I'LL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
[00:00:01]
THIS REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022. THE TIME IS 7:00 P.M..RIGHT NOW, I RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLE, AND WE ARE ALL PART OF THE ROBINSON HURON TREATY ACT.
ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, OUR PRESENT THIS EVENING FOR ROLL CALL.
SO HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME BACK TO THE PARTY.
I'D ASK IF THERE'S ANY DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST THIS EVENING? ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES.
FOUR, ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES, 4.1, DECEMBER 13TH, 2021 REGULAR.
[4. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES]
4.2, DECEMBER 30TH, 2021 SPECIAL, CAN I HAVE A MOVER TO ADOPT THE MINUTES, PLEASE? BY COUNCILLOR CYR, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR TURNER.ANY QUESTIONS? QUALMS? QUERIES? NONE, I'LL CALL FOR THE VOTE BY A SHOW OF HANDS ON THIS ONE.
ALL IN FAVOR. THAT'S ROLL CALL REQUESTED.
4.3, READING OF RESOLUTIONS PASSED FOLLOWING THE CLOSED SESSION OF DECEMBER 13, 2021 COUNCIL MEETING. MS. BRAY, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE.
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR FINAMORE SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR CYR, THAT THE REPORT OF THE INTERIM MANAGER OF RECREATION AND CULTURE DATED DECEMBER EIGHTH, 2021 BE RECEIVED AND THAT COUNCIL APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CIVIC AWARD COMMITTEE TO APPOINT MOE MELOCHE AS ELLIOT LAKE'S 2021 CIVIC AWARD RECIPIENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FAMILY.
I'M NOT SURE IF THE AWARD HAS ALREADY BEEN BROUGHT OVER, BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE FUNKY YEARS WHERE IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN FOR ANY TYPE OF CELEBRATION, UNFORTUNATELY. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
I'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO SPEAK WITH MRS. MELOCHE. SHE HASN'T PICKED UP YET, BUT WHEN SHE DOES, I'LL SEE WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO DO AND I'LL GET BACK TO YOU.
[INAUDIBLE], THANK YOU. THERE'S NO PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING.
[6. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS]
SIX, INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS.6.1, REPORT FROM THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, RE: UPDATE ON AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL AND MULTI RESIDENTIAL LAND.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT. MOVER TO PUT THAT IN CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE.
MOVE BY COUNCILLOR MANN SECOND BY COUNCILLOR PEARCE.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? SEEING NONE. [INAUDIBLE] ROLL CALL.
IN FAVOR. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THAT'S CARRIED TO CLOSED, THANK YOU.
6.2, REPORT FROM THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, A LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE PART ONE OF OAKLAND BOULEVARD AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY, IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
AGAIN, A MOVER TO PUT THIS IN CLOSED.
MOVE COUNCILLOR PEARCE, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR TURNER.
AGAIN, ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? SEEING NONE. ROLL CALL, COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
I'M IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED OVER TO CLOSE.
THANK YOU. 6.3, REPORT OF THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LETTER OF INTENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF PARTS ONE AND TWO ONTARIO AVENUE.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
ONCE AGAIN, A MOVER TO PUT THIS IN CLOSED.
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR FINAMORE SECOND COUNCILLOR TURNER, AGAIN, ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? SEEING, NOT THE ROLL CALL START COUNCILLOR CYR THIS TIME.
[00:05:04]
FAVOR. COUNCILLOR MANN.AND I'M IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED TO CLOSED.
6.4, REPORTER THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
VERY BUSY GUY. LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE MULTI RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES FOR DEVELOPMENT AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY MUNICIPALITY, IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
AGAIN, MOVER TO PUT THIS IN CLOSED.
BY COUNCILLOR, SECOND BY PEARCE COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? SO NONE. ROLL CALL STARTING AT COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THAT'S CARRIED THE CLOSED ALSO.
6.5, REPORT OF THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, A LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE PART THREE ON FOX DRIVE, AMENDED.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH A PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT. AGAIN, A MOVER TO PUT THIS [INAUDIBLE].
MOVE BY COUNCILLOR MANN. SECOND BY COUNCILLOR TURNER.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? NONE. ROLL CALL STARTING AT COUNCILLOR CYR.
IN FAVOR. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THAT'S ALSO CARRIED TO CLOSED.
6.6, REPORT FROM THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE 80 DIEPPE AVENUE.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH A PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY THE MUNICIPALITY IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT. AGAIN, A MOVER TO PUT THIS ONE IN CLOSED.
MOVE BY COUNCILLOR MANN SECOND BY COUNCILLOR PEARCE.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? ROLL CALL START WITH COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
I'M IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED TOO CLOSE, THANK YOU.
6.7, REPORT FROM THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RE: UNSOLICITED OFFER TO PURCHASE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PROPOSED OR PENDING DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY BY MUNICIPALITY MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(C) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
A MOVER ONCE AGAIN TO PUT THIS IN CLOSED.
ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? SEEING NONE. ROLL CALL STARTING WITH COUNCILLOR CYR.
THAT'S CARRIED TO CLOSED ALSO.
6.8, MEMO FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES RE: RESIGNATION FROM VARIOUS ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND BOARDS.
SAYS, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING RESIGNATIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS.
ONE DARLA MACPHAIL, THE SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
TWO, SUSAN LANDMARK ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND POLICE SERVICES BOARD.
THREE, DOMINIQUE BLOXOM, ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
FOUR JOE HENWOOD, SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
FIVE, A VACANCY HAS ALSO BEEN CREATED ON THE PARKS AND REC ADVISORY COMMITTEE POSITION FORMERLY HELD BY THE LATE MOE MELOCHE.
AT THIS TIME, THE CLERKS DEPARTMENT IS [INAUDIBLE] A REVIEW OF ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEES, INCLUDING THEIR COMPOSITION MANDATES AND MEETING SCHEDULES.
WE'LL BE BRINGING A RECOMMENDATION FORWARD AT A FUTURE MEETING ACCORDINGLY.
AT THIS TIME, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS BEING RECOMMENDED THAT THE RESIGNATIONS OF DARLA MACPHAIL, SUSAN LANDMARK, JOE HENWOOD AND DOMINIC BLOXOM BE RECEIVED WITH REGRETS
[00:10:03]
AND THAT THE CLERK BE DIRECTED TO ADVERTISE THE VACANCIES FOR ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY AND POLICE SERVICES BOARD.CAN I HAVE A MOVER, PLEASE? MOVE BY COUNCILLOR MANN, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR PEARCE.
MS. BRAY, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO ADD JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT? YOUR WORSHIP.
SO, AS YOUR WORSHIP POINTED OUT, THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT IS UNDERGOING A REVIEW OF ALL OF OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
SO, JUST LOOKING OVER THEIR MANDATES, THE FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS, THEIR MEMBERSHIP MAKEUP, HOW MANY WE HAVE JUST TO GIVE COUNCIL A GOOD PICTURE OF WHERE WE ARE, WHAT WE NEED, AND THEN WE'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON THOSE COMMITTEES.
SO, WE'RE LOOKING JUST TO FILL AT THIS TIME THE STATUTORY POSITIONS, WHICH WOULD BE A MEMBER TO THE POLICE SERVICES BOARD, AND A MEMBERSHIP TO THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. BRAY? COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, THROUGH YOU, JUST A COMMENT, JUST WANTED TO THANK EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE MUNICIPALITY WHILE THEY WERE ON THOSE COMMITTEES. THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR PATRIE.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT STAFF HAS TO DO AND IS DOING TO GO THROUGH IT AND REWORK ALL OF THESE COMMITTEES, BUT THE VAST AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE AND INPUT THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC IN THESE COMMITTEES.
I WOULD LIKE TO STILL ADVERTISE AND AT LEAST KEEP THE COMMITTEES FULL SO THAT WE DO HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THESE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE GOOD INFORMATION AND GOOD DECISIONS TO PASS UP TO COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES.
SO, I WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST ADVERTISE AND REPLACE THESE PEOPLE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THOSE MANDATES MAY CHANGE AND SO FORTH, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE TAKE THE INPUT FROM THIS MUNICIPALITY AND GET THESE PEOPLE BACK ON THE BOARD. WE'RE LOSING SOME VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE BY SOME OF THESE RESIGNATIONS, SO IT'S VERY DISHEARTENING TO BE SEEING THIS MANY PEOPLE VACATING THESE POSITIONS.
SO, I WOULD ASK THAT WE ACTUALLY ADVERTISE AND SELL ALL OF OUR COMMITTEES.
WE'RE STARTING TO BE RUN BY A VERY SMALL SELECT GROUP OF PEOPLE.
COUNCILLOR TURNER. THANKS TO YOUR WORSHIP.
JUST THE QUESTION FOR MS. BRAY IS, CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF TIMING FOR THIS REVIEW AND WHEN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET ON WITH THE ADVERTISING AND FILLING? YEP, COUNCILLOR TURNER, SO I'M WORKING TOGETHER WITH MS. LAURENCE, WHO I'M HAPPY TO SAY IS NOW ON BOARD AS THE DEPUTY CLERK AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A DRAFT ALREADY COMPLETED AND WE'LL BE MORE THAN LIKELY BRINGING THAT TO THE FEBRUARY FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW.
AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE MEMBERS WHO ARE LEAVING THE BOARDS AND THE COMMITTEES. CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IN SOME CASES ZOOM IS NOT THE MOST FAVORED PRACTICE FOR SOME AND DIFFICULT FOR OTHERS.
AND I DO APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT THEY PUT INTO IT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. COUNCILLOR TURNER TOOK MY QUESTION, BUT I DID HAVE ONE MORE-- WELL, SORT OF A COMMENT QUESTION.
I'M OK WITH WAITING BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF THE NUMBER OF-- IN THIS REVIEW OF THE NUMBER OF BODIES THAT SIT ON THESE COMMITTEES IS CHANGING AT ALL.
SO, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW SET UP FOR THE COMMITTEES BEFORE WE ADVERTISE BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF WE KNOW HOW MANY WE NEED YET.
BUT IF IT'S COMING FORWARD NEXT MONTH, I'M OK WITH WAITING.
BUT I DO AGREE WITH COUNCILLOR PATRIE THAT WE NEED TO POPULATE THEM AS SOON AS WE CAN BECAUSE IT IS VALUABLE THAT WE HAVE THE INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC.
AND I TOO WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SAT ON THESE COMMITTEES AND ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT SITTING ON COMMITTEES.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LOT OF OPINIONS, AND I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO BE HEARD IS TO COME FORWARD AND TO GIVE UP SOME OF YOUR TIME AND COME AND BE PART OF THE TEAM HERE AT THE CITY AND HELP US MAKE SOME DECISIONS.
I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK AND PAY MY RESPECTS TO MR. MELOCHE'S FAMILY.
HE GAVE HIS HEART AND SOUL AND YEARS TO THIS COMMUNITY AND COULDN'T WAIT TO RETIRE TO GET ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEES SO THAT HE COULD CONTINUE TO BRING FORWARD HIS EXPERTISE AND
[00:15:03]
HIS KNOWLEDGE, AND I WANT THEM TO KNOW HOW INVALUABLE IT WAS TO US.THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
MS. BRAY, THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.
JUST TO ADD TO COUNCILLOR HUMOROUS POINT, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY FILLING VACANCIES WHEN POSTED, SO WE ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT ATTRACTION AND WHERE WE ARE ADVERTISING AND HOW TO GET MORE MEMBERS TO SIT ON THESE COMMITTEES.
SO, THAT WILL ALL BE PART OF THAT REPORT COMING FORWARD.
COUNCILLOR PATRIE, ARE YOU OK TO WAIT TILL NEXT MONTH FOR THIS REPORT TO ADVERTISE FOR ALL THESE COMMITTEES? I WOULD PREFER THAT WE PUT THE ADVERTISEMENTS OUT, IT'S GOING TO TAKE US OVER A MONTH TO GET THE NAMES IN PLACE AND PEOPLE BEFORE WE CAN POPULATE.
IT'S A LONG PROCESS, SO IF WE WAIT A MONTH, WE'RE GOING TO BE MARCH OR APRIL BEFORE WE START TO BE APPOINTING PEOPLE.
SO THAT'S WHY I WAS PREFERRING TO PUT THE MARKETING OUT THAT WE ARE SEEKING PERSONNEL TO COME FORWARD TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.
OK, [COUGH] DID YOU WANT TO PUT FORWARD AN AMENDMENT TO THE RECOMMENDATION THEN? SURE, I'LL MOVE THAT ALL VACANCIES FOR ALL COMMITTEES BE ADVERTISED AT THE EARLIEST CONVENIENCE OF THE CLERK.
OK. IS THERE A SECONDER FOR THE AMENDMENT? OK, NOT SEEING ONE BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
WE'LL BE WAITING [INAUDIBLE], I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE RECOMMENDATION THEN.
COUNCILLOR PATRIE. AS WRITTEN, OPPOSED.
IN FAVOR. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
6.9, MEMO FROM THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER RE: HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE.
AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2)(B) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.
