[00:00:03]
>> IT'S A REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF COUNCIL FOR THE
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE, MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH, TIME'S 7:00 P.M.HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME BACK TO COUNCIL.
BUT WE'VE BEEN MEETING FOR BUDGET AND VARIOUS OTHER ITEMS. ROLL CALL THIS EVENING, ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL ARE PRESENT, AND I'D ASK IF THERE'S ANY DECLARATIONS,
[3. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST]
OR CONFLICT OF INTERESTS THIS EVENING? COUNCILMEN.>> THANK YOU WORSHIP. AS WE CONTINUE THROUGH BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, I WILL DECLARE ON ANYTHING RELATED TO SPECIALIZE TRANSIT OPERATIONS IF IT DOES COME UP AS IT DOES PERTAIN TO A CONTRACT HELD BY MY EMPLOYER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILOR PATRIE.
>> THANK YOU. AS PREVIOUSLY, I WOULD LIKE TO DECLARE ON THE CHECK RIGHT.
SPECIFICALLY TWO ITEMS, THERE'S A PAYMENT TO CASSELS BROCK, WHICH IS EITHER FOR FEES REGARDING MYSELF FOR COUNCILOR PEARCE, AND I'M NOT SURE WHICH, AND THERE'S ALSO A PAYMENT ON THE CHECK RIGHT TO A COMPANY THAT I AM A SHAREHOLDER.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DECLARATIONS THIS EVENING? SEE NONE.
ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES, 4.1, DECEMBER 14TH, 2020.
[4. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES]
REGULAR, CAN I HAVE A MOVER TO ADOPT THE MINUTES, PLEASE? MOVED BY COUNCILOR TURNER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR PEARCE.ANY ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, OR CONCERNS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL GO FOR THE ROLL CALL VOTE, STARTING WITH COUNCILOR MANN.
>> I'M IN FAVOR. THOSE ARE CARRIED. THANK YOU.
INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS TO THAT.
[6. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS]
6.1 MEMO FROM THE CITY CLERK, RESIGNATION FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.SCROLLING, I DON'T HAVE A HARD COPY THIS EVENING, SO I'M GOING TO BE SCROLLING BACK AND FORTH QUITE A BIT.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT [NOISE] WE'VE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM STEVE ANTUNES OF HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS HE HAS ACCEPTED A POSITION WITH THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE.
FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE RESIGNATION OF STEVE ANTUNES FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BE RECEIVED WITH REGRETS.
CAN I HAVE A MOVER, PLEASE? MOVE BY COUNCILOR MANN, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
[NOISE] QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? SAD TO SEE.
YOU LEAVE MR. ANTUNES, BUT WELCOME TO THE TEAM FOR SURE.
ALL IN FAVOR. SORRY [LAUGHTER] COUNCILOR FENIMORE..
>> I'M JUST GOING TO SAY WHAT YOU SAID TO WELCOME ABOARD. ARE YOU SURE?
>> WELCOME ON BOARD AND I'M IN FAVOR.
THANK YOU ALL AND I AGAIN WELCOME MR. ANTUNES.
6.2 REPORT OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STATUS THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS DURING THE PROVINCIAL STAY-AT-HOME ORDER, RECOMMENDATION THAT CEOS REPORT WITH THE MUNICIPAL COMMITTEES DURING THE STAY AT HOME BE RECEIVED IN THAT ALL COUNSELING STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS BEHELD VIA ZOOM, VIDEO CONFERENCE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE PROVINCIAL STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS HAD BEEN LIFTED.
[INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL CANCEL ANY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS DURING THE PROVINCIAL ORDERS TO STAY AT HOME.
MOVER, PLEASE? MOVED BY COUNCILOR FENIMORE, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MANN.
MR. DANIEL, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE.
THIS IS LARGELY UP TO COUNCIL, I JUST THOUGHT GIVEN THE STATE OF THE PANDEMIC EMERGING AND ESCALATING, DEPENDING ON YOUR VIEW POINT.
COUNCIL MAY WISH TO CLARIFY WHAT TYPES OF MEETINGS WE SHOULD CONTINUE WITH, BUT I DO FEEL STRONGLY THAT WE SHOULD REMAIN WITH ZOOM OR PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET THAT WE CAN ALSO HAVE AN OLD-SCHOOL PHONE CONFERENCE AS WELL IF NEED BE.
IF WE HAVE SOME MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT ZOOM FRIENDLY, BUT IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE TO THE DOUBLE DOWN ON THE USE OF ZOOM AND TO CANCEL ANY NONESSENTIAL MEETINGS.
[00:05:04]
THAT IS UP TO COUNCIL TO DETERMINE HOW TO DEFINE ESSENTIAL MEETINGS.WE THOUGHT PERHAPS ADVISORY COMMITTEES WOULD GO ON TO HIATUS.
ANYTHING THAT'S PRESSING THAT DOESN'T PREVENT US FROM REACHING OUT TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND HAVING THOSE ITEMS AT THE STANDING COMMITTEE LEVEL, EVEN HAVING DELEGATIONS, IF WE WANTED TO HAVE A MEMBER OF SAY THE CURLING CLUB SPEAK TO THE [INAUDIBLE] COMMITTEE OR WHATNOT.
BUT WE WOULD DO THAT AT THE STANDING COMMITTEE LEVELS.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S UP TO COUNCIL AT THE END OF THE DAY, HOW MANY MEETINGS AND WHAT FORMAT OF MEETINGS YOU WISH TO HAVE GIVEN WHAT WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE EVOLVING PANDEMIC.
NOT ALL OF OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE AS ZOOM FRIENDLY AS OTHERS, SO WE DO OUR STRUGGLE SOMETIMES HAVING TO NURTURE THE NON ZOOM FRIENDLY PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY WHEN IT COMES TO USE OF ZOOM.
WE ARE NOT ABLE OR WE DISCOURAGE OR SHOULDN'T BE GATHERING IN SAY COLLINS HALL EVEN DURING THE CURRENT LOCK DOWN STEPS [INAUDIBLE] IN ANYWAY AND MY OPINION.
AGAIN, UP TO COUNCIL TO DETERMINE HOW FAR WE GO WITH THE PANDEMIC SERVICE LEVELS.
I SHOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT YOU MAY WANT TO REITERATE WHETHER YOU WISH TO HAVE A ZOOM INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER TRAINING SESSION OR YOU WANT TO DEFER THAT UNTIL THE DUST CLEARS WITH THE PANDEMIC.
>> THANK YOU WORSHIP. I WOULD AGREE WITH MR. GANIEL'S RECOMMENDATION.
I THINK ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY URGENT AND PRESSING, WE STILL NEED TO MEET WITH WHOEVER THINGS THAT COULD BE DELAYED OR POSTPONED UNTIL A REASONABLE TIME, I WOULD AGREE WITH.
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY, WHERE WE HAVE ONE OF OUR MUNICIPAL SIGNS, IT SAYS, STAY AT HOME.
IT'S HARD TO BREAK THAT OURSELVES IF WE'RE GOING TO GO TO A MEETING AT THE COLLINS HALL, SO I WOULDN'T BE IN FAVOR OF THAT.
I DO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THE TECHNOLOGY CAN BE PROBLEMATIC FOR SOME, BUT EVEN THE ZOOM PLATFORM CAN STILL USE JUST ONLY TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION, SO REALLY GOING BACK TO A TELECONFERENCE, AT LEAST IN THIS WAY YOU CAN STILL HAVE SOMEONE ON THE LINE.
THEY'RE ALL USING THE SAME PLATFORM, WHICH I WOULD PROBABLY PREFER TO DO INSTEAD OF GETTING OFF INTO A DIFFERENT LEVEL.
WE'VE OBVIOUSLY BEEN USING IT FOR SOME TIME, IT CLEARLY WORKS. IT'S NOT PERFECT.
I'M INTO YOUR WORSHIP, CHAIRING AS I'VE SEEN OUR BUDGET PROCESS IS NOT ALWAYS THAT EASY AND WE'RE TRYING TO MANAGE [INAUDIBLE] , BUT I THINK WE NEED TO DO WHAT'S BEST IN AND LEAD BY EXAMPLE, SO I WOULD AGREE WITH IT TO STAY WITH ZOOM.
>> [NOISE] THANK YOU. COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
I THINK IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT'S URGENT COMES UP THAT WE NEED OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ATTEND OR INPUT FROM, IF ANYTHING COMES FORWARD FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE, BUILT SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEN I'M SURE WE COULD REACH PEOPLE.
I KNOW THAT ON DIFFERENT COMMITTEES THERE'S PEOPLE THAT DO HAVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ELECTRONICS AT HOME, SO I WOULDN'T WANT SOMEONE TO BE LEFT OUT OF ANY DISCUSSIONS OR INFORMATION THAT'S PASSED OR ANY BUSINESS OR FORWARDING TO COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ATTEND BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T GIVEN THEM THE TOOLS IN ORDER TO DO THAT.
I WOULD JUST ASSUME SEE EVERYTHING CANCELED, I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE PUT ANYONE AT RISK, INCLUDING OUR STAFF, BY HOLDING ANY TYPE OF IN-PERSON MEETING.
THIS VARIANT IS IN NORTHERN ONTARIO, IS ANNOUNCED TODAY IN SUDBURY AND WE JUST NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY HOME, STAY SAFE, AND WHAT BUSINESS WE CAN DO, WE CAN DO ON ZOOM, AND WHAT WE CAN'T DO, WE JUST HAVE TO PUT OFF FOR A LITTLE LONGER.
HOPEFULLY SOMETIME THIS YEAR THINGS MIGHT GET BACK TO A LITTLE BIT MORE NORMALCY.
NOT TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC, NOT TO EXCLUDE ANYBODY, BUT TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY AS BEST WE CAN.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILOR FENIMORE. COUNSEL PATRIE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH BOTH COUNCILOR MANN AND COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
IF WE DON'T NEED TO MEET, LET'S NOT MEET.
UNDERSTAND WE'VE CANCELED THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, SO WE HAVEN'T MET FOR A MONTH.
WE HAVE A LENGTHILY AGENDA, WE'RE DOING THIS VIA ZOOM.
IF WE CAN HOLD OFF, IF IT'S NOT PRESSING, THEN WE DON'T NEED TO DO IT AT THIS CURRENT TIME.
WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS, SO THE POINT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HOLD COUNCIL VIA ZOOM ISN'T AN ISSUE FOR ME.
IT'S PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD THAT NONE OF THESE ADVISORY COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN MEETING, SO WE MAY AS WELL HOLD THIS.
HOPEFULLY THINGS STAY AS IS CURRENTLY BEING DEEMED BY THE PROVINCE AND THIS HOPEFULLY ENDS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
[00:10:03]
AND IF BECOMES A MOOT POINT, THEN WE CAN GO BACK TO CONTINUING OUR REGULAR MEETINGS ONCE THIS LOCK DOWN IS OVER.>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] COUNCILOR TURNER.
>> THANK YOU WORSHIP, I'M IN FAVOR BY CONTINUING THE ZOOM MEETINGS FOR COUNCIL THE STANDING COMMITTEES.
BUT I ALSO GIVE SOME CONSIDERATION TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN FEEDING THE STANDING COMMITTEES WITH NEW IDEAS, PROGRESS ON REPORTS, OR RESEARCH.
[NOISE]. I THINK THAT PERHAPS WE MIGHT JUST BREAK OUT OF THE BOX A LITTLE.
THE MAJORITY HAVE ACCESS AND THE CAPACITY TO PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM.
[NOISE] HOW ABOUT WE LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE GET A BUNCH OF IPADS AND GIVE THEM TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES WHO NEED THEM.
WE TAKE IT BACK AFTER THEY'RE FINISHED OR LET THEM CONSIDER IT A BONUS FOR THEIR VOLUNTEERISM WHEN THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMITTEE END, BUT THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO CONTINUE WITH THOSE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
OUR TOTAL EXPENSE WOULD BE WELL UNDER 20,000 PROBABLY MORE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TEN.
THERE'S SOME 42 MEMBERS ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES, SOME HAVEN'T MET FOR A YEAR, OTHERS MET LAST MONTH.
I'M CONCERNED THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE INTEREST.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT CITY HALL WHEN IT COMES TO DECISIONS, OR INPUT BECOMES A CLOSED SHOP AMONGST THE SEVEN OF US.
I THINK PERHAPS WE SHOULD GIVE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE QUESTION A LITTLE MORE THOUGHT.
PRESS ON A ZOOM FOR COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEE AND CONTINUE TO IMPRESS UPON PEOPLE THE FACT THAT WE VALUE INPUT AND PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. I PERSONALLY HAVE NO ISSUE ALSO WITH THE VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETINGS, I KNOW WE'VE HAD A FEW ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETINGS VIA ZOOM THAT HAVE WORKED OUT AND THERE IS ITEMS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF FOR ANY OF THE OTHER COMMITTEES, I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THAT ALSO.
BUT WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR [NOISE] THAT THE MUNICIPAL COMMITTEES THAT HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING AT HOME, ORDERS BE RECEIVED, ALL COUNSEL STANDING COMMITTEES BEING HELD VIA ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE PROVINCIAL STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS HAD BEEN LIFTED IN THAT COUNCIL, CANCEL ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS DURING THE STAY AT HOME.
SO UNLESS THERE'S ANY PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THIS, THIS'S WHAT'S ON THE FLOOR, COUNCILOR CYR.
>> THANK YOU WORSHIP. I'D BE WILLING TO ACCEPT THIS RECOMMENDATION, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT THAT IF IT GOES BEYOND MID-FEBRUARY THAT WE ADOPT COUNCILOR TURNER'S IDEA BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN'T BE ON HIATUS FOREVER.
WE DO HAVE TO ALLOW THE COMMUNITY INPUT INTO MUNICIPAL DECISIONS.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER THAT OPTION COME MID-FEBRUARY IF THE EMERGENCY STATUS HASN'T BEEN LIFTED.
>> OKAY, IS THERE A SECONDER FOR THE AMENDMENT? COUNCILOR PATRIE?
>> WELL, MAYBE A CLARIFICATION ON THE AMENDMENT, YOU CAN'T JUST PUT AN AMENDMENT THAT'S OPEN-ENDED.
>> I BELIEVE COUNCILOR'S CYR [OVERLAPPING] WAS LOOKING [INAUDIBLE].
