The meeting of the Council of the Village of South River was held jointly with the Township of Machar on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 in the Machar Council Chambers.

 

 A quorum was present from South River. In attendance

were Mayor Coleman, Councillors O’Hallarn, Smith, Mahon and Dickerson.

 

A quorum was present from Machar. In attendance were Mayor Maeck, Councillors Bennison, Gagnon, McLaren and Russell.

 

Staff present was Susan Arnold, Clerk Administrator (Village of South River).

 

1.         Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maeck              at  6:30pm.

 

Mayor Maeck welcomed South River Council and explained the meeting format would be a small departure from the usual Joint Council meetings. The meeting would be more discussion-based than decision-based. Prior to the new budget year it was an opportunity for both Councils to discuss mutual points of interest and planning. South River Mayor, Jim Coleman, on behalf of the South River Council, welcomed the opportunity for such a discussion.

 

2.         Declaration of Pecuniary Interest – None Declared

 

3.         Guests and Deputations - Nil

 

4.         Roads: Eagle Lake Road

Machar Township was seeking information regarding the rough section of Eagle Lake Rd from the South River/Machar boundary line into the Village. Some Machar Township residents, not knowing where the line exists  between the two municipalities, have complained to Machar Township regarding the condition of this section. Councillor Bill O’Hallarn, from South River, explained the Village was in negotiations with BOT Construction to have the company patch the road failures which resulted due to Highway #11 contract construction activities. The section under discussion requires more than resurfacing. The road requires new water mains installed beneath the roadbed, reconstruction of the roadbed, culverts for better drainage and sidewalks. This work is estimated to exceed $1,000,000 and at present, the Village cannot afford to undertake such a project. It is hoped BOT Construction will repair the three sections identified as a temporary measure. Machar Township acknowledged it also had a situation with BOT Construction which was finally resolved this fall.

 

5.         By-law Enforcement/Fire Chief Discussion

Machar Township is currently without a By-law Enforcement Officer. Jim Mahoney, Magnetawan, is currently on retainer. South River’s Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will be resigning at the end of November. The municipalities agreed to look at the position jointly and explore all options. Direction was given to the Fire Board and the Clerk Administrators to work together to investigate the possibility of a combined Fire Chief/MLEO position for the future.

 

6.         Arena: Washroom Accessibility and Glycol Coolant System

The Arena staff and Committee have identified two capital investments for Councils future consideration:

 

Glycol System: Currently the arena uses approximately four (4) gallons of metered water/minute during the operation cycle of the compressors. Most other arenas have been fitted with a glycol system which is used to cool the compressors. The cost obtained several years ago was $12,000. Installation of the unit would cut down on water usage and would pay for itself in five years. The water contains suspended solids which clog the cooling chamber and ultimately shortens the life of the compressor.

Washroom Accessibility: The Community Centre and Arena Committee are actively working towards upgrading accessibility standards at the arena. The installation of the elevator now allows easy access between the first and second level of the building. Providing accessible washroom facilities is the next focus. The Committee has been directed to explore options and costs related to re-fitting existing washrooms or building another barrier-free washroom in the building. Previous Councils had designated what would annually be placed in a Capital Reserve be used to pay down the loan needed to fund the municipalities’ share of the RInC Grant. The Committee was directed to look at the 2012 budget to see if a Capital Reserve contribution can be re-established.

 

7.         Drinking Water Source Protection (Councillor Dickerson)

South River Councillor Dickerson explained the difference between the Permissive and restrictive policy options the North Bay Mattawa Watershed Authority have proposed for the South River watershed. Mayor Coleman suggested the Village of South River and Machar Township give direction to the Watershed Authority that the South River Watershed be restrictive with South River and Machar Township providing input into the policy. Discussion then turned to including the Central Almaguin Planning Committee in this matter as it represents the unorganized townships along the South River. The South River Clerk Administrator was directed to place Jeff Dickerson on the November Central Almaguin Planning Committee agenda to continue the discussion.

 

8.         Business Breakfast and Meet & Greet for Volunteers/Service Groups

The South River Machar Business Breakfast has been confirmed for Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Royal Canadian Legion. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. Andrea Stoppa, Labour Market Group, will be invited to speak as will invitations to Ron Begin, FedNor, Tara Hamilton, MNDM and Donna Sedor from Employment North.

 

A brief update on what the municipalities have been doing regarding signage along the new Highway #11 will be provided to the business community.

 

The Volunteer/Service Group Meet & Greet was referred to the Culture and Recreation Committee.

 

7:48 p.m. The meeting took a short recess.

 

7:56 p.m. The meeting resumed.

 

9.         Airport Discussion

South River Councillor Jeff Dickerson requested another meeting between the Mayors, councillors and airport representatives to discuss the airports future. Councillor Dickerson reported the October 17, 2011 meeting with the Flying Club was positive. Both Councils require a recommendation from the Airport Committee so a decision can be made which will be reflected during municipal budget discussions. Mayor Coleman feels the airport is an asset for the municipalities which needs to be thoroughly examined before the final decision is made.

 

 

The order of the two remaining topics on the meeting agenda were switched with the approval of both Councils.

 

11.       EDO Discussion

CAEDA representatives updated the Councils regarding the status of the EDO interns. Applications for two interns have been submitted by Strong Township with an answer from the Province expected in the New Year. Some discussion regarding the location of the intern’s offices followed.

 

10.       Landfill: South River Machar Waste Disposal Agreement

Prior to specific discussions regarding price for South River to dispose of its household waste at the Machar Township Landfill site Machar Councillor Bill Russell advised South River that Machar Township hoped, at some point in the future, to obtain its Certificate of Approval for Hazmat (hazardous materials) disposal. When the C of A has been received Machar Township would invite South River to participate in the Hazmat program.

 

It was the desire of both municipalities to reach an agreement to allow South River to dispose of its household waste in the Machar Township landfill. South River would still have to add the price of collection onto the disposal costs and could not afford to pay much more than the $100,000 it is currently paying for collection and disposal to a third party. Machar Township also has costs associated with the landfill site and its operation, equipment, and compliance with Provincial regulations. It was agreed the numbers presented by both the Township of Machar and the Village of South River were reflective of budgetary requirements and the final decision would be a business decision.

 

7:48 p.m. A short recess was taken.

 

7:56 p.m. the meeting resumed.

 

Some negotiations took place but the numbers were too far apart to be able to reach a price which would be fair to both municipalities. It was decided a mutually beneficial business agreement could not be reached at this time but the door was left open to continue discussions in the future.

 

Roundtable

The Culture and Recreation Committee announced the Christmas Event was scheduled for December 16, 2011. The evening would be centered at the Village Office. Confirmation of planned activities will be forthcoming and an advertisement will be placed in the Almaguin News inviting the public to attend.

 

12.       Adjournment

           

255-2011         O’Hallarn/Dickerson              

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Village of South River does hereby read a first, second and third time and finally pass By-law #35-11, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council at its meeting held on the 26th of October 2011 with the signatures of the Mayor and the Clerk Administrator and the corporate seal affixed.

Carried

 

256-2011         Mahon/Smith             

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Village of South River does hereby adjourn to meet again on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. in the South River Council Chambers or at the call of the Mayor. Time of adjournment: 9:15p.m.

Carried

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________               ______________________________

Mayor, Jim Coleman                               Clerk-Administrator, Susan L. Arnold