A MOVER TO PUT THIS IN CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE.
SECOND BY COUNCILLOR PEARCE, THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? NONE. A ROLL CALL, START WITH COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
SEVEN, PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS, THERE ARE NONE.
OUTSIDE BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTING, THERE IS NONE.
[9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS]
NINE, UNFINISHED BUSINESS.9.1, COMMUNITY REC HUB UPDATE STANDING ITEM.
MR. GAGNON, I JUST ASK WHEN WE MIGHT BE READY TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING DEDICATED TO THIS WITH ALL THE INFORMATION REQUESTED BY COUNCIL? NOT SURE WHY MY SPACE BAR ISN'T WORKING.
I'M NOT SURE IF MR. ANTUNES HAS NEW INFORMATION, BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY LOOKING FOR THIS MONTH TO BE HAVING THAT FUNDAMENTAL SPECIAL MEETING.
I KNOW MR. ANTUNES HAS REACHED OUT TO OUR ARCHITECTS JUST TO KIND OF GET A SENSE, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THEY WERE ABLE TO RESPOND IN TIME.
THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP, WE DID GET A RESPONSE LATE IN THE DAY.
I APOLOGIZE, [INAUDIBLE]. I COULDN'T GET IT TO YOU LATE IN THE DAY, BUT THE INFORMATION WAS THEY'VE HAD SOME HANG UPS WITH THE LATEST ROUND OF LOCKDOWNS.
THEY HAD SOME IN-PERSON MEETINGS BOOKED WITH SOME OF THE SUPPLIERS OF THE BUILDINGS OF THE PREFAB STRUCTURES.
SO I'M JUST LOOKING AT MY CALENDAR HERE.
HIS-- THE CONSULTANT'S GOAL WAS TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE REPORT TO US BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK IN FEBRUARY.
THEY'VE GOTTEN DELAYED WITH SOME COSTING INFORMATION BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET WITH SOME OF THE SUPPLIERS. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FIRST WEEK IN FEBRUARY TO HAVE THE REPORT IN OUR HANDS, WHICH WOULD HOPEFULLY LEAD US TO HAVE A MEETING MID SECOND WEEK IN FEBRUARY, ALONG WITH SOME OF THE OTHER REQUESTS THE COUNCIL HAD, SUCH AS COUNCILLOR PATRIE REQUEST FOR DEMOLISHING COSTS OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND SOME OF THE OTHER CAPITAL
[00:20:02]
COSTS INVOLVED AS WELL.THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE, ANY OTHER UPDATE ON THIS? I KNOW WE KEEP PRESSING THE FUNDERS FOR INFORMATION AND WE HAVEN'T HEARD, NO, SO WE'LL TAKE THAT AS BETTER THAN NO.
BUT I'M NOT SURE IF MR. ANTUNES HAS SOME NEWER INFORMATION, BUT WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR OUR FUNDING APPLICATION BOARD FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE NEW ARTS HUB.
[INAUDIBLE] YOUR WORSHIP, WE DID REACH OUT TO THE CONSULTANTS WHO WERE WORKING WITH US.
THE GOOD NEWS IS MR. GAGNON MENTIONED IS THAT WE HAVEN'T HEARD NO.
SOME MORE PROMISING NEWS IS THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS HEARD YES, EITHER.
OUR CONSULTANTS HAVE WORKED WITH MULTIPLE OTHER APPLICANTS OTHER THAN THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE. AND THE ONLY NUGGET OF INFORMATION THAT THEY HAVE HEARD IS A FEW INDIGENOUS AND FIRST NATIONS APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR SOME FURTHER INFORMATION.
BUT NO OTHER MUNICIPAL APPLICANT, AS FAR AS THEY KNOW, HAVE HEARD ANYTHING, EVEN REQUEST FOR MORE INFO. SO, THE SUGGESTION FROM BROOKE [INAUDIBLE] WAS THAT THEY ARE VERY OVERSUBSCRIBED IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS THAT THEY RECEIVED.
AND IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION.
SO WE'RE STILL WAITING IN LIMBO.
COUNCILLOR FINAMORE, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS ITEM? I DID. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF WE HAD ANY-- DID WE GET ANY MINISTER MEETINGS? TO DO WITH THIS OR THE SPORTS HUB? WE DO HAVE TWO, AND I'LL HAVE TO SEND AN EMAIL.
I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE YET. WE HAVE TWO DELEGATIONS ACCEPTED, THE MINISTER OF INFRASTRUCTURE CONFIRMED.
SO THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE MET WITH THE MINISTER OR ANY MINISTER FOR QUITE SOME TIME, WHICH, JADED OLD-TIMER ME MEANS THAT THERE'S A PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN THE WINGS IN THE-- ELECTION IN THE OFFING, WHICH IS WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE [INAUDIBLE] GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO TALK TO US AT THE MINISTERIAL LEVEL AND NOT PAWN US OFF TO PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM. SO IT'S A GOOD-- IT'S VERY GOOD.
SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE MINISTER OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN JUNE [INAUDIBLE] DURING A CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 20TH, I BELIEVE IT IS, AND THE MINISTER OF ACCESSIBILITY AND SENIORS. SO THAT'S CONFIRMED AS WELL.
SO WE WILL FIGURE THAT OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE SOME FACE TIME WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] GOVERNMENT. GOOD, THANK YOU.
IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE.
9.3, RESIDENTIAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS STANDING ITEM.
IS THERE ANY UPDATES ON THAT? I DON'T BELIEVE SO. NOT REALLY, NO.
9.4, COVID 19 UPDATE STANDING ITEM.
9.4.1, MEMO FROM MAYOR MARCHISELLA, AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERY PROGRAM.
I'LL READ THE MEMO DATED JANUARY 4, 2022.
GOOD MORNING. WITH THE ONGOING INCREASES OF COVID CASES BOTH PROVINCIALLY AND LOCALLY IT'S OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT WE CONTINUE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
DUE TO BOTH TIME CONSTRAINTS AND AVAILABILITY, I'M PROVIDING BOTH DIRECTION AND AUTHORIZATION TO MR. GAGNON TO TAKE ANY STEPS NECESSARY TO REVITALIZE THE AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERY PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY, THIS WOULD CONTINUE ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS AT THE DISCRETION OF COUNCIL, AND I'D ASK THAT THIS MEMO BE INCLUDED IN THE JANUARY 10, 2021 COUNCIL AGENDA [INAUDIBLE] SUPPORT BY RESOLUTION FROM OUR CITY COUNCIL.
DIRECTION OF AUTHORITY TO ENACT THIS MEASURE IMMEDIATELY COMES FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL PROTECTION ACT WWW.ONTARIO.CA.LAWS/STATUTE.
DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY 4.1, THE HEAD OF COUNCIL OF A MUNICIPALITY MAY DECLARE THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OR ANY PART THEREOF.
IT MAY TAKE SUCH ACTION AND MAKE SUCH ORDERS AS HE OR SHE CONSIDERS NECESSARY AND ARE NOT CONTRARY TO LAW, TO IMPLEMENT THE EMERGENCY PLAN OF THE MUNICIPALITY AND TO PROTECT PROPERTY AND THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE EMERGENCY AREA.
SO AT THIS TIME, I'D ASK THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT A RESOLUTION THAT WE REVITALIZE THE AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERY PROGRAM ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS, AND I LOOK FOR A MOVER, PLEASE.
MOVED BY COUNCILLOR PEARCE, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR CYR.
JUST DUE TO WHAT WAS PUT OUT BY OUR LOCAL ONLINE NEWSPAPER, AN ARTICLE, WHICH THANK YOU MR. GAGNON FOR YOUR ACCURATE RESPONSE, IT CAME FROM MR.
[00:25:05]
YOUNG AND A LITTLE BIT UPSET.I KIND OF WISH-- I'VE KNOWN MR. YOUNG FOR OVER 25 YEARS, AND I KIND OF WISH THAT HE HAD CONTACTED ME PRIOR TO SENDING THIS OUT. BY NO MEANS WAS THE MUNICIPALITY LOOKING AT ANY TYPE OF COMPETITION.
I KNOW MR. YOUNG IS A VERY, VERY INTELLIGENT BUSINESSMAN AND HE'S BEEN ABLE TO RISE ABOVE THE CHALLENGES OF COVID AND CHANGE HIS BUSINESS MODEL TO SUIT.
AGAIN, NOT ACCURATE IN COMPETING.
FROM THE ARTICLE AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, MR. YOUNG HAS CREATED A NICHE IN SELLING WHOLESALE RESTAURANT FOODS THAT COME FROM THE SYSCO, [INAUDIBLE] WHOLESALES AND SO ON.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS A NICHE THAT IS TO A DIRECT GROUP OF PEOPLE, AND I DON'T SEE YOU LOSING ANY OF THE SALES FROM THIS DELIVERY PROGRAM.
THIS DELIVERY PROGRAM IS SET UP BECAUSE ELLIOT LAKE HAS A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF SENIORS THAN ANYWHERE IN ONTARIO, AND WITH THAT MODEL OF RETIREMENT LIVING THAT WE HAVE HERE CREATES A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT ALSO CREATES AN AREA WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT A SET MONTHLY INCOME THAT'S NO WIGGLE ROOM. MANY OF THESE VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS LIVING ON PENSIONS, WHETHER OLD AGE PENSIONS, DISABILITY PENSIONS OR OTHER SORTS OF PENSIONS.
SO. AND MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE MANY LETTERS WE'VE RECEIVED OF THANKS, THERE'S MANY, MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS. THESE AREN'T PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE JUMPING ON THE NICHE OFFERED BY THE FIRESIDE OR OTHERS DOING SIMILAR.
WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IS THE ESSENTIAL GROCERIES, THE THINGS THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.
AND BY LOOKING AT HAVING TO SPEND A $10 PICKUP FEE OR DELIVERY FEE, THAT'S A DAY'S WORTH OF FOOD. TO SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS.
A 20 DOLLARS DELIVERY FEE COULD BE A FEW DAYS OF FOOD TO SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS.
SO AGAIN, AS A COUNCIL AND A MUNICIPALITY WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT SUCH A LARGE, VULNERABLE SECTOR, IT IS OUR DUTY TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS, ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. AND.
EVEN I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE'S A GOOD COST TO SOME OF THIS PROGRAM.
YOU CAN'T PUT A COST ON SAVING EVEN ONE LIFE.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
COUNCILLOR PATRIE. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. FIRST OFF, I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE MAYOR HAS PUT THIS INTO EFFECT WITHOUT COUNCIL AS A WHOLE BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER.
WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON DECEMBER 30TH, AT THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING REGARDING COVID SERVICES. AND I ASKED AT THAT COUNCIL MEETING THAT IF COUNCIL CLOSED MUNICIPAL FACILITIES, THAT PEOPLE BE LAID OFF TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE TWO HUNDRED AND SOME THOUSAND DOLLAR WEEKLY PAYROLL AND ASSIST TAXPAYERS.
SEEING AS THERE WILL BE MOST LIKELY NO FURTHER GRANTS COMING TO THE MUNICIPALITY TO ALLEVIATE COVID COSTS.
I APPRECIATE THE LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEMBER THAT SENT US THAT LETTER THAT WE RECEIVED STATES THAT SHE WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE.
SO I WOULD BE ASKING THE CITY TO OFFER CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ANY OF THE BUSINESSES PERFORMING THESE SERVICES, AND THERE IS A MULTITUDE.
AND, IF HIS WORSHIP SAYS THAT SOME OF THEM CAN'T AFFORD THE $10 OR $20, I'D BE WILLING TO HAVE COUNCIL, ALLEVIATE AND DO SOME KIND OF A FUNDING GRANT TO SOME OF THESE PEOPLE, SIMILAR TO OUR ACCESS CARDS OR WHATEVER, BUT NOT TO BE EXPENDING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO PUT THIS IN PLACE.
WE'RE TALKING MULTITUDE OF STAFF THAT HAVE TO DO THIS.
THIS ISN'T JUST ONE PERSON AND THESE ARE EXTREMELY HIGH PAYING JOBS.
THERE ARE SERVICES THAT I KNOW OF AND THERE'S A LOT MORE.
I KNOW OF AT LEAST THREE OTHERS THAT I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THEIR COMPANIES OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT DO THIS.
PERSONALLY, I'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY OTHER OPERATORS TO DO DELIVERIES FOR MY BUSINESS WHO ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THOSE FIVE THAT I'VE JUST MENTIONED, BUT I DON'T REQUIRE THAT SERVICE BECAUSE WE DO IT OURSELVES WHEN REQUESTED.
THIS IS TAKING REVENUE FROM TAX PAYING BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY, SO PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY HELPING PAY THAT TAX ROLL OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE TAKING BUSINESS AWAY FROM
[00:30:01]
THEM.AND UNDERSTAND THAT, WE'RE DOING THIS-- WHEN THIS SERVICE CLOSED A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT 20 TO 30 PEOPLE.
SO FOR THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT WAY OF ADDRESSING THIS TO ASSESS THE SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.
