Council Minutes

Members of the audience were: Jim Jenkins(Roads Foreman), Carol Armstrong, Jackie Shipway, Jean Palmer, Mike Zemnicky, Deanne Bidinosti, Lloyd Nelson, Keely Grasser(Almaguin Forester), Gary Hartford, Joan and Bob Douglas, and the families of the Dr. Richardson Bursary Recipients.

Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Reeve Glynn Robinson.

Glynn Robinson presented the graduating Grade Eight students with the Dr. Richardson Bursary. Krista Nelson was the top student from this Township. Congratulations to all of the students!

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.

Murphy/Wilson That we appoint Tina Scott to fill the vacant seat on Council for the term ending December, 2010. CARRIED

Evans/Mulligan We accept the minutes of the Council meeting held June 4^th, 2007. CARRIED

Mulligan/Murphy That we amend the agenda to include a by-law to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement. CARRIED

Carolyn Dyk gave a presentation about the concerns of properties in the hamlet of Sprucedale that have been left unattended. Council will investigate the possibility of preparing a by-law regarding this issue.

Jim Jenkins gave a brief report on the Roads Department activities.

Evans/Murphy That we declare Truck #4 as surplus and will accept bids in order to sell. CARRIED

Mulligan/Evans That we advertise to accept quotes to cover the landfill as required. CARRIED

Murphy/Evans We prepare a tender package for a sander unit to be advertised in the Almaguin News Newspaper for one week and to be sent to companies approved by the Roads Foreman. CARRIED

Graham Hewitt has sent the office his letter of resignation and has proposed that Ken Nixon be appointed Fire Chief and for Jim Kiers be appointed Deputy Fire Chief. Council would like to meet with the Department to discuss this further.

Correspondence was reviewed.

Staff was directed to send a thankyou letter to the Minister of Education in regards to the announcement of funding for a new Almaguin Highlands Secondary School.

Mulligan/Evans That we support the letter from the Municipality of Trent Hills dated June 4^th, 2007 regarding the efforts of Canadian Advocates for Tax Awareness to create a fair and equitable system of property taxation. CARRIED

Mulligan/Murphy With funding approved by Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation, Council agrees to install a 2-way high speed internet satellite service. CARRIED

Murphy/Evans That we support the resolution #2007-88 from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry regarding the removal of the Farmland and Managed Forest Component from the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund and establishing a separate and distinct Provincial funding program with 100% reimbursement to Municipalities of their annual lost property tax revenue on farmland and managed forest properties. CARRIED

Business Carried Forward.

There is a possibility of applying through the Ontario Trillium Foundation Program for funding regarding the Seniors Retirement Home. Staff will investigate further.

Evans/Murphy With the acceptance from Carl and Joan Whitmell, an eight foot portion of land from Lot 9, Plan 77, McMurrich Township will be surveyed and transferred into the Township’s name for the purchase price of $2,000. All survey costs and registration fees to be paid my the Township. CARRIED

The request from Bob and Joan Douglas to demolish two older buildings and to erect one larger storage shed was discussed(setback). The neighbouring property owner, Deanne Bidinosti was present to discuss her position on the request. Council will request written comment from the Chief Building Official.

Mulligan/Evans With funding from Human Resources Development Canada, we hereby hire Bradley Spencley for the summer student position and as an alternate Dustin French. CARRIED

Evans/Murphy With funding from the Ministry of Culture, we hereby hire Melissa French for the summer student position and alternate is Miranda Peake. CARRIED

Staff is awaiting a copy of the revised Building Department Shared Services Agreement from Perry Township.

The 2007 Budget figures were discussed. The Roads Dept. Budget was reworked to allow for the Sander unit to be included in the budget without changing the total amount required. Some other lines in the budget were also revised.

Mulligan/Murphy We accept first and second reading of By-law 10-2007 regarding adopting the estimates and setting the tax rates for the year 2007. CARRIED

Murphy/Evans With special permission, we accept third and final reading and pass By-law 10-2007 regarding adopting the estimates and setting the tax rates for the year 2007. CARRIED

New Business.

The required updates to the Procedure Bylaw for Council Meetings will be deferred until next meeting to allow members to review.

By-laws:

Evans/Murphy We accept first and second reading of By-law 12-2007 regarding entering into a Mutual Assistance Agreement. CARRIED

Mulligan/Murphy With special permission, we accept third and final reading and pass By-law 12-2007 regarding entering into a Mutual Assistance Agreement. CARRIED

Reports were given.

John Murphy reported on the Cemetery Board Meeting and the MMCAP Committee meeting. Merv Mulligan reported on Almaguin Highlands Economic Development meeting and the Park to Park Meeting. Glynn Robinson reported on the Steering Committee meeting.

Council Concerns:

There was a brief discussion on the Tax Sale proceedings.

There are many bears at the Landfill Site. Staff will contact MNR to find out if the Bear Wise Funding Application can be changed to installing electric fencing.

Evans/Mulligan That we go beyond the 11pm curfew. CARRIED

Murphy/Mulligan We accept the Accounts for Approval Report for the month of June, 2007 in the amount of $213,160.15. CARRIED

Evans/Murphy We adjourn this meeting at 11:13pm until Aug. 7, 2007 or at the call of the Reeve. CARRIED

Minutes not approved until accepted by Council.