The Regular Council Meeting for the Township of Whitewater Region convened on 4:45pm on Thursday, December 2nd, to discuss the Third W, streamed to Youtube on the Whitewater Region Official.
Commander Stephen Neufeld and Commander Dawn Ferguson presented on behalf of the Ontario Provincial Police, via video call, after some technical delays.
Commander Ferguson began the presentation, but could not be heard over the stream.
Councillor Jackson asked about a “big incident” around Cobden, but the answer couldn’t be heard.
The audio quality did not improve over the course of the presentation and question period, and would cut out entirely at different periods.
Shawn Behnke account replied in chat that they were ‘working on the issue’. The audio did not improve, and the officers’ video feeds cut.
A recess was called at 5:01pm in order to resolve the issue.
The Mayor informed the Commanders they were going to cut them off, and that they would “touch base”, before ending the call.
Third Quarter Report
The Council then received the Third Quarter report for the Township of Whitewater Region.
CAO Robert Trembley said that the council “had been busy,” with the Cobden Boat Launch Overhaul and the Powers’ Road work.
“As the meetng today, hybrid meeting have technical requirements.” he said, referring to the OPP presentation difficulties earlier.
Ivan Burton then reviewed the Committee of Adjustment, saying they had met three times and been successful.
He said there wre 90 permits issues and they’ve said they’d approved six CIP Grants.
Treasurer Sean Crozier said they had added 21 vendors to TIP payments.
“There was a slow with Covid for lottery licenses.” Trembley said. “But that has been on the rise again.”
He said 19 staff members were now certified for CPR and defibrillator.
He then covered parks and recreation on behalf of Jordan Durocher, who did not physically attend.
“The dressing rooms are now able to be used.” Trembley said. “We now have an industrial fogger that can disinfect and clean the rooms while maintaining social distancing.”
For parks and trails, he said that they utilized three Park students to clean the parks, despite new COVID guidelines.
He said that the Cobden boat launch was successful, and that a new derby “would soon be upon us.”
Mayor Moore asked what would be required for public skating.
Trembley said that Durocher said it would start shortly, and the concerns are regarding health guidelines.
Councillor Olmstead asked about the work to extend Algonquin trail to Turcotte sideroad, and naming rights for a piece of the trail.
Trembley said he knew the County had completed some of the trail, but that any naming will be the County’s issue.
Councillor McLaughlin said the Civitan had some money for the trail, but it was never used.
Trembley said that they had had issues recruited crosswalk attendants, but more children were using the service.
29 Fire services calls were used, including 2 vehicle extractions.
“In terms of emergency management, our emergency control group has meet weekly, as needed, and will meet.”
Reeve Regier said that Renfrew County had two consecutive days with no active cases.
Councillor Olmstead asked what would be done about 911 calls picked up by the Quebec network, and that people were told to use 188 along the border in the summer month, and that they should produce an information campaign.
He also asked about mental health, and the OPP appointing a mental health nurse, and whether it influenced calls for service.
He also said domestic police calls were unusual high. “We’re already over, and it’s only been three quarters.”
Trembley said that he would follow up with the OPP detachment commanders, and that Covid had affected certain types of crime, with “women being more susceptible to Covid, and to domestic abuse.”
Councillor McLaughlin wanted an overview report of emergency calls in the region, and they had received a monthly report in the past.
Trembley said that he would talk with Commander Neufeld about it.
Mayor Moore said that it had been done monthly originally.
Roads Superintendent Randy Buckwalt said that the new flail mower, used to move ditches and roadsides, had arrived and was deployed, on July 6, and the
There was also a breakin at the Ross landfill in July 15, no damage, but cash register front plate was damaged.
The Forester’s falls library also received a new water pump.
“What kind of loser breaks into the dump?” Councillor Mackay asked.
“I can’t answer that.” Superintendent Steve Hodson said.
Councillor McLaughlin asked if the Hazardous Waste day only ran to 1pm, rather than 2, which Steve Confirmed.
The mayor asked if there would be two Hazardous Waste Days in 2021.
“I will book two, like I always do.” he said.
Mayor Moore also asked about Lacroix Bay.
