Madawaska Valley Council met as Council in Committee (CiC) on January 14. As previously reported, because the January Council meeting had been cancelled, Council agreed to deal with any time-sensitive issues during the CiC meeting.
Road Needs Study
The Operations standing committee reviewed the Madawaska Valley Road Needs Study Report from engineering consultants D.M. Wills. Based on the consultants’ assessment of the Township’s 254 km road infrastructure system completed in October 2019, their study begins with a statement that “0 percent (0 km) of the road network has a Structural “NOW” need, 10 percent (-25 km) has a Structural “1-5” year need, and 15 percent (-36 km) of the road network has a Structural “6-10” year need.
Councillor Carl Bromwich suggested that it not be posted to the municipal website saying, “It’s not set in stone. People might assume because it’s in the six-year plan that they are going to get that done in six years.” CAO Suzanne Klatt responded that the Road Needs Studies have always been on the website with an explanation that it was a tool for Council and Committee to use, and was subject to change due to unforeseen events such as flood damage. She suggested it go on the website and be updated annually with an appendix showing completed work, amendments, etc. as this would also be useful at budget time.
Mayor Kim Love pointed out that the study estimates an annual expenditure of $1.3 million optimally for the total resurfacing program and said the municipality has spent “nowhere near that number.” She said this indicated that the municipality is “in a position where we can’t spend less to maintain our roads and we should very much so be spending more over time.” Editor’s note: The 2019 budget estimated $3.7 million for Roadway Capital Construction Expense, and showed this was offset in part by federal Gas Tax of $273,000 and Ontario specific grants of $2.9 million.
Members of Council discussed other aspects of the study including other estimated figures. They congratulated MV Operations Department for monitoring roads and conducting “Just-In-Time” repairs. Editor’s note: MV staff previously explained to The Current that this system deals with smaller problems before they develop into larger, more expensive ones.
Fire vehicles update
Chief Fire Officer Corwin Quade told Council that the new pumper trucker is expected to arrive in early 2021 and CAO Klatt confirmed that no money is paid out until the truck is complete. Quade said the Fire Department would pick up the new Rescue Truck within days to have it serviced, so he expects it to be ready for use the week of Jan. 20. He also confirmed that MV Fire Department now has a full complement of volunteer firefighters in both Halls.
Review underway of all Committees of Council
CAO Klatt reported that pursuant to direction from Council, staff is meeting with all Committees of Council to review their terms of reference or memoranda of understanding, hopefully by early February. Stephanie Plebon, Recreation and Community Development Coordinator, provided the Township’s insurer’s requirements for community groups and volunteers using municipal facilities. Mayor Love said all committees should provide their plans and budgets to MV before budget time since one of the insurer’s conditions is that “all finances are directed by Council or at least approved by Council.” She said the goal for the committee review is to ensure that all Committees of Council and community groups are treated in a similar fashion, depending on whether their relationship with the municipality is via a Memorandum of Understanding or a Facilities Use Agreement.
Mayor Love reviewed the insurer’s risk management outline for volunteers and said as more volunteer groups come forward to provide recreation programs it would be useful to have a plan including job descriptions and volunteer recognition. Councillor Willmer agreed that volunteers should be protected and recognized, and that all committees would benefit from this information. Council moved that staff look into developing a Volunteer Plan.
By-Laws
Several Planning By-Laws received third and final reading: 2019-92 (SRA along Green Lake); 2019-100 (SRA along Kamaniskeg Lake); 2019-101 (SRA along Wadsworth Lake); 2019-102 (SRA along Kamaniskeg Lake).
Council gave first, second and third final readings to By-Law 2020-01 to amend the Municipal Funding Agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario regarding the Main Street Revitalization Initiative. The amendment allows the municipality to extend completion and reporting dates for the project in order to construct a gazebo at the Combermere wharf.
Staff and Council remuneration
- CAO Klatt reported on the Union Contract Renewal, saying there was no need for mediation or legal advice during negotiation. She said the municipality stuck to a three-year term rather than the five-year term requested, so as to stay within the term of Council. Council accepted the report as information and dealt with the details of the Collective Agreement in camera.
- Council passed a By-Law regulating the appointment, duties and remuneration of Township Officers and Non-Unionized Staff.
- The final By-Law passed on January 14 by Council provided for remuneration for members of Council. During 2020, Councillors will receive $1,705.51 per month ($20,466.12 per year) and the Mayor will receive $2,359.70 each month ($28,316.40 annually). The remuneration for members of Council was increased by 2.2 percent from 2019 amounts.
Support to reduce plastic waste
Council did not support a request from the City of Woodstock to help fund public education but did resolve to provide instead a letter in support of a province-wide harmonized ban on single-use plastic handled shopping bags in a motion brought by Councillor Willmer and seconded by Councillor Shulist. Deputy Clerk Gwen Dombroski suggested the move be publicized by the municipality.
February meeting schedule
- Feb. 4 10:00 a.m. Council in Committee
- Feb. 14 10:00 a.m. Special Council Meeting re Strategic Plan
- Feb. 18 4:00 p.m. Council
- Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 10:00 a.m. Special Council Meeting both days re 2020 budget