1
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Yeah. So we'll just remove uh just defer
the ship. Yeah. Ser 78 to the next first

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meeting. Okay.
>> Okay. Thanks.

3
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» Are there any questions regarding the
agenda?

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00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:29,039
» No.
>> No. Uh all in favor?

5
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Thank you.
uh carried. Are there any disclosure of

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interests?
Seeing none,

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I have a motion
that council hereby adopts the minutes

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00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:47,760
of the regular meeting of council held
on March 23rd, 2026 and the closed and

9
00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:53,520
special meetings of council held on
March 31st, 2026 as sir amended. Can I

10
00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:56,520
get a boomer in a second here?
Councelors

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00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:03,359
seconded by councelor Lake.
Are there any questions regarding the

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minutes?
>> In favor?

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» Yes.
>> Thank you.

14
00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:20,880
» And we also don't have any student
counselors

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um at tonight's meeting. So, we'll move
to uh CEO reports.

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Mr. Squinsson,
>> thanks your worship. And uh I'll just

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these are brief updates with respect to
both the tiny homes project as well as

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the active living center. So, I'll just
combine them into one short synopsis.

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Uh so with respect to the tiny homes
project um we utilized an RFP process um

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and selected Norfab as the housing
supplier for the project. Um they were

21
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actually uh for all of the companies
that approached us in the past, they

22
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were the only bidder that responded to
the RFP.

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So, um, they're they're a reputable
supplier, so no issue there. Um, but for

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all of these modular suppliers that say
they have a solution, none of them did.

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Um, and everybody just for council's
information, uh, every company that has

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contacted us was sent the RFP directly
to their inbox.

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Nonetheless, uh, we do have a good
solution that's been provided by NORAD.

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uh administration is in the process of
finalizing uh project pricing this week.

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Uh as some pricing has come in higher
than anticipated. Uh mainly this is on

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uh the civil side of the project. Uh and
unfortunately this is what we're seeing

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kind of in line with tenders coming in.
Um you have a tender that you put

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together and once you put it out for bit
it's coming in higher and that's just a

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reality of uh the construction industry
right now.

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uh a draft CCDC5. Uh so that's the
tender document that we're going to use

35
00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:09,360
for this particular project is currently
being developed with the CGV group who

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00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:15,040
will be the project constructor. We
should have that finalized by the end of

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April. The project itself will be built
in two phases in 2026.

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Phase one will include uh 10 homes
constructed with the assistance of

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Thunder Bay DAP funding. These homes
will be rental units and the tenency

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rental model is currently being drafted
by administration.

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Um and phase two uh in 2026 will include
nine homes which will be sold on the

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open market. Administration is currently
developing the parameters with legal

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council to administer this phase with
launch and marketing expected at the end

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of May 2026.
Um, so last week while I was in Thunder

45
00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:58,080
Bay at the Noma conference, I met with
our legal council to go over both of

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those items, one being the rental model,
one being the sales model. We're a

47
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little behind where we anticipated from
a construction start just with the

48
00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:11,599
weather uh by about two weeks. So
fundamentally doesn't uh affect the

49
00:04:09,599 --> 00:04:15,840
project uh from a longer term
perspective. So, uh, by the end of May,

50
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we'll be in a very good position to be
mobilized and start construction

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likely early
June and then, uh, a completion date of

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end of November for the entire project.
So, maybe with that, your worship, I'll

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take questions on that and then I'll
proceed to the October. Okay. Thank you,

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00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:41,520
Mr. Sushkinsky. Uh, councel.
>> Um, so the 10 that that will be rented

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00:04:39,199 --> 00:04:45,840
will be constructed right away. the nine
other units, will those be built

56
00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:51,600
regardless of whether there are owners
in line or will we build them as people

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like sign contracts? So, what'll happen
is ideally this and then this is you

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know why we've divided into phase one
and phase two. Um so the the tender we

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00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:08,320
have uh for the project is based on the
10 units. Okay. So um you know ideally

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00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:13,919
we want to do all 19 um but because nine
went on the open market uh the intent is

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00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:21,919
within a two week period to secure all
nine sales. So we won't proceed with the

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00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:27,680
additional nine um unless we have a
pre-sale uh that's signed um by the

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owner. So what we're preparing, what
legal council is preparing on the sales

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front is that exact document, which is
going to be a commitment letter. Um

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because if we don't have that commitment
letter, then theoretically it is the

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municipality that would be on the hook
for those nine units and floating that

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cost. So the 10 are different because of
the DESAP funding. Um so that money is

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secured. So the project will proceed
with 10. Ideally, we want to complete

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all 19 in the 2026 construction season.
That'll be great because people could

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00:05:55,280 --> 00:06:00,800
see them for sure.
>> There there still will as soon as this

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00:05:59,199 --> 00:06:05,199
well I I took a ride today and the snow
is almost gone. Um so you know as soon

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as we're able to mobilize part of the
RFP or part of the RFP that uh the

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00:06:07,919 --> 00:06:15,199
originally with CGV was to have a show
home on site that is still happening. Um

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this will be one of the first things
that will happen on site once we

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00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:22,720
mobilize it. Thank you councelor Dallas.
And then strategically, how will they be

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built that first phase? Is it going to
be closest to the road now that goes

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00:06:25,199 --> 00:06:31,840
down? Is that how
or will they be kind of separated out

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just to make it look fuller? Like how is
there a strategy to Yeah, there is a

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strategy and we're in the process of
finalizing that. Um so there's three

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different units that are going to that
are part of the RFP uh in terms of the

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00:06:44,319 --> 00:06:53,120
housing styles. Um, and for the 10 units
that we control, um, they're going to be

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finished so that they look like it's a
pattern. Um, and then the other nine,

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

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00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:04,560
because we're still finalizing that
right now. Um, but that thought was

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given. Um, and the subdivision will have
that finished look when it's completed.

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00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:13,199
» And Dis Yeah, Mayor Dis.
>> Yeah, I think you kind of answered my

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00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:17,840
question, uh, Mr. Scorchinsky, but the
10 units will be different or they'll be

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similar units but just spread out maybe
through the park.

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00:07:19,199 --> 00:07:26,560
» Yeah. So they they'll be similar in
terms of the interior. The exterior will

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00:07:24,319 --> 00:07:30,800
be different in terms and not
fundamentally different but different in

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terms of uh you know some of the
features and some of the colors just to

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00:07:32,479 --> 00:07:37,440
give it a a better finished look within
the subdivision itself.

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00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:40,440
» Certainly. That's great. Thank you very
much.

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00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:47,680
Um, so right right on schedule uh with
that project and uh and like the active

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00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:51,039
living center uh we'll see mobilization
in the short term now that we can see

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00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:55,280
spring marathon.
>> Awesome. uh with the Active Living

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Center. Uh just a short update for
council. Uh we did hold our project

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00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:06,400
startup meeting on April the 14th with
Finway uh as well as TBT Engineering uh

99
00:08:04,319 --> 00:08:10,319
to get ready to move the project forward
to mobilization.

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00:08:08,319 --> 00:08:15,599
Uh construction tender documents are
currently being finalized for the entire

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00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:21,360
project. Those are on target for uh the
ability to sign on April the 30th. Site

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00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:27,599
mobilization by Finway is planned for
May the 15th. It'll likely take a couple

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00:08:24,319 --> 00:08:31,759
of weeks to arrive on site. Uh the site
preload has met its performance

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measurements performance measurements
and the site is now ready for

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construction. Uh so we received that
engineering report last week. Um so as

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we envisioned last fall when we uh
council approved the work uh it was very

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strategic um and uh the site met its
requirements so it is fully ready for

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construction especially on the pool
side. So we have engineering sign off on

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that. Um and then finally uh just uh on
the financial side uh administration is

110
00:09:02,959 --> 00:09:10,000
meeting with identified strategic
organizations to compile the necessary

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00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:15,600
information to draft the final uh
financial strategy as per council's

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00:09:12,560 --> 00:09:19,920
project approval and this work is
expected to complete be completed by the

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00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:24,320
end of of May. So, I was able to have a
a couple of meetings at normal last

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00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:30,160
week. Um, as well as a couple scheduled
for this week. Um and uh council recalls

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00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:35,839
really what we're trying to do in terms
of this phase two that was approved by

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00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:42,080
council um is to come up with the model
that number one fits the project best um

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but also allows us um the most
flexibility in the ability to repay um

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00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:50,959
and utilizing the best interest rates
that are possible for us. So, it takes

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00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:56,000
us a little time to put this together.
Uh, but this will come back to council

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uh in a formal report uh likely towards
uh the end of May for final approval,

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which fits fine with project
mobilization. So, we're right on

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00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:09,920
schedule as per council's approval on
May or March the 31st. Um, and it'll be

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00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:14,800
exciting to to see the project kickoff.
>> Yeah.

