Open Meeting Re: Sunday Gun Hunting in Tiny – November 30th 6pm

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Webmaster

We would like to bring to your attention the following announcement from the Tiny Township website:

Please be advised that an extended open deputation period will be held at the Regular Meeting of Council in Council Chambers on November 30th, 2015 at 6:00p.m. This is an opportunity for members of the public to address Council and provide their comments on whether Sunday gun hunting should be permitted in the Township of Tiny.

There is much additional information at   http://www.tiny.ca/Pages/Hunting-in-Tiny.aspx

and links to the following:

Responsible Hunting Brochure
Hunting Permission Record
Sunday Gun Hunting Map
MNR 2015 Hunting Regulations
County of Simcoe Hunting and Fishing

There may be more information in the agenda package which should appear on-line on Friday.

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Report on Council: November 9, 2015

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Nov. 9, 2015
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 1:14 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 2:44 p.m. – 3:07 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

STAFF CHANGE:
We note that Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, who was absent during both council meetings in October, has been replaced by Wayne Young as Interim Manager of Public works. Young was introduced at this meeting.

PROPOSED ROGERS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TOWER.
This proposed 60 metre tower would be sited at 4270 Crossland Road, where Crossland meets Siesta Drive. Council agreed that the standard public consultation should begin.

VIDEO TAPING AND LIVE STREAMING ON THE INTERNET OF COUNCIL MEETINGS – UPDATE:
The cost for Cinemastage to undertake videotaping and streaming through the internet was estimated at $20,000. The alternative Rogers Cable service would have no cost. Additional cost effective alternatives are to be investigated by staff and considered during the 2016 budget deliberations.

CLOSED MEETING INVESTIGATION SERVICES:
Council decided to extend the shared service agreement with the County of Simcoe for a year for the closed meeting investigation services of JGM Consulting (John Maddox).

JOINT MUNICIPAL OMBUDSMAN:
Staff is to investigate the feasibility of a joint municipal Ombudsman with the County of Simcoe.

BYLAW ACTIVITY THIRD QUARTER REPORT:
Steven Harvey, Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer provided a report which compared five years of infractions, charges, business licenses, beach patrols, parking permits, parking tickets issued, parking tickets by street, most active areas, paid parking revenue and the 2015 bike program.
We note that the 150 non-resident parking permits were sold out each year by July 13 or earlier, and that the number of parking permits issued to residents of Tiny increased almost every year, rising from 2,642 in 2011 to 3,107 in 2015.
A separate report is to be prepared on the special occasion parking permit program.

CCTV (CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION) AT BALM BEACH:
In an effort to reduce crime in the Balm Beach area, cameras were installed in September 2008. In 2012, four additional cameras were added. The cameras have served as a deterrent to criminal activity contributing substantially to the 93% reduction in complaint calls since 2008.

BOAT SALVAGE ESTABLISHMENT:
A by-law amendment has been sought to permit a boat salvage establishment at Cote de la Dalle and Concession 13 E. At the public meeting on the matter, objections were raised about draining of fluids, decreased property values, aesthetics, storage of boats, unsightliness, noise, and groundwater contamination. The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) had no objections to the application, provided that the owner does not use specific products and agrees to periodic inspections by the SSEA. Council decided to support the application provided there were ongoing monitoring by SSEA and by Township staff.

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2011-2015 Budget Database Added

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Webmaster

The Budget Database has been updated to include the years 2011-2015 and is now available via the sidebar to the right under “Government”.  We apologize for the delay in getting it online.

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Report on Council: October 26, 2015

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Oct. 26, 2015
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 3:32 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

STRATEGIC PLAN RESPONSE FROM WYMBOLWOOD BEACH ASSOCIATION.

Presented by Brian Bradstreet, this challenging presentation focused on process, township strengths, principles governing the strategic plan, and policies for Council’s term of office. Appropriately, this last took as its focus the value of the shore to the township and ways of preserving and enhancing that value. It tackled shoreline parking policy, water quality and water levels, control of invasive species, water craft safety and etiquette, special needs of seasonal owners, and township cooperation with shoreline owners and organizations to achieve common goals.

