THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EAR FALLS

M I N U T E S of the Regular Meeting of Ear Falls Council #5 Ear Falls Municipal Council Chambers April 21st, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m.

1 CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Kevin Kahoot called the Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

2 ROLL CALL

Mayor Kevin Kahoot, Councillor Rob Eady (electronically), Councillor Wendy Pearson (electronically), Councillor Daniel Sutton (electronically), Clerk Treasurer Administrator Kimberly Ballance, and two (2) members of the public (electronically).

This Meeting was conducted electronically by teleconference due to the declaration of a Provincial Emergency – Human Health Emergency (COVID-19 Pandemic).

3 DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

None Declared.

4 DELEGATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

None.

PART I – CONSENT AGENDA

(For the purpose of convenience and for expediting Meetings, matters of business of repetitive or routine nature are included in the Consent Agenda, and all such matters of business contained in the Consent Agenda are voted on collectively.

A particular matter of business may be singled out from the Consent Agenda for debate or for a separate vote upon the request of any Member of Council. In the case of a separate vote, the excluded matter of business is severed from the Consent Agenda, and only the remaining matters of business contained in the Consent Agenda are voted on collectively.

Each and every matter of business contained in the Consent Agenda is recorded separately in the Minutes of the Meeting.)

RESOLUTION NO. 090

Moved by Rob Eady. Seconded by Wendy Pearson.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls hereby adopts the Items in Sections 5 – 7 of Part 1 – Consent Agenda.

Carried.

Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 2

5 MINUTES

5.1 The review and passing of the Minutes of the previous Meetings.

5.1.1 April 7th, 2020 – Regular Meeting of Council Minutes.

RESOLUTION NO. 091

Moved by Wendy Pearson. Seconded by Daniel Sutton.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls accepts the Minutes of the previous Meeting of Council numbered 5.1.1 at the April 21st, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council.

Carried.

C.O. 5.2 Minutes of Committees.

None.

C.O. 5.3 Minutes from other Agencies / Organizations.

None.

6 TENDERS / PROPOSALS / QUOTES

None.

7 MISCELLANEOUS MOTIONS

7.1 Correspondence.

A01-NO 7.1.1 Letter dated April 6th, 2020 addressed to Minister Greg Rickford and Minister Sylvia Jones from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) re: Request for alternative methods for evacuation plans in the event First Nation communities require assistance during COVID-19.

P03-CO 7.1.2 News Release dated April 9th, 2020 from Ontario News re: Launch of a new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee that will focus on getting businesses back up and running following the COVID-19 pandemic.

P03-CO 7.1.3 News Release dated April 11th, 2020 from Ontario News re: Ontario Government has extended all emergency orders as well as introducing new measures to address surge capacity in Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 3

retirement homes, restricting recreational camping on Crown land, and allowing the repurposing of existing buildings.

L04-CH / P03-CO 7.1.4 Memorandum dated April 11th, 2020 from the Ministry of Education, Early Years and Child Care Division re: Announcement by the Premier of Ontario of the further extension of the closure of licenced Child Care Centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres up to April 23rd, 2020; the prohibition of organized public events and social gatherings of more than five (5) people has been extended to April 23rd, 2020; and the closure of all publicly funded schools remains in effect until May 1st, 2020.

P03-CO 7.1.5 News Release dated April 10th, 2020 from Ontario News re: Ontario Government is implementing the next phase of its strategy to expand and enhance COVID-19 testing by proactively testing several priority groups including hospital inpatients, congregate living centres, essential workers, and others.

P03-CO 7.1.6 News Release dated April 14th, 2020 from Ontario News re: Ontario Government has extended the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to May 12th, 2020.

RESOLUTION NO. 092

Moved by Daniel Sutton. Seconded by Rob Eady.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls receives and files the document numbered 7.1.1 to 7.1.6 at the April 21st, 2020 Regular Meeting of Council.

Carried.

7.2 Statement of Revenue and Expenditures – year to date (dated April 16th, 2020).

Council reviewed the Statement of Revenue and Expenditures – year to date (dated April 16th, 2020) in accordance with By-Law No. 2283- 20.

T.C. 7.3 The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation’s response to an Application made under Section 357 for the 2020 Tax Year.

RESOLUTION NO. 093

Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 4

Moved by Rob Eady. Seconded by Wendy Pearson.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls has no objection to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation’s response to the Application made under Section 357 of the Municipal Act, 2001 for the 2020 taxation year as follows:

Current Revised Roll Number Assessment Assessment

6042-000-001-17589-0000 111,000 RT 98,000 RT

Carried.

F00-TA / F02-AC / F02-WA 7.4 Waiving of penalties for the Township of Ear Falls Water / Sewer, Tax, and Miscellaneous Receivable Accounts for the May to October, 2020 period.

RESOLUTION NO. 094

Moved by Wendy Pearson. Seconded by Rob Eady.

WHEREAS the Provincially Declared Emergency – Human Health Emergency (COVID-19 Pandemic) is having a financial impact on residents and businesses in Ear Falls; and

WHEREAS Council deems it to be in the best interest of the community to cease penalty application for all municipal Receivables;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Clerk Treasurer Administrator is authorized to not charge penalties on municipal receivables for the May 1st – October 31st, 2020 period; and

FURTHER THAT standard penalty application will resume on November 1st, 2020, unless otherwise resolved by Council.

Carried.

8 BY-LAWS

8.1 By-Law No. 2295-20, a By-Law to Affirm Minor Decisions by Council.

F02-WA 8.2 By-Law No. 2296-20, a By-Law to Amend By-Law No. 2271-19, a By-Law to Amend the Water and Sewer Billing Fee Schedule.

Clarification requested on the six (6) month timeline for this amendment.

Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 5

RESOLUTION NO. 095

Moved by Daniel Sutton. Seconded by Rob Eady.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls hereby consider By-Law Nos. 2295-20 and 2296-20 as passed.

Carried.

PART II – OTHER ITEMS

9 ITEMS FOR DIRECTION

P03-CO 9.1 COVID-19 Situation.

Council thanked the Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG) for the work that they are doing and noted that the implementation measures and notification to the public have been very good.

The MECG continues to meet weekly, with additional dialogue with the Member of Parliament, Member of Provincial Parliament, Ministers and other organizations to ensure that it clearly understands the provincial direction. The Kenora District Municipal Association (KDMA) and the Northwestern Municipal Association (NOMA) have also been meeting regularly on this as well. The emphasis for Ear Falls has been on trusting our public health professionals rather than bowing to the pressure from people who want to stop the current isolation measures. Our community’s safety is paramount, and the local economy has to come second at this point in time. This is especially true for the sensitive nature of our regional Homes for the Aged.

Council reviewed the changes to the direction that have been provided by way of Emergency Orders to the provincial boards and tribunals which will extend appeal and notice timeline requirements. This includes the Zoning Decision appeal timeline and the Assessment Review Board appeal timelines.

The Province has left decisions related to boat launches to municipalities, and the MECG is not intending to close municipal boat launches at this time, unless directed otherwise by the province.

There are a number of essential workers coming to town for the construction season, however there is some clarification required on the ability for campgrounds and tourist camps to house these workers. The Community Health Centre has provided a one-page procedure for the Township to distribute to essential workers on how to access health care services.

Mayor Kahoot extended his thanks to everyone that is working to Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 6

address the COVID-19 emergency locally including: Dr. Khan, Shannon Maki, April Delorme, Kimberly Ballance, Shannon Jeffries, Darlene Stone, Jeff Russell and Darryl Desjardins and all municipal employees.

L07-LE 9.2 Email dated April 16th, 2020 from Matthew Beaudry re: Request to postpone the rent for the Ear Falls Golf Course Clubhouse to the end of the season.

Council is satisfied with this request. A By-Law will be brought back to Council for consideration at the May 5th Regular Meeting of Council.

10 REPORTS OF MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

10.1 Councillor Wendy Pearson  Requested clarification on the Small Business Loans in Northern Ontario to ensure that our local businesses are eligible.

10.2 Mayor Kevin Kahoot  Noted that local business incentives from the federal and provincial governments are under development, and it appears that a tourism related package may be coming. Additional information will be brought forward as it becomes available.

10.3 Councillor Daniel Sutton  Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) Meeting (held by Zoom – electronically)  All District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) were provided with funding for the COVID-19 scenario; all except the KDSB who paid it out to clients. The KDSB set up a program to address the individualized needs of clients to address that some need more than others.  The KDSB provided the following figures, as the Board does receive numerous questions about their services: o Over the last three (3) years 222 families were saved from losing their home due to financial pressures, family breakdowns, violence, or the building condition of their home. o In 2019, 2,175 individuals were supported through the Kenora, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout emergency shelters. o In 2019, the three (3) homeless shelters in Kenora, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout provided 16,679 nightly stays; 8,885 at the Kenora Shelter; 5,740 at the Sioux Lookout Shelter; and 2,054 at the Red Lake Shelter. o In 2019, 544 young people between the ages of 16-24 sought refuge in one of the three emergency homeless shelters; 272 at the Kenora shelter; 231 at the Sioux Lookout shelter; and 41 at the Red Lake Shelter o In 2019, 117 seniors and elder had to seek shelter at the one of the three emergency shelters. Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 7

o Over the last 3 years, 1,390 households received services and support in order to maintain their homes and family across the District. o In 2019, Jubilee Church and Kenora Fellowship Centre served 52,695 meals. o Over the last 3 years, 266 individuals have transitioned from our three district homeless shelters to long term housing with 96 individuals transitioning in 2019.

10.4 Kevin Kahoot

 Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) – Regional Donations  NWMO has provided funding to Ignace, Dryden, Lac Seul and others to address the impacts of COVID-19. These have been made to municipalities and communities that are actively involved with the Learn More processes. NWMO is also donating funds to the Kenora District Municipal Association (KDMA) and the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) for regional initiatives.

 Resignations by Mayor Donald Cunningham and CAO Marsha Reader have been tendered in the Township of Ignace. This will create a gap in knowledge which will impact the region and the KDMA.

 Wendy Gatrell is retiring this week from the Community Health Centre. A digital message has been recorded for her on behalf of Mayor, Council and Staff. April Delorme has assumed the role of the Executive Director for the Community Health Centre. A more traditional retirement celebration is anticipated once social gatherings are permitted.

11 CLOSED MEETING

11.1 RESOLUTION NO. 096

Moved by Daniel Sutton. Seconded by Wendy Pearson.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Ear Falls hereby convenes into a Closed Session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss matters pertaining to:

 Section 239 (2) (c) – A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local Board. – Legal Matter.

Carried.

Section 239 (2) (c) of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended.

Minutes – Regular Meeting of Council April 21st, 2020 Page 8

 A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local Board.

 Legal Matter

11.2 RESOLUTION NO. 097

Moved by Daniel Sutton. Seconded by Rob Eady.

RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Ear Falls convened from a Closed Session at 7:48 p.m. to the Regular Meeting of Council.

Carried.

12 CLOSED REPORT

Council provided direction to the Clerk Treasurer Administrator on a legal matter.

13 ADJOURNMENT

13.1 RESOLUTION NO. 098

Moved by Rob Eady. Seconded by Wendy Pearson.

RESOLVED THAT this Regular Meeting of Council adjourn at the hour of 7:48 p.m.

Carried.

______Mayor

______Clerk