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00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:20,160
» Um, Mr. for transcal landscaping and the
funding for the park um will that be

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00:10:17,839 --> 00:10:24,560
kind of kicking off with phase two and
will the I know there's an external

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00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:27,760
funer for the park. Is that all going to
be kind of

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00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:33,360
» that so that will be phase three. So we
we have uh so so that is the the jump

128
00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:37,200
start funding you're referring to. Um,
so we're in the process of finalizing

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00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:43,360
that legal agreement. Um, and it'll be
2027 that that funding will flow which

130
00:10:40,079 --> 00:10:47,839
fits in line uh with the timelines for
development. Um, but from a

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00:10:45,680 --> 00:10:53,120
administration perspective, uh, the
contractor is aware of that project. The

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00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:58,240
contractor being Finway is aware of
that. Um and the plans will be in place

133
00:10:56,399 --> 00:11:04,079
uh to utilize that funding to ensure
that it it meets the legal requirements

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00:10:59,920 --> 00:11:08,959
in 2027 irregardless of the entire
amount um from a landing

135
00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:12,959
perspective. So you know if we don't
have the money landscaping the court

136
00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:16,959
will still get finished um as part of
our legal requirements. So that is built

137
00:11:14,959 --> 00:11:21,440
into the planning process. Of course
ideally we'll have the money for phase

138
00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:26,079
three um but the court will proceed.
>> Awesome. Okay. That's right. Yeah, it's

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00:11:24,079 --> 00:11:30,320
I mean amazing to see stuff being built
in Marathon. It feels like things are

140
00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:35,760
moving forward. I just wonder from a
resident perspective the mobilization

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00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:43,279
will impact any of the access down to
the boat launch or at the three-way stop

142
00:11:39,279 --> 00:11:46,959
at the old store. Are we looking at any
impact there?

143
00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:50,959
» Yeah, good question. Um there there of
course will be some traffic and and as

144
00:11:48,959 --> 00:11:57,279
part of the the project startup meeting
uh communications as well as security u

145
00:11:53,760 --> 00:12:01,279
we're both uh were both brought up as um
needing to be part of the kickoff. So

146
00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:05,680
there will be uh a number of
communications that will go out to the

147
00:12:02,959 --> 00:12:10,399
public with respect to the project. Um
in this first phase as we get rolling um

148
00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:14,880
there'll be limited traffic certainly
nowhere near the preload or what we saw

149
00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:19,360
there. Um you know and we do expect that
you know people will want to go down and

150
00:12:17,279 --> 00:12:24,320
you know see what's taking place but you
know the the site is ideally already

151
00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:28,639
fenced in. Um so it will be uh issued
and signed as an active construction

152
00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:33,279
site. So accessing the site won't be
allowed um but in terms of overall

153
00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:36,880
traffic this initial phase there won't
be a lot but we do have we will have a

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00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:43,040
communication a public communications
plan that will be launched. Thank you.

155
00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:45,519
Uh any other questions? Mayor Dumis
council.

156
00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:50,480
» No, I think we're good. Yeah, we uh we
we've been anticipating this time for a

157
00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:53,760
long time. So very excited to see that
things are going to start rolling in

158
00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:57,160
midmay.
>> Yeah, for sure.

159
00:12:57,279 --> 00:13:03,959
» Perfect. Uh next we have a report on
council reuveration

160
00:13:06,959 --> 00:13:09,959
survival.

161
00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:17,519
No, mayor and council. In accordance
with section 284 of the municipal act,

162
00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:22,639
the treasurer shall submit a statement
of remuneration and expenses paid to

163
00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:26,079
each member of council in the preceding
year.

164
00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:32,800
The remuneration and expenses paid to
council are in accordance with policy

165
00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:39,519
one council remuneration administration
policy on municipal vehicle use and the

166
00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:44,800
financial policy on travel expenses for
members of council and staff. Total

167
00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:50,160
remunerations and expenses paid to
council in 2025 was $129,000.

168
00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:55,440
This does not include the health
premiums, just for consistency

169
00:13:52,160 --> 00:14:02,639
reporting. The amount included in 2025
budget was $123,000.

170
00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:10,079
Therefore, expenditures were $6,300
more than budget. Section 3284

171
00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:15,440
subsection 3 of the act requires that
remuneration and expenses paid by anyone

172
00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:21,680
must be reported. Last year, Council
Wheeler received $627 to cover expenses

173
00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:29,600
from the Thunder Bay District Health
Unit. Mayor Dumis received $21,600

174
00:14:26,079 --> 00:14:36,079
from Northwestern Ontario Municipal
Association to cover travel expenses

175
00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:40,560
reports presented for information only.
Thank you, Mr. Verbbo. I have a motion

176
00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:44,560
that council hereby accepts the attached
report on council renumeration and

177
00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:48,560
further that the report is being
presented for members information

178
00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:52,440
purposes only.
Okay, I get a move in second.

179
00:14:52,800 --> 00:15:01,600
league second by bounds.
Any questions or comments on this

180
00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:05,519
report? Right?
>> Yeah. Thanks. Uh thanks for the report

181
00:15:03,199 --> 00:15:09,680
there, Mr. Verbbo. Uh the reality is
when you hear the $21,000 expense I'm

182
00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:12,800
sitting at Thunderb hotel room off to
Toronto again. We've been requested by

183
00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:18,639
government over this last year,
specifically 2025 and a lot into 26 to

184
00:15:16,399 --> 00:15:21,680
attend many functions on behalf of
Northwestern Ontario for the Ontario

185
00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:27,279
government. Of course, those uh those
expenses are not covered off by the the

186
00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:30,800
proponent, but the out covering off
those expenses. So, it seems like a

187
00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:36,959
little high, but hotel rooms in Toronto
are $600. Hotel rooms with $250 to $300.

188
00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:41,199
Uh so, it's it's an cost of doing
business. Um, you know, NMA had a

189
00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:45,360
previous president that lived in the
city of Thunder Bay. The expenses were

190
00:15:43,199 --> 00:15:49,839
much lower. My my cost of having to stay
in hotel rooms was in in Thunder Bay and

191
00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:53,360
Toronto and traveling is uh gets to be
uh a bit costly for the association

192
00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:57,600
which we're funded by the provincial
government as well as municipalities

193
00:15:55,199 --> 00:16:00,959
through the levies. So, we're getting
our voice heard. That's the key message.

194
00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:05,519
And uh you know, we'll continue to
advocate on behalf of not only Marathon

195
00:16:02,639 --> 00:16:10,639
but the 37s that represent. So when
public hears that there's an expense of

196
00:16:07,279 --> 00:16:14,639
$21,000 externally for expenses for NMA,
it's directly associated with travel in

197
00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:18,240
northwestern Ontario and and Ontario for
that matter. But I do want to uh ask

198
00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:22,639
administration to consider I've talked
to a lot of mayors and counselors.

