WHITEWATER REGION — Whitewater Region council reviewed the 2018 quarterly report of all departments at the March 20 council meeting.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay — (report only, as he was absent).
A new council brings new ideas and priorities. We continue to see growth in our township and the addition of a planner/economic development officer will assist us in attracting development and supporting existing businesses.
He noted he continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks & Treasurers of Ontario; achieved his Accredited Ontario Municipal Clerk designation and met the on-going maintenance requirements for his Certified Municipal Officer delegation.
Councillor Neil Nicholson responded, “I had no idea he was an AOMC and maintains requirements for CMO designation and is on the board of directors for the AMCTO, as well as balancing our very busy small municipality, I think that’s excellent.
“Those skills and those contacts and that networking he brings it back and we are benefitting and see some of those benefits now.
“I wanted to recognize him publicly and thank him for his hard work.”
Councillor Charlene Jackson noted there are many staff who have designations who should be recognized that council is not aware of. She asked if the CAO could bring a report back so that all of council knows the certifications that have been accomplished.
CAO Office: Ms. Collins reported in CAO Tremblay’s absence. Bruce Beakley from the county will review the CAO’s employment contract and council remuneration; Councillor Chris Olmstead was appointed as the alternate to the Reeve at County Council and Reeve Cathy Regier was appointed as the township’s deputy-head of council; and a review of the municipal organizational structure was undertaken; Tony Fleming was appointed the township’s Integrity Commissioner/Closed Meeting Investigator; a length of service recognition policy was adopted and staff members were presented with their recognitions for every five years of continuous employment.
There are approximately 32 full-time staff, including two seasonal/temporary drivers/operators. The volunteer firefighters and librarians were not included in this count.
Planning: there were three severances, three re-zoning and two minor variance applications were considered. In 2018, the County of Renfrew received 29 written planning responses for the township with an additional 26 counter and other inquiries, noted Carmen Miller, township clerk.
“We’re very busy,” she said.
New planner Ivan Burton noted work was completed on five previously approved Community Improvement Plan grants. The Glasshouse Botanics Development in the industrial park is well under way with discussions on the commencement of Phase 2 in the spring. There has been interest in properties in the township for new business expansion, he noted.
Coun. Nicholson questioned if the industrial park needed to be expanded.
Public works manager Janet Collins noted a report is coming to council by June regarding the industrial park.
Environmental Services: Ms. Collins noted the extent of flooding from the Ottawa River will not be known for a few more weeks. However, forecasts can be found at ottawariver.ca/forecast.php. Catch basis were replaced on Kerr Line as part of the Stanley Black Municipal Drain.
Health and Safety Manager Steve Hodson noted a grant submission was filed through the Save on Energy Retrofit Program to retrofit the streetlights in La Passe with LED lights and staff is reviewing opportunities for bulk purchasing for electricity accounts.
In the water and wastewater departments, Mr. Hodson noted there are no outstanding non-compliance issues with the Haley Drinking Water System; Crawl Construction completed the replacement of two fire hydrants in Cobden as well as one within Beachburg; the Truelove/John/Crawford streets project is substantially complete, with the contractor returning in the spring to address some issues with sidewalks and entrances; a Cobden Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade construction meeting was held and items discussed including trailer and yard set-up, shop drawings, prep work for excavations, drilling and blasting, etc. Sub-Contractor BEI is removing the rock.
Coun. Jackson said staff should ensure they are not putting the rock on Astrolabe Road, since, as far as she knows, no permission was granted to allow this.
“It’s not their road, it’s a municipal road” she said, adding, “They need permission from council. They don’t own the road, but it’s nice if they are doing the work for free, but council must realize what’s going on on our roads.”
Waste Management: Mr. Hodson reported that in the fourth quarter, scrap tires on rims were still not being accepted, which had been happening for 18 months. However, that has since changed and tires and rims are now being accepted. About half the stock-pile of tires/rims were removed.
National Grinding completed both the brush, clean leaf and yard waste pile as well as the lumber pile – the grindings will be used for cover at the landfill in the winter, he noted.
