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AMO Report to Members - January Board Report 2014 AMO Communications to: [email protected] 2014-01-31 05:51 PM Hide Details From: AMO Communications
TO THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF THE CLERK AND COUNCIL
January 31, 2014
AMO Report to Members Highlights of the January 2014 Board Meeting
To keep members informed, AMO provides updates on important issues considered at regular AMO Board of Directors’ meetings. Highlights of the January 2014 Board meeting include:
OPP Policing
The AMO Board of Directors established an OPP Billing Steering Committee. Its work will be focused on OPP billing and the common theme of unsustainable policing costs which unites all municipalities. The diversity of all OPP communities will be represented on the committee. It will guide municipal advocacy to provincial decisions on OPP billing. A separate e-mail from the AMO President on behalf of the Board will be sent to all municipalities which pay for the services of the OPP on this matter.
Contact: Matthew Wilson, Senior Advisor, email: [email protected], Ext. 323.
AMO Communications Plan
The Board considered AMO's 2014 Communications Plan. Highlights include: • A more prominent role for Board members, who serve as AMO's ears to municipal concerns and as key communicators; • A greater emphasis for faster and consistent communication across Ontario; and • Dedicated communications plans of designated priorities.
Contact: Brian Lambie, Principal, Redbrick Communications, e-mail: [email protected]
Ice Storm Impact Relief
While the existing provincial (Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program - ODRAP) and federal (Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements - DFAA) programs have proved indispensable, there are program gaps which hinder municipalities from recuperating costs related to response and recovery. The AMO Board has called for revised programs from the provincial and federal ministers responsible.
Members can bolster this ask by corresponding with the responsible Ministers:
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• The Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Ontario ’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and • The Honourable Steven Blaney, Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. In reviewing emergency preparedness plans, members may want to consider specifically what might not fall within the ODRAP or DFAA programs and provide these examples.
Contact: Cathie Brown, Senior Advisor, email: [email protected] , Ext. 342.
Blue Box Update
AMO and the City of Toronto are now jointly in arbitration with Stewardship Ontario on the Blue Box funding quantum for 2012 Blue Box operations to be paid out in 2014. The actual arbitration process starts in April and we are currently in preparation mode. The AMO Board was also advised that the Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment, has convened a municipal-producer table to find common ground on Bill 91, the Waste Reduction Act. Key AMO executive and board members involved in the waste diversion file are the municipal representatives. Further information on both of these items will be provided to members as it becomes available.
Contact: Monika Turner, Director of Policy, email: [email protected] , Ext. 318.
AMO’s Support for FCM’s “Fixing Canada’s Housing Crunch” Campaign
The Board formally supported the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) “Fixing Canada’s Housing Crunch” campaign. The aim is to urge the federal government to provide leadership on housing and to work with provinces and municipalities to develop a long-term, coordinated plan for housing.
Supporting the FCM national housing campaign signals to both the federal and provincial governments the importance placed by AMO and Ontario’s municipalities on finding solutions to Canada’s and Ontario’s housing affordability issues. AMO’s President will write to both federal and provincial ministers indicating support for the campaign in the lead-up to the federal and provincial budgets. Visit the FCM website for more information about the “Fixing Canada’s Housing Crunch” campaign. For information on how your municipality can adopt a resolution of support, visit the AMO website.
Contact: Michael Jacek, Senior Advisor, email: [email protected] , Ext. 329.
LAS Update
2013 was a good year for the One Investment Program, with three-year annualized returns for the bond portfolio at 2.29%, universe corporate bond portfolio 3.49%, and equity portfolio 9.37%.
On March 26, 2014, LAS will hold an Asset Management Symposium that will provide guidance in developing Asset Management Plans (AMPs) and also help demonstrate how AMPs form the backbone of Council’s long-term strategic decisions. New changes to the Gas Tax Fund (GTF) Agreement will make it easier for municipalities who have GTF monies that will not be spent immediately, to invest them for up to five years in the One Investment Program.
Contact: Nancy Plumridge, President, email: [email protected] , Ext. 324, or
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Jason Hagan, Program Manager, email: [email protected] , Ext. 320.
2014 AMO Urban Symposium
AMO presents the 2014 AMO Urban Symposium "Connected Community" April 3 & 4, 2014 at the Waterloo Inn. Now in its seventh year of programming, this year's 1.5 day event will covers topics such as youth development, high-rise waste management, transit, child care, urban food and more.
Visit the AMO website www.amo.on.ca for complete details on the Urban Symposium and register today.
PLEASE NOTE AMO Breaking News will be broadcast to the member municipality's council, administrator and clerk. Recipients of the AMO broadcasts are free to redistribute the AMO broadcasts to other municipal staff as required. We have decided to not add other staff to these broadcast lists in order to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the management of our various broadcast lists.
DISCLAIMER These are final versions of AMO documents. AMO assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies that may have been transmitted with the electronic version. The printed versions of the documents stand as the official record.
