Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the council of the corporation of the city Of elliot lake, dated monday, february 26th, 2024, 7
p.m.. I'll call to order. Roll call.
all members are present. There are any declarations of conflict of interest.
going once, going twice. There are none. Adoption of previous minutes.
4.1 was february 12th, 2024. Regular meeting and 4.2 february 15th, 2024 special meeting.
may I have a motion that those minutes be adopted? A mover councillor morrissette seconded councillor bull.
do we have any comments or questions?
okay seeing none. All in favor?
none are opposed. That's carried. Item five, public input session.
tonight we have two speakers helen lafave for item 7.7 and laurie blake for item 12.2.
ms. Lafave.
welcome. Thank you. Good evening, your worship.
members of council and city staff. I'd like to provide some input into agenda item number 7.7.
read the method to fill a vacancy on council by appointment.
my understanding is that vacant council seats in elliot lake have been historically Filled by appointing the runner up from the previous election results.
a lot of people have questioned whether I am eligible to run. I was late, late in filing my financial statements by an hour, and according to the Municipal act, I paid a $500 fee during the grace period such
that the penalties no longer apply. I am next in line according to the results and if asked, I would without a doubt say yes.
I love this community. I grew up in this community and I continually give back to this community.
as an example, I'm currently volunteering eight hours a week of my time to help support Our local businesses.
I watched a webcast of all the council meetings and I'm aware of all the issues.
I am highly regarded by doctors, ipac and undergraduate deans of medicine across canada.
if I was asked to provide references, they would tell you that I conduct myself with Transparency, integrity, collaboration and
professionalism to get things done. I am a member of five national committees and I am responsible for multi-million dollar Budgets.
for option two appointment through an open call for qualified applicants.
there would be some costs attributed to this process, as well as additional time required To put a person in the seat.
personally, if an applicant wants this role, they had every opportunity to do this as Part of our last election and let the voters decide.
so to summarize, the canadian charter of rights and freedoms indicates that every citizen In canada has the right to vote in an election.
your worship, members of this council were voted in.
please respect the community who voted. I am next in line.
I respectfully ask that you consider me as the candidate to fill this vacant seat.
your worship, members of council, city staff and members of the community.
thank you for your time. Thank you, miss lafave.
mr. Blake for item 12.2.
welcome, mr. Blake. Thank you very much, and thank you, mayor and council members, to allow me this Opportunity.
I'm wondering if I could approach with some additional information, reference material of Which I'll be referring to.
for every councillor? For every councillor. Okay. Thank you. [inaudible]
no, don't be silly. Just make sure your microphone is on.
yeah.
just checking as it is. Okay. Again many thanks.
I'm speaking to item 12.2, which is the ombudsman of ontario report of february 2024, and An
ombudsman report of april 2015 regarding observations and recommendations that were made To council and also to
yourselves. I'm not here to suggest which items are appropriate to open or closed Sessions.
I'll leave that to council's knowledge and to the learned guidance of staff.
what I wanted to include was a question, but I'm not allowed to ask one, as there's no Question and answer opportunity on the council's agenda.
there is an opportunity for that. As you will recall, council approved a procedural bylaw committee on january 9th, 2023.
to review their procedure bylaws. This review would open an opportunity for two way communication to council as a whole, by Including a question and answer at future council
meetings. My presentation then becomes more of a statement per se, but not mine, but the Provincial ombudsman's
with their observations and recommendations. What do we know?
well, we know history matters to this council, as they utilize the 2013 bylaw to validate Their decision for changes to a community recreation
facility, a ten year old bylaw. If I look at a 2015 ombudsman's report, its recommendations regarding closed door Meetings, I'll direct you to item four.
in it states, the recommendation item four the city of elliot lake should implement a Practice of audio or video recording for its closed sessions.
seems to me like a good idea, as it provides clarity for clarification of an individual's Interpretation in the event of an investigation,
and here's why. In february 2024, as per the ombudsman's report, I'll now refer to item number 43.
it states my findings, including the first part of council's discussion on january 30th, 2023, are based on evidence
gathered by the investigation. Including closed session minutes and interviews with council members who were present During the meeting.
the version of events presented by council in its response to our preliminary report, Differs from the recollection of the
individuals we interviewed. As well as from written record of the discussion as described to the closed session Meeting minutes.
so it seems to me it would appear that the recommendations were seemingly ignored from 2015
by previous councils and the present one as well.
this attention to detail would have saved valuable staff time and resources if it had Been implemented, because there wouldn't have been any discussion
as questioning interpretations. If a 2013 bylaw can be used to support a council decision, then surely a recommendation By the ombudsman of ontario in 2015 should carry
equal weight. In closing, I would encourage council to implement the recommendation of 2015 of recording Closed sessions and make it policy.
what it does is protect you as a council, and also protects the citizens you serve.
these, these videos that would be recorded in closed session are obviously not public.
it really is for future consideration and investigation if required.
one last final note that I think bears consideration of council.
when returning from closed session. They report on items that were in the agenda to the extent that they're able to present In that they can provide results from their
deliberations. This could be in the form of a decision or simply pending an ongoing.
no further comment. That provides transparency and communication which you have stated you are striving to Improve.
council meetings since september have had only two reports coming out of closed session.
out of a total meeting of ten.
thank you for your time and opportunity, and if there's any questions or clarification That you require.
I'm open to questions. If not, thank you very much.
thank you, mr. Blake. I can open up the floor if anybody has a question or comment, for that matter.
councillor flintoff. Thank you, your worship. I don't know if I'm wrong here, but aren't most of our closed sessions recorded?
all of our closed sessions are recorded, so I don't know where you're thinking that They're not.
the recording was provided to the ombudsman by comments from our council.
we had an investigation. Each of us have our different views during the investigation, and the video corroborated Everything, and it was all presented to the ombudsman.
not to get into a discussion here. That's not the rule. I'm intrigued by the ombudsman's comments then, that there was a disparity between what He got and what he interpreted.
he got. So that was through the interview process.
the ombudsman did not directly interview us. There was an investigator that interviewed at each of us.
