Regular Meeting

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council adopt the minutes of the Special Public and Regular Meeting of Council held Wednesday, October 9, 2024 and the Special Meeting of Council held Wednesday, October 16, 2024, as circulated.

WHEREAS the Memo from the Deputy Clerk titled "Potomac Bridge Rehabilitation Project" has been received; AND WHEREAS additional environmental monitoring requirements and safety concerns related to the proximity of a gas line were identified during the preliminary design and planning phase of the Potomac Bridge Rehabilitation Project, leading to unforeseen additional costs and project scope changes; AND WHEREAS the revised cost for the original bridge rehabilitation project, including environmental monitoring and safety-related requirements, is expected to increase, with current estimates suggesting a total project cost of approximately $550,000 to $600,000; AND WHEREAS it is recommended that the original bridge repair project be reconsidered in favour of transitioning to a culvert installation, which, while initially more expensive, offers a longer-term, more cost-effective solution by eliminating the need for future costly bridge repairs and ongoing maintenance; AND WHEREAS the Contractor has provided a preliminary estimate for the culvert installation of approximately $1,373,005, which may provide future cost savings over the bridge repair option, reducing long-term maintenance costs and providing a more permanent solution; AND WHEREAS further discussions with the Contractor are necessary to finalize the details of the culvert installation proposal and confirm the total project cost, pending legal review and compliance with procurement policies; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #24-54 being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to Establish Procedures of Council with regard to the Sale of Real Property Owned by the Municipality was passed in open Council this 13th day of November, 2024; AND THAT By-laws #15-01, #15-66, and #23-32 be repealed.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #24-55 being a By-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Iron Bridge Night Hawks Snowmobile Club for Land Use Permission was passed in open Council this 13th day of November, 2024

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Minutes of the following municipal committees: Huron Shores Recreation Committee - September 16, 2024 Huron Shores Public Library Board - October 1, 2024 Infrastructure Services Committee - October 3, 2024 Huron Shores Museum Committee - October 8, 2024

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receives the Minutes of the following joint boards on which the Municipality has representation: Algoma Public Health Board of Health - June 26, 2024

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council accepts, with regret, the resignation of Justin Roy from the Huron Shores Volunteer Fire Department, effective October 8, 2024.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council appoints Nicolas Viel to the Huron Shores Fire Department, Station 2, effective November 13, 2024.

WHEREAS the Iron Bridge Recreation Centre is an important community asset and may be undergoing significant upgrades pending future decisions by Council; AND WHEREAS the Recreation Centre presents opportunities for long-term advertisement, sponsorship, or other financial support mechanisms through naming rights; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct the Recreation Committee to explore and bring forward recommendations to Council regarding: The potential for naming rights of the Recreation Centre as part of a long-term advertisement or sponsorship program, or The development of a comprehensive naming policy for municipal facilities, including guidelines for naming rights and sponsorships. AND THAT these recommendations be presented to Council for consideration to ensure they can be integrated into the proposed upgrades for the Recreation Centre.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorize the CAO/Clerk to execute the Sales Agreement with Ledcor Group for the purchase of abrasive sand for the 2024-2025 Winter Season AND THAT consideration of constructing our own facility be considered for the 2025 budget.

WHEREAS Municipalities in Ontario are required to appoint an Integrity Commissioner to promote accountability, transparency, and ethical governance; AND WHEREAS Council, by Resolution No. 24-12-17, authorized the issuance of an RFP for a new five-year contract retainer for an Integrity Commissioner, to commence January 1, 2025; AND WHEREAS four proposals were received and assessed based on criteria including expertise, cost, and experience with municipalities of similar scope; AND WHEREAS ADR Chambers Inc. demonstrated strong qualifications, extensive municipal experience, and cost-effectiveness, scoring as the preferred option in the evaluation process; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council appoints ADR Chambers Inc. as the Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality of Huron Shores pursuant to section 223.3(1) of the Municipal Act, for a term of 5 years, effective January 1, 2025; AND THAT a by-law appointing ADR Chambers Inc. as the Integrity Commissioner be passed at the Regular Council meeting in December.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes staff to make an application to the Service Canada Summer Jobs Program and Summer Experience Program for a total of seven (7) students to assist with summer municipal activities.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council accepts the Minutes of Settlement arising from a Request for Reconsideration from MPAC as follows: 57 24 000 005 02200 0000 from Residential Taxable (RT) 2016 CVA $33,000 to Residential Taxable (RT) 2016 CVA $15,200 effective January 1, 2024. 57 24 000 005 02202 0000 from Residential Taxable (RT) 2016 CVA $47,000 to Residential Taxable (RT) 2016 CVA $35,500 effective January 1, 2024.

