Apr 24, 2023 City Council

[00:00:09]

GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DATED MONDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2023, STARTING AT 7:00 P.M..

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

ROLL CALL. ALL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.

THERE ANY DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST? GOING ONCE. GOING TWICE.

SEEING NONE.

ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES.

[4. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES]

SECONDED. COUNCILLOR BULL.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. SEEING NONE.

WE'LL HAVE A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED. THAT'S CARRIED.

EXCUSE ME. PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS.

[5. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION]

MR. STEVEN CALVERLEY.

WELCOME, MR. CALVERLEY.

THANK YOU, ACTING MAYOR WANNAN.

GOOD EVENING, ACTING MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STAFF AND RESIDENTS.

AS ACTING MAYOR WANNAN SAID, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE TOPIC OF ITEM 7.3, WHICH IS THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TREASURER REGARDING PROPERTY TAX ARREARS EXTENSION AGREEMENTS.

AND FOR THOSE FOLKS AT HOME WHO READ THE REPORT THAT CAME WITH THAT, I HOPE THAT YOU ARE AS WELL ENCOURAGED.

IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY RESPECTFUL, CONSIDERATE AND COMPASSIONATE RECOMMENDATION TO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. I THINK THAT KEEPING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES SAVES NOT ONLY IN THE SHORT TERM BUT IN THE LONG TERM WHEN WE CONSIDER THE MUCH GREATER IMPACTS ON THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET THAT CAN OCCUR WHEN PEOPLE LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THEIR HOME.

THERE WILL BE POTENTIALLY EVEN SOME LONG TERM, LONG RANGE, LIFE ALTERING DIFFERENCES THAT ARE MADE IN THE LIVES.

I'M THINKING PARTICULARLY OF CHILDREN WHO REMAIN IN A FAMILY HOME AND DON'T GO THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TRANSITION AS A RESULT OF DIFFICULT FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEIR FAMILY MAY HAVE COME INTO.

AND LASTLY, I WOULD WONDER IF IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE THAT THERE COULD BE SOME THIRD PARTY RESOURCES FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING AND PERSONAL FINANCE THAT COULD BE COMMUNICATED TO THESE INDIVIDUALS.

AND PERHAPS THIS DIFFICULT SITUATION THAT THEY ARE FACING COULD BECOME A POSITIVE OUTCOME FOR THEM AS THEY GRAPPLE WITH THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION, WITH PERHAPS SOME NEW TOOLS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY RESOURCE THAT CAN OFFER SOME EDUCATION AROUND PERSONAL FINANCE.

I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK STAFF FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD AND THANK COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERING IT.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT, MR. CALVERLEY. SO THERE'S NO PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING.

INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS.

[7. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS]

WE HAVE A MOTION THAT THE REPORT OF THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATED APRIL 18TH, 2023, BE RECEIVED AND THAT COUNCIL DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED WITH RENAMING THE SPINE ROAD CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAIL TO THE ROBERT STERLING CROSS COUNTRY SKI AND BIKE TRAIL.

MOVER PLEASE. COUNCILLOR MANN SECONDED COUNCILLOR SEIDEL.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS OR SORRY, MR. ANTUNES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD.

SORRY. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP.

TRY AND GIVE YOUR VOICE A BIT OF A BREAK FOR A FEW MOMENTS.

THE RENAMING POLICY HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE MARCH OF 2021.

STAFF DID WAIT A LITTLE BIT LONGER INTO APRIL OF THIS YEAR TO BRING THIS FORWARD AS OPPOSED TO LATE FEBRUARY, EARLY MARCH OF LAST YEAR, TO SEE IF ANY OTHER NAMES WERE BROUGHT FORWARD. WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING.

TO REFRESH COUNCIL'S MEMORY, LAST YEAR THIS SAME ASSET WAS PUT FORTH TO BE RENAMED THE MR .

[00:05:06]

MR. CYR VERY GRACIOUSLY STEPPED UP AT FIRST, ACCEPTED IT.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE MENTIONED, BUT THEN HE MENTIONED TO STAFF, CAME OUT TO STAFF AND SAID, AS GRATEFUL AS I AM, I THINK MR. STERLING HAD A BIG PART IN THIS AS WELL.

AND HE ACTUALLY STEPPED HIS NAME BACK AND IN TURN PUT FORTH MR. STERLING'S NAME TO HAVE THE ASSET RENAMED UNDER HIM.

SO MR. CYR DID PUT THE REQUEST FORWARD AND STAFF DID REACH OUT TO THE FAMILY TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE AMENABLE TO THE TRAIL BEING NAMED.

WE ARE CHANGING THE NAME A LITTLE BIT.

SO AS FROM LAST YEAR, IT WAS THE CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAIL WITH THE WORK OF THE FOLKS FROM THE ELLIOT LAKE CROSS COUNTRY SKI AND BIKE CLUB.

THE TRAIL IS GOING TO HAVE MULTI PURPOSE, SO WE ARE CHANGING AND ADDING THE NAME BIKE TO THE NAME.

WE ARE IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE IS A LOOP AS PART OF THAT TRAIL THAT IS THE RED BRIFFET LOOP AND THAT CERTAINLY WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.

SO WE'RE NOT RENAMING THAT SECTION.

THAT WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.

THE OVERALL NAME OF THE TRAIL WOULD BECOME THE ROBERT STERLING CROSS COUNTRY SKI AND BIKE TRAIL.

TO REMIND COUNCIL OF HOW THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION WORKS, IF COUNCIL CHOOSES TO PASS THIS EVENING, WE HAVE 30 DAYS FOR PUBLIC RESPONSE TO COME BACK.

AND IF THERE IS ANY OBJECTION TO THE RENAMING, THERE'S A 30 DAY PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD.

THEY WOULD RESPOND BACK TO STAFF EITHER THROUGH THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THROUGH MRS. BRAY OR TO EDO@ELLIOTLAKE.CA, WHICH WOULD COME TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

AND THEN WE IN TURN, IN 30 DAYS WILL BRING THIS BACK TO COUNCIL WITH ANY OBJECTIONS.

BUT THEN OF COURSE IT IS COUNCIL'S FINAL DECISION WHETHER TO PROCEED OR NOT.

STAFF HAVE SOUGHT OUT THE COST OF SIGNAGE, WHICH IS VERY MINIMAL $685 TO REPLACE THE SIGN AND THEN OTHER MINIMAL COSTS.

IF WE DO HAVE AN UNVEILING, VERY SLIGHT AMOUNT FOR THAT TO HAVE PUBLIC THERE AND PRESS.

SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS COUNCIL MAY HAVE AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AS ALWAYS.

THANK YOU, MR. ANTUNES.

NOW, ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.

JUST WANTED TO THANK MR. CYR FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO STAFF.

CLEARLY, HE WAS A DESERVING RECIPIENT OF THIS NAMING OPPORTUNITY, AS IS MR. STERLING. AND I DO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT MR. CYR HAS DONE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE YEARS AND APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT HE'S JUST PREFERS TO BE A SILENT CONTRIBUTOR IN THE BACKGROUND.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS.

