The Corporation of The City of Dryden

Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting

-
Council Chambers - City Hall
Members Present:
  • Mayor G. Wilson
  • Chair Councillor N. Bush
  • Councillor J. Carlucci
  • Councillor M. MacKinnon
  • Councillor S. MacKinnon
  • Councillor D. McKay
  • Councillor M. Price
Staff Present:
  • CAO R. Nesbitt
  • Acting Clerk A. Euler
  • Cemetery & Licensing Coordinator P. Spielmacher
  • Treasurer S. Lansdell-Roll
  • Manager of Public Works B. Poole
  • Manager of Community Services S. Belanger
  • Fire Chief K. Readman
Others Present:
  • Deputy Treasurer C. Pateman

    Human Resources Manager J. Peekhaus

    Chief Building Official P. Skillen

    Economic Development Manager T. Peacock

    Special Projects and Communications Manager M. Reader

    B. Gascon, L. Morton, D. Hardy, V. Ponka, C. Vechsler and R. Davenport of Nuclear Waste Management Organization

    L. Napish, N. McLeod, and C. Edwards of the Working Circle


Chair Councillor Bush called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

  1. The Agenda for this meeting.

Chair Councillor Bush called for declarations of pecuniary interest, and the general nature thereof, under The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act with respect to the agenda for this meeting and Councillor McKay declared a conflict with Item 11. c. as he has a working relationship with the Kenora District Services Board.

At this time, 6:02 p.m., the Open Meeting of Committee of the Whole adjourned to the Closed Meeting.

  • 1
    Moved byM. MacKinnon
    Seconded byPrice

    THAT, Committee do hereby adjourn to a Closed Session of Committee of the Whole pursuant to Section 239 of The Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, for the following reasons:

    (a) Closed Staff Report AD-2021-15 re CAO Performance Goals and Measurements. (Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees)

    Carried

a.
Call to Order:
 

b.
Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature thereof:
 

c.
Closed Agenda Items:
 

1.
Closed Staff Report AD-2021-15 re CAO Performance Goals and Measurements. (Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees)
 

d.
Adjournment to Open Meeting:
 

At this time, 6:52 p.m., the Closed Meeting of Council adjourned to the Open Meeting.

  • 2
    Moved byM. MacKinnon
    Seconded byCarlucci

    THAT, the Open Meeting of Committee of the Whole be reconvened.

    Carried

Chair Councillor Bush called the meeting back to order at 7:02 p.m. 

Chair Councillor Bush read the Land Acknowledgement Statement.

Ms. Euler advised that there was one (1) item on the Closed Agenda and in the Closed Session, Committee had received a Staff Report from the CAO on his Q1 Performance Goals and Measurements.

Ms. Morton provided Committee with a presentation regarding the Site Selection process for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and the need to build strong relationships with the selected community and its neighbouring communities.  She noted that the results of their recent survey are currently with the consultant and would be made public as soon as they are available.  Ms. Morton noted that there would be ongoing in-person public engagement once COVID-19 allows.  Committee thanked Ms. Morton and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for the presentation.

Councillor S. MacKinnon and Ms. Edwards presented Committee with suggestions for the renaming of Colonization Avenue.  It was recommended by the Working Circle, along with discussions with the Dryden Fire Service, to establish two (2) new names, one (1) for Colonization Avenue North and one (1) for Colonization Avenue South, in order to assist all emergency services when attending calls on this street.  Councillor S. MacKinnon advised that of the over 400 names submitted by the public, 265 were unique and worthy of consideration.  Ms. Edwards advised that the Working Circle had narrowed the submissions down to three (3) choices for each direction.  In order of preference by the Working Circle, the recommended names for Colonization Avenue North were 1) Boozhoo 2) Sunset 3) Memorial, with honourable mention to Paawidigong and Treaty.  The recommendations for Colonization Avenue South were 1) Memorial 2) Harmony 3) Barclay, with honourable mention to Sunrise and Unity.  Committee agreed with the Working Circle's recommendations and directed Staff to bring a by-law forward to the April 26 Meeting of Council.