199
00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:26,560
They're all looking at a potential wage
uh impact or a wage increase for their

200
00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:29,920
municipality for council members. Some
are doing it now before the election

201
00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:34,000
comes up and some are requesting to do
it for after the election for the new

202
00:16:32,079 --> 00:16:37,440
councils coming in. So, I'd like to see
maybe a report brought over the next

203
00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:41,040
couple of council meetings for
discussion that we can have so that

204
00:16:39,519 --> 00:16:44,160
conversation for not only council
members in our community, but like I I

205
00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:49,600
can see that happening throughout the
district. uh because the amount of uh

206
00:16:46,959 --> 00:16:53,279
energy that you uh you um have to put
into through the council role as as a

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00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:58,240
counselor or a mayor and then of course
the the um public scrutiny and and I

208
00:16:56,320 --> 00:17:01,440
want to say clearly abuse that you get
uh through being a member of council

209
00:17:00,079 --> 00:17:05,439
doesn't really bode well to attract
members to sit on councils. So, so this

210
00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:09,120
is why a lot of the councils are putting
out there and either increasing now and

211
00:17:07,839 --> 00:17:13,520
I'm not talking huge amounts, but
they're reflecting the compensation

212
00:17:10,959 --> 00:17:17,360
package to be something that is uh
attractive enough to attract new people

213
00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:21,039
to sit on councils going forward.
There's going to be a huge turn turnover

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00:17:18,959 --> 00:17:25,120
in councils throughout the district that
I from what I've talked to members in

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00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:28,720
the last uh 3 4 days at the normal
conference in Thunder Bay last week. But

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00:17:26,959 --> 00:17:34,160
I I'd asked administration maybe to put
on a report maybe in May. Uh maybe you

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00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:37,520
know sometime in first or second meeting
in May to discuss conversation for this

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00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:40,720
council and other council maybe to
consider what that might look like for

219
00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:44,000
them as a recommendation going forward.
So, I know we do get a compensation

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00:17:42,559 --> 00:17:48,960
increase each and every year based on
the union's contract negotiations uh 2

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00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:52,720
to 3% whatever that might work out to,
but I'm talking an overall general

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00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:56,640
increase for council members um in our
community going forward uh as well for

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00:17:54,960 --> 00:18:02,320
whoever that might it won't be for this
council, it'll be for the council elect

224
00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:06,720
in 2026 through to 2030. So, if uh we
can have that put on as a report, I

225
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:11,600
appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Yeah, thank you for that dumis. So what

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00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,720
I would say is administration will need
a little bit of time to complete some

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00:18:12,799 --> 00:18:19,799
research. So we'll bring it forward in
the second meeting.

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00:18:15,919 --> 00:18:19,799
» Appreciate it. Thank you very much.

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00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:29,520
» Okay. Next we have a report on the 2026
operating capital budget. Mr. Verbbo.

230
00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:34,000
» The draft 2026 operating capital budget
was presented at a special meeting of

231
00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:37,840
council on January 26th. Since that
time, council's input as well as

232
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:42,960
additional information and details have
been incorporated into the budget.

233
00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:47,520
Overall objective of 2026 is to maintain
the current level of goods and services

234
00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:51,600
while keeping any increase to the tax
levy to a minimum.

235
00:18:49,679 --> 00:18:58,000
Due to the pandemic, the province has
deferred reassessment. Five years ago in

236
00:18:54,799 --> 00:19:03,440
2021, uh they were supposed to update to
2022 values, but property values in this

237
00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:10,240
tax year are the current value
assessment as of January 1st, 2016.

238
00:19:07,120 --> 00:19:14,799
There are no changes from 2025
other than supplemental omitted and

239
00:19:12,559 --> 00:19:21,360
reduction notices from impact that
occurred last year.

240
00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:25,559
overall assessment decreased.
0 sorry 0.54%.

241
00:19:25,679 --> 00:19:33,520
The increase to the residential class
which is 69% of the total assessment was

242
00:19:31,919 --> 00:19:38,960
0.2%.
So it went from $121.1

243
00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:44,559
million to $121.3
million mostly grades and investigations

244
00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:51,280
that impact had done when ownership
changes. The mines's class decreased by

245
00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:56,799
$855,000
with the updated employee allocation on

246
00:19:54,000 --> 00:20:01,679
the hemald mine property.
Budget being presented today contains

247
00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:05,600
the bundle of programs and services that
council has agreed to be delivered to

248
00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:12,480
the residents
during 2026.

249
00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:19,679
Operator requirements are $6,58,000
as listed in schedule 8 of this report.

250
00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:23,679
In addition to the bundles of programs
and services,

251
00:20:21,919 --> 00:20:28,480
$256,000
of capital work is contained in this

252
00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:33,120
budget. Province has set the educational
levy for the various classes. The

253
00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:38,240
combined levy to be collected and given
to the school boards is estimated to be

254
00:20:35,360 --> 00:20:44,120
$464,000.
the tax levy of 6 million. Excuse me.

255
00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:56,720
This is an increase of 5.1% from last
year. So, the residential class has

256
00:20:53,120 --> 00:21:03,280
increased by over 6% from $4.1 million
in taxes to 4.4 million.

257
00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:11,760
Commercial has increased by 4.6% and the
industrial craft uh class has a decrease

258
00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:17,440
of 2 3%. Overall, the increase is 4.7%
of the total property tax. Each property

259
00:21:14,799 --> 00:21:22,960
will have an increase to their tax rate
of 6.4%.

260
00:21:20,559 --> 00:21:28,080
Major changes since the January 26
meeting are as follows. It has decided

261
00:21:25,679 --> 00:21:34,720
to utilize a reserve to fix the doctor's
residence on Laboratory Drive. The cost

262
00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:39,679
of $25,000 will not be on the tax levy.
Insurance costs have come in. They are

263
00:21:36,799 --> 00:21:44,799
$20,000 higher than last year. We found
a customer for the substation at the

264
00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:51,679
former mill site. This is recognizing
$17,000 in revenue. Town hall is now

265
00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:55,880
being granted for court services. The
additional revenue is $20,000.

266
00:21:57,039 --> 00:22:02,400
Hiring accountable clerk has been
delayed. This is a labor savings of

267
00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:09,440
$24,000.
At the October 14th meeting last year,

268
00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:15,440
council approved the $3 million
remedial work at heart. This was

269
00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:21,400
financed with additional debt.
Annually

270
00:22:17,039 --> 00:22:21,400
interest payments are $50,000.

271
00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:29,039
The towns of Manto and the township of
Man, sorry, the town of Marathon and the

272
00:22:27,039 --> 00:22:33,200
township of Mtoage have agreed to share
the labor cost of a fire chief. The

273
00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:39,520
savings to the town of Marathon is
$75,000.

274
00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:46,400
Fire department or the fire
services have deferred the roof repair

275
00:22:42,559 --> 00:22:52,720
on the hall for $20,000 in cost savings
and less purchases of breathing

276
00:22:49,039 --> 00:22:57,840
apparatus. another $20,000 in savings.
We haven't been able to hire a bylaw

277
00:22:54,720 --> 00:23:01,559
enforcement officer yet, so labor costs
are down by $23,000.

278
00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:11,200
Province announced the one-time grant of
$38,000 for pothole repairs, which we

279
00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:16,320
received in April. We have canceled the
washbay maintenance contract. That's

280
00:23:13,120 --> 00:23:23,039
$6,000 savings.
The January in January meeting

281
00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:28,480
anticipated high fuel sales and then
therefore high revenue, but this was too

282
00:23:26,159 --> 00:23:35,600
uh ambitious. So, we've reduced the
amount of revenue from airport fuel

283
00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:39,919
sales of 60 $67,000.
It's been announced that we're our

284
00:23:37,919 --> 00:23:42,919
recycle grant has been reduced by
$17,400

285
00:23:43,039 --> 00:23:51,520
and recalibrating the donated cardboard
compactor has been deferred. This a

286
00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:55,520
reduction of $11,000 in spending.
We're expected to still install

287
00:23:53,440 --> 00:24:01,440
monitoring wells at the landfill site.
This is a $15,000 cost.

