Regular Agenda – Agenda 20
Corporation of the Township of Laird
March 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm, Laird Township Council Chambers

Present: Mayor: Shawn Evoy
Councillors: Matt Frolick, Ed Lapish

Regrets: Todd Rydall, Wayne Junor

Clerk: Jennifer Errington
Treasurer: Rhonda Crozier
Delegates: Jessica Dias, Mark Dick, Karoline Belanger

Special Public Meeting opened at 6:00 p.m., to consider Zoning Amendment 01-24: Plan H761 Lot 18 Lot 6 Pt, Laird Township. Mark Dick and Karoline Belanger attended and spoke on plans for the property. No objections of the rezoning were received. The Special Public Meeting was closed at 6:05 p.m.

1. Call to Order

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

2. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

3. Agenda Approval

#38-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hereby approves the March 22, 2024 agenda as presented.
Carried.

4. Delegations and Presentations

a. Jessica-Joy Dias of 642 Finns’ Bay North

• Ms. Dias went over the e-mail submitted dated March 19, 2024.

#39-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council requests that the Clerk to investigate the change in the building code related to storage and or C-Cans under 161 ft² and report back to Council on recommendations.
Carried.

5. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

a. Council Meeting – February 22, 2024
b. Recreation Committee Minutes – February 27, 2024

#40-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves Council minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 22, 2024 and the Recreation Committee minutes of February 27, 2024, as presented;
FURTHER THAT arising out of the Recreation Committee minutes of February 27, 2024, that Council approves the creation of a Pumpkin Fest Committee, which will fall under By-law 1072-23 Recreation Committee Terms of Reference.
Carried.

6. Adoption of Accounts

a. General accounts to February 29, 2024

#41-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the general accounts to February 29, 2024, in the amount of $4,534.99, as presented.
Carried.

b. Roads accounts to February 29, 2024

#42-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the roads account to January 31, 2024, in the amount of $25,755.43 as presented.
Carried.

7. Staff and Committee Reports

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

i. Road Superintendent Report
ii. Council Q&A
iii. Annual Road Tour – Set Date and Time

#43-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council sets the annual road tour date for May 25, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
Carried.

iv. Report: Skid Steer Flail Mower quotes

#44-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Skid Steer Flail Mower Quotes report; and further that Council approves the purchase in principle but requests staff to investigate the speed and quality of the flail mower cutting versus possibly upgrading to a disc mower.
Carried.

v. 2024 Roads Projected Labour Budget

#45-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the 2024 Roads Projected Labour Budget for information.
Carried.

b. Clerk Administrator, Deputy Treasurer

i. Clerk’s Report

#46-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Clerk’s Report dated March 21, 2024, be received as presented and arising from the report;
That Council directs the Clerk to draft a By-law to designate the Knox Church as a municipal heritage building; and
That Council sets the spring clean-up dates for May 25 and 26, 2024 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Carried.

ii. Council Q&A
iii. 2024 Bi-Annual Bridge Inspection Tender Results

#47-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Folick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report from the Clerk Administrator regarding the results of the 2024 tender for bridge inspections amount five local municipalities be received; and
THAT Council approves the bid from Kresin Engineering in the amount of $2,429.50 for the Township of Laird.
Carried.

c. Treasurer’s Report

i. April Draft Budget 2024

#48-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Township of Laird April Draft Budget 2024.
Carried.

ii. Tax Collection Report – Verbal Report

• 18 letters were sent out to properties in 2 plus arrears, many have made payments in full.

iii. Building Permit Report

#49-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the report on Building Permits 2023 and that Council agrees with the Treasurer’s request that the Building Permit By-law 940-13 be amended to cover future costs associated with building permits.
Carried.

iv. Investment Report 2023

#50-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2023 Annual Report on Investments from the Treasurer be received for information and that Council recommends to close CIBC Bonus Rate GIC on the next renewal date and transfer to the working capital reserve.
Carried.

v. Reserve Report 2023 and 2024

#51-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2023 and 2024 Reserve Report be received for information.
Carried.

d. Recreation Committee & Recreation Sub-Committees

i. Laird Fairgrounds Sub-Committee Minutes of February 29, 2024
ii. Heritage Sub-Committee Minutes of March 13, 2024
iii. Bar River Hall Sub-Committee Minutes of March 6, 2024