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WE CONSIDER ISSUING THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS IPADS SO THAT THEY COULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMITTEES BY STAYING NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15TH,
[00:15:05]
FOR A SPECIFIC DATE, BALLPARK.SHOULD THE EMERGENCY MEASURES NOT BE LIFTED.
>> IS THERE A SECONDARY FOR THE AMENDMENT? [NOISE] OKAY.
NO SECONDER FOR THE AMENDMENT, MR. DANIEL?
>> I'LL PUT A DIFFERENT AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR.
>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD. OKAY, COUNCIL, PATRIE?
>> I'LL ADD THAT THIS IS VALID FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS.
>> OKAY, SO ADDING AN END DAY TO IT, IS THEIR SECONDER FOR THAT? YOU CAN'T SECOND, MR. DANIEL, COUNCILOR TURNER SECONDING THAT ONE.
[LAUGHTER] COUNCILOR TURNER, MR. DANIEL'S COMMENTS?
>> SORRY, I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN IN MY ROLE AS STAFF I WAS JUST SUGGESTING IT MIGHT BE FRIENDLY TO JUST REFER THIS ISSUE TO BE REVIEWED AT THE SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY, WHICH IS THE 22ND, WHICH IS CLOSE TO 30 DAYS.
THEN THAT WAY WE KNOW WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA OF THE SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY, COUNCIL WILL DETERMINE THEN WHAT'S THE LEVEL OF THE EMERGENCY SITUATION AND THEN REVISIT AT THAT TIME, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR COMMITTEES.
>> OKAY, SO YOU'RE SUGGESTING? [OVERLAPPING].
IN TWO WEEKS, WE'RE GOING TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT IT'S EXTENDED OR NOT.
ALL OF OUR COMMITTEES MIGHT BE OPEN-ENDED, SO I'LL REFER THIS BACK TO COUNCIL FOR THE SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY.
>> OKAY, SECONDER FOR THAT? SECONDED BY COUNCILOR TURNER, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY, WILL CALL VOTE, STARTING [NOISE] OR COUNCILOR TURNER, YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
>> YES. THANK YOU. I SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT ESSENTIALLY BEING ON THE TABLE AGAIN IN A MONTH, I BELIEVE THAT GOES WITH THE COUNCILOR CYR'S SUPPORTING, I'M I CORRECT THERE COUNCILOR CYR? OKAY. SO I'M GOOD WITH IT AND THEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN LET'S GIVE SOME CONSIDERATION TO EQUIPPING OUR VOLUNTEERS SO THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
>> SO WITH THAT, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THAT WOULD BE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO LOOK INTO IPADS, BUT REVIEW THE WHOLE SITUATION IN THE SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY IS THAT WHAT THE JEST OF THINGS ARE STANDING OUT NOW? BECAUSE IT DOES GIVE AN END DATE IN THE ORIGINAL MOTION IS THAT UNTIL THE PROVINCIAL STAY AT HOME HAS BEEN LIFTED.
MR. GEITHNER DID PUT A DATE IN THERE, BUT I'LL SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT.
>> OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, MR. DANIEL?
>> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN THE AMENDMENT REFERRING TO THE IPAD RESEARCH, SO I WOULD NEED CRYSTAL CLEAR DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL WHETHER YOU WANT US TO RESEARCH THAT BECAUSE I HAVE CONCERNS, BUT IT'S JUST WAS INTRODUCED TWO MINUTES AGO.
IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WISH US TO RESEARCH OR YOU WANT US TO JUST WAIT AND REVIEW THE SECOND MEETING IN FEBRUARY AND PICK IT UP THERE.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, I'M DEFERRING THIS TO THE SECOND MEETING OF COUNCILS, THERE'S NO RESOLUTION ON THE TABLE AT ALL.
EVERYTHING STAYS STATUS QUO CURRENTLY, WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND I THINK THAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS ARE UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE NOT HAVING THEM.
AS LONG AS EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS, WE'RE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING UNTIL AFTER CURRENTLY FEBRUARY 10TH, BUT WE'RE GOING TO REVISIT THIS AT THE NEXT MEETING AFTER FEBRUARY 10TH TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS FURTHER.
>> SORRY, SO I'M JUST SEEKING CLARIFICATION.
WAS THERE A MOTION TO AMEND OR IS THERE A MOTION TO DEFER THE ENTIRE MATTER? I TOOK IT [OVERLAPPING] AS A MOTION TO AMEND.
>> THERE WAS A MOTION TO AMEND FOLLOWED BY A DEFERRAL TO THE SECOND MEETING OF FEBRUARY.
>> COUNCILOR FENIMORE, DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION?
>> NO, I'M NOT SUGGESTING ANYONE GO BUY 42 IPADS.
>> WE CAN GET SOME QUICK COSTING ON NOD OFF OF THAT AMAZON OR EBAY, I'M PRETTY SURE.
[LAUGHTER]. OKAY, SO A MOTION TO DIFFER IS ON THE FLOOR.
ROLL CALL VOTE STARTING WITH COUNCILOR CYR.
[00:20:02]
>> I'M IN FAVOR. SO THAT'S DEFERRED TO THE SECOND MEETING OF FEBRUARY.
[NOISE] OKAY. 6.3 REPORT FROM THE SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER, WITH COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2021.
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER DATED JANUARY 19, 2021, BE RECEIVED.
MOVER, PLEASE. MOVE BY COUNSELOR PEERS.
SECOND, MY COUNSELOR TURNER, AND WELCOME MR. ANTUNES.
>> THANK YOU WORSHIP AND COUNSELORS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE WARM READING.
IT'S GREAT TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.
THE CITY VALIANT LATE CURRENTLY HAS A GRANT PROGRAM IN PLACE.
IT WAS KNOWN AS THE EVENT SUPPORT PROGRAM PREVIOUSLY.
IT WAS APPROVED BY COUNCIL BACK IN 2019.
THE PROGRAM ALLOWS FOR A DIRECT RANT TO NON-PROFIT GROUPS OF UP TO $3,500 OR UP TO $2,500 OF IN-KIND SUPPORT.
THE PROGRAM WAS NOW BEING RELAUNCHED.
WE'VE INTRODUCED NON-LINE APPLICATION AS WELL AS USUAL PAPER-BASED VERSIONS.
WE'VE SET IT UP SO THERE'S TWO INTAKE DATES, ONE FEBRUARY 26TH FOR EVENTS SINCE 2021 AND ANOTHER INTAKE GATE ON OCTOBER FIRST OF 2021 ITEMS AT 2021.
YOU CAN TAKE IT INTO ACCOUNT WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS AS WE APPROACH THE END OF THE YEAR.
BECAUSE THE LIMITATIONS THAT WE HAD OBVIOUSLY AS WE ALL KNOW, COVID LAST YEAR, IT WAS NOT EFFECTIVELY ADVERTISED.
THE PUBLIC INTERCOURSE OPENED A LOT OF EVENTS FOR NON-PROFITS, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LAST YEAR.
THERE WAS ONE THAT WAS PROCESSED FOR THE ARTS CLUB TO SUPPORT THEIR ONGOING EFFORTS.
DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME, IT'S CERTAINLY TAKING A TOLL ON OUR NON-PROFIT GROUPS, SO IT MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME GOT TO RELAUNCH THE PROGRAM.
IMPORTANTLY, WHEN YOU REVIEWED THE BUDGET PROCESS, THERE WAS 10,000 SET ASIDE IN THE 2020 AND BUDGET FOR THIS PROGRAM.
AS I SAID, NOW'S A GOOD TIME TO PUBLICIZE THE PROGRAM AND HELPS SOME OF OUR NON-PROFIT GROUPS.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, COMMENTS? COUNCIL PATRICK.
>> THANK YOU MR. MAYOR THROUGH YOU, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MR. ANTUNES, THAT GRANT MONEY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EVENT GRANT, IT'S NOT A NOT FOR PROFIT COMMUNITY GRANT.
I'M TOTALLY NOT OPPOSED TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND WHERE YOU'RE GOING.
WE HAVE HELPED NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS IN THE PAST, SO SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU HAVE STATED, AS WELL AS THE RENAISSANCE CENTER, WE'VE GIVEN THEM A GRANT WHICH IS A COMMUNITY NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
BUT THE EVENT GRANT, IT WAS VERY SPECIFIC FOR EVENTS THAT HAD TO DO WITH BRINGING PEOPLE IN FOR AN EVENT.
THAT'S WHY IT WAS A VERY SMALL $10,000 AMOUNT IN THE BUDGET.
I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THAT. I GET IT.
WE MAY NOT HAVE ANY EVENTS THIS SUMMER OR VERY FEW EVENTS THIS SUMMER, DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS PANDEMIC AND THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, DEPENDING HOW LONG THAT THIS CONTINUES.
BUT CURRENTLY, I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE EVENT GRANT APPLICATION AND I DON'T WANT IT CONVERTED TO A COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION.
COMMUNITY GRANTS ARE USUALLY A DIFFERENT APPLICATION THAT DOES COME FORWARD TO THE CITY FOR A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE.
THE EVENT REVIEW GRANT WAS STRICTLY EVENT-ORIENTED WHERE A NOT FOR PROFIT OR AN INDIVIDUAL WAS PUTTING SOMETHING ON THAT THEY WEREN'T LOOKING TO PROFIT AND THEY WERE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE.
SIMILAR TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS LOOKING AT PUTTING ON THE ROCK FEST CONCERT AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO AN EVENT GRANT, BUT NOT THE WAY THAT THIS NEW PROPOSAL IS DRAFTED AND THE DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU HAVE BECOMES STAFF DRIVEN.
I'M WITH NO CANCELED INPUT UNLESS IT'S OVER THE $3,500,
[00:25:03]
WHICH IS THREE EVENTS.IN ALL ACTUALITY, WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME FORWARD IN THE PAST THAT WERE LOOKING FOR MINIMAL AMOUNTS THAT HELP.
IT WAS SEED MONEY TO HELP THEM GET AN EVENT OFF THE GROUND.
THAT'S WHY AFTER THREE YEARS, THEY WERE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT.
IF THEIR WASN'T SUCCESSFUL AFTER THAT DURATION OF TIME, THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT GRANT MONEY COMING.
WE WERE EXPECTING THEM TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR EVENT A SUCCESS AND WE WERE TRYING TO HELP THEM MAKE IT AN ONGOING EVENT SIMILAR TO THE LAKE FISHING DERBY.
IT STARTED WITH THIS EVENT GRANT WAY BACK IN THE DAY WHERE IT WAS SUPPORTED AND THEN WE BECAME A PARTNER AND THEN WE ACTUALLY BECAME RUNNING IT.
BUT IT ACTUALLY STARTED THROUGH THIS EVENT REVIEW COMMITTEE AS WELL.
THE WAY THAT THIS HAS DRAFTED, I DON'T WANT IT TO TAKE OVER THAT EVENT REVIEW FUND OF $10,000 IN THE BUDGET, I WOULD LIKE THIS TO COME BACK IN A DIFFERENT FORM.
>> MR. DANIEL, YOU HAD A COMMENT?
>> JUST TO CLARIFY AND MAY BE REFRESH COUNCIL'S MEMORY, THIS WAS ALREADY COMPLETELY APPROVED BY THIS COUNSELOR IN 2019, THE EVENT REVIEW PROGRAM IS NO LONGER.
IT'S BUILT INTO THIS COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES EVENTS, SPECIAL EVENTS, CANCER PAGET'S TALK MODE, BUT IT ALSO IS MORE ROCK TO ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE, COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION, SPECIAL EVENTS, TOURISM PROJECTS.
IT'S A LOT MORE BROAD, BUT THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY COUNCIL AND WE ARE JUST DOING THIS AS AN INFORMATION TO REFRESH COUNCIL FMRI AND THEN RELAUNCHED THE PROGRAM OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AFTER THIS EVENING.
COUNSELOR PATRICK IS RIGHT, THAT IS STAFFED DRIVEN IN THE SENSE THAT ANYTHING UNDER 2500 CAN BE APPROVED AT THE STAFF LEVEL AND ANYTHING OVER 2500 WILL GO TO COUNCIL FOR REVIEW.
IT'S BROADER THAN JUST EVENTS, BUT IT'S ALREADY IN PLACE.
THERE'S NOTHING UNLESS COUNCIL WANTS TO HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART.
>> I DO RECALL 2019, COUNCIL DID DO AWAY WITH THE EVENTS PROGRAM COMMITTEE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE DOCUMENT THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED.
THE ONLY CHANGES THAT I'M SEEING HERE IS ESSENTIALLY THE INTAKE TIME-FRAME.
NOW THERE'S A SPECIFIED INTAKE TIME-FRAME FOR THE YEAR, BUT WE DID ADOPT THIS POLICY IN 2019.
I HAD COUNSELOR ANTUNES, UP NEXT.
>> I'M GOOD. THANK YOU, SIR WORSHIP.
>> THANK YOU. I DO RECALL IN 2019 THAT WE DID THIS AND I THINK A COMBINATION OF THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE MONEY THAT WAS SITTING THERE THAT WE HAD SET ASIDE FOR YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY PLUS THE SPECIAL EVENTS AND WE PUT IT TOGETHER.
I'M HAPPY WITH THIS. THE ONLY THING I'M NOT REALLY HAPPY ABOUT, OR I HOPE WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LEVERAGE WITH IS ACTUALLY THE DATE FOR KIDS GOING ON SPORTS AND I KNOW I'VE HAD FOUR KIDS IN DIFFERENT SPORTS.
THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING AWAY TO IN FEBRUARY IF THEY'VE WON TO BE ABLE TO GO ON TO PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP OR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OR WHATEVER.
I DON'T WANT THE FUND TO BE HELD SO TIGHTLY THAT WE LEAVE THOSE TYPES OF PEOPLE OUT OF IT.
THAT IF SOMETHING COMES UP DURING THE YEAR, THAT IF THE MONEY'S THERE AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
I THINK THAT HAVING DONE A LOT OF CHARITY WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS.
IF IT WASN'T FOR DONATIONS FROM PLACES LIKE THE CITY AND BUSINESSES AND OTHER CORPORATIONS IN TOWN THAT NO MONEY WOULD EVER BE RAISED FOR ANYTHING.
I REALLY SUPPORT THIS, ENCOURAGE IT.
I DON'T THINK IT'S ENOUGH MONEY, BUT IT'S A START.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T LEFT OUT BECAUSE THE EVENTS AREN'T PLANNED IN ENOUGH TIME, THINGS COME UP.