288
00:23:58,799 --> 00:24:06,000
Just a note, there's been no changes
incorporated

289
00:24:03,039 --> 00:24:12,640
to account for the current gasoline and
diesel prices. This is a high

290
00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:20,039
volatility, so we're not at that point.
Spending of uh resources at Peninsula

291
00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:20,039
Manor has been deferred $15,000.

292
00:24:20,159 --> 00:24:28,080
Non-construction cost for active living
center has been added $50,000.

293
00:24:25,679 --> 00:24:33,360
We're not uh replacing the glass and
boards at the arena, saving $21,000.

294
00:24:31,279 --> 00:24:38,799
And the netting will not be installed at
the outdoor rink, another savings of

295
00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:45,760
$3,000.
the season seasonal employees time of

296
00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:50,640
being uh working has been reduced by
delaying their hiring and not keeping

297
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:56,480
them as far into the season. That's
labor savings of $29,000

298
00:24:53,200 --> 00:25:01,440
and Canada summer job grants has been
announced. We are getting an additional

299
00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:07,760
$12,000.
Council agreed to increase the

300
00:25:03,360 --> 00:25:13,679
contribution to the library by $185,000.
Council also agreed to providing $15,000

301
00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:17,600
to the museum and $15,000 to the food
bank.

302
00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:23,039
Port authority activities will be funded
by debt and government financing, but

303
00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:29,400
it's anticipated that each partner being
the town and Victagon Mishnavic will

304
00:25:25,679 --> 00:25:29,400
contribute $150,000.

305
00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:40,400
As mentioned earlier, capital budget is
only at $256,000.

306
00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:46,720
So, it's been decreased by $646,000
by deferring engineering with Stevens

307
00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:51,440
Avenue reservicing, removing tire
changer,

308
00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:56,720
lower spending on golf irrigation, and
removing the clinic renovations.

309
00:25:54,400 --> 00:26:02,400
Please note that not included in this
budget is the completion of Poppy Lane

310
00:25:59,679 --> 00:26:07,120
subdivision or phase two of the active
living center.

311
00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:11,440
So the options are approve the budget as
presented or approve the budget with

312
00:26:09,279 --> 00:26:17,679
amendments. Administration recommends
that option A be approved and that bylaw

313
00:26:13,919 --> 00:26:23,760
2123 adopting the 2026 operating and
capital budget be approved as presented.

314
00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:27,520
» Thank you, Mr. Verbbo.
I have a motion that council hereby

315
00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:31,679
accepts the attached report and
recommendation on 2026 operating and

316
00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:36,159
capital budget and further that the
appropriate bylaw be adopted later in

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00:26:33,679 --> 00:26:40,559
the meeting approving the 2026 operating
and capital budgets. I got a move in a

318
00:26:38,559 --> 00:26:48,640
second.
Council Lake, councelor balance.

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00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:53,120
Any questions? Council Lake, um I
appreciate actually you laying out all

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00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:57,440
the places that we have done.
Administration has tried to save money.

321
00:26:54,640 --> 00:27:01,520
I can see that we've saved everything uh
we can. The the question I have is maybe

322
00:26:59,679 --> 00:27:07,200
just back a little bit because
ultimately uh we know how much money we

323
00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:11,520
have to raise. There's four classes.
If you sell your house, that sets an

324
00:27:09,120 --> 00:27:17,200
assessed value for your house. We had a
mine sale. We know what the value of

325
00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:22,799
that mine is. And yet, they're
getting a decrease in taxes. I I don't

326
00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:26,400
quite understand how how that works uh
from a fairness and an assessed value

327
00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:30,400
perspective, right? I mean ultimately I
would like to see all of the burden take

328
00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:35,520
off from the residential class and put
onto others if we could but what how did

329
00:27:33,120 --> 00:27:43,600
the of all the classes the industrial
class decrease? The assessment on the

330
00:27:39,120 --> 00:27:52,039
mine is still based on 2020 2016
and the way the act is called the marath

331
00:27:49,039 --> 00:27:52,039
or

332
00:27:52,159 --> 00:28:03,600
» and so that was set 40 years ago which
says that the assessment will be split

333
00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:09,200
between marathon manttoage and other
>> and so the number of employees in for

334
00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:12,799
marathon has decreased as a percent a
percentage as well as decreased for math

335
00:28:12,399 --> 00:28:17,200
watch
>> but the the increased sale price so the

336
00:28:15,120 --> 00:28:20,799
value replacement factor it won't factor
in

337
00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:25,279
» assessment is based on sales which is
the mostly used for residential because

338
00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:30,399
there's very good statistics because
there's a lot more sales industrial is

339
00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:34,240
mostly based on replacement value or
cluster construction so the mine never

340
00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:37,679
really changed
>> it's and it's also considered a special

341
00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:42,080
purpose property. So it is assessed
differently than say as an example. It's

342
00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:46,640
a great question but residential. So um
and so the decrease that we're seeing

343
00:28:44,559 --> 00:28:49,679
it's not assessment related it's formula
related.

344
00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:56,320
» So what what we're seeing actually from
a formula perspective um is more

345
00:28:52,720 --> 00:29:01,919
employees now living in mantoage than in
the previous couple years less living in

346
00:28:58,159 --> 00:29:09,200
Marathon. Okay. or not marathon not
monttoage but in other which we have no

347
00:29:06,399 --> 00:29:15,440
uh way to vet that information it's just
whatever uh the mine operations provides

348
00:29:12,480 --> 00:29:18,399
to municipal affairs annually as far as
their employee counts

349
00:29:16,640 --> 00:29:22,799
» okay thank you I and I do I appreciate
the list of of places where we've got to

350
00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:26,799
be safe
>> that consider contractors on the mind

351
00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:31,600
site too that's like every warm body
essentially correct not just okay

352
00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:35,360
awesome Okay. Thank you.
>> Yeah. So, I I had a conversation with

353
00:29:33,919 --> 00:29:39,440
Mr. Scorchinsky about this. I think we
have to go back to the ministry back to

354
00:29:37,279 --> 00:29:42,480
the mines because we do have 80 plus
individuals staying in our community

355
00:29:41,039 --> 00:29:46,960
that are staying at the camp. I don't
know if they're being caught in the net

356
00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:50,000
of the taxation for the meta. So, that's
something we we've been pursuing over

357
00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:54,080
the last couple years with that impact
of $800,000.

358
00:29:51,919 --> 00:29:57,919
That is huge. Never mind reassessment
because it hasn't been since 16. And

359
00:29:55,919 --> 00:30:00,880
that assessment of 16 was also a
negotiated assessment. We we don't want

360
00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:04,480
to be fighting with the money. It's not
our argument. Argument is fighting with

361
00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:08,480
impact to get the assessments done even
though it's a special interest property.

362
00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:11,760
So I think I think we can leave it as as
is based on the numbers that you just

363
00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:15,760
presented Mr. Verbbo. But the reality is
we sincerely have to go back to the

364
00:30:13,919 --> 00:30:18,960
ministry, work with the Thunder Bay
staff and maybe even the minister and

365
00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:21,520
say that those numbers got to be
reflective of the individuals living in

366
00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:25,279
our community. I don't care where they
live in Toronto, Vancouver, Thunder Bay,

367
00:30:23,840 --> 00:30:28,559
uh Terrace Bay or wherever they might
come from, they are impacting our

368
00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:31,919
community by staying here at the camp.
So we need to get those numbers very

369
00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:37,520
clear and reflective because the money
is not being given back to to uh Hemllo

370
00:30:35,120 --> 00:30:40,799
Gold. It's just being diverted somewhere
else. So we need to figure that out

371
00:30:38,799 --> 00:30:45,840
because that that impact us is as you
just said 6.5% roughly in increase in

372
00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:50,480
taxation to our residents. You also
touched on a point around the uh the

373
00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:54,240
port authority with the $150,000 each
participant will contribute. That number

374
00:30:52,399 --> 00:31:00,480
was a bit confusing to me when you said
that. So can you clarify that one more

375
00:30:55,840 --> 00:31:03,520
time? Uh again we're going to do con or
authority will be doing construction.

