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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 15, 2014 - Council COUNCIL MINUTES THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM 9344 Plank Road, Straffordville, ON Council Chambers Thursday, May 15, 2014 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Court of Revision -Drainage The regular meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Bayham was held on Thursday, May 15, 2014 in the Council Chambers. Present were Mayor Paul Ens, Deputy Mayor Cliff Evanitski, Councillors Wayne Casier, Tom Southwick and Ed Ketchabaw, Administrator Paul Shipway and Clerk Lynda Millard. Planning Coordinator/Deputy Clerk Margaret Underhill, Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent Bill Knifton and Water/Wastewater Operations Manager Ed Roloson were in attendance to present their respective reports. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF Deputy Mayor Evanitski advised of a conflict regarding item 7.2 (Mueller Drain) as he is related to the applicant property owner. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ADDITION OF AGENDA ITEMS (a) Minutes of the regular meeting of Council held May 1, 2014. Deputy Mayor Evanitski requested amendments to the May 1st minutes to reflect that he declared a conflict in regard to the Mueller Drain under items #2 and# 7.2. 2014-246 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor T Southwick "THAT the minutes of the regular meeting held May 1, 2014 be approved, as amended." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (b) Added Item. 2014-247 Moved by: Councillor T Southwick Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Page 1 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 "THAT in accordance with Section 21 of Procedural By-law 2002-93, a request from Earl Shea, Chairman of the Harbourfront Committee to be a delegation be added to the agenda as item 4(b)." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 4. DELEGATIONS, STATEMENTS AND UPDATES 1. DELEGATIONS (a) 7:05 p.m. -Randy Breyer regarding "Farmer's Market". Randy Brier provided a written submission regarding his proposal to hold a Farmer's market to be held every Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. of the growing season at the Vienna Memorial Park. He stated that this location gives the farmers of the area fantastic exposure to the many campers,beach users and residents of the area. A high percentage of the 115,000 visitors to the Provincial Park in 2013 use Highway 19 (Plank Road) as their travel route. Mr. Breyer commented that property owners already contribute to the Municipal liability insurance coverage on the Park and it would be double indemnity for the participating farmers to provide further coverage. He suggested vendors sign a form confirming their responsibility for keeping their own space clean or would be they would be subject to a minimum fine of$50.00 and would not be permitted to continue to participate until all fines cleared. Mr. Breyer confirmed that he is willing to take on the organizational part of this project and to oversee the operation. Discussion of how to get local farmers to support the proposal and participate, promotional ideas, insurance coverage, effects on local businesses and other pros and cons followed with Mr. Breyer responding to questions from Council. 2014-248 Moved by: Councillor T Southwick Seconded by: Councillor W Casier "THAT the correspondence from Randy Breyer regarding a Farmer's Market be received; THAT Council supports the proposal for a Farmer's Market, organized by Randy Breyer, to be held at the Vienna Memorial Park on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. throughout the crop growing summer/fall season; THAT the users provide confirmation of liability insurance coverage (name of insurer and policy number or certificate of insurance naming the Municipality of Bayham as an additional insured); Page 2 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 THAT an initial refundable damage deposit of$50.00 be paid to the Municipality of Bayham by each vendor, to be refunded, less any costs for repairs, as applicable, at the close of the Farmer's Market; THAT any vendor causing damage amounting to $50.00 or more pay the full cost of the repairs incurred; THAT any vendor refusing to pay for repairs be refused further access to the Vienna Memorial Park until such costs have been paid in full; THAT staff assist with development of a suitable vendor application form; AND THAT staff ensure sufficient garbage and recyclable containers are available at the Park for use by the vendors and the public, and contents removed in a timely manner." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (b) 7:25 p.m. -Earl Shea, Harbourfront Committee Chairman, regarding Lighting on the Port Burwell East Pier Mr. Shea spoke on behalf of the Harbourfront Committee requesting Council approval to spend up to $1,500 for an engineering study to determine the specifications required for installation of lighting on the pier. He noted that conduit had been put in place when the pier had been resurfaced, however, contractors are hesitant to provide price quotes without the detailed specifications. He suggested that the dredging budget could be used as a source of funding. The Administrator acknowledged that there is $80,000 in the budget, however, these dollars are to be raised through grants, donations and fundraising. He suggested that the matter be referred back to staff for an internal review of the Waterfront Master Plan, comments provided to the consultant and a final report could be back to Council by the end of July. Council discussion followed and staff direction was given to review the plan and report back to Council in June with funding options. 