November 23, 04 Minutes for the Meeting of the Village of Burks Falls

THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The Regular meeting of the Burk’s Falls Council was held on Tuesday November 23, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. All members of the Council were present. Len Hall, Village Foreman, was also present to give his report.
A contingent from the Muskoka – Parry Sound Health Unit headed by Tobacco Project Officer Michael Kuntz and consisting of Public Health Nurses Christine Fitchett and Liz Sims and Alicia Tyson Heart Health Project Officer attended this meeting. They gave a power point presentation on the health hazards of exposure to second-hand smoke and why municipalities should consider passing smoke-free by-laws. They informed Council of those municipalities that have already passed smoke-free by-laws and those that are working on one.

The following resolutions were passed:

Bruce Campbell – Lewis Hodgson:
That we adopt the minutes of the October 26, 2004 meeting as circulated.

Bruce Campbell – Cathy Still:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls will make a financial commitment to the new North Bay Regional Health Centre Project in the amount of $ 6,000.00 per year for a maximum of 5 years starting in 2005.

Cathy Still – Lewis Hodgson:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls nominates Bruce Campbell to sit on the transition Steering Committee as a representative for the District of Parry Sound and that this be circulated to the participating municipalities.

Lewis Hodgson – Cathy Still:
Whereas the Province of Ontario has announced that Dr. Sheela Basrur, Chief Medical Officer of Health will exercise her authority to assume the powers of the Muskoka Parry Sound Board of Health.
And whereas Patricia Buchanan has been appointed Transition Director and it is important for the residents of the District of Parry Sound that during and after the transition of service delivery to the North Bay & District Health Unit that their concerns be addressed.
Now therefore be it resolved that:
1. There be no job loss experienced by those providing health unit services in the Parry Sound District communities.
2. There be no loss in the availability of health unit services or local facilities in the communities in Parry Sound District.
3. Representation on the Health Unit Board be adequate to provide meaningful voice for the people of Parry Sound District. This would necessitate that representation be done by other than population or determined by a formula which considers seasonal population and financial contributions.
4. Access to the Board be available in an appropriate and reasonable manner, unlike what has resulted from the creation of the Near North District School Board.
5. The disposition of assets and liabilities of the Muskoka Parry Sound Health Unit be done in a fair and equitable manner, with Parry Sound assuming none of the liabilities for fixed assets located in the District of Muskoka.
6. All costs for transition of the Muskoka Parry Sound Health Unit and the merging with the Simcoe and North Bay Health Units be assumed by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
And Further that this Resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Health & Long Term Care, the Transition Director for consideration.

Lewis Hodgson – Cathy Still:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls authorizes Rex Smith to attend the annual OGRA/ROMA Conference in Toronto on February 20 – 23, 2005.

Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell:
That the Village of Burk’s Falls Municipal Office will be closed from December 27, 2004 to December 30, 2004 for the Christmas season and January 3rd, 2005.

Cathy Still – Rex Smith:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls gives a Christmas bonus to the following:
Jarvis Osborne, $ 125.00, Linda Maurer $ 125.00, Sherri McIntyre $75.00, Len Hall $125.00,
Trevor Hall $ 75.00, Derek Smith $ 125.0, Pauline Caissey $ 50.00. Volunteer drivers: Wally Murumets, Jim Villemaire, Murray Ticknor and Leo Bodner - $ 50.00 each, Library Board members Beverly Norenna and Dianne Mehaffey $ 50.00 each, Dale Trinier for cutting the grass at the ball diamonds in the amount of $ 50.00.

Lewis Hodgson – Cathy Still:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls authorizes the Clerk/Treasurer to send out Registered Letters to those persons who are three years in Tax Arrears.
And, that, Tax Registration proceedings will begin on January 3, 2005 for those persons who remain 3 years in arrears.

Rex Smith – B. Campbell:
That the attached list of water and seer arrears accounts be written off as they are deemed uncollectable.
And, that these accounts will be placed in the bad debt account for possible future collection.

Lewis Hodgson – Cathy Still:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have no objection to the Santa Claus Parade Committee closing Hwy. 520 Ontario Street from Huston Street to Yonge Street and Yonge Street from Ontario Street to Centre Street on December 4, 2004 from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm for the annual Santa Claus parade provided the Ontario Provincial Police, the Burk’s Falls & District Fire Department and the Ambulance Base have been notified of the closure for detouring.

Cathy Still – Rex Smith:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls puts the Burk’s Falls portion of the expected $10,000.00 Fire Department 2004 Budget surplus in the amount of $ 3,000.00 into a reserve fund for future use.

Cathy Still – Rex Smith:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls do not object to Gary Binkley – Discount Tackle & Outdoor Equipment located at 206 Ontario Street selling “Ammunition Only”.

Rex Smith – Cathy Still:
That we approve the application to conduct a Raffle lottery as presented by the Land of Lakes School Council provided all regulations are adhered to.

Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell:
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the letter to the Ministry of Consumer & Business Services from the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
And that the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls supports the concerns expressed in this report;
And that our support be sent to the City of Sault Ste. Marie for their presentation to the Ministry of Consumer & Business Services.

Rex Smith – Cathy Still:
That we accept the Accounts Payable as presented up to and including November 23, 2004 in the amount of $ 90,129.02 and hereby authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue cheques for same.

Cathy Still – Rex Smith:
That we do now adjourn at 22:37 pm until the next scheduled meeting on December 21, 2004.

Jarvis W. Osborne
Clerk/Treasurer