Municipal Council Notes:
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Delegations/Presentations/Committee Presentations
Welcome New Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief
Council welcomed Robert Popovic, the Municipality’s new Manager of Emergency Services/Fire Chief.
REPORTS
The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan
Council adopted the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan as presented at the June 17, 2020 Regular Council Meeting.
According to Municipal CAO Michelle Larose, the Strategic Plan is the key guiding document for Council and staff with respect to Council goals, objectives and priorities for the community.
The Vision outlined in the Strategic Plan is, “A vibrant community where diversity, nature and compassion drive our prosperity.”
The Mission outlined in the Strategic Plan states, “Fostering growth and healthy living while celebrating our cultural diversity.
Five strategic priorities were outlined in the strategic plan: Community Innovation and Development - Proactively invest in our community to encourage growth and enhance our quality of life, Community Wellness - Strive to make our community a healthy and safe place to live for all of our residents, Regional Collaboration - Collaborate with other groups to address the opportunities and challenges we share,
Community Engagement - Engage with our residents and local businesses and encourage their participation in Municipal affairs, and Operational Excellence - Strive for operational excellence through open communication, sound fiscal management & exceptional customer service.
Public input from local residents, agencies, organizations and businesses contributed to the final version of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.
Tim Hore from Capital Park Consulting presented the new strategic plan to council.
People can view the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan at https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/your-local-government/departments-divisions-and-functions.asp.
Hard copies of the Strategic Plan will be available at the Customer Service Desk at the Municipal Office, once it reopens to the public.
Blue Box Recyclable Materials Service Provision and Management
Council directed staff to develop an Agreement with B&M Delivery Services of Dryden, Ontario for the collection and post collection transportation of Blue Box recyclable materials in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout based on a present service rate of $15,283.95 per month or $183,406.20 per year plus HST. Council further directed staff to implement Option 1, to deploy Public Works personnel to collect Blue Box Materials on scheduled collection days with smaller collection vehicle and return all collected materials to storage shed at Public Works yard for later transfer to compactor truck and subsequent forwarding to transfer station in Dryden, for the provision of Blue Box recyclable materials collection services on private roads within the Municipality of Sioux Lookout as outlined the Manager of Public Works’ Report dated June 17, 2020. Finally, Council directed staff to implement Option 2, being that the Municipality obtains the required Blue Box bins and/or Blue Box receptacles and offers them for sale to the general public at 50% cost recovery price to encourage the transition from blue or clear plastic bags and ensure continued participation in the program, as outlined in the Manager of Public Works’ Report dated June 17, 2020.
Public Works Manager Andrew Jewell outlined in his report to council, “At the end of April 2020, Drayton Disposal Services met with the Public Works Manager to inform that they no longer would be continuing to work in the residential Blue Box recyclable materials business.”
Municipal CAO Michelle Larose informed, “The collection schedule will change as noted after sufficient notice to the public has been provided and in the interim, B&M Delivery Services will maintain the current collection schedule. Actual dates as to when the collection schedule will change will be provided once further requirements and logistics have been thoroughly investigated.”
Following the transition, recycling materials will be collected in blue boxes and blue bins
Larose elaborated, “It’s the end point processing location for the collected materials that will not accept plastic bags, not a requirement of the collection contractor. The final destination for post collection processing of the collected Blue Box materials is a recycling facility in Manitoba and it is at this facility where plastic bags cannot be comingled with other materials due to the automated sorting process. There will be a transition period to allow residents time to change from bags to bins and/or receptacles with a final date, yet to be determined, as to when bagged materials will no longer be collected.”
Larose added, “Most private roads will be have collection services provided with Municipal forces utilizing a smaller vehicle and additional details will be provided once logistics have been further reviewed.”
She concluded, “Mid-July is the anticipated start date for B&M Delivery Services to take over the residential Blue Box recyclable materials collection within the Municipality.”
2019 Reserve & Reserve Fund Update
Council received the 2019 Reserve and Reserve Funds Update, as included and attached to the Treasurer’s Report No. 2020-9, dated June 17, 2020.
Municipal Treasurer Carly Collins informed councillors she intended to bring a Reserve/ Reserve Fund policy as well as other financial management policies to council in the near future.