This useful set of reflections is available under E) Deputations to Council – Scheduled, in the Committee of the Whole Agenda for October 26th.

OPPOSITION TO THREE STREET LIGHTS PROPOSED FOR CHAMPLAIN ROAD BY MANAGER OF PUBLIC WORKS:

On behalf of the Clearwater Beach Ratepayers Association and the North Tiny Community Association, Steve Coffey, Terry Breckenridge, and Alan Fryer vigorously opposed the three additional street lights proposed in a Report by the Manager of Public Works for 900, 1773, and 1964 Champlain Road. They saw the lights as interfering with the pleasures of viewing the night sky. (The Manager of Public Works felt that the particular circumstances of each of these locations warranted an additional light.) The decision about the lights was referred to budget deliberations.

SUNDAY GUN HUNTING: A representative of the Ontario Anglers and Hunters argued strongly for allowing Sunday Gun Hunting during hunting seasons. Some 169 municipalities in Southern Ontario have voted in favour of permitting Sunday gun hunting. He felt that Sunday hunting helped with livestock predation, wildlife management, economic factors, and public safety related to motor vehicle collisions involving wildlife.

Council decided to arrange an extended deputation period on November 30, 2015 at 6 p.m. for the public to give input on the matter.

SIMCOE COUNTY LOOP TRAIL: Council decided to endorse the Loop Trail initiative. The proposed 160 km loop trail in North Simcoe is to use existing off-road trails. Sign prototypes have been created, as has a project budget. A map of the proposed route is available in the Committee of the Whole Agenda for October 26, 2015.

MATTERS REFERRED TO THE BUDGET PROCESS: The mobile Skate Park, which circulated to the Balm Beach, Lafontaine, Wyevale, and Perkinsfield Parks in 2014 and 2015 and was supported by Trillium funding. It can continue to be made available only if the Township includes funds in its budget for 2016. Likewise, a proposed Seniors’ Advisory Committee can be created only if funding is supplied in the township’s budget.  The feasibility of re-opening and operating the Wyebridge Skating Rink is likewise still under consideration.

SECOND STRATEGIC PLAN NEWSLETTER (October 2015):

This is now available on the township website.

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Report on Council: October 14, 2015

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Oct. 14, 2015
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 2:38 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 1:30 p.m. – 1:48 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma (arrived at 10:15 a.m.), and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN: Council reviewed the draft Strategic Plan. To the Vision Statement that has been in force for close to a decade, they added the phrase that appears in bold, namely: An environmentally focused diverse family of communities providing an economically sustainable and healthy lifestyle. For the Mission Statement, they opted for “A committed team providing extraordinary municipal services” in preference to three wordier versions.

They also made several minor changes to the detailed exposition of five strategic goals and priorities, namely

  1. Deliver Efficient & Exceptional Municipal Services,
  2. Build Prosperity,
  3. Healthy Environment & Sustainable Community Planning,
  4. Promote Community Healthy, Safety & Well-Being, and
  5. A Well-Connected & Engaged Community.

The current draft of the Strategic Plan is available on the Township’s website. Search for “Strategic Plan.”

EMERGENCY SERVICES RESPONSE-TIME EXPECTED TO IMPROVE: Two things are expected to improve emergency services response time in Tiny Township, a new rapid response unit in Ramara, and an ambulance to be based in Penetangishene, since both should decrease response time elsewhere.

 BILL 73 – PROPOSED SMART GROWTH FOR OUR COMMUNITIES ACT: According to the Minutes of Council, “Bill 73 is intended to give residents more say in how their communities grow, set out clearer rules for land use planning; give municipalities more independence to make local decisions and to make it easier to resolve. Through Bill 73, municipalities would need to set out in their officlal plans how and when the public would be consulted and would also need to explain how the public input affected their planning decisions.”

However, the Municipality of Clearview was concerned about “the potential impact of restrictions on the ability to amend planning documents and the two year moratorium on amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law.” Council decided to support Clearview’s resolution regarding these matters, and to advise the Minister of Municipal Affairs accordingly.

