[0:02] Yeah. So we'll just remove uh just defer the ship. Yeah. Ser 78 to the next first

[0:08] meeting. Okay. >> Okay. Thanks.

[0:19] » Are there any questions regarding the agenda?

[0:22] » No. >> No. Uh all in favor?

[0:27] Thank you. uh carried. Are there any disclosure of

[0:31] interests? Seeing none,

[0:36] I have a motion that council hereby adopts the minutes

[0:40] of the regular meeting of council held on March 23rd, 2026 and the closed and

[0:46] special meetings of council held on March 31st, 2026 as sir amended. Can I

[0:51] get a boomer in a second here? Councelors

[0:56] seconded by councelor Lake. Are there any questions regarding the

[1:01] minutes? >> In favor?

[1:04] » Yes. >> Thank you.

[1:15] » And we also don't have any student counselors

[1:18] um at tonight's meeting. So, we'll move to uh CEO reports.

[1:24] Mr. Squinsson, >> thanks your worship. And uh I'll just

[1:28] these are brief updates with respect to both the tiny homes project as well as

[1:33] the active living center. So, I'll just combine them into one short synopsis.

[1:38] Uh so with respect to the tiny homes project um we utilized an RFP process um

[1:45] and selected Norfab as the housing supplier for the project. Um they were

[1:52] actually uh for all of the companies that approached us in the past, they

[1:57] were the only bidder that responded to the RFP.

[2:02] So, um, they're they're a reputable supplier, so no issue there. Um, but for

[2:09] all of these modular suppliers that say they have a solution, none of them did.

[2:14] Um, and everybody just for council's information, uh, every company that has

[2:19] contacted us was sent the RFP directly to their inbox.

[2:25] Nonetheless, uh, we do have a good solution that's been provided by NORAD.

[2:29] uh administration is in the process of finalizing uh project pricing this week.

[2:34] Uh as some pricing has come in higher than anticipated. Uh mainly this is on

[2:39] uh the civil side of the project. Uh and unfortunately this is what we're seeing

[2:43] kind of in line with tenders coming in. Um you have a tender that you put

[2:48] together and once you put it out for bit it's coming in higher and that's just a

[2:52] reality of uh the construction industry right now.

[2:56] uh a draft CCDC5. Uh so that's the tender document that we're going to use

[3:01] for this particular project is currently being developed with the CGV group who

[3:06] will be the project constructor. We should have that finalized by the end of

[3:11] April. The project itself will be built in two phases in 2026.

[3:18] Phase one will include uh 10 homes constructed with the assistance of

[3:22] Thunder Bay DAP funding. These homes will be rental units and the tenency

[3:27] rental model is currently being drafted by administration.

[3:32] Um and phase two uh in 2026 will include nine homes which will be sold on the

[3:38] open market. Administration is currently developing the parameters with legal

[3:43] council to administer this phase with launch and marketing expected at the end

[3:47] of May 2026. Um, so last week while I was in Thunder

[3:51] Bay at the Noma conference, I met with our legal council to go over both of

[3:55] those items, one being the rental model, one being the sales model. We're a

[4:00] little behind where we anticipated from a construction start just with the

[4:04] weather uh by about two weeks. So fundamentally doesn't uh affect the

[4:09] project uh from a longer term perspective. So, uh, by the end of May,

[4:13] we'll be in a very good position to be mobilized and start construction

[4:18] likely early June and then, uh, a completion date of

[4:23] end of November for the entire project. So, maybe with that, your worship, I'll

[4:29] take questions on that and then I'll proceed to the October. Okay. Thank you,

[4:33] Mr. Sushkinsky. Uh, councel. >> Um, so the 10 that that will be rented

[4:39] will be constructed right away. the nine other units, will those be built

[4:43] regardless of whether there are owners in line or will we build them as people

[4:48] like sign contracts? So, what'll happen is ideally this and then this is you

[4:54] know why we've divided into phase one and phase two. Um so the the tender we

[4:59] have uh for the project is based on the 10 units. Okay. So um you know ideally

[5:05] we want to do all 19 um but because nine went on the open market uh the intent is

[5:10] within a two week period to secure all nine sales. So we won't proceed with the

[5:18] additional nine um unless we have a pre-sale uh that's signed um by the

[5:25] owner. So what we're preparing, what legal council is preparing on the sales

[5:29] front is that exact document, which is going to be a commitment letter. Um

[5:34] because if we don't have that commitment letter, then theoretically it is the

[5:37] municipality that would be on the hook for those nine units and floating that

[5:42] cost. So the 10 are different because of the DESAP funding. Um so that money is

[5:46] secured. So the project will proceed with 10. Ideally, we want to complete

[5:51] all 19 in the 2026 construction season. That'll be great because people could

[5:55] see them for sure. >> There there still will as soon as this

[5:59] well I I took a ride today and the snow is almost gone. Um so you know as soon

[6:03] as we're able to mobilize part of the RFP or part of the RFP that uh the

[6:07] originally with CGV was to have a show home on site that is still happening. Um

[6:13] this will be one of the first things that will happen on site once we

[6:16] mobilize it. Thank you councelor Dallas. And then strategically, how will they be

[6:20] built that first phase? Is it going to be closest to the road now that goes

[6:25] down? Is that how or will they be kind of separated out

[6:30] just to make it look fuller? Like how is there a strategy to Yeah, there is a

[6:34] strategy and we're in the process of finalizing that. Um so there's three

[6:39] different units that are going to that are part of the RFP uh in terms of the

[6:44] housing styles. Um, and for the 10 units that we control, um, they're going to be

[6:51] finished so that they look like it's a pattern. Um, and then the other nine,

[6:55] there is going to be the option. So, I don't have the drawing in front of me

[6:59] because we're still finalizing that right now. Um, but that thought was

[7:02] given. Um, and the subdivision will have that finished look when it's completed.

