Municipal Council Notes:
June 19, 2019
STATUTORY PUBLIC MEETING
Zoning By-law Amendment (Temporary Use By-law) No. Z03-2019 - Applicant: Independent First Nations Alliance
Council received the Planning Report dated June 19, 2019, respecting Temporary Use By-law No. Z03-2019; and further Council authorizes the passing of By-law No. 48-19, Being a By-law to Amend The Corporation of the Municipality Zoning By-law No. 85-18, as amended (Independent First Nations Alliance, 98 King Street Lot 181, Parcel 8030 on Plan M220, Temporary Use)
Council heard the zoning by-law amendment and moved the matter to their council agenda, where they approved the zoning by-law amendment, which permits a trailer on the property, legally described as Lot 181, Parcel 8030 on Plan M220, and locally known as 98 King Street (Independent First Nations Alliance office), to be used for additional office space for a maximum duration of three years while the existing office building on the property undergoes construction.
Zoning By-law Amendment File No. Z02-2019 – Mr. Stan Nissley
Council heard Stan Nissley’s application for a zoning by-law amendment to rezone Lot 17, Plan M620, Parcel 29962, locally known as 71 3rd Avenue from the Residential Type One (R1) Zone to the Residential Type One Exception Three (R1-3) Zone to permit a four unit dwelling (a quadruplex).
Based on public input provided at the meeting by neighbouring property owners and staff recommendations, council voted to defeat and not grant the zoning by-law amendment.
Official Plan Amendment File No. OP01-2019 8 First Avenue (Hudson Settlement Area) - Applicant: Keewaytinseh Future Training Corporation
Council received the Planning Report dated June 19, 2019, respecting Official Plan Amendment No. OP01-2019; and further Council authorized the adoption of Official Plan Amendment No. OP01-2019; and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 49-19, Being a By-law to Adopt Official Plan Amendment No.OP01-2019 to the Official Plan of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout (Re-designate 8 Frist Avenue, Hudson from Industrial Designation to Residential Designation); and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 51-19, Being a By-law to Amend By-law No. 85-18, as amended, The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout Comprehensive Zoning (Re-Zone 8 First Avenue, Hudson, from Light Industrial Zone to Hudson Residential Exception 1 Zone).
The passing of the Official Plan Amendment permits Keewaytinseh Future Training Corporation to, “Develop the property with a dwelling that includes a total of four residential units for the purposes of providing student living accommodations for the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB) students,” as outlined in planning consultant Jamie Robinson’s report to council.
Hudson resident Scott Haines said he was excited to see the project come to the community, as did Ward 1 Councillor Don Fenelon.
Hudson resident Bob Starratt said he did not feel the Municipality had adequately informed Hudson residents of this Official Plan Amendment.
Mayor Doug Lawrance asked staff about how notice was sent out regarding this project.
Chief Building Official Jody Brinkman informed, “We actually go above and beyond what the Planning Act requires. It requires two of those three notice requirements, we do all three. We post on site, we post in the newspaper as well as the mail out (to neighbouring property owners).
Ziggy Beardy, SLAAMB assistant coordinator, informed council and Starratt, after Starratt received permission to question the applicants, SLAAMB planned to at first bring in 10 students to live in the accommodations.
Earlier in the meeting, SLAAMB Coordinator Mary Tait informed council the organization was running out of accommodations for its students and was spending a lot of money housing them in local hotels.
Beardy also outlined to council an existing building on the property would be used for training purposes, including, but not limited to, carpentry.
DELEGATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
Mr. Rob Beynon, Transload Project Presentation
Brinkman shared in his report to council on a Transload Facility Study, “On March 4th, 2017, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout met with CN Rail, Morgan Fuels, First Mining Finance Corp. and Noront Resources, in Toronto, Ontario during the PDAC International Conference. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the opportunity to establish a Transload Facility on the eastside of Sioux Lookout for multiple commercial/industrial users. During this meeting it was agreed upon that a Working Group should be established with focus on establishing a Trans-load facility in Sioux Lookout to serve multiple commercial and industrial businesses operating in Northwestern Ontario and the Far North communities located North of Sioux Lookout, Ontario.
“The purpose of this undertaking is to develop a Working Group to study the need for an integrated Transportation System (ITS) from Pickle Lake to Sioux Lookout, from the terminus of the all-weather road north east of Pickle Lake by way of Highway’s 594, 516 and 72 with focus on establishing a Transload Facility on the eastside of Sioux Lookout for multiple commercial/industrial users. The Municipality was successful in obtaining funding to complete the Transload Feasibility Study, an RFP was sent out inviting proponents to prepare submissions to provide planning and business strategy support for the development of a significant rail serviced industrial park. Operations Economics Incorporated (OEI) was the successful consultant, they were joined by Third Rail Group, Stantec, True Grit Consulting (now part of Stantec) and Explorer Solutions.”