Lane Cleroux said that was taken out for one season so it could be painted in the new year.
CAO Trembley asked if there were any questions on the Variance reports, and there were done.
Reeve Regier thanked all the staff for their efforts.
Concillor McLaughlin said that the residents on the Curr Line were “happy”.
The measure was voted on, and carried.
Announcements
Reeve Regier said that Cameron Duvet of Beachburg received the Annual Warden’s Community Service Award from the County of Renfrew, which the Reeve presented personally.
“Cam has maintained fifty kilometers for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing trails in the region.” she said. “Cam’s outstanding leadership makes him deserving of this award.
The council gave a round of applause.
Regier said that she had asked the County to reconsider the recommendation tha the postponed definitely date of April 2021 be moved up to August 2021, for the request for delegated authority.
She said she would request a notice of motion in January.
“It’s nice that the delegation of authority is still there.”
Councillor McLaughlin said that the Whitewater Library Board was having a fundraiser, selling tickets for $5, and would be the only fundraiser this year.
The Mayor asked if the fishing derby was going on, which McLaughlin confirmed, and said he would get back with the dates.
“We need good news, we haven’t had any in a while.” the Mayor said.
Councillor Nicholson said that the Westmeath Arena ramp’s video had 16,000 views on Facebook.
Blue Box Program
The council heard a recommendation in relation to the new bluebox regulation.
Steve Hodson said that the new program would head into 2025 to get all the municipalities on board.
He said it was focusing on a ‘common collection system’ for the province, “standardizing the materials collected.”
“It really is focused on expanding the program into regions that don’t have a bluebox program, usually because they are under 5000 people.” Hodson said.
“What’s really going to affect us is that we have our collection contract collecting commercial establishment. When this goes full producer responsibility, they don’t do commercial, they only collect residential. At that point, we’re going to have to decide how we are going to service our commercial establishments.”
He also said that the depot aren’t going to cover it either.
“The regulation is to see that it’s a seamless translation to full producer responsibility.”
He said they had selected 2025 as their preferred transition date, and most of the province had the same.
Councillor Mackay asked if there would be a federal ban on single plastic bags.
Steve said the federal government was pushing for a ban, but he couldn’t confirm.
The mayor said that they would leave it ‘until it was pushed on everyone.”
Councillor Nicholson asked if farms were considered commercial.
“I can’t truly answer that.” Hodson said. “As it stands now, I think they’d be counted as residential.”
Nicholson asked about plastic baling wrap and its disposal.
“As far as I know, it will have to be landfill.” Hodson said. “To recycle, it has to be clean, and it’s hard to keep that clean.”
“It’s been attempted.” Hodson said. “We tried it in PEI, and it just didn’t work. The farmers are paying at the landfill right now, and with our new user fees, they’re going to pay more. So is that going to influence them to perhaps burn it? It may.”
Nicholson then asked if the recycling costs would be reduced to zero after that.
Treasurer Crozier said he could not answer that.
“It could be similar to the livestock claims, where we are the middle, where we process payment.”
CAO Trembley said that other municipalities would be the ‘guinea pigs’ and that they would have examples to work with.
Lane Cleroux said that the Township wouldn’t be involved in collection “at all” when it was implemented.
Reeve Regier asked if there was a way to tell if the municipality was using blueboxes to their full extent.
Hodson said that the only information they had on that was yearly tonnage, and that he would get that information.
The motion was voted on and carried.
Pitch-in Program
There was a recommendation for the council to receive a report about the Pitch-in Week Litter Collection and Adopt-a-road campaigns.
Steve Hodson said that it was a “great program” that needed little input from the Township.
He also outlined the Adopt-a-Road program, and that could be done through the County website.
“It’s a little tedious actually, but it’s all done in the name of safety.” he said.
Councillor Jackson said that she “hesitates to think that the Township would get involved in our own Adopt-a-Road”, but said she would like to see it.
She said that the organization and equipment would be “nearly impossible” due to COVID.
She also said that it may have to be done more than once a year, suggesting every two months.
“It can work if people follow through, and I guess if the staff follow through with the people who have followed up.”
Hodson said that the Township “never really collected”. He said they often let community members who organized independently to clean up roads into the landfill for free.