 

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Press Release: Family of Five Narrowly Escape Fire

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Webmaster

Home Fire – Five Narrowly Escape – October 7, 2015

“Over the past weekend, a fire occurred in a seasonal residence in the Township of Tiny. This fire, which appears to have been caused by the careless use of a candle, occurred at approximately midnight while a family of five (5) was sound asleep.

The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters who responded from three (3) fire stations.

Heat and smoke damage to this home was extensive and no smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms were found at the time of the fire.

In accordance with the Township of Tiny Zero Tolerance policy regarding the installation and maintenance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, the homeowner has been issued with tickets totaling $1800.00 for failing to install and maintain working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as required by the Ontario Fire Code.

“I continue to be alarmed that after so many years of trying to educate the public about the legal requirement and the importance of having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units, situations like this one are still occurring. This fire could easily have resulted in numerous fatalities,” said Fire Chief Tony Mintoff.

The Fire Department once again urges all residents to take the appropriate steps to ensure that all required smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and maintained in operating condition. In order to assist residents to comply, the Fire Department also offers free inspections through their

Home Fire Safety Audit program to ensure that required alarms are installed correctly and are in Inspection requests can be made by calling (705) 322-1161.”

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Correction

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Webmaster

In the Fall, 2015 issue of our Tiny Cottager newsletter, the President’s Message contained an incorrect date for an upcoming Town Hall Meeting.  The correct date for the meeting is November 14, 2015.  The Federation regrets the error.

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Report on Council: September 28, 2015

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Sept. 28, 2015

Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:00 p.m. – 6:35 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

STRATEGIC PLAN KIDS’ ART CONTEST: Mayor Cornell presented the JK/SK certificate and prize to Grace Lee Caston. The other winners were Isabelle Garneau (Grade 1-3 winner), Neil Fex (grade 4-6 winner), and Bella McMillan (grade 7-8 winner).

NATURALIZATION OF WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS: After Barbara Reidl (representing the Thunder Beach Association) asked that towers be naturalized to minimize their visual impact, Council directed staff to include naturalization in the protocol currently being prepared regarding the installation of new wireless communication towers in the township.

LE VILLAGEOIS: LETTERS OF CREDIT AND PROPERTY TAXES: A representative of Le Villageois de Lafontaine, asked that letters of credit held by the township be released so that they could be used towards payment of outstanding property taxes of $275,193.67. Le Villageois has also applied to MPAC for a 50% reduction in its property taxes.
The Manager of Public Works advised that the letters of credit were needed as they are to be used in the event that the township is required to take over Le Villageois’s water and sewage systems. Staff is to prepare a background report on this matter for Council.

TOWN HALL MEETING IN THE PERKINSFIELD PAVILION, AUGUST 15: According to a report by Deputy Clerk Sue Walton, approximately 60 people attended the Town Hall Meeting, nine of whom addressed Council on a range of issues – particularly problems posed by phragmites. Each of the five members of Council described one subject of particular interest (LED lighting, the Mobi-Mat project, Parking Strategy, Septage, and Community Recreation Advisory Committee activities). Information booths were set up around the pavilion.  200 attended the community barbecue that followed.

BY-LAW’S REPORT ABOUT LABOUR DAY WEEKEND: We note that the number of parking tickets issued increased dramatically over the number on that weekend in the previous two years, primarily because of the pleasant weather. Some 131 tickets were issued on Labour Day Weekend in 2015 as compared to 36 in 2013 and 30 in 2014.

DAVY LANE SLOPE STABILIZATION TENDERED: Four tenders were received for the Davy Lane Slope Stabilization project (regarding a moving sand dune close to the shore in Concession 6), ranging from a high of $684,401.60 to a low of $365,817.50 plus HST. On the advice of staff, Council selected the tender submitted by McPherson-Andrews Contracting as the most reasonable. Only part of this sum is covered by the budget. The balance — $117,217.50 – is to be taken from the Capital Reserve.

TREE SEEDLING DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM: Council agreed to support the Severn Sound Environmental Association’s 2016 Tree Seedling Distribution Program. Details are to appear on the SSEA website. Trees must be ordered by Jan. 22, 2016. Distribution is to take place in late April or early May 2016.