THANK YOU COUNCILLOR MANN.

COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I'D JUST LIKE TO COMMENT.

I KNEW MR. STERLING MY WHOLE LIFE, AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT OF HIM AS SOMEBODY THAT WAS VERY INVOLVED IN A LOT OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

AND WHEN HE PUT HIS MIND TO SOMETHING, HE ALWAYS SEEMED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND THAT THIS NOTHING FOR MR. CYR HE ALSO DESERVED IT.

BUT I THINK THIS WOULD BE A WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION FOR MR. STERLING AND IT'S NICE THAT WE COULD DO THIS, HOPEFULLY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? WELL, I THINK IT'S AN HONOR FOR BOTH MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I JUST RECENTLY MET MR. CYR, BUT I ALSO KNEW MR. STERLING MY WHOLE LIFE.

AND I THINK THEY'RE BOTH WORTHY OF BEING A PART OF THIS.

SO THAT BEING SAID, LET'S HAVE A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED AND THAT IS CARRIED.

ITEM 7.2 REPORT FROM THE MANAGER OF HUMAN RESOURCES REGARDING WORKING ALONE POLICY.

MOTION THAT THE REPORT OF THE MANAGER OF HUMAN RESOURCES BE RECEIVED AND THAT COUNCIL ADOPT THE ATTACHED WORKING ALONE POLICY AND THAT COUNCIL ENACT THE APPROPRIATE BYLAW TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY.

MAY I HAVE A MOVER AND A SECONDER? MOVER COUNCILLOR BULL.

SECONDED. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

MISS CROSKERY, PLEASE.

THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.

SO UNDER ONTARIO'S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT, IT'S A RESPONSIBLE OF ALL EMPLOYERS TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY. SO RECENTLY WE HAD A COUPLE EVENTS WHICH LANDED IN OUR FAVOR, AND THERE WAS NO HARM DONE TO ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

BUT THAT DID IDENTIFY A GAP THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE WORKING ALONE.

[00:10:03]

SO WHAT THESE DEVICES LOOK LIKE IS A LITTLE BLACK BOX THAT YOU CAN PUT AROUND EITHER YOUR WRIST OR AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING. IF YOU HAVE A FALL, IT DETECTS THAT THE OPERATOR WOULD COME THROUGH THE DEVICE, ASK YOU IF YOU'RE OKAY.

IF YOU WEREN'T TO ANSWER, IT WOULD GO TO THE THREE.

ONE OF THE THREE MANAGERS WHO WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AS THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT, OR IT WOULD GO TO 911.

SHOULD AN EMPLOYEE REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, THEY WOULD HOLD THE DEVICE FOR THREE SECONDS, THE RED BUTTON, AND THAT WOULD HAVE THE THIRD PARTY COME THROUGH.

ARE YOU OKAY? WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE DO YOU NEED? SO SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE WE IDENTIFIED EMPLOYEES THAT ARE WORKING ALONE WOULD BE THE POOL, THE ARENA, THE PUBLIC WORKS SECRETARY.

WE HAVE CLEANERS AT VARIOUS BUILDINGS WHO WORK AFTER HOURS AND ALONE.

SO THAT'S PUBLIC WORKS.

THE BUSSES, OPP, CITY HALL AND THE AIRPORT.

WE ALSO HAVE MANAGERS WHO COME IN ON CALL OUTS TO CHECK ALARMS. AND SO THIS WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM AND EMPLOYEES TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN ALONE, THEY COULD STILL USE THIS TO THEIR BENEFIT.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU, MS. CROSKERY.

WE'LL OPEN IT UP. ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. THROUGH YOU MR. CHAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO DEFER THIS TO THE NEXT MEETING SO I HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO REVIEW A FEW OTHER THINGS ABOUT THIS POLICY.

OKAY. I GUESS WE'LL [INAUDIBLE].

SO IF COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE WISHES TO MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO? YES, PLEASE. OKAY.

SO WE NEED.

SORRY TO THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

YES, PLEASE.

OKAY, SO THEN WE NEED A SECONDER FOR THAT MOTION.

DO WE HAVE A SECONDER FOR THAT MOTION? THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND THEN I'LL MAKE MY DECISION.

IS THAT OKAY, MISS BRAY? OR I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

YEAH, OKAY. THAT'S HOW I FEEL.

SO DO WE JUST SUSPEND THE MOTION.

THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, SO WE SHOULD WITHDRAW THAT MOTION AND THEN YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR CONVERSATION ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.

COUNCILLOR MANN.

IF THE MOTION DOESN'T GET SECONDED, WE CAN CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE ITEM.

AND IF A DEFERRAL COMES LATER, THEN IF IT'S SECONDED, THEN WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE DEFERRAL AT THAT TIME.

VERY GOOD. I'M NOT HEARING A DEFERRAL AT THIS POINT, SO I THINK WE CAN DISCUSS IT YOUR WORSHIP.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

QUESTIONS COUNCILLOR BULL.

THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. IS THIS A DO WE NOT ALREADY HAVE A WORKING ALONE POLICY? IS THIS NEW OR IS THIS AN UPDATE? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENCES IN THE PAST WHERE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN HURT WORKING ALONE.

AND I THOUGHT THERE WAS A POLICY PUT IN PLACE BEFORE.

THANK YOU. THROUGH YOU.

YES. I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN OLD WORKING ALONE POLICY TRYING TO FIND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE ON MY AGENDA ANYWAYS, I SEARCHED THROUGH EVERYTHING I COULD, AND JUST KNOWING HOW HISTORIC IT WAS, IT WAS GOING TO NEED A REVAMP REGARDLESS.

SO I JUST WENT AHEAD AND STARTED FRESH.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

JUST ANOTHER COMMENT.

THIS IS A POLICY THAT I THINK SHOULD GO THROUGH IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR STAFF KNOW THAT THEY'RE SAFE AND SECURE AT THEIR WORKPLACE, IF ANYTHING DOES HAPPEN.

THERE'S BEEN SOME INCIDENCES IN THE REPORT THAT WE KNOW ABOUT AND THERE'S BEEN HISTORIC ONES IN THE PAST WHERE HELP WAS ALWAYS NEEDED AND THERE WAS NOBODY AROUND. SO I THINK THE POLICY IS A GOOD ONE AND I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF IT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR BULL.

COUNCILLOR MANN.

THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU TOO, MISS CROSKREY.

TWO QUESTIONS.

THE FIRST, HOW MANY EMPLOYEES AT ANY ONE TIME WOULD BE CONSIDERED WORKING ALONE?

[00:15:09]

THAT'S HOW WE ACQUIRED THE 15 DEVICES, WAS TALKING TO THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM, IDENTIFYING THE EMPLOYEES WHO DO WORK ALONE.

AND AT BEST, IT'S GOING TO BE 15.

WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT EVER HAPPENING, THAT ALL 15 WOULD BE ON AT THE SAME TIME.

OKAY. FOLLOW UP.