I'VE BEEN KNOWN TO THROW US FUNDRAISING TOGETHER IN THREE WEEKS, SO I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE TOLD NO IF THAT WAS GOING ON.
NOT THAT I WOULD COME FORWARD AND ASK BECAUSE I'M A COUNSELOR, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? BUT JUST AS LONG AS IT'S NOT HELD STEADFAST TOO, I KNOW THAT I'VE RECEIVED MANY LETTERS SAYING NO, OUR BUDGET WAS SET LAST JUNE AND YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE APPLIED IN SEPTEMBER, SO TRY AGAIN NEXT JUNE.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE THAT TYPE OF ORGANIZATION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNSELOR FENIMORE. YOU'RE CORRECT.
WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME TALKING ABOUT THE YOUTH SPORTS.
I KNOW THERE USED TO BE A FUN HELD BY
[00:30:01]
THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT THAT WAS UNDER MISSILE BRUSH AT THE TIME WHERE SHE COULD SUPPORT ATHLETES TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ANYTIME A YEAR THEN UNDER MS. ROLAND'S ALSO, I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT, BUT THERE WAS ALSO A COMBINED SEO AND MAYORS ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTING YOUTH ALSO.I'M NOT SURE IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE EVENT SUPPORT.
I'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF HANDS, COUNSELOR PEATRE.
BUT MR. ANTUNES, THIS IS YOUR REPORT, SO ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
>> THANK YOU. WORSHIP THROUGH YOU TO COUNSELOR FENIMORE TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT YOUTH AND TRAVEL.
THERE IS PART OF THE REPORT FURTHER ON THE APPLICATION GUIDELINES.
THERE IS A SECTION THAT MENTIONED APPLICATIONS FOR SPORTS OR TRAVELS SET TO BE IN THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF A $100.
ANOTHER MODEST REQUESTS FOR LESS THAN $250 CAN BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING, E-MAIL, OR LETTER TO THE CEO'S OFFICE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND DECISIONS GRANTED BY STAFF WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS OF SUBMISSION.
FOR THOSE SMALLER AMOUNTS FOR YOU HEADING TO A TOURNAMENT, OR I KNOW IT'S A VERY COMMON ONE AND SUPPORTED SOME OF OUR ATHLETES ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF HERE IN THE CITY, TUPLE AND COMPETE OTHER PROVINCE AT THE END OF THE PLANET, THERE IS A DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT THEY CAN APPLY DIRECTLY.
>> THANK YOU SEEING THAT. THANK YOU. COUNSELOR PEATRE.
I'M GOING TO POINT OUT THAT IT ISN'T JUST THE DATES THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN CHANGED IN THIS POLICY, BUT IT'S A MOTION TO RECEIVE AND I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, COUNSEL TURNER?
>> I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT IN THE REPORT THERE'S LINKS TO THIS STRATEGIC PLAN AND IT SAYS SUPPORT YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND YET WHEN IT COMES TO PRIORITIES FOR FUNDING, I DON'T SEE USE IN THEIR PERIOD.
MODE OF SUPPORT FOR NON-PROFITS OR STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS.
FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER, DECIDED TO BE MODEST IN OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUTH.
I HOPE IT'S AN ERROR. WHETHER WE HAVE SOME OTHER FUND FOR THEM.
PERHAPS, SAY ONE HOLD, THEY WANT TO BUY PIZZAS FOR VISITING COMPETING TEAMS COMING HERE FOR VOLLEYBALL OR SWIMMING, OR WHATEVER.
WE COULD BE TALKING $1,000, WE COULD BE TALKING $500, BUT WE SHOULDN'T ELIMINATE THEM FROM THIS. THANKS.
>> YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO COUNSEL TURNER'S POINT.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT PREVENTS A YOUTH ORGANIZATION.
THE OTHER PRIORITIES ARE SO BROAD THAT IF WE USE AN ORGANIZATION AS AN IDEA FOR A SPECIAL EVENT, OR A TOURISM RIGHT KIND OF DEVELOPMENT EVENT, OR A COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT.
THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO APPLY TO THE FUND.
THERE ARE YOUTH IN THAT LANGUAGE THERE THAT'S INTENDED FOR THE TRIPS, THE KARATE TOURNAMENTS, AND HAMILTON.
THE FAMILIES WHO ARE APPLYING, BUT YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY THOSE OTHER VERY BROAD CATEGORIES, WILL STILL BE VETTED WITH ALL OF THE OTHERS.
THE REASON FOR THE INTAKE DATES IS SIMPLY TO STREAMLINE AND LINE UP WITH OUR MUNICIPAL BUDGETING EXERCISES SO THAT WE CAN FIND OUT, WE ARE OVERSUBSCRIBED AND THE BUDGET.
WE NEED MORE BUDGET OR WE NEED TO HAVE DOWN DIFFERENT FEELINGS, THAT KIND OF THING, AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THAT GROOVE.
NOW THAT WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE CALENDAR YEAR BUDGET, WE'LL BE LINED UP PERFECTLY FOR NEXT YEAR. WE'LL HAVE IT [INAUDIBLE]
>> THANK YOU. MR. ANTUNES, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT ALSO?
>> NO, YOUR WORSHIP. MR. GAGNON TOOK THE POINTS THAT I WAS GOING TO GET TO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SEEING NONE, ROLL CALL VOTE THEN.
>> [NOISE] COUNSELOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> ON THE MOTION TO RECEIVE IN FAVOR.
>> I'M IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED. THANK YOU.
[00:35:01]
SIX POINT FOUR, REPORT OF THE SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER, COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PLAN.OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIAL PROJECT MANAGER DATED JANUARY 20TH, 2021 BE RECEIVED, THAT COUNSEL DIRECT STAFF TO FORM A COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PLAN COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF MEMBERS LISTED IN PAGE 3 OF THE STAFF REPORT, AND PREPARE SUBSEQUENT PLAN, AND THAT MAYOR AND COUNCIL SERVE AS CHAMPIONS OF THE PROJECT TO MOTIVATE PARTICIPATION.
CAN I HAVE A MOVER, PLEASE? MOVE BY COUNSEL CYR, SECOND BY COUNSEL FENIMORE.
I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH A QUESTION HERE, MR. ANTUNES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY THE POLICE SERVICES BOARD AND HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD DURING THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC.
THROUGH THE POLICE SERVICES BOARD, IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT MUCH OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, OUR ACTUAL PIECES OF A COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PLAN, INCLUDING SUCH AS THE MENTAL HEALTH RIDE ALONG PROGRAM AND VARIOUS OTHER PIECES THAT HAVE COME TO FRUITION.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE AWARE OF THAT OR NOT, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN WORKED ON, AND THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE WAS ACTUALLY PIECING PIECES TOGETHER FROM OUR COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS SO THAT WE COULD WORK IT INTO AN OVERALL PLAN.
THAT BEING SAID, YOU HAVE A MOVER AND A SECONDER AND I'LL LET YOU FIRE AWAY WITH WHAT YOU'RE SUGGESTING.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. YES, FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS DID START OFF AS A POLICE SERVICES BOARD PROGRAM IN THE PAST, ADMINISTER SOLICITOR GENERAL HAS EXPANDED THIS TO A FULL ON COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM.
THERE IS THE LEGISLATION HAS TASK EACH MUNICIPAL COUNCIL TO PREPARE, ADOPT MY RESOLUTION THAT NEED THIS PLAN.
IT WAS INITIALLY DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1ST OF 2021.
OF COS AS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE, COVID THREW A WRENCH INTO THAT.
IT WAS EXTENDED TO JULY 1ST OF 2021.
SEEING IS THIS PROGRAM AND THIS PLAN IS SO DETAILED THERE.
IF YOU SEE FROM THE ATTACHMENT TO THE REPORT, IT'S A VERY, VERY INVOLVED PLAN.
THAT OUR CEO ALONG WITH OTHER REGIONAL CEOS HAVE COMMUNICATED AND WE HAVE DRAFTED A LETTER TO THE MINISTRY FOR AN EXTENSION TO A TRIP THAT THERE WASN'T THE TIME TO KEEP THIS.
AS IT SAYS, THE ACT DOES ALLOW COMMUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO PREPARE A PLAN, AND IT'S PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GOING TO EXPLORE AS WELL.
BUT THE BASIS FOR THIS PLAN AND ONE OF THE KEYSTONES OF THE PLAN IS THE FORMATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
NOW, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT FEW STAKEHOLDERS WILL FILL MULTIPLE REQUIREMENTS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, AS NOTED ON PAGE 3, THE MINIMUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MUST CONTAIN MEMBERS IN THAT LIST, WHICH IS YOU CAN SEE IT'S A FAIRLY LONG LIST, BUT WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE, ONE PERSON WEARING MULTIPLE HATS CAN SERVE IN THAT COMMITTEE.
SO WE DO NEED TO GET AT LEAST DIRECTION FROM COUNSEL TO INFORMING THE COMMITTEE.
IF THERE IS NO EXTENSION, PAST THE JULY 1ST DEADLINE, WE CAN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SHARING INFORMATION AND OUTLINING THE PLAN AND THEN WE COME BACK TO COUNSEL BEFORE YOUR [INAUDIBLE] GUIDANCE FROM THERE AS WELL.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. ANTUNES.
A QUESTION FROM COUNCILOR PEARCE.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. IT'S NOT REALLY A QUESTION, MORE OF A COMMENT.
I AGREE WITH YOU WITH THE POLICE SERVICES BOARD HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR AT LEAST THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND WE'VE FULFILLED MOST OF THE MANDATE.
I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHEN I READ THROUGH THAT INCREDIBLY LONG DOCUMENT.
BASICALLY DOESN'T SAY A HECK A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING, BUT I WILL SUPPORT THIS.
I'M AMAZED THAT THE AMOUNT OF RED TAPE THAT'S BEEN THROWN AT US WHEN WE WERE ALREADY DOING WHAT THEY WANTED US TO DO.
[00:40:02]
BUT THANK GOD FOR POLITICIANS. RIGHT?>> COMING FROM A SCREEN FULL OF THEM.
TO YOUR POINT, COUNCILOR PEARCE, THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP, AND THAT IS THE REASON THAT SO MANY COMMUNITIES HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS IN MY RESEARCH, IT'S NOT ON THE BROCHURE.
THIS WAS A MANDATE PUT TO ALL MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE AND THROUGH MY RESEARCH.
I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE'S A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF MUNICIPALITIES THAT DON'T HAVE RESOURCES LIKE THE LARGE CITIES WHERE THEY HAVE STAFF TO BE ABLE TO DEDICATE TO PROJECTS LIKE THIS REGULARLY.
MANY MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE HAVE STRUGGLED TO GET THIS COMPLETED HENCE THE REASON WE'RE ABLE TO MEET WITH OTHERS AND DRAFT A LETTER OF EXTENSION.
>> MR. DANIEL YOU HAD A PIECE TO ADD TO THAT?
>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP TO SAY THAT WE'RE NOT TYPICALLY USED TO DOING THIS FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL.
CERTAINLY, WE'LL SEND A LETTER WITH MY CAO CLERK COUNTERPARTS.
WE'RE MEETING ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR ETHANOL IT TO YOUR OWN SHOULDERS WAS FIRMED UP.
NONE OF THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE MUCH FURTHER AHEAD THAN WE ARE, AND ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE JULY 1ST DEADLINE.
I DON'T KNOW IF COUNCIL WISHES TO GET BEHIND THAT AS WELL AND DO A LOBBYING SCENARIO THAT IS MORE USED TO WHAT COUNCIL IS USED TO DOING, WHICH IS ASKING FOR EXTENSIONS AND LOBBYING.
OTHERWISE, WE'LL DO IT AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL BECAUSE I ECHO COUNCILOR PEARCE'S CONCERN THAT THE AMOUNT OF RED TAPE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION BEFORE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO BE MINIMIZING RED TAPE.
WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF DEALING WITH COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING, AND NOW WE HAVE TO DEVELOP A PLAN WHILE WE'RE IN A PROCESS OF TRYING TO SAVE OUR RESIDENTS FROM A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND DEVELOP A PLAN ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN THE FUTURE.
I'M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LEVEL OF WORK THAT WE HAVE.
A LOT OF THE PIECES ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.
IT'S JUST THE PRIORITIES AND THE TIMING OF IT ALL, TRYING TO HAVE A STEERING COMMITTEES, ADVISORY COMMITTEES, YET ANOTHER ONE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC WHEN WE'RE ACTUALLY CURBING COMMITTEES.
IF WE COULD GET AT LEAST TILL THE END OF 2021, WE CAN AT LEAST LET THE REST OF THE YEAR.
I WAS ENCOURAGED AND COMFORTED TO HEAR THAT ALL OF OUR REGIONAL MUNICIPALITIES ARE IN A VERY SIMILAR SORT OF HEAD SCRATCHING MOOD.
BUT WE'LL DO IT AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL IF WE DON'T GET COUNCIL MOTION TO BASICALLY ASK FOR AN EXTENSION.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. AS SOMEONE WHO'S WORKED IN VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S RED TAPE IN THIS, BUT I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THIS.
I THINK THAT EVERY COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE A PLAN.
WHAT I LIKED THE MOST ABOUT DEVELOPING THIS PLAN IS THE WORDS IN THIS, WHEN THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THAT THEY ARE PEOPLE FROM THIS COMMUNITY THAT SERVE AS THIS MUNICIPALITY AND THAT THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED IN THIS MUNICIPALITY HAVING LIVED IN EAST ALGOMA FOR 40 YEARS.
I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES THE MONEY STOPS AND [INAUDIBLE] THERE AND THEY GET ALL THE SERVICES AND ALL THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN ALGOMA AND WE OFTEN GET LEFT OUT.
SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE COMPRISED OF PEOPLE LOCALLY TO THIS COMMUNITY THAT UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES.
I THINK THAT IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS, THIS COMMUNITY HAS REALLY COME TOGETHER IN THE AREA OF WORKING TOGETHER WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SEATS, MAKING THIS COMMUNITY A SAFER PLACE.
I'M JUST REALLY TAKING THE POLITICIANS HAD ORPHANS GETTING OUT OF THE RED TAPE.
I'M JUST VERY EXCITED FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SEE THIS PLAN COME FORWARD.