I'm pretty sure it's the same investigator that her report went to the ombudsman, and Then he reviews all the facts that way.
fair enough. We never spoke directly to an ombudsman. Obviously too many fingers in the pie.
thank you. Thank you, mr. Blake. Item six.
public presentations. There are no presentations this evening.
seven introduction and consideration of corporate reports 7.1 memo from the deputy clerk And accessibility coordinator regarding application to
sit on the accessibility advisory committee, as this matter deals with personal matters About an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board
employees. It may be discussed in closed session under section 239.2b municipal act 2001.
may I have a motion that this matter be discussed in closed session? A mover councillor seidel.
seconded councillor bull. All in favor? None are opposed.
that's carried 7.2. Report from the manager of economic development regarding mou with mount dufour ski area Regarding 2024 hill climb.
may I have a motion that the report from the manager of economic development dated February 20th, 2024 be received and that council enter into an mou with mount dufour
ski area for the rental and use of the ski facility on march 30th, 2024, for the purpose Of hosting the 2024 mount dufour hill climb, and
that staff be directed to rent the parking lot area at a cost of $1 to mount dufour ski Area, and that the appropriate bylaw be passed.
a mover. Councillor flintoff. [chuckling]
you're on the wrong sides. Seconded councillor mann.
mr. Antunes, please. Thank you, your worship. Through you. Good evening to you and members of council.
very good news story. Last year, the hill climb did occur, even though mother nature did everything she Possibly could to make it not happen with a freak snowstorm the morning of, but
the event did go on, and the team at mount dufour and the sponsors and supporters put on A fantastic event which drew a lot of tourism and attention to the community,
and, of course, some needed organizational funds to mount dufour.
essentially, this report your worship is a copy from my report last year, give or take.
the differences being is that now we do have a lease in place with mount dufour, so the Existing lease would exist.
this would add the parking lot, which is not part of the existing lease area
but would enter into a specific mou just for this event, which would supersede regular ski Hill operations.
the hill would get a special insurance policy to indemnify the city and protect the City's interests, and allow them to put on, again an event that
great impact to the community, and to the hill itself. So I will answer any questions that council may have.
thank you, mr. Antunes. Do I have any questions? Councillor morrissette.
through you, your worship. Just a correction that should be made in the summary that the staff recommends that Council approve the mou as written and support the
2024 mount dufour hill climb instead of 2023.
through you, your worship. Thank you, councillor morrissette. We will certainly correct that, but in the mou it is listed as 2024.
okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments?
no. Oh, sorry. Councillor flintoff. I know I'm always looking.
you're supposed to be over there. We'll get it. Thank you, your worship.
more of just a comment. Like mr. Antunes said, it was probably the snowstorm of the year last year, and I Remember waking up and looking out the window and I thought, how are they even going to
pull this off? And they managed to make it quite a big success. So if the weather doesn't do that to us again, I'm quite sure it should be even bigger And better than ever this year.
that's all. Thanks. Thank you.
any other questions? We may want that snowstorm this year.
through you, your worship, I was going to suggest, I think we could use that snowstorm Maybe the day before, not the day of
but that would certainly help. Sounds good. Okay. Thank you very much.
all in favor? None are opposed. That's carried.
7.3 report from the administrative assistant to the cao regarding city of elliot lake Representation at the 2024 fonom
conference. May I have a motion that the report of the administrative assistant to the Cao be received, and that council approved the mayor, two members of council
and a member of senior staff to attend the 2024 fonom conference held in sudbury, ontario From may 6th to the eighth of
2024. A mover. Councillor bull. Seconded councillor mann.
miss bray. Thank you, your worship.
so yes, as you mentioned, fonom is being held this year in sudbury between may 6th to the Eighth.
so in order to proceed with room reservations, a resolution to be passed to address the Number of councillors and staff attending, as well as to authorize the expenses to be paid
by the municipality. Okay. Thank you, miss bray.
any questions or comments? Councillor mann. Thank you, you worship through you.
I was fortunate to have attended fonom last year in parry sound and do have to say that It was one of the better conferences that we've attended.
lots of northern tailored input and sessions lots of value, and it's quite close.
so definitely willing to support it for this year.
thank you. Any other questions or comments?
okay. All in favor? None are opposed. That is carried.
7.4 report from the administrative assistant to the cao regarding city of elliot lake Representation at the 2024 amo conference.
we have a motion that the report from the administrative assistant to the cao be Received, and that council approved the mayor, two members of council and a member of
senior staff to attend the 2024 amo conference held in ottawa, ontario, from august 18th To the 21st,
2024. Mover councillor morrissette seconded councillor flintoff.
miss bray, please. Thank you, your worship, again. So in order to proceed with the room reservations, the resolution should be passed to Address the number of councillors and staff attending, as well as authorizing the expenses
to be paid by the municipality, and amo. This year is taking place in ottawa on august 18th to 21st.
okay, thanks. Any other questions or comments?
very much the same procedure. Okay. All in favor?
none opposed. That's carried. 7.5 report from the director of recreation and culture regarding 2024 flowers purchase Order.
may I have a motion that council approves the purchase order agreement to purchase flowers From ontario oasis for a total of
$24,417.76 plus hst, and that funds be drawn from the 2024 parks and
leisure parks operating budget and that the appropriate bylaw be passed.
mover? Councillor bull. Seconded councillor morrissette.
miss kluke, please. Thank you. So.
yeah. Staff conducted a review from based on 2023's flower order and revised the list, Adding more perennial flowers
and eliminating a number of flowers that would approximately fill about five five flower Beds.
