COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES 7:00 PM November 8, 2005 Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM with roll call as follows: Mayor D McArthur Council B Hiller L Huard M Richardson Absent P C Halonen Staff L Cresswell, Clerk/Deputy Treasurer M Bottomley, Treasurer/Deputy Clerk C Mayry, Executive Assistant K Pristanski, Township Superintendent APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additions: Communications 16. Ministry of the Environment – Pam Cowie, Drinking Water Inspector - Invitation to attend MOE/Northern Municipalities’ Meeting Unfinished Business 4. Schreiber Diesels Hockey Club Update 5. Township Christmas Social Deletions: Delegations John Redins, Heritage Days Committee DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST - None DELEGATIONS - None REPORTS 1. Superintendent Report – Received It was noted that there have been a number of false alarms at the Medical Centre in the past week which will be examined by the security service provider. The fourth item under Water in the report should read “Order #1 is in the works and #2 is an Order to OCWA and will be complete by November 15, 2005.” A memo from the Ontario Building Officials Association regarding the Ontario Association of Architects and Professional Engineers of Ontario lobbying the province for an exemption for testing on building code requirements was discussed. Recommended that Council forward a letter to the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, indicating its support for the OBOA position in not granting an exemption to the Ontario Association of Architects and Professional Engineers of Ontario for testing on building code requirements, and that a copy of the letter be sent to Michael Gravelle, M.P.P. Thunder Bay-Superior North. 2. Building Report – Received 3. Finance Report - Received It was noted that the Supplementary Tax bills have been prepared for mailing. 4. Administration Report - Received 5. Ontario Works Report – Received 6. Parks and Recreation Department Report - Received QUESTION PERIOD - None COMMUNICATIONS The following communications were received and action directed as noted. 1. Government of Canada (a) Correctional Service Canada – Keith Coulter, Commissioner – Restorative Justice Week 2005 proclamation request (b) Joint Newsletter (Canada/Ontario/Toronto) – New Transitional Housing Facility Opens Doors 2. Province of Ontario (a) Michael Gravelle, M.P.P. Thunder Bay-Superior North – Copy of letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty, re Premier’s visit to North Shore (b) Michael Gravelle, M.P.P. Thunder Bay-Superior North – Copy of letter to the Honourable David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources, re approval of remote cottage lot development (c) Michael Gravelle, M.P.P. Thunder Bay-Superior North – Copy of letter to the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, re statement of concern regarding Bill 123 (d) Ministry of Transportation – Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines – Northern Ontario Highways Strategy 3. Federation of Canadian Municipalities (F C M) – Support of post-tsunami reconstruction programs in Asia 4. A M O Member Communication Alerts / FYIs / Bulletins/News Releases (a) Alert – Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, 2002 (b) Alert – Province Introduces Access to Justice Act, 2005 (c) Alert – COMRIF Intake Two Update (d) Office of the President – Ontario’s $3 Billion Provincial Municipal Fiscal Gap (e) Office of the President – Concerns regarding Bill 206, An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal Retirement System Act (f) Municipal Funding Agreements for Federal Gas Tax Funds 5. Craig Nicholson, OFSC Communications – Protect Our Volunteers 6. Canwea – Invitation to Municipal Issues and Wind Energy in Ontario Conference (November 17th – London) 7. CIBC World Markets – Report on pulp and paper sector 8. Madge Richardson, Employment Advisor, Confederation College Employment Programs – Basic Community Economic Development Training Program 9. Aquatech – Operations and Maintenance of Water and Wastewater Projects 10. 12+ Youth Justice Committee – Restorative Justice Week proclamation request 11. The McCausland Hospital – Board of Governors Representative for 2005/2006 12. Gem of the North Action Centre – Terrace Bay/Schreiber Labour Adjustment Centre – Invitation to attend Open House 13. Dave Speer – Volunteer and Advocate for the Northwest Ontario Canadian Diabetes Association – Letter of thanks for Grant in Aid 14. Eric Schreiber – Regards for Township website 15. Requests for Resolution Support (a) Township of Coleman – Sale of natural resources (b) City of Sault Ste. Marie – Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 (c) City of Timmins – Re: Amended Criteria to Farm Tax Credit & Allowances (d) Township of Terrace Bay – Influenza pandemic (e) Inky Mark, M.P. – Heritage Hunting and Fishing Protection Act (f) A M O – Bill 206, An Act to revise the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act (g) Canadian Union of Postal Workers – Canada Post closing post offices and plants 16. Ministry of the Environment – Pam Cowie, Drinking Water Inspector - Invitation to attend MOE/Northern Municipalities’ Meeting Recommended that Mayor D McArthur and K Pristanski, Township Superintendent attend the MOE/Northern Municipalities’ Meeting in Thunder Bay on November 16, 2005 to discuss legislative and regulation issues regarding drinking water. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Northwestern Ontario Medical Education Bursary Fund RESOLUTION #308-05 Moved by P C Halonen Seconded by M Richardson THAT the Northwestern Ontario Medical Education Award Fund be approved for a grant in aid towards its bursary fund in the amount of $2.00 per capita, as recommended by the Committee of the Whole at its meeting held October 25, 2005. RESOLUTION WITHDRAWN Council will make a final decision regarding the bursary fund after the Thunder Bay District Municipal League Fall Meeting. 2. SHAT Plant Beautification Volunteers The volunteers were placed on the list of invitations to be sent by Council for the Township Christmas Social. M Richardson gave a verbal report on the progress of the preparations for the social. 3. Long Term Care Update D McArthur noted that there was nothing official to report for this agenda item. RESOLUTION COW#38-05 Moved by B Hiller Seconded by M Richardson THAT the meeting be extended by one hour to 11:00 PM. CARRIED 4. Schreiber Diesels Hockey Club Update It was noted that there have been a number of complaints with regards to the temperature in the arena. *Staff directed to discuss temperature consistency in the arena with the Superintendent. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the provision of services to groups and subsidy levels. B Hiller declared a conflict and exited the Chamber while discussions continued. After completion of discussion, B Hiller returned to the meeting. 5. Township Christmas Social Item dealt with previously under SHAT Plant Beautification Volunteers on the agenda. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Northwestern Mayors Queens Park Media Conference and Federal Liberal Forestry Caucus – Verbal Update (D McArthur) D McArthur reported that the Federal government intends to develop a forestry aid package. 2. 2006 Preliminary Budget Service Scenarios (Notice of Discussion for November 22nd Committee of the Whole Meeting) Council is to consider present levels of service and to determine any changes to be made for the November 22nd Committee of the Whole Meeting. IN CAMERA – none ADJOURNMENT RESOLUTION COW#39-05 Moved by M Richardson Seconded by L Huard THAT we do now adjourn. TIME: 11:00 PM CARRIED _________________________ Mayor _________________________ Clerk .