Council Meeting Minutes – October 19, 2023

REGULAR AGENDA – AGENDA 15

CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAIRD

October 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Laird Township Council Chambers

Present: Mayor: Shawn Evoy

Councillors: Todd Rydall, Wayne Junor, Ed Lapish, Matt Frolick

Clerk: Jennifer Errington

Treasurer: Rhonda Crozier

Delegates: David Sawer, Darlene Sawer, Jose Lima

Special Public Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m., to consider Zoning Amendment 05-23: Plan M329, Lot 16 PCL 6256, Laird Township. No objections or support of the rezoning were received.

The Special Public Meeting was closed at 6:05 p.m.

1. Call to Order

Mayor Evoy called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

3. Agenda Approval

#205-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hereby approves the October 19, 2023 agenda as modified to take items out of order.

Carried.

4. Closed Session

#206-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council proceed into closed session at 6:10 p.m. in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) of the Municipal Act in order to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board and in accordance with Section 239 (2) (b) of the Municipal Act in order to discuss a personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

Carried

a. Approval of closed meeting minutes of September 21, 2023

b. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.

c. A personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

d. A personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

# 207-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council come out of closed meeting session at 6:26 p.m. and continue with Regular Council Meeting.

Carried.

# 208-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Matt Frolick

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council declares Plan H762, Lot 28 RCP as surplus land; and as per By-law 1048-22, being a by-law to establish policies and procedures for

the sale of real property, the sale procedure under section 13 was followed and the property will be sold to Greg and Tracy Reidt in the amount of $1,100.00; and furthermore, Council directs the Clerk to start the process.

Carried.

5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

a. Council Meeting – September 21, 2023

b. Special Council Meeting – October 5, 2023

#209-23

Moved by: Matt Frolick

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves Council minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 21, 2023 and the Special Council Meeting of October 5, 2023, as presented.

Carried.

c. Recreation Committee Minutes – September 26, 2023

#210-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Matt Frolick

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves Recreation Committee Minutes of September 26, 2023, as presented.

Carried.

6. Adoption of Accounts

a. General accounts to September 30, 2023

#211-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the general accounts to September 30, 2023, in the amount of $7,482.43, as presented.

Carried.

b. Roads accounts to August 31, 2023

#212-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the roads account to September 30, 2023, in the amount of $153,525.84 as presented.

Carried.

7. Delegations and Presentations at 7:00 p.m.

a. David Sawer – Maintenance of Finns’ Bay Road South

• Mr. Sawer spoke to his letter to Council.
• Council would like to see the Treasurer of Finns’ Bay Road South Road Association not be of the same household as the chair.
• Mr. Sawer asked for advice on grading, Council recommended not to grade this time of year.

b. Jose Lima – Finns’ Bary Road South Concerns ext.

• Mr. Lima had concerns that were civil and it was communicated by Council

that they are not municipal business.

• Mr. Lima had concerns about the state of Finns’ Bay Road South, Council communicated that it is a private road and the road association is in the process of re-establishing the association.

8. Staff and Committee Reports

a. Road Superintendent (Roads, Waste Disposal & Recycling, and Maintenance)

i. Road Superintendent Report

ii. Council Q&A

iii. Plow Truck – Updates

• Road Superintendent was unable to attend. The Clerk reported that the modifications to the truck should be done in two weeks. The Road Superintendent is doing research on new tires for the truck and will discuss it with Council in the future.

b. Clerk Administrator, Deputy Treasurer

i. Clerk’s Report

ii. Council Q&A

#213-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Todd Rydall

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Clerk’s Report dated October 19, 2023 be received as presented and arising from the report;

THAT Council approves the purchase of a new server in the amount of approximately $3,641.00 plus HST for the administrative office to be installed by current IT personnel;

THAT Council authorizes the closure of the municipal office from noon on Friday, December 22 until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and approves the Clerks request to be off from noon on December 22, 2023 to Monday, January 8, 2024, using 2023 vacation entitlement; and

FURTHER THAT Council approves the refund of the overpayment of taxes in the amount of $1,650.47 to Scotiabank Mortgage Department.

Carried.

c. Treasurer’s Report

i. Budget Balance as of September 30, 2023

#214-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Treasurer’s report on the Budget Balance as of September 20, 2023.

Carried.

d. Recreation Committee & Recreation Sub-Committees

#215-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Matt Frolick

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council instructs staff that no overwinter storage is to be allowed in the new gazebo, outdoor storage will be allowed.

Carried.

i. Finns’ Bay Wharf Committee Minutes of September 19, 2023

#216-23

Moved by: Matt Frolick

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Finns’ Bay Wharf Committee Minutes of September 19, 2023, as presented.

Carried.

ii. Laird Hall Sub-Committee Minutes of September 27, 2023

#217-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Laird Hall Sub-Committee minutes of September 27, 2023, as presented.

Carried.

iii. October 14, 2023, Laird Hall Committee Letter to Council Re: Storage Building Request

#218-23

Moved by: Wayne Junor

Seconded by: Matt Frolick

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Laird Hall Committee Letter requesting a storage shed and recommends further review of the area and existing foundation for either storage or a gazebo or possibly a combination of the two; additionally, dollies should be investigated for the chairs; and further it is also recommended that the Committee review swapping the chairs at the fairgrounds with the Laird Hall chairs.

Carried.

e. Cemetery Board

f. Planning Board

i. The Planning Board respectfully requests that each Council choose one (1) member at large to represent on the Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Desbarats to Echo Bay Planning Board Joint Official Plan. Eligibility requirements for members at large are outlined under section 2 of Terms of Reference

#219-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council appoints Richard Beitz as the Laird Township member at large for the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Carried.

g. Police Service Board

i. Police Board Meeting November 1, 2023

h. Algoma District Services Administrative Board

i. Algoma District Municipal Association (ADMA)

9. Unfinished Business

a. Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log

b. Concern/Information Log – Updates

#220-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the October 19, 2023, Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log and the Concern/Information Log as presented.

