[1. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:03] OKAY. GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ELLIOT LAKE. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025, 7 P.M.. I'LL CALL TO ORDER. ROLL CALL. ALL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. ARE THERE ANY DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST? GOING ONCE. TWICE. OKAY. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES. [4. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES] MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES BE ADOPTED? THE JANUARY 27TH, 2025 REGULAR MEETING, THE JANUARY 30TH, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING, AND THE FEBRUARY 3RD, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING. A MOVER COUNCILLOR MANN SECONDED. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS CARRIED, SO THIS EVENING WE HAVE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION. [5. PUBLIC INPUT SESSION] IT'S SLIGHTLY UNUSUAL. IT'S A DIFFERENT PROTOCOL THIS EVENING. WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK TO ITEM 6.1, BUT WE HAVEN'T HEARD 6.1 YET. SO UNDER MY PREROGATIVE, I WILL ALLOW THEM TO COME UP TO SPEAK FOR TWO MINUTES EACH. IT'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL, THAT'S ALL. AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER PERSON SPEAKING TO ITEM 7.1. SO ON ITEM 6.1, THE FIRST SPEAKER IS NATALIE MCFADDEN. PLEASE COME TO THE MIC. GOOD EVENING. WELCOME, EVERYONE. TONIGHT IS OUR PRACTICE IN MASSEY. WE ARE HERE. WE ARE NOT ON THE ICE AS WE SHOULD BE. WE'RE DEFINITELY GROWING AS A COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN. I DO WORK AT THE ELLIOT LAKE FAMILY HEALTH TEAM, AND OUR COMMUNITY IS DEVELOPING IN A CHILD RAISING ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE COMING TO TOWN, BEING BORN INTO TOWN AND OR GOING TO NEED SOMETHING TO DO. WHEN THEY GET TO THE AGE OF HAVING SPORTS AND BEING ABLE TO BE PART OF A TEAM AND LEARN, AS YOU KNOW, THEY JUST WE ARE GROWING AS A COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS THAT NEED ACTIVITIES. THERE'S NOT MUCH FOR THEM TO DO. THEY DO TEND TO, YOU KNOW, HANG ABOUT, DO NOT MUCH. AND I JUST WANT TO STRESS WE ARE GROWING AS GROWING AS A COMMUNITY OF CHILDREN. THAT'S ALL I KEEP RUNNING IN MY HEAD IS THE COMMUNITY IS GROWING. THE RETIREMENT LIVING YES. GREAT. WONDERFUL. THE KIDS ARE BECOMING MORE SO. A LOT OF BABIES ARE BEING BORN. THE SCHOOLS ARE FULL. AND PEOPLE REALLY THEY NEED LOTS TO DO. THEY NEED SOMETHING TO DO. MORE AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WOULD WOULD JOIN MORE PEOPLE BASEBALL. YOU KNOW, THERE'S THERE'S KIDS THAT WANT TO DO MORE AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO MORE WITHOUT HAVING TO TRAVEL ON THE DANGEROUS ROADS. IT IS DANGEROUS. THOSE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, TRAVELING AFAR FOR HOCKEY WITH NO ARENA WHEN FIVE MINUTES UP THE ROAD FROM MY HOUSE. YOU KNOW IT. IT'S TIRING ON THE KIDS. IT'S TIRING TO GET THEM UP FOR SCHOOL. S OME OF THEM ARE HALF ASLEEP WHEN THEY SHOW UP TO PRACTICE. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DEFINITELY PULLING THEMSELVES TOGETHER TO GET ON THE ICE AND AND TO DO TO LEARN TO TO BECOME, YOU KNOW, PLAYERS OF A TEAM JUST HAVE TO STRESS THAT THE KIDS ARE POPULATING THE TOWN. AND TO HAVE THE THE ARENA UNDER OUR FEET AND A STABLE PLACE FOR US TO GO AND HAVE KIDS POWER SKATING, FIGURE SKATING WOULD BE, WOULD BE, WOULD BE GREAT. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NATALIE [APPLAUSE]. THE SECOND SPEAKER TO ITEM 6.1 IS MR. JEFF ROSE. MR. ROSE, PLEASE. MIC] GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT CENTRAL ARENA GROWING UP, THE CENTENNIAL ARENA GROWING UP. MY DAD WAS REALLY INVOLVED WITH MAJOR HOCKEY AND MINOR HOCKEY. [00:05:01] WE ARE A HOCKEY FAMILY. I WOULD SAY A THIRD OF MY CHILDHOOD WAS SPENT AT THE CENTENNIAL ARENA. AND I KNOW IT'S, THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY, AND WE WANT TO SAVE THAT ARENA. WE JUST NEED AN ARENA FOR KIDS TO PLAY HOCKEY. WE NEED A PLACE FOR KIDS TO PLAY HOCKEY. JUST LIKE ANY SPORT. WE NEED A PLACE FOR BASEBALL TOO FOR THESE KIDS. BUT THIS ARENA AND WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG AND THIS PROCESS AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO TRY TO ORGANIZE THIS PROCESS AND TO HIRE CONTRACTORS THAT I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DON'T FIX THE TOP OF A BUILDING BEFORE YOU FIX THE BOTTOM OF A BUILDING. AS ANY BUILDER, YOU START FROM THE GROUND UP. SO I JUST WANT TO STRESS ON HOW FRUSTRATING IT IS. FOR EVERY HOCKEY PARENT IN HERE THAT HAS TO TRAVEL UP THE ROAD 45 MINUTES. IT'S A COST. IT'S A COST TO EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AND IT'S FRUSTRATING AND WE ARE FRUSTRATED. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. ROSE [APPLAUSE]. MR. MIKE THOMAS, ITEM 7.1. MR. THOMAS, PLEASE. MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, IT'S TOUGH TO FOLLOW THAT. IF I MIGHT SAY, ALL THE KIDS THAT ARE HERE AND THE PARENTS, A GREAT CIVIC PARTICIPATION. IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU HERE. MY ITEM IS 7.1. IT'S ABOUT THE ESTABLISHED VOTING SYSTEMS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO REVIEW TONIGHT. I'D LIKE TO COMMEND THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT FOR THE WHOLESOME AND THOROUGH AND VERY COMPREHENSIVE REPORT THAT'S BEFORE YOU. I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS FOR ALMOST A DECADE. BOTHERED NATALIE QUITE A BIT, AS A MATTER OF FACT. I THINK THIS DOVETAILS IN WITH WHAT I SPOKE TO IN ONE OF YOUR OTHER MEETINGS. IT'S GOING TO BE A LEGACY OF ELLIOT LAKE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH INTERNET VOTING. IT'S THE 21ST CENTURY. THE YOUTH AND THE CROWD DEMONSTRATES THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE WELL SERVED BY YOUR DECISION TONIGHT. AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'LL ALL BE VERY PROUD OF, NOT JUST FOR YOUR TERM OF COUNCIL, BUT FOR EVERY COUNCIL THAT COMES AFTER THAT. WE WILL HAVE ACCESSIBLE PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS OF ELECTING OUR OFFICIALS FROM 2026 FORWARD. AND THAT IS MY SUBMISSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. THOMAS [APPLAUSE]. [6. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS] OKAY. ITEM 6 PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS. 6.1 PRESENTATION BY ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY REGARDING THE IMPACT OF EXTENDED CLOSURE HUKEZALIE, PRESIDENT OF MINOR HOCKEY. WELCOME, LARA [APPLAUSE]. SO PART OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT IS THE CLAPPING PART. I'M SORRY GUYS, I LET IT GO, BUT LET'S JUST QUIET CLAP. THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, YOUR WORSHIP, CITY COUNCIL, STAFF MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND OF COURSE, MY HOCKEY FAMILY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT MET ME BEFORE, MY NAME IS LARA HUKEZALIE. I AM ACTING PRESIDENT OF ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY SINCE JUNE 2024. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, PROVIDING ME WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACT AS AN AVENUE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY AND ITS MEMBERS. ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY HAD 78 MEMBERS REGISTERED THIS YEAR. 67 REGISTERS HAVE STAYED PLAYING. WE ASKED TO HEAR FROM OUR MEMBERS IN ANTICIPATION FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING. WE HAD AN OVERWHELMING 57 RESPONSES. PLEASE HEAR ME WHEN I SAY WE ARE TOGETHER. WE STAND TOGETHER AND ARE UNITED. ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY IS NOT CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS ANY LONGER. OUR FIRST QUESTION WE ASKED REGARDING THIS WAS OUR PLAYERS PARTICIPATION IN ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY, AND HOW THIS HAS POSITIVELY IMPACTED OUR PLAYERS AND FAMILIES. OUR MEMBERS ADVISED THAT BEING A PART OF OUR HOCKEY FAMILY HAS FOSTERED CIVIC PRIDE, A SENSE OF BELONGING NOT ONLY TO A TEAM BUT TO OUR COMMUNITY. HOCKEY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR FAMILIES AND OUR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. IT IS AN AVENUE FOR THEM TO GROW SOCIALLY, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. OUR HOCKEY PROGRAM TEACHES TEAMWORK. IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM. [00:10:04] IT ENSURES LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS NOT ONLY AMONG THE PLAYERS BUT BETWEEN PARENTS AND FAMILIES. HOCKEY DEVELOPS CHARACTER, TEACHES SPORTSMANSHIP, DISCIPLINE, AND FOSTERS RESILIENCE. OUR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. OUR CHILDREN'S HAPPINESS IS DEEPLY CONNECTED WITHIN THIS SPORT. IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO WATCH EVERYONE LOSE HOPE. OUR MEMBERS ALSO SHARED HOW THE EXTENDED CLOSURE OF THE ROGERS ARENA HAS IMPACTED THEM DURING THE CLOSURE. WITH INCREASING COSTS OF LIVING AND NOW AN ADDED EXPENSE WITH NOT BEING BACK ON OUR ARENA, SUCH AS GAS MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLES, INCREASED SPENDING WITH FOOD OUT OF TOWN, ALL CREATING FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS AND AT TIMES CRIPPLING FAMILIES TO MAINTAIN THEIR PLAYERS ATTENDANCE IN THE PROGRAM. FAMILIES HAVE LOST OUT ON OTHER ACTIVITIES THEY ENROLLED IN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, PUTTING THEM IN FURTHER FINANCIAL BURDEN. OUR CHILDREN ARE UP LATE, SOME WITHOUT, SOME AWAY FROM HOME FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK WITH SIBLINGS IN THE PROGRAM AS WELL. FAMILIES HAVE HAD TO FIND ALTERNATIVE CAREGIVERS FOR THEIR PETS DUE TO NOT LEAVING THEM ALONE ALL DAY AND ALL EVENING. OUR PLAYERS AND PARENTS ARE EXHAUSTED. CHILDREN'S EDUCATION IS BEING AFFECTED AS THEY ARE NOT EVEN HOME LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLETE HOMEWORK, AND PLAYERS ARE VERY TIRED THE NEXT DAY GOING TO SCHOOL. OUR YOUNGEST MEMBERS ARE MISSING OUT ON SKATING DEVELOPMENT AS THEY CANNOT ATTEND SKATE CAMP CANSKATE PROGRAMS. AS THEY DO NOT EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL MEANS TO SUSTAIN MORE TIME ON THE ROADS TO PARTICIPATE. CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS OUR PROGRAM ARE LEFT WITHOUT ACCESSING ORGANIZED SPORTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF INACTIVITY, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND DISENGAGEMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY. FAMILIES