WHEREAS discussions have taken place between the Municipality of Huron Shores and the Town of Thessalon regarding opportunities for shared services; AND WHEREAS it has been identified that a joint By-law Enforcement/Animal Control Officer may offer benefits for both municipalities; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs staff to collaborate with the Town of Thessalon and neighbouring municipalities to explore the feasibility of a shared By-law Enforcement/Animal Control Officer and any other potential efficiencies, such as in planning, engineering and legal services, that may be mutually beneficial; AND THAT staff report back to Council with any findings for further consideration. AND THAT cost be considered into 2025 budget deliberations.

WHEREAS the Municipality of Huron Shores and the Town of Thessalon have engaged in discussions to explore shared fire services; AND WHEREAS both municipalities have identified potential efficiencies as well as risks in maintaining two standalone fire departments, particularly in responding to the same fire under mutual and automatic aid agreements; AND WHEREAS health and safety concerns exist regarding the types of responses each firefighter is trained for and the limited number of volunteers who may attend fire calls; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Municipality of Huron Shores, together with the Council of the Town of Thessalon, authorize the engagement of a third-party Fire Services Consultant experienced in municipal fire services, shared fire services, or regional fire services, to perform a gap analysis of the fire departments’ training standards, personnel, communications, and resources, and provide guidelines on how to structure and operate a shared fire services model effectively; AND THAT a Request for Proposal for a third-party review be awarded by February 2025; AND THAT the costs for a third-party review be shared 50/50 between the Municipality of Huron Shores and the Town of Thessalon and be included in the 2025 Municipal Budget; AND THAT the findings of the gap analysis and the operational guidelines be brought back to Council for further consideration and next steps.

WHEREAS the Municipal Elections Act needs to be updated to make elections clearer, easier to manage, and more secure; AND WHEREAS the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) has suggested important changes to improve the Act; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Municipality of Huron Shores supports AMCTO’s recommendations and asks the Province to make these updates by 2025, with further improvements by 2030; AND THAT this resolution be circulated to all Ontario municipalities, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, the Minister of Finance, the Premier of Ontario, the Local Member of Provincial Parliament, AMCTO, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

WHEREAS municipalities across Northern Ontario are experiencing substantial increases in Ontario Provincial Police costs, with reports of up to 20% increases in 2024; AND WHEREAS these increased policing costs place a significant financial strain on municipalities, particularly in rural and northern communities; AND WHEREAS municipalities in Northern Ontario bear the cost of policing provincial highways, including but not limited to Highways 17 and 129, which are vital corridors used extensively by provincial and cross-border travelers; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Municipality of Huron Shores urges the Province of Ontario to fully cover the costs of OPP policing services in Northern Ontario; AND THAT staff prepare and send a letter, together with this resolution, to the Honourable Solicitor General, and copied to the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, calling for collective action in addressing these financial burdens on northern communities; AND THAT the letter specifically request clarification from the Solicitor General's office on recent statements suggesting the Province is working to ease the financial burden of policing costs on municipalities.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes Councillors Armstrong and Currie to attend the "Two Keys to Municipal Success: Sustainability & Engagement" pre-conference workshop, to be held at the ROMA Conference on Saturday, January 18, 2025. AND THAT the Municipality cover all associated expenses.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council supports, in principle, the Algoma Manor Nursing Homes application to the Ontario Transit Investment Fund for funding to provide community members with reduced transportation costs, provide transportation for a wider range of individuals not only non-urgency medical needs, and expand the program to help meet the needs of the community; AND THAT Councillor Currie be the lead contact person; AND THAT a letter of support be sent to the Algoma Manor Nursing Homes no later than November 15th, 2025.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council proceed in Closed session at 8:59 p.m. in order to address a matter pertaining to: personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Section 239(2)(b)) relating to response to beaver dam issue. personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees (Section 239(2)(b)) relating to an email to Mayor and Council regarding Personnel labour relations or employee negotiations (section 239(2)(d)).

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council returns to open session at 9:58 p.m..

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law #24-57, being a by-law of the Corporation of the Municipality of Huron Shores to Adopt the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held Wednesday, November 13, 2024, authorizing the taking of any action authorized therein and thereby, was passed in open Council this 13th day of November, 2024.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council does adjourn at 9:59 p.m.

WHEREAS concerns have been raised about property assessments across the municipality, with some properties potentially being over- or under-assessed, creating inconsistencies in valuations; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council directs the Finance Committee to develop a transparent and unbiased strategy and action plan for reviewing property assessments across the entire municipality, ensuring that no specific properties are unfairly targeted or excluded from the process; AND THAT Council, as part of the 2025 budget deliberations, consider the allocation of funding for an intern to assist with the project, as without this resource, the preparation and execution of both the strategy and action plan, as well as the comprehensive review of property assessments, will require significant staff time; AND THAT the ultimate goal of this initiative be to compile a list of properties, each with one or two comparable properties, to be submitted to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) for review and potential reassessment.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Cleaning Caretaker Contract with Dorianne Goodmurphy of Clean-4-U, under By-law #22-91, be granted a one year extension for 2025.