376
00:31:02,320 --> 00:31:10,720
Yeah
>> BNO will provide 10% on construction

377
00:31:06,240 --> 00:31:16,960
cost. Uh NOHFC will provide 66%.
We are going to uh

378
00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:21,039
the port authority has arranged with TD
to have some uh debt financing but

379
00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:28,399
» sure
>> we don't know yet. Right now, I've got

380
00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:32,799
$150,000 required based on 2025 where
$75,000 was required from each partner.

381
00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:36,399
» Okay. So, yeah. Okay. So, that's what
it's based on based on the requirements

382
00:31:34,480 --> 00:31:39,440
under the grant programs. Okay. So,
that's that being said, the big one for

383
00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:43,039
us is the mine assessment. We have to
figure this out. And I guess at the end

384
00:31:41,840 --> 00:31:48,399
of the day, you know, there's always the
opportunity to go into reserves if

385
00:31:44,399 --> 00:31:52,320
council feels so to reduce that 6.35 or
three or four to to five, but that's

386
00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:55,679
totally a decision that council can
make, but I think you've seen from

387
00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:58,880
administration, they've looked at every
angle and deferred some things that

388
00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:02,960
probably shouldn't have been deferred
just to get to the number we're at. Uh,

389
00:32:00,960 --> 00:32:05,919
and Mr. Verbbo very clearly said that
we're not considering what the fuel cost

390
00:32:04,640 --> 00:32:10,399
impacts are going to be because it's
such a volatile number right now. So

391
00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:17,760
that could have another impact on
overall budget process going forward. So

392
00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:21,919
I I'm not I'm not so happy with the 6.35
this year even though we're moving ahead

393
00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:25,120
and doing some great things. Uh but we
need to figure out that mining

394
00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:29,919
assessment somehow to even if that comes
in and saves us another 100 200 grand

395
00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:33,600
that'll bring us down to four 345 or
4.55%.

396
00:32:31,679 --> 00:32:37,120
uh you know so something we can may
maybe approve but still look at that uh

397
00:32:35,519 --> 00:32:40,799
that number and maybe it'll be
reflective on the second interm billing

398
00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:47,279
of the of the residents if we can find
that

399
00:32:42,799 --> 00:32:50,480
» uh it won't be reflected in 2026
>> yeah know that's what I'm saying unless

400
00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:53,039
we go with a 4.5 and try to figure that
out the end of the year right is that

401
00:32:51,840 --> 00:32:59,440
what you're saying
>> no the the ministry has already

402
00:32:56,480 --> 00:33:03,200
told us this is the allocation for 2026
six.

403
00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:06,640
» Yeah, I I I I can appreciate that. But
there's also the opportunity to go back

404
00:33:04,559 --> 00:33:10,000
and say to the minister like are all
those numbers being included in our in

405
00:33:08,559 --> 00:33:14,880
our tally? We're the ones being
impacted. It's not affecting the minds.

406
00:33:13,039 --> 00:33:18,880
It's affecting
>> the ministry says they do not vet the

407
00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:24,399
information. They count on for the last
40 years getting data from the mines.

408
00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:30,240
The mines say this is the employees.
this is where they live and the ministry

409
00:33:26,799 --> 00:33:34,720
just takes that and do the calculation.
>> That's my point. If I if I submit 80

410
00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:37,600
plus individuals living at a camp and
they live in Toronto, is the ministry

411
00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:41,600
actually taking that in consideration
and putting them under Marathon's

412
00:33:38,799 --> 00:33:46,159
address? No, I would bet not.
>> They have no jurisdiction to say that

413
00:33:44,080 --> 00:33:49,039
the mines are reporting incorrectly or
not.

414
00:33:47,519 --> 00:33:53,760
So yeah,
>> if I if I understand it's the mine

415
00:33:51,360 --> 00:33:59,519
reports where they live as in where
they've come from. There would be no

416
00:33:55,679 --> 00:34:03,919
record of of those living in the camp.
>> So the the reporting is based on their

417
00:34:01,519 --> 00:34:09,040
postal code where they reside.
>> That's what I mean. So we we uh Mr.

418
00:34:07,360 --> 00:34:11,280
Scorchinsky, we've talked about this in
the last couple years because it's

419
00:34:09,919 --> 00:34:15,599
really impacting us. We're seeing the
difference now. We we never had a camp

420
00:34:13,359 --> 00:34:18,159
before. So I know mantoage's numbers are
increasing obviously because they have

421
00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:22,159
more people going into the mining sector
than Marathon so to say. But we're being

422
00:34:20,399 --> 00:34:26,000
impacted by the 80 plus individuals who
are living in our community at a camp

423
00:34:24,320 --> 00:34:29,200
with the postal codes other than
Marathon. That's what we need to fight

424
00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:33,280
back with the ministry. So maybe that's
something we have to follow up on and

425
00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:36,639
and really push this back with the
ministry because the mines knows their

426
00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:39,639
postal codes but they're not certainly
pot.

427
00:34:39,679 --> 00:34:48,000
The ministry or sorry uh previously
there was discussions with the mines

428
00:34:45,200 --> 00:34:53,040
that they understood that workers living
in the camp would have their postal

429
00:34:51,040 --> 00:34:57,920
codes as where they're living in
Marathon while they're working.

430
00:34:54,800 --> 00:35:03,200
» Right. And so again, it's up it's to
assume that Hemllo is reporting their

431
00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:09,680
data incorrectly.
>> So we'll we'll follow up and and meet

432
00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:14,880
with the the new owners,
you know, I guess not so new anymore. Um

433
00:35:11,599 --> 00:35:18,079
but with the Hamlow group in the past, I
I think, you know, it was a bit of a

434
00:35:16,240 --> 00:35:22,400
mute audience with Beric knowing that
they were in the sales mode. So we'll

435
00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:29,680
request that meeting uh in the short
term. But to to Mr. Verbbo's point, any

436
00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:37,760
correction we would see in 2027. It
wouldn't be relative to 2026.

437
00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:40,880
» Yeah. So, so I guess yeah, I I
appreciate that and I I know Mr. Kaka

438
00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:44,720
can reach out. He's in town actually.
So, maybe Mr. Scorchinsky, you can reach

439
00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:49,119
out to him and see what the availability
of having discussion around that and uh

440
00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:52,880
and get this clarified because we've
missed out in the last two or three

441
00:35:50,720 --> 00:35:57,839
years on these. I think if if if it's
100% recorded properly and they're all

442
00:35:54,800 --> 00:36:01,280
PO2 postcodes, which I doubt they are,
then fine. But I I guarantee we've lost

443
00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:04,880
a lot of money in the last several
years. And it's not impacting Hemllo

444
00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:10,000
Gold or it wasn't impacting Barrett.
It's impacting Town of Marathon.

445
00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:14,480
» So,
>> who is getting the money from that other

446
00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:17,920
portion where Mand is getting their
kickback, Town of Marathon's getting

447
00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:23,520
ours? Who is getting the money for that
other province? Okay.

448
00:36:21,599 --> 00:36:29,920
Well, that's what I'm saying. So,
>> many years ago, it used to be it was

449
00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:36,079
Marathon Mwto and then all the other
bedroom communities such as uh First

450
00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:42,720
Nations and Wawa and maybe Terrace Bay
and Horn Payne. So, we that was the

451
00:36:39,839 --> 00:36:46,320
understanding and usually that was 10%
to 20%.

452
00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:50,960
» Okay.
>> So, if you don't mind, Mr.

453
00:36:49,599 --> 00:36:53,599
So I know that the government just
announced the Nord funding which is

454
00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:58,079
Northern Ontario resource development
fund that's going to be extended for 5

455
00:36:55,440 --> 00:37:01,359
years. So we really are being impacted
more so than any other community under

456
00:36:59,599 --> 00:37:04,480
the mining and forestry sector for the
impact we're seeing under the meta.