[7:07] » And Dis Yeah, Mayor Dis. >> Yeah, I think you kind of answered my

[7:11] question, uh, Mr. Scorchinsky, but the 10 units will be different or they'll be

[7:15] similar units but just spread out maybe through the park.

[7:19] » Yeah. So they they'll be similar in terms of the interior. The exterior will

[7:24] be different in terms and not fundamentally different but different in

[7:28] terms of uh you know some of the features and some of the colors just to

[7:32] give it a a better finished look within the subdivision itself.

[7:36] » Certainly. That's great. Thank you very much.

[7:40] Um, so right right on schedule uh with that project and uh and like the active

[7:45] living center uh we'll see mobilization in the short term now that we can see

[7:50] spring marathon. >> Awesome. uh with the Active Living

[7:52] Center. Uh just a short update for council. Uh we did hold our project

[7:57] startup meeting on April the 14th with Finway uh as well as TBT Engineering uh

[8:04] to get ready to move the project forward to mobilization.

[8:08] Uh construction tender documents are currently being finalized for the entire

[8:12] project. Those are on target for uh the ability to sign on April the 30th. Site

[8:18] mobilization by Finway is planned for May the 15th. It'll likely take a couple

[8:24] of weeks to arrive on site. Uh the site preload has met its performance

[8:29] measurements performance measurements and the site is now ready for

[8:33] construction. Uh so we received that engineering report last week. Um so as

[8:38] we envisioned last fall when we uh council approved the work uh it was very

[8:44] strategic um and uh the site met its requirements so it is fully ready for

[8:49] construction especially on the pool side. So we have engineering sign off on

[8:54] that. Um and then finally uh just uh on the financial side uh administration is

[9:02] meeting with identified strategic organizations to compile the necessary

[9:07] information to draft the final uh financial strategy as per council's

[9:12] project approval and this work is expected to complete be completed by the

[9:17] end of of May. So, I was able to have a a couple of meetings at normal last

[9:21] week. Um, as well as a couple scheduled for this week. Um and uh council recalls

[9:28] really what we're trying to do in terms of this phase two that was approved by

[9:32] council um is to come up with the model that number one fits the project best um

[9:39] but also allows us um the most flexibility in the ability to repay um

[9:45] and utilizing the best interest rates that are possible for us. So, it takes

[9:49] us a little time to put this together. Uh, but this will come back to council

[9:52] uh in a formal report uh likely towards uh the end of May for final approval,

[9:58] which fits fine with project mobilization. So, we're right on

[10:02] schedule as per council's approval on May or March the 31st. Um, and it'll be

[10:07] exciting to to see the project kickoff. >> Yeah.

[10:10] » Um, Mr. for transcal landscaping and the funding for the park um will that be

[10:17] kind of kicking off with phase two and will the I know there's an external

[10:22] funer for the park. Is that all going to be kind of

[10:25] » that so that will be phase three. So we we have uh so so that is the the jump

[10:30] start funding you're referring to. Um, so we're in the process of finalizing

[10:35] that legal agreement. Um, and it'll be 2027 that that funding will flow which

[10:40] fits in line uh with the timelines for development. Um, but from a

[10:45] administration perspective, uh, the contractor is aware of that project. The

[10:50] contractor being Finway is aware of that. Um and the plans will be in place

[10:56] uh to utilize that funding to ensure that it it meets the legal requirements

[10:59] in 2027 irregardless of the entire amount um from a landing

[11:07] perspective. So you know if we don't have the money landscaping the court

[11:10] will still get finished um as part of our legal requirements. So that is built

[11:14] into the planning process. Of course ideally we'll have the money for phase

[11:19] three um but the court will proceed. >> Awesome. Okay. That's right. Yeah, it's

[11:24] I mean amazing to see stuff being built in Marathon. It feels like things are

[11:28] moving forward. I just wonder from a resident perspective the mobilization

[11:33] will impact any of the access down to the boat launch or at the three-way stop

[11:39] at the old store. Are we looking at any impact there?

[11:44] » Yeah, good question. Um there there of course will be some traffic and and as

[11:48] part of the the project startup meeting uh communications as well as security u

[11:53] we're both uh were both brought up as um needing to be part of the kickoff. So

[11:59] there will be uh a number of communications that will go out to the

[12:02] public with respect to the project. Um in this first phase as we get rolling um

[12:08] there'll be limited traffic certainly nowhere near the preload or what we saw

[12:12] there. Um you know and we do expect that you know people will want to go down and

[12:17] you know see what's taking place but you know the the site is ideally already

[12:21] fenced in. Um so it will be uh issued and signed as an active construction

[12:25] site. So accessing the site won't be allowed um but in terms of overall

[12:31] traffic this initial phase there won't be a lot but we do have we will have a

[12:35] communication a public communications plan that will be launched. Thank you.

[12:40] Uh any other questions? Mayor Dumis council.

[12:43] » No, I think we're good. Yeah, we uh we we've been anticipating this time for a

[12:47] long time. So very excited to see that things are going to start rolling in

[12:51] midmay. >> Yeah, for sure.

[12:57] » Perfect. Uh next we have a report on council reuveration

[13:06] survival.

[13:11] No, mayor and council. In accordance with section 284 of the municipal act,

[13:15] the treasurer shall submit a statement of remuneration and expenses paid to

[13:20] each member of council in the preceding year.

[13:24] The remuneration and expenses paid to council are in accordance with policy

[13:29] one council remuneration administration policy on municipal vehicle use and the

[13:36] financial policy on travel expenses for members of council and staff. Total

[13:42] remunerations and expenses paid to council in 2025 was $129,000.

[13:48] This does not include the health premiums, just for consistency

[13:52] reporting. The amount included in 2025 budget was $123,000.

