Dec. 20, 05 Minutes for the Meeting of the Village of Burks Falls

THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Burk’s Falls Council was held on Tuesday December 20, 2005 at 7:00 pm. Present were Reeve Ron Russell, Councilors Bruce Campbell, Cathy Still, Rex Smith and Lewis Hodgson (7:25).

Doug Jeffers attended from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 405 to request a Legion sign on the corner of Ontario and Yonge Streets and to inquire what would be involved to change Centre Street North of Yonge Street to Legion Drive.

Rob McPhee from Muskoka Community Network made a presentation to Council on high speed internet service. He is seeking a letter of endorsement fro the Muskoka Community Network to receive funding from Fed Nor.

Brian Darnbrough, By-Law Enforcement Officer gave his report. He is getting the information on how to track down tickets that only have license plate numbers for identification.

Len Hall, Village Foreman attended to give his report.

The following Resolutions were passed:

Cathy Still – B. Campbell:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls adopts the minutes of the November 22, 2005 meeting as circulated.

B. Campbell – Lewis Hodgson:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approve the application for a break open ticket lottery as presented by the Burk’s Falls Lions Club provided all regulations are adhered to.

Cathy Still – B. Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approves the Break Open Ticket Lottery application as presented by the Burk’s Falls Figure Skating Club provided all regulations are adhered to;

And that the license fee to be waived as a fee was paid in a prior application.

Rex Smith – B. Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have reviewed the Insurance Policy package for the year 2006 from Stan Darling Limited;

And that Council approves the policy as presented and hereby authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to issue a cheque for payment in the amount of $49,144.00 plus applicable taxes.

Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls recommends that the Township of Ryerson become a member of the Joint Building Committee,

And that an amendment be made to the Joint Building Agreement including the
Township of Ryerson once all member municipalities support this recommendation
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Lewis Hodgson – Cathy Still:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the recommendation from the Arena Board to approve the final report for the Armour Ryerson & Burk’s Falls Arena Business Plan;

And further that we recognize and endorse the Fund Raising Campaign members as set out in the resolution from the Arena Board.

Rex Smith - Lewis Hodgson
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the Tender from the Almaguin News for the year 2006 as presented for municipal advertising.

Cathy Still – Lewis Hodgson
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls pay for 2 (two) helmets for the M.A. Wittick Special needs class, with a limit of $ 125.00 for 2.

Lewis Hodgson – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have reviewed the letter from AMCTO regarding Bill 123, the Transparency in Public Matters Act, 2005;

And that Council agrees with the concerns expressed by the AMCTO, in particular, municipalities should be removed from the list of public bodies subject to Bill 123 and that any openness and transparency issues that the Province wants addressed for municipalities should be addressed through the Municipal Act review;

And therefore forward our support to the AMCTO for their presentation and discussions with the Government of Ontario.

Cathy Still – B. Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the letter from Mayor Stephen Rawn, Township of Strong expressing concern with the DSSAB’s decision not to fund local Food Banks in East Parry Sound;

And that even though there was an item in the 2005 DSSAB budget in the amount of $ 15,000.00 for such purposes the Board turned down a request for assistance by Local Food Banks in East Parry Sound;

And that Council is wondering where and how these funds will be used;

And as stated in the letter from the Township of Strong, “Each municipality contributes to the DSSAB in order to have the needs of the less fortunate in the area be met”.

Therefore be it resolved that Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls request DSSAB explain why they feel the Food Banks in East Parry Sound are not able to access a portion of the funds set aside in the Budget to help those less fortunate during difficult times;

Lewis Hodgson – Rex Smith
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Town of Essex regarding the escalating insurance costs;

And that Council supports the Town of Essex in their presentation to the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting the Province amend the Negligence Act so that only where a municipality is found to be at least 50% liable would the full claim be paid.

And that Council forwards their support to the Town of Essex for their collection and presentation.

Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Township of Severn expressing concern with tax classifications on the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum as commercial and the financial hardship this must put on non-profit heritage properties;

And that Council forwards our support to the Township of Severn for their presentation to the Province of Ontario.

B. Campbell – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution presented by the Township of South Algonquin expressing concern with the Current Value Assessment(CVA) system which has resulted in outrageous spikes in assessment which translates into corresponding increases in taxes for the portion of assessment that is in excess of the average increase in any given municipality.

And that Council supports the concerns expressed in this Resolution;

Therefore be it resolved that we support the recommendation requesting Premier McGuinty provide an immediate short term solution whereby the 2005 moratorium on assessment increases would be extended through the 2006 taxation year and allow MPAC to upgrade their computer systems before the end of 2006;

Be it also resolved that both the Ombudsman Andre Marin and Premier Dalton McGuinty recognize that the Provincial Government should undertake a systemic review of CVA during the 2006 moratorium period in order to develop and implement a more equitable; a more stable, and a more transparent assessment system;

B. Campbell – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the City of North Bay expressing concern with the 2006 Operating Budget of the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit;

And Whereas the Provincial cost share of operating the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit increased from 50% in 2004, to 55% in 2005, and will be further increased to 65% in 2006;

And Whereas Dr. Sheela V. Basrur, Chief Medical Officer of Health and Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, in a memorandum dated December 9, 2004 stated that

“New Provincial funding is intended to enhance the total funding available for public health in order to improve local public health capacity, and the Province expects municipalities to contribute their full share to this important area of public service. While these provincial initiatives may offer limited financial relief to some local municipalities, the government’s primary purpose in providing these funds is to protect and promote the health to the public.”

And Whereas the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit has passed its 2006 Operating Budget in a manner that results in no decrease in its levy to member municipalities;

And Whereas no decrease in the Health Unit levy to local municipalities represents a year-over-year increase of 26% or $2,688.804 to the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit budget;
And Whereas the extraordinary increase in Health Unit spending is not consistent with the Province of Ontario’s stated goal of supporting Stronger Communities;
And that Municipalities are committed to bringing in a fiscally responsible 2006 Operating Budget and, as such, requests that local agencies, boards, and commissions target no or low increases to their respective operating budgets;
Be It Therefore Resolved that the Village of Burk’s Falls petitions the Province of Ontario to honour its commitment to supporting Stronger Community by directing the Chief Medical Officer of Health to encourage local Health Units to substantially reduce their levy to municipalities;
And further that the Minister of Health and Long Term Care and the Minister of Finance be requested to meet with area municipality representatives in order to discuss budget implications of Health Unit spending for both the Province of Ontario and for Ontario’s municipalities.
And further that our resolution of support be sent to the City of North Bay for their presentation to the Provincial Government for consideration.

Rex Smith – Cathy Still
-That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approves the accounts payable as presented up to and including December 20, 2005 in the amount of $ 196,784.42 and hereby authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue cheques for same.

Cathy Still – Rex Smith
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls adjourns the regular meeting at 22:36 until the next scheduled meeting on January 24, 2006.

Jarvis W. Osborne.
Clerk/Treasurer