Municipal Council Notes:
September 18, 2019
REPORTS
Sports Tourism Strategy - Phase One Report
Council voted to receive the Sports Tourism Strategy Phase One Report.
Mr. Edward Hoshizaki, of Edward Hoshizaki Development Consulting, provided council with a report on the Sioux Lookout Sports Tourism Strategy.
A community open house is being planned for the public to view the sports tourism strategy.
Local Transportation Services Sector Review and Recommendations
Council received Report No. RP-2019-162, “Taxicab and Limousine Licensing Information” and directed staff to bring forward amendments to the Taxicab and Limousine Licensing By-law.
An annual review of the schedule of fees charges to taxicab and limousine operators, took place between Aug. 1 and 31.
Kiana Malcolm, Cemeteries & Licensing Coordinator’s report to council recommends, “The current annual licensing fees are $612.50 for a business license (includes one vehicle license) and $40.00 for each vehicle license. It is recommended that this fee be increased to $827.50 (an increase of $215.00 per business) to offset lost revenue due to expenses such as Taxicab Vehicle decals and staff time to administer the Licensing and Enforcement Program.”
Amendments to the by-law have not yet been approved by council.
Bigwood Lake Property Assessment - Resolution Amendment
Council authorized a Phase 2 Application in the amount of $75,000 to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Northern Community Capacity Building Program under the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines to conduct a Traffic Impact Study and Storm Water Management Report for the development of the Bigwood Lake Property; and further Council confirmed a Municipal contribution of $25,000, plus any additional cost overruns.
Resolution Amendment: Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund - Airport Water Systems
Council authorized a funding applications to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for $783,250 and FedNor for $783,250 under the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Program(s) to upgrade the Booster Pumping Station at the Municipal Airport and expand water and sewer to the Bigwood Lake property; and further Council confirmed a Municipal contribution of $200,000, plus any additional cost overruns.
2020 Budget Timetable
Council approved the proposed 2020 Budget Timetable as presented by the Treasurer.
The following is the schedule Council approved for the 2020 Budget.
October 9, 2019 – Special Council Meeting – the following will be covered:
Presentation – 2019 Completed Capital Projects
2019 Capital Projects still in progress (Overview)
2020 Funding Opportunities
Asset Management Plan – Where the Municipality is and Milestones which are legislated to be completed
Public will have an opportunity to give input as to what they would like to see in the 2020 budget
November 27, 2019 – Special Council Meeting – the following will be covered:
Presentation: Draft #1 of Operating and Capital Budget 2020
Opportunity for Public Donation Requests to be presented to Council if organizations want to present their requests
December 11, 2019 – Special Council Meeting – the following will be covered:
Presentation: Budget Draft #2: Operating and Capital 2020
January 15, 2019 Regular Council Meeting – with respect to the budget, the following will be covered:
Approval of the 2020 Budget, and adoption of Budget by-laws.
2019 Municipal Accommodation Tax Overview
Council approved the implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. The MAT will come into effect on January 1, 2020 at a rate of four percent (4%).
Wapesi Area a Protected Value in Official Plan
Council directed that an amendment be made to the Official Plan to identify the Wapesi as a protected value.
Jackie Trenholm, acting deputy clerk, states in her report to council, “The Hudson & Area Advisory Committee has requested that Council consider making the area around the Wapesi a "protected value" in the Official Plan, and be designated as a culturally sensitive area. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has identified the area as a protected value for forest fire protection purposes.
“The Wapesi was built in Hudson in 1930 by Olie Gustafson, a boat builder and played a significant part of Hudson's history by transporting freight and passengers through Lac Seul. Around 1942, the Wapesi was skidded to the Second Boat Bay shore and has remained there ever since. It is now in a crumbling state.
“It is recommended that the Wapesi area be identified as a cultural heritage landscape in the Official Plan, per section 5.3, due to the historic significance that this area has on the community.”
Summary of Updates to Provincial Policy Statement (PPS)
Council voted that, based on a review of the proposed policy modifications, that the following comments be provided to the Province by the Municipality of Sioux Lookout:
1) Recommend that the modifications to Section 1.6.6.4 should be further modified to permit the use of partial servicing where it is available.
A summary of proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement the Municipality of Sioux Lookout is asking for can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/2AN5DdA.
Proposed Use of One-Time Provincial "Efficiency" Funding
Council voted to support the projects outlined and recommended for implementation in Report No. RP-2019-161, using the one-time provincial "efficiency" funding; and further Council approved the listed projects, and directed staff to obtain full costing on the projects that have not yet been costed and to report back to Council with costs; and further Council authorized implementation of the projects for which costing has been secured to commence at the earliest opportunity, specifically the:
Municipal Website Enhancements Project
Electronic Documents Records Management Software Project
Meeting Management Software Project
BY-LAWS
Road Allowance Sale and Closure Application - Lilly
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 80-19, being a By-law to Permanently Close, Declare Surplus and Authorize the Sale of a Highway of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
The passing of this bylaw authorizes the closure and sale of road allowance abutting the north end property described as: 134 Front Street, to Andrew Lilly.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
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 Karl Gunnarsson to the Parks and Recreation Committee; and further Council approved amending Schedule "A" to By-law No. 92-18 (Being a By-law to Make Appointments to Various Boards, Commissions 7 - 14 by deleting Lianne Gerber Finn and Nicole Carbone from the Day Care Advisory Committee.
Council expressed their appreciation to the two individuals who resigned from the Day Care Advisory Committee for their service on the Committee.
Council ratified direction provided to staff in Closed Session respecting a potential land sale on Sturgeon River Road.