[13:58] Therefore, expenditures were $6,300 more than budget. Section 3284

[14:07] subsection 3 of the act requires that remuneration and expenses paid by anyone

[14:12] must be reported. Last year, Council Wheeler received $627 to cover expenses

[14:19] from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Mayor Dumis received $21,600

[14:26] from Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association to cover travel expenses

[14:32] reports presented for information only. Thank you, Mr. Verbbo. I have a motion

[14:38] that council hereby accepts the attached report on council renumeration and

[14:43] further that the report is being presented for members information

[14:46] purposes only. Okay, I get a move in second.

[14:52] league second by bounds. Any questions or comments on this

[14:59] report? Right? >> Yeah. Thanks. Uh thanks for the report

[15:03] there, Mr. Verbbo. Uh the reality is when you hear the $21,000 expense I'm

[15:07] sitting at Thunderb hotel room off to Toronto again. We've been requested by

[15:11] government over this last year, specifically 2025 and a lot into 26 to

[15:16] attend many functions on behalf of Northwestern Ontario for the Ontario

[15:20] government. Of course, those uh those expenses are not covered off by the the

[15:24] proponent, but the out covering off those expenses. So, it seems like a

[15:28] little high, but hotel rooms in Toronto are $600. Hotel rooms with $250 to $300.

[15:34] Uh so, it's it's an cost of doing business. Um, you know, NMA had a

[15:39] previous president that lived in the city of Thunder Bay. The expenses were

[15:43] much lower. My my cost of having to stay in hotel rooms was in in Thunder Bay and

[15:47] Toronto and traveling is uh gets to be uh a bit costly for the association

[15:51] which we're funded by the provincial government as well as municipalities

[15:55] through the levies. So, we're getting our voice heard. That's the key message.

[15:59] And uh you know, we'll continue to advocate on behalf of not only Marathon

[16:02] but the 37s that represent. So when public hears that there's an expense of

[16:07] $21,000 externally for expenses for NMA, it's directly associated with travel in

[16:12] northwestern Ontario and and Ontario for that matter. But I do want to uh ask

[16:16] administration to consider I've talked to a lot of mayors and counselors.

[16:20] They're all looking at a potential wage uh impact or a wage increase for their

[16:24] municipality for council members. Some are doing it now before the election

[16:28] comes up and some are requesting to do it for after the election for the new

[16:32] councils coming in. So, I'd like to see maybe a report brought over the next

[16:35] couple of council meetings for discussion that we can have so that

[16:39] conversation for not only council members in our community, but like I I

[16:43] can see that happening throughout the district. uh because the amount of uh

[16:46] energy that you uh you um have to put into through the council role as as a

[16:51] counselor or a mayor and then of course the the um public scrutiny and and I

[16:56] want to say clearly abuse that you get uh through being a member of council

[17:00] doesn't really bode well to attract members to sit on councils. So, so this

[17:04] is why a lot of the councils are putting out there and either increasing now and

[17:07] I'm not talking huge amounts, but they're reflecting the compensation

[17:10] package to be something that is uh attractive enough to attract new people

[17:15] to sit on councils going forward. There's going to be a huge turn turnover

[17:18] in councils throughout the district that I from what I've talked to members in

[17:23] the last uh 3 4 days at the normal conference in Thunder Bay last week. But

[17:26] I I'd asked administration maybe to put on a report maybe in May. Uh maybe you

[17:31] know sometime in first or second meeting in May to discuss conversation for this

[17:36] council and other council maybe to consider what that might look like for

[17:38] them as a recommendation going forward. So, I know we do get a compensation

[17:42] increase each and every year based on the union's contract negotiations uh 2

[17:46] to 3% whatever that might work out to, but I'm talking an overall general

[17:50] increase for council members um in our community going forward uh as well for

[17:54] whoever that might it won't be for this council, it'll be for the council elect

[17:58] in 2026 through to 2030. So, if uh we can have that put on as a report, I

[18:04] appreciate it. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you for that dumis. So what

[18:09] I would say is administration will need a little bit of time to complete some

[18:12] research. So we'll bring it forward in the second meeting.

[18:15] » Appreciate it. Thank you very much.

[18:20] » Okay. Next we have a report on the 2026 operating capital budget. Mr. Verbbo.

[18:25] » The draft 2026 operating capital budget was presented at a special meeting of

[18:31] council on January 26th. Since that time, council's input as well as

[18:36] additional information and details have been incorporated into the budget.

[18:39] Overall objective of 2026 is to maintain the current level of goods and services

[18:45] while keeping any increase to the tax levy to a minimum.

[18:49] Due to the pandemic, the province has deferred reassessment. Five years ago in

[18:54] 2021, uh they were supposed to update to 2022 values, but property values in this

[19:01] tax year are the current value assessment as of January 1st, 2016.

[19:07] There are no changes from 2025 other than supplemental omitted and

[19:12] reduction notices from impact that occurred last year.

[19:17] overall assessment decreased. 0 sorry 0.54%.

[19:25] The increase to the residential class which is 69% of the total assessment was

[19:31] 0.2%. So it went from $121.1

[19:36] million to $121.3 million mostly grades and investigations

[19:42] that impact had done when ownership changes. The mines's class decreased by

[19:49] $855,000 with the updated employee allocation on

[19:54] the hemald mine property. Budget being presented today contains

[19:59] the bundle of programs and services that council has agreed to be delivered to

[20:03] the residents during 2026.

[20:08] Operator requirements are $6,58,000 as listed in schedule 8 of this report.

[20:16] In addition to the bundles of programs and services,

[20:21] $256,000 of capital work is contained in this

[20:25] budget. Province has set the educational levy for the various classes. The

[20:30] combined levy to be collected and given to the school boards is estimated to be

[20:35] $464,000. the tax levy of 6 million. Excuse me.

