THE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKOKA ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Iv1EETING NO. AF-11-95 PLACE:. Board Room, District AdministrationBuilding DATE: September 8, 1995 TIIv1E' 9:00 a.m PRESENT: Committee Vice-Chair, R. Black; District Chair, G. Adams; Members, M. Kennedy, 1. Young; T Pinckard ABSENT: B. Betts, R, House OFFICIALS PRESENT: B. Calvert, Chief Administrative Officer;1. McRae, CommissionerofFinance and Administration OTHERS PRESENT: P Peltomaki, AdministrativeAssistant MINUTES Moved by G, Adams and seconded by I Young THAT the minutes ofthe Administration and Finance Committee meeting ofJuly 4, 1995 be confirmed. Carried. /9':2-c2/)3 FUNPINGFOR WEST PARRY SOUND HEALTH CENTRE Moved by I Young and seconded by G, Adams 45/95 THAT the clerk write a letter to Ben P Pelkinen to advise him The District Municipality ofMuskoka's policy is to not provide capital grants for health care facilities outside the geographic boundaries ofMuskoka, Carried. Iff? ~51 J?vfl-- AWARDING OF CONTRACT #1994-05 - SUPPLY CIVIC SIGNAGE FORD.R.'S In response to a concern expressed by Vice-Chair Black regarding the difference in the lowest bid from Owl-light and the second lowest bid from Instant Custom Signs, Mr. McRae advised that Mr.. Plummer is working closely with Jim Sword, the District's Sign Technician who has experience in this matter. Moved by R. Black and seconded by M. Kennedy 46/95 THAT the Administration and Finance Committee recommend to District Council that Contract Number 1995-05 be awarded to Owl-Light Rentals and Signs, Etobicoke for the total amount of$15,072.24. Carried. flo~' AWARPING OF CONTRACT #1995-06 - SUPPLY CIVIC SIGNAGE FOR D.R ' S Moved by M. Kennedy and seconded by T. Pinckard 47/95 THAT the Administration and Finance Committee recommend to District Council that Contract Number 1995-06 be awarded to Confederation Traffic Signs, Port Perry for the total amount of$20,383.99. Carried. INFORMATION ITEMS otoP-POF a) Revenue Expenditure Report ;Zo?-~/() b) Fleet Report ;;?//- ~,<;( c) By-law 91-98 - Development Charges Reserve Funds Report cR~8 d) Transport 2000 Ontario Inc. ~p?+,-:z.tk; e) Consolidated Financial Statements - 1994 ~ 7'-1--~f/tZ. f) Correspondence - Township ofRoxborough re funding cuts resolution Vice-Chair Black commented that the Harris government was advising the Municipalities to expect significant reductions in their grants. He suggested that the recommendations made at a meeting held last Spring to simplify government in Muskoka be looked at again once the impact ofthe reductions are known. Mr. Calvert advised that the Budget Committee has suggested that the budget guidelines be deferred until it is known what the impact ofthe reductions will mean to Muskoka. Councillor Young questioned the wording ofthe Township ofRoxborough's resolution, in particular, the reference to downloading ofschool boards. He understood from comments made at the last AMO meeting that the Province would not be downloading onto another level ofgovernment as a way of reducing their monetary problems. He expressed concerns with the Sweeny Report's recommendation that the Muskoka Board ofEducation amalgamate with the Simcoe Board due to the difference in the provincial grant structure between the two areas, As the Muskoka Board ofEducation is perceived to be a rich board for tax purposes, he feels the grants to the Simcoe Board will be reduced and Muskoka's taxpayers will end up supporting the education system in Simcoe. He felt that taxes in Muskoka would increase not decrease as claimed by the Province under such a combination. The report also recommends that larger regions be created to support the costs ofFrench language schools, Councillor Pinckard suggested that additional information be requested from the Muskoka Board ofEducation on this matter" In the long term, it may result in significant savings and he felt that members ofDistrict Council should be learning as much as possible about the situation and its long term impacts. Councillor Kennedy agreed that everyone is looking at the short-term effects rather than the long term effects. He noted that the joint Separate School Board has been operating very successfully for years" He agreed that more information was needed regarding the long term impact ofthis proposal on Muskoka, Councillor Pinckard expressed concern with these types ofreports as they do not provide any operational modelling for the future, i.e., a 5 to 10 year performance and structure analysis" Councillor Yousg expressed concern with incentive funding due to lack of provincial support in the long term as has happened in the past Councillor Kennedy felt the difference in future incentive funding over the past is that the upper levels ofgovernment are attempting to cut costs rather than finding ways to spend money, He believes there is a strong sincere effort province-wide to hold the line on finances. Ifthe amalgamation will save the taxpayers money, he felt that everyone should take a very positive look at the matter" g) Muskoka Animal Artists Exhibition District Chair Adams