I THINK THAT IT'S LONG OVERDUE AND I THINK ANYTHING THAT'S FORMALIZED IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND IF EVERYONE CAN WORK TOGETHER, THEN WE WILL HAVE THAT SAFER COMMUNITY.
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY IN BRINGING FORWARD.
IT TALKS OF THE CITY OF BRADFORD, SUSAN EVIDENCE SAYS THAT I BELIEVE THAT COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PLANNING SITUATES ITSELF PERFECTLY WITH MANY OTHER STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, AND MOVING FORWARD THAT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, WE CAN ACCOMPANY THIS.
THIS IS A BIG PART OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.
SO I REALIZE IT WILL BE A LOT OF WORK, BUT I STILL THINK IT'S A GREAT THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT'LL BE A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK UNTIL WE ADD IN ALL THE NEW CRITERIA JUST DUE TO THE FACT, AS I SAID A YEAR AGO, WE WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PLANS FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES AND REALIZE THAT WHAT'S IN A LOT OF THEIR PLANS WE'VE ALREADY INITIATED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, INCLUDING THE CREATION OF THE CSO POSITION THAT CONSTABLE PHIL YOUNG FILLS NOW,
[00:45:06]
WHO WAS HOLDING OPEN HOUSES Q & A PERIODS AT THE RENAISSANCE SENIOR CENTER, ALONG WITH OTHER AREAS, SO THAT PEOPLE BE COMFORTABLE COMING IN AND ASKING QUESTIONS, TALKING TO HIM.THE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR ALL THE STAFFERS PLUS THE MENTAL HEALTH STAFF RIGHT ALONG PRESENCE PATROLS BEING ON FOOT THROUGHOUT THE SPRING AND SUMMER SO THAT SENIORS AND ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WE'LL BE COMFORTABLE SEEING THE POLICE WALKING AROUND AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AROUND THE DOWNTOWN CORE.
A LOT OF THESE INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AND OTHER PLANS WE'VE ALREADY DONE.
SO IT'S A MATTER OF PUTTING THOSE ON PAPER, BUT NOW HAVING TO CREATE ANOTHER ADVISORY LEVEL COMMITTEE, AS MR. DANIEL SAID, DURING A PANDEMIC WHERE YOU'RE BEING TOLD TO STAY AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND HAVING SUCH A SHORT TIME FRAME, A LITTLE BIT REDUNDANT.
I'M SORRY, COUNCILOR PEARCE, DID YOU HAVE YOUR HAND UP?
>> I DID, BUT YOU SAID EVERYTHING THAT I WAS GOING TO SAY. SO THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU AND JUST AGAIN, WHEN MR. [INAUDIBLE] MENTIONED THE IDEA OF THE DEFERRAL, AS YOU READ THROUGH THE NOTES AS WELL, NOT ONLY IS IT THE FORMATION OF NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND THE MEANING OF THAT COMMITTEE AS WELL, BUT THEN OF COURSE, THERE ARE PUBLIC PRESENTATION ASPECTS OF THIS AS WELL.
AS WELL AS COUNSEL COMING IN AND REPRESENTING THE COUNCIL.
SO THERE'S MULTIPLE STEPS AND AGAIN, AHEAD OF IT AND ON TOP OF [INAUDIBLE].
>> OKAY. SO WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION ON THE FLOOR.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE REPORT OF SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER DATED JANUARY 2021 BE RECEIVED AND THAT COUNCIL DIRECT STAFFED WARM COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PLAYING COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF MEMBERS LISTED IN PAGE 3 OF THE STAFF REPORT AND PREPARE SUBSEQUENT PLAN AND THAT MAYOR AND COUNCIL SERVICE CHAMPIONS OF THE PROJECT TO MOTIVATE PARTICIPATION.
ROLL CALL VOTES STARTING WITH COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
>> I'M IN FAVOR, SO THAT'S CARRIED. THANK YOU.
SIX POINT FIVE MEMO FROM [INAUDIBLE] , CEO PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUALS MAYBE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239 TO BE OF THE MS. BLACK.
MOVER TO PUT THAT IN CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE.
MOVED BY COUNCILOR PEARCE AND SECOND BY COUNCILOR CYR, QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? I'M SEEING NONE. COUNCILOR PATRIE.
>> [NOISE] I'M NOT COMFORTABLE GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION WITH ZOOM.
DIRECTION WAS GIVEN TO THE CEO.
FIRST AROUND WHEN WE HAD TO DO ZOOM MEETINGS AND WE GAVE DIRECTION AT THAT TIME THAT WE WOULD NOT DO ZOOM CLOSED MEETINGS.
I WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN A ZOOM CLOSED MEETING.
THERE'S INFORMATION THAT IS INCOMPLETE ON THE DOCUMENTATION THAT WE RECEIVED.
SO I'M GOING TO PUT A MOTION TO DEFER THIS UNTIL WE CAN DO THIS IN PERSON.
>> IS THERE A SECONDER FOR THE DEFERRAL? OKAY. I SEE NO SECONDER.
COUNCILOR CYR, YOU'RE SECONDING THE DEFERRAL? CONVERSATION ABOUT DEFERRAL. COUNCILOR MANN.
>> THANK YOUR WORSHIP. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF A DEFERRAL ON THIS ITEM IF WE WERE TO SUGGEST DEFER FOR A THREE WEEK PERIOD, ARE THERE ANY TIME SENSITIVITIES TO THIS REPORT THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED OR IMPLEMENTED THIS WEEK, OR WOULD THAT BE A REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE?
>> I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE A HUGE IMPACT FOR A DEFERRAL FOR THE NEXT TWO TO THREE WEEKS.
MIND YOU, WE STILL DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE LOCKDOWN AND MEETINGS VIA ZOOM ARE GOING TO BE.
WE COULD BE MEETING VIA ZOOM FOR ANOTHER COUPLE MONTHS.
[00:50:02]
AS I UNDERSTAND, WE'RE LOOKING AT END APRIL ROLL-OUT FOR VACCINATIONS FOR GENERAL POPULATION.SO WHO KNOWS WHAT IMPACT THAT'S GOING TO CREATE? COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
>> I'M NOT SURE. I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS FACE-TO-FACE.
I DON'T WANT TO SUGGEST WE'RE HAVING A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING.
BUT OTHER THAN HAVING A DISCUSSION AROUND THIS, I DON'T SEE THE HARM IN WAITING UNTIL WE CAN MEET FACE-TO-FACE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION, YEAH.
SO I WOULD SUPPORT, IS IT A DEFERRAL? THIS IS JUST ONE TOPIC I THINK I'D LIKE TO HAVE FACE TO FACE, ONE CONVERSATION.
>> OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? THIS MOTION TO DEFER ON THE FLOOR HAS TO GO THE ROLL CALL VOTE, STARTING WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN, COUNCILOR PATRIE.
>> I'M AT THE TOP OF MY SCREEN, BUT THAT'S FINE.
>> OKAY. I'M OPPOSED, SO THAT'S DEFEATED.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? YOU'VE GOTTEN ROLL-CALL VOTE.
STARTING AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN THIS TIME, COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
>> IF TAKING IT INTO CLOSED SESSION WAS DEFEATED, THAT MEANS IT WOULD BE DONE IN OPEN SESSION? IS THAT THE [INAUDIBLE] WERE VOTING ON NOW?
>> I KNOW THERE WAS A MOTION TO DEFER WAS INTRODUCED AND THE DEFERRAL WAS DEFEATED, SO NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION OF GOING IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> I DIDN'T HEAR THAT COUNCILOR FENIMORE. SORRY.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILOR PEARCE.
>> CAN YOU REPEAT WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON?
>> TO CAO PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> I THOUGHT WE JUST. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE VOTING ON THE DEFERRAL LAST TIME WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU'RE VOTING ON CLOSE SESSION?
>> YEAH. I'M OPPOSED TO DOING A CLOSE SESSION ON ZOOM.
6.6, REPORT FROM CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FORMALIZE ARTS AND CULTURE STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE REPORT OF THE CAO DATA JANUARY 21ST, 2021 BE RECEIVED AND THAT COUNCIL CREATED AN AD HOC ARTS AND CULTURAL HUB STEERING COMMITTEE TO BE COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS.
MARIE FINN, ADOLPH TEN BROOKE, REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED BY SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION, A REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTED BY MS. SAGA FIRST NATION, CITY STAFF AS RESOURCES CEO, SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER, MANAGER OF REC AND CULTURE.
COUNCILOR BLANK TO BE DETERMINED, I GUESS THROUGH CONVERSATION AND MAYOR MARK CELLAR AS EX-OFFICIO.
CAN I HAVE A MOVER, PLEASE? MOVED BY COUNCILOR FENIMORE, SIGNED BY COUNCILOR CYR. MR. DANIEL?
>> YES. THANK YOU. YOUR WORSHIP.
AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, WE WOULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE ARTS HUB, AS YOU KNOW, IS A STANDING ITEM.
[00:55:01]
WE'LL REFER TO THE SORT OF INFORMAL STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING GENERALLY WITH STAFF AND A CONSULTANT, AND IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, I THINK, TO FORMALIZE THAT INTO A MORE FORMAL COMMITTEE.WE HAVE A HUB COMMITTEE FOR THE SPORTS HUB THAT GOES BACK TO 2016 BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD ANYTHING FOR THE ARTS HUB, SINCE PACIFIC CENTER COLLAPSED NOW THAT WE'RE ROLLING WITH THE CONSULTANTS, MR. FINN AND TEN BROOKE WERE INVITED TO BE PART OF THE EVALUATION PANELS FOR THE BIDS, AND SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE STAFF WITH THE CONSULTANT TO FACILITATE SOME OF THE PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT WE'VE MANAGED TO HAVE IN 2020.
WE ALSO HAVE REPRESENTATIONS OR A VOTE.
I HAD REPRESENTATION FROM BOTH OF OUR FIRST NATIONS PARTNERS DOWN THE HIGHWAY, SO IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, I THINK TO INVITE A COUNCILOR AND OR THE MAYOR'S EX-OFFICIO ONTO THIS COMMITTEE AND SORT OF JUST ADD A LITTLE BIT OF MEAT TO THAT AND THEN MOVE ON FROM THERE FOR THE ARTS HUB STEERING COMMITTEE.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILOR FENIMORE
>> I'D VERY MUCH LIKE TO SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE AND I THINK ON EVERY ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE THAT THERE IS FOR THE CITY AND I AM ON THE MUSEUM BOARD AS WELL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMITTEE.
>> OKAY. I KNOW COUNCILOR TURNER ALSO EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST TO BE A PART OF THE COMMITTEE.
WOULD THERE BE AN ISSUE APPOINTING MORE THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL, MR. DANIEL?
>> NOT THAT I CAN SEE UNLESS THE CLERK HAS SOME PROCEDURAL SUBTLETY THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF, IT'S THE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE, SO YOU CAN STRUCTURE IT IN A WAY THAT COUNCIL SEES FIT.
>> OKAY. WOULD ANYONE BE INTERESTED IN PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE COUNCILOR FENIMORE AND COUNCILOR TURNER.
MOVED BY COUNCILOR PEARCE SECOND BY COUNCILOR MANN.
ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? PERSONAL CONCERNS. OKAY. ROLL CALL VOTE ON. MR. PATRI.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE AS IT'S STANDS, THIS COUNCIL STILL WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER IN ANY COMMITTEES.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE ALL HELD UP OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
>> THEY WOULD BE HELD OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, MR. DANIEL, ONCE WE'RE ABLE TO HOLD OPEN MEETINGS?
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, AND THEY WILL BE ON ZOOM AS A STANDING COMMITTEE.
THEY'VE BEEN INFORMAL TO DATE, BUT GOING FORWARD THEY WOULD BE FORMALIZED, AND ADVERTISED, AND ALL THAT.
>> I THINK BRAY HAS SOMETHING.
>> SORRY. THERE'S NO NEED FOR AN AMENDMENT.
WE ARE SIMPLY INSERTING A COUNCILOR'S NAME SO WE CAN JUST SIMPLY INSERT BOTH COUNCILOR FENIMORE AND COUNCILOR TURNER IN THE MOTION.
>> OKAY. PERFECT. WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT. ALL RIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, QUALMS, QUERIES ON THIS ONE? I'LL CALL FOR ROLL CALL VOTE THEN STARTING WITH COUNCILOR MANN.
>> I'M IN FAVOR, SO THAT'S CARRIED. THANK YOU.
THE NEXT ITEM, 6.7, MEMO FROM THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, READ POTENTIAL LITIGATION UPDATE AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239 2E OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
MOVER TO PUT IN CLOSED SESSION.
MOVED BY COUNCILOR PEARCE, SECOND BY COUNCILOR TURNER.
QUESTIONS, QUALMS, QUERIES. COUNCILOR PATRI.
>> IF I COULD PUT A MOTION TO DEFER ON THE TABLE AS I DO NOT WANT TO ATTEND CLOSED SESSION IN ZOOM, AND I WOULD REQUEST THAT THIS BE DEFERRED UNTIL WE CAN DO A IN-PERSON CLOSED SESSION MEETING.
>> SECONDER FOR THE DEFERRAL. COUNCILOR MANN.
MR. DANIEL EFFECTS OF DIFFERING POTENTIAL LITIGATION MATTERS?
[01:00:01]
>> IT'S HARD TO SPECULATE WITHOUT GETTING TOO MUCH INTO THE DETAILS IN AN OPEN SESSION, BUT ONE THING WOULD BE CERTAIN, STAFF WOULD HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAN I'M ABLE TO SHARE WITH COUNCIL, WHICH WOULD BE PROBLEMATIC.
I DON'T SEE A CONCERN WITH A SHORT-TERM DEFERRAL, BUT THAT IS IN A WEEK OR TWO, BUT WE MAY NEED DIRECTION AS TO HOW TO HANDLE ANY OF THESE ITEMS, CLOSE SESSION ITEMS. IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT, THEN THAT COULD HAVE SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE TO NOT MAKE DECISIONS THAT I CAN'T MAKE WITHOUT COUNCIL'S DIRECTIONS.
WE MAY GET TO A POINT WHERE THERE ARE MORE SHORT-TERM IMPACTS.
BUT LONG STORY SHORT, A WEEK OR TWO PROBABLY COULD GET BY BUT MUCH LONGER THAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO HAVE A CLOSED SESSION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
I HAVE TO FIGURE SOME WAY TO GET FEEDBACK TO LAWYERS, INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE LIKE.