[20:45] This is an increase of 5.1% from last year. So, the residential class has

[20:53] increased by over 6% from $4.1 million in taxes to 4.4 million.

[20:59] Commercial has increased by 4.6% and the industrial craft uh class has a decrease

[21:06] of 2 3%. Overall, the increase is 4.7% of the total property tax. Each property

[21:14] will have an increase to their tax rate of 6.4%.

[21:20] Major changes since the January 26 meeting are as follows. It has decided

[21:25] to utilize a reserve to fix the doctor's residence on Laboratory Drive. The cost

[21:31] of $25,000 will not be on the tax levy. Insurance costs have come in. They are

[21:36] $20,000 higher than last year. We found a customer for the substation at the

[21:41] former mill site. This is recognizing $17,000 in revenue. Town hall is now

[21:49] being granted for court services. The additional revenue is $20,000.

[21:57] Hiring accountable clerk has been delayed. This is a labor savings of

[22:00] $24,000. At the October 14th meeting last year,

[22:06] council approved the $3 million remedial work at heart. This was

[22:12] financed with additional debt. Annually

[22:17] interest payments are $50,000.

[22:21] The towns of Manto and the township of Man, sorry, the town of Marathon and the

[22:27] township of Mtoage have agreed to share the labor cost of a fire chief. The

[22:31] savings to the town of Marathon is $75,000.

[22:35] Fire department or the fire services have deferred the roof repair

[22:42] on the hall for $20,000 in cost savings and less purchases of breathing

[22:49] apparatus. another $20,000 in savings. We haven't been able to hire a bylaw

[22:54] enforcement officer yet, so labor costs are down by $23,000.

[23:02] Province announced the one-time grant of $38,000 for pothole repairs, which we

[23:08] received in April. We have canceled the washbay maintenance contract. That's

[23:13] $6,000 savings. The January in January meeting

[23:19] anticipated high fuel sales and then therefore high revenue, but this was too

[23:26] uh ambitious. So, we've reduced the amount of revenue from airport fuel

[23:32] sales of 60 $67,000. It's been announced that we're our

[23:37] recycle grant has been reduced by $17,400

[23:43] and recalibrating the donated cardboard compactor has been deferred. This a

[23:47] reduction of $11,000 in spending. We're expected to still install

[23:53] monitoring wells at the landfill site. This is a $15,000 cost.

[23:58] Just a note, there's been no changes incorporated

[24:03] to account for the current gasoline and diesel prices. This is a high

[24:08] volatility, so we're not at that point. Spending of uh resources at Peninsula

[24:15] Manor has been deferred $15,000.

[24:20] Non-construction cost for active living center has been added $50,000.

[24:25] We're not uh replacing the glass and boards at the arena, saving $21,000.

[24:31] And the netting will not be installed at the outdoor rink, another savings of

[24:35] $3,000. the season seasonal employees time of

[24:42] being uh working has been reduced by delaying their hiring and not keeping

[24:48] them as far into the season. That's labor savings of $29,000

[24:53] and Canada summer job grants has been announced. We are getting an additional

[24:59] $12,000. Council agreed to increase the

[25:03] contribution to the library by $185,000. Council also agreed to providing $15,000

[25:10] to the museum and $15,000 to the food bank.

[25:15] Port authority activities will be funded by debt and government financing, but

[25:20] it's anticipated that each partner being the town and Victagon Mishnavic will

[25:25] contribute $150,000.

[25:30] As mentioned earlier, capital budget is only at $256,000.

[25:36] So, it's been decreased by $646,000 by deferring engineering with Stevens

[25:44] Avenue reservicing, removing tire changer,

[25:48] lower spending on golf irrigation, and removing the clinic renovations.

[25:54] Please note that not included in this budget is the completion of Poppy Lane

[25:59] subdivision or phase two of the active living center.

[26:04] So the options are approve the budget as presented or approve the budget with

[26:09] amendments. Administration recommends that option A be approved and that bylaw

[26:13] 2123 adopting the 2026 operating and capital budget be approved as presented.

[26:21] » Thank you, Mr. Verbbo. I have a motion that council hereby

[26:26] accepts the attached report and recommendation on 2026 operating and

[26:29] capital budget and further that the appropriate bylaw be adopted later in

[26:33] the meeting approving the 2026 operating and capital budgets. I got a move in a

[26:38] second. Council Lake, councelor balance.

[26:45] Any questions? Council Lake, um I appreciate actually you laying out all

[26:50] the places that we have done. Administration has tried to save money.

[26:54] I can see that we've saved everything uh we can. The the question I have is maybe

[26:59] just back a little bit because ultimately uh we know how much money we

[27:03] have to raise. There's four classes. If you sell your house, that sets an

[27:09] assessed value for your house. We had a mine sale. We know what the value of

[27:14] that mine is. And yet, they're getting a decrease in taxes. I I don't

[27:19] quite understand how how that works uh from a fairness and an assessed value

[27:24] perspective, right? I mean ultimately I would like to see all of the burden take

[27:28] off from the residential class and put onto others if we could but what how did

[27:33] the of all the classes the industrial class decrease? The assessment on the

[27:39] mine is still based on 2020 2016 and the way the act is called the marath

[27:49] or

[27:52] » and so that was set 40 years ago which says that the assessment will be split

[27:58] between marathon manttoage and other >> and so the number of employees in for

[28:06] marathon has decreased as a percent a percentage as well as decreased for math

[28:12] watch >> but the the increased sale price so the

[28:15] value replacement factor it won't factor in

[28:18] » assessment is based on sales which is the mostly used for residential because

[28:23] there's very good statistics because there's a lot more sales industrial is

[28:27] mostly based on replacement value or cluster construction so the mine never

[28:33] really changed >> it's and it's also considered a special

[28:35] purpose property. So it is assessed differently than say as an example. It's

[28:39] a great question but residential. So um and so the decrease that we're seeing

[28:44] it's not assessment related it's formula related.

