Minutes of a Regular Meeting of Council of the
Corporation of the Township of Pelee
held at the Royal Canadian Legion
on Monday, June 21st, 2010
Present:
Mayor: Richard Masse
Deputy Mayor: Pete Letkeman
Councillors: Dayne Malloch, Larry Gervais
Staff: Ann Mitchell, CAO/Clerk/Treasurer,
Paul Feltz, Roads Superintendent
Other: Richard Wyma, General Manager, Essex Region Conservation Authority
Absent: Councillor Darlene Wiper
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
The agenda was brought forward.
The following resolution was passed:
Resolution 2010-95
Moved by: Pete Letkeman
Seconded by: Larry Gervais
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby approve the agenda for the June 21st, 2010 Regular Meeting of Council with the addition of Paul Feltz, Roads Superintendent.”
Carried.
The minutes for the Regular Meeting of Council held on June 7th, 2010 were presented. The following resolution was passed:
Resolution 2010-96
Moved by: Dayne Malloch
Seconded by: Pete Letkeman
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby adopt the minutes of the June 7th, 2010 Regular Meeting of Council with corrections.”
Carried.
The Mayor asked if anyone had a pecuniary interest. Deputy Mayor Letkeman declared a pecuniary interest with JON01 and TOT02 with regards to the disbursements. Councillor Malloch declared a pecuniary interest with disbursement JON01.
Roads Superintendent, Paul Feltz was present to speak to Council about implementing a by-law regarding road crossing for utilities. He explained that he and the CAO were working on a by-law to make sure that all utilities were following the same standard. The CAO told Council that she hoped to have this by-law to them for the next Regular Meeting of Council in order to make sure it was in place before the road work started.
Darith Smith was not able to attend the Council meeting but had drafted a letter to Council requesting funding for the 2010 Fireworks. She gave Council a few options and was requesting funding in order for the fireworks to take place. All of Council was in agreement that they wanted the fireworks to take place. Councillor Malloch wanted the Township to cover the shortfall.
The following resolution was passed:
Resolution 2010-97
Moved by: Larry Gervais
Seconded by: Dayne Malloch
“Resolved that the Township of Pelee hereby adopts the report of Darith Smith with regards to the Fireworks Display and further that the Township agree to cover the $1,500.00 shortfall for the Fireworks.”
Carried.
Mr. Richard Wyma, General Manager of Essex Region Conservation Authority was in attendance to present the 2009 Annual Report to Council. He gave a short video presentation to Council and then listed the projects that ERCA has planned for 2010. Mr. Wyma briefly touched on the 2010 proposed projects and then took questions from Council. Mayor Masse asked how much influence ERCA had over Ontario Parks because the Township wanted assistance getting them to step up to the plate and take care of their properties here on the Island. Mayor Masse continued that the properties had been sadly neglected over the three (3) years that this council had been in office and certainly at least fifteen (15) before that. Mr. Wyma responded that in the past ERCA has sat down with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy of
Canada and the Federation of Naturalists. Mr. Wyma felt the relationship has been up and down but currently was on an upswing. He will speak to them at the next meeting about this matter. Mayor Masse stated that he felt that Ontario Parks was neglecting us; the Lighthouse trail is to the point that it is not useful. Mayor Masse said that hopefully with some pressure from ERCA something could be done. Mr. Wyma reiterated that he would speak to Ontario Parks and stated that he felt that staff changes in the office have lead to positive changes. Mayor Masse explained that 20% of the property in the Township is under conservation and we worked with them and now we feel that they have abandoned us. Mayor Masse further stated that any help would be appreciated. Mayor Masse stated that the Township was grateful for all of the assistance that ERCA had given with regards to revetment around the Island and explained that this year due to economical factors no revetment work would be done. Mayor Masse mentioned that we will be working with ERCA to complete studies in order for revetment work to move forward in the future. Councillor Gervais stated that if we could enhance the trails it would be very beneficial to the Island’s economy. Deputy Mayor Letkeman asked about the trees around the lighthouse. Councillor Malloch further stated that the trees would be damaging the restoration work that had been done on the lighthouse. Mayor Masse stated that Ontario Parks had come at least three (3) times during this Council’s term. They have done master plans and yet not a dime has been spent here. The Mayor stated that he believed that it is time that Ontario Parks spent some money on the Island. Mayor Masse thanked Mr. Wyma for coming to Pelee and bringing his wife to enjoy the Island. Mr. Wyma stated that he and his wife had enjoyed their visit to the Island.
The CAO presented her report with regards to the New Library Building. A letter had been sent from the school board expressing the wish to form partnerships. The CAO had attached her response letter and explained that she was working on a meeting with the Greater Essex County District School Board.
The following resolution was passed:
Resolution 2010-98
Moved by: Dayne Malloch
Seconded by: Larry Gervais
“Resolved that the Township of Pelee hereby adopts the report of the CAO with regards to the New Library Building as information.”
Carried.