457
00:37:03,119 --> 00:37:08,079
Maybe that's something I can speak to
Minister Piri and see I know they did

458
00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:12,160
the formula there too. There's
communities within that that Nord's

459
00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:15,359
funding model that are getting way more
money than Marathon are and they don't

460
00:37:13,680 --> 00:37:19,280
have any resource-based industry in
their municipality. So the formula was a

461
00:37:17,839 --> 00:37:22,960
little wonky and we did bring it to Mr.
Piri's attention but maybe there's an

462
00:37:21,520 --> 00:37:27,440
opportunity to me to have a discussion
with him minister flack to see under the

463
00:37:25,520 --> 00:37:32,480
the meta if there's something under the
Nords that we can be adjusted for that

464
00:37:30,400 --> 00:37:35,440
that change over that cuz we're going to
see the impact. Same thing with

465
00:37:33,760 --> 00:37:38,480
generation if they uh they announce
construction they're going to have

466
00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:41,359
individuals that are no different than
us. They're going to be living but it's

467
00:37:39,920 --> 00:37:45,920
not falling under the meta but they will
still be impacting our community and not

468
00:37:43,040 --> 00:37:49,520
paying taxes to us. So the camp life is
not a good thing for the taxation

469
00:37:47,839 --> 00:37:53,440
purposes because the impacts are there
on the usage of our our municipalities

470
00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:57,680
but they're not contributing back to the
municipality. I talked to my counterpart

471
00:37:55,440 --> 00:38:01,839
in Red Lake and he sees a huge impact to
his municipality from the camp life

472
00:38:00,160 --> 00:38:05,440
which is great from the taxation from
the mines but not so much from the camp

473
00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:11,440
because it's not considered it's just is
considered a multi- res type facility

474
00:38:08,160 --> 00:38:15,200
but there it's rotational right. So, um,
let's let's continue to work on that,

475
00:38:12,960 --> 00:38:18,560
please.
>> Yeah, Dr. Lake.

476
00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:21,520
» Um, yeah, and I appreciate that that's a
fight we we ought to be having and and

477
00:38:20,160 --> 00:38:27,839
it's a place where we can save residents
money. Ultimately, though, this is a 6

478
00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:32,079
point u whatever percent increase. I'm
just wondering in your world of

479
00:38:29,760 --> 00:38:37,839
treasurers and you talk to other
municipalities in the region, what sort

480
00:38:34,320 --> 00:38:42,320
of uh uh increases are we seeing?
>> It's all over the place.

481
00:38:39,359 --> 00:38:48,640
Yeah, everybody has or they all seem to
have their own individual challenges so

482
00:38:44,960 --> 00:38:57,520
forth and some are better off. Some are
are struggling with lower uh options on

483
00:38:54,160 --> 00:39:02,720
finding money elsewhere.
>> Yeah, it's just I just want you know

484
00:39:01,119 --> 00:39:06,960
more so not so much for council but for
you know for for the public to

485
00:39:04,240 --> 00:39:10,240
understand you know the process you
know. So, you know, last October,

486
00:39:08,720 --> 00:39:14,640
council gave administration the
direction, you know, to bring in the

487
00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:18,720
budget, you know, at a 5% increase. We
did that, you know, when we when we

488
00:39:17,040 --> 00:39:23,599
finalized our budget, you know,
approximately two weeks ago, you know,

489
00:39:20,800 --> 00:39:28,320
we had that increase, you know, at 4.9%
for the residential tax class. you know,

490
00:39:26,400 --> 00:39:32,160
largely based on some things as as you
know, councelor Lake indicated we're

491
00:39:29,839 --> 00:39:36,720
deferring that we shouldn't be deferring
because you defer once, they generally

492
00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:40,400
get deferred twice or three times, you
know. So, we had a finalized budget

493
00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:45,040
based on council's direction, you know,
then we get the notice of, you know, the

494
00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:49,520
meta implications that completely
changes our budget, you know, which now

495
00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:53,839
accounts for the change in increase to
the tax classes, which we have zero

496
00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:57,280
control over yet. we'll go back and and
we'll make sure that the formula is

497
00:39:55,359 --> 00:40:01,680
right. Um but I just want to point out
that you know this is a function of

498
00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:08,119
external forces not internal that are
driving this increase up from the

499
00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:08,119
original direction from council

500
00:40:08,720 --> 00:40:17,599
» and I can get totally geeked out on you
and talk property tax but uh there is a

501
00:40:15,920 --> 00:40:25,599
report that I'll be bringing in May when
we do set the property tax ratios and

502
00:40:20,960 --> 00:40:31,520
the levy amounts each dollar
um of assessment from a mine

503
00:40:29,200 --> 00:40:37,440
equals 2.6%
or 2.6 times the amount of a residence.

504
00:40:34,480 --> 00:40:43,359
So with that $800,000 reduction in
assessment times that by 2.6 means that

505
00:40:40,720 --> 00:40:48,320
much is shifted to the other tax
classes.

506
00:40:45,520 --> 00:40:53,200
» Mr.
>> Yeah, Mr. Chair,

507
00:40:51,280 --> 00:40:56,800
uh that's the frustrating part. I mean,
you know, the I've been around the game

508
00:40:54,560 --> 00:41:00,960
a long time. I used to get 5.4 from the
industrial class has dramatically

509
00:40:58,960 --> 00:41:04,880
changed and the and the government
regardless of of which government has

510
00:41:03,040 --> 00:41:09,920
been in power over the years. I talked
about the the fairness of industrial

511
00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:14,480
rates because you're trying to attract
industry to your communities or to the

512
00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:19,280
province. I get it. But at some point,
the assessment is probably what's really

513
00:41:16,960 --> 00:41:22,800
the thing that has to be addressed and
has, as Mr. Verbbo said even though it's

514
00:41:20,960 --> 00:41:27,119
a special interest property, it hasn't
been addressed since 2016. And at that

515
00:41:24,800 --> 00:41:30,560
time, we made a special deal with the
mines to make sure that neither one of

516
00:41:29,359 --> 00:41:35,440
us were going to take this and challenge
it. So, we agreed on upon a number that

517
00:41:32,800 --> 00:41:40,240
was suitable for both uh both parties.
But that was in 2016. We're 10 years

518
00:41:38,319 --> 00:41:44,160
later and that assessed value hasn't
changed. So, that assessed value also

519
00:41:42,160 --> 00:41:46,800
impacts us and every resident in our
community. So yes, we're not getting the

520
00:41:45,680 --> 00:41:49,920
same amount of money from them
regardless of the meta, but we're also

521
00:41:48,319 --> 00:41:54,000
not getting a fair increased assessment,
but where everybody's home is not being

522
00:41:52,319 --> 00:41:57,760
changed in assessment until there's a
sale, but the reality is we all know our

523
00:41:56,000 --> 00:42:01,040
homes have all increased over those 10
years dramatically. Everybody,

524
00:41:59,680 --> 00:42:04,880
everybody, I don't care who they are in
this community can look at their home

525
00:42:02,560 --> 00:42:07,119
and look at their insurance policy and
say, "What does it cost to rebuild my

526
00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:11,520
home?" And look at the sales in our
community. So in 2016, homes are running

527
00:42:09,200 --> 00:42:16,800
around 130, 120. Today they're running
around 240 to 270 or 300. and the

528
00:42:14,319 --> 00:42:21,760
insurance policy on your home is 500 to
600,000 to rebuild. So that's the

529
00:42:20,400 --> 00:42:24,160
reality. So I know we're going to get
feedback. I'm going to get pressure back

530
00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:28,160
from the municipality, but we're trying
to do the best we can. So there's only

531
00:42:25,839 --> 00:42:34,880
one option, that is to either approve
the 6.35 or or that Mr. Robo presented

532
00:42:32,079 --> 00:42:39,119
or go back to the reserves and remove uh
one% of that and take that money out of

533
00:42:37,680 --> 00:42:45,040
reserve to ship. That's a slippery
slope, but that's an option for council.