2. STATEMENTS BY COUNCIL None. 3. UPDATES ON PROJECTS None. 5. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS (a) Correspondence dated April 26, 2014 from Cement Association of Canada regarding "Proposed Changes to the Ontario Building Code". File: A01 Page 3 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014. (b) Correspondence dated April 30, 2014 from Central Algoma Joint Disaster Relief Committee regarding "Donation". File: A16 (c) Committee of Adjustment Certified Notice of Decision regarding "Wayne DeJong". File: D13 (d) Correspondence dated April, 2014 from Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration regarding "Ontario Medal For Good Citizenship". File: M02 (e) Aylmer Area Community Foundation "People Who Make a Difference" Nomination Form. File: M02 (f) OPP News Release regarding "Victoria Day Long Weekend". File: P17 2014-249 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor T Southwick "THAT information items 5(a) through 5(f) be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6. PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, RECREATION & TOURISM (a) Staff Report D2014-07 regarding "Hoover Plan Agreement/By-Law 2014-056". File: D11.HOOV 2014-250 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Councillor T Southwick "THAT By-Law 2014-056, being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Site Plan Agreement with Tobias and Donna Hoover and the Municipality of Bayham be presented to Council for enactment." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7. ROADS, AGRICULTURE & DRAINAGE 1. COURT OF REVISION -DRAINAGE 2014-251 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor T Southwick Page 4 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 "THAT in accordance with the provisions of the Drainage Act, the Council of the Municipality of Bayham appoints Paul Ens, Tom Southwick, Wayne Casier and Ed Ketchabaw to sit as members of the Court of Revision; THAT Paul Ens act as Chairman; AND THAT the Council Meeting be adjourned for the purpose of holding a Court of Revision pursuant to the provisions of the Drainage Act." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY APPLICATION 8:00 p.m. - Court of Revision - Meuller Drain 2014 Court of Revision regarding the assessment of properties in regard to Drainage Report No. 211364 prepared by Spriet Associates and referred to as the Meuller Drain 2014. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF Deputy Mayor Evanitski disclosed a conflict of interest in the Meuller Drain and vacated his chair during discussion and voting on the matter. STAFF PRESENTATION Staff Report DR2014-006 regarding "Meuller Drain 2014 Court of Revision". File: E09 A written Notice of Appeal has been received by the Clerk from Tom and Joanne Teather. Drainage Superintendent Bill Knifton presented his report and noted that Mr. Teather is in attendance in regard to his appeal, submitted for consideration. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Tether indicated that he believes the benefit, as defined under the assessment definitions in the report, will not be met for his property. He commented that no water from his property goes to the outlet and questioned what amount of water would run solely from his property through the Mueller Drain as he believes his land will continue to carry all excess water across it. Mr. Spriet responded that the new catch basin is better and larger than the old one, will carry an increase in water of 60% and will improve Mr. Tether's situation. COURT MEMBER COMMENTS E. Ketchabaw requested clarification regarding the benefit assessment. Page 5 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 Mr. Spriet responded that the oversize catch basin will provide a benefit to Mr. Tether as it will enable the water to be taken underground and away from the Tether property. DISPOSITION OF ITEM 2014-252 Moved by: W Casier Seconded by: T Southwick "WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 52, Chap. D.17 of the Drainage Act, R.S.O. 1990 the appeal period which allows any owner of land assessed for drainage works to appeal: -that road or land has been assessed too high or too low, or - that any land or road that should be assessed has not been assessed, or - that due consideration has not been given as to type of use of land, has expired, and the Court of Revision has determined the assessment appeal for property owned by T & J Teather, being Lot 6 Conc. 10, Roll# 005-122-50) to be denied; THEREFORE the Court of Revision for the Mueller Drain 2014 hereby confirms the assessments as per the Engineer's Report#211364 dated March 14,2014." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ADJOURNMENT 2014-253 Moved by: T Southwick Seconded by: E Ketchabaw "THAT the Court of Revision be adjourned and the Council meeting be reconvened at 8:18 p.m." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8. PROPERTY, BUILDING & PROTECTIVE SERVICES (a) Correspondence dated May 5, 2014 from Elgin St. Thomas EMS regarding "6215 Plank Road". File: P15 2014-254 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw "THAT the correspondence regarding use of 6215 Plank Road, Vienna for the purpose of locating an Emergency Response Unit be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Page 6 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 9. FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (a) Cheque Register being Cheque#016567 to Cheque#016625 inclusive totaling $127,366.48 and Payroll Disbursements for the period ending April 27, 2014 totaling $49,942.40. 2014-255 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Deputy Mayor C Evanitski "THAT the Cheque Register, being Cheque#016567 to Cheque#016625 inclusive, totaling $127,366.48 and Payroll Disbursements for the period ending April 27, 2014 totaling $49,942.40 be approved." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (b) Correspondence dated May 8, 2014 from Carolyn Zwicker, Outreach Programs, Ontario Early Years Centre - Elgin Middlesex London requesting use of green space at the Straffordville Community Park for the "Summer Park Program". File: C13 2014-256 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Deputy Mayor C Evanitski "THAT the correspondence dated May 8, 2014 submitted by Carolyn Zwicker, Ontario Early Years Centre-Elgin Middlesex London be received; THAT Council grants permission to use green space in the Straffordville Community Park on Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for the period July 11 to August 22, 2014, subject to proof of liability insurance coverage, naming the Municipality of Bayham as an additional insured, in the minimum amount of $2,000,000; AND THAT the cleanup of the area be the responsibility of the users." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (c) Memorandum C2014-16 regarding "MNR Park Agreement Amendment". File: CO1 2014-257 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor W Casier "THAT Memorandum C2014-15 regarding MNR Park Agreement Amendment be received; Page 7 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 AND THAT By-Law 2014-055, being a by-law to amend the description of lands on the agreement to facilitate registration, be presented to Council for enactment." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (d) Memorandum C2014-16 regarding "Wind Interpretive Centre". File: C13 Further to interest in keeping the centre open for visitors, staff advised that an inspection had been completed and the building is currently in a safe condition for staff and visitors. Council also discussed whether to continue to put funds into the wind interpretive centre building or to upgrade low tech signage to include installation of a basic bulletin board for community use. Staff was directed to look into placing community bulletin board type signage on the site. 2014-258 Moved by: Councillor T Southwick Seconded by: Councillor W Casier "THAT Memorandum C2014-16 regarding Wind Interpretive Centre be received; THAT Council supports staffing the Wind Interpretive Centre from late June until Labour Day; THAT the Municipality accepts the offer by GDF Suez Canada to donate $2,000 toward the costs associated with staffing the Wind Interpretive Centre; AND THAT the Municipality of Bayham agrees to hire student staffing, as recommended by Mr. Kirby, for up to a maximum of 35 hours per week, subject to fundraising efforts of the committee to cover the full costs." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (e) Correspondence from Natural Resource Gas regarding "Quarterly Rate Adjustment Mechanism". File: E06 The Administrator commented that he believes it is not appropriate or reasonable for NRG to recoup their additional costs and penalties from their consumers when it is related to the company's poor management practices rather than an increase in commodity prices. 2014-259 Moved by: Deputy Mayor C Evanitski Seconded by: Councillor W Casier WHEREAS Natural Resource Gas Limited (NRG), which has a Franchise Agreement to provide natural gas to the majority of the residents serviced with Page 8 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 natural gas in the Municipality of Bayham and surrounding-areas, has made application to the Ontario Energy Board to recover from its ratepayers, costs associated with servicing consumers with natural gas; AND WHEREAS based on actual and forecast natural gas prices for the April 2013 through March 2014 the NRG Purchased Gas Commodity Variance Account (PGCVA) balance and the Ontario Energy Board decision and Interim Order have resulted in an average residential consumer rate increase of approximately $280 a year; AND WHEREAS, as outlined in the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 S.O. 1998, CHAPTER 15 SCHEDULE B, Section 2 (2) the Ontario Energy Board, in carrying out its responsibilities under this or any other Act in relation to gas, shall be guided by the following objectives: To protect the interests of consumers with respect to prices and the reliability and quality of gas service; AND WHEREAS the Notice in Appendix 'C' to Ontario Energy Board Case No. 2014-0053 submitted by NRG states: `NRG is permitted to recover what it pays for the purchase of gas plus any costs reasonably associated with this purchase'; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Municipality of Bayham direct staff to submit a `letter of comment' to the Ontario Energy Board- Case No. EB 2014-0053 regarding Natural Resource Gas Limited (NRG) request to recover from consumers the costs of natural gas purchases made by NRG in February 2014 in order to fulfill its contract with Union Gas Limited; AND THAT the `letter of comment' highlight the Council of the Municipality of Bayham position that NRG not be granted permission from the Ontario Energy Board to recover, from consumers, the penalty costs associated with NRG's failure to fulfill the obligations of its contract to Union Gas Limited with due prudence as evidenced by the facts that: i. the penalty costs associated with the purchase of gas are a result of poor contract management and are not `reasonable' to be passed onto consumers; ii. the April 1, 2014 Decision and Interim Order of the Ontario Energy Board noted that 'NRG acted imprudently during the past winter because it did not take any pre-emptive action to mitigate the shortfall in its banked gas account'; iii. Ontario Energy Board staff submitted that a prudent utility operator would have begun to mitigate the variance in its banked gas account early in the winter by making incremental gas purchases with a view to spread spot gas purchases over the winter and thereby diversify the risk associated with these incremental purchases; AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the County of Elgin and all affected lower tier municipalities in Elgin County, requesting the same to submit a `letter of comment' to the Ontario Energy Board stating the position that NRG not Page 9 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 be granted permission to recover, from consumers, the penalty costs associated with NRG's failure to fulfill the obligations of its contract to Union Gas Limited." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (f) Correspondence dated May 6, 2014 from Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs regarding "Economic Development Initiatives and Opportunities Plan", File: Fi l 2014-260 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Deputy Mayor C Evanitski "THAT correspondence from Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs regarding the Rural Economic Development(RED) Program be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (g) Memorandum C2014-17 regarding "HST Related to Community Groups". File: A21 Council discussed the concerns raised by the two organizations regarding the addition of the HST to the April contracts. It was agreed that the outstanding agreements must be signed and outstanding amounts, less HST, be paid. Further to staff recommendations regarding procedures for collection of rental fees Council directed the matter to the Community Centres Committee for discussion and recommendation back to Council. 2014-261 Moved by: Councillor T Southwick Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw "THAT the Council of the Municipality of Bayham directs that all new Community Centre rental contracts be assessed HST beginning May 1, 2014; AND THAT contracts signed prior to notice of HST be exempt from HST." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (h) Staff Report F2014-011regarding "Rural Economic Development (RED) Program". File: F11 2014-262 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Page 10 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 "THAT Staff Report F2014-011 regarding the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program be received; AND THAT Council authorizes sole-sourcing the Economic Development Initiatives and Opportunities Plan to Millier, Dickinson, Blais, pursuant to the justifications outlined in the report; AND THAT By-Law 2014-058 be presented to Council for enactment." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 10. ENVIRONMENT (a) Quarterly Report for the Bayham Water Distribution System and call ins for the period ending March 31, 2014. File: E08 Staff noted that there had been a substantial loss of water due to burst pipes at the old firehall during the winter. Council agreed and directed that the water loss should be billed to the Municipality rather than the water users. 2014-263 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw "THAT the Quarterly Report for the Bayham Water Distribution System and call ins for the period ending March 31, 2014 be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (b) Quarterly Report for the Bayham Small Municipal Non-Residential Wells for the period ending March 31, 2014. File: E08 2014-264 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor W Casier "THAT the Quarterly Report for the Small Municipal Non-Residential Wells for the period ending March 31, 2014 be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (c) Quarterly Report for the Richmond Community Water System and call ins for the period ending March 31, 2014. File: E08 Page 11 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 2014-265 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw "THAT the Quarterly Report for the Richmond Community Water System and call ins for the period ending March 31, 2014 be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (d) Port Burwell Wastewater Treatment Plant Quarterly Compliance Summary and call ins for the period ending March 31, 2014. File: E08 2014-266 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor W Casier "THAT Port Burwell Wastewater Treatment Plant Quarterly Compliance Summary Report and call ins for the period ending March 31, 2014 be received for information." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 11. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE There were no Closed Session items. 12. BY-LAWS (a) By-Law 2014-055 A By-Law to amend By-Law 2014-004 and Appendix "A" (Minister of Natural Resources Sewer Services Installation and Connection) (b) By-Law 2014-056 A By-Law to authorize the execution of an agreement (Hoover Site Plan) (c) By-Law 2014-058 A By-Law to authorize the execution of a Funding Agreement (RED Agreement not available at time of publishing) 2014-267 Moved by: Councillor W Casier Seconded by: Deputy Mayor C Evanitski "THAT By-Laws 2014-055, 2014-056 and 2014-058 be read a first, second and third time and finally passed." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY (d) By-Law 2014-057 A By-Law to confirm all actions of Council Page 12 of 13 Council Minutes May 15, 2014 2014-268 Moved by: Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by: Councillor W Casier "THAT confirming By-Law 2014-057 be read a first, second and third time and finally passed." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 13. ADJOURNMENT (a) Adjournment 2014-269 Moved by: Deputy Mayor C Evanitski Seconded by: Councillor E Ketchabaw "THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 9:41 p.m." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY M IOR CLERK Page 13 of 13