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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 25, 2011 - Special Council BUDGET MEETING MINUTES THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM 9344 Plank Road, Straffordville May 25,2011 7:00 PM The fourth 2011 budget meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Bayham was held on Wednesday,May 25, 2011 in the Council Chambers.Present were Mayor Paul Ens, Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor,Councillors Tom Southwick,Wayne Casier and Ed Ketchabaw, Administrator Kyle Kruger,Clerk Lynda Millard and Treasurer Denis Duguay. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. DELEGATIONS 7:00 p.m. -Ray Maddox regarding "Inactive Cemetery Maintenance". Ray Maddox presented his request for support of$10,000 in budget dollars including staff assistance to conduct clean up and repairs to inactive Bayham cemeteries. He circulated pictures of various cemetery sites. Proposed works would include tree and brush cutting,cleanup and removal,boundary fence repairs,monument repairs,leveling and surface cleaning. He noted that limestone marker surface cleaning can be done with a solution of 50%each vinegar and water followed by a thorough flushing with clear water,as the vinegar itself is corrosive. He raised safety concerns regarding the retaining wall at the Old Eden cemetery.Mr.Maddox suggested that work be rotated throughout the three wards until all are improved. Council requested that a proposed work plan be submitted with cost estimates for their consideration. Council was supportive of a reduction of$5,000 for 2011 3. 2011 DRAFT BUDGET (a) 2011 Draft Budget as previously circulated. The Treasurer identified revisions that had been made to the draft budget. The Administrator provided a list of municipal properties. Surplus properties are to be identified for the next budget meeting. As the operating budget currently is at a 14%increase over 2010,possible areas for reductions were discussed. Page 1 of 2 Budget Meeting Minutes May 25,2011 Suggestions for reductions included the following: Council travel was reduced by$1,000; Policing reduced by$2,500; Building Services—training reduced by$1,000 conferences reduced by$500; B/L Enforcement salaries reduced by$10,000; Roads—clearing-other reduced by$5,000; Cemetery improvement reduced by$5,000. Staff responded to inquiries from Council members as appropriate. Following further discussion, staff was directed to provide recommendations for further reductions to lower the tax rate increase to 1%. The next budget meeting was set for Monday,June 6th at 7:00 p.m. 4. BY-LAW (a) By-law 2011-044 A By-law to confirm all actions of Council 2011-238 Moved by Councillor T Southwick Seconded by Councillor W Casier "THAT confirming By-law 2011-044 be read a first,second and third time and finally passed." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. ADJOURNMENT (a) Adjournment 2011-239 Moved by Councillor W Casier Seconded by Councillor T Southwick "THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 10:30 p.m." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY MA OR CLERK Page 2 of 2 COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM 9344 Plank Road,Straffordville Tuesday,May 31,2011 7:00 PM Council Chambers The special meeting of Council of the Municipality of Bayham was held on Tuesday,May 31, 2011 at the Vienna Community Centre. Present were Mayor Paul Ens,Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor, Councilors Tom Southwick,Wayne Casier and Ed Ketchabaw,Administrator Kyle Kruger and Clerk Lynda Millard. There were approximately sixty members of the community, as well as Council, staff and representatives from the Elgin Military Museum present. 1. CALL TO ORDER Call to Order—Mayor Ens welcomed everyone and introduced members of the Elgin Military Museum Board,Executive Director Ian Raven,member Lynn Acre and President Deborah Jarvis. 2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST&THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF None. 3. ADMINISTRATION (a) Information and updates regarding"Project Ojibwa". Mayor Paul Ens stated that the purpose of the meeting was to inform residents and interested persons that the Municipality was offering the Elgin Military Museum land for the placement of the Ojibwa and in return the Museum would pay the full cost of the required dredging. He provided a brief overview of the Ojibwa project and steps taken by the Municipality in order for the project to proceed since August 2010 forward. The Mayor then opened the meeting for questions focused on the project. Q. Carol Wood questioned what happened to the idea to purchase a dredge to clean out the harbour and the opportunity to lease it out to other local ports. A.Mayor Ens responded that the Municipality is not in a position to spend a lot of money,the capacity of the equipment was borderline and may not be able to meet the short timeframe to have the work completed. Q. Paul Wood suggested the