Sessions Attended
February 1 Ministry of Transportation Session
February 1 Net Zero Energy Arenas Presentation
February 6 Committee of the Whole
February 9 Committee of the Whole
February 13 Regular Meeting of Council
February 15 Cataraqui Conservation
February 21 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Training
February 22 Cataraqui Conservation
February 27 Regular Meeting of Council
February 1 Ministry of Transportation Session
This session presented the findings of a golf cart pilot program that took place in two communities over the past year. The session outlined the benefits to municipalities as well as the regulations that applied to the communities. This was for my own interest and the Township has no plans to engage in such a program. There was no cost to the township for my participation.
February 1 Net Zero Energy Arenas Presentation
For my own personal interests I took part in this ZOOM session. Through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario participants were outlined the ways to move towards a carbon neutral arena complex. The refrigeration process will play a huge part in reaching net zero while making use of by-products in the process. With the upcoming community hub project I found this session to be informative. Once again this session had no cost to the township.
February 6 & 9 Committee of the Whole
Over two nights staff presented the draft budget for the upcoming year. As inflation hovers between 6% & 7% staff was able to present a budget with a township increase of 1.6% to council. This increase is below the average of the past five years which was 2.9%. At the time of this writing the County has not set it’s budget targets which will be passed on to residents.
Council is providing notice that it intends to adopt the 2023 budget on:
Monday, March 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
The meetings are live streamed and recorded and available to view on the Council Portal. Copies of the 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets are available on the Township's Budget webpage.
February 13 Regular Meeting of Council 4th Session
Approved a plan to allow Amherst Island Radio to establish a studio in Bath to supplement programming.
Directed staff to prepare a report on funding models to support Loyalist Family Health Teams recruitment efforts to secure health care professionals to meet the needs of Loyalist Township.
Directed staff to develop an approval process to allow staff to post community massages on behalf of community groups on the electric message boards an the ferry docks.
Received and endorsed the Report SR-2243 from staff recommendations and the Bath Canada Day Sub Committee. The committee will be focusing on daytime events and for various reasons outlined in the report will not be offering fireworks this year.
A more detail account of the meeting can be found at https://loyalist.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1736
February 15 Cataraqui Conservation
I was appointed the vice-chair of the Personnel Committee and attended the meeting on this date which was held In Camera to deal with confidential personnel matters.
February 21 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Training
I attended this virtual session which gave insight into many different aspects of being a councillor. Some of the topics included,
Roles and Responsibilities as a Member of Council
The role of Municipal Staff
Councillors as Individuals
Personal liability, Municipal Conflict of, Interest, Code of Conduct, the Role of Integrity Commissioners
Insight into need-to-know legislation and policy
Municipal Finance and strategic planning
The fiscal responsibilities, and realities of municipalities
Financial Reporting and asset management
Human rights and equity
February 22 Cataraqui Source Protection Authority
This Authority is responsible for The Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 implementation with responsibilities for municipal drinking water systems protection. The Authority plan contain policies that protect municipal drinking water sources from contamination and overuse.
Two highlights from this meeting included an overview of the Source Protection Program and a review of best practices for Source Water Protection. In the Cataraqui Watershed 80% of the population are on a municipal system for their water provision. For those not covered municipally check out the best practices at cleanwatercataraqui.ca
February 22 Cataraqui Conservation Full Board Meeting
In 2022 the CRCA reviewed 34 Plan Applications from the Township and 21 Permit Reviews. The CRCA met timelines in over 92% of the timelines set by the Township. This is an area where we could look at reviewing the timelines as set by the Township. As a whole the CRCA reviewed 372 Plan Applications and 443 Permit Reviews.
The Board received a Capital Project Delivery Report and 16 projects were completed with 38 projects in progress. Various financial transfers were made to close the books for 2022. We also received the General Manager's Monthly Report.
Minutes of Cataraqui Conservation can be found at https://cataraquiconservation.ca/blogs/2022-board-meetings
February 27 Regular Meeting of Council 5th Session
OPP Staff Sergeant made a presentation in reguards to speeding and thefts in Amherstview. In summary the traffic on many roads has increased tremendously with up to 5,000 vehicles a day on some main roads. Upon my questioning the officer listed a few strategies that might decrease speeds in the community. Auto break ins are often shared on social media but not reported to the police. Reports of any thefts need to be reported to the police as it is important for them to know trends and areas where they may need more supports. The local detachment has started following local social media but the best communication is a phone call. Remember to lock your cars and keep valuables out of sight.
Council approved free use of the "We Play For Tyler" Softball event which has donated over $50,000 for initiatives supporting youth mental health.
Reports and funding were approved for Amherst Island Agricultural Society, Amherst Island Community Alliance, Amherst Island Men's Society and the Bath Gardening Club and Agricultural Society.
Reports were received for information from the Ferry Committee and a staff annual report on Loyalist's Drinking Water Systems.
A more detailed account can be found at https://loyalist.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=1737
Kommentare