this would include hillside. Drive the beds that will be removed this summer, but so an rfp was posted on bids and Tender for the supply of flowers for flower beds and hanging baskets for the summer of
2024. Bids were requested based on the list of specified flowers provided by staff, which Included flower type, quantity and the colors, which also includes
the which includes delivery. Additionally, the city will arrange for delivery of its own baskets to be planted and Then delivered by the awarded company.
we received one bid by ontario oasis for $24,417.76 plus hst.
this was just similar range to what we paid for flowers in 2023 and but it also has more Perennials,
which is a higher cost. So we have a bit of a plan to move forward with planting more perennials each year, and So that we spend less on annual flowers in the future to kind of lower the cost
over, over time. So that's about it.
okay. Thank you, miss kluke. Any questions or comments? Councillor mann.
just one comment. Your worship through you to miss kluke. Thank you very much for adding perennials.
it's been on a list of many residents in this community for a number of years, and to Actually see it and for it to come to council is much appreciated.
so thank you. Okay. Thank you, councillor mann.
councillor flintoff. Thank your worship through you to ms.
kluke. So we are delivering our own baskets. That's because obviously the city bought some really nicer baskets and the way they'll Deliver them.
so we drop off the baskets empty, but in this quote is they'll deliver them when the Flowers are ready to be brought back up to elliot lake.
through you, your worship, correct. That's we'll work that out with the vendor if awarded, but we have 153 baskets that we Plant and hang out, hang around the town and, and certain parks, and
in past if it's a closer company, they've driven them there and dropped them off, but Seeing at this location is a little harder.
we'll work on a delivery system for them to then bring it back planted.
okay. Thank you. Councillor bull. Thank you through you, your worship to miss kluke.
where is carrying place ontario.
thank you, your worship. I'm not exactly sure. I was told around the kingston area, but I didn't actually google it, so.
yeah. So follow up. So we would have to take the baskets all the way there to get them filled, and then They're going to bring them back, and through you, your worship.
that's the plan right now. We could amend it depending on how they feel delivering it, but we've discussed either Couriering it there to be delivered for them to do the work
and then delivering it. Yeah. Unfortunately we didn't have any other northern bids.
come in. So this was all all we had. Okay. Thank you.
okay. Any other questions? No. I think the straightforward slight change for planning ahead is excellent.
we'll figure out a few logistics as we go. Okay. All in favor?
none are opposed. That's carried.
7.6 report from the director of finance treasurer regarding 2023 council remuneration.
we have a motion that the report of the director of finance, treasurer, regarding Statement of remuneration and expenses be received and that in accordance with section
284.1 of the municipal act so-2001-c-25, as amended, the statement of remuneration and Expenses
paid to members of council and board members in the year 2020, the statement be received And that in accordance with
section 284.4 of the municipal act so-2001-c-25 as amended, the statement be published on The city of elliot lake's
website. Mover, please. Councillor mann seconded councillor seidel.
ms. Sonnenburg. Mrs. Sonnenburg. Sorry. Please.
through your worship. I really don't have anything to add to this report.
the charts themselves speak for themselves. This is a housekeeping item. It's a requirement of the municipal act.
these once adopted, these charts will be posted to the website.
the statement is provided starting on agenda package, page 35, with a summary of expenses For all mayor and council members of local boards,
representatives of the elliot lake residential development corporation, our council Representatives at the adsab, as well as algoma public health offering a grand
total, and the following pages provide more detailed expenses on each of your 2023 Remuneration for any taxable
items and expenses. There's any questions I might be able to answer them.
okay. Thank you, mrs. Sonnenburg. Do we have any questions or comments?
we've all looked at the charts, right? So. It's pretty straightforward.
okay. All in favor? None are opposed.
that is carried. Item 7.7, memo from the director of clerks and planning services regarding method to fill Vacancy on council.
we'll start actually with miss bray. Thank you, your worship.
so now that we. Oh, sorry. Now that we have declared the council seats vacant at the last meeting, council should Pass a resolution on how they wish to fill that vacancy.
so there are two options. Appointment or by election. As per the municipal act, the financial impact remains the same, with an appointment Costing approximately $500 and a by election coming in at approximately 59,000.
there are two draft resolutions prepared in my memo this evening. However, in order for the clerk's department to move forward with preparations, the Method should be selected this evening.
okay. Thank you, miss bray.
do you have any questions or comments for miss bray?
councillor bull. Thank you, your worship. When you say appointment, do you mean like from the last the list of electors or Appointment from somebody out in the public?
is there a difference? Thank you. Councillor bull through your worship. So the municipal act specifies that you can appoint, and that the way, the process and Way we appoint is completely up to council.
so in my last report, there were a few different options. There was a call for open applications you could appoint using the list of candidates From the 2022 municipal election, or council can do a direct appointment to
as long as it's an eligible elector. So there are several ways to appoint, but the method and how you wish to do that is up To council.
councillor flintoff. Thank you your worship through you to miss bray.
so if we were to do the appointment by open call, the candidates that were on the list, They would obviously still have an opportunity to j
oin us on council plus the public if we went that way. Through you your worship.
so that is correct. If we put an ad say in the paper for an open call for applicants, there's still Requirements to be met under the municipal act.
so that would require the clerk's department to review those applicants to ensure they're An eligible elector, but yes, anybody who is basically 18 years of age lives in elliot
lake would be eligible to put their name in as long as they were not in default of their Filing for their financial documents for the last election.
thank you. Just one more follow up. So I feel we definitely don't need a by election to spend the $59,000, and that would put Us into august, probably by the time all that got done, but
I like the appointment by open call. It gives the gives the candidates a chance, it opens it up a little bit, and it's also Some of the, the public out there and
see who wants to try and join our team and take it from there.
that's how I feel. That's what I would like, the way I'd like to go. Thank you. Okay.
thank you, councillor flintoff. Any other questions or comments?