I DON'T AGREE THAT WE SHOULD BE TAXING OUR REVENUE STREAM WITH THIS KIND OF COSTING TO BE DOING THIS FOR A MONTH OR TWO AT A TIME.
IT'S JUST-- I THINK IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE AND I WISH THAT IT WOULD HAVE COME DIRECTLY TO COUNCIL AND NOT BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY THE MAYOR.
I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS AN ACT OF AN EMERGENCY.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE ALREADY DOING THAT COUNCIL HAS ALREADY SAID NO TO AND IT WAS NOT VOTED ON AND APPROVED TWO WORKING DAYS AFTER COUNCIL HAD A MEETING ABOUT COVID SERVICES. SO I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING THIS SERVICE.
IF STAFF CAN COME FORWARD AND BRING US SOMETHING THAT IS MORE FINANCIALLY PALATABLE, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING THAT.
BUT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE AMOUNT OF STAFF COSTING TO DO THIS FOR TWO OR THREE, EVEN FOUR DOZEN PEOPLE, I THINK THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO IT.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU FOR CARING SO MUCH ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE.
I THINK THAT I AGREE WITH SOMEWHAT OF WHAT COUNCILLOR PATRIE IS REFERRING TO.
I THINK FOR NOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO.
I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BETTER WHEN WE END IT.
I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY WE ENDED IT AS WELL AS WE COULD LAST TIME.
I DON'T THINK WE JUST STOP THE SERVICE AND TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY'RE-- THAT WE'RE NOT DOING IT WITHOUT HELPING THEM MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.
OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE NEVER TRANSITIONED WELL FROM THE SERVICE.
SO, I THINK-0- I HOPE THAT THIS TIME, I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE A SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME PRETTY SMART PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY COMMUNITY MINDED.
I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MR. ANTUNES. I'M NOT GOING TO THROW HIM UNDER THE BUS OR ANYTHING, BUT WE DID TALK ABOUT PERHAPS USING THE FLIER THAT GOES OUT TO THE HOMES TO ASK BUSINESSES TO COME FORWARD AND TO SEND FORWARD THEIR INFORMATION OF THOSE THAT ARE DOING DELIVERIES.
I UNDERSTAND THERE IS SOMEONE IN TOWN THAT WILL DELIVER AND SHOP FOR $5, AND I DON'T THINK THAT, THAT IS TOO CUMBERSOME ON SOMEBODY TO HAVE DONE ONCE A MONTH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I JUST THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW.
WE STILL HAVE THE SAME VULNERABLE POPULATION, WE HAVE COVID WORSE THAN WE'VE EVER HAD HERE IN TOWN RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE AT HOME AS MUCH AS WE CAN.
AND I'M HOPING THAT THE PEOPLE CHARGED WITH THE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW, WILL TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT ENDING IT A LITTLE BETTER, AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT TRULY CAN'T TRANSITION OUT OF IT, THEN WE NEED TO CALL ON AGENCIES TO COME AND GIVE THEM SOME ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE HERE FOR.
THERE'S MANY AGENCIES IN TOWN THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO ASSIST, EVEN IF WE HAVE TO HELP WITH WRITING PROPOSALS TO THE GOVERNMENT TO GET THEM EXTRA FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPLY THE SERVICE THROUGH THEIR AGENCIES, THEN MAYBE THAT'S-- MAYBE THAT'S THE EXPERTISE THAT WE CAN HAND OFF.
I'M HOPING THAT WE WON'T HAVE TO DO THIS TOO LONG, BUT I DO HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL STEP FORWARD IN COMING. I'VE HEARD LOTS OF PEOPLE DELIVERY.
I DON'T KNOW ANYONE AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD GO TO FIND THAT INFORMATION, SO WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T DO IT TO SLIGHT ANYBODY.
WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T DO IT TO TAKE ANY BUSINESS AWAY FROM ANYBODY.
I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE WAY IT WAS DONE AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE DOING IT FOR THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A NEED RIGHT NOW.
AND I SEE THAT, THAT IS BEING-- WE'RE A COUNCIL THAT'S IN PART OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST PART OF A COMMUNITY.
AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO WHEN IT'S TIME TO DO IT, I GUESS, AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT I FEEL ABOUT IT.
SO I'M HOPING THAT THOSE THAT ARE CHARGED WITH THE PROGRAM, IN THE RECS DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW, WILL TAKE A LOOK AND COME UP WITH SOME BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR ENDING IT.
MISS BRAY, JUST ON ONE OF THE POINTS FROM COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
ARE WE AWARE, DO WE HAVE ANY LISTING OR CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ANY OF THESE POTENTIAL DELIVERY SERVICES? I AM NOT AWARE, I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE IF MR. GAGNON MIGHT CORRECT ME ON THAT? MY INFORMATION WAS WE HAVE THEM-- I WAS TRYING TO PULL IT UP HERE AND COULDN'T FIND IT.
BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY THERE, THEY WILL BE THERE.
WE WERE-- THE RESEARCH WE HAVE DONE WAS THAT THERE WERE FOUR OR FIVE OPERATORS DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR.
AND THEN UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT TURNED OUT THAT IT WAS REALLY ONLY ONE THAT WAS ACTUALLY WILLING TO DO THE GROCERY PART OF IT.
THEY WERE DOING OTHER THINGS RELATED TO DELIVERIES, BUT IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY THERE, THEY WILL BE THERE AND LISTED FOR ANYONE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE PRIVATE SECTOR
[00:35:03]
SERVICES. AND THERE'S LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE WILLING TO DO THINGS, BUT THOSE ARE VOLUNTEERS OR NOT AS CONSISTENT AS THE PROGRAM OBVIOUSLY IS BECAUSE IT'S MANAGED BY THE CITY, SO WE CAN CERTAINLY-- WE'RE LISTENING.WE'RE HEARING ALL THESE INFORMATIONS AND WE'LL WORK WITH, YOU KNOW, SERVICE CLUBS OR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN.
SO I'M JUST [INAUDIBLE] OUT IN DUE TIME WHENEVER THAT PICTURE CLARIFIES, PENDING WHATEVER HAPPENS HERE THIS EVENING, COUNCIL.
THANK YOU. OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL? COUNCILLOR TURNER. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.
I THINK I'D LIKE TO ASSURE BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I SINCERELY DOUBT THAT ANY MEMBER OF COUNCIL WOULD BE INTENT ON DEPRIVING SOME BUSINESS OWNER OF THEIR SOURCES OF INCOME OR EVEN MINUTE PORTION OF THEIR INCOME.
SO, TO ANY THAT WE MAY HAVE UPSET WITH THIS CONCEPT, I THINK WE MIGHT CONSIDER INVITING RESTAURANTS OR DELIVERY SERVICES WHO SEEM DISPLACED BY THE AGE FRIENDLY PROGRAM.
LET'S INVITE THEM TO THE COUNCIL [INAUDIBLE] THE MEETING PUBLIC PRESENTATION, TELL US WHAT THEIR STORY IS AND WE MAY HAVE HURT THEIR BUSINESS AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT BETTER. I SUPPORT FULLY THE AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERY PROGRAM.
I THINK THAT IT'S A NECESSITY FOR SOME PEOPLE.
I THINK WE'LL WILL ALSO HAVE AT LEAST ONE OUT THERE WHO'S GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT AND THAT'S THE CASE EVERYWHERE FOR EVERYTHING.
THERE'S ALWAYS ONE. WE HAVE TO JUST PUT UP WITH THAT.
I THINK THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER DELIVERY SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY.
IF WE'RE TALKING 30 PEOPLE WHO NEED THE SERVICE.
THEY WOULD NEED IT, PERHAPS EVERY TWO WEEKS.
AND, WE COULD EASILY PAY THE DELIVERY SERVICE TO DO THIS AND DO IT CHEAPER THAN DEDICATING A STAFF MEMBER TO IT AND ALSO RUNNING IT THROUGH OUR OWN BILLING SYSTEM. LET THEM DEAL DIRECTLY.
OR, WE RUN IT THROUGH OUR BILLING SYSTEM.
I MEAN, 30 PEOPLE, TWO TIMES A MONTH, IT'S 60 DATA ENTRIES.
ANY BUSINESS WOULD HAVE THAT DONE IN THE FIRST TWO HOURS.
SO IT CAN'T BE THAT MUCH OF A STRAIN.
BUT LET'S CONSIDER INVITING ANY OF THE RESTAURATEURS, DELIVERY PEOPLE, ANYBODY THINKS THE BUSINESS MAY HAVE BEEN DISPLACED IN SOME FASHION BY OUR ACTION, TO COME AND TALK TO US BECAUSE SURELY THE INTENT IS NOT TO HURT ANY BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY MUCH TO THE OPPOSITION-- IT'S TO SUPPORT THEM ANY WAY WE CAN.
COUNCILLOR CYR. THANK YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.
I THINK, WE AS A CITY, WE'RE KIND OF LUCKY IN A WAY BECAUSE WE KIND OF-- WE CAN UTILIZE PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL SUPPORT FUNDS TO HELP US DELIVER THESE SERVICES.
SO IT PUTS US REALLY AT AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE VERSUS PRIVATE SECTOR.
BUT WE COULD ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, PERHAPS LEVERAGE THAT TO HELP THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
I THINK WHAT'S NEEDED-- I THINK THIS IS A NEEDED SERVICE.
MYSELF, IN MY TIME WITH FOODLAND, I DID IT PERSONALLY FOR YEARS, SO I KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE SUFFER AND REALLY HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF GROCERIES.
I'VE SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES, SO I KNOW WHAT'S NEEDED, BUT I THINK THERE IS A LACK.
THERE'S-- FIRST OF ALL, THE PROVINCES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH THEIR IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS, HAVE CREATED AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF HARDSHIP FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
AND YES, THEY'VE HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HARMED THROUGH ALL THE MEASURES, FINANCIALLY AND HEALTH.
[00:40:05]
SO, I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REINVENT THE WHEEL HERE.MAYBE WE CAN REINVENT A BETTER WAY TO GET A PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP TO GET SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY HELP OUR CITIZENS LIKE SENIORS IS OUR CITY FOR THE MOST PART.
YES, WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST SENIOR CITIZENS AT ELLIOT LAKE, BUT THEY'RE STILL THE CORE OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO I THINK WE OWE IT TO THEM TO TRY TO CREATE SOME KIND OF HYBRID HERE WHERE IT'S A MODEL THAT CAN ACTUALLY HELP OUR CITIZENS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME HELP OUR PRIVATE SECTOR WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
SO, I THINK WE SHOULD KIND OF TRY TO FIND A WAY TO UTILIZE OUR CITY RESOURCES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME REWARD THE PRIVATE BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE AT ALL COSTS.
SO LET'S TRY TO REINVENT THE WHEEL HERE.
POTENTIALLY, THE NEXT MONTH WILL GIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF TO WORK WITH SOME OF THESE GROUPS. MR. GAGNON.
YEAH, I WAS JUST GOING TO CONFIRM THAT WHAT WE NEED THIS EVENING IS SIMPLY THE DIRECTION THAT THE AGE FRIENDLY IN THE CURRENT ITERATION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ANOTHER PLAN B MAY BE WORTH PURSUING.
AND WE HAVE THE STANDING ITEM IN EVERY COUNCIL MEETING SO WE CAN BE DISCUSSING THIS AT THE JANUARY 24TH, I BELIEVE IT IS, NEXT MEETING AND WE CAN EXPLORE SOME OF THESE CONCEPTS WITH SOME OF OUR SERVICE CLUBS OR PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUTURE ITERATION OF AGE FRIENDLY MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN A WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, TRY TO MANAGES ALL THE VARIOUS ISSUES.
THERE'S PLENTY OF ISSUES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN AIRED OUT AND WE'D BE HERE ALL EVENING IF WE TRY TO DELVE INTO ALL OF THEM.
BUT WE'RE ACUTELY AWARE OF THE NEED FOR THIS, BUT WE NEED SOME DIRECTION THIS EVENING AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK WITH IDEAS AND CONCEPTS IN FUTURE MEETINGS.
PERFECT, THANK YOU. FOLLOW UP COUNCILLOR CYR.
YES, I THINK IN ESSENCE, I'M IN FAVOR OF THIS SHORT TERM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE COMING BACK TO THIS EVERY VARIANT.
SO, YOU KNOW, I'M WILLING TO SUPPORT IT SHORT TERM, BUT I THINK LONG TERM WE HAVE TO PLAN AHEAD SO THAT WE'RE NOT REVISITING THE SAME ISSUES AND PULLING THE RUG FROM UNDER OUR ENTREPRENEURS EVERY TIME WE GET A NEW VARIANT, THAT'S MY FEAR.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS? OK. MS. BRAY, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO READ THE RESOLUTION? AND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S DIRECTION TO STAFF ALL THE WAY AROUND ABOUT LOOKING AT THE FUTURE OF AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERS ALONG WITH POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS.
THE RESOLUTION, AS IT STANDS AT THE MOMENT, PLEASE.