opportunity to purchase a dredge to complete the work and then lease the equipment out was a no brainer. A. Mayor Ens emphasized the need to complete the work quickly. Page 1 of 4 Sip Onmeil.Biaiget Meeting Minutes May 31,2011 Q. Sharon Heatherington questioned what if the dredging doesn't get done in time. A. Mr. Raven responded that the sub could be held in Hamilton.Dredging costs are to be borne by the Museum and must be to a depth of 10 feet. Equipment for the move is coming from across North America. Q.Honor Wassing asked if approval has been given to use a suction dredge. A.Administrator Kyle Kruger advised that there are several agencies involved for in- water disposal of dredgeate and approval is not expected until the end of June. Brian Riggs is providing additional information required for a Request for Proposals to go out soon. Q.Ray Maddox questioned whether there is enough money coming in to pay for a dredge,will the dredge make money and what's this doing for Bayham? A. Mayor Ens advised that the meeting is not about buying a dredge. Q. Ray Talbot noted that the harbour will silt in after the sub arrives and the equipment will be required to maintain the harbour so American visitors will come in from across the lake. A.Deputy Mayor Taylor stated that it isn't practical to purchase a dredge at three quarters of a million dollars when it is not known whether it can be used. Mr.Talbot suggested he would learn to operate the dredge and would operate it at no cost if purchased. Q.Bruce Bolland questioned the transfer of the property and under who's ownership the land is. He suggested the Municipality purchase lands from the numbered company. A. Mayor Ens noted that land values vary based on uses.He added that the Municipality owns the property where the sub will sit and is considering a transfer to the Military Museum in return for the cost of the dredging. Ian Raven added that ownership by the Museum(a non-profit organization)is necessary to carry the debt load.A transfer is a simpler process. Q. John Bastis questioned whether there is any sale value to the removed silt. A. Mayor Ens responded that there is a mixture of soil types which are of little value unless dried out. It's cheaper to dispose in water. The Ministry wants it placed out farther and soundings are being done in the lake to determine the best area for placement so as not to create a mountain. Q. Paul Wood questioned the time-line required to do the dredging. A. Mayor Ens confirmed that dredging is a time consuming process and noted that the approval authorities didn't support the first proposal. Q.Mr.Wood asked whether an offer to hold the dredge for purchase was possible. A. Mayor Ens responded that the Harbourfront Committee did have an offer to hold equipment until April 15th. Page 2 of 4 Meeting Minutes May 31,2011 Q. Chuck Buchanan questioned if approvals were granted,could the Municipality purchase a dredge as well as hire another to complete work in a shorter time? A. Mayor Ens commented that might be something to look at. Mayor Ens requested a show of hands for support to give the lands for the Ojibwa to the Military Museum in return for the dredging. A majority of those present responded favourably. Q.Bob Lozon questioned proposed work and timelines to be met. A.Mr.Ravin responded that divers have been working to determine the depth required to permit the sub to enter the harbour.The scale can be cleaned from the sub in the Nova Scotia harbour,however,if removed after arrival it must be treated as hazardous waste. He added that commitment has been made to North American based dollies and equipment contractors necessary for the move. Q. Ron Bradfield asked whether the sub has been released by the Navy. A.Mr. Ravin responded that the sub has not been officially released,however, they have permitted the removal of parts.He advised the same contractor has been hired as moved the Chicoutimi. Q. Mr.Wood questioned the curing time for the cement cradles. A.Mr. Ravin advised 28 days,however there are additives that can make it cure more quickly—timelines are tight but doable. Rick Wassing commented that he was surprised how much power the Ministry has. Mr. Raven commented that local authorities have been supportive.The project has been ongoing for two years,the announcement of the award of the sub to Bayham was on June 22,2010,however,documents were not signed until March 17,2011. 4. BY-LAW (a) By-Law 2011-045 A By-Law to confirm all actions of Council 2011-240 Moved by Councillor T Southwick Seconded by Councilor W Casier "THAT confirming By-Law 2011-045 be read a first,second and third time and finally passed." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Page 3 of 4 eounerl-Buclget Meeting Minutes May 31,2011 5. ADJOURNMENT (a) Adjournment 2011-241 Moved by Councilor W Casier Seconded by Councillor T Southwick "THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 7:55 p.m." CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY +r. ;1 ;RK MAYOR CL Page 4 of 4