so I just would like a little more clarification. My understanding is that if we don't if we call for just the selection to be
filled that either of those three other options, they still have to follow the same Process, which was I believe
required a two page submission. Or is that just for the call going out to the public?
do you understand my question? We can't just pick a name and that's it.
right. So you could that would be called a direct appointment.
if council had somebody in mind that they wanted to appoint to a council, as long as They're an eligible elector, that would be a direct appointment.
another option would be to strictly use the names of the candidates who ran in the 2022 Election, or another option would be to put an open call for
applications and have an appointment process. So there's several different ways that process could look.
it could include submitting documentation. It could include an interview process at a council meeting.
so we need to select a method this evening so that the clerk's department can prepare for That.
because we are on a timeline to fill the seat by april 12th.
okay. Thank you. That clarifies it.
sorry. One more thing, your worship. So tonight I need to be. We need to decide if we're going to fill by appointment or by election.
we don't have to choose that process. I could come back next council meeting with options on how that appointment could look With different methods of appointment, if that's the wish of council.
okay, well, during discussion, let's just start with the way councillor flintoff Presented that we are.
he's not interested in the by election. I don't think any of us are interested, but if you are, let us know right now.
so then basically we are going by appointment.
correct. Are we prepared to discuss it further tonight, or are we going to just settle For that motion this evening?
go ahead. Thank you your worship. Through you to miss bray again.
I know you have a timeline, so if we just say tonight, we're definitely doing an Appointment.
whether it's an appointment from the list or it's an appointment on an open call, does That really give you a time crunch or would you prefer to know the whole thing tonight?
thank you. Through you, your worship. I've put in the motion for appointment that whatever direction council provides that Appointment would take place on april 11th.
so that would provide me the time, okay. To have the process in place, get it out to the public, and if we're doing a call for Applications, get any postings required, or if we're using the list to
contact those candidates to see if they're still eligible. Thank you. Okay.
any other questions or comments? Councillor seidel.
thank you, your worship through you. I think we should discuss tonight about which appointment we're going to do.
are we going to do it through the previous election, or are we going to do it by Appointment and call?
call for people who are interested. I believe we should. I think we should discuss that tonight.
so the three let me just clarify the three. One is direct appointment.
second one is appointment from those that ran in the election, and then third is Appointment through a process where we receive
applications and potentially can interview, and that would have to be all in the public, Right?
correct. Have you finished your questions?
I'm sorry, I interrupted my apologies.
okay. Councillor flintoff. Thank you you worship. Well, I feel we shouldn't do it direct because that's just us, The council, picking somebody.
I think it's got to be a little more involved than that.
there's nothing wrong with the list of candidates, but I just feel that we should open it Up, and because it's we're about a year and three months in, and who knows, some of them
might not be interested. Obviously, miss lafave is, but I think we should open it up to the public and then make Our decision.
that's my final thought on this matter. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, miss councillor flintoff.
councillor mann. Thank you your worship. Through you. I guess I've had a couple of opportunities to be involved in this in the Past, over the last number of years, and the
councils that I've participated in have always selected from those that are eligible to Sit on the list.
that's where my comfort is, I think. Opening up beyond that again, I'd have to see some more information on the rationale to Do that.
I'm absolutely not in favor of a by election.
if we're not going to have a by election to fill your seat, your worship, then I can't see That for any sitting councillor.
so at this point, I would be happy moving forward with those eligible on the list, but Again, if we don't need to make that decision
tonight, I think we've already made the decision. It's not going to be a by election.
at least that's. I will support that. Absolutely. Thank you.
okay. Thank you, councillor mann. Councillor bull. Yeah.
thank you. More of a comment. I think that the people on the list decided last year or the year before that, they Wanted to make an impact on elliot lake and ran for council.
if we go to the open, aren't we saying to the people that ran for council before us, Thank you, but we're going to look elsewhere.
even though they made the point of running for the election and going through the whole Process, like I haven't made up my mind yet, but I think something should be said for
that for running in the first place. Thank you. Councillor bull, and yet the questions or comments.
councillor morrissette. I also agree that we should go from to go to the list
of candidates that ran at the election at the last, last time.
that's I think that would be a fair thing to do, and if nobody on that list wants to come Forward,
then maybe we could go beyond that, but I think that's.
I think that would be the only fair thing.
okay. Thank you, councillor morrissette.
yeah, I see validity both ways.
I see the power of tradition and following what's gone on before, but I do have a few Comments.
this certainly has not been a traditional council.
the sentiments of running.
I agree as well. There was cost involved, and you made it to the list and you were eligible for the Voters.
my comment about that is that, you know, there are other folks that ran for mayor position That could be
discluded as well. They did that process just as much as a running for council.
I guess part of the reason why I ran is to inspire people to get involved with municipal Politics, and
during the course of our year, I hope that we have done some inspirational things.
some controversial things, but if it's aroused interest in, you know, maybe other folks That
are not quite so sure about where they sit.
this may be a process that it might be a given an opportunity or at least something to Think about for a little
while. I know personally, well, we have all received requests from the public.
that have shown interest in in being on the council as well.
so I understand both ways and I, you know, it's one of those tricky subjects where, you Know, the
decision has to be made. I think we're all clear that we're not going to be doing an election.
so that's done. Perhaps. Perhaps we need a little more time to discuss this, but
I'm open to any other questions or comments after what I just said. If anybody has any.
councillor morrissette. Maybe the clerk could tell us what will be the process if we go To open to the
public. So the people out there will understand what will happen.
thank you through you your worship. So there's not a defined process set up yet, but through looking to other municipalities, There's a number of options that occur.
so if an ad goes into the paper we would take applications. They would provide a document that indicates their interest and why they want to run to Be on council.
that's no longer than two pages. From those applications, the clerk's department would determine the list of eligible Candidates.
they could then come to a special council meeting held on april 11th. There could be a question period from council to the candidates.
they would all answer. Council would then deliberate and make a vote.