YES, THAT'S THE MEMO FROM MAYOR MARCHISELLA CONCERNING DIRECTION TO REVITALIZE THE FRIENDLY DELIVERY PROGRAM BE RECEIVED AND THAT THE AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERY PROGRAM CONTINUE ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS.
LIKE TO ADD AN AMENDMENT TO IT THAT IT BE REVISITED AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WITH POTENTIAL OPTIONS BY STAFF.
WAS THERE A SECONDER FOR THAT, THAT AMENDMENT? SECOND, BY COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT? COUNCILLOR CYR.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORPSHIP. I FEEL THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS A LITTLE TOO FAST, BUT I WILL BE WILLING TO SUPPORT IT 30 DAYS OR SOMETHING [INAUDIBLE].
I WANT TO BE FAIR TO STAFF AS WELL, BUT I THINK IF WE JUST ADD ON TOO MUCH PRESSURE, WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THE SAME THING WITH NO POTENTIAL RESOLUTION.
COUNCILLOR PATRIE. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE HAD A MEETING ON THE 30TH AND THIS CAME OUT ON THE FOURTH, TWO WORKING DAYS, A FRIDAY AND A MONDAY LATER.
I THINK IF IT COMES BACK IN TWO WEEKS WITH STAFF, WITH OPTIONS, IF THEY CAN GET A HOLD OF SOME POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, IT'S [INAUDIBLE] GOING TO TAKE TIME TO GET THAT IMPLEMENTED.
IF YOU WAIT 30 DAYS, YOU'RE GOING TO BE 60 DAYS OR 90 DAYS.
I JUST DON'T WANT THIS TO CARRY ON AND CARRY ON.
SO THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON THAT I WANT THIS TO COME BACK IMMEDIATELY AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WITH SOME POTENTIAL STUFF BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE TIME TO IMPLEMENT THAT AS WELL.
COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, THROUGH YOU WITH THE UTMOST OF RESPECT TO EVERYONE. I KNOW THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT THIS CARRYING ON, BUT I DIDN'T WANT THE PANDEMIC TO CARRY ON FOR THREE CALENDAR YEARS.
[00:45:02]
YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE VARIABLES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT IN OUR CONTROL.WE'RE DEALING WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND SOME OF THE DECISION MAKING THAT THEY'RE MAKING. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE RESOLUTION IS UNREASONABLE.
I SUPPORT IT IN A VERY TIME SENSITIVE MANNER.
HONESTLY, IT SAYS ON A MONTH A MONTH BASIS, TO ME, THAT MEANS WE RUN IT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. WE REVISIT IT AT THE FIRST MEETING IN FEBRUARY.
I BELIEVE THAT'S MORE THAN REASONABLE.
I THINK IF WE'RE STILL HAVING THIS DISCUSSION IN APRIL, THAT'S A PROBLEM.
I BELIEVE I MADE A SIMILAR COMMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF AGE FRIENDLY THE FIRST TIME, IS THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY HERE FOR A BUSINESS MODEL, FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, IF THEY SO CHOOSE.
THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD AND SAY, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO WORK.
THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE HAPPENING, I'M NOT AWARE OF SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT COUNCILLOR PATRIE IS AWARE OF.
SO AGAIN, I THINK WE RUN IT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
WE WAIT AND FIND OUT WHAT OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT THE PROVINCE IS GOING TO COME UP WHERE THAT IS GOING. THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
SO, WE WAIT AND SEE WHAT THAT IS, AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND IF WE'RE ENDING IT, I THINK AS COUNCILLOR FINAMORE SAID, IT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH A LEVEL OF THOUGHTFULNESS FOR THOSE THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN IT.
SO, THEY'RE NOT JUST LEFT AT THE END OF IT.
AND I THINK STAFF HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT AND I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN IT.
AND HONESTLY, YOUR WORSHIP, I THANK YOU AND THIS COUNCIL FOR SUPPORTING SOME OF THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS WE'VE MADE BEFORE THE PROVINCE MADE DECISIONS.
THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS PLEASANT DECISIONS TO MAKE, BUT THEY'RE IMPORTANT ONES AND I SUPPORT IT. SO THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.
LIKE COUNCILLOR MANN PRETTY MUCH SAID EVERYTHING I WAS GOING TO SAY.
THIRTY DAYS IS PERFECTLY REASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS WORKING. IF IT ISN'T, WELL, WE CAN FIND OTHER WAYS TO DO IT.
I THINK RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY.
LET'S TAKE CARE OF IT. WE'LL COME BACK IN FEBRUARY AND TAKE A LOOK WHERE WE'RE AT.
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO COME FORWARD, WHICH, FRANKLY, I DOUBT VERY MUCH WILL HAPPEN.
BUT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO COME FORWARD AND SUGGEST THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY CAN PARTICIPATE? TERRIFIC.
BUT I FULLY SUPPORT THIS THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE AMENDMENT? COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
I SECOND THE AMENDMENT, SO THAT WE COULD GET A BETTER TIME FRAME, SO I'M HAPPY WITH THE SUGGESTION OF THE 30 DAYS, SO I'LL RESCIND MY SECOND.
OK, BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION, IF THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE. I'LL START WITH COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THAT'S CARRIED, THANK YOU. 9.4.2, REFERRAL FROM SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD DECEMBER 30TH, 2021 MUNICIPAL SERVICE LEVELS DURING THE PANDEMIC RESOLUTION 439-21, THAT ADMINISTRATION BE DIRECTED TO CANCEL ALL NON-ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND ALL MUNICIPAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE COLLINS HALL, CENTENNIAL ARENA AND MUNICIPAL POOL, AND THAT THE SERVICE LEVELS BE REVISITED AT THE JANUARY 10TH REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. SO, TIME TO REVISIT, AND I KNOW WE WERE A FEW DAYS AHEAD OF THE PROVINCE ON SHUTTING EVERYTHING DOWN.
AND MR. GAGNON IS ANY UPDATE AND DIRECTION THAT WE MAY NEED TO GO ON THIS? WELL, I MEAN, THE REC FACILITIES ARE CLOSED BY ORDER OF THE PROVINCE, SO WE CAN'T REALLY REVISIT IT EVEN IF WE WANTED TO AT THIS PARTICULAR MEETING AND WE HAVE A STANDING ITEM AT EVERY COUNCIL MEETING [INAUDIBLE] REVISITING SERVICE LEVELS.
I UNDERSTAND THE LEAGUE AND SOME OF THE ORDERS FROM THE PROVINCE INSIDE THE NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE AND SOME OF THE ORDERS OF THE PROVINCE ARE COMING UP WITH A WEDNESDAY AFTER THE JANUARY 24TH COUNCIL MEETING.
SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO REVISIT LEVELS OF SERVICE AT THAT NEXT COUNCIL MEETING REGARDLESS TO TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT LEVELS OF SERVICE OR WHAT FACILITIES WE MAY CHOOSE.
IF WE HAVE A DISCRETION, HOW DO WE WANT TO USE THAT DISCRETION? I GUESS [INAUDIBLE] WAY, WOULDN'T IT? THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE STANDING ITEM AT THE COUNCIL AGENDAS AT EVERY MEETING, SO WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT IT AGAIN ON JANUARY 24TH.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE'RE FORCED CLOSED FOR THE POOL AND THE ARENA AND INDOOR RECREATION
[00:50:05]
FACILITIES. WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO MAINTAIN OUR OUTDOOR RINKS AND KEEP SOME RECREATION, YOU KNOW, SAFE RECREATION GOING ON FOR OUR COMMUNITY.AND WE'LL KEEP DOING THAT AND STRUGGLING WITH THE IMPACTS OF OMICRON AND THE PANDEMIC LOCALLY AND PLANNING FOR THE WORST AND PLANNING FOR STAFF SHORTAGES LIKE EVERY OTHER MUNICIPALITY IN CANADA.
THANK YOU, MR. GAGNON. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP TO MR. GAGNON OR MS. D'AMATO. I'M NOT SURE WHO WILL HAVE THE ANSWER, BUT I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE TODAY-- WELL, I'VE TALKED MORE THAN PEOPLE TODAY.
BUT I GUESS THE CONCERN IS, IS THAT WHENEVER WE HAVE REOPENED THE FACILITIES, IT HAS TAKEN SOMETIMES UP TO TWO WEEKS TO OPEN THEM AFTER WE HAVE SAID THAT THEY CAN BE OPENED.
SO, I GUESS PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF INSURANCE THAT IF, FOR WHATEVER, IF THINGS ARE REALLY, REALLY GOOD ON THE 24TH OF JANUARY AND EVERYTHING IS LIFTED, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE THE POOL AND THE ARENA TO BE FUNCTIONAL FOR PEOPLE TO USE? I THINK THE ARENA IS SOMETHING THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FASTER TO OPEN UP AND TO USE, BUT I GUESS THE CONCERN IS WITH THE POOL.
BUT I WANT TO-- I JUST, CURIOUS TOO, IF WE'VE HAD LAYOFFS.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AFTER THEIR LAYOFFS? SO, I GUESS IT'S TWO QUESTIONS, BUT THAT'S WHAT THE CONCERN IS WITH PEOPLE.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IN THE PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD IS REALLY ABOUT IS HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE AFTER WE SAY YES TO THE FACILITIES THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET BODIES IN THE POOL AGAIN.
MS. D'AMATO. THANK YOU THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP, TWO OF THE STAFF AT THE POOL ARE CURRENTLY STILL WORKING, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE DOING THE AGE FRIENDLY PROGRAM AND THAT'S THE POOL COORDINATOR AND RECEPTIONIST.
AND I KNOW THEY'RE WORKING IN THEIR DOWNTIME TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN ACTION PLAN SO THAT WE CAN OPEN UP AS SOON AS THE GOVERNMENT SAYS SO.
THE ONLY KIND OF PITFALL WOULD BE GETTING THE LIFEGUARDS BACK, BUT I KNOW THEY'RE ALL EAGER TO WORK. A LOT OF THEM ARE STILL IN TOWN, AND SO I DON'T THINK THAT WILL GIVE US TOO MUCH OF A DELAY. SO WE'RE HOPING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AS SOON AS WE'RE GIVEN WORD FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, WE CAN OPEN UP VERY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THANKS.
[INAUDIBLE]. COUNCILLOR PATRIE.
THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MANAGEMENT IS DOING TO ALLEVIATE COSTING WITH THESE FACILITIES CLOSING? WHAT IS MANAGEMENT DOING TO TRY AND RECOUP SOME OF THE LOSSES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE GENERATING REVENUE? SO, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ACTUALLY CUT COSTS ACROSS THE BOARD? TIME STAFF, LIFEGUARDS AND WHATNOT, AND THE REST I WASN'T PREPARED TO, YOU KNOW, I CAN ASK IF MS. SONNENBURG HAS ANYTHING OFF TOP FOUR AHEAD, BUT I DIDN'T SEE THAT QUESTION COMING, SO WE CAN GIVE YOU OTHER OPTIONS IN DUE TIME AS TO WHAT WE'RE DOING TO MINIMIZE COSTS. WE'RE RIGHT NOW STRUGGLING WITH MAINTAINING THE LEVELS OF SERVICE AND UNDERSTANDING AND ADHERING TO ALL THE REGULATIONS.
AND I KNOW IT MIGHT NOT BE POPULAR TO COUNCILLOR PATRIE, BUT COSTS IS A SECONDARY CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW TO SAFETY AND UNDERSTANDING THE REGULATIONS, THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING REGULATIONS AND DOING WHAT WE CAN WITHIN REASON AS A SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM.
BUT IF YOU WANT A DEEPER DIVE, WE CAN DO THAT IN DUE TIME.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COVID QUESTIONS? NO.
[INAUDIBLE] JUST EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO THE COMMUNITY AGAIN FOR HOW MANY HAVE BEEN GETTING SHOTS IN THEIR ARMS, AND I KNOW FROM LAST THURSDAY BEING AT THE SHOT CLINIC AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LOT OF NEWCOMERS THAT PUT THEIR WOES AND WORRIES OF CONSPIRACIES ASIDE AND FINALLY STARTED GETTING SHOTS IN THEIR ARM.
SO, THAT IS QUITE COMFORTING IN A BIG THANK YOU TO DR.
[INAUDIBLE], DR. STIRLING AND THE NURSES AND THE PLETHORA OF VOLUNTEERS AT THAT CLINIC AGAIN TRYING TO KEEP ELLIOT LAKE AHEAD OF THE GAME DURING THESE EXTREMELY SCARY TIMES.
SOME OF THE DISTURBING NEWS COMING FORWARD AND I TRY NOT TO SCARE PEOPLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SOMETIMES A LITTLE BIT OF FEAR HELPS.
KNOWING THE PCR TESTS ARE VERY, VERY LIMITED.
[00:55:02]
CURRENTLY, AS OF TODAY, IT SAYS, FOR ELLIOT LAKE, AND AREA, WE HAVE ONE HUNDRED ACTIVE CASES BEING TOLD THAT WE CAN AT LEAST QUADRUPLE THOSE NUMBERS IN THE UNKNOWN CASE AREA BECAUSE AGAIN, THERE'S A MASSIVE SHORTAGE IN PCRS.THE RAT TESTING IS NOT 100 PERCENT ACCURATE.