ARE LOSING TIME WITH GRANDPARENTS, SIBLINGS AND EXTENDED FAMILY. THE LOSS OF TIME IS THE LOSS OF TIME ISN'T ONLY WITH FAMILY IT IS WITH FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN IN MINOR HOCKEY. WE HAVE OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES UP AND DOWN THE HIGHWAYS AND THE HAZARDOUS WINTER CONDITIONS CREATING ANXIETY FOR MOST. THE LONG NIGHTS ARE TAKING A TOLL ON OUR YOUNG PLAYERS, LEAVING THEM TEARFUL AND OVERWHELMED DUE TO THE DISTANCE. THEIR IDEA OF HOCKEY IS CHANGING FROM A HAPPY AND POSITIVE ONE, TO ONE THAT IS BECOMING MORE WITH RESISTANCE AND WANTING TO WITHDRAW DUE TO THE TRAVEL. THESE CHILDREN ARE HAPPY AND ENGAGED ON THE ICE. THE NEGATIVE IMPACT IS STARTING TO OUTWEIGH THE POSITIVES FOR MOST MEMBERS. SORRY. THE EFFORT THE EXECUTIVE PARENTS, COACHES AND PLAYERS HAVE PUT IN TO MAKING HOCKEY HAPPEN IN MASSEY IS MONUMENTAL BUT IS NOW BECOMING TOO MUCH. OUR LAST QUESTION TO OUR MEMBERS WAS TO DETERMINE THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE. ONLY FIVE MEMBERS SAID THAT THEY WOULD REGARDLESS, FIVE. TEN WOULD HAVE TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER REMAINING IN THE SPORT. A LOT WOULD MOVE AND THE REST WOULD DISENGAGE. FAMILIES ARE NOT, FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD TO SUSTAIN THIS ANY LONGER AND ADVISE THAT THEY WOULD MOVE ON TO OTHER ACTIVITIES. HOCKEY IS A VITAL PART OF OUR CHILDREN'S LIVES, SOME SO MUCH THAT MEMBERS ARE WILLING TO RELOCATE TO ENSURE THEIR CHILD IS ENGAGED IN WHAT THEY LOVE. IF ELLIOT LAKE IS NOT ABLE TO RUN A PROGRAM NEXT YEAR, IT NOT ONLY AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITIES THAT COME TOGETHER TO PLAY AGAINST US. THE PARENTS OF OUR MEMBERS ARE EMPLOYED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF CAREERS FROM MINING, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL WORK, POLICING, HOSPITALITY, BUSINESS OWNERS AND MUNICIPALITY WORKERS. IF MEMBERS START RELOCATING TO COMMUNITIES THAT OFFER MORE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, IT WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THIS CITY. IT IS IMPERATIVE TO LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND INDEFINITE CLOSURE OF THIS ARENA WILL HAVE ON THIS COMMUNITY. THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF PROFIT LOSS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HAVING FAMILIES OUT OF TOWN FOR HOME GAMES. OTHER TEAMS HAVE NOT VISITED HERE, SPENDING MONEY ON GROCERIES, LOCAL SHOPPING, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS. OUR FAMILIES ARE ALSO SPENDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY OUTSIDE OF ELLIOT LAKE. ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY IS THE LARGEST USER GROUP OF THE ARENA, AND WE ARE FORCED IF WE ARE FORCED TO CLOSE OUR DOORS, THE CITY WILL BE AT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN ICE RENTAL FEES. WITHOUT ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY, THE CITY WOULD NEED MORE FUNDS FROM TAX PAYERS AND OTHER AVENUES TO KEEP A NEAR EMPTY BUILDING OPERATING. SOME MAY CALL OUR BLUFF, BUT I ASSURE YOU, IF MINOR HOCKEY FOLDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT WILL TAKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT BY MANY TO GET IT BACK RUNNING. [00:15:08] THE ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION ADVISED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT THERE WAS A HOLD ON ISSUING NEW TEAMS AND THE BY WAY OF PLAYER FREEDOM MOVEMENT. YOU WOULD NEED TO APPLY TO THE NOHA [INAUDIBLE] COMPLIANT AND HAVE ALL YOUR REGISTERED NON-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS INTACT TO START THE PROGRAM AGAIN. YOU WOULD NEED TO GET TOGETHER AN EXECUTIVE THAT IS TRAINED AND AWARE OF ALL THESE INS AND OUTS OF RUNNING A HOCKEY PROGRAM. OUR BOARD INCLUDES OF A PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER, ICE SCHEDULER, EQUIPMENT MANAGER, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, OFFICIALS ASSIGNOR, FUNDRAISER COORDINATOR, BINGO CHAIR, LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS AT LARGE. EACH ONE OF THESE POSITIONS HAVE VARYING TASKS THAT ARE COMPLETED OR COMPLETED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO MAKE MINOR HOCKEY PROGRAM FUNCTION, AND COMPLIANT WITH THE MANY DIFFERENT BYLAWS AND POLICIES THAT GOVERN IT. ONCE A BOARD IS ESTABLISHED, YOU WOULD NEED TO ANTICIPATE YOU WOULD NEED TO BE ACCEPTED INTO A LEAGUE. WE ARE PRESENTLY A PART OF THREE. THE BIGGEST BARRIER WOULD BE TRYING TO GET ENOUGH PLAYERS BACK INTO THE HOCKEY TO ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN A TEAM. TO ATTAIN BENCH STAFF, TRAIN THEM ALL, ENSURE PARENTS ARE ALL UP TO DATE WITH RESPECT AND SPORTS, COLLECT FEES, SIGN CONTRACTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT, AND THEN ORDER EQUIPMENT THEN THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS BEGIN. TO CLOSE THE DOORS ON THIS PROGRAM ALSO CLOSES THE DOORS ON THE TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AND PASSED ON FOR DECADES IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE HAVE AN AMAZING BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A SLEW OF VIBRANT PARENTS WAITING TO GROW HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. DUE TO THIS, DUE TO THE AMAZING EFFORTS AND GENEROSITY OF KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE, OUR NUMBERS INCREASED THIS SEASON. WE HOPE TO RALLY TOGETHER TO WIN KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS VOLUNTEERING TO HELP FIX OUR ARENA. WE WERE TOLD THE BUILDING WOULD BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND IN FALL OF 2024, AND ANTICIPATED BACK IN FOR DECEMBER. WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING SPRING LEARN TO PLAY PROGRAM, WHERE WE COULD UTILIZE THE AMAZING DONATIONS OF EQUIPMENT BY NHLPA HOCKEY HOCKEYVILLE DEMONSTRATED TO OUR COMMUNITY'S STRENGTH AND HIGHLIGHTED GENEROSITY OF THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED AND BELIEVED THAT OUR CITY IS CAPABLE OF RESTORING OUR ARENA. THE CITY'S MISSION STATEMENT IS ELLIOT LAKE IS A COMMUNITY WHERE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS CONTINUOUSLY ENHANCED THROUGH THE INTERACTIONS OF A DIVERSE POPULATION SUPPORTED BY ENGAGED PRIVATE AND NOT FOR PROFIT SECTORS. IT IS A PLACE WHERE AFFORDABILITY, HEALTH AND RESILIENCE ARE MORE THAN JUST WORDS. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE. ELLIOT LAKE MINOR HOCKEY HAS BEEN PRESSED TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR PROGRAM WITH CONTINUOUS SETBACKS AND TIMELINE DELAYS. WE WERE FINISHED, WE ARE FINISHING OFF OUR SECOND SEASON OF THIS TIRESOME CRUSADE. WHEN THE ARENA INITIALLY CLOSED, YOU ASKED US TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO CONTINUE OUR PROGRAM. ENCOURAGED US TO BE RESILIENT AND WORK THROUGH THE OBSTACLES AND ADVERSITIES THAT THE CLOSURE PRESENTED. WHEN THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF MASSEY OPENED ITS DOORS TO US WE WERE TOLD BY MANY, THE DRIVE ISN'T TOO BAD. IF YOU LIVED IN A CITY, YOU WOULD TRAVEL. STATEMENTS LIKE THIS WOULD ONLY BE ACCURATE IF WE DID CHOOSE TO LIVE IN A CITY. WE CHOOSE TO LIVE HERE IN ELLIOT LAKE FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US. NONETHELESS, WE DID IT. WE CARPOOLED. WE WORKED OUT SCHEDULING ISSUES. WE CONTINUED TO TRY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER ANY WAY POSSIBLE. WE HAVE DONE WHAT WAS ASKED. NOW WE TURN THAT BACK TO YOU. WE ASK YOU TO MAKE HOCKEY POSSIBLE AGAIN FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY. PLEASE DO NOT LET MONTHS PASS BY WITHOUT PLANS BEING MADE, WITHOUT TASKS BEING EXECUTED AND COMPLETED. FIND SOLUTIONS. JUST LIKE YOU ASKED OF US. COME TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER TO GET US BACK ON HOME ICE. WE HAVE HELD IN AS LONG AS WE CAN. IT IS NOW YOUR TURN TO SHOW THAT YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND VULNERABLE SECTORS MATTER TO YOU. PROVIDE THAT YOU ARE COMPETENT AND CAPABLE OF GETTING THIS JOB DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER. WE WANT YOU TO MOVE MOUNTAINS. WE WANT YOU TO MOVE OUR HOME ICE BACK HOME WHERE IT BELONGS IN ELLIOT LAKE. THIS IS A NECESSITY TO KEEPING HOCKEY ALIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. [00:20:01] I HAVE ONE RECOMMENDATION. FOR FUTURE PROJECTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE INVOLVING ANY CITY INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT DECISIONS BE OVERSEEN BY A STANDING COMMITTEE OF PROFESSIONALS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT HAVE HAD AN INCREASING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL AROUND ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND BUILDING. PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION 722 THE CITY BYLAWS NUMBER 16-06. DRAW TO YOUR ATTENTION SCHEDULE A WITHIN THIS BYLAW WHERE IT OUTLINES THE CRITERIA FOR NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES. FORTHCOMING FORMING SUCH A COMMITTEE OF THIS TO OVERSEE PROJECTS LIKE THIS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL NOT ONLY TO COUNCIL, THE CITY STAFF, BUT ALSO TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MRS. HUKEZALIE [APPLAUSE]. OKAY. SO THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THIS IS A PRESENTATION FOR COUNCIL TO COMMENT OR QUESTION. I'LL START I GUESS MOST OF US UP HERE SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATIONS. THE DIFFICULTIES THAT WE ALL SHARE WITH THIS SITUATION, IT'S A LEARNING PROCESS FOR SURE. BUT THIS HAS BEEN, I GUESS, OUR NUMBER ONE PROBLEM FOR ALL OF OUR TENURE. AND AT NO POINT CAN I SAY THAT WE'VE WAVERED IN TRYING TO GET THIS ARENA OPEN. IT PAINS ME TO FEEL THAT PEOPLE ARE LOSING HOPE WITH SUCH AN EXCITING SUMMER THAT WE'VE HAD SUCH SUCCESS WITH KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE. SUCCESS IN ATTRACTING PEOPLE TO DONATE TO OUR ARENA. MANY MEMBERS HERE HAVE DONATED. MANY OF THE PUBLIC HAVE DONATED. A LOT OF YOU ARE HERE LIKE WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. WE ALL CARE. I GREW UP PLAYING HOCKEY HERE IN ELLIOT LAKE. EVERYTHING YOU SAID, PLUS MORE, YOU LEARN FROM PLAYING HOCKEY, WAY MORE. AND I'VE PLAYED HOCKEY PROBABLY UP UNTIL ABOUT 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO. THE MEANING OF THE ARENA IS NOT LOST ON COUNCIL. THE METHODS TO GET THIS ARENA OPEN IS NOT LOST ON COUNCIL. BUT THIS IS A PROCESS. AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND PUSH. BUT THERE IS A LIMIT. THE PLACE WAS