Mr. Rob Beynon, representing Operations Economics Incorporated (OEI) informed council consultations were undertaken with potential users of a Transload Facility last fall.
He informed council, “The economics do not appear to support a greenfield site (potentially east of town) unless Noront begins chromite production.”
He further shared, “The best short-term opportunity would be to work to develop the existing Sioux Lookout (CN) yard into a multi-use facility.”
He informed council utilizing the CN yard would not provide the same capacity as the potential greenfield site.
He concluded, “For the greenfield transload site to be developed, two triggers are necessary: 1) development of the East-West Road, and 2) commitment by a mining company to use Sioux Lookout as a transload location.”
REPORTS
Transload Feasibility Study
Council received this report and attachments as information/updates on the Transload Feasibility Study.
The full report is available at https://bit.ly/2NXnic3.
Proposed fee Increase
Council voted to increase the Child Care rates effective January 1, 2020 as follows:
January 1, 2020 Fee Increase: Toddler - Full Day $1.00, Preschool - Full Day $1.00, Half Day Rate $1.00,
Before School $1.00, After School $1.00.
Proposed Fees effective January 1, 2020: Toddler - Full Day $45.00, Preschool - Full Day $42.00, Half Day Rate $28.00, Before School $11.00, After School $15.00
Economic Development Strategic Plan Review
Council approved a Phase 2 application to Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Community Capacity Building Program under the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines for $37,500 to conduct an Economic Development Strategic Plan Review.
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
Council provided direction to the CAO to establish an Advisory Committee to develop a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. . Council also appointed the Mayor as the Council representative and the CAO as the Municipal lead on the Committee.
Letter Regarding Health Unit Board of Health Funding
Council approved submitting a letter to the Minister of Health regarding the Health Unit Board of Health Funding and the planned cuts.
The draft letter to the Minister from the Office of the Mayor states, “We respectfully request that you re-evaluate the benefits and risks of this disruptive change to local public health units for Northwestern Ontario. Considering the health crisis of Northwestern Ontario and our large geography, a strong local public health unit is a key strategy to improving health care and ending hallway medicine for the region.”
The Keeping of Chickens - Background and Seeking Direction from Council
Council provided further direction to staff respecting the keeping of chickens within the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
Council gave direction that keeping of chickens not be permitted in multi-residential units, only single, detached dwellings.
Council also directed that people should only be able to keep eight chickens in town, while more could be permitted out of town.
Previous discussion of council on this matter can be viewed at https://bit.ly/30BJjyO.
BY-LAWS
Employee Dress Code Policy
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 54-19, Being a By-law to Adopt Administrative Policy No. 3-54, Dress Code.
Scent-Free Workplace Policy
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 55-19, Being a By-law to Adopt Administrative Policy No. 3-55, Scent-Free Workplace.
Administrative Policy Number 3-45, Payroll Deduction Computer Purchase Plan
Council authorized the passing of By-Law No. 43-19, Being a By-law to Amend by-law No. 50-05 (Being a By-law to Adopt Personnel Polices for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout).
Melissa Fortin, Human Resources Manager, shared in her report to council, “On November 16, 2005 the Payroll Deduction Computer Purchase Plan was adopted to allow employees to be able to purchase computers through the Municipality by making the payments through payroll deductions. The intention for this was so that staff would be more inclined to improve their computer skills at home, on their personal time if they had access to the appropriate hardware and software.”
Her report went on to state, “The initial intention for the reasoning behind this policy was effective, however, the plan has been in place for over 14 years and most employees have had the chance to purchase more than one computer device through this plan. The policy has been evaluated and the initial reasoning behind establishing the policy is no longer the reason that employees are using the program to purchase their computer devices. Most employees already have the computer skills necessary to do their positions and succeed in the online world and are using this plan to make their home computer devices more affordable. Eliminating the plan would save the Human Resources department from having to coordinate, documenting and tracking all the purchases.”
The Council Member and Staff Pregnancy and/or Parental Leave policies
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 14-19, Being a By-law to Adopt Policy No. 1-16, The Council Member Pregnancy and/or Parental Leave Policy and to Rescind Administrative Procedure No. 3-23, Pregnancy and Parental Leave and to Adopt an Updated Administrative Procedure No. 3-23, Pregnancy and Parental Leave.
Fortin shared in her report, “Section 270 (1) (8) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, requires municipalities to adopt and maintain a Council Member Pregnancy and/or Parental Leave Policy. Effective January 1, 2018, changes were made to the Employment Standards Act (ESA) relating to Maternity and Parental Leave. The Municipal Pregnancy and Parental Leave policy currently does not comply with the changes and the revised policy meets compliance with the current ESA standards.”