LITERALLY, YOU COULD DROP IT ON THE FLOOR AND PUT IT IN THE LIQUID, AND IT'LL TELL YOU THAT YOU'RE TESTING POSITIVE.
IN OTHER AREAS COULD DIP IT IN SOME ALCOHOL, IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ALCOHOL ON YOU, IT'LL SAY THAT IT'S NEGATIVE.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABLES TO THE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING.
THE PROVINCE SAYING THAT AS OF YESTERDAY, THERE WAS OVER 11000 NEW CASES AND AGAIN WITH A WARNING THAT IS JUST WITH THE PR [INAUDIBLE] OR PCR TESTS.
THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE ARE USING THE RAT TESTS BECAUSE THOSE AREN'T RECORDED, SO EVERYTHING'S SHUT DOWN IN THE PROVINCE WHEN WE HIT 3000 CASES PRIOR AND WE'RE LOOKING AT OVER 11000 A DAY RIGHT NOW.
ONE POINT EIGHT MILLION GLOBALLY YESTERDAY, CASES.
WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME THAT WILL BE WRITTEN IN HISTORY BOOKS.
AND AGAIN, I CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH.
HOW WE REACT AND HOW WE GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHAT THAT PAGE IN THE HISTORY BOOK LOOKS LIKE.
SO A POINT OF GRATITUDE FOR THE PATIENTS AND CARING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S MY FINAL COMMENT ON COVID FOR THIS EVENING.
[11. CORRESPONDENCE]
11.1, A LETTER FROM THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SARNIA.RE: REQUEST LETTER OF SUPPORT.
THE CURRENT STATE OF CATCH AND RELEASE JUSTICE IN THE ONTARIO LEGAL SYSTEM.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE SEND A LETTER TO THE FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS REQUESTING MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CATCH AND RELEASE JUSTICE IN ONTARIO LEGAL SYSTEM.
POLICE SERVICES ACROSS ONTARIO ARE EXHAUSTING PRECIOUS TIME AND RESOURCES, HAVING TO MANAGE THE REPEATED ARREST OF THE SAME OFFENDERS, WHICH IN TURN IS IMPACTING THEIR MORALE AND ULTIMATELY LAW ABIDING CITIZENS WHO ARE PAYING THE OFTEN SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TOLL OF THE BROKEN SYSTEM.
IS THERE A MOVER TO SUPPORT THIS? MOVE BY COUNCILLOR FINAMORE, A SECOND BY COUNCILLOR PATRIE.
I'LL STATE IT RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
I HAVE HEARD IT IN OUR COMMUNITY REPEATEDLY.
THIS IS THE ISSUE, IT'S NOT POLICING, IT'S THE UNFORTUNATE LOOPHOLES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WHERE WE SEE SOMEONE GET ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT ONE DAY BACK OUT ON THE STREET, NEXT DAYS THREATENING A SENIOR CITIZEN, GETTING ARRESTED AND BAIL, BACK OUT A DAY LATER.
IT'S JUST SOMETHING DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE WE HEAR IT HERE AND WE HEAR IT ALL ACROSS THE PROVINCE.
AND I'VE EVEN HEARD IT FROM SOME OF OUR OPP OFFICERS WHO DO THE BEST THEY CAN TO BE DECENT INDIVIDUALS ALONG WITH DOING THEIR JOB AND HAVE THE FRUSTRATION OF SEEING, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS LOOPHOLE AND VICIOUS CYCLE GOING ON, SO I'M DEFINITELY IN SUPPORT AND I'D ASK IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? COUNCILLOR TURNER.
THANKS, YOUR WORSHIP. I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS, AND I UNDERSTAND THE EASE WITH WHICH CITY OF SARNIA IS REFERRED TO WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF JUSTICE'S CATCH AND RELEASE.
BUT I THINK WE GOT TO GET A LITTLE MORE BASIC THAN THIS.
WE HAD THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN PLACE AND IT WORKS REALLY WELL.
WHEN POLICE ARREST SOMEBODY, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO LOCK THEM UP UNTIL WE FINALLY GET A COURT DATE. THEY CAN BE EITHER ISSUED AN APPEARANCE NOTICE WHICH TELLS THEM WHEN TO SHOW UP FOR COURT OR THEY CAN BE LOCKED UP UNTIL THERE'S A BAIL HEARING WITHIN SO MANY HOURS, AND AT THAT TIME, JUSTICE OF PEACE, OR A JUDGE WILL TURN AROUND AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY GET BAIL.
[01:00:05]
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T GET BAIL.AND THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO EITHER A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC OR THERE'S A DANGER IN THE CONTINUATION OF THE OFFENSE.
IF YOU PUT ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE IN A ROOM, YOU'RE BOUND TO HAVE AT LEAST 1 [INAUDIBLE].
AND THOSE ARE THE CASES THAT THEY REFER TO AS REVOLVING DOOR TYPES AND NO SOONER RELEASE THEM AND THEY HAVE TO ARREST THEM AGAIN, THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON HERE IS THE FACT THAT AS WE ALL KNOW AND WE JUST DISCUSSED, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EPIDEMIC.
LOCKING PEOPLE UP IN CLOSE QUARTERS.
ALRIGHT, WE ALREADY SEEN SPREADS THROUGH JAILS AND PRISONS BUT JUST AT INSANE RATES, AND IT ENDANGERS THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK IN THIS PLACE.
SO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CITY OF SARNIA WANTS.
THEY WANT TO DO LIKE THEY DO, AND SOME OF THE STATES HAD THREE STRIKES AND LOCK THEM UP FOR LIFE. YOU KNOW, THESE ARE-- TO ME, THESE ARE BOTH PANDERING PROPOSITIONS HERE.
OF COURSE, NOBODY LIKES THE BAD GUYS.
BUT WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IS WE'RE DEALING WITH HUMAN BEINGS, SOME WHO MAKE A MISTAKE AND WILL PROBABLY JUST MAKE ONE IN THEIR LIFETIME, GO THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, COME OUT THE OTHER END AND WANT TO NEVER GET INTO TROUBLE AGAIN.
THAT SMALL PERCENTAGE WERE REPEATERS.
CAN'T THEY COME OUT INTO THE BUSH AND SHOOT THEM.
WE CAN'T LOCK THEM UP ON A DESERT ISLAND SOMEPLACE AND HOPE THEY STARVE TO DEATH AND NEVER COME BACK. WE HAVE A JUSTICE SYSTEM, THOSE JUDGES, THOSE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND THE SENIOR OFFICERS WHO ISSUE APPEARANCE NOTICES ARE EXPERIENCED.
THEY'RE NOT FOOLS AND THEY'RE VERY AWARE OF HOW OUR SYSTEM WORKS AND WE WOULD NOT ISSUE BAIL AND WE WOULD NOT ISSUE APPEARANCE NOTICES IF WE THOUGHT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, [INAUDIBLE] A CONTINUATION OF THE OFFENSE.
OR THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE PERSON WOULDN'T APPEAR.
SO, AFTER GOING THROUGH ALL THOSE HOOPS, SOMEONE CAN END UP BACK OUT ON THE STREET OR THEY'RE LOCKED UP. AND THEY THINK THAT THIS REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF SARNIA, I UNDERSTAND CONCERNS.
I UNDERSTAND CITIZENS CAN BE NERVOUS OR INTIMIDATED BY THE FACT THAT PEOPLE GET LET BACK OUT ON THE STREET.
UNDERSTOOD. BUT IT IS A VERY, VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE WHO REPEAT WHILE THE ROAD ON BAIL OR UNDER THEIR OWN RECOGNIZANCE.
SO I-- WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE PERHAPS EMOTION BEHIND THIS LETTER.
I CAN'T SUPPORT IT FROM A PRACTICAL SENSE BECAUSE I THINK OUR LAWS THAT ARE IN PLACE NOW ARE PRACTICAL AND I THINK THEY'RE GOOD.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR TURNER.
OTHER COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR PATRIE.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. T HE LETTER IN THE REQUEST IS ACTUALLY SELF-EXPLANATORY, AND IT'S NOT FIRST TIME OFFENDERS THAT THEY'RE QUESTIONING.
IT STATES RIGHT IN THE RESOLUTION THAT IT IS HAVING TO MANAGE THE REPEATED ARRESTS OF THE SAME OFFENDERS. THAT'S WHAT THE CATCH AND RELEASE ISSUE IS AND WE DO HAVE A MULTITUDE OF THAT IN THIS MUNICIPALITY, AND I SYMPATHIZE WITH THE OFFICERS THAT JUST GET TIRED OF HAVING TO GO BACK AND RE-ARREST THE SAME PERSON FOR BREAK'N'ENTERS, FOR PUBLIC ISSUES THAT-- IT IS RE-OCCURRING, IT'S RE-OCCURRING AND IT'S THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
IT'S NOT ON THE JUDGES, IT'S ON THE SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM ALLOWS THEM TO COME BACK OUT.
THEY COME OUT YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, MONTH AFTER MONTH AND JUST KEEP DOING THE SAME
[01:05:03]
THING. THAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT'S GOT TO BE REPAIRED.SO I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THE COMMENT THAT THIS IS ASKING THAT ITS FIRST OFFENSE PEOPLE, IT'S NOT. THIS IS-- THEY HAVE TO STOP THIS MULTITUDE OF RELEASE OF PEOPLE THAT JUST CONTINUALLY, HABITUALLY RE-OFFEND.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS REQUEST IS FOR AND I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THAT.
COUNCILLOR PEARCE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, THROUGH YOU.
I SYMPATHIZE WITH WHAT MR. TURNER IS SAYING.
COUNCILLOR TURNER IS SAYING, BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS A VERY, VERY CLOSE FRIEND WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS WHERE HE HAS BEEN HARASSED, THREATENED, HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN THREATENED NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, THREE TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE EVEN PHONING HIM BECAUSE HE'S ON VACATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND PHONING HIS DAUGHTER AND SAYING, I'M GOING TO GET YOU. THIS GUY HAS BEEN, I BELIEVE ARRESTED THREE TIMES.
HE'S STILL THREATENING PEOPLE.
I UNDERSTAND THE THAT IN THE MAIN WE HAVE A VERY GOOD JUDICIAL SYSTEM, BUT I THINK THE WAY IT'S BEING ADMINISTERED RIGHT NOW AT THE LOWER LEVELS, PARTICULARLY BY THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE WHO ARE RELEASING THESE PEOPLE.
I FIND THAT TO BE REPREHENSIBLE, AND I WILL SUPPORT THIS MOTION.
THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I'VE LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR 43 YEARS AND I THINK IT'S THE SAME PERSON THAT I'VE SEEN IN THE NEWSPAPER FOR 43 YEARS.
AND I'M SURE THAT WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER AND I WAS A FOSTER PARENT AND SITTING IN COURT WITH MY FOSTER KIDS THAT HE WAS IN THERE AS A TEENAGER.
AND THE ONLY TIME THIS COMMUNITY'S HAD ANY REPRIEVE FROM HIM IS WHEN HE'S BEEN IN JAIL.
AND HE JUST-- IT'S LIKE CUT AND PASTE.
HIS CRIMES, STAY THE SAME, HIS VICTIMS ARE DIFFERENT AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND FEAR AND LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED BECAUSE OF THESE HABITUAL CRIMINALS IS-- IT'S NOT OK, IT'S DEPLORABLE, AND I THINK THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE WITH THE HABITUAL CRIMINAL.
REHABILITATION OBVIOUSLY IS NOT WORKING, AND I THINK THAT LAWS NEED TO CHANGE TO ENHANCE THE POLICE OFFICER'S ABILITY TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.
AND I THINK THAT-- I DON'T KNOW IF US NOT HAVING A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE HERE IN ELLIOT LAKE IS AN ISSUE.
I KNOW THAT WHEN I WAS ON THE POLICE SERVICES BOARD, IT WAS DISCUSSED QUITE A BIT A FEW YEARS AGO. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S STILL AN ISSUE TODAY, IF THAT'S A SOLUTION OR IF THAT'S-- DOESN'T MATTER, I DON'T KNOW, BUT THINGS NEED TO BE LOOKED AT, AND I SUPPORT THIS 100 PERCENT. IT TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH WHEN I READ THAT IN THE PACKAGE, SO I'M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL GO ANYWHERE, BUT I THINK THAT AS A COMMUNITY WE HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE A VOICE AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD USE IT IN THIS WAY.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED MOTION? COUNCILLOR CYR. [INAUDIBLE] YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.
I THINK WHAT THIS LETTER IS ASKING IS WE ALL KNOW THAT THE SYSTEM IS BROKE AND WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO FIX IT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING.
