THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Burk’s Falls Council was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday August 28, 2007. Present were Reeve Cathy Still, Councillors Ron Russell, Rex Smith and Lewis Hodgson.

Cathy Still declared a conflict on a closed session item, Rex Smith declared a pecuniary interest on the Garbage pick up tender and on a closed session item, Lewis Hodgson declared a conflict regarding the theatre delegation.

Kathy Parry, President of Branch 405, Royal Canadian Legion was present to request a reduction in the general portion of their taxes. Council will pass a by-law in September 2007.

Brian Darnbrough, By-law Enforcement and Property Standards Officer was present to give his report.
At 7:30 a Property Standards Committee meeting was called to order to discuss some outstanding issues in the Village. The Committee was informed of the legal advice supplied to the Officer and then gave direction form him to proceed. Letters will be sent out to these in contravention explaining the procedures that will be taken for failing to comply. The Property Standards Committee Meeting was concluded at 7:45 p.m and Council proceeded with the regular meeting.

The following resolutions were passed:

2007 – 133
Lewis Hodgson – Rex Smith:
That we adopt the Minutes of the July 24, 2007, August 9, 2007 and August 14, 2007
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2007-134
Rex Smith – Ron Russell:
That we approve the Accounts Payable as presented up to and including August 28, 2007 in the amount of $210,410.27 and hereby authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue cheques for same.
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2007-l35
Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson:
That we approve the driveway application as presented from Norm Mason at Part of Lot 5, Conc. 8, Part of Lot 49, Ontario Street provided all fees are paid in full.
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2007-136
Lewis Hodgson – Ron Russell:
That we approve a donation in the amount of $ 200.00 to the AMCTO – Zone 7 conference to be held on October 24 – 26, 2007.
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2007- 137
Lewis Hodgson – Ron Russell:
That we approve the Blanket Raffle Lottery application as presented by the RCL Branch 405, Vic Fell Memorial Legion provided all regulations are adhered to.
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2007-138
Rex Smith – Ron Russell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the application for a break open ticket lottery from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 405 provided all regulations are adhered to.--
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2007-139
Lewis Hodgson – Rex Smith:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the Town of Erin expressing concern about the cumulative impacts of the large scale water taking from Ontario’s aquifers, especially by commercial bottlers;

Whereas the Ministry of the Environment has mandated Conservation Authority experts and Municipalities to participate in developing source protection plan guidelines and a framework to manage water resources on a watershed basis taking into consideration everything that influences the sources of our drinking water whether it is surface or groundwater;

And Whereas there is no fund or resources available to Municipalities to offset the associated costs for groundwater management studies, abate the negative impacts of large-scale commercial water taking operations or to be able to implement local initiatives to protect the water resource;

And Whereas other water taking entities, such as golf courses offset the amount of water taken by returning much of it as surface water and by paying local taxes;

Therefore Be It Resolved That the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the petition request by the Town of Erin to the Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment to place a moratorium on issuing any new permits-to-take-water for commercial water bottling companies until such time as a meaningful levy royalty, payable to the local municipality, is put into place that will allow for infrastructure development to safeguard involved source water areas.
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2007-140
Ron Russell – Lewis Hodgson:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution presented by the Municipality of Marmora and Lake expressing concern with the current property tax system; and

Whereas rapidly increasing property assessments and resultant property tax increases re a hardship to many Ontario taxpayers; and

Whereas the system of province-wide Current Value Assessment was designed to bring fairness to Ontario taxpayers. In the current environment of rapidly increasing residential assessments, changes to the tax system are warranted to ensure this fairness for all taxpayers; and

Whereas a system based solely on CVA is not satisfactory;

Therefore the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls forward their support expressed by the Municipality of Marmora and Lake for their presentation to the Premier for consideration.
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2007-141
Lewis Hodgson – Ron Russell:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution presented by the City of Kawartha Lakes regarding family physician incentives;

Whereas all municipalities rated as “underserviced” are facing similar concerns in having family physicians open practices in small rural areas, when they are taking advantage of salaried positions in local hospitals and emergency departments where they are provided with enhanced remunerations and lifestyle opportunities.

And that the council for the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the concerns expressed in this resolution and forward our support to the City of Kawartha Lakes for their presentation to the Minister of Health.
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2007-142
Ron Russell – Lewis Hodgson:
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the tender from Smith’s Mobil Sweeper
For curbside garbage pick up as follows:

2008 2009
$29,500.00 $32,500.00

$1770.00 GST $1950.00 GST
$31,270.00 $34,450.00
Rex Smith declared conflict
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2007-143
Ron Russell – Lewis Hodgson:
As per the Municipal Act. S.O. 2001, c. 25 as amended, 239(2) Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls enters into a closed meeting at 8:00 p.m.
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2007-144
Lewis Hodgson – 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 21:30.
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2007-145

That we approve a donation to the Near North Crime Stoppers in the amount of $ 100.00 for their annual golf tournament.
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2007-146

That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls make a donation in the amount of $ 100.00 to the 9-1-1 Advisory Board.
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2007-147?
Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson:
That we do now adjourn at 22:38 pm until the next scheduled meeting on September 25, 2007

Jarvis W. Osborne.
Clerk/Treasurer

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