Carried.

10. New Business

a. Planning: Zoning Amendment 05-23: PLAN M329 Lot 16, Laird Township

#221-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the Zoning Amendment 05-23: Plan M329 Lot 16, Laird Township and requests the Clerk to draft a by-law.

Carried.

b. Committee and Boards 2023 – Request to be on Cemetery Board

#222-23

Moved by: Wayne Junor

Seconded by: Todd Rydall

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council appoints Brad Shewfelt to the Cemetery Board.

Carried.

c. Laird International Raceway – Tentative Schedule of Events 2024

#223-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Todd Rydall

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Tentative Schedule of Events 2024 from Laird International Raceway, as presented and approves the request to have Sunday race events on Sunday, June 15, 2024 as a drivers experience, Sunday, June 23, 2024 as a rain date, and Sunday, August 25, 2024 as MPM #3; and further

that any future changes to the schedule must be submitted to the landlord.

Carried.

d. Algoma Veterinary Committee – Membership Dues 2023.

#224-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council supports the Veterinary Assistance Program and submits membership dues 2023 in the amount of $449.46 to the Algoma Veterinary Committee.

Carried.

e. October 11, 2023 – Property at 1146 Lakeview Road concern

#225-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the letter of concern and requests the Clerk to have By-law Enforcement Officer investigate matter.

Carried.

f. Laird Township Organizational Chart

#226-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Matt Frolick

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts the Organizational Chart as presented by the HR Standing Committee.

Carried.

g. Council Meeting move from November 16 to November 23, 2023.

#227-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves to have the next Council meeting on November 23, 2023 and to advertise date change on website.

Carried.

11. Notices of Motion

a. Complaint Reporting Policy

#228-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the draft Complaint Reporting Policy and requests the Clerk to prepare a by-law to adopt the policy.

Carried.

b. Budget Policy

#229-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the draft Budget Policy and requests that the Clerk to review with the Treasurer and prepare a by-law to adopt the policy.

Carried.

c. Tree Canopy Policy

#230-23

Moved by: Matt Frolick

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the draft Tree Canopy Policy and requests that the Clerk review and prepare a by-law to adopt the policy.

Carried.

d. Unassumed Roads Policy

#231-23

Moved by: Wayne Junor

Seconded by: Todd Rydall

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the draft Unassumed Roads Policy and requests that the Clerk make amendments as discussed and prepare a by-law to adopt the policy.

Carried.

12. Communications and Correspondence

a. OPP 2024 Annual Billing Statement Package

b. FONOM – RE: Support for Northern Ontario School of Medicine

#232-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

WHEREAS the Corporation of the Township of Liard recognized the urgent need for physicians in Northern Ontario as it is experiencing a shortage of trained physicians and specialist physicians

WHEREAS life expectancy of Northern residents is more than two years lower than the Ontario average, and mental health and addictions are at a four-times higher rate

WHEREAS one in eight Northern residents does not have access to a family doctor, and many must travel long distances to access healthcare services representing the failure of healthcare in Northern Ontario

WHEREAS communities in Northern Ontario require access to equitable health care, especially underserved rural, Indigenous, and Francophone communities

WHEREAS in April of 2022, the Government announced an unprecedented medical expansion for NOSM University’s medical programs

AND WHEREAS the current base funding rates for the Northern School of Medicine University (NOSM) have not been increased sufficiently to accommodate growth and expansion

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Corporation of the Township of Laird strongly requests the Provincial Government grant NOSM University’s request for a permanent increase in annual base funding by $4.0 million before the end of this fiscal year so it can continue to deliver on the mandate that the Conservative Government initially established in response to the needs of Northern municipalities.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT a copy of this motion be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones, Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop, MPPs Greg Rickford, Vic Fedeli, George Pirie, Ross Romano, Kevin Holland, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association and the leaders of the opposition parties of Ontario.

c. Office of the Fire Marshal – RE: Interpretation of s.6(3) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act

d. Catherine Fife MPP Waterloo – RE: Requesting your support for Bill 21, Fixing Long-Term Care Amendment Act (Till Death Do Us Part), 2022

#233-23

Moved by: Matt Frolick

Seconded by: Todd Rydall

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives correspondence from Catherine Fife MPP Waterloo respecting a request for support of Bill 21, Fixing Long-Term Care Amendment Act (Till Death Do Us Part);

AND THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the Minister of Long-Term Care, the Premier of Ontario, and MPP Catherine Fife.

Carried.

e. Legal Notice – RE: Navistar Maxxforce Engine Class Action and Proposed Settlement

13. Mayor and Council Comments

14. By-laws

a. 2000-23 By-law to Amend Zoning By-law 531

#234-23

Moved by: Matt Frolick

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2000-23 being a by-law to amend Zoning By-law 531, concerning property designated as Plan M329 Lot 16, in the Township of Laird.

Carried.

b. 2001-23 Health and Safety Policy

#235-23

Moved by: Todd Rydall

Seconded by: Ed Lapish

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2001-23 being a by-law to approve a policy for the Occupational Health and Safety of Employees in the Workplace.

Carried.

c. 2002-23 Conformity By-law

#236-23

Moved by: Matt Frolick

Seconded by: Wayne Junor

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2002-23 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on October 19, 2023.

Carried.

15. Adjournment

#237-23

Moved by: Ed Lapish

Seconded by: Matt Frolick

BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Council shall now adjourn to meet again on November 23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. or until the call of the chair.

Carried.

Mayor – (signature) Shawn Evoy

Clerk – (signature) Jennifer Errington