IS WE'RE ASKING THE PROVINCE TO STOP JUST PUTTING BAND-AIDS AND ACTUALLY FIX IT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? OK. AGAIN, AS IT AS A STATE, IT'S LOOKING AT THE REPEAT OFFENDERS IN THE CATCH AND RELEASE SYSTEM, AND I UNDERSTAND AS COUNCILLOR TURNER SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD MAKE THAT ONE MISTAKE AND JUST BEING IN A COP CAR WILL SCARE THEM STRAIGHT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. BUT THEN THERE'S OTHERS THAT SEEM TO GET OFF ON THE DAY TO DAY CRIME SCENE THAT THEY ENJOY CREATING, WHETHER IT BE ASSAULT OR BREAK AND ENTERS, AND JUST KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND LITERALLY TO HAVE SOMEBODY GET BUSTED FOR AN ASSAULT AND A FEW DAYS LATER, BE OUT ON THE STREET DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AGAIN.
THAT'S WHERE THE ISSUE [INAUDIBLE] AND FOLLOW UP BY THREATENING OTHERS.
THESE ARE THE REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT THE SYSTEM REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK AT AND SAY, OK, THIS ISN'T SOMEONE WHO'S GETTING SCARED STRAIGHT.
THIS ISN'T A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE.
AND ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BE A LOWER SCALE CRIME IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM'S EYES, IT'S
[01:10:05]
DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IT'S LITERALLY THE EPITOME OF INSANITY.AND UNFORTUNATELY, INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT.
SO I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A VOTE ON THIS.
ROLL CALL. I'LL START WITH COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
I'M IN FAVOR. THAT ONE'S CARRIED.
11.2, LETTER FROM CUPE ONTARIO REQUEST FOR SUPPORT THIRD PARTY EXPERT REVIEW OF OMERS.
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION ATTACHED, THE PROPOSED MOTION IS THAT THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE COUNCIL IS CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE, COMPREHENSIVE AND INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY EXPERT REVIEW OF OMERS INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS CONDUCTED BY THE OMERS PENSION PLAN'S SPONSORS AND STAKEHOLDERS.
TWO, SUCH A REVIEW WOULD, AT A MINIMUM, COMPARE OMERS PLAN LEVEL AND ASSET CLASS LEVEL PERFORMANCE TO OTHER COMPARABLE DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS AND FUNDS, OMERS INTERNAL BENCHMARK, AND MARKET BASED BENCHMARKS BE EXAMINED.
OMERS DECISION MAKING PROCESSES AROUND THE TIMING OF VARIOUS INVESTMENT DECISIONS.
THREE, ASSESS THE RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PROTOCOLS THAT WERE IN PLACE AND DETERMINE IF THEY WERE FOLLOWED AND OR IF THEY WERE SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT THE PLAN FROM UNDUE RISK.
D, ASSESS WHETHER THE DISCLOSURE PROVIDED BY THE OMERS ADMINISTRATIVE AND SPONSORSHIP BOARD WERE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO ALLOW THE BOARDS TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY IN A TIMELY MANNER. E, EXAMINE THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION, INVESTMENT FEES AND INVESTMENT COSTS AT OMERS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER MAJOR DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS AND FUNDS.
F, EXAMINE OTHER RELEVANT ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY THE THIRD PARTY EXPERT REVIEW.
G, MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES AT OMERS TO ENSURE STRONGER RETURNS MOVING FORWARD.
H, ISSUE THEIR FINAL REPORT, RECOMMENDATIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I, PUBLICLY RELEASE ITS FULL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE THAT IT IS AVAILABLE TO OWNER SPONSORS, STAKEHOLDERS AND PLAN MEMBERS, AND [INAUDIBLE] THAT THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE COUNCIL FURTHER CALLS ON THE OMERS ADMINISTRATIVE CORP.
TO A, PROVIDE ALL REQUESTED DATA, DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION REQUIRED.
OTHER REVIEW PANEL TO FULFILL ITS MANDATE AND B, ESTABLISH A STEP BY STEP PLAN WITH OMERS SPONSORS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO IMPLEMENT ANY RECOMMENDATIONS SET OUT IN THE REVIEW REPORT.
CAN I HAVE A MOVER, PLEASE? MOVE BY COUNCILLOR PATRIE, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR TURNER.
I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE MS. BRAY READ THIS ONE OUT BEFORE WE CALL FOR THE VOTE.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON THIS? COUNCILLOR PATRIE.
I'M GONNA KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET.
IT'S A LONG REPORT, IT'S VERY THOROUGH, IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE, AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING OUR STAFF WHOSE PENSION THIS IS.
IF THIS WAS MY INVESTMENT FIRM, I'D BE JUMPING SHIP WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION THAT THEY'RE REQUESTING.
SO, I THINK AS THE HOLDERS, WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO ASSIST OUR STAFF AND GET THEM THE PROPER INFORMATION THAT THE INVESTMENTS SHOULD BE HELD WITH THEIR PENSIONS.
[COUGH]. I'M THINKING ALONG THE SAME LINE, OUR EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTE THE OMERS, IT IS THEIR PENSION PLAN.
IT'S THE MONEY THAT THEY HOPE TO HAVE ONE DAY WHEN THEY FINALLY GET THEIR TIME IN AND THEY'RE ABLE TO GO HOME AND PUT THEIR FEET UP.
THE RETURNS FROM OMERS ARE PRETTY DISTRESSING REGARDING THEIR INVESTMENTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. PERHAPS THEY JUST SHOULD OF BOUGHT SHARES OF APPLE AND LET HER RIDE.
[INAUDIBLE] TRIPLED THEIR MONEY BY NOW.
REVIEW. WHY NOT? ANYONE INVESTING MONEY ON THEIR OWN WOULD WANT TO REVIEW THEIR INVESTMENT STRATEGY AFTER A FEW YEARS OF NOT GETTING ANYTHING.
OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? OK. CALL FOR ROLL CALL VOTE.
COUNCILLOR CYR. COMPLETELY IN FAVOR.
[01:15:03]
IN FAVOR. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.[12. NOTICES OF MOTION]
MS. BRAY, I JUST REALIZED WE HAVE THE 2022 COUNCIL MEETINGS LISTED, YOU REQUIRE A MOTION AS THIS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES? THAT WAS SENT TO COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION, AND IT'S AVAILABLE ON THE CITY WEBSITE FOR RESIDENTS. OK, THANK YOU.[13. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
COUNCIL'S REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.NOT A WHOLE LOT FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS EVENING, BECAUSE WE'RE IN LOCKDOWN, ONCE AGAIN, THERE'S AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
OTHER THAN THAT, IF YOU'RE REALLY BORED AND WOULD LIKE FORTY FIVE MINUTES OF ENTERTAINMENT, THE 2022 MAYORS LEVY IS NOW ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND [INAUDIBLE].
AND AS MR. ANTUNES POINTED OUT, THAT WAS FORTY FIVE MINUTES OF THE MAYOR NOT SWEARING.
SO, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CATCH THAT ONE.
[LAUGHTER] I'D ASK IF THERE'S-- NO, IT'S FINE, I DON'T WANT TO STEAL ANY COUNCILLOR'S THUNDER, BUT WE ADDED THE SOCIETY FOR ANIMALS IN DISTRESS TO OUR MUNICIPAL WEBSITE FOR DONATIONS NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BETTY WHITE ANNIVERSARY THING THAT'S COMING UP ON JANUARY 17TH, BUT ALSO IN GENERAL, IT'LL BE THERE IN PERPETUITY.
SO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WANT TO DONATE TO SAD, EITHER FOR THE BETTY WHITE THING, OR ANY TIME, THEY GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WHERE WE ALSO HAVE FOOD BANK AND MAPLE GATE AND MUNICIPAL USES AS WELL.
AND THEY CAN DONATE USING A CREDIT CARD AND THEY GET A TAXABLE RECEIPT FOR [INAUDIBLE] CANADA FOR THEIR DONATION AS WELL.
SO ANY OTHER ADDITIONS TO COUNCIL'S REPORT BEFORE I READ THE BIG TICKET ITEMS? NO. OK, SO I'LL START OUT WITH THE 23RD OF DECEMBER, 2021.
WE HAVE MUNICIPAL POLICING CONTRACT QUARTERLY IS-- [INAUDIBLE] TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT THOUSAND. RECEIVER GENERAL FOR CANADA SEVENTY ONE THOUSAND, AJ BUS LINES NOVEMBER PARADE, DECEMBER TRANSIT, ONTARIO NORTHLAND CONNECTION THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED.
[INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD INTERIM TAX LEVY TWO HUNDRED FORTY TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED, ESOLUTIONS WEBSITE REDESIGN TWENTY NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED.
GFL ENVIRONMENTAL CURBSIDE ADJUSTED MUNICIPAL WASTE [INAUDIBLE] WATERING FORTY THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED, HURON-SUPERIOR CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD, SIXTY THREE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED, MCDOUGALL ENERGY INC.
REGULAR GAS, CLEAR DIESEL AND [INAUDIBLE] PARK CYLINDER TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND, OMERS FORTY THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED, PERFORMANCE CONCEPTS CONSULTATION JOINT MMP SERVICE SHARING SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED, TULLOCH ENGINEERING HILLSIDE RECONSTRUCTION, LANDFILL EXPANSION, POPLAR PINE REHABILITATION AND [INAUDIBLE] ROAD POSED FORTY ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED, JUMPING TO JANUARY 6, 2022.
RECEIVER GENERAL SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED, APPROACH NAVIGATION PROJECT INSTALL WIND [INAUDIBLE] AND SOLAR EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND, BFL CANADA RISK AND INSURANCE POLICY RENEWAL NINE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED.
CENTRAL SQUARE CANADA SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTION FEE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE, SIXTY FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED. DECEMBER HYDRO, FIFTY NINE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED.
JI ENTERPRISE HOLD BACK RELEASE FOR FIVE VALLEY-HEMLOCK SEVENTY SEVEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED, K&S WINDSOR SALT TWENTY THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED, MPAC, WHICH IS MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT THIRTY FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED.
OMERS FORTY THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED.
AND THAT IS IT FOR OUR BIG TICKET ITEMS. AND THAT IS IT FOR THE COUNCIL'S REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS EVENING.
THERE'S NO ADDENDUM, NO BYLAWS, PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD, I'LL HAVE TO BRING UP THE EMAILS
[16. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD]
ONCE AGAIN.HMM. OK, SO FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM
[01:20:08]
HEATHER Y., 'WILL FACILITIES REOPEN WHEN THE PROVINCE LIFTS RESTRICTIONS? IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE WAITED LONGER TO REOPEN ON BEHALF OF PARENTS IN ELLIOT LAKE.PLEASE DON'T MAKE THEM WAIT ANY LONGER THAN THEY HAVE TO RESUME THEIR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES'. AND I BELIEVE THIS WAS ANSWERED EARLIER AND WE'RE TOLD THAT AFTER THE PROVINCE LIFTS THE LOCKDOWNS, THAT WOULD BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO NOBODY WANTS TO HOLD ANYBODY BACK.
AGAIN, ELLIOT LAKE HAS BEEN AHEAD OF THE GAME AS FAR AS LOCKDOWNS ARE CONCERNED AND TRYING TO KEEP THE POPULATION SAFE, AND AGAIN, AS FAR AS EXTRACURRICULAR, [INAUDIBLE] WINTER.
THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT TOBOGGAN HILLS, THERE'S SKATING PASS, THE OUTDOOR ICE, A LOT OF GREAT TRAILS THAT YOU CAN GO CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING OR SNOWSHOEING ON, A LOT OF GREAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THERE'S LAKES THAT YOU CAN DRILL A HOLE IN A PULL FROZEN FISH OUT OF.
SO, FIND SOME OF THESE THINGS TO DO FOR FUN.
I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF THE COLD ANYMORE, ALTHOUGH I LOVE THE SNOW IN SOME OF THE FUN STUFF YOU GET TO DO. QUESTIONS COMING FROM, WE HAVE A FEW FROM MR. MICHAEL THOMAS.
THE QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH 9.4.1, AGE FRIENDLY DELIVERS, 'STATEMENT HAS BEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE LOCAL BUSINESS CLAIM CUP COMPETITION FROM THE CITY IS HURTING BUSINESS LIKE TO KNOW IF COUNCIL INTENDS TO ADDRESS COMPLAINT [INAUDIBLE]'.
'AND CLARIFY THE SERVICE PROVIDES PURCHASED DELIVERY PAYMENT OF LOCAL PRODUCTS THAT ARE CENTRAL'. SO THANK YOU, MR. THOMAS, WE ANSWERED THAT ONE DURING OUR DISCUSSION.
QUESTION PERTAINING TO 9.4.2, MUNICIPAL SERVICE LEVELS DURING THE PANDEMIC.
QUESTION 'ON THE WEEKEND, THE SKI HILL WAS PACKED.
TRAILERS AND MOBILE HOMES IN THE PARKING LOT, LIFT CHAIRS WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THEM AT ANY TIME. PEOPLE [INAUDIBLE] ABOUT UNMASKED, NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING, HOPEFULLY WITHIN THEIR BUBBLE OF FAMILY.
ONE, HOW IS THIS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDERS OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT?' AND I KNOW MR. ANTUNES HAS ANSWERS TO THIS.