[28:47] » So what what we're seeing actually from a formula perspective um is more

[28:52] employees now living in mantoage than in the previous couple years less living in

[28:58] Marathon. Okay. or not marathon not monttoage but in other which we have no

[29:06] uh way to vet that information it's just whatever uh the mine operations provides

[29:12] to municipal affairs annually as far as their employee counts

[29:16] » okay thank you I and I do I appreciate the list of of places where we've got to

[29:20] be safe >> that consider contractors on the mind

[29:24] site too that's like every warm body essentially correct not just okay

[29:29] awesome Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, I I had a conversation with

[29:33] Mr. Scorchinsky about this. I think we have to go back to the ministry back to

[29:37] the mines because we do have 80 plus individuals staying in our community

[29:41] that are staying at the camp. I don't know if they're being caught in the net

[29:44] of the taxation for the meta. So, that's something we we've been pursuing over

[29:48] the last couple years with that impact of $800,000.

[29:51] That is huge. Never mind reassessment because it hasn't been since 16. And

[29:55] that assessment of 16 was also a negotiated assessment. We we don't want

[29:59] to be fighting with the money. It's not our argument. Argument is fighting with

[30:02] impact to get the assessments done even though it's a special interest property.

[30:06] So I think I think we can leave it as as is based on the numbers that you just

[30:10] presented Mr. Verbbo. But the reality is we sincerely have to go back to the

[30:13] ministry, work with the Thunder Bay staff and maybe even the minister and

[30:17] say that those numbers got to be reflective of the individuals living in

[30:20] our community. I don't care where they live in Toronto, Vancouver, Thunder Bay,

[30:23] uh Terrace Bay or wherever they might come from, they are impacting our

[30:26] community by staying here at the camp. So we need to get those numbers very

[30:30] clear and reflective because the money is not being given back to to uh Hemllo

[30:35] Gold. It's just being diverted somewhere else. So we need to figure that out

[30:38] because that that impact us is as you just said 6.5% roughly in increase in

[30:43] taxation to our residents. You also touched on a point around the uh the

[30:47] port authority with the $150,000 each participant will contribute. That number

[30:52] was a bit confusing to me when you said that. So can you clarify that one more

[30:55] time? Uh again we're going to do con or authority will be doing construction.

[31:02] Yeah >> BNO will provide 10% on construction

[31:06] cost. Uh NOHFC will provide 66%. We are going to uh

[31:14] the port authority has arranged with TD to have some uh debt financing but

[31:19] » sure >> we don't know yet. Right now, I've got

[31:23] $150,000 required based on 2025 where $75,000 was required from each partner.

[31:31] » Okay. So, yeah. Okay. So, that's what it's based on based on the requirements

[31:34] under the grant programs. Okay. So, that's that being said, the big one for

[31:37] us is the mine assessment. We have to figure this out. And I guess at the end

[31:41] of the day, you know, there's always the opportunity to go into reserves if

[31:44] council feels so to reduce that 6.35 or three or four to to five, but that's

[31:50] totally a decision that council can make, but I think you've seen from

[31:54] administration, they've looked at every angle and deferred some things that

[31:57] probably shouldn't have been deferred just to get to the number we're at. Uh,

[32:00] and Mr. Verbbo very clearly said that we're not considering what the fuel cost

[32:04] impacts are going to be because it's such a volatile number right now. So

[32:08] that could have another impact on overall budget process going forward. So

[32:13] I I'm not I'm not so happy with the 6.35 this year even though we're moving ahead

[32:19] and doing some great things. Uh but we need to figure out that mining

[32:22] assessment somehow to even if that comes in and saves us another 100 200 grand

[32:27] that'll bring us down to four 345 or 4.55%.

[32:31] uh you know so something we can may maybe approve but still look at that uh

[32:35] that number and maybe it'll be reflective on the second interm billing

[32:38] of the of the residents if we can find that

[32:42] » uh it won't be reflected in 2026 >> yeah know that's what I'm saying unless

[32:48] we go with a 4.5 and try to figure that out the end of the year right is that

[32:51] what you're saying >> no the the ministry has already

[32:56] told us this is the allocation for 2026 six.

[33:01] » Yeah, I I I I can appreciate that. But there's also the opportunity to go back

[33:04] and say to the minister like are all those numbers being included in our in

[33:08] our tally? We're the ones being impacted. It's not affecting the minds.

[33:13] It's affecting >> the ministry says they do not vet the

[33:16] information. They count on for the last 40 years getting data from the mines.

[33:22] The mines say this is the employees. this is where they live and the ministry

[33:26] just takes that and do the calculation. >> That's my point. If I if I submit 80

[33:32] plus individuals living at a camp and they live in Toronto, is the ministry

[33:36] actually taking that in consideration and putting them under Marathon's

[33:38] address? No, I would bet not. >> They have no jurisdiction to say that

[33:44] the mines are reporting incorrectly or not.

[33:47] So yeah, >> if I if I understand it's the mine

[33:51] reports where they live as in where they've come from. There would be no

[33:55] record of of those living in the camp. >> So the the reporting is based on their

[34:01] postal code where they reside. >> That's what I mean. So we we uh Mr.

[34:07] Scorchinsky, we've talked about this in the last couple years because it's

[34:09] really impacting us. We're seeing the difference now. We we never had a camp

[34:13] before. So I know mantoage's numbers are increasing obviously because they have

[34:16] more people going into the mining sector than Marathon so to say. But we're being

[34:20] impacted by the 80 plus individuals who are living in our community at a camp

[34:24] with the postal codes other than Marathon. That's what we need to fight

[34:27] back with the ministry. So maybe that's something we have to follow up on and

[34:31] and really push this back with the ministry because the mines knows their

[34:35] postal codes but they're not certainly pot.