AND THE ONLY OTHER QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THIS TECHNOLOGY COULD NOT BE USED BASED ON LOCATION? OF AN EMPLOYEE WORKING ALONE.

THROUGH YOU YOUR WORSHIP I'M NOT SURE OF THAT.

I WILL HAVE TO GET THAT BACK TO YOU.

I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH OUR I.T.

MANAGER. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP.

I'M NOT SURE WHO THIS IS DIRECTED TO, BUT I'M NOT AGAINST THIS WORKING ALONE POLICY.

BUT THIS PROCEDURE SOMETHING SEEMS OFF TO ME.

YOU'VE ALREADY BOUGHT THE 15 UNITS, AND NOW YOU'RE COMING TO US TO PASS THE BYLAW.

IT'S LIKE WE PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

SHOULDN'T WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE 15 UNITS? AND THEN IT ALL WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH THIS BYLAW? LIKE WHAT IF BY SOME CHANCE WE SAID, NO, WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT NOW WE HAVE 15 UNITS THAT WE BOUGHT.

THAT WAS ON ME.

I MADE THE DECISION TO ACQUIRE THE UNITS AND THAT'S BEEN MOVED ON.

THAT WAS IN MY MANAGEMENT DISCRETION TO DO THAT, TO PROTECT, YOU KNOW, THE WORKERS.

THE POLICY IS WHAT'S IN FRONT OF COUNCIL NOW.

AND IT'S SIMPLY, YOU KNOW, THE VERBIAGE OF THE POLICY AND HOW WE WOULD ROLL IT OUT, WHETHER WE USE THESE UNITS, FEWER UNITS, MORE UNITS.

YOU KNOW, THE ISSUE IS THE WORKING ALONE.

AND WE WANTED THAT VETTED BY COUNCIL.

SURE, WE COULD HAVE DONE IT DIFFERENTLY, BUT WE ALSO TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

IF WE HAVE AN INCIDENT NEXT WEEK AND YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE UNITS AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE POLICY IN PLACE EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY THAT WE DON'T HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT OUR WORKERS IS A DAY THAT'S IT'S LOST UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.

WE'VE HAD SOME NEAR MISSES WHEN THE MINISTRY OF LABOR COMES IN AND INVESTIGATES AFTER AN ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, OCCURRENCE.

YOU KNOW, WE THOUGHT THIS WAS A FAIRLY ELEGANT AND BENIGN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY.

AND WHAT'S IN FRONT OF COUNCIL IS THE POLICY RELATED TO THE USE OF THESE, WHETHER IT'S A DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION IS UP FOR DEBATE.

BUT YES, SURE.

BUT I MADE THAT CALL BECAUSE THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE.

WE HAD THE CONCERN.

WE ROLLED OUT THE THE SOFTWARE AND THEN THE SOFTWARE AND THE POLICY ITSELF.

WE'RE STILL A LITTLE FUZZY ON WHICH POLICIES NEED TO BE VETTED BY COUNCIL, BUT WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO TAKE IT TO YOU REGARDLESS.

SO BASICALLY, I TAKE THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FOR ACQUIRING THOSE FUNDS BASED ON MANAGEMENT DISCRETION THAT I HAVE AS THE SENIOR MANAGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, IT LANDS ON MY PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PROFESSIONAL.

SO I MADE THE CALL.

COUNCIL'S OPEN TO, YOU KNOW, HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT AS, AS YOU WISH IN WHATEVER FORMAT YOU WISH.

BUT RIGHT NOW THE POLICY IS IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE WORKING ALONE AND WE'RE NOT DONE.

THIS IS THE BROAD BRUSH ON THE POLICY WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING TRAINING AND OPERATING PROCEDURES GOING FORWARD UNLESS COUNCIL REALLY IS OPPOSED TO THE POLICY.

WE'RE ONLY DEBATING THE POLICY HERE.

HOW WE GOT TO THAT COULD BE RAISED IN ANOTHER OFFLINE CONVERSATION WITH COUNCIL AND MYSELF AT ANY TIME.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

JUST TO FOLLOW UP TO PROBABLY MISS CROSKERY, SO THESE 15 UNITS, WHO WOULD BE THE KEEPER OF THEM? LIKE IS IT IS THAT MR. GOULDING OR IS THAT BARTLEY? I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WOULD WORK? THANK YOU. THROUGH YOU, ALL THE DEVICES HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE WORKING ALONE UNDER THEIR DEPARTMENT ARE TRAINED.

ONCE WE HAVE THE POLICY, ONCE WE HAVE THE POLICY APPROVED ARE TRAINED PROPERLY, I WILL WORK WITH EACH DEPARTMENT HEAD TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE CARRYING THE DEVICE, ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, AND SO IT WILL BE HELD WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

THROUGH YOU, MR. CHAIR.

THE REASON WHY I WANTED TO DEFER THIS IS I KNOW SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE WITH REVENUE CANADA THAT ARE WORKING FROM HOME, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM ABOUT ANY TYPE OF POLICY THEY HAVE IN PLACE.

ALSO WITH THE BOARD OF HEALTH UNIT, I KNOW THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS THERE ALSO THAT ARE WORKING AT HOME.

[00:20:04]

THE OTHER THING, TOO, IS.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING COVID WITH SOME OF THE STAFF MEMBERS THAT HAVE WORKED FROM HOME.

WHY WASN'T THIS POLICY AT THAT TIME PUT IN PLACE FOR SAFETY? AND THE OTHER CONCERN IS WHAT HAPPENS IF A MEMBER FROM THE CITY HALL CALLS IN SICK IN THE MORNING? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GET ONE OF THESE UNITS TO THEM, ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE OUT OF TOWN LIKE MS. SONNENBURG? YOU KNOW WHO WILL MONITOR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

AND TO ME, THIS POLICY DOESN'T ANSWER THEM TO ME.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. COUNCILLOR MANN.

THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP.

PERSONALLY, I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE POLICY, TO BE HONEST.

MY EMPLOYER HAS A SIMILAR POLICY FOR MY STAFF WHO WORK INDEPENDENTLY, SO I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT.

CLEARLY, BEYOND THE POLICY STATEMENT, AS MISS CROSKERY INDICATED, THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROCEDURE THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED THAT IS AT THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL.

AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO AN OPERATIONAL DISCUSSION ON THIS.

AGAIN, WHENEVER YOU IMPLEMENT ANOTHER PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY, THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE AN ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT BECAUSE I CAN HAVE A PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY THAT CLAIMS TO BE WEARABLE, BUT IF I PUT IT OVER THERE, THEN IT'S NO LONGER OF ANY VALUE TO ME.

SO THAT AGAIN, IS NOT OUR CONCERN.

THAT BECOMES THE EMPLOYER'S PERSPECTIVE.

THOSE ARE THE PIECES THAT WE DON'T HAVE TONIGHT.

BUT I THINK THE DEBATE IS HEARD BY STAFF AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET INTO THE POLICY BECAUSE AGAIN, COMPLIANCE OF A WEARABLE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

AGAIN AUDIT.