'IS THIS A ALIGNED WITH ANNOUNCED POLICY OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATION AS A RESULT OF ABOVE QUOTED RESOLUTION? WHAT WILL COUNCIL MANDATE ON ALL MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES MOVING FORWARD, GIVEN THE EXPONENTIAL INCREASE OF COVID 19 POSITIVES AND ELLIOT LAKE, INCLUDING SKI HILL, OTHER SKILLS IN THE PROVINCE ARE NOW CLOSING AS A RESULT'.
MR. ANTUNES, I KNOW YOU FIRED OFF THE PROVINCIAL MANDATE AS FAR AS SKI HILLS, WOULD YOU MIND REITERATING WHAT THAT IS AND HOW OUR SKI HILL IS BEING MANAGED, AGAIN BEING AN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY? YES, YOUR WORSHIP, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. FROM THE LOOKS OF WHAT IS-- OR PUT THROUGH ON THE STEP THROUGH OF ROADMAPS TO REOPENING, MOUNT DUFOUR IS FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES AS REQUIRED, FOR EXAMPLE, RECREATIONAL AMENITIES.
ONE OF THEM IS OUTDOOR OPEN CLUBHOUSES OPEN FOR LIMITED PURPOSES, INCLUDING ACCESS TO CHANGE ROOM.
THAT WAS PUT THROUGH FOR SOME RECREATIONAL SPORTS FACILITIES.
OUTDOOR VENUES DID HAVE REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE OR THE ABILITY TO HAVE AREAS OPEN FOR RESTROOM USAGE.
MOUNT DUFOUR IS FOLLOWING GUIDELINES AS SLATED THROUGH THE-- IN GUIDANCE GIVEN TO THEM BY THE SKI AND SNOWBOARD GUIDELINES THROUGH THEIR GOVERNING BODY.
SO THEY ARE MEETING REQUIREMENTS AS PUT THROUGH AS FAR AS CAPACITY.
INDOOR CAPACITY FOR THINGS SUCH AS RESTROOMS AND ACCESS TO SKI TICKETS IS 50 PERCENT FROM
[01:25:04]
WHAT WE'VE BEEN TOLD AND THAT'S DONE UNDER O.REG 262/20, AND THEY DID FOLLOW THAT.I BELIEVE CAPACITY FOR MOUNT DUFOUR'S LODGE IS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE PEOPLE, AND THEY'RE WELL UNDER THAT CAPACITY AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN OFFERING LESSONS THIS PAST WEEKEND, SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS ELIMINATED.
AND MOUNT DUFOUR IS ALSO IS ONE OF THE FEW SKI HILLS IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO THAT IS REQUIRING PROOF OF DOUBLE VACCINATION TO SKI OUTDOORS, WHICH IS NOT A REQUIREMENT OF OTHER SKI HILLS. [INAUDIBLE] ONE STEP BEYOND WHAT'S REQUIRED, SO IT'S GOOD TO KNOW, THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR PEARCE, YOU HAD A COMMENT BEFORE I GET THE LAST TWO QUESTIONS? MORE OF A QUESTION YOUR WORSHIP.
I REALLY APPRECIATE MR. BURNETT'S LETTER.
I THINK IT WAS VERY, VERY WELL WRITTEN.
AND HE EXPLAINED EXACTLY THE SITUATION WITH THE SKI CLUB.
MY QUESTION, I THINK, IS SINCE THE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE ALL OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT WITHOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE PROVINCE ALLOWS IT TO BE OPEN.
I'M JUST WONDERING WHY WE ARE LETTING THE SKI HILL OPEN, WHEN WE'RE CLOSING OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES? I DON'T-- I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO CLOSE THE SKI HILL.
I'M JUST SAYING, WHY WOULD WE GIVE AN EXEMPTION TO ONE AND NOT TO THE OTHERS? BUT THE PROVINCE WAS VERY, VERY CLEAR AS FAR AS THAT'S CONCERNED ABOUT BEING INDOOR RECREATION AND WANTING TO ALLOW FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION TO CONTINUE ON FOR THE SANITY OF THE PUBLIC.
AND, YOU KNOW, FROM SITTING ON APH'S BOARD THAT BEING OUTSIDE IS A LOT SAFER THAN BEING INDOOR WITH COUGHING AND SNIFFLING.
BUT I THINK THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED BY MR. THOMAS WAS, ARE WE-- BY LETTING THIS HAPPEN, ARE WE BASICALLY GIVING THEM A FREE PASS WHEN WE'RE NOT GIVING IT TO OTHER PEOPLE? AND I THINK THAT WAS THE QUESTION THAT HE WAS ASKING.
[INAUDIBLE], JUST TRYING TO FOLLOW THE MANDATES, AND WE ALL ARE AWARE OF THE SPEAKERS].
COUNCILLOR FINAMORE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH TO COUNCILLOR PEARCE.
I REALIZE YOU WEREN'T IN ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETING.
WE DID HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT KEEPING ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AS STATUS QUO AND WORRY ABOUT THE INDOOR ACTIVITIES.
SO WE WERE NOT CLOSING ANY TRAILS, ANY RINKS, ANYTHING THAT WE WENT TO THE EXTENT OF IN ONE OF THE LOCKDOWNS THAT WE WERE KEEPING THE OUTDOOR AMENITIES.
AND IF I COULD JUST MAKE A COMMENT, I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE SKI HILL IS ASKING FOR QR CODES FOR THE LIFT PASS.
I'D BE HAPPY IF THEY DID IT FOR THE WHOLE PROPERTY, BUT I THINK THE LIFT PASSES IS GOOD.
I SEE THEY'RE OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND I'M JUST WONDERING IF IT WOULD GIVE THE PEOPLE, NOT TO THROW YOU UNDER THE BUS, MS. BRAY, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY BYLAW ON THE WEEKEND, IF MAYBE WE COULD HAVE A BYLAW AND EVEN FROM 12 TO 4 JUST TO CHECK OUT THE SKI HILL.
AND NOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE OPENING THE RESTAURANT AND THE BARS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SOCIALLY DISTANCED OUTSIDE AND FOLLOWING THE RULES TO GIVE THEM A HAND, WHO KNOWS? IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY WANT TO FOLLOW ALL THE RULES AND THEY ARE.
WE DON'T HAVE A STAY IN PLACE ORDER, SO WE CAN'T REALLY TELL THEM NOT TO LET-- WHO TO LET IN AND WHO TO LET OUT.
BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE BYLAW ON, ON THE WEEKENDS THESE DAYS OR NOT.
THROUGH YOU YOUR WORSHIP. SO BYLAW DOES DO ROTATING WEEKENDS, UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T HAVE THAT SCHEDULE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT REGARDLESS THEY ARE ALWAYS ON CALL DURING COVID, SO IF SOMETHING DID HAPPEN, THEY COULD DEFINITELY BE THERE.
BUT I WILL LOOK INTO THEIR SCHEDULE FOR SURE AND LET COUNCIL KNOW BY EMAIL AND THE SKI HILL. COUNCILLOR TURNER.
I THINK IT'S ALREADY BEEN COVERED YOUR WORSHIP, WE AGREED THAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WOULD CONTINUE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND THE SKI HILL IS ONE OF THEM.
AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO RUN THAT SKI HILL HAVE ALWAYS GONE THE EXTRA MILE WHEN IT CAME TO WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ITS BYLAWS AND ITS-- AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE INTENT OF COUNCIL WHEN IT CAME TO PRACTICES REGARDING COVID AND ALL ITS VARIANTS. I THINK, IF ANYTHING, THEY DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK AND APPRECIATE WHAT THEY'RE DOING. MR. ANTUNES. THANK YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.
[01:30:02]
SORRY, I HAD ANOTHER NOTE HERE THAT I DID OMIT TO MENTION WHEN I WAS SPEAKING EARLIER, ONE OF THE COMMENTS WAS MADE ABOUT THERE BEING TRAILERS OR CAMPERS IN THE REQUEST.ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP THROUGH SOME OF THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS IS THAT FOLKS, IF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRING A VEHICLE THAT HAS A CAMPER OR AN AREA TO SERVE AS A WARMING STATION OR AS A HOME BASE, IF YOU WERE AN OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND THAT COULD POTENTIALLY TIE INTO OUR OUTDOOR SKATING FACILITIES AND WHATNOT.
SO IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE AT A FACILITY AS OPPOSED TO USING AN INDOOR FACILITY FOR RESTROOMS, IF YOUR CAMPER IS EQUIPPED WITH THAT IN THE WINTER, BUT TO SERVE AS A HOME BASE TO GO IN AND AS A WARMING STATION FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR IMMEDIATE BUBBLE AS IMMEDIATE FAMILY AS OPPOSED TO USING THE CLUBHOUSE.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT FOLKS WERE INDEED BRINGING THEIR CAMPERS AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM TO THE SKI HILL TO SERVE AS A HOME BASE IN A WARMING STATION. [INAUDIBLE] GOOD STUFF, PRETTY GOOD IDEA, THAT'S SOME HARDCORE SKIERS.
CONTINUING ON WITH THE 9.4 COVID 19 UPDATE QUESTION.
ONE, 'WILL THE CITY PASSED RESOLUTION BYLAW THAT ALL BUSINESS OPERATING IN THE CITY FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES SET OUT BY THE PROVINCIAL ORDERS AND THE ORDERS OF APH, MASK MANDATES NOT BEING FOLLOWED, TO [INAUDIBLE] GROCERY STORES, FATIGUE AND DESIRE TO NOT CREATE A CONFLICT HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL ON LOCAL MERCHANTS.
SANITIZATION PRACTICES OF CARTS, FLOORING, SHELVING ARE FALLING BY THE WAYSIDE AS A RESULT OF ONGOING BURDEN FELT BY THE MERCHANTS FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW, REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED. OMICRON IS WORSE, MORE INFECTIOUS OUR EXPOSURES, OUR POSITIVES ARE UP'.
SO, WE DO NOT HAVE AN ARMY OF BYLAW ENFORCEMENT, THE REQUIREMENT FROM THE PROVINCE IS THAT ALL BUSINESSES HAVE THEIR OWN POLICIES AND THAT THEY FOLLOW THE MANDATES AND ENFORCE THE MANDATES THEMSELVES.
AND AGAIN, THE OVERALL OVERARCHING AUTHORITY ON THIS VERY CLEAR THROUGH OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM MEETINGS IS ALGOMA PUBLIC HEALTH.
SO WHERE THE CITY TRIES TO ASSIST.
THE ULTIMATE IS, THE STORE OWNERS WITH THEIR POLICIES AND ALGOMA PUBLIC HEALTH WHEN GUIDELINES AREN'T BEING FOLLOWED.
TWO, 'WHAT IS THE CITY DOING TO WORK WITH AND ENSURE THAT LOCAL CLINICS AND HOSPITALS ARE PROVIDING NECESSARY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
A HOSPITAL HAS CLOSED THE ER ALREADY AND ISSUED A PUBLIC NOTICE FOR PEOPLE NOT TO COME THERE. FAMILY HEALTH TEAM IS STILL NOT SEEING PATIENTS IN HOUSE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
FAMILY HEALTH TEAM IS ALSO STILL REFERRING PEOPLE TO THE ER TO BE USED AS A WALK IN CLINIC'.
AND AGAIN, UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS ACROSS THE WHOLE PROVINCE.
THE CITY WOULD LIKE TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN, BUT THE REALISTICALLY IS THERE'S A HUGE STRESS ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT KEEPS COMING BY CLEARLY ACROSS THE WHOLE PROVINCE, ACTUALLY ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTRY, EVEN WORSE IN QUEBEC RIGHT NOW.
MASSIVE SHORTAGE OF HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS, WHICH IS NOT-- THE VIRUS, HAS CAUSED THAT MUCH STRESS WHERE WE'RE LOSING PRACTITIONERS TO FATIGUE AND TO SICKNESS THEMSELVES, SO AGAIN, OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS IN TROUBLE ITSELF AND HAS BAND-AIDS ALL OVER IT, AND WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN AS INDIVIDUALS TO NOT CONTINUE TO PUT A BURDEN OF STRESS ON THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE IS A MAJOR EMERGENCY, STILL CALL 9-1-1, A AMBULANCE WILL STILL COME AND GET YOU AND TAKE YOU TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM TO SEE A DOCTOR.
BUT AGAIN, A HUGE STRESS ON OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ALL THE WAY AROUND AND.
OTHER THAN TRYING TO IMPORT NURSES AND DOCTORS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM ANOTHER PLANET. OUR WHOLE PLANET IS MAXED OUT RIGHT NOW AND IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.
COUNCILLOR TURNER. [INAUDIBLE] YOUR WORSHIP.
THIS SUGGESTION HERE THAT THE COUNCIL AND OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR HEALTH TEAM REALLY DON'T CARE. WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH.
I THINK THE MESSAGE BACK IN RESPONSE TO THIS QUESTION, WAS THERE A QUESTION IN THERE, I'M NOT SURE, BUT IN REGARDS TO THE STATEMENT, YOU SAID EVERYBODY IS DOING THEIR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE COMMUNITY AND USUALLY WHAT I HEAR IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE ARE QUESTIONS.
