Municipal Council Notes:
August 22
REPORTS
Quarterly Financial Report - Second Quarter
Council received, as information, the Quarterly Financial Report – Second Quarter 2019 – as attached to the Treasurer’s Report dated August 22, 2019.
Christy McIntomney, Municipal Treasurer, shared in her report to council, “The purpose of the 2019 Budget Variance Report is to provide a high level financial progress overview of the Municipality’s operations as at June 30th, 2019. This statement includes both the general Municipal and Airport operations.
“As at June 30th, 2019 it is reasonable to expect that the Municipality’s expenditures and revenues should be about 50% of the originally budgeted amounts. There are of course exceptions, for example whereas facilities expenditures will be higher during the second quarter as majority of the expenditures are completed during the summer months of each fiscal year.
“The Building Inspections revenue is high due to the majority of building permits issued during the summer months. The By Law revenue is low due to Provincial Offences Act revenues not being received until the 4th Quarter each year.
“A detailed analysis of all variances between actual and budgeted figures has been reviewed by the Management Team. Every effort is being made to ensure that the cost savings are being achieved, where possible.”
The full report can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2kKXEJN.
Procurement of Sewer Jetter/Flusher
Council authorized the purchase of a new trailer mounted sewer jetter, a 2019 Vactor Ramjet 3030-750, from FST Canada Incorporated o/a Joe Johnson Equipment for the sum of $93,390.82 plus HST.
Council Resolution Amendments
1. Council approved a Phase 2 Application for $37,500 to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Community Capacity Building Program under the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines; and further Council confirmed a Municipal contribution of $12,500 plus any cost overruns to conduct an Economic Development Strategic Plan Review.
2. Council approved a Phase 2 Application for $99,750 to Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Community Capacity Building Program under the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines; and further Council confirmed a Municipal contribution of $33,250 plus any cost overruns, to create the Strategic Partnership Plan for the Innovation Station.
Vacant Land Summary
Council received the Manager of Development Services Report (No. RP-2019-138) on Municipal vacant land.
Jody Brinkman, Chief Building Official/ Development Services Manager, informed by way of background in his report to council, “In the past year the Municipality has been approached by multiple prospective developers in search of land. As a result of this we have sold five separate properties and received an offer on another property. The Municipality has a number of needs in particular housing, apartments, commercial space and an additional hotel ideally with conference space. In order for Council to better understand what is available and the constraints with each property this report is being prepared.”
Sioux Lookout resident and Rotarian Dick MacKenzie, speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout, asked council to remove Drew P. Jeffries Park/Rotary Park from the list of vacant land available for sale at the time.
MacKenzie informed council of the history of the park, which has been maintained by the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout for 45 to 50 years.
“Rotary would like to continue to develop that park,” MacKenzie shared.
He informed that his wife Mary MacKenzie has been researching the history of the park and is the process of the developing a report, including what the Rotary Club may wish to do with the park, which the Rotary Club would like to share with the Municipality.
“I think it would be a beautiful addition to the waterfront development at the existing Farlinger Park (Town Beach), MacKenzie said.
He added, “We developed, about a year ago, a website, called SiouxSunsets.com. It’s a modest step in getting people to view the beauty from the top of the hill, with an emphasis on taking pictures of sunsets… I would like to see this known as the best sunsets in Sunset Country.”
MacKenzie noted the Rotary Club is hoping to discuss the park further with Municipal council in the coming months.
Council voted to withdraw Rotary Park from consideration.
The full list of vacant land being considered under the summary is available at: https://bit.ly/2kKXEJN.
Waterfront Remediation Update
Council received the Manager of Development Services Report (No. RP-2019-140) as information/updates on the Waterfront Remediation Presentation on July 29, 2019.
Hudson & Area Advisory Committee (H&AAC) Recommendations to Council
Council received the Hudson & Area Advisory Committee (H&AAC) recommendations, as outlined in the Acting Deputy Clerk's Report dated August 22, 2019 (RP-2019-139); and further Council provided direction to staff through the CAO regarding the H&AAC's recommendations.
BY-LAWS
Airport Master Plan Contract Award
Council awarded the contract for development of an Airport Master Plan to WSP in the amount of $89,410.00 plus HST: and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 70-19, 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 WSP for the Development of an Airport Master Plan.
Ben Hancharuk, Airport Manager, outlined in his report to council, “The completion of the Airport Terminal Building Expansion and Renovation Project was the last phase of the previous Airport Business Development Plan created in 2002. This previous plan brought forth many changes to the airport including an expanded apron, an additional taxiway, runway extension, improved lighting, and terminal building expansion allowing the airport to support growth.
“The Airport Master Plan protects the long term (20 year) vision while accommodating short and medium-term opportunities including a 10 year capital plan providing the framework to guide future airport development that will meet existing and future aviation demands in a safe, cost-effective manner as per Transport Canada aviation regulations, and to maximize the community benefit of the airport lands.”
Consideration of Acceptance of Construction Waste at Hidden Lake Landfill
Council directed staff to establish procedures for the acceptance of construction and demolition waste at Hidden Lake Landfill for a two-year trial period.
Part Lot Control
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 69-19, Being a By-law to Remove lots 15 and 16 on Plan 23M-965, Boreal Trails Subdivision, from Part-lot Control for a Temporary Period of Time.
Senior's Centre Funding
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 75-19, Being a By-law to Establish an Annual Funding Contribution to the Sioux Area Senior's Activity Centre.
Brian MacKinnon, Manager of Corporate Services/ Municipal Clerk, explained in his report to council, “In the 2019 budget, Council approved a "donation" to the Sioux Area Seniors Activity Centre (SASAC) in the amount of $13,490, or 20% of the Centre's 2019-2020 operating budget. As this will be an ongoing, annual requirement, the SASAC has requested that Council consider a five-year commitment, and in recognition that Council recently made a similar commitment to Sioux Lookout Handi Transit (see Report RP-2019-121), which has committed Council to over $20,000 per year in each of the next five years to support Handi-Transit and to enable Handi-Transit to leverage other government funding, staff recommends that Council support the SASAC's request.
“The proposed by-law sets-out the upset limit of funding to be provided by Council over the next five fiscal years (the SASAC's fiscal years - i.e., April to March), using the 2019 amount of $13,490 as a baseline, and providing for an annual 2% inflationary increase. The by-law is also written so that if the SASAC increases its budget by more than the 2% inflationary increase, which would then require a higher Council contribution, then the SASAC would need to come back to Council, through the request for donation process (see Policy No. 1-10, Corporate Memberships, Awards, Scholarships and Donations) to request additional funding. Staff is recommending a 2% annual inflationary increase, based on the last 15 years' average annual inflation rate.”
Road Allowance Closure and Sale
An offer to purchase the Road allowance locally known as property adjacent to 140 Front Street was received from Mr. John Bath.
Karen Costello, Planning Coordinator informed through her report to council, “It is Mr. Bath’s intention to use the additional land to meet the required provisions to construct on 140 Front Street with the road allowance purchase relieving the build from a minor variance application.”
Bath, a Municipal Councillor, declared interest on this matter and was not present in council chambers for any of the discussion on this matter. Bath did not vote on this matter.
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 68-19, Being a By-law to Permanently Close, Declare Surplus and Authorize the Sale of a Highway of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Council made the following appointments to the Day Care Advisory Committee: Jamie Hemsworth-Hummelen and Tiffany Thompson; and received the resignation from Kristen Ward from the Day Care Advisory Committee. Council thanked Ms. Ward for her time serving on the Committee.