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In this issue: Francais • Ministry of Finance - Special Purpose Business Property Assessment Report • Preparations for 2014 Elections well underway • Next Edition of MPAC News. 2014 Funding
Welcome to the first 2014 edition of MPAC News – MPAC recently shared its MPAC's newsletter serving municipal, government, 2014 funding requirements school board and business stakeholders. of an increase of less than one per cent with municipal billing partners.
MPAC’s targeted four-year expenditure plan was Ministry of announced last year with the Board of Directors’ Finance - Special commitment to increases of Purpose less than one per cent for 2013, 2014, 2015 and Business 2016. Property This forecast is based on Assessment the status quo and may Report need to be revisited if there are unplanned changes to In December 2013, MPP the organization’s workload Steven Del Duca, responsibilities as a result of legislative or regulatory Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance, and the Special Purpose change. Business Property Assessment Review Secretariat The commitment to released their report entitled, “Special Purpose increases of 0.95 per cent Business Property Assessment Review & for four years is only Recommendations” outlining the outcomes of the possible as a result of review which was announced in the Ontario MPAC’s 2013-2016 Budget last spring. Strategic Plan which, when implemented, is expected Click here to read the report. to bring savings of $20 million through innovations “The recommendations in the report are aligned with and improved products and the MPAC Board's commitment to better serve all services. Ontarians and we are committed to continuing to work with the government to make the operational, If a municipality has a governance, accountability, assessment methodology, question about their 2014
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data accuracy and integrity and appeals changes invoice from MPAC, they necessary,“ said Dan Mathieson, MPAC Board Chair. should contact their local Municipal Relations For more, read MPAC’s response to the release of the Representative. report.
The report includes recommendations for addressing issues that have arisen in relation to the assessment Legislative of special purpose business properties, as well as Highlights recommendations for strengthening the property assessment system in general. Ontario Regulation Work already underway 344/13 - communicated December 20, 2013 • Filed under the Education In 2012, MPAC began this work in earnest with the Act on December 16, 2013. launch of its 2013-2016 Strategic Plan which was developed with input from a broad cross-section of • Adjusts district school MPAC stakeholders. The Ministry’s report board boundaries making acknowledged that work in many of the areas outlined them co-terminus with in the report had parallels to work already started regional municipalities. through MPAC’s Strategic Plan (see Appendix F of the report). For more information click here. “We were pleased to read the report’s acknowledgement that, ‘the majority of the property assessment and tax system is working well’ and further that ‘all parties within the system share the responsibility to ensure that it is functioning Calendar of Events effectively,’” said Antoni Wisniowski, President and Chief Administrative Officer, MPAC. “We look forward February 11: Toronto Real to continuing to work with the province and their Estate Board Residential timelines to make the changes necessary to improve Seminar, 9:30 a.m. – 12 the property assessment system in Ontario.” p.m.
Look for updates on MPAC’s Strategic Plan and work in support of the Ministry of Finance’s Report in February 22: MPP upcoming issues of MPAC News. Cansfield Government and Community Fair, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Preparations February 23–25: Rural Ontario Municipal for 2014 Association (ROMA) and Elections Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) well underway Conference
In support of the 2014 municipal and school board February 26: Oakville elections, MPAC is working with nine municipal Milton District Real Estate partners and two school boards to pilot Board Associations Seminar voterlookup.ca, a new website that allows potential electors to confirm and update their information in a few easy steps.
If the results of the pilot are as anticipated, this new service is set to replace the traditional Municipal Enumeration Form and will improve the quality of the Follow us on Preliminary List of Electors used by municipal clerks to Twitter
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create the final Voters’ List. @MPAC_Ontario
Throughout the month of January, MPAC worked with a number of municipalities and school boards to test the new website, prior to province-wide implementation. For more information, please visit voterlookup.ca or contact your local Municipal Relations Representative or Government Relations Account Manager.
Important Reminder: The Population of the Electoral Groups will be delivered to the Ministry of Education, all school boards, and all municipal clerks by February 15, 2014.
Next Edition of MPAC News.
Look for the next edition of MPAC News in February for an update on the results of the voterlookup.ca pilot project with municipalities and school boards, as well as enhancements to the Property Valuation Explained section of mpac.ca.
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file:///C:/Users/hdowd/AppData/Local/Temp/notes1607CC/~web5504.htm 2014-01-31 To: Carrie Enns/TownOfNiagara/CA@TownOfNiagara, Cc: Bcc: Fw: 2014 Ontario Senior of the Year Award / Prix de la personne âgée de l'année de l'Ontario Subject: 2014 From: Julie Paul/TownOfNiagara/CA - Friday 2014-01-31 03:52 PM
----- Forwarded by Julie Paul/TownOfNiagara/CA on 2014-01-31 03:52 PM ----- From: "Ontario Honours And Awards (MCI)"
Dear Mayor, Reeve and Members of Council:
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to participate in the 2014 Senior of the Year Award. This annual award was created to give each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to recognize one outstanding local senior.