534
00:42:41,599 --> 00:42:52,400
council has done this for the last three
years plus we've had three years of

535
00:42:47,599 --> 00:42:57,599
deficits. So we don't have the reserves
>> unless you we we're still trying to

536
00:42:54,720 --> 00:43:03,440
build reserves because last year you
guys agreed for the asset management

537
00:42:59,599 --> 00:43:08,800
plan saying we have to build reserves to
replace the infrastructure that's

538
00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:13,359
75 years old.
100% sir. I'm just I'm just putting out

539
00:43:10,800 --> 00:43:17,880
options on the table for council.
>> Noted.

540
00:43:14,640 --> 00:43:17,880
» Thank you.

541
00:43:18,720 --> 00:43:25,560
» There's no further questions. We'll take
to a vote. Uh all in favor.

542
00:43:29,440 --> 00:43:36,560
» So yeah. So that's it'll come back in
the form of the bylaw.

543
00:43:33,280 --> 00:43:40,160
» Okay. Sure. So, are we sorry are we
having a conversation around

544
00:43:38,560 --> 00:43:44,040
» taking money out of reserves or we just
approving this as it is?

545
00:43:45,200 --> 00:43:50,720
» That's that's up that's council's
decision. If

546
00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:53,520
» I'm going to approve it as is and
>> administration is not recommending it

547
00:43:52,560 --> 00:43:57,200
comes from reserves.
>> I agree with that. You know, it's a

548
00:43:55,119 --> 00:44:01,200
different scenario if it's a if we have
control over the situation. In this

549
00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:05,599
case, it's an external force that's
driving the increase. um you know as you

550
00:44:04,240 --> 00:44:08,720
know it is a slippery slope you start
taking reserves.

551
00:44:06,960 --> 00:44:11,760
» I hear you. I just didn't know if the
debate was now or later

552
00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:16,560
» but we should you know if if that's
going to be the discussion and that

553
00:44:13,119 --> 00:44:21,599
should happen now uh during the report
um and not because we if if changes and

554
00:44:20,160 --> 00:44:25,200
goes that direction we need to amend the
bylaw.

555
00:44:22,800 --> 00:44:28,319
» So it's it doesn't finalize by vote but
we have that discussion now.

556
00:44:26,800 --> 00:44:31,280
» So Mr. Mr. Chair, I just recommend ask
the question if everybody's okay with

557
00:44:29,599 --> 00:44:33,839
the percentage increase as presented by
administration, then it solves it. But

558
00:44:32,720 --> 00:44:36,960
if there's not, then we can have a
debate whether or not it comes out of

559
00:44:34,960 --> 00:44:41,440
reserve.
>> Okay. Is everybody It just needs to be a

560
00:44:40,000 --> 00:44:43,119
straw poll. It doesn't need to be an
action.

561
00:44:41,680 --> 00:44:48,880
» No, that's right. Yeah.
>> Okay. So, just just go just go council

562
00:44:45,280 --> 00:44:55,960
council. Okay. Councelor Lake, I'm okay
approving this. Councelor Bance, I'm

563
00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:55,960
okaying it. Councelor Juliana

564
00:45:00,079 --> 00:45:04,240
Mayor Dubis.
>> Sorry about that. I was muted. I'm I'm

565
00:45:03,040 --> 00:45:08,319
okay with it.
>> Yes. So there's no discussion on on

566
00:45:06,720 --> 00:45:13,599
reserves. Thank you.
>> So the approval will come in the form of

567
00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:18,400
the Okay. Thank you.
>> Wow. Next we have a report on properties

568
00:45:16,400 --> 00:45:22,480
eligible for tax registration. Mr.
Verbbo. According to the tax collection

569
00:45:20,640 --> 00:45:26,800
policy, a list of all properties
eligible for tax registration must be

570
00:45:24,560 --> 00:45:32,560
presented to council. This list is to be
all inclusive. Section 373 of the

571
00:45:29,920 --> 00:45:38,720
municipal act enables the treasurer to
register a tax certificate tax a

572
00:45:35,520 --> 00:45:43,599
certificate against title that to that
land if there are two years of tax

573
00:45:40,960 --> 00:45:48,640
rears. The tax schedules detail the
properties that have taxes outstanding

574
00:45:45,520 --> 00:45:53,520
from 2024 or earlier. Cost of
registering properties approximately

575
00:45:50,480 --> 00:45:58,400
$2,000 per property. All costs
associated with tax registration are

576
00:45:55,920 --> 00:46:04,160
fully recoverable but only providing the
property can be sold. In 2025, there

577
00:46:01,599 --> 00:46:10,480
were 28 properties. This includes seven
Marathon Pulk properties eligible for

578
00:46:07,280 --> 00:46:15,440
registration totaling $86,000 in
outstanding taxes. But this amount

579
00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:20,079
excludes Marathon Fault properties and
the Ministry of Natural Resources

580
00:46:17,200 --> 00:46:25,040
properties. This year there are 36
properties including Marathon Fault plus

581
00:46:22,240 --> 00:46:30,240
the 10 gravel pits owned by the M&R and
are leased to third parties excluding

582
00:46:27,760 --> 00:46:36,920
the six Marathon Fault properties and
the 10 M&R properties. Exposure is now

583
00:46:33,920 --> 00:46:36,920
$342,000.

584
00:46:36,960 --> 00:46:45,760
17 properties are new to the list. Last
year, there were only 10 new uh

585
00:46:42,800 --> 00:46:51,440
first-time residents. 2025, there were
four properties in tax registration

586
00:46:48,319 --> 00:46:55,520
totaling $15,000. This year, there are
now seven with the exposure being

587
00:46:53,520 --> 00:47:00,400
$55,000.
This is being presented for council's

588
00:46:57,839 --> 00:47:06,000
information only.
>> Thank you, Mr. Verbbo. I have a motion

589
00:47:03,200 --> 00:47:10,480
that council hereby attaches the or
sorry that council hereby accepts the

590
00:47:08,480 --> 00:47:14,880
attach report on properties eligible for
tax registration and further that the

591
00:47:12,960 --> 00:47:20,040
report is being presented for members
information purposes only. Can I get a

592
00:47:17,040 --> 00:47:20,040
secretary?

593
00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:28,599
We have any questions on this report?

594
00:47:32,400 --> 00:47:35,800
seeing any.

595
00:47:38,960 --> 00:47:42,599
Thank you, Mr. Verville.

596
00:47:50,319 --> 00:47:57,920
» Uh, next we have a report on the 2025
water treatment plant. Uh, Mr. Paris.

597
00:47:56,319 --> 00:48:04,720
» Hey, thank you. Yeah, in front of you
have the 2025 wastewater plant report.

598
00:48:01,359 --> 00:48:10,000
Uh this is an annual uh submission uh to
council for information purposes. Uh

599
00:48:07,839 --> 00:48:13,839
you'll notice it is a 2025 report from
Northern Waterworks. Uh the report has

600
00:48:12,560 --> 00:48:17,839
been completed in accordance with
condition 114

601
00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:22,880
of the amended uh environmental
compliance approval number 4721

602
00:48:21,680 --> 00:48:28,000
uh which was issued to the town of
Marathon in September of 2017. So the

603
00:48:26,240 --> 00:48:34,079
report covers from January 1st to
December 31st of 2025.

604
00:48:31,680 --> 00:48:38,400
It's intended to provide a performance
record for future reference uh to ensure

605
00:48:36,880 --> 00:48:42,720
that the ministry is made aware of
prompts as they arise and to provide a

606
00:48:41,040 --> 00:48:48,319
compliance record for the terms and the
conditions outlined in the ECA.