>> OKAY. DEFERRALS ON THE TABLE.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE DEFERRAL. COUNCILOR FENIMORE.
>> I DIDN'T HEAR YOU, SORRY. COUNCILOR FENIMORE?
>> OH, I'M [LAUGHTER] BACKWARDS. OPPOSED.
>> I'M OPPOSED, SO THE DEFERRAL IS DEFEATED ONCE AGAIN.
[NOISE] ROLL CALL ONCE AGAIN. COUNCILOR CYR?
>> I'M IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED TO CLOSED SESSION.
6.8, MEMO FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, A LEASED SPACE AT AIRPORT.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH POTENTIAL DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY, IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239 2C OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
CAN I HAVE A MOVER TO PUT THIS ONE IN CLOSED SESSION? MOVED BY COUNCILOR PEARCE AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR TURNER.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? [LAUGHTER] COUNCILOR PATRIE?
>> I APPRECIATE THAT YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY, BUT IT'S VERY SERIOUS.
I'M NOT WILLING TO DO CLOSED SESSION VIA ZOOM, SO I'M GOING TO PUT A MOTION TO DEFER ON THE FLOOR.
>> SECONDER FOR THE MOTION TO DEFER? NO SECONDER FOR THE MOTION TO DEFER.
CALL FOR A VOTE TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION IF THERE WAS NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. COUNCILOR CYR?
>> CAN YOU REPEAT? SORRY. WE'RE PUTTING IT IN CLOSED?
>> I'M IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED TO CLOSED SESSION.
6.9, MEMO FROM THE CITY CLERK, LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ON [INAUDIBLE] PLACE.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH THE POTENTIAL DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY, IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239 2C OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
MOVER TO PUT THIS ONE IN CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE? COUNCILOR TURNER.
SECONDER? COUNCILOR PEARCE. THANK YOU.
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? QUERIES? COUNCILOR PATRIE?
>> I DISAGREE WITH THIS GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION.
THIS IS A VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD REQUEST.
[01:05:02]
I THINK WE CAN DEAL WITH THIS IN OPEN SESSION.I WOULD LIKE TO PARTAKE IN THIS CONVERSATION, SO I AM IN FAVOR OF IT AND I WOULD RATHER JUST DO IT LIVE AND NOT TAKE IT INTO CLOSED SESSION.
THERE'S AN OFFER MADE AND EVERYTHING JUST SEEMS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
I DON'T KNOW THE BENEFIT OF GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION ON THIS. THANK YOU.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS TWO SPEAKERS.
THERE'S NO REASON IN THIS PARTICULAR EVENT.
ON OCCASION, THERE OBVIOUSLY ARE REASONS TO GO INTO CLOSED TO HAVE DISCUSSION, BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, I DON'T SEE THE POINT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. COUNCILORS ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THIS IS A MATTER THAT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AND IT'S COUNCIL'S DECISION.
I DID SPEAK WITH THE PROPONENT AND THEY'RE FINE WITH COUNCIL DISCUSSING THIS ITEM IN OPEN SESSION, IF COUNCIL SO WISHES.
>> NO. I WAS GOING TO ASK COUNCILOR BRAY THE SAME QUESTION. I APPRECIATE.
>> COUNCILOR FENIMORE? YOU'RE NOT A COUNCILOR, MS. BRAY [LAUGHTER]
>> IT'S A QUESTION I WAS GOING TO ASK.
WAS THE BUYER AWARE THAT WE MIGHT DISCUSS THIS IN OPEN SESSION? I WOULDN'T WANT TO PUT THE SALE AT RISK.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, MS. BRAY.
THIS GETS VOTED TO NOT GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
DO YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION PREPARED THAT YOU CAN READ OUT FOR DISCUSSION?
>> YES, I DO. THE COUNCIL ACCEPT THE OFFER TO PURCHASE FROM MS. DONNA KENNY FOR PART 7, BLOCK 77 ON PLAN 1M439, AND THAT STAFF BRING BACK AN AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE TOGETHER WITH THE APPROPRIATE BY-LAW TO A FUTURE MEETING OF COUNCIL.
>> WE HAVEN'T VOTED DOWN CLOSED SESSION JUST YET.
MOTION IS STILL TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
[LAUGHTER] THAT WAS A LITTLE PRE-EMPTED, SORRY.
ROLL CALL VOTE, WHETHER WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION OR NOT, BEFORE WE HIT MS. BRAY ONCE AGAIN. [OVERLAPPING].
>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT'S WHETHER WE PUT IT IN CLOSED SESSION OR WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION THOUGH, CORRECT?
>> TO PUT IT INTO CLOSED SESSION OR TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION?
>> PUT IT IN THE CLOSED SESSION.
>> PUT IT IN INTO CLOSED SESSION.
>> WE HAVE TO VOTE THAT DOWN FOR MS. BRAY'S PROPOSED RESOLUTION, RIGHT? THEY CAN WITHDRAW THE MOTION.
COUNCILOR TURNER, COUNCILOR PEARCE, ARE YOU OKAY TO WITHDRAWAL THE MOTION?
>> YEAH, THAT'S FINE. LET'S WITHDRAW THE MOTION.
>> MS. BRAY, CAN YOU READ THE RESOLUTION AGAIN, PLEASE?
>> SURE. THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE OFFER TO PURCHASE FROM MS. DONNA KENNY FOR PART 7, BLOCK 77 ON PLAN 1M439, AND THAT STAFF BRING BACK AN AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE TOGETHER WITH THE APPROPRIATE BY-LAW TO A FUTURE MEETING OF COUNCIL.
>> MOVED BY COUNCILOR PATRIE, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MANN.
ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? COUNCILOR CYR? COUNCILOR MANN?
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I JUST WANTED TO ASK, I BELIEVE IT'S INDICATED AS WELL, BUT JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, IS THIS THE LAST INFILL LOCK ON THAT STREET?
>> THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
THIS IS AN OPERATIVE PURCHASED THE FINAL LOT ON [INAUDIBLE].
THE PROPONENT IS OFFERING FULL ASKING PRICE AND IS WELL AWARE OF THE COVENANT TO BUILD WITHIN TWO YEARS, AND HAS NO ISSUES MEETING THAT COVENANT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? SEEING NONE.
ROLL CALL VOTE. I'LL START WITH COUNCILOR FENIMORE?
[01:10:04]
OKAY. COUNCILOR PEARCE?>> [NOISE] SORRY. [OVERLAPPING]. MY ICON GETS BURIED HERE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M IN FAVOR, THAT'S CARRIED. THANK YOU.
[7. PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS]
SEVEN PRESENTATION, A COMMITTEE REPORT, 7.1, REFERRAL FROM AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE RE 2021 OPERATIONAL BUDGET, COUNCILLOR MANN AS THE CHAIR, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE.THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TREASURER READ 2022 OPERATING BUDGET BE RECEIVED AND THAT THE 2021 OPERATING BUDGET BE FORWARDED TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND THAT LET NECESSARY FILE BE PLACED ON AN UPCOMING COUNCIL AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION AND I SO MOVE.
>> SECONDER, COUNCILOR FENIMORE, COUNCILLOR MANN IF YOU WOULD PLEASE GIVE US A HIGHLIGHT.
>> SURE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.
AGAIN I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A COMPROMISE BUDGET.
WE OBVIOUSLY, THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE TREASURER AND STAFF, VIEWED OF MUCH DIFFERENT PRESENTATION THAN WE AS A COUNCIL ARE USED TO.
IN PAST PRACTICE, WE HAVE RECEIVED VERY LARGE POTENTIAL, WHEN I SAY POTENTIAL BUDGET INCREASES.
THEN THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE WAS TO DECREASE THAT NUMBER DOWN TO WHAT WAS, I WOULD SUGGEST PALATABLE FOR THE COMMITTEE.
THIS YEAR, THE TREASURY TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND BROUGHT US THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO AS, AGAIN, AS LEAN AS POSSIBLE.
THERE WERE DEFINITELY SOME INCREASES OVER PREVIOUS YEARS.
WE DEFINITELY HAD SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATIONS REGARDING RESERVE FUNDS.
WHAT OUR RESERVES LOOK LIKE TODAY? WHAT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE IN 2025, IF WE DON'T DO SOME CONSIDERABLE CHANGES TO HOW WE MANAGE THE FUNDS OF THE MUNICIPALITY.
EVEN THOUGH POTENTIALLY THE WORK OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ENDS TONIGHT, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO FOR THIS COUNCIL THIS YEAR ON RESERVE FUND POLICY, POTENTIALLY, AND THEN MOVING FORWARD.
WHAT WAS FINALLY RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL WAS A GLOBAL PERCENTAGE INCREASE ON THE 2020 LEVY OF 2.57 PERCENT.
THAT EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY $365,000 INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR'S EXPENDITURES, AND ONE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THAT NUMBER WAS DEFINITELY A PREMIUM INCREASE ON THE MUNICIPALITIES OVERALL INSURANCE PREMIUMS. IF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CASE, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT PROBABLY THE DISCUSSIONS REGARDING ADDITIONAL TRANSFERS TO RESERVES WHICH BECAME PROBLEMATIC, I'LL CALL IT, MAY HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE AROUND THIS TABLE WANTS ANY OF OUR FACILITIES AS AN EXAMPLE TO DO WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WORK TO KEEP THEM IN EXISTENCE UNTIL WE CAN SECURE FUNDING FOR THE HUB.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK I PERSONALLY WAS TORN.
I KNOW A COUPLE OF OTHER MEMBERS WERE AS WELL WITH THE PANDEMIC AND THOSE IMPLICATIONS.
AGAIN, WE DO HAVE A 2.57 PERCENT INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.
I DO THANK TRULY THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION NOW FOR AWHILE, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE.
WE HEARD EVERYONE. WE HEARD EVERYONE'S COMMENTS AND I THINK THEY WERE APPROPRIATE AND I RESPECT EVERYBODY'S ASSISTANCE, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR, MANN.
ONCE AGAIN, A JOB WELL DONE, CHAIRING THIS COMMITTEE, ALWAYS A REALLY TOUGH ONE EVERY YEAR.
I ASK IF THERE'S ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ABOUT THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET THAT'S PRESENTED THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL REITERATE A COUPLE OF THE THINGS THAT I SAID THROUGH THESE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
A 2.57 PERCENT UNBELIEVABLY I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH.
THE ONLY REASON THAT I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH IS BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS THAT WE DID RECEIVE FROM THE TREASURER THAT EQUATES TO LESS THAN THE INSURANCE INCREASE WITH THAT AMOUNT OF LEVY PERCENTAGE INCREASE.
THE INCREASE IN THE INSURANCE FOLLOWS MORE THAN THAT UP.
[01:15:01]
I THINK SHE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS AN INCREASE IN REVENUE THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THIS YEAR, WHICH WOULD BE OVER AN ADDITIONAL 10 PERCENT INCREASE FROM WHAT SHE HAS FOUND MONEY WITHIN THE BUDGET TO INCORPORATE AND KEEP THAT FROM AFFECTING THE TAXPAYERS THIS YEAR.
I'M GOING TO BE EXTREMELY CONCERNED WHEN WE START TO LOOK AT NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET BECAUSE THERE'S SOME NUMBERS THAT SHE HAS TAKEN OUT FOR STAFF POSITIONS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED NEXT YEAR.
THERE'S $350,000 OUT OF THE BUDGET IN STAFFING AND RECREATION.
THAT IS WHERE PART OF THE PLACES WHERE SHE'S GOTTEN THAT MONEY AND SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS WILL HAVE TO COME BACK IN 2021.
THERE'S ALSO $3,221,858 GOING INTO RESERVE IN THIS BUDGET, WHICH NORMALLY I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO, BUT THE PROBLEM AND I'M NOT GOING TO BE PLEASED WHEN WE GET TO THE CAPITAL BUDGET, BUT WHEN YOU'RE SPENDING $9.5 MILLION OUT OF RESERVES, YOU'RE NOT SPENDING RESPONSIBLY AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE, AS THE TREASURER STATED IN OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE WITHIN A FEW YEARS IF WE KEEP SPENDING THIS WAY.
YOU CAN'T SPEND THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU'RE PUTTING INTO RESERVES.
THE TAXPAYERS CAN'T AFFORD TO BE TAXED AT AN ADDITIONAL FIVE OR SIX MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SPEND THIS MONEY.
I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT THE TREASURER HAS DONE AND THE NUMBERS THAT SHE HAS BROUGHT FORWARD.
SURPRISINGLY, I AM IN FAVOR OF A 2.57 PERCENT TAX INCREASE FOR THE 2021 LEVY [NOISE].
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.
I WOULD AGREE WITH COUNCILLOR MANN.
THAT THIS BUDGET WAS A COMPROMISE.
BUT ALSO STATE UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT I DON'T LIKE THIS BUDGET.
I DON'T LIKE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
BUT I THINK THIS IS A DO-NOTHING BUDGET.
I THINK IT'S PUT OUR COMMUNITY AT RISK.
BUT AT LEAST FOUR MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, HAVE DECIDED THAT NO MATTER WHAT, THEY DO NOT WANT TO INCREASE TAXES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
YOU AND I, MR. MAYOR, SUGGESTS THAT A COMPROMISE WHERE WE WERE GOING TO PUT $200,000 INTO THE RESERVES OVER AND ABOVE WHAT'S ALLOCATED.
WE THEN OFFERED ANOTHER COMPROMISE OF A 100,000 AND THAT WAS TURNED DOWN.
THE FOLLOWING MEETING, I MADE A SUGGESTION TO THE COMMITTEE THAT WE TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE LIBRARY RESERVE, MOVE IT INTO THE GENERAL RESERVES, AND THAT WE COULD LOOK AT THE MONEY FROM THE TRANSPORTATION WHERE WE'RE UNDER CURRENTLY WE'RE NOT CHARGING ANYBODY FOR USING OUR BUS SERVICE AND WE COULD START REINTRODUCING THAT.
THAT WOULD HAVE ADDED BETWEEN $300-370 INTO THE OPERATING BUDGET WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.
YET AGAIN, THAT WAS TURNED DOWN.
I WILL SUPPORT THIS BUDGET BECAUSE WE NEED TO MOVE ON.
I WOULD SERVE NOTICE TO EVERYBODY THAT I THINK THE RESERVES ARE SERIOUSLY DEPLETED.