2020 Operating Financial Reports – May 29, 2020
Council received the Municipal, Utilities and Airport Financial Statements as of May 29th, 2020.
In her report to council, Municipal Treasurer Carly Collins informed, “In 2019, the Airport had a surplus of $95,679.94 at the end of May. In 2020, we are currently in a deficit of $35,967.28.”
Municipal operations and utilities are operating at surplus at the present time.
Waterfront Project Development Project Update
Council approved the addition of the Kayak Kiosk component of the waterfront development project; and further Council voted that the cost of the Kayak Kiosk be incorporated in the contract through a Change Order in the amount of $9,655.79.
Municipal Treasurer Carly Collins informed in her report to council, “These funds will be reallocated from within the approved project budget, and, specifically, will be funded through the cost savings of not relocating the cenotaph.”
Municipal CAO Michelle Larose clarified, “The kiosk is a building used to store kayaks. The model will likely include both rentals as well as space for storage for local kayakers. These operational decisions will be communicated to the public once the kiosk is ready to open for service.”
Originally part of the project, council recently decided not to include the Kayak Kiosk to reduce the cost of the project; however the Municipality was later informed by funding partners they wished this component of the project to remain.
Review of Suspension of Boards, Commissions and Committee Meetings
Council directed that its Boards, Commissions and Committees remain on hiatus for the months of July and August.
Nominate Doug Lawrance to AMO Northern Caucus
Council voted to support the nomination of Doug Lawrance to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Northern Caucus.
BY-LAWS
2020 Rural Road Resurfacing Project – Preparation for Resurfacing – Contract Award
Council awarded the Contract for the Rural Road Work Project - Preparation for Resurfacing, required for various roads in Sioux Lookout to Bay City Contractors in the amount of $268,655 plus HST; and further Council authorizes the passing of By-law No. 61-20, Being a Bylaw to Authorize and Direct the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute a Contract Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Bay City Contractors for the Rural Road Work Project – Preparation for Resurfacing, as a component of the 2020 Rural Road Resurfacing Project.
The following roads/road sections are scheduled to have the road preparation work completed: Sturgeon River Road – 1000 metres, Drayton Road – 1200 metres, Sun and Sand Road – 480 metres.
2020 Rural Road Resurfacing Project
Council awarded the Contract for the application of double and single surface treatment (road surfacing) on various urban and rural roads in Sioux Lookout to Miller Paving Limited in the amount of $248,287.50 plus HST; and further Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 58-20, Being a Bylaw to Authorize and Direct the Mayor and the Clerk to Execute a Contract Between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and Miller Paving Limited for the application of double and single surface treatment on various Municipal roads.
Road resurfacing work will take place on Sturgeon River Road – 1000 metres, Drayton Road – 1200 metres, Sun and Sand Road – 480 metres, Delseg Drive – 280 metres, Mill Road (South of Sanders Road West) - 100 metres, Pelto Road – 375 metres, Tower Hill Road – 180 metres, Bay Street (off 5th Avenue South) – 115 metres, Prince Street (west of 5th Avenue) – 55 metres.
Extension of Financial Relief due to COVID-19
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 60-20, Being a Bylaw to Amend By-law No. 48-20, Being a By-law to Provide Financial Relief During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Municipal Treasurer Carly Collins shared in her report to council, “Council had agreed from the onset of closures/staff reductions and operating changes due to COVID-19 that the municipality would not be charging interest and penalties on accounts to assist those that may have some difficulty in paying due to changes at their offices and/or financial strain
“By approving the extension of the interest and penalties on accounts until July 31st, it is with hope that customers are able to keep up with their bills with no additional hardship to them. The intent is to assist the customers so that in the end it has no additional burden on the tax payers.”
Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 59-20, Being a By-Law to authorize the Mayor and the Clerk to enter into and execute the Municipal Funding Agreement for the Transfer of Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program between The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and the Minister of Transportation for the Province of Ontario.
New Procedure By-law
Municipal CAO Michelle Larose informed, “Council agreed to provide its Members with approximately one month (until July 15th) to provide feedback, comments, questions and concerns to the Clerk on the new Procedure By-law. Following which, all the feedback will be reviewed, summarized and a Special Council Meeting will follow in September to review all of the feedback, along with staff’s comments on that feedback.”