 

 

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Report on Council: September 14, 2015

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
Sept. 14, 2015

Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:13 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 1:30 p.m. – 1:48 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

LIBRARY FUNDING AGREEMENT CONTINUES: The Township pays substantially for residents’ use of local libraries, currently $134.43 per household to Midland, $118.29 per household to Penetanguishene, and $86.03 per household to Springwater. (Each household in Tiny may use only one of these libraries each year.) The per household rates change when the Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index is published in October each year. The overall cost is substantial – more that $180,000 in each of 2012, 2013, and 2014. Council agreed to continue to fund library use for the next four years.

COUNCIL MEETINGS TO BE VIEWABLE FROM HOME? In response to Council’s interest in learning more about making council meetings viewable via the internet or other means, Treasurer Doug Taylor investigated Live Streaming on the Internet and live Video Taping through a Cable Company. Council directed staff to investigate these options further and also the possibility of a pilot run and report back on October 26, 2015.

BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY IN TINY: Building permit activity is an indicator of economic health and well being in the township. The summary comparison of building activity from January to August this year as compared with the same period last year prepared by S. Jamie Wilson, Chief Building Official, showed increases in almost every category. Overall, 318 permits were issued so far this year as compared with 213 for the same period last year and the total value of construction at $15,871,000 this year is well above last year’s $12,285,000.

HALL’S CREEK STABILIZATION: The Township received three tenders for the stabilization of Hall’s Creek. The contract (at $107,396.33) was awarded to R & M Construction, much the least expensive of the three.

MOBI-MAT INSTALLED: 100 feet of the Mobi-Mat that is to provide access at Balm Beach to those in wheel chairs and users of walkers and canes took place on September 11, 2015. The remaining 50 feet will be installed next year at Bluewater Beach “to tie in with the existing boardwalk.”

HEAVY USE OF BALM BEACH ON LABOUR DAY WEEKEND / TOWN HALL MEETING: Councillor Hinton reported that Balm Beach experienced a higher than normal volume of beach goers over the long weekend, with inevitable impact on parking and surrounding neighbourhoods. Council agreed that the fall Town Hall meeting, on November 14 would focus on these issues. Subsequently, details of this meeting became available on the Township’s website. See www.tiny.ca, click on the fall road picture at the top of the opening page.

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Report on Council: August 31, 2015

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Webmaster

REPORT ON COUNCIL
August 31, 2015
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 3:44 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffan Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart

PROBLEM GEESE: Enis Mitchell (a Thunder Beach resident) spoke about problem geese at Thunder Beach. For three years that beach has acquired a “kill to scare” permit from Environment Canada, whereby two geese can be killed each week provided the dead birds are left on the beach to scare off other geese. This tactic has been effective.

       Council directed Public Works staff to work with interested parties to discuss possible geese management options on municipal property and report back to Council.

SHORT TERM RENTALS: After hearing several deputations and presentations concerning disruptive short term rentals at several beaches in the course of the last month month or two, Council asked that a report be prepared on the subject. The Report stated that the current Zoning By-law does not prohibit short term rentals (yearly, monthly, or weekly), but that since 2012, the By-law Department has instituted a system of escalating heavy fines to address repeat offenders, and, where offences continue to occur, of warnings and charges against property owners. The Report noted that the Town of Wasaga Beach prohibits rentals of less that 31 days in single family dwellings, while the Town of the Blue Mountains has imposed a Short Term Accommodation Licensing By-law to regulate premises rented for 30 days or less. Owners must obtain a license and renew it bi-annually, and may have their license suspended or revoked for failure to comply with the provisions of the By-law.

    Council opted for zero tolerance of by-law infractions by short term renters (i.e. no warnings) “where evidence supports a charge against the landowner and the renter” and that the OPP is to be contacted “to add patrols to include short term rental property issue areas and report back to Council with the results”.

PROPOSED TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER: This wireless telecommunication installation (with associated radio equipment in a walk-in cabinet at the base) is to be 70 metres (230 feet) high and sited within a 16.5 metre (54.2 feet) by 18 metre (59 feet) compound, which is to be surrounded by a 1.8 metre (5.9 feet) high chain link security fence. Its address is 843 Concession Road 18 West. Initially, Rogers proposes to install 850 MHz and 1900 MHz HSPA, and LTE antennas, and space will be reserved to accommodate future technology and co-location by other licensed carriers. At this stage, the tower will serve subscribers to the Rogers network only.