in open session.
so that's one process that could be available, but there's the municipal act doesn't Stipulate how we do it.
it's completely council's call. So that process would be up to council.
okay. Thank you.
councillor flintoff. Yeah. Thank you, your worship.
just another comment. So we all agree it will be some type of an appointment and maybe.
well, your worship, I think you might be right. Maybe we should all think about it a little bit, and as long as miss bray is fine with The timeline, we.
we let her know when she says she needs to know the way we're going to go, and then we Take it from there.
okay. Thank you, councillor flintoff.
any other questions or comments? Councillor mann. Oh, thank you, your worship through you.
so for the community's sake, are we prepared to come back at our next council meeting and Make a decision on the process?
lots of people are watching tonight, and I don't want the clerk's office inundated with Emails tomorrow saying I'm interested.
at least that way we set the process, and that way there's no work or expense being done Until the next meeting.
first meeting in march. Is that reasonable?
it's reasonable, I would agree, but we have to look at what's happening with us too.
we're coming into budget. We're behind. Going through the whole application process will be time consuming, some of which, you Know, may or may not be good, but I think the process would be
good. I know it's bucking tradition, but y
ou know I'd like to think that we're doing some changes, and if and it's not to say that There is no better
way, but we get to choose, but I yeah, I agree, I don't think we have the feeling that We're all on the same page.
unless somebody wants to put a motion forward and choose it and we vote it.
well, we have to put a motion forward for selecting the appointment process.
okay, well, maybe we'll just start with that. I don't think my feeling is that we're settled on this.
councillor morrissette. Through you, your worship. I think it's one of those decisions.
damned if we do, damned if we don't. It's one of the hardest decisions
and whatever the one that we're going to end up doing, there's going to be some people Happy and some people are going to be mad at us, and I think we need to
sleep on this a little further. Ms.
bray? Thank you, your worship. So, what I could do is put together a process for both Options and for the next council meeting on march 11th, and that still provides a
month for us to have that ready for the april 11th special meeting to appoint, if that's Something council would want
to help make this decision.
okay, I think that sounds like it's the plan to do.
any comment on that? Councillor flintoff.
thank you. Worship. So, ms. Bray, do you need a motion to do that or?
through you, your worship. Yes. So I would still require then the motion in the memo regarding that the council vacancy Be filled by appointment, that the clerk provide notice to the public of the method
selected by council, that the clerk be delegated authority to prepare and approve meeting Procedures, to support the selection and appointment, and that the selection and
appointment take place at a special council meeting scheduled to occur on april 11th, 2024 at 7 p.m..
okay. Mover councillor mann. Seconder councillor seidel.
all in favor? None are opposed and that is carried.
eight presentation of committee reports. 8.1 is referral from public services standing committee regarding report from the Assistant director of public works.
water summary report for the elliot lake water treatment plant at the february 20th, 2024 Public services standing
committee. The following motion was passed that staff report 2023 water summary report Dated january 31st,
2024 of the assistant director of public works be received and that the report be Forwarded to the next regularly scheduled council meeting
for review. May I have a motion that staff report 2023 water summary dated january 31st, 2024
from the assistant director of public works. Be received a mover councillor seidel.
seconded. Councillor bull. Mr. Goulding, do you have any comments or sorry, mr.
doyle, my apologies. Through you, your worship.
so the report went through committee. There is a one year lag on the ministry inspection report.
so this is the 2022 report we just finished off for 2023 inspection.
it's in the draft process right now with with the ministries. So we're going back and forth with them.
so in this report in the 2022 report that you have in front of you we received 100%.
so the city received 100% on, on that report, there was no orders given to the city.
again, I'd like to thank the plants and the public works staff for their for their effort In this here to attain this mark.
as there's thousands of samples taken in water main breaks, etc, and there's very strict Procedures to follow through with it.
other than that, if there's any questions, let me know. Okay. Thank you.
just a quick question. Do they give you an idea when you're doing the inspection for this year, like a verbal Sort of.
okay. Yeah. You guys are good for this year. Instead of depending on last year's report, we got a pretty good report.
I think that we've got two not issues, I guess you can call them, they're called best Practices.
so it's not an order against the city or anything else. So they're just two small housekeeping items that we've got to take a look at.
so I don't want to say we're going to get 100%, but I think we're pretty close okay.
that's excellent. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Councillor mann. Thank you your worship through you to mr.
doyle. If you could. I wasn't able to attend committee, so if you could please extend to all the staff.
thank you. Over these departments. I think it's something that we take for granted when we first started attending council Meetings, we had bottled water at our desks and as you can
see, we don't. Why? Because we trust the water that we one of us does.
we trust the water that we have that is prepared and monitored by our staff, and I have Great comfort in that system, and I just want to thank you and your
staff. Thank you, councillor flintoff.
thank you, your worship. Through you to mr. Doyle, just a quick comment and then a question.
exactly what councillor mann said, and when I was reading it said zero noncompliance Situations for the whole year.
that's you guys should be commended for. That makes it safe. There he goes. He just had a drink of the water, but my quick question is I'm not sure if It's been fixed yet.