Recipients are individuals who, after age 65, have enriched the social, cultural or civic life of their community without thought of personal or financial gain. A personalized certificate with your recipient’s name will be provided and I encourage you to present it at a local ceremony during Seniors’ Month in June. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of Seniors’ Month which celebrates the contributions seniors make to their communities and province.
You can make a nomination online or download the form at www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2014.
If you require more information, please contact the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat:
Email: [email protected] Telephone: 416 314-7526 Toll-free: 1 877 832-8622 TTY: 416 327-2391
Ontario’s seniors deserve special recognition for their outstanding accomplishments. By working together, we can ensure they are acknowledged in a meaningful way.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Mario Sergio Minister
AMO Watch File - February 6, 2014 Page 1 of 3
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February 6, 2014
In This Issue - Call for submissions: 2014 P.J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Awards competition. - Changes to the Antenna Tower Siting Policy. - TAPMO-OSSGA Aggregate Levy Committee. - Propane Transfer Facility Consultation. - Are you a "Connected Community"? - Register now for AMO's Media & Social Media Training. - AMO presents 2014 Council Challenges Workshop. - Learn about next steps for your asset management with upcoming LAS/MFOA symposium. - Energy Planning as Easy as 1,2,3. - LAS helps 30 municipalities with lower group benefits costs. - Career opportunities with Township of Wellesley and Ontario Public Service.
AMO Matters Submit your municipal government project that demonstrates excellence in the use of innovative approaches to improve capital and/or operating efficiency, and generates effectiveness through alternative service delivery initiatives and partnerships. Apply for the 2014 P. J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award today!
Provincial Matters Industry Canada has announced changes to the Antenna Tower Siting Policy that will require telecommunication companies to consult with residents and municipalities on all tower installations, regardless of height, among other new requirements.
At the January 2014 AMO Board meeting, representatives of Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario (TAPMO) and the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) presented proposed changes to the aggregate levy based on recommendations from the government’s review of the Aggregate Resources Act. The Board received the presentation for information.
Ministry of Consumer Services, and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority have developed proposals to refine the regulation of propane transfer facilities in Ontario. The proposals are posted on the Regulatory Registry for public consultation. Comment by March 21, 2014 on the proposals.
Eye on AMO/LAS Events The 2014 AMO Urban Symposium “Connected Community" program at a glance is now available online. Topics touch on youth development, high-rise waste management, transit, child care, food and more. Peruse the program and register today.
AMO’s Media & Social Media training provides elected officials and staff the tools to communicate complex information in plain language, craft and deliver messages that stick, handle difficult conversations and navigate the world of social media. Don’t miss out, register today for sessions in Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, Hamilton and Orillia.
AMO presents 2014 Council Challenges in six locations in March and April. Come discover what lies ahead in 2014, and prepare yourself for the challenges with this full day workshop geared to members of Council. Topics include: lame duck council provisions, succession planning, staff roles and more.
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The LAS/MFOA Asset Management Symposium is for municipal staff and elected officials with an interest in their organization’s asset management program. Attendees will learn about the importance of asset management, the components of successful plans, leading case studies, and also policy considerations.
LAS LAS knows many municipal staff are struggling to develop energy plans as required under Regulation 397/11—that’s why we have developed several resources to help.
Continue to be frustrated by rising group benefit costs? LAS' Group Benefits Consortium Program offers average savings of 12% at time of enrollment and very competitive renewal rates. The program is designed for small and medium-sized municipalities and members have full flexibility related to their plan design. Request a no -obligation quote to see what you can save.
Career opportunities Planner - Township of Wellesley. Resumes will be accepted until February 28, 2014 in Word or pdf format: Township of Wellesley, 4639 Lobsinger Line, RR# 1, St. Clements, Ontario N0B 2M0. Fax: 519.699.4540 or email: [email protected] .
Senior Advisor - Ontario Public Service . One temporary (up to 12 months). Location: Municipal Finance Policy Research Unit, Toronto. Please apply online , by February 19, 2014, entering Job ID 60571 in the Job ID search field.
Policy Analyst - Ontario Public Service . Location: Municipal Finance Policy Research Unit, Toronto. Please apply online , by February 19, 2014, entering Job ID 60577 in the Job ID search field.
Policy Analyst - Ontario Public Service . Location: Municipal Finance Policy Research Unit, Toronto. Please apply online , by February 19, 2014, entering Job ID 60574 in the Job ID search field.
About AMO AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario's and Canada's political system. Follow @AMOPolicy on Twitter!
AMO Contacts AMO Watch File Team , Tel: 416.971.9856 Conferences/Events Policy and Funding Programs LAS Local Authority Services Limited MEPCO Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario OMKN Ontario Municipal Knowledge Network Media Inquiries , Tel: 416.729.5425 Municipal Wire, Career/Employment and Council Resolution Distributions
*Disclaimer: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned.
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