The Corporation of the Township of Huron-Kinloss

Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Time:

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers

Members Present

• Don Murray, Mayor
• Jim Hanna, Deputy Mayor
• Larry Allison, Councillor
• Shari Flett, Councillor
• Ed McGugan, Councillor

Members Absent

• Scott Gibson, Councillor
• Carl Sloetjes, Councillor

Staff Present

• Jennifer White, Clerk
• Jodi MacArthur, Chief Administrative Officer
• Christine Heinisch, Manager of Financial Services/Treasurer

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1.

Call to Order

Mayor Murray called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

None disclosed. 

3.

Adoption of Minutes

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 - 01
  Moved By Jim Hanna
  Seconded By Larry Allison

  THAT the minutes of the Council meeting of May 13, 2024 be adopted as presented.   

  Carried

4.

Delegations

4.1

Resident Delegation

Perry Elliott addressed Council regarding concerns with the impacts of a tax change for a property from agricultural to residential on a partnership farm.

Council noted that they are aware of similar types of situations to this and that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs were the authority to confirm eligibility for the farm property taxation program for the tax year in question.

Elliott requested reconsideration for the difference in taxes between the residential and farm tax class and would like Council to consider relief for the accrued penalty and interest to eliminate the entire amount owing.  Council directed Staff to provide a report back on the matter.  Elliott provided an undated letter to Staff which he noted had been sent to a former Mayor on the topic.

5.

Financial Reports

5.1

Statement of Investments 2023, TRE-2024-05-30

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -02
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Shari Flett

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives for information Report TRE-2024-05-30 prepared by Christine Heinisch, Treasurer.

  Carried

5.2

Revenue and Expenditure Reports to April 30, 2024, TRE-2024-05-32

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -03
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Shari Flett

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby reviews and receives the summary revenue and expenditure reports to April 30, 2024 prepared by Christine Heinisch, Treasurer.

  Carried

5.3

Previous Month Actual Accounts – April 2024, TRE-2024-05-33

Council inquired about a $31,000 refund which was for a revoked building permit and a refund of some development charges which had been collected.  Council discussed the charge from Escape productions, which Staff noted as advertising through Grey Bruce Escape for tourims related activities. 

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -04
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby ratifies and confirms payment of the April 2024 accounts in the amount of $1,731,956.17.

  Carried

6.

Staff Report

6.1

Treasury

a.

2024-2025 Municipal Insurance Program, TRE-2024-05-26

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -05
  Moved By Larry Allison
  Seconded By Shari Flett

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives Report TRE-2024-05-26 prepared by Christine Heinisch, Treasurer;

  AND FURTHER accepts the proposal of Intact Public Entities in the amount of $395,107.00 plus applicable taxes for the 2024-2025 municipal insurance program and the quote of CFC Underwriting Ltd. In the amount of $9,250.00 plus applicable taxes for cyber insurance;

  AND FURTHER THAT a by-law be brought forward as a matters arising.

  Carried

b.

Delegation of Authority for S.357 (1)(d.1) for Tax Relief Applications, TRE-2024-05-27

Council inquired if there was a cost associated with the Assessment Review Board taking on this task.  Staff confirmed there was not.

Council inquired if a hybrid option could be considered where final approval was still with Council.  Staff did not believe so, and noted the benefit of having an impartial third party consider these types of applications, including maintaining a more confidential process for applicants. 

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -06
  Moved By Shari Flett
  Seconded By Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives Report TR-2024-05-27, as prepared by Christine Heinisch, Treasurer;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council approves delegating its authority for the processing of applications under Section 357 (1)(d.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O.2001, c.25, as amended, to the Assessment Review Board;

  AND FURTHER THAT a By-law authorizing the Assessment Review Board to exercise the powers and functions of Council under subsections (1) and (5) with respect to applications made under subsection (1) be considered as a matters arising.

  Carried

c.

Minutes of Settlement, TRE-2024-05-28

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -07
  Moved By Larry Allison
  Seconded By Ed McGugan

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives Report TRE-2024-05-28 as prepared by Phyllis Hunter; Taxation/Revenue Clerk;

  AND FURTHER THAT Council approve the applications as outlined in this report.

  Carried

d.

Quarterly Tax Arrears Report, TRE-2024-05-29

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -08
  Moved By Shari Flett
  Seconded By Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives for information Report TRE-2024-05-29 as prepared by Phyllis Hunter, Taxation/Revenue Clerk.

  Carried

e.

Meal Allowance, TRE-2024-05-31

Council inquired about the timing of updates on this Policy and suggested a more frequent review period. When questioned about an automatic annual adjustment Staff noted that other legislation may have an impact if the allowance increased too high. 

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -09
  Moved By Larry Allison
  Seconded By Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council receives for information Report TRE-2024-05-31 prepared by Christine Heinisch, Treasurer;

  AND FURTHER direct Staff to amend the Township of Huron-Kinloss Professional Development and Expense Policy to reflect an update to the meal allowances of $20 for breakfast, $30 for lunch, and $50 for supper per day, effective immediately and for the remainder of 2024;

  AND FURTHER THAT Staff review the allowances on an annual or biennial basis. 