THEY HAVE TO BE RE-INTRODUCED OR TO BE REPLENISHED.
THEY HAVE TO BE REPLENISHED VERY QUICKLY.
YOU CANNOT DO THAT UNTIL YOU START PUTTING SOME MONEY AWAY.
THAT MEANS TAXES, WHETHER YOU LIKED THAT WORD OR NOT. IT'S TOO BAD.
I THINK THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
I'M JUST HOPING THAT NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS OTHER THAN A $900,000 OR GREATER BEING BROKEN, MAYBE SOMETHING ELSE WILL BE BROKEN, BUT WE'LL SEE. THANK YOU.
>>THANK YOU. YOUR WORSHIP. I JUST WOULD LIKE AT THIS TIME TO THANK MS. SANDBERG AND THE STAFF FOR PULLING THIS BUDGET TOGETHER.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF US AND WHICH WE HAVE ALL AT THE BUDGET TABLE AGREED THAT WE WOULD DO AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE RESERVES AND BUILDING UP THE RESERVES.
WE DIDN'T DO A ZERO BUDGET, WE DID A 2.57 BUDGET.
I JUST WANT TO SAY ANOTHER THANK YOU TO THE STAFF.
I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY HARD YEAR.
I KNOW THAT STAFFS HAVE WORKED SPLIT SHIFTS IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC.
I KNOW THAT MR. HALEX DEPARTMENT,
[01:20:03]
HE HAD TO SPLIT HIS DEPARTMENT IN HALF AND HAVE THEM WORK DIFFERENT SHIFTS IN ORDER TO DO WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO WITHIN THE CITY AND STAFF HAVE WORKED FROM HOME AND STAFF HAVE MADE GREAT SACRIFICES FOR THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE AND ITS CITIZENS.I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM.
HOPEFULLY THIS BUDGET WILL BE ABLE TO ENABLE THEM TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR.
>>THANK YOU. MR. MAYOR, YOUR WORSHIP.
I THINK THIS IS A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE TIMES WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT CALLS FOR SOMEWHAT OF A, SOME RESTRAINT IN OUR SPENDING.
I MEAN, IT WOULD BE NICE TO SPEND AS MUCH AS WE DREAM AND WISH, BUT THAT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE.
I THINK WE HAVE TO SET PRIORITIES.
NOT ONLY THE PROVINCIAL ECONOMIES, THE NATIONAL ECONOMIES, THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIES.
WE CAN'T JUST WILLYNILLY START SPENDING JUST BECAUSE WE WANT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE.
I MEAN, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT OF WORK THAT WANT TO WORK, BUT THEY CAN'T WORK.
WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.
WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
I MEAN, WE'D ALL WANT TO HAVE MORE MONEY IN A COFFERS.
BUT RIGHT NOW IS NOT THAT TIME.
I'M THANKFUL FOR THAT WE'VE GOT THIS BUDGET AND I'M THANKFUL THAT COUNCIL SHOWED RESTRAINT.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE TREASURER AND STAFF WHO WORKED ON THIS BUDGET AND MADE IT A LOT EASIER TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH IT AND AT TIMES IT WAS DIFFICULT AND THEN OTHER TIMES IT WENT VERY SMOOTHLY.
IT WAS COMPLIMENTS TO THE WORK THAT THEY DID THAT, THEN WE'RE ABLE TO PROGRESS.
THERE WAS A CASH-FLOW PROJECTION PRESENTED BY THE TREASURER THAT FORECAST THE ROUGHLY $2.5 MILLION DEFICIT IN RESERVES BY 2025 AND THAT CONCERNS ME GREATLY.
AS A RESULT, ITS CAUSED ME TO RETHINK MY APPROACH TO THIS BUDGET BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED OUR APPROACH IS NOT CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH.
WE ARE DEFERRING THE DECISION TO FUND RESERVES FOR THE FUTURE UNTIL LATER AND LATER IS GOING TO COME REAL QUICK.
THE 2022 BUDGET IS AN ELECTION YEAR, AND I DON'T SEE ANYBODY JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON REAL QUICK TO JACK UP TAXES FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY JUST TO TAKE CARE OF THE DEFICIT IN FUTURE RESERVES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I'D BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THE COUNCIL HAD THAT APPROACH.
I DON'T THINK ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFICIENCIES WERE FOUND EITHER BY STAFF, OR BY THE COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO TRIM THE BUDGET ANY FURTHER.
I HAVE TO GIVE EVERYBODY CREDIT FOR GIVING IT THEIR BEST TRY.
AS FOR THE RESERVE EXPENDITURES THAT WE ARE GOING TO THIS YEAR, THERE'S NOTHING FRIVOLOUS AMONGST THOSE EXPENDITURES THEY'RE WELL-THOUGHT OFF, THEY WERE PLANNED AND THAT'S WHAT RESERVES ARE FOR, PLANNED FUTURE EXPENDITURES.
HERE'S MY CONCERN FUTURE EXPENDITURES, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DIFFICULTY FUNDING AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE IT TO THE NEXT COUNCIL, THAT IT'S THEIR JOB, OR SOMETIMES REFER TO THINGS WHEN YOU HAVE GOT NOTHING BUT EGG LAY ON YOUR PLATE.
YOU GOT TO EAT THE EGG LAID PIECE FIRST.
THAT'S WHAT I SEE THOSE OPERATING RESERVE AS, SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AND WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE IT FOR THE NEXT GUYS. THANK YOU.
[01:25:01]
>> IS THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL? SEEING NONE I RESERVE MY COMMENTS FOR THE END.
I DO ALSO THANK STAFF AND ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND TIME SPENT.
I DO RESPECT THE OPINIONS OF EVERYONE THAT CAME TO THE TABLE.
THERE'S VARIOUS OPINIONS, THAT'S FOR SURE.
OTHER THAN OPINIONS, THE NUMBERS TOLD A BIT OF A DIRE STORY.
AS COUNSELOR TURNER MENTIONED, THERE'S NOTHING FRIVOLOUS IN THIS YEAR SPENDING EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE OVER THE NEXT YEAR, HOPEFULLY, BE DONE OVER THE NEXT YEAR WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT AND WELL PLANNED.
UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THE PLANNING WAS DONE AND PROJECTS WERE APPROVED IN PREVIOUS YEARS THAT WERE SET AT DIFFERENT RATES AND THROUGHOUT THE LAST THREE YEARS FOR SURE, WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE, THE RATES AND COSTS OF GOODS HAVE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION, BUT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO DO THE SAME JOBS.
THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE AND COSTS FOR THE FUTURE THAT BRINGS OUR RESERVE NUMBERS DOWN ARE THE COSTS OF THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
AS I MENTIONED DURING THE BUDGET MEETINGS, WERE STILL PLAYING CATCH UP FROM THE 2010 TAX CUT WAS APPROXIMATELY 33 PERCENT.
WHEN I LOOKED THROUGH THE BINDERS, I FOUND ABOUT HALF OF THAT IN EFFICIENCIES THAT WERE FOUND THAT DIDN'T MAKE THAT UP, AND OVER THE YEARS SINCE AN AVERAGE OF 1.5 PERCENT INCREASES IN 10 YEARS, THAT'S ABOUT 15 PERCENT.
THAT'S STILL LEAVES OUR CURRENT COUNCIL ABOUT 18 TO 19 PERCENT BEHIND WHERE 2010 COUNCIL WERE WORKING FROM.
WE'VE DONE OUR VERY BEST OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU, COUNCILMEN FOR TAKING THE HELM DURING BUDGET MEETINGS, BUT WE'VE DONE OUR VERY BEST TO TRY AND FIND MORE EFFICIENCIES AND TAKE WHAT WE HAVE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND START REBUILDING THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHEN I SAY CRITICAL, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE WASTE WATER, STORM LINES.
NOT JUST RESURFACING ROADS ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT PROJECTS.
WE'VE HAD QUITE A FEW UNKNOWNS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH SOME OF OUR FACILITIES, ALSO WITH SOME OF OUR EQUIPMENT.
WE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL EARLIER ABOUT EQUIPMENT FAILURES IN THE TUNE OF AROUND $0.5 MILLION PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE AN ARENA ROOF THAT COSTS US OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.
WE'VE HAD TO DO EXTENSIVE WORK AT THE POOL TO KEEP IT OPEN.
THIS IS WHERE THE RESERVE MONEY GOES.
IT'S NOT FRIVOLOUS SPENDING, IT'S MONEY THAT'S BEING PUT ASIDE VERY WELL-PLANNED OUT FROM THIS COUNCIL, PREVIOUS COUNCIL TO TRY AND KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.
THAT'S WHY I'M PERSONALLY NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.
THE 2.57 AS COUNCIL PATRICK MENTIONED, DOESN'T EVEN COVER THE INSURANCE INCREASES THAT WE'VE SEEN.
WE MAY SEE IN THE FUTURE, I DID RECEIVE A LETTER THIS MORNING FROM A MUNICIPALITY THAT IS SENDING A REQUEST UP TO SENIOR GOVERNMENT ABOUT DEALING WITH SOME OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST US AS ALL ACROSS THE BOARD 40 PERCENT INCREASES.
WE SAW A 43 PERCENT AND THAT'S WHERE IT INCREASES RIGHT THERE.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE RATEPAYERS, IT'S NOT FAIR TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO COUNSEL TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS.
THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR HERE.
I'M GOING TO LOOK AT A ROLL CALL VOTE.
I'LL START WITH A COUNSELOR, CYR.
>> SORRY, YOUR WORSHIP, ARE WE JUST DEALING WITH THE OPERATING BUDGET.
>> VERY RELUCTANTLY IN FAVOR, YOUR WORSHIP.
>> ALTHOUGH I HAD MANY, MANY ISSUES WITH THAT, I WOULD DO SUPPORT THIS COUNSEL AND ITS DECISION, SO I WILL BE IN FAVOR ALSO.
SEVEN POINT TWO REFERRAL FROM THE AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE 2021 CAPITAL BUDGET,
[01:30:07]
COUNSELOR MANN, AGAIN, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE.>> OKAY. THANK YOUR WORSHIP. THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TREASURER REGARDING THE 2021 CAPITAL BUDGET BE RECEIVED AND THAT THE 2021 CAPITAL BUDGET BE FORWARDED TO COUNSEL FOR THEIR APPROVAL AND THAT THE NECESSARY DIALOGUE BE PLACED ON AN UPCOMING AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION AND I SO MOVE.
THIS ONE INFORMATION, COUNSEL MANN?
>> THANK YOUR WORSHIP. JUST ON A HIGH LEVEL.
PRIMARILY, CAPITAL IS TRADITIONALLY THE MAJORITY IS FUNDED OUT OF RESERVES FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
IN THE 2019 PROCESS, WE ENDEAVORED TO ENSURE THAT, I'LL CALL IT A CLEANUP, OF A PREVIOUS YEARS PROJECTS.
WE HAD PROJECTS STILL ON THE BOOKS FROM AS FAR BACK AS 2016, SO WORKING THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE WERE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT PROJECTS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED WORK, AND WE'RE STILL ESSENTIAL TO THE MUNICIPALITY.
SO WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS A TRUE REALISTIC VIEW OF WHAT WOULD BE REALISTICALLY ACHIEVED IN THE 2021 BUDGET CYCLE.
THE NUMBER FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET IS JUST AN EXCESSIVE OF $0.5 MILLION.
A COMBINATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, WORK, FLEET REPLACEMENT, AND OTHER VARIOUS CAPITAL BUILDS THAT WE WOULD HAVE THROUGH THE MUNICIPALITY.
JUST REMEMBER REMINDER TO COUNSEL FROM THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATION REGARDING OPERATING IS THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROJECTS WILL COME BACK, AND WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DISCUSS THEM.
SO WHEN WE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL EFFICIENCIES, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY, BUT THIS IS THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE UPCOMING CYCLE, THE PLANNING PIECE, WE WILL AGAIN HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC ITEMS IN THERE.
SO HAPPY TO BRING THIS FORWARD, AND DEFINITELY AGAIN, THIS IS A BIT OF A COMPROMISE MOVING FORWARD AND I COMPLETELY RECOGNIZE THAT.
AGAIN, THANKS STAFF AND COUNSEL FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS TO DATE, AND AGAIN, THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MAY BE FINISHED AS OF TODAY, BUT COUNSEL STILL HAS LOTS OF WORK TO DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNSEL? COUNSEL PATRICK?
>> THANK YOU. AS I STATED BEFORE, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS CAPITAL BUDGET, THERE'S COMMENTS BEING MADE THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING ENOUGH MONEY INTO BUDGET AND SPEAKING TO DEAF EARS, BUT UNDERSTAND IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WE'RE PUTTING $3,221,858 OUT OF THE TAXATION INTO RESERVES THIS YEAR, THAT'S NOT PUTTING NO MONEY IN, WE'RE SPENDING $9,000,500 THOUSAND AND AS OUR TREASURE OR PUT IT, IF WE DON'T GET TO A SUSTAINABLE SPENDING PATTERN, WE'RE GOING TO BE BROKE IN THREE YEARS, SO I'VE NEVER SAID ANYTHING WAS FRIVOLOUS, I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT STAFF IS SPENDING IS FRIVOLOUS, IT'S A MATTER OF BUDGETING AND WE HAVE TO START TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE'RE SPENDING OUR MONEY.
IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN YOUR HOME. THINK BOOK.
YOU CAN'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU'RE MAKING, AND YOU CAN'T JUST GO TO YOUR BOSS AND SAY, WELL, I NEED A 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN MY PAYCHECK BECAUSE I'M PLANNING ON SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN YOU'RE PAYING ME.
THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT WE'RE SPENDING TOO MUCH TOO FAST.
I'M NOT SAYING THE MONEY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SPENT, I'M SAYING IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SPENT THIS YEAR AND NEXT.
WE'RE MORE LOOKING AT SPENDING $9.5 MILLION THIS YEAR, AN $8.5 MILLION NEXT YEAR, IT'S JUST TOO MUCH MONEY TOO FAST AND WE ARE DEPLETING OUR RESERVES.
I AGREE WITH ALL OF YOU, WE'VE GOT TO STOP DEPLETING THOSE RESERVES.
BUT THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO STOP DEPLETING THEM AS TO STOP SPENDING THE MONEY, SO I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS CAPITAL BUDGET, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE TOO MUCH TOO FAST.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION PUT ON THE FLOOR OR SECONDER.