607
00:48:45,760 --> 00:48:53,440
So in discussion regarding it's in in in
accordance with condition 104A of the

608
00:48:50,960 --> 00:48:58,800
ECA the annual report must include an
overview the success any adequacy of the

609
00:48:56,000 --> 00:49:03,440
sewage work. So the overall performance
the water quality and flow monitoring

610
00:49:00,880 --> 00:49:11,040
results indicated in Marathon wastewater
treatment plant uh operated successfully

611
00:49:07,040 --> 00:49:15,680
and accurately in 2020 2025.
There was significant improvement in

612
00:49:12,960 --> 00:49:20,480
performance in 2025 with respect to the
effluent total phosphorus reduction and

613
00:49:18,319 --> 00:49:24,880
that stated goals of the sewream plan
program were achieved.

614
00:49:22,800 --> 00:49:28,880
Uh under normal operating conditions the
facility consistently met all other

615
00:49:26,640 --> 00:49:34,000
design objectives and compliance limits
for final effluent parameters. All flows

616
00:49:32,079 --> 00:49:39,119
remain below the rated capacity of the
plant which the plant is rated for 4,400

617
00:49:36,720 --> 00:49:43,040
cubic meters. We average normally about
1,094.

618
00:49:40,720 --> 00:49:47,760
You'll see in normally in March out
higher level based on the runoff of snow

619
00:49:44,960 --> 00:49:53,440
melt. Uh operational notes, there was no
bypasses, overflows, spills or abnormal

620
00:49:51,359 --> 00:49:57,760
discharges occurred during the reporting
period. There was zero customer

621
00:49:55,920 --> 00:50:02,720
complaints received from the Marathon
water system. There was no significant

622
00:50:00,480 --> 00:50:07,760
equipment or process failures occurred
during the reporting period. Copies are

623
00:50:05,599 --> 00:50:11,599
available to report at town hall and on
the town website.

624
00:50:09,920 --> 00:50:15,599
There's no financial implications of it
in our normal annual budgeting that we

625
00:50:13,359 --> 00:50:20,480
recommend at council based on best
practice for improvements, maintenance,

626
00:50:17,119 --> 00:50:25,839
and repairs. Um, and we're bringing this
re st administration is presenting the

627
00:50:22,720 --> 00:50:29,920
2025 uh wastewater treatment plant
report for information purposes only and

628
00:50:28,319 --> 00:50:34,319
I'll take any questions if anyone has
any questions.

629
00:50:31,440 --> 00:50:38,640
» Okay. Thank you, Mr. Paris. Uh, I have a
motion that council hereby accepts the

630
00:50:36,079 --> 00:50:43,440
attached report on 2025 water treatment
plant and further that the report is

631
00:50:40,880 --> 00:50:48,680
being presented for members information
purposes only. Moved by

632
00:50:49,839 --> 00:50:56,800
second by councelor Lake. Any questions
on this board? Mr. Lake uh just so it

633
00:50:55,119 --> 00:50:58,880
was phosphorus last year that was our
adverse

634
00:50:57,599 --> 00:51:02,720
» and it historically is.
>> Okay. And we fixed that problem.

635
00:51:00,720 --> 00:51:06,000
» Well, things ran real good last year. So
hopefully we'll continue and you know a

636
00:51:04,559 --> 00:51:09,440
lot of this now we have to do equipment
and air so we're sampling better. Uh so

637
00:51:08,079 --> 00:51:13,119
those are things that will continue to
improve as we keep moving forward.

638
00:51:11,599 --> 00:51:17,839
» Looks like a A+ report.
>> Yes. Thank you.

639
00:51:14,079 --> 00:51:23,160
» Awesome. Any other questions?
>> Seeing any.

640
00:51:18,880 --> 00:51:23,160
» Thank you Mr. Har. Thank you.

641
00:51:26,480 --> 00:51:32,079
» Okay. Okay. I have a motion to approve
that

642
00:51:30,400 --> 00:51:37,359
council hereby approve the following
check registers for February 26 and

643
00:51:34,480 --> 00:51:41,680
March 2026.
We have to read out the numbers. No, we

644
00:51:39,520 --> 00:51:45,160
just need a move. Okay. Uh mover and
second, please.

645
00:51:51,760 --> 00:51:57,640
Um all in favor?
Thank you.

646
00:52:05,839 --> 00:52:14,559
Okay, I have a motion to approve bylaw
number 2123 being a bylaw to adopt the

647
00:52:12,720 --> 00:52:19,119
estimates of all sums required during
the year 2026 to be read at first,

648
00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:29,480
second, and third time and finally
passed this 27th day of April 2026.

649
00:52:24,160 --> 00:52:29,480
» Second. Awesome. Thank you.

650
00:52:29,760 --> 00:52:35,319
All in favor
you car.

651
00:52:44,400 --> 00:52:53,520
Okay. A proclamation has been received
requesting that May 2020 May 6, 2026 be

652
00:52:50,000 --> 00:52:57,920
proclaimed as Hope Air Day in and for
the town of Marathon in recognition of

653
00:52:55,520 --> 00:53:02,160
the valuable invaluable contributions
made by Hope Air to the health and

654
00:52:59,839 --> 00:53:06,599
well-being of individuals in Ontario's
remote communities.

655
00:53:11,119 --> 00:53:15,160
Get the blueberry in a second there.

656
00:53:16,640 --> 00:53:22,319
Does anybody have any questions about
this motion?

657
00:53:20,319 --> 00:53:27,839
» No, I recognize that you're
>> Yeah, we we've done it uh in the past.

658
00:53:25,680 --> 00:53:31,240
All in favor?
So, thank you.

659
00:53:36,960 --> 00:53:44,559
Uh we have one announcement tonight. Uh,
the town of Marathon will be hosting a

660
00:53:41,359 --> 00:53:50,240
2026 election candidate training session
on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

661
00:53:48,000 --> 00:53:54,079
in the council chambers in partnership
with the township of Ansswatch. Uh the

662
00:53:52,720 --> 00:53:58,640
session will be delivered by a
third-party provider and is intended to

663
00:53:56,720 --> 00:54:02,720
provide an overview of the municipal
election process, roles and

664
00:54:00,880 --> 00:54:07,680
responsibilities of elected officials
and key considerations for prospective

665
00:54:04,960 --> 00:54:13,040
candidates. Members of the public who
are considering running for council in

666
00:54:09,440 --> 00:54:18,160
May in 20 the 2026 municipal election
are encouraged to attend.

667
00:54:15,440 --> 00:54:21,680
So, anybody that's uh interested in uh
the town of Marathon as well as ton of

668
00:54:19,680 --> 00:54:26,839
manage that thinking about running for
council, this would be a great

669
00:54:22,800 --> 00:54:26,839
information session to attend.

670
00:54:27,599 --> 00:54:33,359
And lastly, I have a motion to adjourn.
Oh,

671
00:54:32,079 --> 00:54:37,680
do
>> Yeah, sorry. I have a question if you

672
00:54:35,760 --> 00:54:41,079
don't mind. So, for administration, is
this uh

673
00:54:43,119 --> 00:54:50,640
Oh, you're correct.
Just over overview. Just an overview.

674
00:54:48,480 --> 00:54:57,200
» Yeah. Sorry. Yeah. So, this this isn't a
training session. So, um this is an

675
00:54:54,160 --> 00:55:02,720
overview of what to expect
um when you get elected. Um and also an

676
00:55:00,400 --> 00:55:07,359
opportunity to interact uh with the
facilitators. Of course, when the new

677
00:55:05,119 --> 00:55:12,480
council is elected, there will be a full
orientation and training session um in

678
00:55:10,240 --> 00:55:15,839
December of 2026.
>> Good. Thank you.

679
00:55:18,800 --> 00:55:27,960
Okay, I have a motion uh that we do now
adjourn at the hour of 5:01 p.m.

680
00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:35,400
by
>> all good.

681
00:55:37,520 --> 00:55:41,599
» All in favor? Good. Thank you.
>> Thank you and good night.

682
00:55:40,800 --> 00:55:46,440
» Good night everybody.
>> Good night. Good night. Thank you.