Council Minutes

Present were Reeve, Glynn Robinson, Councilors: Heather Wilson, Mervin Mulligan, John Murphy, and David Evans. Members of the audience were: Jeff Maki, Murray O’Halloran, Almaguin Forester Reporter, Sgt Ayotte, and Chas Clark. Brian Hachkowski attended later in the evening.

Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Reeve Glynn Robinson. Some changes to the agenda were made: Frances Dodd and Chris Hope were unable to attend. Brian Hachkowski would attend later in the evening due to travel time. Charles Clark would like to speak to council briefly and Council accepted.

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

Murphy – Wilson That we accept the minutes of the Council Meetings held January 2^nd, and 30^th, 2007 as amended.

Sgt Ayotte presented the yearly report. In 2006, there were fewer calls for service. He briefly discussed the increased estimate for 2007.

Chas Clark was welcomed to the table to quickly invite Council to the official opening of the Highland Rovers Snowmobile Club New Groomer Shed. The Opening is to be held on Saturday, February 24^th at 1pm at the Groomer Shed on Station Road in Emsdale.

Evans – Mulligan Council hereby authorizes the scheduled events that the volunteers and Fire Fighters Association are organizing for the 38^th Sprucedale Winter Carnival. CARRIED

Wilson – Murphy That the signing authorities for the Township of McMurrich /Monteith are as follows: Two signatures are required, One signature from either Administration staff: Richard Gibb or Cheryl Marshall and One signature from either Council member: Glynn Robinson or Mervin Mulligan CARRIED

Correspondence was reviewed.

Staff was directed to contact Municipal Affairs and Housing to inquire about the proper process is to enforce a property owner to clean up a safety concern. Staff was also directed to send a letter to both property owners.

#1A Murphy – Wilson That we propose that all Class B licenses in the District of Parry Sound be exempt from all requirements under the Aggregate Resources Act and that we circulate to all municipalities in the District of Parry Sound. CARRIED

#1B Evans – Mulligan Should Motion #1A be ignored, the municipalities should be treated on the same footing as the M.T.O. and be exempt from paying any fees on aggregates being used from their own property. CARRIED

Council will invite the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to give a presentation on Sunday Gun Hunting. This will be a public meeting to be scheduled in late April or early May, 2007.

Business Carried Forward.

The Official Plan will be in effect as of February 6, 2007. The Application to Infrastructure Ontario was sent through the internet on Friday, February 2^nd.

New Business was discussed.

Whereas, the Liberal party promised during the 2003 election campaign to increase funding to long term care homes by $6000 per resident per annum; and Whereas funding increases for direct care and services to residents to date represent $2307 or just over a third of the governments $6000 promise; and Whereas, significant investment is needed now to meet the immediate needs of residents; Therefore, be it resolved that this Council urge this government to increase the per diem thereby fulfilling its election promise made in 2003. And further that this motion be sent to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Mr. George Smitherman and the MPP for Muskoka Mr. Norm Miller. CARRIED

There was some discussion on a severance for Lot 15, Concession 1, McMurrich Twp. Council had already approved this severance but the owner has property on the west side of Stisted Road South as well and would like it kept separate once the Road is deeded to the Township. Council felt that since they had already supported the application to sever the two 10 acre parcels that the two pieces of property west of Stisted road should be deeded with their counterparts on the east side of Stisted Road.

Glynn Robinson called for a 10 minute break.

Further discussion on the severance confirmed their decision.

Brian Hachkowski attended the meeting to explain to Council the amendments to the Aggregate Resources Act. There are no exemptions. Some review of the Township pits and future planning should be made soon in order to have the completed application in to the Ministry of Natural Resources before June 30^th, 2007.

Council thanked Brian for his information.

Evans – Murphy That we accept first and second reading of By-law 01-2007 regarding the creation of two standing committees. CARRIED

Mulligan – Wilson With special permission of Council, we accept third and final reading and pass By-law 01-2007 regarding the creation of two standing committees. CARRIED

Murphy – Wilson That we accept first and second reading of By-law 05-2007 regarding setting the tax ratios for 2007. CARRIED

Wilson – Mulligan That we accept third and final reading and pass By-law 03-2007 regarding setting the Interim Tax rates for 2007. CARRIED

Wilson – Murphy That we accept first and second reading of By-law 06-2007 regarding authorizing the temporary borrowing of monies. CARRIED

Evans – Mulligan We accept first and second reading of By-law 07-2007 regarding appointing members to the Committees of the Township. CARRIED

Murphy – Wilson With special permission of Council, we accept third reading and pass By-law 07-2007 regarding appointing members to the committees of the Township. CARRIED

An admail will be distributed to the residents requesting volunteers for the Recreation events for the year, otherwise the events will not be organized.

Reports were given. John Murphy reported on the Provincial Offences Act Committee stating that the budget is decreasing but that also means that the distributed revenue also decreases. He also quickly discussed Belvedere Heights. Merv Mulligan reported on the annual general meeting of Park to Park Committee and the Almaguin Highlands Economic Development Committee.

Since there are more interested people than required for the Cemetery Board, everyone will be invited to attend the first meeting to discuss the appointments.

Council Concerns: Heather Wilson inquired about sanding practices since she had received some concern that there wasn’t enough sanding being done on the corners north of Sprucedale on Stisted Road. Merv Mulligan inquired about the Waste Diversion Ontario grant application. Staff mentioned that more information is now being received and the deadline to apply is near March 31^st. Staff mentioned that a property owner on Patricia Avenue had come in to inquire about the work that is being done on the south end of Patricia Avenue by a property owner who was given approval by Council to create a laneway to his property. Notification was given to the property owners on Patricia Avenue south of Pomeroy Road. The property owner that had questioned the process owns property north of that intersection.

Wilson - Murphy That we accept the Accounts for Approval Report for the month of January, 2007 in the amount of $110,882.01. CARRIED

John Murphy questioned why the letters from the Auditor were not on the agenda and discussed with Council before accepting them and returning them to our Auditor as well as whether or not the new rules for public reporting were going to be discussed with Council.

Evans – Wilson That we go into a closed session at 10:25pm regarding personnel matters. CARRIED

Evans – Murphy That we come out of a closed session at 10:46pm CARRIED

Wilson – Murphy That we authorize the purchase of 6 grader tires from Gilroy’s Tire in the amount of $11,788.74. CARRIED

Wilson - Mulligan That we hereby adjourn at 10:48pm until March 5, 2007 or at the call of Reeve. CARRIED

Minutes not approved until accepted by Council.