WHO IS THE SECONDER, WAS IT COUNSEL FENIMORE?
>> NO PROBLEMS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? REALLY? OKAY. DESERVE RIGHT TO SPEAK LAST.
[01:35:07]
I DON'T BELIEVE, I HEARD THAT WE'RE REALLY SPENDING TOO MUCH, WE'RE NOT PUTTING ENOUGH ASIDE, AND I GO BACK TO, AS I STATED EARLIER, WE DID A 10-YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT WAS APPROVED BY COUNSEL AND THE REASONS WHY THIS 10-YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN WAS PUT FORWARD AND AGAIN, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE UNDERGROUND AND THE ROADS.THE FIRST YEAR THAT I SAT AS A MEMBER OF COUNSEL, WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 54 HOMES IN NEIGHBORHOOD 1 OF THE CITY THAT WENT ALL WINTER WITHOUT WATER.
THEY PAY TAXES, AND I'VE SEEN IN THE YEARS SINCE THE NEIGHBORHOOD 1, STORM AND SEWAGE DRAINS GET COLLAPSED AND CRUSHED.
AGAIN, PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO FLUSH THEIR TOILETS, PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE CLEAN WATER COMING IN THE HOUSE, THIS IS WHY WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY.
YOU PAY TAXES IN THIS TOWN, YOU EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO AT LEAST GET CLEAN WATER IN YOUR HOUSE AND BE ABLE TO FLUSH YOUR TOILET AND IT'S GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE.
THERE WASN'T PLANNING DONE YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AGO FOR THIS TYPE OF CYCLE, AND I'M SORRY, BUT IT'S NOT FRIVOLOUS SPENDING AGAIN ON BEAUTIFICATION.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT ENSURING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES IN PLACE AND UNFORTUNATELY, PART OF THE PLANNING WAS AT LOWER DOLLARS THAN THE ACTUAL COST OF NOW, WHICH IS WHY EITHER, IF WE SHUT DOWN DOING FOR A YEAR WELL, I'M LOOKING AT THE NEXT AREA THAT THE PLANNING IS ROMAN AND WILLOUGHBY, FINISHING PINE AND POPULAR.
THESE ARE HOMES AND FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING TO UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUE HAVING ISSUES, AND HOPEFULLY YOU HOPE AND PRAY THAT IT'S NOT CATASTROPHIC.
THE PROJECTS NEED TO BE DONE AND I FULLY SUPPORT THEM.
HOPEFULLY IN FUTURE YEARS WE CAN FIND WAYS OF MAKING UP THE GAPS BECAUSE THE PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY NEIGHBORHOOD 1 NEED TO BE COMPLETED.
I REMEMBER SHAWN MAGEE USED TO BRING IT HOME VERY, VERY WELL, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE SHOWED UP WITH A TARRED LOOKING SONNET TUBE TO ONE OF OUR BUDGET MEETINGS SAYING THIS IS WHAT'S UNDER THE ROADS AND SOME OF THESE AREAS.
THIS IS WHAT WAS OKAY IN THE 50S, PLACED OVER ROCKS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE REPLACING FOR THESE HOMES.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
SO I'M GOING TO CALL ROLL CALL VOTE, STARTING WITH COUNSEL MANN.
>> SORRY, I'M HAVING PROBLEMS HERE WITH MY INTERNET, IN FAVOR.
>> OKAY. I'M IN FAVOR THE CAPITAL IS ALSO CARRIED. THANK YOU.
>> SEVEN POINT THREE RECOMMENDATION FROM AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE 2021 USER FEES. AGAIN, COUNCILMAN.
>> THANK YOU, [INAUDIBLE] IF HAVE FINAL PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2021 BUDGET CYCLE THAT THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TREASURER REGARDING THE 2021 USER FEES BE RECEIVED, AND THAT THE 2021 USER FEES BE FORWARDED TO COUNCIL FOR THEIR APPROVAL, AND THAT THE NECESSARY BY LAW BE PLACED ON AN UPCOMING COUNCIL AGENDA FOR CONSIDERATION AND I SO MOVE.
>> COUNCIL CYR. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COUNCILMAN.
>> THIS ONE WILL BE RELATIVELY BRIEF HERE YOUR WORSHIP, CONSIDERING SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.
AGAIN, NOT REALLY REALIZING THE FULL BENEFIT OF A FULL YEAR OF THESE REVENUES, MAJORITY OF THE USER FEES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FROM THE 2020 CYCLE.
WITHOUT A DUE THERE'S BEEN A FEW MINOR CHANGES BUT NOTHING SIGNIFICANT.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MATTERS THAT WE DID HAVE PASSED EARLY IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.
IF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE OR THE TREASURER WANTS TO JUMP IN OR ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, BUT AGAIN, MINIMAL OR NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR.
[01:40:02]
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? OKAY, I SEE NONE. COUNCIL PATRIE?
>> THANK YOU, MR. MINISTER. LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A DELAY ON YOUR VIDEO.
THE ONLY COMMENT THAT I'D LIKE TO MAKE IS THAT, WE DO NEED STAFF TO COME BACK WITH OUR RIDERSHIP INFORMATION AND OUR ACCESS CARD INFORMATION, SO THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH THOSE ASPECTS WELL BEFORE BUDGET IN TIME FOR NEXT YEAR.
JUST PUTTING IT BACK OUT THERE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT STAFF DOES BRING THAT FORWARD TO US, IN A TIMELY MANNER SAY, LATE SPRING, EARLY SUMMER SO THAT WE CAN HAVE PROPER INFORMATION PRIOR TO MAKING DECISIONS GOING INTO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET ON THAT INFORMATION, OR WITH THAT INFORMATION.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I'M SEEING NONE. ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> I'M IN FAVOR THAT'S CARRIED.
WE NOW NEED A MOTION TO DISSOLVE THE 2021 AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE. COUNSELOR MANN?
>> COUNSELOR PATRIE. THANK YOU.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU COUNSELOR MANN FOR YOUR DILIGENCE AND THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR THE MANY HOURS OF HARD WORK PUTTING THIS TOGETHER FOR US.
AGAIN, ANOTHER ROLL CALL VOTE. STARTING WITH COUNSELOR MANN?
>> I'M REALLY TRYING HARD TO FOLLOW THIS.
YOU WERE GOBBLED AT THE BEGINNING? WHAT IS THIS FOR?
>> TO DISSOLVE THE 2021 AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE.
>> MANN IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED, GOOD FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
NO OUTSIDE BOARD OR COMMITTEE REPORTS.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS 9.1 COMMUNITY RECREATION UPDATE.
[9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS]
STANDING ITEM. NO MR. DANIEL, I'LL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF UPDATE FROM THE MEETING WE HAD TODAY.BUT AFTER THAT MEETING, MR. DANIEL, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE AWARE.
THE FED GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED AN ADDITIONAL $200 MILLION TO GO TOWARDS COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
BUT AGAIN, LOOKING TO THE FEDS FOR COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIPS.
THAT BEING SAID, A LITTLE BIT OF BRIGHT NEWS AFTER OUR CONVERSATION TODAY.
ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU CAN ADD, MR. DANIEL?
>> SURE MAYBE, I'LL JUST ADD A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT TO WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, IS WE HAD OUR 10 MINUTE DELEGATION WITH THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANT TO THE MINISTER OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE WERE HOPING FOR SOME INSIGHTS BECAUSE WE KIND OF EXPECTED.
WHICH IS OTHER THAN THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF 200 MILLION, WHICH I SUPPOSE HELPFUL.
WE HAVE TO READ THE FINE PRINT WHAT THAT MEANS.
BUT WHAT WE WERE TOLD IN OUR SESSION, THIS IS A DELEGATION WITH PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANCE, DURING A RURAL ONTARIO MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE. VIRTUALLY OF COURSE.
THERE'S NO FUTURE IMMINENT INTAKES FOR LARGE COMMUNITY RECREATION DOLLARS.
WHAT WE MISSED OUT ON IN 2019, MUCH LIKE COUNTLESS OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, THEY WERE OVERSUBSCRIBED $10 BILLION OF APPLICATIONS FOR $1 BILLION OF THAT PROJECTS THAT WE HAD ALL READY KNOWN.
THEY ARE HOPING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE COST-SHARING AGREEMENT THAT REMAINS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL.
40 PERCENT FEDERAL, 33 PERCENT PROVINCIAL AND 27 PERCENT MUNICIPAL.
BUT THERE'S NO IDEA WHATSOEVER WHEN NEXT ROUND OF RECREATION FUNDING WOULD COME.
[01:45:04]
THEY DID DIFFER.THERE ARE THEMES OR BUCKETS, THEY CALL IT PRIORITIES IN THEIR OVERARCHING AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THEY DIFFER THE GREEN STREAM TO FIND US THE A $100,000 PORTRAYALS OF THE COVID INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'RE TAPPED INTO THAT. THEY ARE HOPING TO REOPEN THE GREEN FUND LATER THIS YEAR, LATE SPRING EARLY SUMMER, WHICH COULD BE INTERESTING FOR LANDFILLS, WATER AND SEWER TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL TYPE FUNDING APPLICATION.
BUT NOT THE RECREATION DOLLARS THAT WE WERE HOPING FOR OR FOR THE HUB OR THE HUBS.
THOUGH, NOT PARTICULARLY OPTIMISTIC OTHER THAN WHAT WE JUST HEARD, FROM THE MAYOR WHICH WILL HAVE TO DIG INTO TO SEE HOW FAR THAT 200 MILLION WE'LL GO; AND IS IT SIMPLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO LEVERAGE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE MONEY, IN A LARGELY PUBLIC RELATIONS EXERCISE MAY BE BECOMING CYNICAL ABOUT IT ALL, WE'LL SEE.
LONG STORY SHORT, WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR NOT HAVING ANY INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS OF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT FOR RECREATION AND FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
ESPECIALLY WITH THE FEDERAL MINORITY GOVERNMENT AND 11 AMOUNTS OF DEBT THAT THEY'RE GOING INTO FOR COVID.
BUT WE WILL OF COURSE STAY IN THE LOOP AND SEE IF THAT CHANGES WITH THAT $200 MILLION ANNOUNCEMENT.
BUT MEANTIME, WE DO HAVE THE ONGOING WORK THAT'S HAPPENING ON THE SPORTS AND RECREATION WELLNESS HUB.
WE SHOULD BE AT A POINT WHERE WE COULD BE HAVING A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OR A HUB COMMITTEE MEETING.
HOWEVER, YOU WANT TO STRUCTURE THAT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
YOU'LL RECALL THERE'S TWO SCOPES OF WORK.
THE STRUCTURE SIDE AND THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE SIDE.
WE HAVE VDO DOING ANALYSIS OF THE COST OF OPERATING OUR CURRENT FACILITIES.
HOW CAN WE LIMP ALONG FOR ANOTHER FEW YEARS? WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND THEN ALSO THE COST OF OPERATING NEW IN WHATEVER FORMAT THAT MOVE WILL TAKE.
WE'LL HAVE SOME FRESH DATA FROM VDO IN THE NEXT WEEK AND A HALF TO TWO WEEKS.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE TELEC ENGINEERING.
THE GEOTECH RIG WAS IN ON 150 ONE ONTARIO AND DID THE CORE SAMPLING ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO.
THAT REPORT WILL BE THE LONGEST TO WAIT FOR.
THE LAB TESTING IS HAPPENING NOW WITH THE RESULTS AND THAT REPORT WOULD ONLY BE END OF FEBRUARY.
BUT THAT'S ALSO A VERY TECHNICAL REPORTS NOT NECESSARY FOR COUNCIL TO MAKE THEIR BIGGER PICTURE DECISION, WHEN IT COMES TO THE HUB.
THE GEOTECH IS MORE FOR THE SHUTTLE READINESS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITE.
WHERE SHOULD WE EXACTLY LAY THAT BUILDING ON THAT PARCEL OF LAND.
[NOISE] THE OTHER THING THAT TELEC ENGINEERING HAS UNDERTAKEN WITH SOME HELP, IS THE CURLING CLUB BUILDING REVIEW.
WE ANTICIPATE TO HAVE THAT IN NEAR FUTURE.
WE'LL SHARE THAT WITH THE CURLING CLUB AND WITH THE COUNCIL; SO THAT WE CAN ALL GO AND EYES WIDE OPEN AS TO WHAT AWAITS FOR US IN THAT BUILDING, IN WHATEVER FORMAT ENDS UP TAKING.
WHETHER IT'S A CURRENT CLUB INTO THE HUB OR WHETHER IT'S THE CURRENT CLUB, LEAN AS IS THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, AT LEAST THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DATA THAT BUILDING; AND THE PLANT BEHIND IT THE ICE PLANTS AND WHAT NOT.
BUT THAT'S ALL COMING TO A HEAD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THEN WE CAN NOW ONCE WE'VE GOT MINE AROUND THE FORMAT OF IT, WE CAN TALK ABOUT ROLLING THAT OUT TO A HUB COMMITTEE OR A SPECIAL COUNSEL MEETING.
TIME 30 EARLY MID FEBRUARY AND SUGGEST ANY QUESTIONS.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE FOR THIS SPORTS AND RECREATION COMING UPDATE.
>> IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THIS ITEM OR DO WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE THE REPORTS COME MID-FEBRUARY? GOOD TO GO? OKAY. 9.2 ARTS AND CULTURE HAVE UPDATE MR. DANIEL?
>> YEAH. THIS ONE'S A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.
WE ARE LOOKING TO SET UP A ZOOM MEETING OF THE NEW STEERING COMMITTEE FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH, WHERE WE WILL HAVE AN INTERIM REPORT FROM THE ARTS ARCHITECTS CONSULTANTS.
WHAT WE'RE LED TO BELIEVE IS THAT THIS WILL BE WHAT WE'VE SEEN BEFORE IN THE SPORTS ON, WHICH IS A FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS, IT DOESN'T GET INTO DESIGN YET, BUT IT DOES GET INTO SQUARE FOOTAGE AND HOW THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS WILL MEET INTO THIS BUILDING SO WE CAN HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF THE GENERAL SQUARE FOOTAGE NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE OF ARTS AND CULTURE.
THOSE CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR SOME TIME NOW, SO EARLY, MID-FEBRUARY AS WELL FOR THAT PIECE.