IS IT WORKING? YOU KNOW HOW LONG THE BATTERIES LAST? RECYCLING OR RECHARGING PERIODS FOR ALL OF THIS? THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL.

AGAIN, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY TAKE PLACE AT THIS TABLE, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

SO I'M FINE WITH THE POLICY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT IT AT ANOTHER TABLE.

THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR MANN.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? SO THE POLICY IS.

OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE HAVE TO DISCUSS THE FUNDS ALONE, I GUESS.

MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A THREE YEAR CONTRACT.

IS THAT CORRECT? YEAH. I'D HAVE TO READ THE FINE PRINT ON WHAT THE ESCAPE CLAUSE IS IF WE NEEDED TO DECOMMISSION, IF WE STILL NEEDED THE 15 OR IF CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE AND WE NEED LESS UNITS.

BUT YES. AND THEN THE TOTAL COST WAS WHAT? WOULD BE 19 A YEAR FOR FOR THREE YEARS.

FOR LEASING THE UNITS? I DON'T HAVE THE CONTRACT IN FRONT OF ME.

I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S A LEASE OR IF IT'S THE LICENSE FOR THE DISPATCH PER UNIT.

SO THAT COST COULD BE HIGHER BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LEASE THE UNIT OR BUY THE UNIT.

NO, NO, THAT'S THE UPSIDE COST IS THE LICENSE FEE PER UNIT.

IF WE KEEP THE 15 UNITS, WE'LL SEE HOW THE YEAR GOES AND ROLL IT OUT.

AND SO THERE IS A CANCELLATION POLICY ON THESE UNITS THAT.

I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME. BUT YES, I'D HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT.

AGAIN, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO A DEFERRAL IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ON IT.

THE ISSUE IS. THIS IS ONE OF THESE ISSUES THAT POTENTIALLY WELL, I'M NOT SURE WHY IT DIDN'T GO TO A COMMITTEE FIRST.

BUT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY.

I DIDN'T THINK I'D BE GETTING THE PUSHBACK I'M GETTING.

BUT THAT'S FINE.

WE CAN DEFER IT.

WE CAN LOOK AT IT IN ANY DIFFERENT NUMBER OF WAYS.

BUT WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THE EMPLOYEES WORKING ALONE, NOT WORKING FROM HOME, BUT WORKING ALONE AND HAVING LESS ABILITY TO NOTIFY THEIR SUPERVISORS OF CONCERNS.

SO THAT'S WHY WE.

YEAH, WE'RE NOT OPPOSED.

USED MY MANAGERS DISCRETION.

IF IT WAS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SAME THING WITH MR. GOULDING WHERE IT WAS A COST SAVINGS ISSUE, MAJOR COST SAVING ISSUE TO GET IT DONE RIGHT AWAY, YOU KNOW.

I'M NOT SURE WHERE I'M TRYING TO GO WITH THIS, BUT I STILL HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

[00:25:02]

I WOULDN'T CONSIDER SOME OF MY COMMENTS MR. GAGNON TO BE PUSH BACK.

THE ONLY THINGS THAT I WOULD SAY WHEN WE SEE THIS, MY QUESTION ABOUT STAFF WAS, AS AN EXAMPLE AND AGAIN, I'M GOING OPERATIONAL AND I APOLOGIZE. WE HAVE 15 STAFF WORKING INDEPENDENTLY.

WE HAVE 15 DEVICES.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE COMFORTABLE TO HAVE AN EXTRA FIVE DEVICES SITTING AS SPARES BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW TECHNOLOGY BREAKS.

IF WE HAVE A TWO WAY RADIO THAT ONE OF OUR OPERATORS HAS IN A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND THAT COMMUNICATION DEVICE IS IMPORTANT FOR HIM AS A MEANS.

SO I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY A FEW CELL PHONES FLOATING AROUND AS SPARE.

SO THAT'S MY CONCERN, TO ENSURE THAT IF A PIECE BREAKS ON A PARTICULAR DAY, WHAT HAPPENS TO EMPLOYEE 15? THEY DON'T GET THAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE.

AGAIN, LET'S JUST ENSURE THAT WE CAN PROPERLY OUTFIT IF WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A NEW MECHANISM.

I'LL STOP. THANK YOU.

NO, THANK YOU COUNCILLOR MANN.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? MS. CROSKREY. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WE DID WHILE RESEARCHING THESE POLICIES.

A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORK IN MINES WHERE A LOT OF THEY'RE WORKING ALONE.

POLICIES UNDERGROUND REQUIRE A TWO HOUR CALL IN.

YOU MUST CHECK IN EVERY TWO HOURS.

WITH THE WORLD CHANGING, WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THAT HUMAN ERROR.

SO NO MATTER WHAT, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND YOU KNOW, I'M WORKING FOR MR. ANTUNES AND I CAN'T GET A HOLD OF HIM AND I DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE'S NUMBER, THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUMAN ERROR.

IT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT A CALL IN POLICY WITH OUR CURRENT RIGHT TO DISCONNECT POLICY THAT WAS MANDATED BY LEGISLATION. UNLESS AN EMPLOYEE IS CALLING FOR AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THEY SHOULDN'T BE CALLING OTHER EMPLOYEES AS PER THE RIGHT TO DISCONNECT POLICY SO THAT TWO HOURS CALLING IN WOULDN'T ESSENTIALLY WORK FOR US.

OF COURSE WE COULD PUT A UNIONIZED MEMBER ON STANDBY AND THEN EVERY TIME THEY GOT A CALL FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES CHECKING IN, IT WOULD BE A CALL OUT.

SO I'M JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE THAT EXTRA INFORMATION THAT THERE WOULD BE A COST REGARDLESS.

AND THIS WAS JUST THE EASIEST WAY TO REMOVE THE HUMAN ERROR AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE UNDER THE ONTARIO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

YEAH, I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS.

SO INHERENTLY IN HERE THERE'S THREE PEOPLE IT SAYS THAT ARE CONTACTED.

YOU HAVE THREE SUPERVISORS THAT GET CONTACTED FIRST.

THROUGH YOU. ARE THEY ON CALL FOR THIS SERVICE AND IS THAT PART OF LIKE EXTRA PAY? THOSE KIND OF THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE MONITORING THESE SYSTEMS? THROUGH YOU. IT IS THREE MANAGERS SLASH DIRECTORS.

THEY WOULD ONLY BE CONTACTED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

NO, THERE WOULD BE NO EXTRA PAY.

IT'S PART OF THEIR ANNUAL SALARY.

OKAY. WELL, THESE WOULD HOPEFULLY BE ONLY USED IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

CORRECT? THROUGH YOU? YES, THAT'S CORRECT. AND THAT'S WHY THE DISPATCH COMES THROUGH FIRST TO SAY, IS EVERYTHING OKAY? SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE UNIT FALLS ON THE GROUND, IT MIGHT REGISTER AS A FALL.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE THE COUPLE SECONDS TO EITHER CANCEL IT OR THE DISPATCH WILL COME THROUGH AND YOU CAN SAY, NO, I DROPPED MY DEVICE, EVERYTHING'S OKAY.