[01:35:02]
NO OFFERINGS OF SOLUTIONS, JUST QUESTIONS.SO EASY TO DO. IN FACT, THE FIND THE QUESTION TEETERS ON OFFENSIVE HERE.
THE SUGGESTION IS, IS THAT NOBODY CARES, THAT EVERYTHING'S IN CHAOS AND NOBODY'S DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AND I FIND IT DIFFICULT IN ANY LEVEL TO BELIEVE THAT THE CITIZENS OF ELLIOT LAKE ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT.
[INAUDIBLE] COUNCILLOR TURNER, UNFORTUNATELY, I BELIEVE IT'S A HANDFUL OF INDIVIDUALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ONCE AGAIN WITH NOT A WHOLE LOT TO DO, THAT LIKE TO SPREAD INACCURATE MISINFORMATION.
AND WHAT MR. THOMAS IS TRYING TO DO IS BRING IT TO LIGHT WITH COUNCIL AS TO, HERE'S THE REALITY HERE'S AN ANSWER TO THAT WHOLE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONFUSION WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT FEEL THAT EVERYTHING'S FALLING APART AND NOBODY CARES.
AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T CARE.
I'M NOT PUTTING THIS ON MR. THOMAS AT ALL BECAUSE I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REASSURE PEOPLE THAT THIS IS NOT A LOCAL ISSUE.
THIS IS A ISSUE ACROSS OUR WHOLE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE, THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN.
THE CITY CANNOT POP OUT THERE AND TRY AND PULL IN DOCTORS AND NURSES FROM ELSEWHERE WHERE THEY DON'T EXIST.
IT'S UP TO ALL OF US TO TRY AND REDUCE THAT STRAIN, AND SO I APPRECIATE MR. THOMAS ACTUALLY ASKING THESE QUESTIONS IN THE WAY THAT HE IS BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. AND IF IT'S NOT ADDRESSED BY THE MUNICIPAL LEADERS WHO IS GOING TO ADDRESS IT. SO AGAIN, TRYING TO GIVE THE BEST ANSWERS WE CAN, BUT THIS IS A STRESSED SYSTEM ALL THE WAY AROUND. COUNCILLOR CYR.
THANK YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.
HAS THE LOCAL HOSPITAL MADE A STATEMENT ON HOW MANY STAFF WERE EITHER TERMINATED OR LEFT BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE MANDATES JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY? NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF COUNCILLOR CYR.
NO. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE, YOU SIT ON THE BOARD OR HAVE THE ANSWER ? [INAUDIBLE] DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION, COUNCILLOR FINAMORE? I DO. I'M MORE OR LESS HAVE MORE OF A STATEMENT AS A FAMILY WHO LIVES IN NORTHERN ONTARIO, WHOSE HUSBAND STARTED CANCER TREATMENTS, THE 2ND OF MARCH AND THE WAVE HIT THE 9TH OF MARCH.
WE HAVE NOT BEEN INCONVENIENCED IN ONE WAY AT ALL BECAUSE OF THIS PANDEMIC, WHICH I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR. IN FACT, THINGS HAVE CHANGED TO THE POINT THAT SOME OF THE THINGS I HOPE NEVER CHANGE BACK.
WE HAVE NOT HAD TO GO PHYSICALLY SEE A DOCTOR, DRIVE TO SUDBURY, GO FOR ANY TESTS IN A YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE WE DO IT RIGHT IN OUR LIVING ROOM NOW.
AND THAT'S WONDERFUL CHANGE AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL SERVICE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
I WILL SEE MY SPECIALIST THIS WEEK [INAUDIBLE].
MY HUSBAND WILL SEE HIS CHEMO ONCOLOGIST IN MY LIVING ROOM THROUGH ZOOM, THROUGH WHATEVER DOCS OR WHATEVER, BUT RIGHT ON MY OWN COMPUTER AT HOME.
SO THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE SYSTEM THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTAL, BUT I HOPE NEVER CHANGE BACK.
YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
THERE IS JUST A MESSAGE SENT OUT THAT THERE'S AN OUTBREAK AT THE [INAUDIBLE] AREA EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH THE STAFF.
SO, WE SHOULD HAVE CONCERN ABOUT THE WELLNESS AND THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF THAT ARE WORKING IN ALL THESE FACILITIES INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR PROBLEMS OR LOOKING FOR PROBLEMS THAT DON'T EXIST, ACTUALLY CALLING THE FAMILY HEALTH TEAM.
I'VE HAD FASTER RESPONSES FROM THE DOCTOR BECAUSE YOU GET TO ASK THE QUESTION AND THEY GET TO GO, ASK THE DOCTOR AND YOU GET A RESPONSE RIGHT BACK.
SO I THINK INSTEAD OF WAITING SIX WEEKS TO SEE THE DOCTOR, THAT IN SOME WAYS THIS IS WORKING BETTER. THAT'S JUST MY OPINION, BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME ON SUPPORTING THOSE THAT ARE WORKING THAN CONDEMNING THOSE THAT AREN'T.
THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR PATRIE AND THEN COUNCILLOR MANN.
THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. IT'S GREAT TO HEAR COUNCILLOR FINAMORE BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY PUBLICLY STATE THAT THERE ARE THINGS IN THE SYSTEM THAT ARE WORKING BETTER.
BUT YOUR WORSHIP, YOU'RE CORRECT THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A LOCAL PROBLEM.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO, NOT RE-ITERATE BUT ITERATE, THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLAWED SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. THERE'S BEEN HEALTH CARE SHORTAGES IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO AND OUR
[01:40:02]
COUNTRY FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WHERE ALL OF OUR FACILITIES ARE UNDERSTAFFED.SO THE PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP AND DOING WHAT THEY CAN.
BUT THE SYSTEM HAS LOST AN AWFUL LOT OF QUALIFIED PEOPLE AND THE WORKFORCE HAS SHRUNK DRAMATICALLY. AND THAT'S WHY A LOT OF OUR FACILITIES AND IF YOU LISTEN TO THE NEWS AND LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS AND THE CEOS AND SO FORTH OF THE HEALTH CARE ESTABLISHMENTS AND INSTITUTES, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS THE ISSUE.
IT'S JUST PILED ON TOP OF ITSELF WITH COVID, WHERE THEY WERE ALREADY SHORT STAFFED.
AND NOW YOU HAVE STAFF THAT ARE TRYING TO WORK EXTRA SHIFTS AND BURNING OUT AND BECOMING ILL. THE GOOD THING IS THEY'RE PUSHING THE VACCINES AND THE IMPORTANT THING IS GET VACCINATED, GET THE THIRD SHOT.
THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE-- LOOK AT THE CASE COUNTS AND LOOK AT THE HOSPITALIZATIONS.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VACCINATED AND FULLY VACCINATED ARE NOW BECOMING LESS ILL.
AND THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC DO THEIR PART AS WELL BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS OVERLOADED AND IS GOING TO CRASH.
COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOUR WORSHIP, MY POINT WAS ACTUALLY MADE BY COUNCILLOR PATRIE.
TO ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AND IN LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SKI HILL. I THINK ULTIMATELY WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THIS.
AND COUNCILLOR PATRIE SAID IT.
SOCIAL DISTANCING, PROPER HAND WASHING, WEAR A MASK, GET VACCINATED.
ALL THESE THINGS ARE EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO FINALLY END THIS. SOME OF THE RESEARCH, AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO IT SPECIFICALLY, YOU KNOW, LATELY IT'S NOT TALKING ABOUT A PANDEMIC ANYMORE.
WE'RE STARTING TO GET TO ENDEMIC, WHICH IS NICE TO FINALLY HEAR.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S TAKING TIME AND VARIANTS AND CHANGES.
IT'S TRULY HARD TO KEEP UP WITH IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE WITHIN THE SYSTEM, LET ALONE WHEN YOU'RE NOT. YOU KNOW, WE EACH DO OUR BEST.
WE FOLLOW OUR ROLE AND ULTIMATELY THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.
SO I DIDN'T TAKE ANY OFFENSE TO THE QUESTIONS.
I THINK ULTIMATELY WE KEEP DOING OUR PART.
EACH OF US. AND AGAIN, THAT'S GOING TO VARY DEPENDING ON PEOPLE'S COMFORT AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE AND COMPLETELY RESPECT PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS.
SOMETIMES THEY'RE NOT EASY TO ANSWER.
SOMETIMES THE ANSWERS WE GIVE OR NOT THE ONES PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR.
BUT THEY'RE THE ANSWERS THAT WE'RE MAKING, AND I'M FINE WITH THAT.
THE FINAL QUESTION, AND IT'S ALONG THE SAME LINES, 'WOULD IT BE PRUDENT FOR THE CITY TO EXPAND WORK WITH PROVIDERS IN ELLIOT LAKE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO VIRTUAL AND WALK IN CLINICS TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN, AS ANNOUNCED BY THE HOSPITAL AND THE FAMILY HEALTH TEAM BROUGHT ON BY COVID 19 AND EXASPERATED BY THE EMERGENCE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT'.
THERE'S JUST BEEN SUCH A MASSIVE STRESS ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
OUR PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT TEAM DOES CONTINUE TO MEET VIRTUALLY AND LOOK AT THE OUTREACH AND EVERYTHING GOES TO AGAIN AS WE'RE HOPING-- IT'S A TRUTH WHEN IT COMES TO ENDEMIC AND WE'LL SEE OUR WAY THROUGH THE TUNNEL HERE, SO THAT THERE'S A PLAN IN PLACE AND BEING ABLE TO FILL THE SHORTAGE THAT ELLIOT LAKE ALREADY HAD.
AND SO YES, THE VIRTUAL CLINIC IS A BIG DEAL IN OUR COMMUNITY-- WAS A BIG DEAL.
AGAIN, IT'S JUST SUCH A HUGE STRAIN ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WITH THIS VARIANT IN A SYSTEM THAT WAS ALREADY STRESSED, SO EVERYBODY DOING THEIR PART.
SOME REALLY GOOD COMMENTS AND ANSWERS BY ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, SO I'M HAPPY WITH THAT.
EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE SEEING THE SAME PAGE HERE.
THANK YOU BOTH HEATHER AND MIKE FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND STIMULATING SOME CONVERSATION AND HOPEFULLY THE INDIVIDUALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHO ARE LOST, TAKE SOME TIME TO WATCH THIS AND GET SOME OF THESE ANSWERS. AND IF NOT, CALL MS. [INAUDIBLE] AT THE FAMILY HEALTH TEAM AND ASK HER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WHOLE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND WHERE THE STRESS IS, BUT I GUARANTEE SHE'LL BE ANSWERING THE PHONE TAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR VACCINATIONS.
THAT BEING SAID, THAT'S IT FOR OUR PUBLIC QUESTION, PERIOD.
[17. CLOSED SESSION (if applicable)]
WE'RE ON TO CLOSED SESSION.AND I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOVER TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
MOVE BY COUNCILLOR MANN, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
[01:45:02]
AGAIN, ANY QUESTIONS, QUALMS, QUERIES? I'LL CALL FOR ROLL CALL, COUNCILLOR CYR.IN FAVOR. COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
IN FAVOR. I'M IN FAVOR, I THANK EVERYONE FOR WATCHING TAKING THE TIME, WE'LL PROBABLY BE IN CLOSED SESSION FOR QUITE A BIT AND I WILL SEE YOU ALL IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.
[INAUDIBLE] MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION.
MOVE BY COUNCILLOR TURNER, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR CYR.
THANK YOU. THAT'S CARRIED. WE'RE NOW BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
REALLY GREAT CHATS THERE, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THIS COMMUNITY HASN'T SEEN IN THE LAST 30 TO 40 YEARS COMING VERY, VERY SOON.
AND JUST FOR THE PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ONCE AGAIN THAT ARE PAYING ATTENTION GOING WHY ARE THEY SPENDING SO MUCH TIME BEHIND CLOSED DOORS? WHY DON'T THEY JUST TALK ABOUT LAND AND IN OPEN, WE'RE NEGOTIATING THE SALES OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTY, WHICH NEEDS TO HAVE SOME DISCRETION AS WE GO BACK AND FORTH.
SO WHEN THE LAND SALES ARE COMPLETE, YOU WILL SEE IN OPEN SESSION DURING A COUNCIL MEETING, BYLAWS THAT GIVE YOU ALL THE DETAILS.
SO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIDE GOOD NEWS STORIES.
YOU'RE GOING TO GET THEM FIRSTHAND WHEN IT'S COMPLETE.
SO JUST THAT PIECE BECAUSE AGAIN, SOCIAL MEDIA AND I SHOULD STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM IT.
[18. CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW]
18.1, BYLAW 22-01 NEEDING A BYLAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2022.MOVER, PLEASE? MOVE BY COUNCILLOR PEARCE, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR FINAMORE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS WITH THIS? ROLL CALL VOTE.
I'M IN FAVOR. THAT IS CARRIED.
MOVE BY COUNCILLOR MANN, SECOND BY COUNCILLOR CYR.
WE'RE NOW ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.