[34:39] The ministry or sorry uh previously there was discussions with the mines

[34:45] that they understood that workers living in the camp would have their postal

[34:51] codes as where they're living in Marathon while they're working.

[34:54] » Right. And so again, it's up it's to assume that Hemllo is reporting their

[35:00] data incorrectly. >> So we'll we'll follow up and and meet

[35:06] with the the new owners, you know, I guess not so new anymore. Um

[35:11] but with the Hamlow group in the past, I I think, you know, it was a bit of a

[35:16] mute audience with Beric knowing that they were in the sales mode. So we'll

[35:20] request that meeting uh in the short term. But to to Mr. Verbbo's point, any

[35:25] correction we would see in 2027. It wouldn't be relative to 2026.

[35:33] » Yeah. So, so I guess yeah, I I appreciate that and I I know Mr. Kaka

[35:39] can reach out. He's in town actually. So, maybe Mr. Scorchinsky, you can reach

[35:42] out to him and see what the availability of having discussion around that and uh

[35:47] and get this clarified because we've missed out in the last two or three

[35:50] years on these. I think if if if it's 100% recorded properly and they're all

[35:54] PO2 postcodes, which I doubt they are, then fine. But I I guarantee we've lost

[36:00] a lot of money in the last several years. And it's not impacting Hemllo

[36:02] Gold or it wasn't impacting Barrett. It's impacting Town of Marathon.

[36:08] » So, >> who is getting the money from that other

[36:12] portion where Mand is getting their kickback, Town of Marathon's getting

[36:16] ours? Who is getting the money for that other province? Okay.

[36:21] Well, that's what I'm saying. So, >> many years ago, it used to be it was

[36:26] Marathon Mwto and then all the other bedroom communities such as uh First

[36:32] Nations and Wawa and maybe Terrace Bay and Horn Payne. So, we that was the

[36:39] understanding and usually that was 10% to 20%.

[36:44] » Okay. >> So, if you don't mind, Mr.

[36:49] So I know that the government just announced the Nord funding which is

[36:52] Northern Ontario resource development fund that's going to be extended for 5

[36:55] years. So we really are being impacted more so than any other community under

[36:59] the mining and forestry sector for the impact we're seeing under the meta.

[37:03] Maybe that's something I can speak to Minister Piri and see I know they did

[37:06] the formula there too. There's communities within that that Nord's

[37:09] funding model that are getting way more money than Marathon are and they don't

[37:13] have any resource-based industry in their municipality. So the formula was a

[37:17] little wonky and we did bring it to Mr. Piri's attention but maybe there's an

[37:21] opportunity to me to have a discussion with him minister flack to see under the

[37:25] the meta if there's something under the Nords that we can be adjusted for that

[37:30] that change over that cuz we're going to see the impact. Same thing with

[37:33] generation if they uh they announce construction they're going to have

[37:36] individuals that are no different than us. They're going to be living but it's

[37:39] not falling under the meta but they will still be impacting our community and not

[37:43] paying taxes to us. So the camp life is not a good thing for the taxation

[37:47] purposes because the impacts are there on the usage of our our municipalities

[37:52] but they're not contributing back to the municipality. I talked to my counterpart

[37:55] in Red Lake and he sees a huge impact to his municipality from the camp life

[38:00] which is great from the taxation from the mines but not so much from the camp

[38:03] because it's not considered it's just is considered a multi- res type facility

[38:08] but there it's rotational right. So, um, let's let's continue to work on that,

[38:12] please. >> Yeah, Dr. Lake.

[38:16] » Um, yeah, and I appreciate that that's a fight we we ought to be having and and

[38:20] it's a place where we can save residents money. Ultimately, though, this is a 6

[38:23] point u whatever percent increase. I'm just wondering in your world of

[38:29] treasurers and you talk to other municipalities in the region, what sort

[38:34] of uh uh increases are we seeing? >> It's all over the place.

[38:39] Yeah, everybody has or they all seem to have their own individual challenges so

[38:44] forth and some are better off. Some are are struggling with lower uh options on

[38:54] finding money elsewhere. >> Yeah, it's just I just want you know

[39:01] more so not so much for council but for you know for for the public to

[39:04] understand you know the process you know. So, you know, last October,

[39:08] council gave administration the direction, you know, to bring in the

[39:12] budget, you know, at a 5% increase. We did that, you know, when we when we

[39:17] finalized our budget, you know, approximately two weeks ago, you know,

[39:20] we had that increase, you know, at 4.9% for the residential tax class. you know,

[39:26] largely based on some things as as you know, councelor Lake indicated we're

[39:29] deferring that we shouldn't be deferring because you defer once, they generally

[39:34] get deferred twice or three times, you know. So, we had a finalized budget

[39:38] based on council's direction, you know, then we get the notice of, you know, the

[39:42] meta implications that completely changes our budget, you know, which now

[39:47] accounts for the change in increase to the tax classes, which we have zero

[39:52] control over yet. we'll go back and and we'll make sure that the formula is

[39:55] right. Um but I just want to point out that you know this is a function of

[39:59] external forces not internal that are driving this increase up from the

[40:04] original direction from council

[40:08] » and I can get totally geeked out on you and talk property tax but uh there is a

[40:15] report that I'll be bringing in May when we do set the property tax ratios and

[40:20] the levy amounts each dollar um of assessment from a mine

[40:29] equals 2.6% or 2.6 times the amount of a residence.

[40:34] So with that $800,000 reduction in assessment times that by 2.6 means that

[40:40] much is shifted to the other tax classes.