  Carried

f.

Accounts May 2024, TRE-2024-05-34

Council inquired about charges for the pitchers mound and Staff noted that it is a removable mound and the monies were fundraised for by the Summer Sports Committee and held in reserve for such purchases.  

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -10
  Moved By Carl Sloetjes
  Seconded By Shari Flett

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby authorizes payment of the May accounts in the amount of $1,029,329.56.

  Carried

6.2

Chief Administrative Officer

a.

Facility Maintainer Hired, CAO-2024-05-21

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -11
  Moved By Jim Hanna
  Seconded By Ed McGugan

  That the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives for information Report CAO2024-05-21;

  AND FURTHER authorizes and confirms the hiring of Mathew Johnson effective May 27th, 2024, as Facility Maintainer;

  AND FURTHER authorizes the appropriate by-law to come forward as matters arising on tonight’s agenda.

  Carried

7.

By-Laws and Agreements

7.1

Algae Harvesting 2024 Agreement By-law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -12
  Moved By Shari Flett
  Seconded By Jim Hanna

  THAT the "Algae Harvesting 2024 By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-50.

  Carried

7.2

Asphalt Paving Lake Range Dr., Con 2., and Grey Ox Ave By-law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -13
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the "Asphalt Paving Lake Range Dr., Con2., and Grey Ox Ave By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-51.

  Carried

7.3

Zoning Amendment By-law – Z-2024-018 -Snobelen By-law

The concerns noted during the public meeting for this application were discussed again by Council.   Council discussion included concerns that future owners of residential property which is surrounded by farmland may not understand or appreciate regular farming practices and the sights, sounds and smells associated with them and the positive impact of having more residential housing stock available, including the resulting increase in tax revenue associated with the residential tax rate, as opposed to a vacant farm property. 

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -14
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Jim Hanna

  THAT the "Zoning Amendment By-law - Z-2024-018- Snobelen By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-52

  Carried

7.4

Council and Committee Appointment 2022-2026 Amendment (5) By-law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -15
  Moved By Shari Flett
  Seconded By Larry Allison

  THAT the "Council and Committee Appointment 2022-2026 Amendment (5) By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-54.

7.5

Land Use Agreement (Lucknow Kinsmen) 2024 By-law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -16
  Moved By Shari Flett
  Seconded By Ed McGugan

  THAT the "Land Use Agreement (Lucknow Kinsmen) By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-56.

8.

Matters Arising

8.1

2024-2025 Municipal Insurance Program and Cyber Insurance By-law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -17
  Moved By Jim Hanna
  Seconded By Carl Sloetjes

  THAT the "2024-2025 Municipal Insurance Program and Cyber Insurance By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-57.

8.2

Delegation of Authority (Assessment Review Board) By-law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -18
  Moved By Larry Allison
  Seconded By Ed McGugan

  THAT the "Delegation of Authority (Assessment Review Board) By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-53.

8.3

Appoint Johnson as Facility Maintainer By-Law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -19

  THAT the "Appoint Johnson as Facility Maintainer By-law" be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No. 2024-55.

9.

Information

Staff were directed to register Council members for the event noted in 9.2. as discussed.  It was clarified that item 9.2 was not likely to include information on biosolid fertilizers.  Staff noted that advocacy efforts in this area could support minimizing restrictions on approvals for lands where the product could be applied, and support of applying the products to lands rather than disposal at sewage disposal sites.

Council expressed support for the Administrative Monetary Penalty System receiving Royal Assent under the Building Code Act.  

• Resolution No.: 05/22/24 - 20
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Shari Flett

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives for information all items listed in Section 9.

9.1

Lake of Bays Letter to Minister: Royal Assent of Administrative Monetary Penalty System in the Ontario Building Code Act

9.2

Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Service: Limitations on Hauled Sewage Disposal Sites

10.

Township Committee Minutes Received

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -21
  Moved By Larry Allison
  Seconded By Jim Hanna

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives for information all items listed in Section 10.

  Carried

10.1

Ripley Summer Sports Committee

11.

Other Agency Minutes and Reports Received

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -22
  Moved By Ed McGugan
  Seconded By Larry Allison

  THAT the Township of Huron-Kinloss Council hereby receives for information all items listed in Section 11.

11.1

Bruce Area Solid Waste Recycling

11.2

Maitland Conservation

11.3

Maitland Valley Conservation Authority

12.

New Business/ Council Reports

Councillor Allison, as the appointee to the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Board noted that they are on the selection committee for the new General Manager for the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority.  

13.

Confirming By-Law

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -23
  Moved By Larry Allison
  Seconded By Ed McGugan

  THAT the "Confirmatory May (2)" By-law be deemed to be read a first, second, third time and finally passed and numbered as By-law No.  2024-58.

  Carried

14.

Adjournment

• Resolution No.: 05/22/2024 -24
  Moved By Jim Hanna
  Seconded By Shari Flett

  THAT this meeting adjourn at 7:59 p.m.

  Carried