ACTION:  Administration

Ms. Euler advised that the Dryden, Machin and the surrounding area launched a Community Safety and Well-Being Survey to gather feedback for a new Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.  She noted that all municipalities are now required to create a Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan under the Province of Ontario's Safer Ontario Act, 2018 and that Dryden and Machin are creating a joint plan for the two (2) municipalities and surrounding areas.  Ms. Euler advised that the survey is available online at http://bit.ly/CSWBsurvey and paper copies can be received and returned to the locations noted in the Public Notice.

Ms. Euler advised that Spring is upon us and the City of Dryden would like to remind residents to clean up and discard unsightly items accumulated around their property.  She noted that items such as derelict vehicles, appliances, mattresses, broken toys or inoperable equipment and yard and house waste be hauled to the landfill, picked up or brought to an appropriate scrap yard or scrap bin while ensuring all hauled loads are secure during transportation.  Further information can be received by contacting the Property Standards/Building and Planning Department at 223-1140 or by emailing [email protected].

Ms. Euler advised that the City of Dryden is seeking community engaged individuals to sit on the Committee of Adjustment/Property Standards Committee.  She advised anyone interested in applying to be a member of the City of Dryden Committee of Adjustment/Property Standards Committee, to complete the Boards and Committee Application form available on the City of Dryden website at:  Appointment to Boards and Committees Form - City of Dryden by May 28, 2021.

Ms. Reader and Mr. Peacock presented their report recommending the Community Capacity Study and Business Gap Analysis be awarded to Explorer Solutions Inc.  Ms. Reader indicated that the cost is fully covered by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and that the City of Dryden is waiting to hear about a FedNor grant application that has been submitted.  Committee directed Staff to prepare a by-law for the April 26 Meeting of Council.

ACTION:  Administration

Ms. Skillen presented her Staff Report recommending single sourcing and awarding the contract for the Official Plan Update to Quartek Group Inc. Ms. Skillen noted as Quartek Group Inc. coauthored the proposal with Explorer Solutions regarding the Community Capacity and Business Gap Analysis Study and most information for both projects is similar, it would save time and money to award the contract to Quartek Group.  She also noted that Quartek Group is an Urban Planning firm with previous experience in official plan updates and zoning reviews.  Ms. Skillen advised that the current budgeted amount is $75,000 and to obtain Quartek Group's services for the Official Plan update would cost $56,975; approximately an $18,000 savings.  Committee concurred with the recommendation and advised staff to bring a by-law to the next Meeting of Council on April 26, 2021.

ACTION:  Administration

Ms. Skillen presented her Staff Report recommending that Council endorse the Site Plan Agreement made between the Kenora District Services Board and the City of Dryden for site plan control of 51 Colonization Avenue, Dryden, Ontario.  Committee concurred with the recommendation and directed staff to bring a by-law forward to the April 26 Meeting of Council.

ACTION:  Administration

Ms. Skillen presented her Staff Report to Committee, for information purposes, regarding the Building and Planning Year-end Report for 2020.  She noted that her Report speaks to the general responsibilities, revenues and information on the day to day operation of the Department.  She also noted that the Building and Planning Department enforces local Property Standards and Maintenance By-laws which are also included in her Report.  Mr. Nesbitt thanked Ms. Skillen for her Report and noted that she does a fantastic job being professional and fair.  

Mr. Peacock presented his Staff Report recommending approval of the CIP Application from Habitat for Humanity (HFH) and approval of By-law 2021-29 to finalize the development agreement for the property.  Mr. Peacock noted that the Dryden Chapter of HFH project is in line with many of the City of Dryden's Strategic Planning Goals and Priorities.  He noted that they had made an offer to purchase the property located at 184 Mary Avenue for a maximum of $5,000, however a donation of the land would be greatly appreciated with the recent rise in the cost of building materials. Committee agreed with donating the property to HFH and the recommendation brought forward by Mr. Peacock and directed staff to bring by-laws forward to the next Meeting of Council on April 26.