I think I've asked it before you were waiting for the calibration for the online Analyzer, for the fluoride going into the water.
is that repaired yet, or are we still waiting for that? Through you, your worship.
so we've installed the monitor, and staff is running it eight hours a day.
so we're putting the fluoride into the water eight hours a day while there's somebody on Site.
then at 3:30, 4:00, whenever people leave the site, we shut the fluoride off so that we Can continually monitor it.
it seems to be working really well. So our next step is we'll continue on this here for about another week or so, and then We'll, we'll, we'll get in contact with the health unit
and see what our next steps are. So if the analyzer is working properly, we can keep it within the 0.6 to 0.8 milligrams Per liter range.
everything should be good. Okay. Thank you for that.
any other questions? Comments? Councillor morrissette? Through you your worship.
just a correction to be made on the adverse water quality incident report.
the last one december the 24th, 2023. It was fixed, it should say january the 3rd, 2024, not 2023.
okay. Thank you. Any other comments?
no. We discussed this at public services at length, and I'll say cheers to your team.
good job. All right.
okay, no other questions. We'll have a vote. All in favor?
none are opposed. That's carried. 8.2 referral from public services standing committee regarding report from the assistant Director of public works elliot lake wastewater treatment plant.
annual performance report 2023 at the february 20th, 2024 public services standing Committee, the following resolution was
passed the staff report for the 2023 annual report for the elliot lake wastewater Treatment plant dated january 11th, 2024
of the assistant director of public works be received and that the report be forwarded to Council for review.
so may I have a motion that staff report for the 2023 annual report for the elliot lake Wastewater treatment plant dated january 11th, 2024, of the assistant director of
public works. Be received. Mover councillor morrissette seconded councillor flintoff.
mr. Doyle, please. Through you, your worship.
again, we went through this here report through committee, and if there're any questions Or clarifications required, if you can let me know and I'll try to answer them.
okay. Thank you, mr. Doyle. Do we have any questions or comments?
nope. Okay, once again, excellent work to the folks at the wastewater treatment plant.
yeah, we covered everything in public services meeting. So that was.
good. Okay. Let's have a vote. All in favor?
none are opposed and that is carried. Item nine. Outside board and committee reporting.
there's none. Item ten. There's no unfinished business. There are no petitions.
we do have correspondence. 12.1 is a request for support.
do you want. Okay, miss bray. Thank you, your worship. So frequently when topics arise that affect all municipalities In ontario, we get requests to pass a motion of support.
so before council this evening is a request to pass a motion supporting the association Of ontario road supervisors to develop a municipal equipment operator course in 2024
through the skills development fund. So if passed by council this evening, a copy of the resolution will be sent to the Minister of labor, training, immigration and skilled trades, our member of provincial
parliament and the association of ontario road supervisors.
if there are further questions, I would direct them to mr. Goulding as this is more his area of expertise.
okay. Thank you, miss bray.
okay. So we'll need a motion.
whereas municipal public works departments from across the province of ontario provide Invaluable services to our communities, ensuring the health and
safety of all residents, and whereas, if it was not for our municipal public works Employees from across the province of ontario maintaining our
public road systems, our communities would not be able to function as emergency personnel Could not respond to calls.
school busses could not get our children to school, residents would not be able to get to Work, school or appointments, and many, many more basic functions
would not be able to happen, and whereas municipal public works departments are already Feeling the impacts of a labor shortage, which will
only be exacerbated over the next 3 to 5 years, which will cause levels of service.
municipalities are able to provide to ensure the health and safety of our residents to Decrease, and whereas there is currently no
provincial wide course that properly trains potential municipal public works employees Specifically relating to municipal heavy
equipment. Therefore, it be resolved that the city of elliot lake supports the work of The association of ontario road supervisors to develop
a municipal equipment operator course to address this issue, and that the city of elliot Lake calls on the province of ontario's ministry of labor,
training, immigration and skilled trades to fully fund the municipal equipment operator Course in 2024 through the skills
development fund, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the minister of labor, Training, immigration and skilled trades, david
piccini. Elliot lakes, member of provincial parliament and the association of ontario road Supervisors.
do I have a mover? Councillor morrissette seconded councillor flintoff.
do you have any questions or comments here?
councillor bull. Thank you. More of a comment, your worship. Or maybe a question to mr.
goulding. Would something other than the obvious sending somebody away to be trained and Not on that?
do we do that? Do we have anywhere that we can send people currently, or would a provincial course like This be more benefit?
thank you through you, your worship. I think the benefit of a provincial training program is primarily the standardization Across the province that recognizes the needs
of all municipalities. It opens up the labor pool. So if someone has the appropriate training and they're coming here from another area, Deciding to relocate to elliot lake to work, it would it would we could have assurances
that they're trained to a standard that's common to our own staff and staff across the Province.
that's something that's currently absent. We engage in training as regularly as we can.
we have this past fall. Typically, from what I've seen, the providers are smaller shops that are usually staffed By former municipal
employees that have differing curriculum and teaching techniques.
so it's difficult to see how it's difficult to compare between candidates, especially on Hiring how qualified people are if they
list those training programs in their resumes.
thank you. Any other questions or comments?
councillor morrissette. Through you, your worship.
how long do you think a course like this should be held?
to teach what they need to know.
thank you. Through you, your worship. The course itself.
I think it would. It would depend on the particular course we're talking about. The association for ontario road supervisors actually endorses a whole curriculum of Programming that they've been able to develop there.
specifically speaking about the municipal equipment operators course in this resolution, But they have a wide variety of
courses available for public works to do training, and so each each one has different Requirements for municipal
equipment. I expect this course to be over a few days, but the training doesn't stop over That short
instructional period. Our staff engages in what could be described as a mentorship program, where we have more Experienced operators, spend time with lesser experienced operators,
and we also engage in programs where we practice in advance of weather events to try and Have staff get
a handle on operating this equipment in public.
that's a roundabout answer. The course itself, I expect to be a few days, but that's not the whole of the training That would normally that we'd normally engage in an employee with.
in order to do their job.
is there any grant money that the city could receive if they hire somebody and train them On their own?
thank you. Through you, your worship. Potentially. I'm not aware of any specific ones.
it's something that we do out of necessity.
the situation that's articulated in the letter that's in front of council tonight is been Our experience entirely.
we're having difficulty hiring candidates that are trained at all, and a lot of the Activities that we do, we the people
that we hire, we train them in order to have them do their jobs properly, generally at This point.
okay. Thank you. I have a few questions to start.
probably start with miss bray. A request for support. This is new for me and us.
well, maybe not councillor mann. So does this occur often?
