The Corporation of the Township of Laird
Council Meeting Minutes – May 20, 2021
MINUTES OF AGENDA NUMBER 32, OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAIRD, HELD 0N MAY 20, 2021,
VIA ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION.
Present: Mayor:
Dick Beitz
Shawn Evoy Councillors:
Ed Lapish Todd Rydall Frank Turco
Jennifer Errington Acting Clerk:
Rhonda Crozier Treasurer:
David Pollari Road Superintendent:
Guest:
Shawn Pollard
Special Public Meeting opened at 7:30 p.m., to consider rezoning part Lot 11, Plan H751. No objections were received. Applicant, Shawn Pollard, communicated his application and his plans to build.
ON MOTION (No. 78-21) of Todd Rydall, seconded by Shawn Evoy that Council approves Council minutes of April 15, and the recreation committee minutes of CARRIED April 27, 2021, as presented.
ON MOTION (No. 79-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Ed Lapish that Council approves the Cemetery Board minutes of May 11, 2021, as presented. CARRIED
ON MOTION (No. 80-21) of Ed Lapish, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council approves general accounts to April 30, 2021, as presented in amount of CARRIED $2,964.09.
ON MOTION (No. 81-21) of Ed Lapish, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council approves road accounts to April 30, 2021, as presented in the amount of CARRIED $29,326.03.
Council discussed the Lakeview Bridge Tulloch Engineering Contract. It was consensus of Council to get a list of whole points with a schedule outlining the minimum requirements and costs. The Acting Clerk will communicate with Tulloch Engineering and report back to Council at the next meeting.
ON MOTION (No. 82-21) of Todd Rydall, seconded by Shawn Evoy that Council approves the use of Laird Hall by the Heritage Committee to provide storage for all of the items that are located at the current museum, as long as the items do not CARRIED interfere with appropriate rents.
ON MOTION (No. 83-21) of Ed Lapish, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council maintains the position of April 23, 2021 for the sale of back lot to 141 Finns’ Bay CARRIED Road North in the amount of $2,000.00.
ON MOTION (No. 84-21) Shawn Evoy, seconded by Ed Lapish that Council approves the amendment to the summer schedule, amending the August 19th, CARRIED 2021 meeting date to August 12, 2021.
Council reviewed the Chipper Quotes Memorandum; it was the consensus of Council that purchasing a chipper was not something required at this time.
ON MOTION (No. 85-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Frank Turco that Council advises property owner(s) at 253 Reids Road that one travel trailer may be placed on that property after a building permit is issued. This approval is good until CARRIED October 30, 2021.
ON MOTION (No. 86-21) of Frank Turco, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council appoints Merril Evoy, Darin Evoy, Matt Frolick, and Al Cook as lay people on the CARRIED Laird Cemetery Board.
ON MOTION (No. 87-21) of Todd Rydall, seconded by Shawn Evoy that Council approves donating $25 to each grade eight graduate and $50 to each grade 12 CARRIED graduate from Laird Township, graduating from CAES and CASS.
ON MOTION (No. 88-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council approves By-law 1034-21 rezoning Lot 11 part, Plan H751, Roll #2-03000, CARRIED Government Road, as presented.
ON MOTION (No. 89-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council supports in principle the proposed application to have the North portion of Plan 1R4520, part of Part 4 being consolidated with Part 5 and the remainder of Part 4 be consolidated with Part 3, located on Finns’ Bay Road South, as presented. CARRIED
Council discussed the concerns on Nebbish Road West and Finns’ Bay Road North outlined in the letter to Council. It was reported by Councillor Turco that there was a garbage can at the Finn’s Bay Road mailboxes, but it disappeared, he has volunteered to replace the garbage can at this location along with putting one at the Wharf property. Councillor Turco indicated that he will empty it as needed. Councillor Rydall volunteered to remove the old rusted garbage can that is located at the end of Neebish Road West and the lake. Councillor Evoy reported that Bar River area does not seem to have a garbage issue, as community members take it upon themselves to pick up garbage on a regular basis. It was suggested to organize a work bee around Earth Day, and Council will entertain this in the future. It was consensus of all of Council that they would all make an effort to help address the garbage issue.
Council discussed the letter submitted regarding speed concerns on Neebish Road West. The Acting Clerk communicated that the OPP was immediately contacted after receiving the concern, the OPP Staff Sargent indicated that they will increase patrols in the area in an attempt to slow motorists down. Council discussed the use of a radar speed sign as a tool to help reduce drivers speeding, the Acting Clerk will get quotes on a radar speed sign. Council also would like to have the Acting Clerk reach out to neighbouring Municipalities to see if they would have any interest in sharing a radar speed sign.
Councillor Turco talked to Council about coming up with a tool to help keep Council informed of business arising out of minutes. It was consensus that it would be useful to have a log similar to the Concern/Information Log that is provided in the Agenda under Council Information. It was discussed that Councillor Turco will provide an example for the next regular meeting.
Councillor Turco presented the idea of having the share shed open for Spring Clean up days. It was also discussed advertising in a newsletter for people to put their items at the end of their driveway, like Jocyln Township is doing, rather than having a spot at the share shed. Councillor Evoy pointed out that we are still in a lock down and that we should entertain opening up the share shed once it is safe to do so. The topic will be tabled and will be readdressed when the lock down is lifted.
Council discussed the Bar River Hall Report that was submitted by Merril Evoy, which outlined the overall state of the Bar River Hall building. It was reported that the hall requires a lot of work, nothing has been done in the last 20 years. Councillor Rydall communicated that the foundation is the basis of what makes something last. It was consensus that the foundation requires attention and that a grant would be submitted for foundation repair work. Councillor Rydall will draw up an estimate for the foundation for the grant application.
Council discussed the letter submitted regarding Wharf Expenditures. It was consensus that the Wharf needs to have washroom facilities. Algoma Public Health will be contacted to find out the rules for outhouses in public spaces. If outhouses can be used in a public space the Mayor will get quotes.
The Concern/Information Log was discussed. The focus of the conversation was on May 7, 2021 submission concerning Finns’ Bay Road North condition. The Mayor, Acting Clerk, and Roads Superintendent communicated with Council that a site visit meeting took place on May 18, 2021 to have a look at the condition of Finns’ Bay Road North. The Acting Clerk reported that during the meeting it was stressed to the concerned ratepayers that time was a factor, and that it would take time for the road to settle. The Roads Superintendent did agree to look into possible solutions to speed up the compacting process. Council requested that a letter be sent on behalf of council to the concerned ratepayers stating that possible solutions will be investigated.
ON MOTION (No. 90-21) of Ed Lapish, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council CARRIED receives Concern/Information Log update, as presented.
ON MOTION (No. 91-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council approves having a meeting on June 3, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the 2021 CARRIED general operating budget.
ON MOTION (No. 92-21) of Todd Rydall, seconded by Shawn Evoy that Council purchase galvanized trailer at an extra cost of $1,500.00, as discussed. CARRIED
ON MOTION (No. 93-21) of Todd Rydall, seconded by Ed Lapish that the next portion of the meeting be closed to the public to discuss personal matters. CARRIED
ON MOTION (No. 94-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Frank Turco that Council CARRIED return to open meeting.
ON MOTION (No. 95-21) of Ed Lapish, seconded by Todd Rydall that Council hires the following summer students; Joey Sutherland, Gwen Allard, Max CARRIED Zimmermann, and pending funding Micheal Bailey.
ON MOTION (No. 96-21) of Shawn Evoy, seconded by Frank Turco that Council CARRIED meeting be adjourned at 10:07 p.m.