#52-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Laird Fairgrounds Sub-Committee meeting minutes of February 29, 2024, the Heritage Sub-Committee meeting minutes of March 13, 2024, and the Bar River Hall Sub-Committee Minutes of March 6, 2024;
FURTHER THAT arising from the Laird Fairgrounds Sub-Committee minutes Council approves the request to reserve $6,500.00, the remainder of the 2023 funding for repairs to the LIR washrooms, to allow for further repairs to fencing and signage in 2024.
Carried.

e. Cemetery Board

i. Cemetery Board Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2024

#53-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Cemetery Board Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2024; and arising out of the minutes Council will consider appointing a new Cemetery Records Keeper.
Carried.

f. Planning Board

i. Agricultural Advisory Meeting March 21, 2024

g. Police Service Board

i. Police Service Board Meeting Minutes February 26, 2024

#54-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Police Service Board Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2024.
Carried.

h. Algoma District Services Administrative Board

i. Algoma District Municipal Association (ADMA)

i. ADMA meeting Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Blind River Community Centre.

8. Unfinished Business

a. Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log
b. Concern/Information Log – Updates

#55-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the March 21, 2024, Task Summary Sheet & Recent Activity Log and the Concern/Information Log as presented.
Carried.

9. New Business

a. Planning: Zoning Amendment 01-24: Plan H761, Lot 18 Lot 6 Pt

#56-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the Zoning Amendment 01-24: Plan H761 Lot 18 Lot 6 Pt, Laird Township and requests the Clerk to draft a by-law.
Carried.

b. Memorandum: Report of the Integrity Commissioner

#57-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the report of the Integrity Commissioner covering the period from March 18, 2023, to December 31, 2023, as presented.
Carried.

10. Notices of Motion

a. Road Superintendent Policy

#58-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council requests the Clerk to make amendments to the Road Superintendent Policy of 1984 and supply Council with a revised version for Council consideration.
Carried.

11. Closed Session

#59-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council proceed into closed session at 8:22 p.m. in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) and Section 239 (2) (b) of the Municipal Act in order to discuss a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board and to discuss a personal matter about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
Carried.

a. Approval of closed meeting minutes of February 22, 2024
b. A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.
c. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
d. Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.

#60-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council come out of closed meeting session at 9:13 p.m. and continue with Regular Council Meeting.
Carried.

#61-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council declares Plan H761, Part Lot 6 RCP as surplus land; and that as per a previous decision of Council, Motion 153-13, Council agreed to offer for sale back lots to the adjacent property owners only, and therefore the property will be sold to Gary Eels in the amount of $4,170.00. All survey and legal costs to be borne by the purchaser.
Carried.

12. Communications and Correspondence

a. FONOM, RE: Identifying Supports and Structures to Help Small and Rural Communities in Northern Ontario Respond to Disruption – March 10, 2024
b. Support Resolution, Municipality of Chatham-Kent Re: Request to the Province to Amend Blue Box Regulation for ‘Ineligible’ Sources – March 5, 2024

#62-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council supports the Municipality of Chatham-Kent resolution to request the Province to Amend Regulation 391/21: Blue Box for ‘Ineligible’ Sources so that producers are responsible for the end-of-life management of recycling products from all sources.
Carried.

c. Algoma Public Health, Re: Update on voluntary merger – March 5, 2024
d. Support Resolution, Township of St. Joseph, Re: PHO Lab Closure Sault Ste. Marie – March 7, 2024

#63-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council supports the Township of St. Joseph resolution to oppose the closure of the Sault Ste. Marie PHO lab and request that the PHO be directed to review past decisions to remove the Sault Ste. Marie PHO lab’s ability to test samples.
Carried.

e. Evoy Family, Thank You Card

13. Mayor and Council Comments

14. By-laws

a. 2011-24 By-law to Amend Zoning By-law 531 Z 01-24

#64-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2011-24 being a by-law to amend Zoning By-law 531, concerning property designated as Plan H761 Lot 18 Lot 6 Pt, in the Township of Laird.
Carried.

b. 2012-24 Conformity By-law

#65-24
Moved by: Ed Lapish
Seconded by: Matt Frolick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopts By-law 2012-24 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the meeting of Council held on March 21, 2024.
Carried.

15. Adjournment

#66-24
Moved by: Matt Frolick
Seconded by: Ed Lapish
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Council shall now adjourn to meet again April 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. or until the call of the chair.
Carried.

Mayor – Shawn Evoy
Clerk – Jennifer Errington