through you, your worship. So, again, it's depending on the topic. So if it's something that comes through the clerk's department, we do vet it, and if it's Something that we think would benefit our council and that this council want to support,
then we definitely put that on the agenda, but there hasn't been as many in the last Little bit, but they are starting to come in again.
so as they relate to topics that we're experiencing, then you'll see them on the agenda For sure.
councillor mann. Yeah. Thank you, your worship, and they're typically judged on the merit of the request.
typically, if it's something that we feel is worthwhile, we will support it. Otherwise, we just move to receive and say thanks, and that's it.
okay. Clarifies it a bit more for me, and even though we support this, it doesn't Necessarily mean it's going to
be put in place. Correct? Exactly correct. So we would just be sending off our support, as many other municipalities do, and hope For the best.
okay. Councillor flintoff. Thank you. Your worship through you to mr.
goulding. So basically fanshawe college would be putting on this course and aors are Looking for a
fund from the government to try and get people to go to this course and that's it in the summation.
thank you. Through you, your worship. Yes. As they outlined in the letter, they've identified a lack of potential candidates in The, in the workforce for this type of worker.
the association of ontario road supervisors, as I said, has a collection of courses that They've been able to develop.
we've been in receipt of their catalog, and staff is actually reviewing it with interest To start implementing those courses in our training
programs, mostly because of their consistency in the comprehensive package that they've Been able to put forward.
that's intriguing to me personally, but additionally, our risk managers from bfl have Made it very clear that and
on page, I don't know if it's 3 or 4 of the catalog, full page, glossy endorsement signed By the people that we
regularly engage with from our insurers saying this is a good idea to train your staff Using this consistent curriculum.
good. Okay. Any other questions or comments? Councilman. Just one further, your worship.
it's somewhat disappointing that several colleges couldn't get together to partner.
I would argue that some of the road conditions in southern ontario in the middle of Winter can be extreme to their view, but I would
be quite challenged to see their operators last april 1st in our community.
I think our public works operators as an example for road crews did a very good job Considering the challenges that we had.
so I think they have to ensure that they are ensuring that the training is applicable to Other, other areas in the province as well.
thank you, thank you.
okay, well, I think it's a good idea to support this. Simple as that.
any other questions or comments? Okay, we'll have a vote.
all in favor? None are opposed, and that is carried.
item 12.2, letter from the ombudsman, ontario regarding report.
office of the ontario ombudsman. Investigation into a complaint about a closed meeting session held by the city of elliot Lake on january 12th and
january 30th, 2023.
I may have or do you want, miss bray? Go ahead. Thank you, your worship. I'll just give a quick synopsis.
so last year, the ombudsman received a complaint regarding three items that council Discussed in closed session at meetings held january 12th and january 30th.
the report of the ombudsman has been released and the municipality was found to have met Properly during two of the three in-camera discussions.
however, they felt that we had contravened the open meeting rules on january 30th, for Part of a discussion on the city's organizational chart that was held in closed session.
so the report has been posted to the ombudsman's website, placed on this council agenda Tonight as directed by the ombudsman, and they do have a recommended resolution that we
pass that I will let you read your worship. Okay, so the motion reads that the following actions be taken with respect to the ontario Ombudsman's report regarding a complaint about
two closed meetings of council for the city of elliot lake on january 12th and 30th, 2023.
a the report of the ontario ombudsman dated february 2024 be received.
b the municipal council be reminded that they shall diligently comply with their Obligations under the municipal act 2001,
and c city of elliot lake should ensure that no subject is discussed in closed session, Unless it clearly comes within one of the
statutory exceptions to the open meeting requirements.
mover councillor bull seconded councillor mann.
do you have any comments or concerns or questions for ms. Bray? Councillor mann.
thank you worship. Just a comment. Though I do appreciate the work of the ombudsman's office is quite challenging, I am Quite disappointed at the timeline.
13 months from date of infraction and seven months from the investigations that some of Us I know that I was involved in.
actually, I was hoping to talk to the investigator at amo, but at the last minute, plans Changed and their office did not attend to the magnitude that we were hoping.
the ombudsman does attend most of the conferences, and I encourage all of council to Attend that booth whenever you can to talk to them, because typically you will talk to
someone that may have been investigating in your community. I remember this meeting very clearly
and talking to the investigator personally what they were missing and this was context of That discussion, and I find that disappointing.
I have no issue with the recommendations. I believe I follow them on a regular basis.
anyway and, you know.
thank the ombudsman's office for all their hard work. Okay. Thank you. Councillor mann.
any other questions or comments?
okay, let's have a vote to receive. All in favor? None are opposed.
that is carried. There are no notices of motion.
oh, yes. We have council reports and announcements. Okay. Okay.
okay to start there is a senior speaker series on march 11th from 2 to 4 p.m.
at the collins hall. The topics will include a dietitian talk and how to navigate the health care system.
this series is free to attend.
on saturday, may 4th, the city is hosting a 2024 street dance opener battle.
we're inviting local bands or artists to enter for a chance to win one of two opening Spots for the 2024 annual street
dance. You can visit elliotlake.ca2024streetdanceopenerbattle for more information and The
entry deadline is march 15th, 2024.
the economic development department has two free events coming up next week on sunday, March 3rd at 2 p.m.
they, along with elnos and east algoma cfdc, will be hosting a business networking Session that is open to business owners and employers.
this is a great way to meet other business owners and find new ways to work together.
there will also be a discussion on establishing a non-formal business group.
please rsvp at edo@elliotlake.ca and on wednesday, march the 6th
at 6:30 p.m., the economic development department and the algoma workforce investment Corporation will be hosting a special information
session on recruiting, hiring and retaining foreign workers.
please reach out to edo@elliotlake.ca to rsvp.
the elliot lake trading post 2024 15th annual elliot lake ice fishing derby, presented by Glassy bay outfitters, went on friday
minus the ice fishing. Unfortunately, mother nature did not help with making ice this winter, so the event went Ahead as a random draw.
