area. Council is confident that this activity will not significantly impact on other recreational pursuits as evidenced in many other communities throughout the Province.

Mayor Cornell stated “Council will continue to strive to achieve a fair balance for all residents to enjoy their recreational activities in a safe and inclusive community.”

—

As a reminder, “Private property owners, who do not wish persons to enter upon their property, must properly sign the property. In order for the provisions contained within the Trespass to Property Act to be enforceable, property owners at a minimum must post a sign that has a red dot on a white background. Signs that clearly state “No Trespassing” are readily available at most hardware type stores, are inexpensive and carry a very clear and concise message.

If a landowner encounters someone on their property and they do not have the expressed permission to be there, in the interest of public safety, the landowner should not confront the person or persons and police should be notified immediately by dialling the OPP Provincial Communications Centre at 1-888-310-1122.”

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Report on Council: November 30, 2015

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Nov. 30, 2015
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 4:07 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:00 p.m. – 9:12 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

POLICE SERVICES CONTRACT:
In October OPP inspector Andrew Ferguson proposed that the Township of Tiny consider changing from a section 5.1 (non-contract) Police Services Act arrangement to a section 10 (contract) arrangement. In response to the Policing Committee’s recommendation that a task force be struck to explore the ramifications of the two options, and that this force report back no later than June 30, 2016, Council decided to establish such a task force. It is to consist of Mayor Cornell, Councillor Hinton, Doug Luker (CAO/Clerk), and two members of the Community Policing Committee.

BLAIRHAMPTON SUBDIVISION SALE OF LOTS TO CLEAR DEBTS:
Council approved the sale of 17 lots in the Blairhampton Subdivision fronting on Nipissing Ridge Road to Cedar Ridge Escarpment Corporation. The proceeds are to be used to settle amounts owing to the township and others.

ECONONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF NORTH SIMCOE:
A Report updated Council on EDCNS activities regarding tourism, agriculture and business, innovative manufacturing and healthcare services. Mayor George Cornell is a key figure in this organization.

NORTH SIMCOE COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:
A Report on the NSCFDC (which provides loans to start-up businesses and businesses that are expanding) updated Council on its activities.

NOVEMBER 14 TOWN HALL MEETING:

Sue Walton, Deputy Clerk, reported that approximately 160 members of the public attended, and that the meeting updated the strategic plan, with a focus on public beach usage, maintenance, and access/parking.
Karen Wianecki from Planning Solutions facilitated the meeting. She provided a summary of twelve “Key Learnings” regarding “Public Beach Issues & Concerns,” namely that the issue is important for everyone; that respect for property owners must be ensured; that a solution to beach access and enjoyment needs to be found; that there are different perspectives about who the beaches are for (township residents, everyone, etc.); that there are concerns related to beach access, use and enjoyment; that an approach needs to be developed that manages the risks; that there are a number of shared common interests (desire to enjoy the beaches and beach properties, desire that there be no negative impacts on beaches); that initiatives in existing management plans be implemented; that beach environment needs to be respected; that there is a need to define who the beaches are for; that the beach issue needs to be examined systemically; that earlier beach studies need to be reviewed and capitalized on.
She also listed solutions that were suggested: primarily the creation of a properly weighted Advisory Committee of community members to make recommendations.
Council decided to schedule a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 13, 2016, to discuss the Township’s parking strategy.

SUNDAY GUN HUNTING:
Note that a summary of Ontario 2015 Hunting Regulations is available on the Township website.
Council received seventeen written deputations in favour of Sunday gun hunting, one against. The open deputations that were presented at 6 p.m. took a different tack: all 18 opposed Sunday gun hunting (one of them a petition with 236 signatures). Council is to discuss the matter at its December meeting.

2016 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE:
As in 2015, the first Council meeting each month (generally on the 2nd Monday) is “consolidated”: the Regular Meeting  of Council follows immediately after the Committee of the Whole Meeting with a minimum one hour break between. The second Council meeting each month (on the last Monday of the month) is not consolidated: the Committee of the Whole Meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. as usual while the Regular Meeting of Council begins at 6:00 p.m.

STRATEGIC PLAN FINAL DRAFT:
This is available on the Township’s website. It is to be considered for final approval at Council’s meeting on December 14, 2015. In spite of the references in Karen Wianecki’s Report on the Town Hall Meeting about the importance of “respect” for shoreline private property and owners, a phrase enshrining that respect that was present in the earlier Strategic Plan has been removed from the current one.

DESIGNATION OF SAINTE-CROIX CHURCH IN LAFONTAINE AND PLACING OF PERKINSFIELD SCHOOL CROSS:
On the recommendation of the Heritage Advisory Committee, Council approved the designation of the Sainte-Croix Church under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Council also approved the committee’s recommendation that the Cross that had been mounted on the Saints Martyrs Canadiens Elementary School in Perkinsfield – the school that was purchased by the township, then demolished — be mounted on the east side of the garage adjacent to the tennis courts in the Perkinsfield Park, together with a small commemorative plaque.

SEPTAGE MEETING, NOVEMBER 27, 2015:

Matters are crawling forward regarding the disposal of the townshjp’s septage. Councillor Wishart reported that Penetanguishene, Midland and Wasage Beach remain interested in investigating collaborative efforts regarding its disposal. The Ministry of the Environment has taken no definitive action against the spreading of septage on farmers’ fields.

PUBLIC BEACH MONITORING IN TINY TOWNSHIP DURING SUMMER 2015 BY THE SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT:

According to a report in Section II of Communication Received in the Committee of the Whole Agenda, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit monitored only five public beaches in Tiny Township in the summer of 2015 – Woodland Beach Park at Concession 2 West, Trew Avenue in Concession 4 West, Jackson Park in Concession 8 West, Balm Beach at Concession 10 West, and Concession 13 West. In the course of the summer one Advisory against swimming was issued for Jackson Park, three for Balm Beach, and two for Concession 13 West. No samples were taken at Woodland Beach Park on four occasions and at Trew Avenue on three occasions because the water was too rough. Had samples been taken, postings would most likely have been issued.

 

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