THANK YOU. AND AT THAT POINT, A MANAGER WOULD NOT BE CONTACTED.

AND MY NEXT QUESTION, THIS TECHNOLOGY HAS NOT BEEN TESTED IN OUR WHOLE AREA WHERE OUR WORKERS WORK.

SO LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, FAR NORTH, SOMEONE ON THE TRUCK PLOWING, ARE THERE DEAD ZONES OR WE DON'T KNOW THAT . YOUR WORSHIP FOR THOSE OPERATING TRUCKS PLOWING, THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR TWO WAY RADIO ALREADY AS THEIR MEANS.

SO THEY WOULD NOT REQUIRE ONE OF THESE DEVICES.

SAME GOES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THEY ALREADY HAVE THE TWO WAY RADIO TO BE ABLE TO CONTACT OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES.

THEY WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED.

THIS IS MORE FOR THE PEOPLE WORKING IN CITY HALL.

THEY'RE CARRYING A VACUUM DOWN THE STAIRS.

THEY TRIP, THEY FALL.

THEY CAN'T GET UP. NOW WHAT? HOW DO THEY GET ASSISTANCE? OKAY. THANK YOU.

COUNCILLOR BULL. THROUGH YOU YOUR WORSHIP I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS KIND OF SYSTEM, WE SHOULD TEST IT EVERYWHERE.

AND I KNOW UP NORTH AND I'VE DONE ALL THE PLOWING UP THERE, IF YOU HIT SOMETHING IN A TRUCK AND YOU'RE KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS OR SOMETHING, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE OPERATING A

[00:30:04]

AND IN SOME PLACES, THOSE RADIOS DON'T EVEN WORK UP THERE OR CELL PHONES.

SO I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE TO IF THEY'RE UP NORTH PLOWING, THEY SHOULD BE WEARING ONE.

IF EVERYTHING GOES THROUGH IN CASE OF A SITUATION LIKE THAT, BECAUSE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN A SNOWSTORM, YOU EVEN LOSE THE ROAD.

SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO OFF.

BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE TESTED FOR SURE TO MAKE SURE IT'S I KNOW IN TOWN IT'S GOING TO WORK.

BUT WHEN THE EMPLOYEES ARE UP NORTH PLOWING OR WORKING OUT OF CELL PHONE RANGE OR RADIO RANGE, THAT THEIR SAFETY HAS TO BE ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES, AND I KNOW IT IS.

BUT I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WORKS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR BULL.

MS. SONNENBURG. THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

I'D LIKE TO SHED A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT ON THE CONTRACT.

I'VE TAKEN A MOMENT TO REVIEW IT.

IF, AS I'M HEARING THAT IT'S A CONCERN OF COUNCIL REGARDING THE COST, WHICH WAS DEFINITELY WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE CAO TO EXPEND THOSE DOLLARS, BEING THAT I CAN CONFIRM THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT IS CORRECT REGARDING THE UNDER $20,000 PER YEAR ANNUALLY FOR THE UNITS.

I'D LIKE TO ALSO ADD THAT THE UNITS ALL HAVE A FULL WARRANTY FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT.

SO SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN TO ANY OF THE UNITS, IT APPEARS THROUGH THIS CONTRACT THAT THEY WOULD BE REPAIRED, REPLACED, REFURBISHED, BUT WE WOULDN'T BE ON THE HOOK TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL UNITS SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN OR ONE OF THEM BREAK.

AND THE AGREEMENT ALSO HAD A TIMELINE WITH A RENTAL PRICE DISCOUNT OF $13,500 IF IT WAS EXECUTED WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME.

SO WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF TRADE DISCOUNTS TO ENSURE THAT WE GOT THESE UNITS IN PLAY WITH THE HR DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL BE USING THEM.

AND IT APPEARS THROUGH THIS CONTRACT THAT THERE WAS A $13,500 SAVINGS.

SO I THOUGHT I'D JUST SHARE THAT WITH THE GROUP.

THANK YOU, MS. SONNENBURG.

COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP.

SO WE'VE ALREADY GOT THE, I GUESS, TO MS. CROSKERY. SO WE ALREADY HAVE THE UNITS.

THEY'RE SITTING HERE WAITING TO GET PLUGGED IN AND BOOTED UP.

SO AS MR. GAGNON HAD SAID TO ME, THE DECISION THAT WE NEED TO TRY AND MAKE TONIGHT IS DO WE GO AHEAD AND PASS THIS POLICY SO WE CAN GET THIS CONTRACT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SIGNED THIS OTHER PART OF THIS CONTRACT.

IS THAT RIGHT? OR HAVE WE SIGNED EVERYTHING ALREADY AND WE JUST HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS? YES, WE'VE I'VE USED MY MANAGEMENT DISCRETION, AS MS. SONNENBURG CLARIFIED.

AND TO ACQUIRE THESE UNITS, WE HAVE THE UNITS.

THAT'S THAT ISSUE IS MOOT.

OH, NO, I UNDERSTAND. YOU HAVE THE UNITS.

I'M ASKING ABOUT THE CONTRACT.

IS THAT SIGNED, TOO? YES, BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER $20,000 IT WAS IN MY MANAGEMENT DISCRETION OF ACQUIRED THE UNITS.

WE'RE GOING TO USE THE UNITS.

WE NEED A POLICY, AN OVERARCHING POLICY TO COVER IT.

WE'LL TEST AND TUNE AND USE AND LEARN AND REFINE AS NEEDED.

I USE MY MANAGEMENT DISCRETION, WHICH I RARELY USE IN THIS CASE BECAUSE IT WAS HEALTH AND SAFETY, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE MONEY AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT OUR STAFF.

AFTER SOME NEAR-MISSES IN DUBIOUS SITUATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC BEARS, FIRE TOWER LOOKOUT, TAKE YOUR PICK.

SO WE ROLLED IT OUT.

WE'RE USING IT. WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU NOW IS SIMPLY THE POLICY.

THAT'S THE ONLY DECISION THAT IS IN FRONT OF COUNCIL RIGHT NOW IS ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THIS POLICY? IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS MY USE OF MY MANAGEMENT DISCRETION, THAT'S AN OFFLINE CONVERSATION.

WE CAN HAVE ANY TIME.

BUT NOT HERE.

NO. WELL, I MEAN, IF IT'S ALREADY DONE, WELL, LET'S BOOT IT UP.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST SITTING HERE NOT GETTING USED.

THAT'S WHAT I'M READING.

THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

THAT'S WHAT I SEE.

THANK YOU. AND I AM NOT AGAINST WORK ALONE POLICY.

IT'S JUST HOW IT ALL CAME TO US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SO BECAUSE THAT MOTION IS STILL ON.

DO WE ADDRESS THAT? NO.

OKAY. SO.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

DO WE HAVE A MOVER AND A SECONDER? WE HAVE A MOVER AND A SECONDER ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.

OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE ALL IN VOTING.

OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR.

[00:35:03]

OKAY. THAT IS PASSED.

REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TREASURER REGARDING DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TREASURER PROPERTY TAX ARREARS EXTENSION AGREEMENTS.

HAVE A MOTION THAT THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TREASURER REGARDING THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY FOR TAX EXTENSIONS AGREEMENTS BE RECEIVED, AND THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TREASURER TO ENTER INTO EXTENSION AGREEMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 378 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT 2001, AND THAT THE APPROPRIATE BYLAW BE ENACTED TO EFFECT THIS DECISION.

WE HAVE A MOVER. COUNCILLOR MANN.

SECONDER? COUNCILLOR BULL.

MS. SONNENBURG, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP.

THIS REPORT AND ASSOCIATED BYLAW IS ESSENTIALLY A LITTLE BIT OF A HOUSEKEEPING EXERCISE FOR THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

THE TAX REGISTRATION PROCESS IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE.

AND WE REGISTER PROPERTIES ANNUALLY BASED ON HISTORICAL PAYMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY PROPERTY OWNERS. ALLOWING DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND TREASURER.

ASIDE FROM THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.

I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS INCREASES PRIVACY TO THE RATEPAYERS.

IT EXPEDITES THE RECOVERY OF FUNDS THAT ARE DUE TO THE CITY AND ENSURES THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR RATEPAYERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES THROUGH TAX SALE AND OR REMOVED FROM THEIR PROPERTIES THROUGH TAX SALE.

SO OFTEN TIMES THOSE THAT ARE SUBJECT TO TAX SALE WAIT UNTIL THE 11TH HOUR, IF YOU WILL.

AND IN THAT INSTANCE, WE END UP IN A BIT OF A MEXICAN STANDOFF WITH TIMELINES FOR COUNCIL.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR, THERE ARE POTENTIALS THAT WE HAVE SOME AGREEMENTS THAT MAY COME FORWARD. AT THIS TIME WE DO HAVE ONE THAT WILL BE COMING FORWARD.

AND THE SCHEDULE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS REQUIRES THAT THE BYLAWS BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL.

SO IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT A CALENDAR AND IF YOU WERE STARING AT A CALENDAR RIGHT NOW, YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETINGS, IF YOUR PROPERTY WAS BEING CLOSED ON FOR TAX SALE ON MAY 26TH, WHICH IS THE DEADLINE FOR SEVERAL PROPERTIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE WORK THAT BACKWARDS.

WE HAVE TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS IN MAY.

THERE'S ONE ON THE EIGHTH AND ONE ON THE 23RD.

COUNCIL POSTING AGENDA DEADLINES MEANS THAT THE 23RD IS THE LAST POSSIBLE MEETING THAT I COULD POSSIBLY BRING A BYLAW TO.

AND IF WE BACK THAT UP, THAT MEANS THAT THE REPORT WOULD HAVE TO BE PREPARED AND POSTED ON MAY 18TH.

BACK THAT UP A WEEK.

OFTENTIMES IT TAKES ME A WEEK TO PREPARE REPORTS.

THAT BRINGS US TO MAY 11TH.

PROPERTY OWNERS THAT ARE IN TAX REGISTRATION PROCESS ARE OFTEN WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO COME FORWARD.

AND SO WHAT WE WILL SEE IN THIS INSTANCE IS THAT WE WILL SEE MORE PROPERTIES GO FOR TAX SALE BECAUSE THE COUNCIL CURRENT COUNCIL AGENDA AND REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE NOT AGREEABLE TO THE TIMELINES AND TIMEFRAMES OF RATEPAYERS WHEN THEY COME FORWARD SEEKING EXTENSION AGREEMENTS.

AND SO THIS DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY WOULD ALLOW MYSELF AND MY TEAM TO WORK CLOSELY WITH RATEPAYERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR PROPERTIES AND HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO REPAY THEIR BACK TAXES.

THANK YOU, MS. SONNENBURG.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR BULL.

TO YOU YOUR WORSHIP TO MS. SONNENBURG. ARE THERE GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS THAT HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR A TAX EXTENSION? I DON'T KNOW WHY COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE SOMETHING.

AND WHEN YOU CAN DO IT, WELL, WE GIVE YOU THE AUTHORITY.

[00:40:02]

THROUGH YOU. THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY COUNCIL OR MYSELF COULD SAY NO TO AN EXTENSION AGREEMENT.

IT COULD BE THAT THE RATEPAYER IS A REPEAT OFFENDER AND CONTINUES TO PLAY THE SYSTEM, IF YOU WILL, AND ISN'T CONSISTENT WITH THEIR PAYMENTS IN THE PAST AND HAS A HISTORY OF NEGLIGENCE.

IF THE AMOUNT WAS UNMANAGEABLE FOR THE RATEPAYER AND WE KNEW IT WAS UNMANAGEABLE FOR THE RATEPAYER WE AND THAT WE KNEW WE WERE SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE, THAT WOULDN'T BE ADVISABLE EITHER.

THAT COULD BE A REASON FOR TO SAY NO.

AND IT'S THE DISCRETION OF THE TREASURER AND OF COUNCIL TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITY AND TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE IN THEIR HOMES AND WORKING TOWARDS GETTING OUT OF DEBT IS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF.

IF FOR SOME REASON I SAID NO AND IT'S THE RATEPAYER DEFINITELY HAS THE ABILITY TO APPEAL TO COUNCIL TO ANY OF YOU BY PICKING UP THE PHONE AND EXPLAINING THE SITUATION AND WE COULD DEAL WITH IT ON A ONE BY ONE BASIS.

I'VE SPOKEN WITH OUR CONTRACTED SERVICE THAT HELPS US TO PROCESS THESE TAX REGISTRATIONS, AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT IN THE 26 YEARS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS, THEY HAVEN'T SEEN A DECISION, A SITUATION WHERE COUNCIL HAS OVERTURNED THE DECISION OF THE TREASURER.

OFTEN TIMES IT'S VERY WELL SUBSTANTIATED.

OR IT IS ALWAYS A WELL SUBSTANTIATED EXTENSION AGREEMENTS ARE TYPICALLY 1 TO 3 YEARS, AND IN THAT EXTENSION AGREEMENT WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT TAXES WOULD COME DUE IN THE FUTURE YEARS SO THAT WE AUGMENT THAT PAYMENT AMOUNT SO THAT WE ARE OUT OF DEBT AND WE'RE AT A ZERO POINT IN A 1 TO 3 YEAR WINDOW OF TIME IF THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

IT AS IT SAYS IN THE REPORT, AN EXTENSION AGREEMENT PAUSES THE ONE YEAR PROCESS FOR TAX REGISTRATION.

IF THE TAXPAYER DEFAULTS, THE CLOCK RESTARTS WHEN IT WAS PAUSED.

SO IF SOMEONE WAS SIGNED AN EXTENSION AGREEMENT 15 DAYS BEFORE THAT ONE YEAR PERIOD, SO LET'S SAY 15 DAYS BEFORE THE 26TH.

AND DEFAULTED THE FOLLOWING MONTH THEY HAVE 15 DAYS.