reported that the Town ofHuntsville donated $5,000 to this venture and historically the District has been requested to match the 5; amount from the Area Municipality. He felt the request was for a modest amount and noted that the event has been extremely successful. Ifthe money is in the budget, he recommended that the District provide the $500.00 grant to this group as a one time offer. Mr. Calvert advised that due to the efforts ofthis group, this international exhibition was brought to Canada and subsequently to Algonquin Park for the first time. Because ofthis exhibition, restoration ofthe old Algonquin Park Museumbuilt in 1953 was completed as an education centre. He felt this was a significant piece ofinfrastructure that would help promote economic growth in Muskoka. Lodges across the District this Fall are advertising the event to attract guests. Councillor Pinckard spoke in support ofthe grant and reported that the occupancy rate at every lodge in the Lake ofBays area has been 100% Some lodges on Hwy #60 are reporting full occupancy until well past Thanksgiving. District Chair Adams expressed the opinion that by approving this request, it shows that the District is prepared to recognize success and sets a tenure for more modest requests. Councillor Young acknowledged the economic spinoffs ofthis successful event, but he could not support the municipal tax levy being used for grants to organizations, etc. He felt the District would be setting a precedent and opening the doors for more grant requests in the future. Every year the number ofrequests for grants increases. Moved by G. Adams and seconded by T. Pinckard T HAT the District Municipality ofMuskoka contribute $500.00 to the Society ofAnimal Artists Exhibition. Defeated Vice Chair Black was required to break a tie and voted against the motion. NEW BUSINESS a) Market Value Assessment Councillor Pinckard questioned ifanyone had any additional information regarding the status ofassessment appeals in Muskoka... District Chair Adams reported that Mr. Robert Topp ofthe Muskoka Lakes Association had advised him that all future appeals will be suspended until the /9b appeal ofthe Assessment Appeal Board's decision has been heard by the Ontario Municipal Board. Councillor Pinckard commented on the large amount the Township ofLake of Bays is paying to the Muskoka Board for education purposes. He questioned if the rural areas were contributing a higher amount towards education per student than the urban centres. Councillor Pinckard reported that some taxpayers in the Township ofLake ofBays are not able to pay their taxes and this is creating a financial problem for the Township. He noted that the Township has reached its credit limit at the bank and wondered what the penalty would be if they are not able to pay the District and the Board of Education their share of the levy. He felt the consequences ofthe Market Value Assessment to residents in the Township ofLake ofBays was devastating. Unless some changes are made soon in the assessment procedures to alleviatethe tax burden on the Township's residents, they could end up in receivership. Councillor Young stated that the Township ofMuskoka Lakes has reserves for working funds to help with current emergencies, but noted the Township could face the same consequences if the present method ofcalculating market value assessment continues. ADJOURNNlENT Moved by A. Black and seconded by J. Young THAT we do now adjourn until September 29, 1995 at 9:00 a.m or at the call ofthe Chair. Carried. Chair, Administration & Finance Committee District Clerk /'// THE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKPKA,. 10 PINESTREET. BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO P1L 1N3 -*-----TELEPHONE (705)645·2231 • FAX(705)645·5319 MEMORANDUlVI TO: Chair and Members of Administration and Finance Committee FROM: John McRae Commissioner of Finance and Administration DATE: August 31, 1995 SUBJECT: Funding for West Parry Sound Health Centre RECOMMENDATION: THAT the Clerk write a letter to Ben P Pelkinen to advise him the District Municipality of Muskoka's policy is to not provide capital grants for health care facilities outside the geographic boundaries of Muskoka ORIGIN: The District Municipality ofMuskoka received a letter from Mr. Ben P Pelkinen requesting the District for financial assistance for the West Parry Sound Health Centre - Emerency Department Renovations ANALYSIS: Over the years the District has received numerous requests from the Orillia Hospital Board for assistance in funding their hospital expansions. These requests have been made due to the extensive use of their facilities by southern Gravenhurst and the large number of referrals from other parts of Muskoka because of their specialized care units All requests have been denied. The practice of the District has been to fund only hospitals and other health care facilities that are in Muskoka The rational for this is that hospital funding horn the Province is generally based on the client base and those hospitals providing specialized care would receive a higher rate of funding.