Council discusses COVID-19 response, addresses time sensitive matters including recruiting a new treasurer

Tim Brody - Editor

Sioux Lookout Municipal Council met by teleconference (practising social distancing) on March 17 to further discuss the Municipality’s response to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout shared:
• All Municipal facilities are now closed to foot traffic, but staff continue to work and maintain the key operations of the Municipality. The following facilities have been exempted from the closures (to date):
Hidden Lake Landfill Site
Sioux Lookout Municipal Airport
These facilities continue to be open to the public at this time.
The ice at the Memorial Arena is to be removed for the season as a cost saving measure, since the facility is closed to the public.
The March and April Regular Council Meetings have been cancelled, however, Council will continue to receive regular updates from the CAO on Municipal operations and responses to COVID-19. Should the need arise to have Council meet, a Special Meeting can be called at any time.
To ensure the ongoing operations of the Municipality, Council passed By-law No. 39-20, Being a By-law to Authorize the Delegation of Authority to The Chief Administrative Officer, the Acting Treasurer and the Clerk to Conduct Certain Business of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and its Council during the 2020 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
“The Municipality wishes to advise the public, with respect to utilities and other payments, that all amounts owing the Municipality are still due. Members of the public can remit their payments using the following channels:
Online banking
Dropping off payments in the drop-box at the Municipal Office
Mailing payments via regular post
Calling the Finance Department with a credit card number
“Despite these alternative payment methods, the Municipality recognizes that there still may be challenges in paying bills on time, therefore, there will be no penalties or finance changes on any amounts owing between March 16th and the date that the Municipal Office reopens to the public (which has yet to be determined).
“Additionally, if people have pre-authorized payments (PAPs) set-up to pay Municipal bills, and they wish to suspend these payments due to lack of work, please contact the Finance Department to make specific arrangements in this regard. Suspending PAPs without first contacting the Finance Department will result in penalties.
“You may contact the Finance Department by calling 807.737.2700 during regular office hours (Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time),” the Municipality of Sioux Lookout shared in a media release.
Council also dealt with several time sensitive matters.
Council approved the passing of By-law No. 37-20, Being a By-law to Rescind the Appointment of Christina (Christy) McIntomney as Treasurer of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout explained, “The Municipality and Ms. McIntomney concluded their employment relationship recently, and this By-law is required to rescind her appointment
as Treasurer.”
Council also passed By-law No. 38-20, Being a By-law to Appoint an Acting Treasurer (Deputy Treasurer Carly Collins) for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and to Define the Duties and Authorities of that Position. Collins will take on the role of Acting Treasurer while the Municipality recruits a new treasurer.
Council also passed By-law No. 08-20, Being a By-law to Amend the Municipality of Sioux Lookout Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 85-18, as amended, to Permit a Temporary Use (for a One Year Period). The Municipality explained, “This is respecting an application from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to temporarily house medical supplies destined for northern communities at the former “Nurses Residence” on Seventh Avenue.”
Council further passed By-law No. 31-20, Being a By-law to Authorize and Direct the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute an Agreement Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, as Represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to receive funding for the First Avenue/Wellington Street infrastructure upgrade project.
At the meeting, Council also passed By-law No. 33-20, Being a By-law to Authorize and Direct the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute an Agreement Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and 917260 Ontario Inc. o/a Perron Contracting for a 21 Acre Site Preparation at the Sioux Lookout Municipal Airport in an Amount of $424,381.85 + HST and to Rescind By-law No. 20-20. The Municipality explained, “This was an administrative matter to correct an error in the original By-law which awarded this work. The purpose of the 21-acre site preparation is to facilitate the leasing of land at the Sioux Lookout Municipal Airport for the purposes of establishing a 250-person base camp for the Wataynikaneyap (Watyay) Power Project.”