Council of the Corporation of
The Township of Billings
April 4, 2017
Regular Meeting
PRESENT: Mayor Austin Hunt, Councillors Sharon Alkenbrack, Nora Bath-Haring, Barbara Erskine, Brian Parker
Staff: Kathy McDonald, Clerk Treasurer/CAO; Floyd Becks, Public Works Superintendent; and Todd Gordon, Economic Development Officer
Media: Tom Sasvari
Members of the general public
2017-092 Erskine – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED that this regular meeting of Council be opened with a quorum present at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Hunt presiding.
Carried
2017-093 Erskine – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED that the agenda for the April 4, 2017 regular meeting of Council be accepted as amended.
Carried
The agenda was amended to add under 8) New Business e) Kagawong Standing Advisory Committee, and f) Economic Development Officer.
2017-094 Bath-Haring – Erskine
BE IT RESOLVED that Council accepts the minutes of the March 14, 2017 Committee meeting as presented.
Carried
2017-095 Bath-Haring – Erskine
BE IT RESOLVED that Council accepts the minutes of the March 20, 2017 Council meeting as presented.
Carried
Pat Hess made a presentation to Council regarding his research on Garlon RTU’s harmful effects. Members of the public provided comments.
Councillor Bath-Haring reported on the Museum Board Meeting held April 3, 2017
Councillor Erskine reported on the Recreation Committee.
Councillor Erskine reported on the Go Green Committee and the schedule for Green Living day.
Councillor Erskine reported on the Joint Building System Committee.
Councillor Alkenbrack reported on the Library Board.
Councillor Alkenbrack reported on the Economic Development Committee
Mayor Hunt reported on the Manitoulin Municipal Association items that were under “correspondence” on the agenda.
2017-096 Erskine – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED that Billings Township will not pursue a Junior Fire Fighter Program and will not permit anyone under 18 years of age to join the Billings Fire Department.
Carried
2017-097 Erskine – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council accepts the Minutes of Settlement and Amended Assessment Notices and Section 357’s for the following properties:
5121 000 002 03070 (2017)
5121 000 004 11506 (2017)
5121 000 005 01000 (2017)
5121 000 001 11300 (2017)
5121 000 001 11300 (2016)
Carried
2017-098 Bath-Haring – Alkenbrack
BE IT RESOLVED that Brian Parker and Aus Hunt be appointed to represent council on the Kagawong Standing Advisory Committee.
Carried
2017-099 Erskine – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED that Billings Township partner in a joint Health and Safety Coordinator program with other participating municipalities, conditional on a minimum of three municipalities participating.
Carried
2017-100 Erskine – Bath-Haring
BE IT RESOLVED that Council accepts, with regret, the resignation of Scott Graham and Lorie Graham from the Economic Development Committee and instructs the Clerk to send them a letter thanking them for the time that they volunteered on the committee.
Carried
2017-101 Erskine – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law 2017-28, being a by-law to authorize voting by mail for municipal elections be given first, second, third reading and enacted.
Carried.
2017-102 Parker – Alkenbrack
WHEREAS the Premier has announced that Ontario Hydro will be waiving delivery fees for customers who reside on First Nation reserves and settlements in Ontario,
AND WHEREAS, many families in the Township of Billings are having trouble meeting their financial commitments because of the exorbitant delivery fees charged by Ontario Hydro;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of Billings requests that the Province of Ontario treat all of Ontario Hydro’s customers equally and eliminate the delivery fees for residents of the Township of Billings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the interest of transparency, Ontario Hydro explain to the municipalities which cost costing methods or alternative revenue sources will be put in place to replace the revenue losses it experiences from the elimination of the delivery charge to its customers.
AND FURTHER that a copy of this resolution be sent to Premier Wynne, Minister Thibeault and the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands.
Defeated
RECORDED VOTE (SECTION 246)
Yea Nay Disclosure of Interest
Councillor Sharon Alkenbrack ___ X __________________
Councillor Nora Bath-Haring ___ X __________________
Councillor Barbara Erskine ___ X __________________
Councillor Brian Parker ___ X __________________
Mayor Austin Hunt ___ X __________________
2017-103 Erskine – Bath-Haring
WHEREAS access to affordable and reliable broadband networks is an important part of everyday life and;
AND WHEREAS communities outside urban centres face challenges in accessing internet service levels comparable to those in cities due to factors such as remote location and challenging terrain and;
AND WHEREAS access to Broadband is key to economic, education, social and health development and;
AND WHEREAS much of the Municipality of Billings currently has little or less than 5mbps broadband coverage;
THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The Township of Billings supports Blue Sky Net’s application for funding under the (Innovation, Science and Economic Development) program, Connect to Innovate.
Carried
2017-104 Erskine – Alkenbrack
BE IT RESOLVED that Billings Township contributes $50 to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Legal Fund.
Carried
2017-105 Bath-Haring – Erskine
BE IT RESOLVED that Council has no objection to a business being open on public holidays in 2017 and gives approval for stores to be open, including LCBO agencies.
Carried
2017-106 Alkenbrack – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes the following accounts for payment:
General Accounts $107,104.80
and that the Mayor and Treasurer be authorized to sign cheques number 4387 to 4415 as described in the attached register.
Carried
2017-107 Parker – Bath-Haring
BE IT RESOLVED That in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. Chapter 25, this Council proceed to a Closed Session at 9:15 p.m. in order to discuss a matter pertaining to e) litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board.
Carried
2017-108 Alkenbrack – Erskine
BE IT RESOLVED that Council adjourn from this in camera session at 9:33 and resumes our regular meeting.
Carried
During the in camera session Council discussed a potential litigation issue and provided the Clerk with further direction.
2017-109 Bath-Haring – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED By-law 2017-19, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council be given first, second and third reading and enacted.
Carried
2017-110 Bath-Haring – Parker
BE IT RESOLVED that Council adjourn from this regular meeting of Council at 9:34 p.m. until our next regular meeting or Call of the Chair.
Carried
____________________________ ________________________________
Austin Hunt, Mayor Kathy McDonald, Clerk Treasurer/CAO
4/5/17:km
These minutes have been prepared but are not considered official until approved by Council at a subsequent meeting.