Authorization the Submission of an Application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) for Financing of Capital Works; By-Law No. 56-19 STP Roof, Ladder Truck, Garbage Truck, Park Street and Robert Street Upgrades
Council authorized the passing of By-law No.56-19, Being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to authorize the submission of an application to Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) for financing in the amount of $1,006,031.75 towards the costs of the STP Roof, Ladder Truck, Garbage Truck, Park Street and Robert Street Upgrade.
Billet House
Council directed staff to hold additional consultations with relevant stakeholders on the subject of Billet Houses.
Land Sale
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 52-19, Being a By-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute agreements and documents regarding the sale of the hereinafter described land by the Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to the Kenora District Services Board (66 First Avenue).
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 53-19, Being a By-law to authorize the conveyance of certain hereinafter described land by the Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout to the Kenora District Services Board and to direct the Mayor and Clerk to execute the transfer (66 First Avenue).
Brinkman shared in his report to council, “The property is currently vacant and has frontage on First Avenue and is directly east of an existing Sioux Lookout Non-Profit Housing Development (SLNPHC). The Municipality was approached by Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) requesting this piece of land for development. Since this property is part of much larger piece this section has been surveyed and will be severed from the remaining property. Once complete a new legal description and address will be created for this new lot. This property was declared surplus by Council at their March 20th, 2019 Regular Council meeting. Direction was provided to staff to negotiate directly with KDSB for the sale of this property for a value determined by Council in a closed session meeting.”
Brinkman’s report went on to clarify, “The intent for this property is to facilitate new mixed market housing and affordable housing for the community.”
OUTSIDE RESOLUTIONS / REQUESTS FOR ENDORSEMENT
To Review and Increase ACAP Funding For Regional Airports in Canada
WHEREAS Regional Airports are an important regional asset for regional community development and essential transportation connectivity to the world; and WHEREAS Municipalities can’t be expected to carry the burden of maintaining regional airports on their own; and WHEREAS the Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP) is a fund of only 38 million dollars to support over 200 smaller regional airports in the country; and WHEREAS ACAP funding has not been increased since its inception in 1998; and
WHEREAS Transport Canada needs to re-evaluate funding levels to ensure the continued efficient and safe regional airport operations without being a drain on the local taxpayers; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout requests the public support from all Federal Party leaders to review and to increase ACAP funding for regional airports in Canada; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Honourable Bob Nault, MP Kenora; the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport; the Leaders of all Federal Parties; the Regional Community Airports of Canada; the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities; the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association; the Rural Ontario Municipal Association; the Association of Municipalities Ontario, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and L’Association francaise des municipalites de l’Ontario.
Legal Aid Cuts
WHEREAS Premier Doug Ford’s recent Ontario budget has cut funding to Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) by $133 million, which is 30% of LAO’s budget, retroactive to April 1, 2019; and WHEREAS the 30% cut to the LAO budget has already had a direct negative impact on the Sioux Lookout Legal Aid Office – Legal Aid Ontario and the services they provide; and WHEREAS the Northwest Community Legal Clinic is committed to upholding the rights of the most vulnerable people of the Rainy River and Kenora Districts on issues that are most critical to them, including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pension Plan, Landlord and Tenant Issues, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Powers of Attorney, Consumer and Debt Issues, Aboriginal Status Registrations, Birth/Death Certificates, Name Changes and many other areas that impact low-income people; and WHEREAS the budget cuts to Legal Aid Ontario will have a devastating impact on the Northwest Community Legal Clinic’s ability to provide legal services to Ontario’s most vulnerable population aimed at ensuring that people with low incomes are able to meet their most basic needs, which in turn gives them the ability to live with health and dignity as active members of their communities; and WHEREAS the Northwest Community Legal Clinic has been providing service to the Kenora- Rainy River Districts for over 40 years. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout calls upon Premier Ford and Minister of the Attorney General Caroline Mulroney to make a commitment to access to justice; to respect the commitment of their government to not decrease front line services; and to confirm that funding for community legal clinics will not be decreased; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Solicitor General, the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of the Attorney General, The Honourable Sol Mamakwa, MPP Kiiwetinoong, AMO, NOMA, all Ontario Municipalities and Grand Council Treaty Three.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Make Appointments to Various Boards, Commissions and Committees
Council approved amending Schedule “A” to By-law No. 92-18, Being a By-law to Make Appointments to Various Boards, Commissions and Committees, by adding:
Bruce G. Van Horne to the Sioux Lookout Environment Committee;
Lyn-Marie Manitowabi to the Municipal Committee on Truth and Reconciliation
Council also ratified direction provided to staff in Closed Session respecting the disposition of land.