TOWN OF FORT FRANCES
COUNCIL MINUTES SESSION NO. 014 JUNE 9, 2008
The meeting of Council of the Town of Fort Frances was held in the Council Chambers, Civic Centre on Monday, June 9, 2008 from 7:12 p.m. p.m. to 8:23 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor R. Avis, Chairperson (chaired 7:12 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. and 7:41 p.m. to 8:23 p.m.); Councillors J. Albanese, A Hallikas, K. Perry, G. Paul Ryan, S. Tibbs (chaired 7:40 p.m. to 7:41 p.m.) and R. Wiedenhoeft.
ALSO PRESENT: M. McCaig, Administrator, K. Lawson, Deputy Clerk; G. Bell, Manager, Community Services; D. Brown, Manager, Operations & Facilities;
D. Scofield, Deputy Treasurer.
1. Declarations of pecuniary interest by members:
1) Mayor R. Avis on agenda item 12., the claim for travel expenses and per diem expense was his. Mayor Avis did not participate in any discussion of nor vote on these matters. He turned the chair over to Deputy Mayor S. Tibbs while the matters were considered.
2. Verbal Communications:
1) Frank Binder, Regional Manager CN Public Affairs gave a verbal update re: CN Systems Overview. Mr. Binder addressed questions about any economic benefits which might be derived from additional train traffic, wait times of the trains, and the possibility of partnering on the re-facing of the underpass bridge exterior.
2) D. Brown gave a verbal update re: Water Restrictions relating to the Water Tower Rehabilitation project.
3) Mayor Avis and M. McCaig gave a update with respect to their recent attendance at the FCM conference in Quebec City – May 30 – June 2nd.
3. Written communications as per the agenda attached.
4. Non agenda items:
1) M. McCaig re: Recently posted travel restrictions resulting from the underpass rehabilitation project. L. Woods, town resident affected by the project spoke to the restrictions.
2) Councillor Wiedenhoeft gave a verbal update on the recent meeting to discuss the proposed regulations protecting ‘Species at Risk’ under the Endangered Species Act. The public was urged to come to the Civic Centre or Memorial Sports Centre and sign a letter of objection with respect to these regulations.
5. Resolutions:
191 Ryan-Wiedenhoeft: THAT the presentation from Frank Binder, CN Public Affairs be received.
192 Wiedenhoeft-Ryan: THAT the following Consent items be approved:
1) Committee of the Whole Consent items # 8 and 10.
2) Council Consent Summary Report # 27
3) Council Consent items # 29,30,31 and 32. CARRIED
Council Minutes
2008 June 9
Page 2
8) approved submission of the funding application for the Fort Frances Heritage Tourism Phase ll Project under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Rural Economic Development Program.
10) referred the request from W. Dirk for roadway repairs in front of 315 Butler Avenue to the 2009 capital budget deliberations and authorized the installation of a asphalt patch over the repair area at this time.
29) supported the resolution passed May 21, 2008 from the Business Improvement Area Board of Management re: D. Anderson board vacancy and further directed the seat be declared vacant.
30) proclaimed September 2008 as ‘Arthritis Month’ in the Town of Fort Frances.
31) referred a request from C. Belluz re: Potential property acquisition to the Planning and Development Executive Committee for recommendation.
32) supported the resolution from Sudbury Mine Mill and Smelter Workers’ Local 598/C.A.W. re: Harassment and Violence in the Workplace.
193 Perry-Ryan: THAT the verbal update from W. Derksen, Town Solicitor re: Multiplicities of Litigation be received and further that the matter proceed as directed. CARRIED
194 Albanese-Ryan: THAT the report dated June 4, 2008 from G. Bell, Manager
Community Services re: Community Museum Operating Grant be approved and further that an authorizing by-law be prepared. CARRIED
195 Albanese-Ryan: THAT the report dated June 5, 2008 from R. Hallam, Superintendent Planning and Development re: Request for Over Height Fence – Rounds/Robinson - 713 Thompson Street be approved. CARRIED
196 Albanese-Ryan: THAT the report dated June 4, 2008 from D. Brown, Manager Operations and Facilities re: Partnership with Environmental Club from J.W. Walker School re: Rain Barrels be approved. CARRIED
197 Perry-Albanese: THAT the report dated June 3, 2008 from D. Scofield, Deputy- Treasurer re: Mayor Avis – Per Diem Expense be approved. CARRIED
Disclosure of Interest: R. Avis
198 Perry-Albanese: THAT the report dated June 3, 2008 from L. Witherspoon, Treasurer re: Mark McCaig, CAO – Travel Expense be approved. CARRIED
199 Perry-Albanese: THAT the report dated June 5, 2008 from B. Hagarty, Interim Human Resources Manager re: Health and Safety be approved. CARRIED
200 Perry-Albanese: THAT the report dated June 5, 2008 from B. Hagarty, Interim Human Resources Manager re: Benefit Renewal be received and referred to the Administration and Finance Executive Committee for recommendation.
CARRIED
201 Perry-Albanese: THAT the report dated June 5, 2008 from L. Witherspoon, Treasurer re: 2008 BIA Budget be approved and further that an authorizing by- law be prepared. CARRIED
202 Perry-Albanese: THAT the report dated June 2, 2008 from D. Brown, Manager Operations and Facilities re: Proposal to Decommission the Traffic Control Signals at the Intersection of Mowat Avenue and Church Street be approved.
CARRIED
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2008 June 9
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203 Ryan-Wiedenhoeft: THAT the minutes of the Council meeting being Sessions No. 12 and 13 dated May 12 and 26, 2008 having been typed and distributed be approved. CARRIED
204 Wiedenhoeft-Ryan: THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole of Council meeting being Sessions No. 18 and 19 dated May 12 and 26, 2008 having been typed and distributed be approved. CARRIED
205 Ryan-Wiedenhoeft: THAT the following by-laws be introduced and read a first, second and third time, be finally passed, signed by the Mayor and Clerk, sealed with the Corporate Seal and become law forthwith:
57/05-B A By-Law to amend the Business Licensing By-Law to provide for an increase in rates chargeable for taxicabs used for hire within the
Town of Fort Frances.
37/08 A By-Law to approve a contract awarded to Norwec Company for water
tower improvements - (Tender 08-OF-01).
38/08 A By-Law to approve an agreement with the Minister of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) for financing of a Heritage Tourism
Project Phase 2 under the Rural Economic Development Program.
39/08 A By-Law to authorize the levying and collection in 2008 of a special
charge of taxes upon the Business Improvement Area. CARRIED
206 Ryan-Wiedenhoeft: THAT the report dated June 9, 2008 from M. McCaig, CAO and the verbal update from Mayor Avis re: Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference be received. CARRIED
207 Wiedenhoeft-Ryan: THAT this meeting of the Council of the Town of Fort Frances be now closed. CARRIED
R. Avis, Chairperson
S. Tibbs, Chairperson
K. Lawson, Deputy Clerk