[40:45] » Mr. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair,

[40:51] uh that's the frustrating part. I mean, you know, the I've been around the game

[40:54] a long time. I used to get 5.4 from the industrial class has dramatically

[40:58] changed and the and the government regardless of of which government has

[41:03] been in power over the years. I talked about the the fairness of industrial

[41:08] rates because you're trying to attract industry to your communities or to the

[41:11] province. I get it. But at some point, the assessment is probably what's really

[41:16] the thing that has to be addressed and has, as Mr. Verbbo said even though it's

[41:20] a special interest property, it hasn't been addressed since 2016. And at that

[41:24] time, we made a special deal with the mines to make sure that neither one of

[41:29] us were going to take this and challenge it. So, we agreed on upon a number that

[41:32] was suitable for both uh both parties. But that was in 2016. We're 10 years

[41:38] later and that assessed value hasn't changed. So, that assessed value also

[41:42] impacts us and every resident in our community. So yes, we're not getting the

[41:45] same amount of money from them regardless of the meta, but we're also

[41:48] not getting a fair increased assessment, but where everybody's home is not being

[41:52] changed in assessment until there's a sale, but the reality is we all know our

[41:56] homes have all increased over those 10 years dramatically. Everybody,

[41:59] everybody, I don't care who they are in this community can look at their home

[42:02] and look at their insurance policy and say, "What does it cost to rebuild my

[42:06] home?" And look at the sales in our community. So in 2016, homes are running

[42:09] around 130, 120. Today they're running around 240 to 270 or 300. and the

[42:14] insurance policy on your home is 500 to 600,000 to rebuild. So that's the

[42:20] reality. So I know we're going to get feedback. I'm going to get pressure back

[42:22] from the municipality, but we're trying to do the best we can. So there's only

[42:25] one option, that is to either approve the 6.35 or or that Mr. Robo presented

[42:32] or go back to the reserves and remove uh one% of that and take that money out of

[42:37] reserve to ship. That's a slippery slope, but that's an option for council.

[42:41] council has done this for the last three years plus we've had three years of

[42:47] deficits. So we don't have the reserves >> unless you we we're still trying to

[42:54] build reserves because last year you guys agreed for the asset management

[42:59] plan saying we have to build reserves to replace the infrastructure that's

[43:06] 75 years old. 100% sir. I'm just I'm just putting out

[43:10] options on the table for council. >> Noted.

[43:14] » Thank you.

[43:18] » There's no further questions. We'll take to a vote. Uh all in favor.

[43:29] » So yeah. So that's it'll come back in the form of the bylaw.

[43:33] » Okay. Sure. So, are we sorry are we having a conversation around

[43:38] » taking money out of reserves or we just approving this as it is?

[43:45] » That's that's up that's council's decision. If

[43:48] » I'm going to approve it as is and >> administration is not recommending it

[43:52] comes from reserves. >> I agree with that. You know, it's a

[43:55] different scenario if it's a if we have control over the situation. In this

[43:59] case, it's an external force that's driving the increase. um you know as you

[44:04] know it is a slippery slope you start taking reserves.

[44:06] » I hear you. I just didn't know if the debate was now or later

[44:10] » but we should you know if if that's going to be the discussion and that

[44:13] should happen now uh during the report um and not because we if if changes and

[44:20] goes that direction we need to amend the bylaw.

[44:22] » So it's it doesn't finalize by vote but we have that discussion now.

[44:26] » So Mr. Mr. Chair, I just recommend ask the question if everybody's okay with

[44:29] the percentage increase as presented by administration, then it solves it. But

[44:32] if there's not, then we can have a debate whether or not it comes out of

[44:34] reserve. >> Okay. Is everybody It just needs to be a

[44:40] straw poll. It doesn't need to be an action.

[44:41] » No, that's right. Yeah. >> Okay. So, just just go just go council

[44:45] council. Okay. Councelor Lake, I'm okay approving this. Councelor Bance, I'm

[44:51] okaying it. Councelor Juliana

[45:00] Mayor Dubis. >> Sorry about that. I was muted. I'm I'm

[45:03] okay with it. >> Yes. So there's no discussion on on

[45:06] reserves. Thank you. >> So the approval will come in the form of

[45:09] the Okay. Thank you. >> Wow. Next we have a report on properties

[45:16] eligible for tax registration. Mr. Verbbo. According to the tax collection

[45:20] policy, a list of all properties eligible for tax registration must be

[45:24] presented to council. This list is to be all inclusive. Section 373 of the

[45:29] municipal act enables the treasurer to register a tax certificate tax a

[45:35] certificate against title that to that land if there are two years of tax

[45:40] rears. The tax schedules detail the properties that have taxes outstanding

[45:45] from 2024 or earlier. Cost of registering properties approximately

[45:50] $2,000 per property. All costs associated with tax registration are

[45:55] fully recoverable but only providing the property can be sold. In 2025, there

[46:01] were 28 properties. This includes seven Marathon Pulk properties eligible for

[46:07] registration totaling $86,000 in outstanding taxes. But this amount

[46:12] excludes Marathon Fault properties and the Ministry of Natural Resources

[46:17] properties. This year there are 36 properties including Marathon Fault plus

[46:22] the 10 gravel pits owned by the M&R and are leased to third parties excluding

[46:27] the six Marathon Fault properties and the 10 M&R properties. Exposure is now

[46:33] $342,000.

[46:36] 17 properties are new to the list. Last year, there were only 10 new uh

[46:42] first-time residents. 2025, there were four properties in tax registration

[46:48] totaling $15,000. This year, there are now seven with the exposure being

[46:53] $55,000. This is being presented for council's

[46:57] information only. >> Thank you, Mr. Verbbo. I have a motion

[47:03] that council hereby attaches the or sorry that council hereby accepts the

[47:08] attach report on properties eligible for tax registration and further that the

[47:12] report is being presented for members information purposes only. Can I get a

[47:17] secretary?

[47:23] We have any questions on this report?

[47:32] seeing any.

[47:38] Thank you, Mr. Verville.