The CAO talked about the budget and explained that tax rates needed to be passed at this Council meeting in order to get the final tax bills out. Mayor Masse stated that the recommendation from the CAO was to increase taxes by 3%. Deputy Mayor Letkeman wanted to increase the taxes 2.5%. The rest of Council agreed.
Resolution 2010-99
Moved by: Dayne Malloch
Seconded by: Pete Letkeman
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby approve the budget for 2010 and further that the Council of the Township of Pelee agree to raise taxes by 2.5%.”
Carried.
The CAO brought forward her report with regards to the Provincial Offences Act agreement with the City of Windsor.
The following resolution was brought forward:
Resolution 2010-100
Moved by: Larry Gervais
Seconded by: Dayne Malloch
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby agree to execute an agreement renewing the POA Intermunicipal Service Agreement (ISA) between the City of Windsor, County of Essex, Township of Pelee and seven local municipalities for an additional five (5) year term.”
Carried.
The CAO brought forward her report with regard to the Library Board Auction. She explained that this was to be held July 16th, 2010 and it would be great to see all of Council in attendance. The Library Board was requesting a Pheasant Hunt license to raffle off.
Resolution 2010-101
Moved by: Larry Gervais
Seconded by: Dayne Malloch
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby approve the request for the Free Pheasant hunt license for the Library Board Auction for the least sold hunt for 2010.”
Carried.
By-law 2010-13, being a by-law to set tax ratios was brought forward and passed. By-law 2010-14, being a by-law to set tax rates was brought forward and passed.
The by-laws for transient traders and refreshment stands were discussed. It was agreed that the CAO will draft one by-law to address these issues and put the exemption of garage sales in the by-law. Mayor Masse stated that he would like to see a standard licensing fee.
The following resolution was brought forward:
Resolution 2010-102
Moved by: Pete Letkeman
Seconded by: Larry Gervais
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby agree to move items 7 (c) and 7 (d) to the next meeting.”
Carried.
The Mayor brought forward the correspondence. All correspondence was read, noted and filed except for the letter from Kawartha Lakes.
The following resolution was brought forward:
Resolution 2010-103
Moved by: Pete Letkeman
Seconded by: Larry Gervais
“Resolved that the Township of Pelee hereby support the City of Kawartha Lakes who were sued due to negligence or mishaps by the Ministry of the Environment when the private owner could not pay. If the private owners cannot pay it should fall back on the province.”
Carried.
Mayor Masse brought forward the disbursements.
The following resolution was passed:
Resolution 2010-104
Moved by Larry Gervais
Seconded by Dayne Malloch
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby approve the disbursements with the exception of JON01 and TOT02.”
Carried.
The Mayor brought forward Council and Miscellaneous Reports. The CAO stated that Councillor Wiper had asked her to bring forward a concern about the fact that Hydro One would not accept old appliances from Pelee Island under their new program. Council directed the CAO to draft a letter to Hydro One.
Councillor Malloch stated that he was pleased with the work done on the drain at the north end by our Roads Department. Councillor Malloch asked about the Emerald Ash Borer and what we were going to do about the dead trees. The CAO explained that we would likely have a proposal from Superior Tree Care to assist the Roads Department again this winter. Mayor Masse asked about Hydro One clearing lines. The CAO will look into this.
Councillor Gervais asked about the status of the Clinic and Ambulance. The CAO responded that the Leamington District Memorial Hospital was stating that they wanted to keep only one nurse and run the clinic as a daily service with the ambulance taking care of the emergency services. Mayor Masse stated that this was unacceptable and that due to the fact that the cost for ambulance services falls to the municipality we could be on the hook for a lot of money and even if Leamington District Memorial Hospital gave the Township part of the money they received for running the clinic it could disappear in the next few years. Councillor Gervais stated that currently the clinic and ambulance was not coordinating thus making it difficult to operate.
Deputy Mayor Letkeman stated that work was progressing at the dump and by tomorrow a pit would be sectioned off to allow garbage drop off without the patrons being on the job site. Deputy Mayor Letkeman further stated that there would be limited recycling while the job was being completed. Mayor Masse asked the CAO to put something in the Grapevine to reflect this.
Mayor Masse stated that he had attended a joint meeting with the City of Windsor and the County of Essex. He gave a brief outline of the meeting to Council. Mayor Masse had the opportunity to tour with the members of Tourism Windsor Essex and Pelee Island around the Island on June 16th, 2010. The group was very excited to see what the Island has to offer. Tourism Windsor Essex and Pelee Island is in the process of setting up a website which will have a link to each municipality. These links will be interactive. On June 17th, 2010 the Mayor and the CAO had a tour with representatives from Ontario Trillium Foundation so that they would be able to see what their funding had done for the Island and to introduce possible future projects. The Mayor and Dan Krutsch toured a large group of Drainage Superintendents and other representatives from the drainage industry. All members were very impressed with our new pump stations and they couldn’t believe what the Township had managed with such limited funding.
Council adjourned.
Resolution 2010-105
Moved by Larry Gervais
Seconded by Dayne Malloch
“Resolved that the Council of the Township of Pelee hereby adjourn until July 5th, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.”
Carried. | 