there were $26,433 in cash and prizes up for grabs, and the grand prize winner of
$9,250 went to kayla darian, and a special thank you goes out to our sponsors.
the title sponsor was elliot lake trading post presenting sponsor, glassy bay outfitters.
our gold sponsor was canadian tire, and silver sponsors jack's ski and bike shack, napa Powersports, 108 lifestyles and
sporting goods and rock 101 and bronze supporters.
elliot lake equipment or sorry, elliot equipment. Tulloch rbc, girls going green, hutchinson automotive and glass tunnel, lake lodge and Jim's portable toilets.
the city of elliot lake and in cooperation with town of blind river, will be co-hosting The ofsaa senior girls a
division volleyball tournament monday through wednesday.
we welcome all visitors and encourage you to explore all the wonderful sights and Businesses that our two communities have to offer.
please be sure to pick up the visitor guides available at the local hotels and this Upcoming friday, saturday sunday, mount
dufour will be hosting approximately 100 under 12 alpine ski racers at the 2024 joe Sarich
classic. Friday is the skill building training day for registered racers, and paneled Slalom and giant slalom events will be held on saturday
and sunday. Our u-12 racers have been dominating the podium across the northern ontario division this Season, so come on out and cheer for them
this weekend at mount dufour, and finally, the blue and gold, hosted by central avenue Public school, is taking place this saturday at the
collins hall. Beginning at 7 p.m. There will be games, a silent auction, and live music throughout the night.
tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at central avenue public school and also Alpine flowers.
do we have any other announcements? No. Okay. Item 15.
so we do have addendum this evening. May I have a motion that the addendum be added to the agenda?
mover councillor morrissette. Seconded councillor bull.
all in favor? None opposed. That's carried.
report from the manager of economic development regarding lease amendment for mount Dufour ski area.
may I have a motion that the report from the manager of economic development dated February 26th, 2024, be received and that council amend the lease with mount dufour
ski area for the area known as the ski hill, to expire october 2029, and that the mayor And clerk be authorized to sign
and initial any documents to effect this decision.
mover councillor mann. Seconded councillor seidel.
mr. Antunes, please. Thank you, your worship.
the city entered into an agreement last november with mount dew for ski area.
now it's passed under bylaw 23-106. To their credit, and I know mr.
burnett's been doing a lot of hard work on this, trying to secure funding for upgrades to The hill.
most recently, it is septic, tied to the clubhouse, among other things they're looking At.
one of the grant applications that they have applied to which closes within the next Several weeks, has has a requirement of a five
year lease agreement at the date of submission. So even though their lease agreement is four years and nine months, their application Would essentially be thrown out.
so it's just a thing.
so mr. Burnett reached out to the department. We've been working closely together on, on some of these applications, and essentially Very simple.
we're going to scratch out 2028. We're going to write 2029, extend the lease by another year.
enforce the agreement, get it signed by both parties. Conditions stay the same, everything stays the same.
so to reassure council, all we're really doing is extending the lease term to a sixth Year to take it us out till 2029, which gives mr.
burnett and his team the ability to apply for some of these grants and not have a three Month shy of a five year lease agreement affect their
applications. So I'll open it up to questions, and also, mr.
burnett is here that if it please council and your worship, we can ask questions as well.
okay. Thank you, mr. Antunes. Any questions or comments?
yeah, pretty straightforward explanation and good reasoning. So for ready, we can have a vote.
all in favor? None are opposed, and that is carried.
16 introduction and consideration of bylaws. Bylaw 24-15 being a bylaw to authorize a memorandum of understanding with mount dufour Ski area.
for the acknowledgment of the 2024 mount dew for hill climb.
we have a motion that bylaw 24-15 be passed. Mover councillor flintoff seconded councillor seidel.
all in favor? None are opposed. That's carried.
16.2 bylaw 24-6 being a bylaw to enter into a purpose development agreement with johnson Controls lp for
an energy performance contract on the wastewater treatment plant wwtp and water treatment Plant wtp.
may I have a motion that bylaw 24-16 be passed. Mover councillor morrissette.
seconded councillor flintoff.
all in favor? I'm not opposed. That's carried by 16.3 bylaw 24-17 being a bylaw to enter into a Purchase agreement, purchase
order agreement with ontario oasis with respect to flowers for flower beds and hanging Baskets for summer 2024 around the parks in
downtown core. May I have a motion that bylaw 24-17 be passed mover councillor mann seconded
councillor bull. All in favor? None are opposed. That's carried.
closed session. We have a motion that council proceed into closed session at the hour of 8:16 p.m..
mover councillor morrissette seconded councillor flintoff.
all in favor? That's carried.
okay. May I have a motion that council return to open session at the hour of 8:24 p.m.
a mover. Councillor bull seconded councillor morrissette.
all in favor? None opposed. That is carried.
so we'd just like to announce that monique [inaudible] was appointed to the accessibility Advisory committee, and I would just like to remind
everyone that we are looking for another person on that committee.
pardon me. We'll need a motion. So may I have a motion for that announcement?
mover councillor mann seconded councillor flintoff. All in favor?
that's carried. Okay. When is the due date for applications for this appointment?
I believe we are still. We're always looking for members until they're filled, but I believe for the Accessibility advisory that's running until march 15th.
okay. Thank you, miss bray. 18 confirmatory bylaw 18.1.
bylaw 24-18 being a bylaw to confirm the proceedings of council at its meeting held on Monday, february 26th, 2024.
may I have a motion that bylaw 24-18 be passed? A mover councillor morrissette seconded councillor seidel.
all in favor? That's carried adjournment.
may I have a motion that the meeting adjourned at the hour of 8:26 p.m..
mover councillor mann seconded councillor morrissette. All in favor?
that is carried. Thank you very much.