THAT'S IT TO COME GOOD FOR THEIR NEXT PAYMENT OR THE CLOCK STARTS AGAIN AND WE GO DIRECTLY TO TAX SALE.

ONE YOU CANNOT DEFAULT, ONCE YOU HAVE AN AGREEMENT, THIS IS INHERENT IN THE MUNICIPAL ACT AND IT WOULD BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD THE AGREEMENT BEEN PRESENTED TO COUNCIL.

SO ON MAY, A FEW OTHER FUN FACTS IF YOU'D LIKE THEM.

MAY 31ST, 2022 WE SENT 43 REGISTERED LETTERS.

ON MAY 31ST, 2022, 43 REGISTERED LETTERS WERE SENT.

FAST FORWARD TO THIS PAST WINTER WHEN THE TIME CLOCK SAID WHEN THE PROCESS SAYS WE HAVE TO REGISTER THEM WITH REAL TAX.

20 OF THEM WERE REGISTERED.

SO 23 PROPERTIES CAME TO CITY HALL AND PAID THEIR ARREARS.

OF THOSE EIGHT THAT ARE OUTSTANDING.

SO OF THE 20 OF THOSE 20 SORRY, 12 AFTER THEY WERE REGISTERED WITH REAL TAX, 12 HAVE PAID IN FULL.

AT THIS PRESENT TIME, THERE ARE EIGHT OUTSTANDING TAX REGISTRATIONS IN THE CITY.

ONE HAS CONTACTED THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SEEKING AN EXTENSION AGREEMENT.

IF THIS BYLAW IS PASSED TONIGHT, I WILL WORK WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER AND WORK ON THAT EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH THEM.

OF THE OTHER SEVEN THAT ARE OUTSTANDING, I WILL GUARANTEE DOLLARS TO DONUTS THAT THEY WILL BE KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR THE WEEK OF MAY 26TH. AND AS I SAID, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CALENDAR, THEY NEED TO HAVE KNOCKED ON OUR DOOR BY MAY 11TH FOR THOSE AGREEMENTS TO MAKE IT TO THE COUNCIL TABLE ON TIME.

THERE ARE NO EXTENSIONS PER THE MUNICIPAL ACT AND THERE ARE NO BACKDATING.

AND THESE PROPERTIES WOULD GO TO TAX SALE.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY SIMPLY ALLOWS MYSELF OR A DESIGNATED ALTERNATE TO WORK WITH THESE RATEPAYERS TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT IS AMENABLE TO BOTH THE RATEPAYER AND THE CITY SO THAT WE ARE MADE WHOLE AND THAT THEY DO NOT GO TO TAX SALE.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

[00:45:04]

THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. IT'S MORE OF A COMMENT TO MS. SONNENBURG. SO BASICALLY IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS WOULD GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE AUTHORITY TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT TO TRY AND KEEP SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THEIR HOUSES AND ARE HAVING A HARD TIME MAKING ENDS MEET RATHER THAN HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, FORECLOSE ON THEM.

YOU COULD PROBABLY WORK SOMETHING OUT AND THEY COULD STAY IN THEIR HOUSE WITHOUT HAVING YOU COME TO COUNCIL EVERY SINGLE TIME.

THROUGH YOU, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

IT ALSO INCREASES PRIVACY FOR THAT PROPERTY OWNER.

YEAH. SO WE WOULDN'T COME TO THE COUNCIL TABLE AND SAY, WE'RE LOOKING FOR AN EXTENSION AGREEMENT FOR MR. FLINTOFF AT 123 HILLSIDE DRIVE NORTH.

HE'S IN ARREARS BY X NUMBER OF DOLLARS, AND HE'S WILLING TO PAY IT BACK IN X NUMBER OF MONTHS AT SUCH AND SUCH A RATE.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING HARD TIMES REALLY DON'T NEED THAT EXTRA PUBLICITY.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO IN THE PAST, HOW OFTEN HAVE THEY COME TO THESE MEETINGS? COUNCILLOR MANN. I'VE SAT THROUGH A FEW, UNFORTUNATELY THROUGH THE YEARS AND WE'VE HAD TO FOLLOW DIRECTION OF THE TREASURER. IT'S NOT REGULARLY AGAIN, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, THERE'S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES, BUT IT HAS COME UP OVER MY TENURE.

IT'S NOT REGULARLY, BUT CLEARLY THE PROCESS WORKS.

IF YOU GET FROM 43 DOWN TO 7 NOW THAT ARE OUTSTANDING.

AND AGAIN, IT JUST IT'S A SCHEDULING ISSUE, NO QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, HAVING TO HAVE IT ON PRIOR TO AND THEN OUR MEETING IS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

THAT'S REALLY THE ISSUE.

SO IT JUST PROVIDES STAFF A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBILITY.

SO. I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH IT.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

SO WHEN WE DO ENTER INTO THESE EXTENSION AGREEMENTS, I THINK MR. CALVERLEY SORT OF HIGHLIGHTED, IS THERE FINANCIAL AID OR FINANCIAL EDUCATION INVOLVED WITH THAT? THROUGH YOU. I HAVE SAT THROUGH SEVERAL TELECONFERENCES THROUGH COVID TIMES WHEN WE WEREN'T SEEING RATEPAYERS IN CITY HALL AND THROUGH THOSE TELECONFERENCES, WE'VE ENCOURAGED THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE FACING TAX SALE TO CONTACT THEIR BANK, TO CONTACT ANYONE THEY MAY HAVE HELD A MORTGAGE WITH TO ALSO OFFER ADVICE TO REACH OUT TO SOMEONE THAT THEY TRUST THAT THEY HAVE RESPECT FOR IN THE COMMUNITY. AND OFTEN TIMES THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO THEIR BANKERS OR SOMEONE THAT THEY TRUST TO GUIDE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND SO OFTEN TIMES WE DO SEE SUCCESS.

AND AS I HAD MENTIONED, WE DID TAKE THAT NUMBER.

WE'RE DOWN TO SEVEN OUT OF THE 43 THAT WERE REGISTERED LAST THAT REGISTERED LETTERS WERE SENT ON LAST YEAR.

SO THAT'S IT'S DEFINITELY A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WE DON'T FINANCIALLY SUPPORT ANYONE TO SEEK ADDITIONAL DEBT ASSISTANCE, BUT WE CAN POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND SO THE EXTENSIONS ARE 1 TO 3 YEARS.

CURRENTLY, IT'S JUST ONE YEAR.

AND THAT'S IT, CORRECT? THROUGH YOU. EXTENSION AGREEMENTS ARE BASED ON WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVABLE FOR THE RATEPAYER.

THE TIME CLOCK FOR REGISTRATION IS ONE YEAR.

SO ON MAY 31ST, LAST YEAR, 43 REGISTRATIONS WERE SENT OUT.

TIME CLOCK FOR MAY 31ST COMING UP OR FOR THE END OF MAY FOR THIS YEAR.

WE'RE DOWN TO SEVEN FROM LAST YEAR.

REGISTRATION LETTERS FOR 2023 HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT, AND THOSE WERE DONE BY MY DIRECTION AS WELL ALREADY THIS YEAR.

