THE VILLAGE OF BURK’S FALLS
COUNCIL MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Burk’s Falls Council was held on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 7:00 pm. Present were Reeve Ron Russell, Councillors Bruce Campbell, Rex Smith, Cathy Still and Lewis Hodgson (7:30pm).

Delegations at this meeting:
Bob Hall: Winterfest Chairman thanked Council for their previous assistance and co-operation. He reported their financial situation was such that it was not necessary to ask for assistance for the 2007 Winterfest.
Jill Latendre: Concerned citizen and business woman regarding the revitalization of the downtown core in the Village. Some of her ideas put forward were to hire an economic development officer; need for a meeting place for the teenagers i.e. something for them to look after on their own under guidelines; and to become part of the Communities in Bloom.
Judy Ransome: Century 21 to ask Council for permission to put benches in various places in the Village such as at the Stan Darling Village Green, the Arena, the Library/Seniors Building, the Welcome Centre or other locations where Council felt they would be used. Council was very receptive to the idea. When Judy gets more info on the type of bench and where she can get them she will bring this to Council.
Brian Darnbrough: By-Law Enforcement gave his report and asked direction from Council as to letters regarding Property Standards. He was told to proceed as set out under the by-law.

The following resolutions were passed:
2006-171
B. Campbell – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls adopts the minutes of the September 26, 2006 , September 27, 2006 and October 11, 2006 meeting as circulated.

2006-172
B. Campbell – Cathy Still
We approve the application to conduct a raffle lottery as presented by Vic Fell Memorial Legion Br. 405 provided all regulations are adhered to.

2006-173
B. Campbell – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls amend the 2006 Budget to transfer up to $15,000.00 as required from the fire reserve fund to meet expenses for the new tanker.

2006-174
Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approve the application to conduct a raffle lottery as presented by the Burk’s Falls United Church provided all regulations are adhered to.

2006-175
Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell
Whereas the gap between the transfers from the province and the cost of social programs is growing and is now estimated by the Association o Municipalities at over $3 Billion; and

Whereas delays in balancing the cost of delivering services with the ability to pay are resulting in delayed maintenance of infrastructure, reduced municipal services and property tax increases across the province; and

Therefore be it resolved that in the opinion of the Council of the Village of Burk’s Falls that the provincial government’s currently proposed Provincial-Municipal fiscal and Service Delivery Review (which will not be completed until February 2008, after the next provincial election) is needlessly drawn out and that a full review to balance the delivery of service with the ability to pay should be completed much more expediently, in order to avoid hitting taxpayers with unsustainable property tax hikes or significant reductions in service.

2006-176
Cathy Still – B. Campbell
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls approve support to the Annual Santa Claus Parade Committee in the amount of $250.00.

2006-177
Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson
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 2, 2006 from 11:30am to 2pm for the Annual Santa Claus Parade provided the Ontario Provincial Police, the Burks Falls & District Fire Department and the Ambulance Base have been notified of the closure for detouring.

2006-178
Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson
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 2, 2007 for those persons who remain three years in tax arrears.

2006-179
B. Campbell – Lewis Hodgson
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the Tender as presented for plowing, sanding/salting at the Seniors Centre/Library from Brian Darnbrough in the amount of $40.00 snow plowing per time, $12.00 snow shovelling per time $13.00 sanding/salting per time. Proof of liability insurance to be provided.

2006-180
B. Campbell – Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the tender from Whitmell Ltd. for 2006 - 2007
Winter Maintenance as follows

Item 1- Grader & Operator for snowploughing streets:
$75.00 per hour including G.S.T.

Item 2- Loader at stockpile & truck with sanding unit & operator.
$65.00 per hour including G.S.T.

Item 3- Supply loader with operator:
$59.00 per hour including G.S.T.

Supply truck with operator for hauling and removing snow.
$59.00 per hour including G.S.T.

2006-181
Rex Smith – Lewis Hodgson
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the tender from Whitmells
To supply 1500 cubic yards of sand and mix with salt. Salt to be supplied by the Village of Burk’s Falls.
Price per cubic yard $7.25 plus GST & PST in the amount of $7.89 for a total of $11,835.00.

2006-182
Cathy Still – B. Campbell
That the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls purchase a Remembrance Day Wreath in the amount of $57.00 from the Vic Fell Memorial Legion Br. 405.

2006-183
B. Campbell – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls authorize the replacement of two pumps (volutes and suction elbows) in the east pump station and motor rebuilding in the estimated amount of $ 24,000.00 as prepared by Bill Pleasance of OCWA.

2006-184
Lewis Hodgson – B. Campbell
With regrets the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the resignation of Charlie Allair from the Burk’s Falls Cemetery Commission.

2006-185
Cathy Still – B Campbell
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls have read the resolution circulated by the City of Port Colborne expressing concern with MPAC;

Whereas MPAC is now requesting a $16 million dollar increase (or 11%) to their overall budget to hire an additional 225 staff and establish a larger bureaucracy;

And Whereas the additional funding will do nothing to fix the root of the problems facing the present assessment program for property values and provide no relief to the taxpayer;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls hereby objects to any further downloading of costs fro MPAC to the local taxpayer and hereby urges the Provincial government to take immediate action and fix the flaws of the property assessment system;

And further that our resolution be directed to the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario and the Honourable Greg Sorbara, Ministry of Finance for their consideration.

2006-186
Rex Smith – Cathy Still
The Council for the Village of Burk’s Falls accepts the Accounts Payable as presented up to and including October 24, 2006 in the amount of $126,290.19 , and hereby authorize the Clerk/Treasurer to issue cheques for same.

2006-187
Rex Smith – Cathy Still
We do now adjourn at 21:25 until the next scheduled meeting of council on November 28, 2006.


Jarvis W. Osborne
Clerk/Treasurer