THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The Regular meeting of the Burk’s Falls Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 20, 2007. Present were Reeve Cathy Still, Councillors Bruce Campbell, Ron Russell and Rex Smith. Councillor Russell declared a conflict on interest on the consent application on the agenda.

Brian Darnbrough, By-Law Enforcement Officer, was in attendance. He presented his report and answered questions regarding the same. His major concern was to replace the “No Snowmobiles on Sidewalks”sign with signs with the By-Law number and fine amounts on them. Also put the fine amounts on the handicapped parking signs.

The letter from MTO regarding Cameron Street Improvements was discussed. A letter addressing Council concerns will be sent to the MTO.

The draft By-law for waste management was discussed. Council had some concerns that are unique to the Village that they feel should be addressed before the By-law is passed. A letter will be sent to the Tri – R Committee outlining these concerns.

The Agreement for mutual assistance drafted by Paul Schaeffer from the Township of Perry was discussed and Council was in favour of it.

Councillor Campbell went over the draft servicing agreement between LPF, 1653194 Ontario Limited. A few changes were made which Bruce Campbell will take back to the developers. He also updated Council on the Arena Project.

The Following Resolutions were passed:
2007-27
Bruce Campbell – Ron Russell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls adopts the minutes of the January 23, 2007 meeting as circulated.

2007-28
B. Campbell – Rex Smith:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the Resolution passed by the Joint Building Committee regarding additional health costs for 2007 for the Building Inspector and do not object to the additional costs.

2007-29
B. Campbell – R. Russell:
We accept the Tender from NuTec Windows in the amount of $ 1349.10 for replacement of a door at the municipal office.

2007-30
B. Campbell – R. Russell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the sponsorship to the Almaguin Nipissing Travel Association Incorporated in the amount of $0.14 per capita;

And that we authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue a cheque for 2007.

2007-31
B. Campbell – R. Russell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Town of Minto expressing concern with costs associated in completing a COMRIF application.

And whereas small rural municipalities must spend limited funds and staff resources to prepare detailed applications and engineering drawings, which must accompany the COMRIF application and in many cases thousand of dollars are spent preparing the application leaving the unsuccessful municipalities more in debt than they were previous to applying for the COMRIF grant;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Village of Burk’s Falls petition the Federal Minister responsible for infrastructure and COMRIF to reimburse those municipalities that were unsuccessful in all three COMRIF Intakes the engineering fees that were paid in order to submit the COMRIF application.

2007-32
Rex Smith – B. Campbell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Town of Minto expressing concern with the financial crisis Royal Canadian Legions are facing in the Province of Ontario due to declining and aging memberships;

Whereas the Royal Canadian Legions are an asset to the communities across the Country by providing aid to veterans and their families as well supporting minor sports and various community projects; and

Whereas the Village of Burk’s Falls have recognized the immense worth of local Royal Canadian Legions by providing property tax relief for the municipal portion of these taxes as provided by the Municipal Act; and

Whereas present Ontario Legislation does not provide for the relief from the Education portion of property taxes paid by Royal Canadian Legions;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the Town of Minto in their petition to request the Province of Ontario to take immediate action to exempt Royal Canadian Legion in Ontario from the Education portion of the property taxes;

And That our support be directed to the Town of Minto for their presentation and collection.

2007-33
B. Campbell – Ron Russell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Township of Lanark Highlands regarding ATV’s;

Whereas Ontario municipalities have the authority pursuant to O.Reg.316/03 under the Highway Traffic Act to regulate the operation of all terrain or off road vehicles on highways under their jurisdiction; and
Whereas said regulation has resulted in patchwork quilt across the province of varying regulations governing the use of these vehicles creating uncertainty and frustration for both ATV users and municipal8ities; and

Whereas the number of ATV users continues to grow rapidly exacerbating the problem.

Now Therefore the Village of Burk’s Falls requests that the province of Ontario review with municipalities and their associations the issue of ATV use on public highways with a view to ensuring consistency and sound decision making throughout all areas of the province:

And that our resolution of support be directed to the Township of Lanark Highlands for their collection and presentation to the Provincial Government.

2007-34
Rex Smith – R. Russell:

The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Township of Seguin and the Township of Machar expressing concern with the Aggregate Resources Act;

And Whereas the ARA represents a serious financial burden to pit operators and threatens their livelihood due to the topography of the District of Parry Sound being such that the majority of pits are shallow in depth and small in volume;

And Whereas the capital, licensing, and royalty costs required by the ARA are not economically justified by the revenue potential of these small pits and as a result many pits will be forced to close;

And Whereas the closure of these pits will result in less aggregate resources being available to the local economy which is counter to the objectives of the ARA;

And Whereas the closure of these pits will lead to less employment in an area that is already lacking in employment opportunities;

And Whereas there is no evidence that the lack of ARA designation has provided a competitive advantage to pit and quarry operators in the District of Parry Sound;

Now therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Natural Resources is hereby requested to exclude the District of Parry Sound from the ARA designation;

And that our resolution be circulated to the Minister of Natural Resources for reconsideration.

2007-35
Rex Smith – B. Campbell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Township of Scugog expressing concern with the funding formula and application process for grants for emergency planning and equipment through the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP)

And Whereas the funding formula and application process have not been revised for many years;

And Whereas the timelines outlined in the application process are based on a fiscal year whereas the Municipality operates on a calendar year;

And Whereas Municipalities must meet and maintain the emergency preparedness requirements outlined in the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act,

And Whereas funding is required, particularly by small rural municipalities;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the petition by the Township of Scugog to the Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services to revise the funding formula and application process for JEPP to increase grants available for emergency preparedness purposes and reduce funding limitations;

And that our resolution of support be directed to the Township of Scugog for their presentation and collection

2007-36
Rex Smith – B. Campbell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approves the accounts payable as presented up to and including February 20, 2007 in the amount of $ 684,097.67 and hereby authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue cheques for same

2007-37
Rex Smith – B. Campbell:
As per the Municipal Act. S.O. 2001, c.25 as amended, 239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s enters into a closed meeting at 20:25.

2007-38
B. Campbell – Ron Russell:
As per the Municipal Act S.O. 2001, c.25 as amended. p. 239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls exits from a closed meeting at 21:00 hrs.

2007-39
B. Campbell – R. Russell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read and approve By-Law No.6– 2007 being a by-law to appoint certain officers and set the rates of pay for the year 2007.

And that Council authorizes the Reeve and the Clerk to sign this by-law and affix the Seal of the Corporation thereto.
Increase of $ 2.00 per hour for all employees and $ 1,000.00 Benefits/year as we’ve done previously. Reeve & Councillors to receive $500.00/month Reeve - $400.00/00 councillors plus $ 50.00/meeting over and above monthly council meetings effective March 5, 2007.

2007-40
B. Campbell – Rex Smith::
That we do now adjourn at 21:55 until the next regular scheduled meeting of Council on March 27, 2007.


Jarvis W. Osborne,
Clerk/Treasurer

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