A topographic survey of the landfill site was completed and it was determined that approximately 9,050m3 of compacted waste and cover material was landfilled in 2018. With an estimated 213,350m3 of remaining capacity, the landfill should last another 21 years.
“This summer, some reports will be coming to council specifically on the estimated life expectancy of the landfill,” Mr. Hodson said.
Mayor Mike Moore questioned if amount of garbage increasing or decreasing. Mr. Hodson said the township averages 8,500 cm a year.
Government: Treasurer Sean Crozier noted the fourth installment of county and four school levies were paid to a total of $1,264 million. He noted the year-end financial statements will be presented to council at the April 20 council meeting. Efficiencies have been completed in this department, including daily bank deposits, cash receipting done more efficiently; address changes updated more frequently and bank reconciled in a timely manner which allows for more accurate reporting.
Legislative Services: Ms. Collins reported that 48.44% was the turnout for the 2018 municipal election. Voting was extended by one day due to issues with Dominion Voting. Six lottery licences were issued.
Health and Safety: Mr. Hodson reported that 20 inspections were executed throughout the workplace, including the public works garages, library, arenas and municipal office.
Building Services: Chief Building Official Doug Schultz noted 56 building permits were issued with $11,972 in fees collected; five new single family detached dwellings were built valued at $1,475 million.
Mr. Schultz noted the total building value for 2018 topped $20 million, including the sewage plant.
By-law services and Animal Control: 710 dog tags were sold in 2018 for total revenue of $13,924.
“We still have an issue with cats,” Mr. Schultz said, “even though we asked people here in Cobden to help us, it’s working out. It’s not as bad as it used to be.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned if dog tag numbers are up or down. He said years ago, when someone went door-to-door in the township, there used to be about 2,000 sold.
Mr. Schultz said the dog tags have decreased with no one going door-to-door.
“Maybe council might want to look at that,” he suggested, with Coun. McLaughlin agreeing.
Coun. Nicholson questioned if the CAO was going to review having dog tags. Mr. Schultz said CAO Tremblay is reviewing dog tags with a report coming to council.
The township’s appointed livestock valuer is Bill Tripp. There were two claims in the final quarter of 2018, one for $915 and another for $1,600.
Fire Prevention and Education: Chief Jonathan Wilker said firefighters provided public education at local schools during Fire Prevention Week in October. Fire inspectors conducted annual inspections and responded to complaints from the public at several apartment and assisted living buildings. He noted the new Foresters Fall’s pumper truck was put in service Nov. 1 and the Automatic Aid Agreement with Admaston/Bromley township was renewed.
The fire department responded to 18 calls, including a large structure fire on Magnesium, the former Ross Mineview School.
Thirty people attended the open house/recruitment information session, and of those, 19 were hired, Chief Wilker said.
Forty burn permits were issued in the final quarter.
Coun. McLaughlin questioned if fire wardens are being reviewed and Chief Wilker said a report is coming to council next month.
Recreation and Tourism: Community Services Manager Jordan Durocher said health and safety training was carried out including a four-day Basic Arena Refrigeration course. He noted there were 1,330 hours of ice rentals throughout the final quarter.
Taste of the Valley was successful with 144 vendors spaces and a total of $1,609 put into reserves. The County will now handle the administration side of all signature events to alleviate the administration burden of event organizers to collect fees.
Boat launch repairs were completed and the docks removed and stored for the winter.
Transportation Services: Ms. Collins said National Resources Canada placed seismic activity monitoring equipment in Cobden. Following a review of the data, it was determined a permanent monitoring system will be placed into the municipal building.
Engineering design for Simpson Street in Cobden and Hume Street in Beachburg continues.
Trees at the rear of the Westmeath Arena were cut down and taken away; gravel was placed on Westross, Scobie, Bennett and Helmer roads and Spent Trail. Ross sand shed was emptied of sand by the end of December, requiring additional sand to be hauled to the dome. There were 29 weather events that required plowing and sanding/salting.
Sand bags are available if necessary during the spring flood.