“I’ve seen it working and it’s nice, but it doesn’t happen anymore.” Councillor McLaughlin said. “It’s been phased out.”
“It’s to try and keep [the community] motivated every year.” he said. “And that’s where it falls apart.”
Future Meetings
The Council addressed the 2021 meeting calendar.
CAO Trembley said the report suggests that they skip the January 6th meeting for Christmas reports.
He also said that due to how often they met in July and August, despite having no scheduled meetings, they would now schedule on at the start of every month.
Councillor Jackson asked if they should be providing food for 4:45pm councillor meetings.
“I come from work, and other council members come from work, and I don’t think it’s fair to wait so long from lunch at noon.” she said. “It’s hard to function on an empty stomach with the kind of budgets we cover.”
CAO Trembley said that originally 5 Councillors had supported a 4pm time, and 4:45 was the compromise.
“I hope that those marathon meetings and those hard, hard issues aren’t normal.” he said, but he needed to find another balance, and there was a budget for food.
Councillor Jackson moved that it be provided ‘every meeting date’ regardless of the meeting length.
Councillor McLaughlin agreed, saying that “need to have regular meals” due to a medical problem, and that it lead to “not making wise decisions.”
“You just can never time a meeting.” Reeve Regier said in agreement.
CAO Trembley told the Mayor that they can take that as direction.
CAO Trembley also proposed to close totally on the 24th of December and open on the 31st, rather than a half day for each.
CAO Trembley confirmed that unless there was a snow event, they would not have to attend.
Councillor Jackson said that them coming in on Christmas Day would ‘not count as overtime.’
CAO Trembley said that he would check to confirm, and take it as direction.
The motion for non-union staff to be off on the 24th and work all 31st was carried.
The issue of meals were taken as direction.
Councillor Nicholson asked if the Road Tour could be inserted into the calender, including a facility tour for the Council to see the roads and facilities.
Lane Cleroux confirmed that the non-union snow workers would have to work if it snowed, and 24th and New years eve were “not listed.”
Brum’s Creek Dam
The Council heard a Notice of Motion of the Council’s support of a complete replacement of the Forester’s Falls dam at Brum’s Creek, and to overview road safety during the replacement, and to send it to the County to confirm.
“I am hopeful that we are supported in this.” Reeve Regier said, having put forward the notice of motion.
Councillor Nicholson thanked the Reeve for putting forward the motion.
He said that the community input had been ‘thin’, but that they would be collecting all their opinions by December 7th.
“I’m quite in support of this.” Councillor McLaughlin said. “I think the community’s in support of this. Dave Alexander’s put a lot of work into this.”
He said he would like to be known of the final decision before it was made public.
Councillor Mackay raised concerns over increased nitrate after the Osceola mill and rapids were taken out.
“I don’t trust them.” he said.
The motion was carried.
Final Draft Budget Documents
The Council received the Budget documents prior to the December 9th, outlining the Budget meetings.
Councillor Nicholson outlined the report, including the 2.5 levy increase and other costs covered in previous meetings.
He confirmed that the Township would be receiving OCIF funding for one of their project.
The report was accepted.
Cogego Connection to Improving Connectivity Program.
The Council heard a motion to support Cogeco connection as part of the ICON funding program with a contribution of $7000.
Planner Burton said that they had been working with local internet providers to expand services, and that this contribution was towards that.
The project is to connect 78 homes in Forester’s Falls.
“I know 7000 doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s the fact that we’re partnering.” Councillor Nicholson said. “I think it’s a great first step.”
The motion was carried and it was accepted.
Sale of Land Industrial Park
The Council heard a motion to go forward with the sale of vacant land east of Muskrat lake,at the end of Industrial Park Road.
CAO Trembley did not know the acres, but Lane Cleroux confirmed it was 8 acres.
The motion was carried.
The Council moved to approve the meetings from the previous November 18 and 25th meetings, including the closed minutes that remain confidential.
The motion was carried with no questions.
The Bylaw was voted on and carried.
The council then moved to go into closed session at 6:37pm to review a performance appraisal regarding a personal matters about an identifiable individual.
The video did not resume.
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