ACTION:  Administration

Chief Readman presented his Staff Report recommending approval of an updated Open-Air Burning and Campfire By-law that will better reflect the fire safety goals of the City.  Chief Readman noted that in 2020 Dryden Fire Service staff identified a need to review and update the current Open-Air Burning and Campfire By-law, as there were inconsistencies identified in multiple areas which made the by-law difficult to interpret by both the public and fire service personnel that are responsible for enforcing it.  He noted that the review focused on three (3) main areas:  1. Safety of residents and emergency responders 2. Consistency and application of Provincial Laws and Standards and 3. Past trends of burning complaints and emergency response.  Chief Readman noted that with adoption of the recommended by-law, permits will be required for both Open-Air Fires and Campfires.  He noted yearly Campfire permits will be available for no-charge and Open-Air Fire permits will be charged the fee outlined in the Fees and Charges by-law.  Committee thanked Chief Readman for his report and directed staff to bring a by-law to the April 26 Meeting of Council for approval.

ACTION:  Administration

Ms. Pateman presented her Staff Report recommending approval of By-law 2021-30 to delegate authority to the Municipal Treasurer/Designate to execute tax arrears extension agreements pursuant to Section 378 of the Municipal Act, 2001.  She noted that before the tax sale occurs, notice is given to the property owner and a Tax Arrears Certificate is registered on the property which allows the property owner one (1) year to make full payment.  Ms. Pateman noted that a Municipality can accept partial payments once a Tax Arrears Certificate is registered on title by entering into an Extension Agreement with the property owner.  She advised that Extension Agreements are not mandatory, but are an option set out in the Municipal Act and can be beneficial to both the property owner and the Municipality.  Direction was given to staff to bring a by-law to the April 26 Meeting of Council for approval and to provide Council with a summary of any extensions granted on an annual basis.

ACTION:  Administration & Finance

Mr. Lansdell-Roll presented his Staff Report recommending Council approve a Section 357 application for property roll number 260.011.06541 due to a house fire.  Committee directed staff to bring forward a motion to the April 26 Meeting of Council for approval.

ACTION:  Administration

Ms. Euler presented her Staff Report recommending approval of a by-law to amend portions of Chapter 150 - Parking and Traffic, of the City of Dryden Municipal Code to allow for changes to on-street parking.  Staff was directed to bring a by-law to the next Meeting of Council on April 26 for approval.

ACTION:  Administration

a.

Mayor Wilson reminded local and area residents to complete the Nuclear Waste Management Organization's survey.  He thanked Minister Rickford and Minister Mulroney for the $1.2 million Connecting Link Grant the City of Dryden will receive to update traffic lights in the City.

Chair Councillor Bush noted that there was a lot of information received, a lot of new development, and important decisions made at the meeting.

Councillor S. MacKinnon noted that he had volunteered at two (2) vaccination clinics.  He thanked the Northwestern Health Unit, EMS, retired medical personnel, all the volunteers and Arena staff for making the clinics successful.  He also thanked the Rotary Club for stepping up in the Community when needed.

Councillor Carlucci noted that he attended the Vaccination Clinic and advised that it was well run and organized.  He requested residents to please get the vaccination if they can, so that we can get back to some normalcy.

Councillor McKay concurred with Chair Councillor Bush's comments about accomplishing some important things at the meeting.

Councillor Price thanked the organizers of the Facebook Group 'Live Here Like You Mean It' and the Clean up Challenge they organized where they challenged everyone to go for a walk and bring a bag to pick up garbage, post a picture and win a prize.  She also reminded residents not to forget about the local restaurants open for take-out.

Councillor M. MacKinnon advised everyone to be safe and to get a vaccination if you can, think about your fellow community residents and stamp out this pandemic.

The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. 

  • 3
    Moved byPrice
    Seconded byCarlucci

    THAT this meeting do hereby adjourn.

    Carried