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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 06, 2012 - Special Council COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES. THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM Vienna Community Centre 26 Fulton Street,Vienna Tuesday,March 6, 2012 7:00 PM The special meeting of Council of the Municipality of Bayham was held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at the Vienna Community Centre. Present were Mayor Paul Ens, Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor, Councillors Tom Southwick, Wayne Casier and Ed Ketchabaw, Administrator Kyle Kruger and Clerk Lynda Millard. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Paul Ens welcomed the approximately 300 attendees and introduced Elgin Military Museum Executive Director Ian Raven, who in turn introduced members of the Museum Board being President Deborah Jarvis,Vice President Jim Ziegler, Jeff Booth, John Allan, Tim Barrett, Lynn Acre and Project Coordinator Dan McNeil. 2. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. 3. ADMINISTRATION (a) Project Ojibwa Draft Business Plan File: D06 (b) Staff Memorandum dated February 13, 2012 regarding Project Ojibwa Financial Guarantee- Impact Analysis. File: D06 (c) Comments by Dan McNeil, Rear Admiral(retired), Project Co-ordinator,Project Ojibwa. File: D06 Mayor Ens provided an overview of the merits and potential benefits from the handout "What Project Ojibwa Brings to Bayham". Mayor Ens asked and Ian Raven responded to questions as follows: Q What is the size of the financial commitment expected and the risk of exposure? A The Department of National Defence requires a firm guarantor commitment of $6 million by March 23, 2012, of which$500,000 is already spent. Fundraising will begin in earnest once the guarantor is in place. Page 1 of 3 Council Special Meeting Minutes March 06, 2012 Q What is the value of the Museum's assets? A $1 million. As a non-profit organization, the collection must be kept in the public trust and cannot be used as collateral. Q What is the fundraising plan to date? A The plan is continually being updated. They need to physically have the asset(the sub) in order to proceed with fundraising. John Reagan at the Elgin Business Resource Centre is currently reviewing the fundraising plan. $300,000 has been secured and an additional $100,000 is being considered. The business plan is available on the Museum's website. A proprietary donor list has also been secured. Q What is the repayment plan? A The EMM expects to expend$2.5 million in 2012 and intends to operate on funds drawn as needed from a line of credit. Interest at 5.5% and repayment will be from donations received on an ongoing basis. Q What will be the oversight role of the Municipality? A It is intended that the Municipality will have a representative on the Museum Board and be actively involved in decisions. Q What will be the compensation for Bayham's participation? A It is not anticipated that any money from the Municipality will be required. As a non- profit organization, anticipated Museum surpluses will be distributed locally. Q What are the estimates for dredging going to cost? A Originally the Municipality was to undertake the dredging. The Museum assumed this when the Municipality donated the land for placement of the sub.No contract has yet been awarded and estimates are confidential. Q What does the Museum have as an alternate plan if the Municipality declines? A Due to the tight timeline it would most likely be the end of the project. It is hoped the federal CAF funding will roll forward from October 31, 2011. St. Catharines and Sarnia have shown an interest. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS The Mayor laid ground rules for taking questions and comments focusing on the right of everyone to speak and encouraged everyone's respect for the opinions expressed. He then opened the floor to questions and comments. A number of individuals came forward to speak in favour of proceeding with the necessary financial guarantees to secure Project Ojibwa. It was stated that support is needed as the project will provide needed economic stimulus to the area with large numbers of visitors and benefits to existing businesses and attraction of new business. It was stated that the area has been experiencing ongoing decline and needs this investment. It was questioned what other opportunities may be coming if this one is not pursued. Page 2 of 3 Council Special Meeting Minutes March 06, 2012 Participants also raised questions and concerns with the financing proposal. Concerns were raised over tax impacts should the project fail and result in municipal debt. It was stated that the visitation estimates are very high compared to other comparable sites. It was also stated that jobs associated with the operation will only be seasonal and low paying, and that road improvements may be needed. It was noted that information discrepancies may vary based on differing sources available. In response to questions, staff commented that, in the event of default, $3 million of municipal debt would represent a cost of approximately$125 per household each year over ten years. It was also confirmed that land donated to the museum will be returned to the Municipality if the project does not go forward. Following all public comment, members of Council expressed opinions that the project can be of benefit to the area and noted that all comments will be considered. 5. BY-LAWS (a) By-law 2012-025 A By-law to confirm all actions of Council. 2012-112 Moved by Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by Deputy Mayor M Taylor "THAT By-law 2012-025 confirming all actions of Council be read a First, Second and Third time and finally passed." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 6. ADJOURNMENT (a) Adjournment 2012-113 Moved by Councillor E Ketchabaw Seconded by Councillor T Southwick "THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:57 p.m." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY dez- M,i OR CLERK Page 3 of 3