[47:50] » Uh, next we have a report on the 2025 water treatment plant. Uh, Mr. Paris.

[47:56] » Hey, thank you. Yeah, in front of you have the 2025 wastewater plant report.

[48:01] Uh this is an annual uh submission uh to council for information purposes. Uh

[48:07] you'll notice it is a 2025 report from Northern Waterworks. Uh the report has

[48:12] been completed in accordance with condition 114

[48:16] of the amended uh environmental compliance approval number 4721

[48:21] uh which was issued to the town of Marathon in September of 2017. So the

[48:26] report covers from January 1st to December 31st of 2025.

[48:31] It's intended to provide a performance record for future reference uh to ensure

[48:36] that the ministry is made aware of prompts as they arise and to provide a

[48:41] compliance record for the terms and the conditions outlined in the ECA.

[48:45] So in discussion regarding it's in in in accordance with condition 104A of the

[48:50] ECA the annual report must include an overview the success any adequacy of the

[48:56] sewage work. So the overall performance the water quality and flow monitoring

[49:00] results indicated in Marathon wastewater treatment plant uh operated successfully

[49:07] and accurately in 2020 2025. There was significant improvement in

[49:12] performance in 2025 with respect to the effluent total phosphorus reduction and

[49:18] that stated goals of the sewream plan program were achieved.

[49:22] Uh under normal operating conditions the facility consistently met all other

[49:26] design objectives and compliance limits for final effluent parameters. All flows

[49:32] remain below the rated capacity of the plant which the plant is rated for 4,400

[49:36] cubic meters. We average normally about 1,094.

[49:40] You'll see in normally in March out higher level based on the runoff of snow

[49:44] melt. Uh operational notes, there was no bypasses, overflows, spills or abnormal

[49:51] discharges occurred during the reporting period. There was zero customer

[49:55] complaints received from the Marathon water system. There was no significant

[50:00] equipment or process failures occurred during the reporting period. Copies are

[50:05] available to report at town hall and on the town website.

[50:09] There's no financial implications of it in our normal annual budgeting that we

[50:13] recommend at council based on best practice for improvements, maintenance,

[50:17] and repairs. Um, and we're bringing this re st administration is presenting the

[50:22] 2025 uh wastewater treatment plant report for information purposes only and

[50:28] I'll take any questions if anyone has any questions.

[50:31] » Okay. Thank you, Mr. Paris. Uh, I have a motion that council hereby accepts the

[50:36] attached report on 2025 water treatment plant and further that the report is

[50:40] being presented for members information purposes only. Moved by

[50:49] second by councelor Lake. Any questions on this board? Mr. Lake uh just so it

[50:55] was phosphorus last year that was our adverse

[50:57] » and it historically is. >> Okay. And we fixed that problem.

[51:00] » Well, things ran real good last year. So hopefully we'll continue and you know a

[51:04] lot of this now we have to do equipment and air so we're sampling better. Uh so

[51:08] those are things that will continue to improve as we keep moving forward.

[51:11] » Looks like a A+ report. >> Yes. Thank you.

[51:14] » Awesome. Any other questions? >> Seeing any.

[51:18] » Thank you Mr. Har. Thank you.

[51:26] » Okay. Okay. I have a motion to approve that

[51:30] council hereby approve the following check registers for February 26 and

[51:34] March 2026. We have to read out the numbers. No, we

[51:39] just need a move. Okay. Uh mover and second, please.

[51:51] Um all in favor? Thank you.

[52:05] Okay, I have a motion to approve bylaw number 2123 being a bylaw to adopt the

[52:12] estimates of all sums required during the year 2026 to be read at first,

[52:17] second, and third time and finally passed this 27th day of April 2026.

[52:24] » Second. Awesome. Thank you.

[52:29] All in favor you car.

[52:44] Okay. A proclamation has been received requesting that May 2020 May 6, 2026 be

[52:50] proclaimed as Hope Air Day in and for the town of Marathon in recognition of

[52:55] the valuable invaluable contributions made by Hope Air to the health and

[52:59] well-being of individuals in Ontario's remote communities.

[53:11] Get the blueberry in a second there.

[53:16] Does anybody have any questions about this motion?

[53:20] » No, I recognize that you're >> Yeah, we we've done it uh in the past.

[53:25] All in favor? So, thank you.

[53:36] Uh we have one announcement tonight. Uh, the town of Marathon will be hosting a

[53:41] 2026 election candidate training session on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

[53:48] in the council chambers in partnership with the township of Ansswatch. Uh the

[53:52] session will be delivered by a third-party provider and is intended to

[53:56] provide an overview of the municipal election process, roles and

[54:00] responsibilities of elected officials and key considerations for prospective

[54:04] candidates. Members of the public who are considering running for council in

[54:09] May in 20 the 2026 municipal election are encouraged to attend.

[54:15] So, anybody that's uh interested in uh the town of Marathon as well as ton of

[54:19] manage that thinking about running for council, this would be a great

[54:22] information session to attend.

[54:27] And lastly, I have a motion to adjourn. Oh,

[54:32] do >> Yeah, sorry. I have a question if you

[54:35] don't mind. So, for administration, is this uh

[54:43] Oh, you're correct. Just over overview. Just an overview.

[54:48] » Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. So, this this isn't a training session. So, um this is an

[54:54] overview of what to expect um when you get elected. Um and also an

[55:00] opportunity to interact uh with the facilitators. Of course, when the new

[55:05] council is elected, there will be a full orientation and training session um in

[55:10] December of 2026. >> Good. Thank you.

[55:18] Okay, I have a motion uh that we do now adjourn at the hour of 5:01 p.m.

[55:30] by >> all good.

[55:37] » All in favor? Good. Thank you. >> Thank you and good night.

[55:40] » Good night everybody. >> Good night. Good night. Thank you.

April 27, 2026 - Regular Meeting of Council

Transcript