AND WE'RE SEEING REVENUE COME IN FROM THOSE STREAMS AS WELL.

OKAY. I GET IT.

SO MAY 31ST IS THE DEADLINE YEARLY.

AND THIS IS WHY YOU'RE HAVING ALL THE BACKLOG.

GOTCHA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW IS 43 A REGULAR NUMBER YEAR BY YEAR, OR IS THERE? YOU STARTED THIS YEAR, YOU SAID WITH 43.

THROUGH YOU. I DON'T HAVE THE STATISTICAL INFORMATION FOR PRIOR YEARS.

I SIMPLY LOOKED AT WHAT I WAS FACING FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

OKAY, NO PROBLEM.

ALSO. THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, ALL TAX REGISTRATIONS WERE SUSPENDED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AS WELL.

[00:50:07]

SOME OF THEM TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND DID CATCH UP.

SO THAT'S PART OF A GOOD NEWS STORY OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

OKAY, VERY GOOD. I GUESS ONE LAST QUESTION.

MAYBE. WELL, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF ANYBODY KNOWS THE ANSWER.

SO THIS MUNICIPAL ACT IS THE ARCHAIC PART, DOING THE ONE YEAR THING.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE STUCK IN THIS.

IS THAT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING OR SHOULD THAT BE? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M ASKING? IF NOT, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

YOU DO? THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] SO ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. THANK YOU. MS. SONNENBURG. I GUESS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED AND THAT IS CARRIED.

SO MEMO FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES REGARDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUALS IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AS PER SECTION 239(2) (B) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT.

WE HAVE A MOTION THAT THIS MATTER BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.

MOVER COUNCILLOR MANN.

SECONDED COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

ALL IN FAVOR.

NONE OPPOSED. THAT'S CARRIED.

MEMO FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES REGARDING 20 LISBON ROAD ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT AND OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICATION.

A MOTION THAT THE REPORT FROM J.L.

RICHARD DATED APRIL 19TH, 2023, BE RECEIVED AND THAT THE APPLICATION FOR ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT AND OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AS SUBMITTED FOR 20 LISBON ROAD, BE RECEIVED AND APPROVED, AND THAT COUNCIL ENACT A BYLAW TO REDESIGNATE THE SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL TO RESIDENTIAL SPECIAL POLICY AREA, AND TO REZONE THE SUBJECT PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL MULTI DWELLING R2 ZONE TO TOURIST HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL SPECIAL EXCEPTION NINE C2-9 ZONE.

MOVER? COUNCILLOR BULL. SECONDED COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP.

JUST A COMMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE NICE TO SEE THAT EYESORE GONE AND LEARNING THAT IT'S NOT ONLY THE 60 ROOM HOTEL IS GOING TO BE A RESTAURANT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A PATIO, AN OUTDOOR BAR.

IT'S A GOOD NEWS STORY.

AND WE'VE HAD NO NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM ANY OF THE PUBLIC AT THE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

AND IT'S A WELL JOB DONE BY AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MR. ANTUNES AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

THANKS. OKAY.

THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. SEEING NONE, VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED.

THAT IS CARRIED. MEMO FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERK'S AND PLANNING SERVICES REGARDING 33 OAKLAND BOULEVARD ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION. THAT A MOTION THAT THE REPORT FROM J.L.

RICHARD DATED APRIL 19, 2023, BE RECEIVED AND THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT SUBMITTED FOR 33 OAKLAND BOULEVARD BE APPROVED AND THAT COUNCIL ENACT THE APPROPRIATE BYLAW TO REZONE THE PROPERTY FROM TOURIST HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL C2 ZONE TO TOURIST HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL SPECIAL EXCEPTION 10 C2-10 ZONE.

MOVER.

COUNCILLOR MANN.

SECONDED. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS HERE? OKAY. LET'S VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED AND THAT IS CARRIED.

SO THERE ARE NO PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS.

THERE'S NO OUTSIDE BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTING.

THERE'S NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

ARTS AND CULTURE HUB UPDATES.

[INAUDIBLE] RESIDENTIAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS.

[INAUDIBLE] ITEMS. THERE'S NO PETITIONS.

THERE ARE NO CORRESPONDENCES, NO NOTICES OF MOTION, NO COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.

[00:55:05]

OKAY. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF BYLAWS.

[16. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF BY-LAWS]

BEING A BYLAW TO AMEND BYLAW NUMBER 18-36 TO REZONE 20 LISBON ROAD TO C2-9.

THAT THE MOTION THAT THE BYLAW 23-33 BE PASSED.

MAY I HAVE A MOVER? COUNCILLOR BULL SECONDED.

COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED THAT IS CARRIED.

BYLAW 23-34 BEING A BYLAW TO ADOPT AN AMENDMENT TO THE OFFICIAL PLAN NUMBER 18-35 CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE FOR 20 LISBON ROAD. A MOTION THAT THE BYLAW 23-34 BE PASSED.

MOVER COUNCILLOR BULL.

SECONDED COUNCILLOR SEIDEL.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED.

BYLAW 23-35 BEING A BYLAW TO AMEND BYLAW NUMBER 18-36 TO REZONE 33 OAKLAND BOULEVARD TO C2-10.

MOTION THAT BYLAW 23-35 BE PASSED.

MOVER AND A SECONDER? COUNCILLOR MANN COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AND THAT IS CARRIED.

BYLAW 23-36 BEING A BYLAW TO ADOPT A WORKING ALONE POLICY.

A MOTION THAT BYLAW 23-36 BE PASSED.

MOVER COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

SECONDED COUNCILLOR MANN.

ALL IN FAVOR? COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE IS OPPOSED.

THAT'S CARRIED.

BYLAW 23-37 BEING A BYLAW TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE MUNICIPAL TREASURER TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF TAX ARREARS EXTENSIONS AGREEMENTS. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT BYLAW 23-37 BE PASSED.

MOVER COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE SECONDED COUNCILLOR SEIDEL.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED THAT IS CARRIED.

I'M SORRY. OKAY.

[17. CLOSED SESSION (if applicable)]

MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT COUNCIL PROCEED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT THE HOUR OF 7:58.

MOVER COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

SECONDED, COUNCILLOR SEIDEL.

ALL IN FAVOR. THAT'S CARRIED.

OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT COUNCIL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT THE HOUR OF 8:11 P.M..

A MOVER. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE.

SECONDED COUNCILLOR SEIDEL.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED. THAT IS CARRIED.

EXCUSE ME. CONFIRMATORY BYLAW.

[18. CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW]

CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2023.

MOTION THAT BYLAW 23-38 BE PASSED.

MOVER COUNCILLOR BULL.

SECONDED COUNCILLOR MANN.

ALL IN FAVOR? NONE ARE OPPOSED THAT'S CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT MOTION THAT THE MEETING ADJOURN AT THE HOUR OF 8:12 P.M..

MOVER? COUNCILLOR MANN.

SECONDED? COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF.

ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS CARRIED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.