CLOSED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT'S NOT GOING TO OPEN UNTIL IT'S SAFE. AND HOWEVER LONG THAT TAKES. YES. THAT'S OUT OF OUR HANDS. WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN. I DO AGREE WITH SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS. PERHAPS LOOKING BACK, WE MAY BE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS THE WAY TO GO, BUT AT THE TIME, THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WENT. LIFE LIKE HOCKEY YOU GO IN, PLAY HOCKEY, YOU MAKE A MISTAKE ON THE ICE YOUR COACH TELLS YOU, YOU LEARN. YOU MAY EVEN MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE AGAIN. JUST BE SURE AND JUST KNOW THAT AT NO POINT HAVE WE WAVERED IN TRYING TO PUSH THIS ARENA FORWARD. MOST OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS CONCERNING THIS, ESPECIALLY THE MOST RECENT ONES, HAVE PUT US AT ODDS WITH OUR OWN STAFF BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO PUSH TO OPEN IT UP. AND YOU CAN'T IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY HONESTLY, YOU HAVE TO BE A TEAM. SO. WITH THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, THERE IS A BIT OF A PAUSE. WE ARE GATHERING MORE INFORMATION. IT'S SLOW. IT'S FRUSTRATINGLY SLOW. BUT IT'S THE ROUTE THAT WE'RE GOING, AND I'M NOT SURE. WHILE, IT'S FAIR ENOUGH YOU CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THINGS AND CRITICIZE THIS AND CRITICIZE THAT. WE'LL TAKE THAT. BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO GIVE UP HOPE. ALL OF YOU OUT THERE. MOST OF YOU I'VE SEEN WE WERE AT THE KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE THING TOGETHER, [00:25:06] JUMPING UP AND DOWN SCREAMING. IT'S GREAT. ALL OF YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS. I MEAN, IT'S NOT LOST, RIGHT? BUT WHEN YOU'RE DOWN, YOU GOT TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP GOING. AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOT TO BE. AND I HAVE FAITH. I HAVE FAITH THAT WE'LL GET OPEN. AND IF IT'S A I'M SORRY. SORRY, I JUST SAID WHO'S GOING TO BE LEFT TO USE IT? THERE'S A WHOLE ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE HERE THAT WILL USE IT. THERE'S A WHOLE SLEW OF MEN THAT ARE WAITING TO PLAY HOCKEY AT NIGHT. THERE'S FIGURE SKATING. THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO USE IT. DID EVERYBODY ABANDON THE POOL WHEN WE OPENED IT? ARE PEOPLE HERE USING THE POOL? YEAH YEP, I GUESS WE CAN ALLOW IT. JUST A QUICK QUESTION, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE MY BIGGEST POINT IN WHAT SHE SAID, AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT THE VIKINGS AS WELL ANYTHING MOVING FORWARD, IF ANYTHING SLOWER HAPPENS, YOU LOSE HOCKEY IN TOWN ALTOGETHER, YOU WON'T HAVE MINOR, YOU WON'T HAVE JUNIOR A AND YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE SKATE CLUB I THINK IS YOUR POINT. IF YOU DON'T GET IT OPEN FASTER. I DON'T THINK NO, WE GET THE POINT. I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST POINT IS YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY OF THESE LEAGUES OR ANYTHING IN ELLIOT LAKE. OKAY. NO, I UNDERSTAND. OUR GOAL IS TO GET IT OPEN THERE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO COMMIT. RIGHT. HOW DO YOU COMMIT? IT'S LIKE DOING A SURGERY ON AN ANIMAL WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION AND YOU'RE GOING TO SCREW UP, AND THEN EVERYBODY THAT'S IN THE BUILDING, SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SO THE TIMELINE IS THE ISSUE. AND IT'S OUT OF OUR HANDS. CAN WE PUSH STAFF? CAN WE HIRE 20 MORE PEOPLE? WE WOULD. WE WOULD TRY. ANYWAY. WHAT'S THE ISSUE THOUGH? WHAT'S THE ISSUE WITH THE BUILDING. IS IT A FOOTING OR IS IT A ROOF? WE ARE INVESTIGATING. YOU HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION AS MUCH AS WE HAVE. IF YOU WATCH THE COUNCIL MEETINGS, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? WE ARE WAITING FOR INFORMATION ON HOW FAR TO GO DOWN FOR A GOOD FOUNDATION. THEY ARE EXTRAPOLATING EXTRA STUFF ON THAT. I MEAN, SORRY. I THINK EVERYTHING IS OUT THERE FOR YOU TO SEE. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. WE FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION. ALL OF US COUNSELORS UP HERE, WE MAKE OUR DECISIONS BASED ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE COMPETENT STAFF. THEY BRING US THESE REPORTS. AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVE, WE TRY TO MAKE A WELL INFORMED DECISION. ARE WE BEING TOO CAREFUL WITH THE ARENA? WHO KNOWS? I KNOW PERSONALLY IF WE DIDN'T PUT THOSE MOTION SENSORS IN AND WE DIDN'T CATCH ALL THAT SWAYING FROM THOSE MOTION SENSORS, YOU WOULD ALL BE IN THAT ARENA RIGHT NOW. IT'D BE OPEN BECAUSE THE STRUCTURAL INSIDE IS DONE. WHO WOULDN'T HAVE CAUGHT THE PROBLEM UNDERNEATH? THAT BEING SAID, TWO YEARS FROM NOW, IF THERE WAS A DISASTER AND SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENED. WHAT WOULD WE DO THEN? WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN. AS COUNCILLOR SEIDEL SAID AT THE LAST SPECIAL MEETING ABOUT THE ARENA WE'RE FIXING THIS ARENA FOR 40 YEARS. SO WE RUSHED THIS, AND I I FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION. I'VE BEEN THROUGH IT. I'VE BEEN FROM TIM HORTONS RIGHT, TO JUNIOR HOCKEY WITH MY BOY AND MYSELF. I PLAYED UNTIL THE ARENA CLOSED, SO I, I, I LIVED THIS LIFE FOR 25 YEARS. I WANTED TO OPEN IT A LOT AND I PUSHED THE STAFF AND SO DOES ALL THE OTHER COUNCILLORS. BUT WE HAVE TO AND WE DO WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE STAFF AND THERE'S A PROCEDURE WE WE'D LOVE TO, AS MAYOR WANNAN JUST SAID, WE'D LOVE TO SAY IT'S GOING TO BE OPEN 100%. BUT WE HAVE DONE TIMELINES AND LOOK WHERE IT'S GOT US. IT'S GOT THEIR UP THERE, EVERYBODY FRUSTRATED, PEOPLE LOOKING ALMOST. I DON'T THINK THEY'RE BLAMING COUNCIL, BUT WE'RE WE'RE PRETTY. WE CAN PICK UP THE VIBES. [00:30:07] AND THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. AND I REALLY FEEL FOR EVERYBODY, AND I, I WANT TO OPEN AS BAD AS EVERYBODY SITTING IN THESE CHAIRS OUT THERE, AND SO DOES EVERYBODY ELSE SITTING UP HERE, AND SO DOES STAFF. WE'VE PUT A LOT WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF THINGS OPEN SINCE WE'VE BEEN SWORN IN. AND THIS IS MY ONE NEIGHBOR SAID TO ME, THIS IS GOING TO BE OUR SWAN SONG. WELL, I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE OPEN. AND PLEASE DON'T CALL YOUR BLUFF. WE DON'T WANT NOBODY CALLING BLUFFS. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE MINOR HOCKEY, FIGURE SKATING, ANYTHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING IN. IT'S ONE THING TO HEAR IT AND IT'S ONE THING TO SEE THE EMOTION AND IT'S IT'S YOU GUYS ARE LIVING THIS DAY IN AND DAY OUT. AND I KNOW YOU'RE FRUSTRATED. AND AS THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR SAID, WE ARE ALSO FRUSTRATED. WE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN. I MEAN, WE'RE WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON INFORMATION THAT'S PRESENTED TO US. WE'RE PUSHING HARD. THE DELAY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED EITHER. WE ARE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN. AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S IN MY MIND, IT'S PROBABLY THE LARGEST PROJECT WE'VE HAD IN ELLIOT LAKE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOLUME OF MONEY THAT'S BEEN SPENT. SO WITH ANY MAJOR PROJECT, THERE COMES THESE DISAPPOINTMENTS AND I CAN TELL YOU WE WILL GET OUT OF IT. IT JUST THIS IS THE POINT IN TIME, I THINK WE ALL NEED TO STAND AS A COMMUNITY RATHER THAN POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER. WE NEED TO STAND STRONG AS A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. COME UP TO THE MIC, PLEASE. YEAH. WHERE DO WE STAND FINANCIALLY? LIKE, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IF WE GET EVERYTHING GOING OR, LIKE, ARE WE WAITING ON SOMETHING THAT CAN'T EVEN HAPPEN? IS THAT A QUESTION THAT I CAN ASK? I'M NOT SURE. I JUST. YEAH, THE BASIC FINANCIALS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO POINT. SO WE'RE LIKE, WE'RE OKAY TO OPEN AN ARENA LIKE FINANCIALLY RIGHT NOW, IDEALLY. WE HAVE UNFORESEEN COSTS AND WE HAVE PLANS OKAY. SO WE HAVE HAD A BUDGET AND THERE ARE THERE IS A NUMBER THAT'S OUT THERE. OKAY. ARE WE OKAY? WE'RE OKAY. IS IT GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE? IT COULD BE. SO WE WILL HAVE TO SHUFFLE SOME MONEY AROUND IS PROBABLY WHAT'S GOING TO END UP HAPPENING. OUT OF THE RESOURCES PROVIDED SO FAR. LIKE HOW LIKE WE'VE POURED A LOT INTO THE STRUCTURE ALREADY. CORRECT? YES. SO THERE'S NO, LIKE, OPENING SOMETHING ELSE IF THAT STRUCTURE DOESN'T PAN OUT FOR US. LIKE, I'M JUST WONDERING, CAN THERE BE LIKE LIKE, IS THERE EVER GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT LOCATION IF THE SOIL ISN'T STRUCTURALLY OKAY FOR THIS? IS THERE GOING TO LIKE, WHAT'S THE END GAME GOING TO BE IF WE RUN OUT OF MONEY? IF WE LIKE, WHERE ARE WE AT? ARE WE GOING TO MOVE IT? OR LIKE, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS CRAZY TO ASK RIGHT NOW. I'LL BE HONEST WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO MOVE IT. WE HAVE TO. WE WE DON'T. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A SPOT, REALLY, TO PUT IT. OKAY. RIGHT. WE'RE GOING THROUGH ALL THESE ISSUES FOUNDATION WISE. IT'LL BE THE SAME PROBLEMS GOING FORWARD DOING A NEW BUILD. THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL AND THE REC CENTER ALL WENT THROUGH IT, RIGHT? IF IT WAS POSSIBLE, I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE PULLED THE TRIGGER. OKAY. THAT BEING SAID, I DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR FINAL BUDGET NUMBER WOULD BE FOR THIS PROJECT. THERE IS A TEAM NOW OF ENGINEERS PUSHING, THEIR DRILLING RIGHT NOW TO FIND OUT HOW DEEP AND HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TO SPEND TO SHORE UP THE FOUNDATION. RIGHT. AND THAT INFORMATION WILL COME TO US WHEN IT COMES TO US. I REFER GOING BACK. I SENT SAMPLES TO THE LAB. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PATHOLOGIST TO LOOK AT THEM AND SEND ME A REPORT BEFORE I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING. SO IT'S STEP BY STEP BY STEP. ARE WE ENSURING THAT THE MONEY WILL BE THERE? [00:35:02] YES. OKAY. COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I THINK MAYBE A BETTER WAY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IS THIS COUNCIL HAS A MANDATE TO REOPEN THAT BUILDING. OKAY. PERIOD. GOOD. AND THAT HAS NOT WAVERED AT ALL. HONESTLY, I WASN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE I THINK MAYOR WANNAN'S COMMENTS WERE APPROPRIATE AND REASONABLE TONIGHT. WE DON'T NORMALLY SEE CHAMBERS THIS FULL, BUT WE HEAR EVERYTHING THAT'S BEING SAID, AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ADDITIONAL TO SAY OTHER THAN THAT BUILDING IS IMPORTANT. WE'VE ALL SAT IN IT EITHER AS A PARTICIPANT OR A VIEWER ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, ALL GROWING UP. IT'S NO DIFFERENT FOR ANY OF US AROUND THIS TABLE, AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE DISSENTING VOTE ON THIS REBUILD ONCE. SO THAT'S, I THINK IS CLEAR, THE MANDATE IS TO REOPEN THE ROGERS ARENA PERIOD. AND AS HAS BEEN SAID, IT WILL OPEN WHEN IT'S READY TO OPEN. I WISH WE COULD SAY TONIGHT WHEN THAT'S GOING TO BE. WE CAN'T. AND IT'S UNFAIR TO PROMISE A DATE UNLESS WE CAN COMMIT TO IT. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY, LARA YEP. ONE MORE. COME ON UP. SO ARE WE WAITING UNTIL, LIKE, THE PAINT IS DONE? THE BATHROOMS ARE DONE BEFORE WE'RE CALLING IT OPEN, OR ARE YOU GUYS IN CONSIDERATION OF IT GETTING STRUCTURALLY SOUND, THE FOOTINGS AND EVERYTHING DONE AND POSSIBLY DOING THAT NEXT SPRING /SUMMER? MY UNDERSTANDING AND THE WAY IT'S BEEN PRESENTED IS THAT WE ARE GETTING THE ICE AS READY AS SOON AS WE CAN. THAT WOULD INCLUDE HAVING WORKING WASHROOMS, WORKING CHANGE ROOMS. WILL THE STANDS BE PERFECT? I DON'T KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE THE PLANS, BUT WE'RE PUSHING FOR ICE. THANK YOU. OKAY. OKAY. MRS. ROBINSON OR MISS ROBINSON? ARE ON OPPOSITE SIDES ON THIS. AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE INTENT OF MINOR HOCKEY AT ALL. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. BUT WE WANT YOU TO HEAR OUR VOICES. AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT HISTORY IN HOCKEY, ALL OF YOU. WE HAVE PRACTICES ON MONDAY NIGHTS WHERE OUR ARE YOUTH 7S ALL THE WAY UP TO YOUTH 13S IN MASSEY WILL STILL BE PRACTICING. OUR LAST HOME GAME IS OVER, LAST WEEKEND. COME AND BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH US. COME TO THE ARENA. SPEND A MONDAY NIGHT WITH US. THAT WOULD MEAN A LOT. WE KNOW YOU LOVE HOCKEY. COME AND SEE WHAT ELLIOT LAKE HOCKEY IS DOING IN MASSEY. I ENCOURAGE IT. SO WE FEEL MORE TOGETHER AND LESS ADVERSARIAL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. WE ARE TOGETHER. WE HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME. EVER SINCE IT WAS ANNOUNCED THIS HAS BEEN A TEST, BUT WE ARE TOGETHER. I GUESS THERE IS SOME FEELING THAT THE SENSE IN THE PUBLIC IS THAT WE AREN'T REPRESENTING YOU. SO THAT COULD BE WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS ARE HURT. WE GET HURT, TOO. I MEAN, WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT NOT PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. WE ARE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, TOO. SO MAYBE THAT'S OUR DEFENSIVE POSTURE, BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW IS THAT WE HEAR YOU, AND WE'RE DOING OUR BEST. WE KNOW IN OUR OWN WAYS WHAT'S HAPPENING. BUT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY VALUABLE TALK. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD WITH YOUR CONCERNS. THIS IS HOW IT'S KIND OF SUPPOSED TO WORK, RIGHT? YOU COME UP, YOU YOU TELL US WHAT YOU'RE FEELING, AND WE LISTEN. WE TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE'RE DOING. I KNOW COUNCIL ISN'T SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY LIKES TO WATCH ON MONDAY NIGHT, BUT THERE'S ARCHIVED MEETINGS YOU CAN GO BACK AND FOLLOW. I ENCOURAGE THAT TOO, BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT IS PASSED IN THESE MEETINGS AND SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS. [00:40:06] AND I GUESS ON A FINAL NOTE, PERHAPS WE WILL LOOK INTO WE CAN STILL HAVE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE. SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT POTENTIALLY. BUT ON THAT NOTE I THINK WE'RE DONE WITH THE PRESENTATION. THE REST OF THE MEETING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAY FOR IF YOU'D LIKE TO QUIETLY HEAD ON HOME. YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY, IF YOU LIKE. WE'LL JUST TAKE A QUICK PAUSE. [7. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS] CONSIDERATION OF CORPORATE REPORTS. EXCUSE ME. 7.1 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES REGARDING ESTABLISHED VOTING SYSTEMS. 2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTION. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CLERKS OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES BE RECEIVED, AND THAT COUNCIL APPROVE INTERNET VOTING AS AN ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHOD FOR THE 2026 MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION, AND THAT STAFF BE DIRECTED TO BRING A BYLAW FORWARD TO COUNCIL, TO ESTABLISH ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHODS AND TO PERMIT ADVANCED VOTING AS PER THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT 1996, ONCE AN ELECTION'S VENDOR HAS BEEN CHOSEN. MAY I HAVE A MOVER? COUNCILLOR MANN. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR BULL. MRS. BRAY, PLEASE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO THE ELECTIONS ARE NOT UNTIL OCTOBER 26TH, 2026. AND ALTHOUGH IT'S A WAYS AWAY, WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION THIS EVENING ON CHOOSING A VOTING METHOD. SO TRADITIONALLY, ELLIOT LAKE HAS USED PAPER BALLOTS WITH TABULATORS FOR PAST ELECTIONS. HOWEVER, OUR CURRENT TABULATORS ARE NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY VENDOR SOFTWARE, AND IF COUNCIL DECIDES TO CONTINUE WITH TABULATORS, WE'D NEED TO START THE PROCUREMENT FOR THOSE NEW MACHINES NOW IN ORDER TO SECURE THEM FOR THE ELECTION. ALTERNATIVELY, ELECTRONIC VOTING COULD BE AN OPTION. IF CHOSEN WE WOULD COLLABORATE WITH FOUR OTHER MUNICIPALITIES TO ISSUE A JOINT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A VENDOR. SO MY REPORT DOES OUTLINE THE PROS AND CONS OF EACH METHOD. I'LL BRIEFLY REVIEW. SO WITH PAPER BALLOTS WITH TABULATORS, THE RESIDENTS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS METHOD. IT'S RELIABLE WITH QUICK RESULTS. THE CONS WITH THOSE ARE THERE IS STILL ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES FOR IN-PERSON VOTING. PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EITHER THE ADVANCED POLL FOR CERTAIN DAYS OR AT THE COLLINS HALL ON ELECTION DAY. WITH INTERNET VOTING, IT OFFERS A CONVENIENT, FLEXIBLE. IT INCREASES ACCESSIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. I THINK WITH KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE, THE COMMUNITY PROVED THAT WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT METHOD OF ONLINE VOTING. SOME CONS COULD BE CYBER SECURITY CONCERNS, BUT THESE CAN BE MANAGED WITH A REPUTABLE VENDOR. IN-PERSON VOTING WITH IPADS AND LAPTOPS WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE ON ELECTION DAY FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO ATTEND AT THE COLLINS HALL AND VOTE. SO WHETHER WE GO WITH TABULATORS OR INTERNET VOTING, WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION THIS EVENING, CHOOSING TABULATORS AGAIN, PROCUREMENT NEEDS TO START RIGHT AWAY. AND FOR INTERNET VOTING, WE'D BE JOINING WITH THOSE NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITIES TO ISSUE A JOINT RFP. SO GIVEN THE FLEXIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF INTERNET VOTING, THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT IS RECOMMENDING PROCEEDING WITH INTERNET VOTING FOR THE 2026 ELECTION. WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL IMPACT, THE COST OF NEW TABULATORS WOULD BE IN THE AREA OF $37,500. OR WE COULD LEASE TABULATORS AT $9,000 PLUS TRAVEL AND PER DIEMS. WITH INTERNET VOTING, THE COSTS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, WE WOULD HAVE A REDUCTION IN COST BY COLLABORATING WITH OUR NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITIES ON THE RFP. FOR STRATEGIC PLAN LINKS, IT DEFINITELY ALIGNS WITH OUR GOAL OF ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY AND EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY FOR OUR RESIDENTS. IT FURTHER ALIGNS WITH THE CLERK DEPARTMENT'S WORK PLAN OF MODERNIZING THE DEPARTMENT AND FUNCTIONS. SO IN CONCLUSION, WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION SOON SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCUREMENT OF THE TABULATORS OR THE RFP PROCESS. AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS COUNCIL MAY HAVE. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, THROUGH YOU. I JUST WANT TO THANK MRS. BRAY FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. OBVIOUSLY I THINK THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH EXAMPLES OF INTERNET VOTING THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO DATE. SO WE'RE NOT AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THIS. THERE'S ENOUGH EXAMPLES OF HOW IT'S DONE PROPERLY TO FOLLOW WITH. SO I WOULD SUPPORT THAT. MY ONLY QUESTION IS WHEN IT TALKS ABOUT NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITIES, WHAT WOULD BE A RECOMMENDATION FOR A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES THAT YOU WOULD BE IN FULL DISCUSSIONS WITH? [00:45:06] THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO CURRENTLY I HAVE BEEN IN A GROUP AND IT CONSISTS OF BLIND RIVER, SABLES-SPANISH RIVER, HURON SHORES, AND BALDWIN TOWNSHIP. SO THEY ARE ALL SEEKING PERMISSION. MOST HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED IT. THEY'RE ALL SEEKING PERMISSION THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK TO START THAT PROCESS. SO IT WOULD BE THE FIVE OF US AT THIS POINT. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU TO MRS. BRAY. SO WITH THE INTERNET VOTING GOING THAT WOULD MAKE IT A LOT EASIER. YOU COULD PROBABLY ALMOST GET RID OF GET RID OF THE MAIL IN VOTING BECAUSE BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE GO ONLINE AND DO IT BY INTERNET THEN. THANK YOU. THROUGH YOUR WORSHIP. SO WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING VOTE BY MAIL THIS YEAR. SO WE DID IMPLEMENT THAT IN THE LAST ELECTION. HOWEVER THERE WAS JUST A LOW LIKE A LOW DEMAND AND HIGH COST. IT WASN'T WORTH THE I THINK WE SPENT AROUND $4,000 AND 126 PEOPLE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT. SO WE WON'T BE RECOMMENDING THAT. WITH THE ONLINE VOTING YOU CAN VOTE IF YOU'RE AWAY AT COLLEGE, IF YOU ARE AWAY OUT OF TOWN FOR WORK, IF YOU ARE A SNOWBIRD, YOU CAN, ANYONE CAN VOTE USING THE ONLINE METHOD. SO THAT'S JUST TO FOLLOW UP. SO THAT'S ALMOST FOR SURE. LIKE IF WE GO WITH THIS, WE DEFINITELY DO NOT NEED TO DO THE MAILING AND SAVE A BIT OF STAFF TIME AND OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR BULL. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, THROUGH YOU TO MRS. BRAY. THE COMMUNITIES THAT DO THE INTERNET VOTING. HOW MUCH OF AN INCREASE IN THE VOTER PARTICIPATION DID THEY HAVE? DO THEY KNOW, OR? SO I DON'T KNOW, THAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I COULD DEFINITELY GET THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU. I THINK EVERYONE EXPERIENCED A LOWER VOTE TURNOUT AT THE LAST ELECTION IN GENERAL. BUT I DO. I CAN DEFINITELY HAVE THAT FOR YOU WHEN WE BRING BACK THE RFP PROCESS. OKAY. THANK YOU. AND I'M SORT OF I DON'T KNOW HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL FEEL, BUT I THINK TO GO TO THE COLLINS HALL AND PUT A BALLOT IN, A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE PRIDE IN DOING THAT KIND OF THING. I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH THE INTERNET WOULD WOULD PLAY A PART, BUT I UNDERSTAND FOR THE ACCESSIBILITY PART, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT THE LAST ELECTION CALLED ME FOR A RIDE, I HAD TO GO HELP PICK THEM UP BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET TO THE COLLINS HALL FOR TO TO BE ABLE TO VOTE. SO I THINK THAT IN THAT WAY, IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN TOWN TO BE ABLE TO VOTE. BUT I STILL THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT LIKE TO BE ABLE TO STILL GO TO THE COLLINS HALL OR WHEREVER THE VOTING IS. OKAY. THANK YOU, MRS. BRAY. THANK YOU. THROUGH YOU YOUR WORSHIP. SO WE STILL WOULD HAVE A VOTE DAY AT THE COLLINS HALL. SO WHEN YOU ARRIVE, YOU WOULD STILL MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON THE LIST. YOU'D HAVE YOUR PIN. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, WE CAN LOCATE YOUR PIN NUMBER FOR YOU. AND WHEN YOU GO BEHIND THE SCREEN, INSTEAD OF HAVING A PAPER BALLOT AND A PEN, YOU WOULD SIMPLY HAVE AN IPAD OR A LAPTOP. THERE WILL BE ELECTION OFFICIALS AVAILABLE, VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST THOSE WHO NEED THE HELP. AND THEN YOU WOULD CAST YOUR BALLOT ELECTRONICALLY. WELL, THAT'S PERFECT THEN. THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU. SORRY, I'VE GOT QUITE A LENGTHY RESPONSE HERE. BEING AN IT PERSON, I GOT QUITE EXCITED BY READING THIS REPORT AND I HAD THOUGHT THIS HAD MOVED QUITE A WAYS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS NOT. I DID MY RESEARCH. I READ MANY PAPERS IN CANADA THAT BASICALLY DO NOT RECOMMEND USING ELECTRONIC VOTING UNTIL A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK IS IN PLACE. HAVING WORKED ON THE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD IN CANADA, WE WERE REQUIRED TO USE AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD, WHICH MEANT THAT SOFTWARE PROVIDERS WENT THROUGH A RIGOROUS CERTIFICATION PROCESS BEFORE THEY COULD BE PUT ON THE LIST TO SAY THAT THEY PROVIDE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS. SO, AS SOME OF THE REPORTS I READ DATED BACK A FEW YEARS, I THEN WENT SEARCHING AGAIN FOR A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR INTERNET VOTING IN CANADA. SO ELECTIONS CANADA COMMISSIONED A REPORT IN FEBRUARY OF 2024, AND THEIR REPORT PROVIDES VERY VALUABLE INPUT. SO THE COMMENT WHERE A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD WHERE ONLINE HAS BECOME THE NORM, ELECTRONIC VOTING IS NO DIFFERENT IS NOT QUITE ACCURATE. WITH FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS, YOU'LL NOTE YOUR BANK USES SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INSISTS THAT USERS IDENTIFY THEMSELVES IN A MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION. VOTING HAS THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR PRIVACY AND SECRECY, WHICH IS ALSO PART OF THE CANADIAN CHARTER. SO WHERE THINGS TEND TO FALL APART WITH ONLINE VOTING IS NOT ONLY IS A FRAMEWORK REQUIRED FOR THE TECHNOLOGY, BUT THEY ALSO NEED A FRAMEWORK FOR ANY LEGAL VERBIAGE GOING FORWARD. SO INTERNET VOTING IN AN UNCONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS A HOME, A VOTER USES A PERSONAL COMPUTER TO CAST THEIR BALLOT. THERE IS NO WAY TO ENSURE THAT VOTERS PRIVACY IS NOT COMPROMISED, THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING BRIBED OR INTIMIDATED IN ANY WAY. YOU KNOW, UNLIKE WHERE CONTROLLED VOTING, WHICH IS ANOTHER OPTION THAT NATALIE HAS SUGGESTED. [00:50:01] THERE YOU'RE THERE'S A POTENTIAL RISK OF INCREASING MALWARE OR VIRUSES TO DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. ANYWAY, THE LONG LIST IS EXTREMELY LONG, BUT I DARE TO SAY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE RECENTLY BEEN IMPACTED BY ONLINE SCAMS. FRAUDULENT USE BANK ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN HACKED. SO MAILING SOMEBODY A PIN AND ASKING THEM ASKING THEM TO ENTER THEIR DATE OF BIRTH IS NOT A SECURE WAY OF ENSURING SOMEBODY'S IDENTITY. SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ELECTIONS CANADA ARE THAT A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED, BOTH FROM A TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY AND A LEGAL FRAMEWORK WHICH DOES NOT EXIST YET. E-VOTING CAN BE INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE ACCESSIBILITY AND PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, BUT YOU NEED TO ALSO PROVIDE NON-ELECTRONIC WAY FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE. E-VOTING SHOULD BE TREATED FUNDAMENTALLY EQUIVALENT TO SPECIAL OR POST VALID OR THE MAIL IN VOTES THAT WE HAD. BUT THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT WE WOULD REPLACE PAPER VOTING. SO THAT'S MY SUGGESTION HERE KNOWING THAT IN OUR LAST ELECTION WE HAD TO DO A RECOUNT. WE HAD LESS THAN TEN VOTES THAT SEPARATED TWO CANDIDATES. THERE ARE SO MANY SCENARIOS IN ELECTRONIC VOTING WHERE THAT IT WOULD COST US A LOT MORE MONEY THAN THE MONEY WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE. SO MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO PURSUE LEASING THE INFORMATION. YOU CAN STILL PROCEED WITH DOING THE RFP, BUT YOU WOULD DO IT AS A SECONDARY OPTION RATHER THAN THE PRIMARY. BECAUSE THE OTHER THING I READ ONLINE AS WELL IS WITH THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION COMING AND THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMING, HACKERS HAVE NOT REALLY HACKED INTO ONLINE VOTING, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE A SERIOUS CONCERN WITH THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. THAT'S MY $0.10 WORTH. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. THAT WAS ONE OF MY OTHER INQUIRIES THAT I HAVE ON MY NOTES HERE ABOUT INTERNET VOTING. YOU KNOW HOW MAYBE SOME VOTES COULD BE TAKEN FROM INDIVIDUAL OR HAS MAYBE SOME DEMENTIA AND THEN OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY END UP USING THEIR VOTES TO THEIR ADVANTAGE INSTEAD OF THAT PERSON ITSELF. THAT WAS ONE OF MY INQUIRY. THE OTHER THING IS THE TABULATOR THAT WE HAVE TO BUY. INSTEAD OF BUYING THEM AND HAVE THEM STORE FOR MONTHS AT A TIME, WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST USE RENT THEM FOR THAT ONE TIME IN FOUR YEARS AND RENT THEM AGAIN. AND THEN THIS WAY IT'S A LITTLE BIT EASIER IN THE POCKETBOOK FOR THE. SO THOSE ARE MY TWO QUESTIONS OR TWO INQUIRIES REGARDING THE PROCESS. MRS. BRAY. I'M NOT SURE I HEARD A QUESTION. ARE THEY RENTABLE? OH, YEAH. IN MY REPORT, I SAID WE CAN LEASE THEM. AND THERE'S A PER DIEM CHARGE AND A TRAVEL CHARGE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. BUT THEY'RE DEFINITELY AVAILABLE FOR LEASE. I WAS JUST MAKING A GENERAL COMMENT THAT I HAVE RESERVATIONS REGARDING THE INTERNET VOTING AND HAVING THE TABULATORS HAVE TO PURCHASE THEM. COUNCILLOR SEIDEL. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. THIS IS JUST A REPORT COMING TO COUNCIL TO SEE SORT OF WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO. THIS HAS TO BE DEFINED BY, I BELIEVE IT SAYS IN REPORT BY MAY OF 2026. YES. SO THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO WE'RE REQUIRED TO PASS A BYLAW BY MAY 2026 ON OUR VOTING METHOD. SO BUT THIS EVENING'S DECISION WOULD BE IS COUNCIL INTERESTED IN PURSUING ELECTRONIC VOTING OR TABULATORS BASED ON THE FACT THAT OURS ARE CURRENTLY NO LONGER SUPPORTED? SO I WOULD NOT SORRY. I WOULD NOT BE BRINGING FORWARD THAT BYLAW UNTIL MUCH LATER. NO. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO I WOULD SUPPORT THE INTERNET FORWARDING WITH MORE INFORMATION TO COME. IF I MAY. SO THERE HAVE BEEN MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE CONTINUED WITH TABULATOR VOTING AND HAD INTERNET VOTING AS AN OPTION, AS COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE SUGGESTED. SO AS A TRIAL FOR THE FIRST YEAR, WE COULD KEEP TABULATORS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE THAT PAPER BALLOT. WE COULD LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF LEASING LESS TABULATORS AND HAVING THE INTERNET OPTION. AND THEN WE COULD HAVE A REPORT AT THE END ON THE USE OF BOTH METHODS. THAT'S ALSO AN OPTION. COMMENTS ANYONE? SO THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY COMMENT HONESTLY, A MIX OF BOTH, RIGHT? I AGREE, THE TABULATORS, IT'S GOING ALONG WITH WHAT COUNCILLOR BULL AND COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE MENTIONED. [00:55:04] MAYBE PEOPLE JUST WANT TO GO DOWN AND DO THAT. BECAUSE OF THE QUESTIONS, THE INTERNET OBVIOUSLY SECURITY. I DON'T MIND DOING BOTH OPTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION. MAYBE DOWN THE ROAD WE'LL GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FRAUD AND CYBERSECURITY ON THE METHODS OF VOTING ONLINE. BUT I DO LIKE THE, THE FACT THAT YOU CAN REACH OUT TO PEOPLE OR MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY THAT AREN'T HERE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE IN FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER AND YOU HAVE A NOVEMBER ELECTION. ANYTHING TO PROMOTE MORE PARTICIPATION IN HOW COMMUNITIES ARE RUN, I THINK IS A GREAT IDEA. BUT FOR SECURITY, SAFETY AND RELIABILITY AND CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM, I LIKE THE HYBRID CHOICE. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. I AGREE. I LIKE THE HYBRID TOO, BUT I WASN'T QUITE SURE MRS. BRAY. I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. IF WE WENT THE HYBRID WAY, WE WOULDN'T NEED TO LEASE FIVE TABULATORS. WE COULD CUT THAT BACK TO PICK UP SOME OF THE COST OF, IS THAT AM I JUST ASSUMING THAT OR IS THAT POSSIBLE? THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO THAT'S CORRECT. I MEAN, WE NORMALLY REQUIRE FIVE TABULATORS FOR A REGULAR ELECTION, SO WE WOULD DEFINITELY RECONSIDER THOSE NUMBERS IF WE WERE GOING TO OFFER INTERNET VOTING AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MENTION THAT THERE ARE VENDORS THROUGH THE INTERNET VOTING METHOD THAT HAVE THE OPTION IF SOMEONE WERE TO COME IN AND ABSOLUTELY INSIST ON VOTING ON PAPER, WE'D HAVE THE ABILITY TO PRINT THE BALLOT AND ALLOW THEM TO FILL THAT OUT ON PAPER. AND THOSE WOULD BE HAND COUNTED. SO THERE WERE MANY MUNICIPALITIES THAT USED THAT VENDOR IN THE LAST ELECTION. IT WAS BARELY USED, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY AN OPTION THAT SOME VENDORS OFFER. IT DOES THEN PERHAPS TAKE AWAY FROM THE SECRECY OF THE VOTE, BECAUSE THEN WE WOULD KIND OF HAVE AN IDEA OF WHO'S VOTING BY HAND. BUT IT IS AN OPTION THAT THE INTERNET PROVIDERS PROVIDE TO THE RESIDENTS IS IF YOU INSIST ON HAVING A PAPER BALLOT AND A PIN, THEN WE COULD PRINT A BALLOT FOR YOU. BUT A HYBRID IS ALSO MAYBE A BABY STEP TOWARDS TAKING THE FULL PLUNGE ON INTERNET VOTING. OKAY, SO WHAT'S THE URGENCY IN THE IN GETTING THE TABULATORS? BECAUSE YOU NEED AN RFP OUT. NO, FOR THE TABULATORS THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY VENDORS. SO BUT THEY ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND THERE IS NOT AS MANY BEING PRODUCED WITH THE UPTAKE OF INTERNET VOTING. SO WE WOULD IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO GET THOSE SECURED. SO WE DON'T WANT TO START THAT PROCESS. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE IF WE'RE ALL SWINGING TOWARDS THE HYBRID, DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE REPORT JUST TO CHANGE THE RECOMMENDATION AND THAT WAY WE CAN VOTE ON IT. OR DO WE WANT MORE INFORMATION FIRST. AND THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION. SO THAT'S A DEFERRAL. SO DEFER TO THE NEXT MEETING OR REFER AND THEN COME BACK WITH MORE INFO. YES. SO WE COULD DEFER TO THE NEXT MEETING OF COUNCIL. IF YOU'RE LOOKING I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT INFORMATION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FROM ME. SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR STATISTICS AND A STRUCTURE FROM COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP. WELL, COULDN'T WE AMEND THE MOTION TO DO IT? TRY THE HYBRID FOR THIS ELECTORAL YEAR AND SEE HOW IT GOES. AND THEN AND THEN WE WE AND THEN SHE CAN, MRS. BRAY CAN AT LEAST GET THE INFORMATION WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST FOR THE INTERNET PART AND A COUPLE OF TABULATORS AND AWAY WE GO. SO SHOULD WE CHANGE THAT RECOMMENDATION. SO YOU'RE GOING TO AMEND THE MOTION? YES. I'D LIKE TO AMEND THE MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND THERE? COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THE AMENDED MOTION? COUNCILLOR MANN. SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOUR WORSHIP, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN AMENDED MOTION TO INCLUDE TABULATORS AND INTERNET VOTING, AND WE'RE STILL REMOVING VOTE BY MAIL AS AN OPTION. I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT'S IN AGREEMENT OR THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO AGREE UPON, HOPEFULLY. [01:00:05] OKAY. THANK YOU. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, LAST ROUND. OKAY COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. JUST A COMMENT. IN ALL OF THE PAPERS THAT I READ AND ESPECIALLY THE ELECTIONS CANADA, THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE USED INTERNET VOTING HAVE NOT HAD A SITUATION WHERE THEY'VE HAD TO HAVE RECOUNTS OR THAT THERE WAS A DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. SO JUST A COMMENT THAT WHEN YOU'RE PUTTING THE RFP OUT, THAT YOU'RE SPECIFICALLY ASKING FOR THOSE WORST CASE SCENARIOS AND HOW DO WE GET OUT OF IT? BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE WAY IT WAS BROUGHT OUT AS INFORMATION IS, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE VERY, VERY COSTLY. AND KNOWING LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BUDGETED FOR IT. SO JUST SOME COMMENTS ON THINGS TO PUT INTO THE RFP. THANK YOU. GREAT. ALRIGHT. LET'S VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR. AGAINST. ON THE AMENDMENT OR ON THAT'S ON THE AMENDMENT. NO. EVERYBODY VOTED POSITIVE. CORRECT? NO. COUNCILLOR DOESN'T MATTER. YEP. OKAY. MOTION AS AMENDED. OH, YOUR WORSHIP THEN WE'LL VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED. OKAY. WE'LL VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR? TWO, THREE. THREE AND THREE. DID YOU VOTE YES? SO FOUR. THANK YOU. CORRECT. OKAY. RAISE YOUR HANDS NICE AND HIGH. SHOULD I READ THE MOTION? YES. OKAY, SO THE MAIN MOTION, AS AMENDED, WOULD BE THAT THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES BE RECEIVED. AND THAT COUNCIL APPROVE A HYBRID MODEL OF TABULATOR AND INTERNET VOTING AS ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHODS FOR THE 2026 MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION, AND THAT STAFF BE DIRECTED TO BRING BACK BRING BACK A BYLAW, TO FORWARD TO COUNCIL, TO ESTABLISH ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHODS, AND TO PERMIT ADVANCED VOTING. AS FOR THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT, ONCE AN ELECTIONS VENDOR HAS BEEN CHOSEN. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR. OKAY. THAT'S CARRIED. 7.2 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES REGARDING DELEGATION OF POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE HEAD UNDER THE MUNICIPAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT. EXCUSE ME. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 3 AND SUBSECTION 49 1 OF THE MUNICIPAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT. RSO 1990 M 56, AS AMENDED, MFI, PPA, COUNCIL DELEGATES ALL OF ITS POWERS AND DUTIES AS HEAD UNDER MFIPPA TO THE CITY CLERK AND THAT THE APPROPRIATE BYLAW BE PASSED TO EFFECT THIS DECISION. MAY I HAVE A MOVER? COUNCILLOR BULL. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. MRS. BRAY. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO THIS IS MORE OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE TASK. SO THE MFIPPA, THE MUNICIPAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1990 AND DESIGNATES COUNCIL AS THE HEAD FOR ADMINISTERING THE ACT. HOWEVER, TO IMPROVE THE HANDLING OF ACCESS REQUESTS AND TO MEET THE REQUIRED 30 DAY RESPONSE DEADLINE, IT WOULD BE PRACTICAL FOR COUNCIL TO DELEGATE THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITY CLERK WHO CAN MANAGE THESE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS. SO SECTION 3 1 OF THE MFIPPA ALLOWS FOR DESIGNATION OF A STAFF MEMBER TO ACT AS THE HEAD, AND THE CLERK IS WELL POSITIONED TO OVERSEE THIS PROCESS. BY DELEGATING THIS RESPONSIBILITY, WE CAN STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES, AND ENSURE BETTER COORDINATION FOR HANDLING FOI REQUESTS. SO IN TAKING ON THIS DELEGATION, WE WOULD SORRY, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE ANNUAL REPORTS TO COUNCIL OFFERING AN OVERVIEW OF THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS, THE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND COMPLIANCE UPDATES. IN ADDITION, I ALREADY SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE INFORMATION AND PRIVACY COMMISSIONER OF ONTARIO ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THERE IS NO FINANCIAL IMPACT AS THIS IS SIMPLY AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE. IT ALIGNS WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THROUGH A STRONG MUNICIPAL CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE AND ENSURING THE CITY OPERATES EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. SO IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND MEET COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS, IT IS BEING RECOMMENDED THAT COUNCIL DELEGATE THAT AUTHORITY TO THE CITY CLERK. AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. OKAY. THANK YOU. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A CONGRATULATIONS MRS. [01:05:01] BRAY OR NOT, BUT I GUESS MY ONLY QUESTION WOULD BE SO IT WOULD ONLY BE AN ANNUAL REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL, IT WOULDN'T BE ON A MORE REGULAR QUARTERLY BASIS THAT WE WOULD HEAR BACK ON, ON MATTERS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THIS. THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO THAT'S ENTIRELY UP TO COUNCIL. THAT WAS MY RECOMMENDATION, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO REPORT QUARTERLY, SEMIANNUALLY, HOWEVER OFTEN COUNCIL WOULD LIKE THAT WOULD BE PUT, WE'RE GOING TO PASS AN AMENDMENT TO OUR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY BYLAW SO I CAN PUT ALL THE DETAILS IN THAT BYLAW WHEN IT COMES FORWARD. SO HAPPY TO REPORT MORE FREQUENTLY IF REQUIRED. COUNCILLOR MANN. I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE CUMBERSOME FOR THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT. I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE FOR A WAY OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL, TO HEAR SOMETHING MORE ON A REGULAR BASIS AS OPPOSED TO ONCE A YEAR. AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS SOMETHING COMING FORWARD ON AN AGENDA, IT DOES COME FORWARD TO COUNCIL SO IT'S THERE. IF IT'S NOT ON AN AGENDA, IT'S THIS KIND OF UNFORTUNATELY IN THE WIND UNTIL IT GETS REPORTED BACK, SO. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER? COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP, THROUGH YOU. I WOULD SUPPORT COUNCILLOR MANN'S COMMENTS AS WELL. I THINK QUARTERLY WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE USEFUL. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SO THE CURRENT WAY IT WORKS IS THAT WELL YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT THIS EVENING, RIGHT? IT'S ALREADY IN THE AGENDA. SO EACH TIME WE HAVE ONE OF THESE, IT COMES TO COUNCIL, THEN YOU GO BACK, YOU DO THE WORK, AND THEN YOU COME BACK TO COUNCIL WITH A REPORT ON EACH SPECIFIC INQUIRY. CORRECT? ALMOST. SO WE'LL RECEIVE A REQUEST. SO THE FIRST THING THAT'S DONE IS IT'S REVIEWED THROUGH THE CLERK'S DEPARTMENT AGAINST THE ACT TO SEE IF ANY THERE ARE ANY EXEMPTIONS THAT WOULD APPLY. I THEN HAVE TO REQUEST THE INFORMATION FROM THE APPROPRIATE STAFF DEPARTMENTS, IT, THERE COULD BE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED. AT THAT POINT I HAVE TO WRITE A REPORT TO COUNCIL, MEET THE COUNCIL AGENDA DEADLINE. WE HAVE TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION UNDER THE MUNICIPAL ACT. IT MUST BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION. IT'S NOT A MAY, IT'S A SHALL. AND THEN COUNCIL RIGHT NOW IS HEAD UNDER THE ACT. SO YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO RELEASE THOSE DOCUMENTS. SO BY DELEGATING THAT AUTHORITY TO THE CLERK I COULD DO ALL OF THAT, HAVE A BIT MORE TIME TO GET THOSE DOCUMENTS TOGETHER AND TO GET EVERYTHING PREPARED. AND THEN RELEASE THOSE DOCUMENTS. AND THEN I WOULD REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL. OKAY. SO EVERYBODY'S COMFORTABLE WITH THE FINAL PART WHERE COUNCIL IS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT FINAL DECISION. OKAY. WELL THEN LET'S HAVE A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR? AND THAT IS CARRIED. OKAY. ITEM 7.3 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IT REGARDING HOST SERVER REPLACEMENT. I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF HOST SERVERS BE RECEIVED, AND THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE NEGOTIATION METHOD G AND H BE USED TO PROCURE THE REQUIRED FEATURE SPECIFIC SERVER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND LICENSING, AND THAT THE DIRECTOR OF IT PROCEED WITH THE PROPOSED PURCHASES IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $114,308.77, AND THAT THE REQUIRED FUNDS BE TAKEN FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESERVES AS BUDGETED IN THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET. MAY I HAVE A MOVER? COUNCILLOR MANN. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR SEIDEL. OKAY. PLEASE GO AHEAD. THE SOLUTION AND PROVIDER CANNOT BE NAMED PUBLICLY, CITING SECTION 239 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT. FOR CYBERSECURITY REASONS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO NOT DISCLOSE THE BRAND OR THE SOLUTION OF THE PROVIDER. IN 2023 COUNCIL APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF ONE STORAGE SERVER DUE TO SUPPORT WARRANTY IN THE SYSTEM FAILING. I'VE CONSULTED WITH STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING CITY STAFF, VENDORS AND CONTRACTED SERVICE PROVIDERS IN ORDER TO REVIEW THE CURRENT CITY NEEDS, PLANNED INITIATIVES, AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS WHILE CONSIDERING THE IMPACT ON THE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS IN PLACE TODAY. THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND CURRENT DESIGN INSTALLED IN 2017 IS STILL VIABLE AND CAN SUPPORT THE CITY NEEDS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WHILE WE TRANSITION OUR CORE SYSTEMS AND ADD NEW SERVICES, INCLUDING CLOUD OR HYBRID SOLUTIONS. WHILE THERE IS NO NEED TO CHANGE THE DESIGN, THREE HOST SERVERS ARE BEYOND NORMAL LIFE, END OF WARRANTY AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE [01:10:04] UPDATED. ON JANUARY 29TH OF THIS YEAR, WE LOST ONE OF THE THREE SERVERS AND THE OTHER TWO ARE NOW CARRYING THE LOAD TEMPORARILY. THREE QUOTES WERE OBTAINED FOR THE FEATURE SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL SERVERS. THE HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND LICENSING NEED TO BE UPDATED TO BE ON A SUPPORTED PLATFORM WITH MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AND APPLICATION SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THESE SERVERS ARE PART OF THE ARE CRITICAL PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE ARE OVER SEVEN YEARS OLD AND THEY HAVE SERVED US WELL. THE CURRENT ARCHITECTURE NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED WHILE THE CITY TRANSITIONS TO NEW SOLUTIONS FOR RETENTION PURPOSES AND FOR CURRENT DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS UNTIL A FULL MIGRATION IS COMPLETED AND TESTED. IT IS REASONABLE TO EXPECT CURRENT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ONLINE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND MAY, IN SOME BACKUP CAPACITY, BE NEEDED BEYOND. ONCE THE CITY HAS FULLY TRANSITIONED TO A COMPLETED TO COMPLETE, CLOUD BASED OR HYBRID SOLUTION, THE NEXT IT REFRESH WILL LOOK MUCH DIFFERENT. IT HAS BECOME CRITICAL TO REPLACE THE SERVERS AS ONE UNIT HAS FAILED. THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET ALLOCATED $170,528 FOR THE IT REFRESH. THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESERVE, AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2025, HAS AN OPENING BALANCE OF $504,188.45. YEAR TO DATE NO MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE 2024 IT REFRESH. THE PURCHASE WILL BE INCLUDED AS A PORTION OF THE APPROVED IN THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET AND WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESERVES. COST OF THE THREE SERVERS IS $64,203.77 BEFORE TAX. SOFTWARE AND LICENSING IS $45,105, AND I'M RECOMMENDING A NEW NETWORK OF 48 PORT NETWORK SWITCH ALSO BE ADDED AS THE CURRENT ONES HAVE REACHED CAPACITY. THEREFORE, THE TOTAL COST IS $114,308.77. THE HARDWARE WILL BE PURCHASED FIRST AND INSTALLED IN-HOUSE. EACH SERVER WILL BE UPGRADED AND LICENSING APPLIED AS REQUIRED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT, THE FUNDS WILL BE SPENT IN 2025 AS CARRYFORWARD OF THE 2024 CAPITAL BUDGET. WE HAVE LINKS TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN, STRONG MUNICIPAL CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE ACTION ITEM 11 AND 20. IN SUMMARY IT'S RESPECTFULLY RECOMMENDED THAT COUNCIL DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF IT TO COMMIT TO THE VENDOR OF CHOICE, FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF THREE HOST SERVERS AND I SHOULD ADD ONE SWITCH AND AN APPROPRIATE SOFTWARE AND LICENSING NOT TO EXCEED $114,308.77. OKAY. THANK YOU, MRS. SCOTT. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. SO WHEN WE APPROVED THE NEW SERVER IN 2023, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN? THE NEW SERVER WAS INSTALLED. OTHER THAN THAT, NO. NO OTHER SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. BUT WE HAVE THREE SERVERS. WE HAVE SEVERAL SERVERS. THE ONE THAT WE REPLACED WAS A STORAGE SERVER. OKAY. THESE ARE HOST SERVERS. SO THEY THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT FUNCTION. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I REALIZED I WAS HERE THE LAST TIME WE REPLACED SOME OF THESE SERVERS, WHICH IS GOES QUICKLY. I HAVE NO ISSUE OBVIOUSLY, ONE HAS FAILED. IT'S QUITE EVIDENT THAT, YOU KNOW, DATA RETENTION FOR THE MUNICIPALITY IS VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH MORE ELECTRONIC MEANS AND OUR REQUIREMENTS ON THIS ON THE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE. THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE WOULD BE ACTUALLY TO MISS HARRISON, WHAT'S THE TYPICAL AMORTIZATION PERIOD OF A SERVER? 3 TO 5, GIVE OR TAKE? THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. YES, I BELIEVE THAT IT DOES HAVE A VERY SHORT AMORTIZATION. I KNOW SOFTWARE IS VERY SHORT, BUT FOR A HARD SYSTEM LIKE THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 5 AND 10 NOW. I THINK THEY'RE LASTING LONGER AND THEY'RE GETTING MORE SOPHISTICATED AND MORE EXPENSIVE. SO I THINK THEY LAST A LITTLE LONGER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN BEFORE, AND MORE USEFUL. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU TO MRS. [01:15:05] SCOTT. SO WHEN THIS WHEN THAT SERVER WENT DOWN, DID THE OTHER SERVERS AUTOMATICALLY PICK UP ALL THE DATA OR IS IT A DISASTER? LIKE, HOW DOES THAT WORK? IT WASN'T A DISASTER. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FAILOVER. SO WE WERE ABLE TO DO THE PROCEDURES THAT WE NEEDED TO DO, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TWO REMAINING SERVERS WERE ABLE TO HOST WHAT THE THIRD ONE WAS DOING. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO LAST SUMMER, WHEN WE DID IT WHAT WAS THE EXPENDITURE AT THAT TIME? I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS AROUND $54,000. AND SO THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT SERVER AND THESE SERVERS BECAUSE THIS IS A LOT. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME SERVERS THAT THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PURPOSE. OKAY. SO THE LICENSING IS DIFFERENT. IT'S LICENSING SPECIFIC TO WHAT THESE SERVERS WILL BE DOING. YES. BUT IT'S THE SAME COMPANY WE'RE USING? YES YES. YES WE ARE. SO ARE WE ALREADY PAYING THE LICENSING? NO. YOU PURCHASED THOSE LICENSING THROUGH SOFTWARE PROVIDERS. I CAN GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE THAT MIGHT HELP. YEAH, MAYBE WE CAN, LIKE DO WE HAVE AN OUTLINE OR LIKE, MAYBE A QUOTE WITH AN ITEMIZED LIST TO GO THROUGH? IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AND THEN WE CAN NAME THINGS. BUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT, I TRIED TO KEEP IT AS GENERIC AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE COULD STAY IN OPEN SESSION. OH I SEE. COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. I CAN PROBABLY ADD SOME COMMENT TO THIS. SO YOUR MACHINE LICENSES WOULD ALSO HAVE SOME LICENSES ON THERE. SO YOU'RE PAYING FOR THOSE AS WELL. SO I'LL USE MICROSOFT AS AN EXAMPLE. YOU'RE GOING TO BE PAYING YOUR VENDOR TO INSTALL A MICROSOFT LICENSE, BUT YOU'RE PAYING THE COST OF A MICROSOFT LICENSE. SO LIKE SHE'S NOT AT LIBERTY TO DISCLOSE ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE SITTING ON THESE MACHINES, BUT EVERY APPLICATION HAS ITS OWN LICENSE COST. OKAY. AND SO WHEN YOU SAY INSTALLED IN-HOUSE, THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE DOING IT HERE? YES. SO THERE'S NO OTHER WEATHER OR DO THE VENDORS, DO WE PAY THEM TO COME IN AND DO THEM? NO. I WILL BE INSTALLING THE SERVERS AND THEN USING OUR CURRENT RESOURCES TO TRANSFER THE INFORMATION FROM THE OLDER SERVERS TO THE NEW ONE. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP THROUGH YOU TO MRS. SCOTT. SO WE DIDN'T SPEND ANY MONEY AT ALL ON IT REFRESH LAST YEAR? NO, NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. OKAY. WELL, THAT MIGHT HELP OUR BUDGET FOR 25. THANK YOU. OKAY. ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS CARRIED. ITEM 8 PRESENTATION OF [8. PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS] COMMITTEE REPORTS. 8.1 MEMO FROM THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN REGARDING LIBRARY OPERATIONS AND LIBRARY USER FEES 2025. AT THE JANUARY 29TH, 2025 AD HOC BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS PASSED THAT THE USER FEES FOR THE ELLIOT LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY BE APPROVED AND THAT USER FEE BYLAW BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE SCHEDULE L. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE USER FEES FOR THE ELLIOT LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY BE APPROVED, AND THAT USER FEE BYLAW BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE SCHEDULE L? A MOVER COUNCILLOR MANN. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR SEIDEL. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN IS NOT HERE. COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. WHEN WE PASSED THE USER FEE BYLAW THIS SCHEDULE WAS OMITTED BECAUSE THERE WERE QUESTIONS THAT COMMITTEE HAD REGARDING SOME LIBRARY SERVICES. SO MRS. MCGURK PRESENTED AT OUR LAST AD HOC BUDGET MEETING AND PROVIDED AN UPDATE. I THINK IT WAS QUITE USEFUL FOR THE COMMITTEE'S BENEFIT. THE LIBRARY ACTUALLY HASN'T PRESENTED FORMALLY AT BUDGET FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, SO IT WAS NICE TO HAVE MRS. MCGURK BACK TO PROVIDE THAT PRESENTATION. AND I THINK SOME OF THE CONCERNS WERE THERE WAS A RECOMMENDATION FOR NO CHANGES TO A COUPLE OF THE FEES, WHICH AGAIN WAS THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE LIBRARY, AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS ULTIMATELY PASSED AND FORWARDED TO COUNCIL FOR TONIGHT. [01:20:04] THANK YOU. YEAH, THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS CARRIED. 8.2 REPORT FROM THE MANAGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGARDING FEDNOR GRANT FOR TOURISM COORDINATOR. AT THE FEBRUARY 3RD, 2025 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS PASSED THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT THE GRANT APPLICATION TO FEDNOR FOR TOURISM COORDINATOR AND THAT THE FUNDS BE ADDED TO THE 2025 SALARIES AND BENEFITS BUDGET. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT COUNCIL SUPPORT THE GRANT APPLICATION TO FEDNOR FOR TOURISM COORDINATOR, AND THAT THE FUNDS BE ADDED TO THE 2025 SALARIES AND BENEFITS BUDGET. MOVER? COUNCILLOR BULL. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. MR. ANTUNES, PLEASE. THANK YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE THIS EVENING. WE DID TALK ABOUT THIS AT COMMITTEE, SO I'LL DO A BRIEF OVERVIEW OVERVIEW, BUT I'LL OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL FOR QUESTIONS. ESSENTIALLY, COUNCIL IS AWARE WE'VE RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH FEDNOR AND AWARDED TO [INAUDIBLE] TO DO OUR TOURISM STRATEGY THAT WE'RE WORKING ON AND ARE WORKING ON IN EARNEST. IN 22, WE DID HAVE A FULL TIME TOURISM COORDINATOR IN OUR DEPARTMENT, THAT PERSON WAS TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, AND THE POSITION WAS NEVER REPLACED. SO WITH THE AMAZING WORK THAT WE'RE SEEING COMING OUT OF [INAUDIBLE] ALREADY, AND THE WHAT WE SEE IN THE HORIZON OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING FOR TOURISM. STAFF STARTED TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES TO, TO BOLSTER THE DEPARTMENT TO FULFILL SOME OF THESE STRATEGIC PLAN, STRATEGIC ITEMS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH. AND THAT WILL LIKELY BE COMING THROUGH FROM THE THE TOURISM STRATEGY AND THE TOURISM INITIATIVE. WE DID WORK WITH OUR GRID TEAM, OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT FEDNOR. THEY'VE COME BACK AND THERE IS A FEDNOR PROGRAM AVAILABLE THAT WILL OFFER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 TO 90% OF THE FUNDING TOWARDS THE SALARY POSITION. ON THE PAY RATE GRID, IT WAS LISTED AT $69,538. SO IF THEY DO OFFER 50% GRANT, WE'RE ON THE HOOK FOR $34,769. IF WE NUDGE THEM AND PUSH THEM CLOSER TO THAT 90% RATE, OUR COST WOULD BE $6,954. SO WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'D BRING TO COUNCIL, BUT WANTED TO LET COUNCIL KNOW A THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO APPLY FOR THIS. OUR APPLICATION IS MUCH STRONGER WHEN WE HAVE A RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL ATTACHED TO IT AND THAT AS COUNCIL DOES THEIR DILIGENCE, DUE DILIGENCE THROUGH THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS PROCESS I HAVE WORKED WITH MRS. HARRISON AND WE DID INCLUDE THE UPSIDE OF 34.769 IN SALARIES. SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE. OKAY. THANK YOU MR. ANTUNES. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NO WE DISCUSSED THIS AT COMMITTEE LEVEL. RIGHT. SO PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS CARRIED. OKAY. SO THERE'S NO OUTSIDE BOARD OR COMMITTEE REPORTING. THERE'S NO UNFINISHED BUSINESS. THERE ARE NO ARE NO PETITIONS. THERE'S NO CORRESPONDENCE, NO NOTICES OF MOTION, A FEW COUNCIL OR ANNOUNCEMENTS. [14. COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS] ELLIOT LAKE WINTERFEST IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. THIS YEAR'S WEEKEND OF WINTER FILLED FUN WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON FEBRUARY 21ST, 22ND, AND 23RD. SO BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATES AND GET READY FOR WINTER EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. PLEASE CHECK OUT THE CURRENT EVENT SCHEDULE ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AT WWW.ELLIOTLAKE.CA/WINTERFEST. OR YOU CAN CHECK THE CITY'S SOCIAL MEDIA. OR YOU CAN ALSO CALL THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AT EXTENSION 2300. AND JUST A REMINDER THAT THIS WELL, THE NEXT MONDAY IN ONE WEEK, FEBRUARY 17TH, IT IS FAMILY DAY. CITY HALL, POOL, COLLINS HALL, TRANSIT, AND THE LANDFILL WILL ALL BE , CLOSED. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. THROUGH YOU, YOUR WORSHIP. A COUPLE, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY THE 19TH AT 7 P.M. AT THE ELSS CAFETERIA. AND MR. DOUGLAS ELLIOTT WILL BE SPEAKING. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. AND ALSO, ARIEL ART CENTER HAS AN EXHIBITION RIGHT NOW, THE FROM LINDA FINN. [01:25:05] AND IT'S ON TILL THE END OF MARCH. SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO SEE HER WORK, IT'S YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THE ART CENTER TO FIND THEIR HOURS AND GO AND SEE SOME OF HER WORK. OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? COUNCILLOR MANN. THANK YOU YOUR WORSHIP. I WAS GOING TO BRING THIS UP AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE DID HAVE A COUPLE OF ABSENCES, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO WAIT UNTIL WE WERE ALL TOGETHER. SO WE'RE JUST FINISHING, OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE ENTERING INTO OUR THIRD YEAR, SO WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH OUR TERM. AND WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN SOME CHALLENGES SO FAR. I JUST WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK COUNCIL, OUR CAO, AND THE STAFF OF THE MUNICIPALITY FOR ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO. AND TONIGHT ALONE SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. AND I KNOW THAT WE WILL GET THROUGH THESE THINGS BECAUSE WE ALL CARE ABOUT THIS MUNICIPALITY. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE. THANK YOU COUNCILLOR MANN. OKAY. 15. THERE ARE NO ADDENDUMS. 16 INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF BYLAWS 16.1. [16. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF BY-LAWS] BYLAW 25-14 BEING A BYLAW TO AMEND BYLAW 24- 116 BEING A BYLAW TO ESTABLISH USER FEES FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES TO INCLUDE SCHEDULE L. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT BYLAW 25-14 BE PASSED? A MOVER. COUNCILLOR MANN. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT IS CARRIED. CLOSED SESSION. [17. CLOSED SESSION] THERE ARE THREE ITEMS FOR CLOSED SESSION THIS EVENING. REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND CULTURE REGARDING STREET DANCE ARTIST UPDATE . AS THIS MATTER DEALS WITH THE POSITION, PLAN, PROCEDURE, CRITERIA OR INSTRUCTION TO BE APPLIED TO ANY NEGOTIATIONS CARRIED ON OR TO BE CARRIED ON BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE MUNICIPALITY, IT MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION AT SECTION 239(2)(K) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT 2001. AND THEN THERE ARE TWO REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CLERKS AND PLANNING SERVICES REGARDING ACCESS REQUEST FOI-01-25 AND FOI-02-25. AS BOTH OF THESE MATTERS DEAL WITH THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION UNDER THE MUNICIPAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT. IT SHALL BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION UNDER SECTION 239(3)(A) OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT 2001. SO MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT COUNCIL PROCEED INTO CLOSED SESSION AS PER THE PROVISIONS UNDER SECTION 239 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT, AT THE HOUR OF 8:28 P.M.. A MOVER. COUNCILLOR BULL. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT'S CARRIED. OKAY. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT COUNCIL RETURN TO OPEN SESSION AT THE HOUR OF 9:10 P.M.? MOVER COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. ALL IN FAVOR? IT'S CARRIED. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE HEAD OF THE INSTITUTION PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE RECORDS AS DETAILED IN ACCESS REQUEST FOI-01-25 RECEIVED ON JANUARY 6TH, 2025, AND THAT THE CLERK BE DIRECTED TO RELEASE THE RECORDS UPON PAYMENT OF THE FEE OF $15. A MOVER. COUNCILLOR BULL SECONDED. COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT'S CARRIED. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE HEAD OF THE INSTITUTION PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE RECORDS AS DETAILED IN ACCESS REQUEST FOI-02-25 RECEIVED ON JANUARY 6TH, 2025, AND THAT THE CLERK BE DIRECTED TO RELEASE THE RECORDS UPON PAYMENT OF THE FEE OF $22.50. A MOVER. COUNCILLOR MANN. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR SEIDEL. ALL IN FAVOR? CARRIED. CONFIRMATORY BYLAW. BYLAW 25-15 [18. CONFIRMATORY BY-LAW] BEING A BYLAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT BYLAW 25-15 BE PASSED? A MOVER. COUNCILLOR FLINTOFF. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR BULL. ALL IN FAVOR? CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT. MAY I HAVE A MOTION THAT THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT THE HOUR OF 9:12 P.M.? [01:30:04] A MOVER. COUNCILLOR MORRISSETTE. SECONDED. COUNCILLOR LEFEBVRE. ALL IN FAVOR? THAT'S CARRIED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.