Dismayingly it is to be located on land that is zoned agricultural and is thus protected by the Township’s Official Plan. Shawn Persaud, Manager of Planning and Development, argues in his report to Council that the desire of many township residents for affordable high-speed internet access over-rides the agricultural safeguards of the OP. Maps showing the area served by this tower are included in the Committee of the Whole Agenda for 31 August. See F Reports of Consultants or Third Parties, Mr. Galbraith, LandSquared, re: Proposed Wireless Telecommunication Infrastructure Installation.

Council decided to have CAO Doug Luker prepare a Letter of Concurrence so that the tower can be built next year.

MUNICIPAL HERITAGE REGISTER: The Heritage Advisory Committee recommended that the township create an official list of heritage homes and properties within the township (as required by Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act). By so doing, it would increase the amount of time it takes to get a demolition permit from 10 business days to a maximum of 60 business days. At present the township has no register. Council approved the four-step listing process for the creation of a Municipal Heritage Register.

To date Tiny has three designated heritage landmarks: St. Patrick’s Church in Perkinsfield, the Concession Road 2 East railroad bridge, and the Copeland Creek Cemetery. Two already have heritage plaques, and Council agreed to that the Heritage Advisory Committee might fundraise to purchase a plaque for the last of the three, namely the Concession Road 2 East Bridge.

McMAHAN WATER SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FINALIZED: Each benefitting property is to pay $8,277.90 plus 3% interest amortized over nine years.

STREET LIGHTING CONVERSION TO LED: A thorough audit of township streetlights found 24 additional lights (for a total of 414). Although this raised the original estimated cost of the project by $39,655, the long term saving is still substantial enough to warrant proceeding with the conversion. The initial cost will be funded from the Capital Expenditure Reserve. Council authorized the funneling of actual savings into a Climate Action and Energy Plan Reserve to be used for future environmental and energy conservation projects.

VOLUNTEERS REMOVE PHRAGMITES AT WOODLAND BEACH: This year (supported by the Community Stewardship Program which supplies the assistance of the Community Recreation Coordinator and the Public Works Department), Woodland Beach Property Owners Association removed Phragmites for the third year. They scheduled three phragmites digs (helped by township machinery) – on July 26th when 60 volunteers removed 153 bags; on August 9th when 40 volunteers removed 125 bags, and on August 29th when 30 volunteers removed 101 bags. Public Works carried the 379 bags away and burned them.

EMERGENCY ACCESS – NO PARKING SIGNAGE: A recalculation of the number of signs required to restrict parking on the 77 roads identified by Township Fire Chief Tony Mintoff reduced the number of signs required from 1104 to 229. Each road is to signed “No Parking on this Street at Any Time” or other Highway Traffic Act acceptable wording. Roads are to be signed in the following order:

  1. All roads in the most westerly portion of Concession 4 at Waterview Beach
  2. All roads within Concession 5 (Wendake area)
  3. All roads within Concession 10 (Balm Beach and Ardmore Beach)
  4. All road within Concession 9 (Ossossane Beach and D’Aoust Bay)
  5. All other roads starting at Concession 1.

Council chose to install all the recommended signage this fall at a total cost of $38,125, $25,000 of which is in this year’s budget, and the balance taken from the Capital Reserve.

ATVs TO BE ALLOWED ON TOWNSHIP ROADS?: After hearing a presentation by the Central Ontario ATV Club, the Tralls and Active Transportation Sub-committee endorsed the use of ATVs in principle and recommended that Council investigate allowing ATVs on Township roads to get from one “okayed” trail to another. Council decided to invite local ATV groups to present deputations.

SALE OF SURPLUS LANDS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WYEVALE PARK MASTER PLAN: The lands declared surplus are Lots 29 and 30, Plan 51M-361. Lot 30 has already been sold by Don Redmond of In Touch Realty Inc. (the agent acting for the township).

 

 

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