[01:50:02]
THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER POST TO FINAL REPORT IN MID-MARCH, WHERE WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A TOUCHY-FEELY DESIGN SORT OF FORMAT.WHEREAS THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS IT'LL BE THE FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS SQUARE FOOTAGE PIECES.
THE SURVEYS WERE WELL RECEIVED AND NOW PROVIDED INTO THE CONSULTANTS INCLUDING SOME 35-36 SURVEYS THAT WERE DONE IN A CERTAIN GROUP OR STATION WHICH PRETTY GOOD TURN OUT , I'D SAY [INAUDIBLE].
THAT WAS ALL FED TO THE CONSULTANTS.
WE'LL START TO SEE OUR FIRST PIECE OF THAT FEBRUARY 5TH YET TO BE DETERMINED THE DATE OR THE TIME OF THE FORMAT.
JUST DEFINITELY, IT WILL BE LIKE THE ZOOM BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL A CONTROL ENGINEER.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT PIECE? COUNSELOR PATRICK.
>> TWO QUESTIONS, NUMBER ONE COULD WE BE ASSURED THE COUNCIL WILL GET INVITES TO THAT FEBRUARY 5TH, ZOOM MEETING? NUMBER TWO WILL THAT MEETING BE PROVIDED TO THE CITY WEBSITE SO THAT THE PUBLIC THAT DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE MEETING, AT LEAST GET TO WEBCAST AND WATCH THE MEETING AFTER IT'S HAPPENED?
>> SHORT ANSWER IS YES AND YES.
IF NOW IT'S A FORMALIZED COMMITTEE THEN WE CAN PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR, POST THE AGENDA.
JUST LIKE WE DID THE HUB COMMITTEE MEETING THAT WE HAD AT COLLIN'S HALL.
WE HAD THE WHOLE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION AVAILABLE AS PART OF THE AGENDA PACKAGE, SO THAT WILL BE PART OF THAT AS WELL.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO SEPARATE THE ODD MISHAP, ENSURING THAT ALL OF COUNSEL IS INVITED TO EACH COMMITTEE, WHETHER IT'S AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, A STANDING COMMITTEE, ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE WOULD ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE COUNCIL IS INVITED TO THESE COMMITTEES OR AT LEAST AWARE TO WHERE TO FIND THE FEED IF THEY CAN'T BE THERE PERSONALLY OR [INAUDIBLE]
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. IN 99.3 RESIDENTIAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS STANDING ITEM, IS THERE ANY UPDATES ON THIS THAT REQUIRE TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION?
>> OKAY. NO PETITIONS, CORRESPONDENTS,
[11. CORRESPONDENCE]
11.1, LETTERS FROM ELNOS BUSINESS RESTART PROJECT UPDATES DECEMBER 9TH, 2020, JANUARY 6TH, 2021.CAN I HAVE A MOVER TO RECEIVE THESE, PLEASE? MOVE BY COUNSELOR MANN, SECOND BY COUNSELOR TANNOR.
I ALWAYS GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW.
THE DECEMBER 9TH, 2020 FOR THE BUSINESS RESTART PROJECT HAD A TOTAL OF 32 APPLICANTS RECEIVED, PROVED APPLICANTS, 26, AMOUNT DISBURSED 34,556.68 AT THAT TIME, SIX APPLICANTS PENDING.
MOVING TO JANUARY 6TH, 2021 THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS RECEIVED WAS 34, APPLICANTS APPROVED IT WAS 31 AT A TOTAL $49,599.18, DECLINED APPLICATIONS WERE ONLY THREE, ADMIN FEES.
THE LETTER ALSO STATES THAT IF THE CITY HAS A DESIRE TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM, TO NOTIFY ALMOST WITH THE PLAN.
THAT'S ABOUT IT. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NO? AGAIN A VERY GOOD PROGRAM HELPING A LOT OF BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY GET THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO CONTINUE AND REOPEN THEIR BUSINESSES THROUGH THESE HARD TIMES.
WE HAVE A MOTION RECEIVE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE, STARTING WITH COUNSELOR FENIMORE.
>> WE'RE ALL IN FAVOR SO THOSE WHO CARRIED THANK YOU.
NO NOTICE IN MOTION, COUNCIL'S REPORTS THEN ANNOUNCEMENTS.
[13. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF REPORTING TO DO OTHER THAN AGAIN, LAST MONDAY, THERE WAS A GOOD VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION IN REFERENCE TO COVID 19.[01:55:03]
AGAIN, WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS FROM THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR AND ENFORCEMENT DETAILING THE NEW STATE THAT WE'RE IN CURRENTLY.SO YOU CAN FIND THAT ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE UNDER [INAUDIBLE].
IT'S ALSO BEEN POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AGAIN, STILL GETTING E-MAILS AND MESSAGES WITH INDIVIDUALS CONFUSED ABOUT THE MASKING POLICY AND THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS ALLOWED TO GO ICE FISHING AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
BYLAWS TO BE COMMENDED THERE I KNOW THEY'VE GOTTEN ON AN EDUCATION SPREE EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, SO THAT'S ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT.
IS THERE ANY POTENTIAL EVENTS OR ANYTHING THAT MEMBERS OF COUNCIL MIGHT WANT TO HIGHLIGHT BEFORE I HIT THE BIG TICKET NUMBERS? OKAY, SEEING NONE.
GETTING TO THE BIG TICKET NUMBERS.
LET'S GOING BACK TO PAYMENTS IN DECEMBER 10TH, 2020, WE HAVE MINISTER OF FINANCE POLICING 245,900, RECEIVER GENERAL 138,800.
[INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT SERVICES ADMIN BOARD MUNICIPAL LEVY 182,300, LANDFILL SERVICES BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION ALSO CALLED MIXED PLOW AND SAND SERVICES 31,600, BRIDGE SAW ACTUATOR MACHINE WORK 48,000 [INAUDIBLE] DRIVES, FIRE TOWER CALVERT 22,000, LEROY CONSTRUCTION PINE POPULAR REHAB, 57,000, ACCOUNT AND ASSOCIATES LIBRARY JAN RENT, TURNER SPACE RENT 27,400.
COLIC ENGINEERING SURVEYS PINE POPULAR REHAB, LANDFILL EXPANSION, VALLEY CRESCENT REHAB 26,300.
WENDELL FAR APART TRACKING WINTER SAME GRANULE PLOW AND SAND, 80,600, OMAR'S 87,000. [NOISE] JANUARY 7TH.
WE HAVE DECEMBER 2020'S FINAL HYDRO BILL AT 65,400, RECEIVER GENERAL 88,000 [INAUDIBLE] CONSTRUCTION, PROSPECTOR, MANAGEMENT AND STONEWORK 35,000, BFL CANADA INSURANCE RENEWAL, $834,691.28, [INAUDIBLE] FAMILY HEALTH TEAM ANNUAL PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT 50,000. [INAUDIBLE] GRAB SOFTWARE 31,200, GIE ENTERPRISE, CERTIFICATE PAYMENT [INAUDIBLE] 713,000, OMAR'S 45,400.
BEEN A WHILE I HAVE ANOTHER SHEET STILL TO GO THROUGH, THIS BEING JANUARY 21ST, 2021.
JANUARY HYDRO BILL 26,800, RECEIVER GENERAL 83,700, AG BUS LINES TRANSIT AND ONTARIO NORTH ROUTE, 33,500 AND BE MUCH FOR LANDFILL CONTRACT, STONEWORK AND TOKYO CRESCENT WORK.
25,000 CASTLES BROCK, CEO MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. 38,666.
CENTRAL SQUARE CANADA SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE, LEASE AND LICENSING TECHNOLOGY, 38,600.
THE JARED CARD SERVICES, DECEMBER CREDIT CARDS, 33,000.
MCDOUGALL ENERGY, REGULAR AND DIESEL, 31,600.
MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT QUARTER ONE FOR 2021, 34,700.
THAT'S ALL THE BIG TICKET ITEMS FOR THE LAST SIX WEEKS.
AGAIN, IS THERE ANY OTHER UPDATES FROM COUNCIL? BEFORE WE CARRY ON. I'M SEEING NONE.
THERE'S NO ADDENDUM THAT I SAW THIS EVENING.
INTRODUCTION CONSIDERATION OF BYLAWS,
[15. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF BY-LAWS]
15.1 BYLAW 21-01 BEING A BYLAW TO PROVIDE FOR INTERIM TAX LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2021 AND MOVER PLEASE.MOVE BY COUNSELOR MANN AND SECOND BY COUNSELOR CYR.
ANY QUESTIONS, QUALMS, QUERIES? AIN'T SEEING NONE. ALL ROLL CALLS SO COUNSELOR MANN?
[02:00:01]
>> I'M IN FAVOR, THAT'S CARRIED.
FIFTEEN POINT TWO BYLAW 21-02 BEING A BYLAW TO ADOPT THE BUDGET ESTIMATES AND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR TAX-SUPPORTED PURPOSE FOR THE YEAR 2021, FOR THE COOPERATION OF THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE.
MOVER PLEASE. COUNSELOR MANN SECONDED BY COUNSELOR TURNER.
THANK YOU. AGAIN ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, COMMENTS? SEEING NONE. ROLL CALLS STARTING WITH COUNSELOR PATRIE.
>> THAT'S FOR THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET? THAT'S NOT THE CAPITAL BUDGET?
>> THAT IS YES. THE OPERATIONAL.
>> I'M IN FAVOR SO THAT'S CARRIED.
FIFTEEN POINT THREE BYLAW 21-03 BEING A BYLAW TO ESTABLISH USER FEES FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND REPEAL BYLAW 19-69.
MOVER PLEASE. MOVE BY COUNSELOR MANN, SECOND BY COUNSELOR PEARCE.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? NONE. THEN ROLL CALL COUNSELOR MANN?
>> I'M IN FAVOR, THAT'S CARRIED.
FIFTEEN POINT FOUR BYLAW 21-05 BEING A BYLAW TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE BETWEEN THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE AND 304339 CANADA INC. ALSO KNOWN AS [INAUDIBLE] ENTERPRISES BERNARD SIMARD ENTERPRISES.
MOVER PLEASE. COUNSELOR PATRIE, SECOND BY COUNSELOR TURNER.
ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? I SEE NONE. ROLL CALL COUNSELOR PATRIE?
>> ME AND I'M IN FAVOR SO THAT'S CARRIED.
THERE'S NO PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD THIS EVENING WHILE THERE WOULD BE, BUT WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT I'M AWARE OF.
MS. BRAY, DID YOU RECEIVE ANYTHING PRIOR TO NOON TODAY? NOTHING. MR. DANIEL? NOTHING IN WRITING. CLOSED SESSION.
MOVER TO GO INTO CLOSE SESSION.
MOVED BY COUNSELOR PEARCE SECOND BY COUNSELOR TURNER.
BEFORE ROLL CALL, I WILL SAY TAKE A 10 MINUTE WASHROOM AND STRETCH BREAK. COUNSELOR PATRIE?
>> YEAH. ARE WE ALLOWED TO COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSIONS?
>> OKAY. I'M OPPOSED TO THIS CLOSED SESSION.
[02:05:01]
I'M NOT WILLING TO GO INTO IT.I DO BELIEVE THAT THE CEO'S PERFORMANCE REVIEW SHOULD BE DONE IN PERSON.
I DO BELIEVE THAT THE OTHER TWO ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA FOR CLOSED SESSION DO NOT NEED TO BE DEALT WITH IN AN URGENT MATTER AND DON'T NEED TO BE DEALT WITH UNTIL WE CAN MEET IN PERSON.
THEREFORE, I'M NOT WILLING TO GO INTO THIS CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND I'M OPPOSED TO IT GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO DEFER THIS CLOSED SESSION TO A MEETING WHEN WE CAN GO INTO THIS IN PERSON.
>> WE SHOULDN'T DEFER ON THE FLOOR.
AGAIN, IS THERE A SECONDER FOR THE MOTION TO DEFER? COUNSELOR CYR. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT DEFERRAL? DO ROLL CALL VOTE AGAIN.
>> AND I'M OPPOSED ALSO, BUT THAT IS CARRIED SO ALL OF CLOSED SESSION ARE DEFERRED FOR THIS EVENING.
SO WE'LL CARRY ON. COUNSELOR PEARCE?
>> IT WILL BE THE NEXT MEETING I SUPPOSE. MISS BRAY?
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK AS WELL.
SO FOR A DEFERRAL WE NEED A DATE SO AS THE DEFERRAL UNTIL COUNSEL CAN MEET IN PERSON?
>> THAT IS WHAT I HAD STATED. YES.
>> COUNSELOR TURNER, ANOTHER QUESTION ON THE DEFERRAL?
>> DEFERRING UNTIL COUNSEL CAN MEET AGAIN IN PERSON, COULD BE NEXT SEPTEMBER.
>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THE VOTE HAS BEEN TAKEN.
>> YEAH. PROCEDURALLY, WE SHOULD HAVE THE DATE BEFORE EVERYONE VOTED ON IT.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WASN'T STATED IN THE ORIGINAL.
>> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MR. MAYOR IT WAS STATED THAT IT WAS DEFERRED UNTIL WE COULD MEET IN PERSON, SO IT WAS STATED.
>> THE VIDEO BACK WASN'T STATED PREVIOUSLY.
IT WAS JUST TO DEFER THE MEETING.
REGARDLESS, THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE ISSUES ESPECIALLY WITH SOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON.
WE'LL HAVE TO SORT OUT HOW WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS IN THE FUTURE UNTIL WE CAN MEET IN PERSON.
THAT BEING SAID IT IS WHAT IT IS.
CONFIRMATORY BYLAW 18.1 BYLAW 21-06 BEING
[18. CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW]
A BYLAW CONFIRMING THE PROCEEDINGS OF COUNSEL AT IT'S MEETING HELD JANUARY 25, 2021.MOVER PLEASE. COUNSELOR MANN, COUNSELOR CYR.
ANY QUESTIONS, QUALMS, QUERIES? I SEE NONE.
ROLL CALL VOTE TO COUNSELOR PATRIE?
>> I'M IN FAVOR THAT'S CARRIED AND A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
I'LL JUST CALL ALL IN FAVOR. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ALL DUE RESPECT, CAN WE CONTINUE WITH OUR ROLL CALLS?
>> ALL RIGHT. EVEN FOR ADJOURNMENT? FOR SURE.
[02:10:03]
>> I'M IN FAVOR THAT'S CARRIED EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. GOODNIGHT
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.