Municipal Council Notes:
September 15, 2021
REPORTS
Community Building Fund – Recreation Project
Council authorized an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) – Community Building Funding – Capital Stream for the following projects:
1. Arena Insulation
2. Arena Heating for Spectators
3. Gym Flooring
Municipal Treasurer Carly Collins explained in her written report to council that at the end of August, OTF announced funding available under the Community Building Fund to support local community needs or public health needs.
She shared in her report that, “Staff has reviewed the funding requirements and has determined that the best fit for this project is under local community needs to extend life of the facility. The following is a breakdown of areas that staff will be applying for:
1. Arena Insulation
a. Currently the arena is in essence uninsulated. The intent is to insulate the ceiling with spray foam in an effort to better provide some heat to the space. The arena does not have readily available barrier free access, included with this would be to construct either a ramp that would meet barrier-free requirements, or provide a mechanical means to improve access to the arena.
2. Heating for Spectators
a. The ice plant, when in operation, has several thousands of BTU’s of heating capability unutilized. In insulating the arena, now is the time to make the upgrades necessary to the ice plant to utilize that wasted heat for heating the space and making the experience for spectators more comfortable.
3. Gym Flooring
a. The flooring in the gym is original, approximately 35 years old and is at the end of its useful life. This is a good opportunity to replace the flooring to allow for continued use of the space.
Her report adds, “The Community Building Fund will cover 100% of total projects costs up to a maximum of $500,000. Any project within this application will not cost the Municipality unless the project were to go over budget. Staff are working on finalizing figures to make sure we can maximum the funding of $500,000. If all three projects exceed the $500,000, staff will be looking at Projects #1 & #2 for this application. Application must be submitted before September 30th. OTF will not accept any applications after that date.”
Phase 2 – Umfreville Recreation Trail Reconstruction
Council authorized and directed staff to submit a Phase 2 Application to the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for the reconstruction of the Umfreville Recreation Trail.
Collins shared in her written report that, “At the July Council meeting, Staff received direction to submit a Phase 1 application through the CCRF. Staff submitted the application and received notice in August that the Phase 1 application
was approved.”
She noted that, “During the time that the Phase 1 application was submitted to CCRF, staff was notified of two items:
1. CCRF would only consider the project if the funder’s contribution was to a maximum of $500,000.
2. Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) had a similar funding source which could be applied for to help support the project.
“Staff submitted a Phase 1 application to NOHFC in the amount of $500,000 to help support the trail project which would help offset the difference from CCRF changing the funding to $500,000 from $750,000.
“If the project were to be fully approved by funders and Council, construction is anticipated for next Spring, with a completion date of next Fall.”
The total cost for the reconstruction of the Umfreville Trail would be $1,639,440.
This would leave $889,440 as the municipal contribution for the project, to be paid for through long term debt and local fundraising.
Municipal Councillors had asked if local fundraising could help offset some of the cost and also enquired of other ways to help reduce the local share of the cost of the project.
Loan Renewal
Council authorized staff to renew Loan No. 9309593 with the Toronto Dominion Bank (TD Bank) for the Highway 72 Water and Sewer Extension Project, and the Memorial Arena Upgrade Project for a five-year fixed term at an interest rate of 1.61%.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30th
Council designated September 30th each year as a holiday in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Updating Council Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees
Council acknowledged and accepted the resignation of Councillor Cory Lago from the Kenora District Homes for the Aged.
Council asked the Clerk to contact the other Municipalities who share this appointment (Pickle Lake, Ignace, Dryden, Machin) to see if any of their Councillors are interested in filling the vacancy until the end of the present Term of Council.
If there is no interest the Clerk will bring the matter back to Council to determine whether or not Councillor Joyce Timpson would be willing to fill the vacancy, as she had indicated she might be willing to do so if no one could be found to fill the position.
Municipal Implementation of Proof of Vaccination for Recreation Centre
Council acknowledged the implementation of Ontario Regulation 645/21, being a regulation that amends Ontario Regulation 364/20 “RULES FOR AREAS AT STEP 3 AND AT THE ROADMAP EXIT STEP”, and directed staff to take the necessary measures to implement the requirements respecting proof of vaccination at the Recreation Centre and Memorial Arena.
Councillor Cory Lago stated, “I don’t like anything that’s going on with our province with these mandates and vaccine passports. To me it’s medical discrimination. You’re cutting out 25 per cent of our population that aren’t vaccinated, that are taxpayers. You’re denying them access to a public funded facility…to me this is constitutionally wrong and morally wrong and is discriminatory in my opinion.”
Councillor Connor Howie commented, “I think this is the right step forward.”
Municipal CAO Michelle Larose informed that, “It’s in the guidance notes to the regulation, it doesn’t specifically say it in the regulation, but in the guidance notes it indicates that the one exemption for having to be totally vaccinated is for municipal staff, so while the public has to be vaccinated, municipal staff do not have to be vaccinated.”
Councillor John Bath shared, “I think it’s the right direction to take. I’m a little confused why staff wouldn’t have to meet the criteria, it seems to me they should be meeting the criteria if the public does and everybody else does, but I fully support this. I think this is where we need to be going. It’s no different than other regulations that have come down on us and infringed on our rights – not to wear a seat belt, not to wear a helmet when you’re riding a motorcycle…an infringement for the safety of other people, so I’m completely in favour of it.”
Councillor Don Fenelon said, “I’m for it and I would like to see other people take both vaccine needles…I don’t want to be sitting at a table with somebody and having to worry about whether he’s been vaccinated or not.”
Councillor Joyce Timpson shared, “I don’t see it as medical discrimination. I see it as protection of other people, including the non-vaccinated…I think we’re in a very critical time right now.”
Councillor Joe Cassidy said, “I also won’t support any legislation [that] takes away people’s freedoms in order to coerce them into the vaccine if they’re not willing to. I think education promotion is the way to do it. I played a whole hockey season, 24 games last year, unvaccinated, following the guidelines put in place to keep people safe. And they did. And now all of a sudden we’re not safe unless we’re vaccinated. I don’t agree with it. I think it’s a slippery slope. The goalpost is continually moving and I don’t agree with this.”
Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance shared, “I’m fully supportive of doing this…My question is, it puzzles me greatly that municipal staff [would] be tasked with admitting or not admitting people based on vaccinations and yet municipal staff may not be vaccinated. It seems counter intuitive that the one saying you can’t come in hasn’t complied with the requirement.”
BY-LAWS
Shoreline Road Allowance Closure and Sale
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 90-21, Being a By-law to Permanently Close, Declare Surplus and Authorize the Sale of a Highway of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
The passing of this by-law authorizes the closure and sale of a portion of shoreline road allowance described as: LOT 16 PLAN M386 PCL 28933, to the applicant, Samantha Styles, who owns the abutting property known locally as 527 Moosehorn Road.
It is her intention to use the additional land to install a dock.
NOTICE OF MOTION/MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER
Councillor Joe Cassidy brought forward a Notice of Motion asking that council direct staff to undertake an update to the Municipality of Sioux Lookout Official Plan to recognize the Cultural Heritage Feature known locally as the “Pioneer Cemetery” located West of the CN Iron Bridge.
If council passes the motion in October, a staff report would be brought to a subsequent meeting.
