A light day in Town Council with the Taxi By-Law, Leash Free Dog Park and the Final Report of Phase I of the North Hastings Municipal Cultural Planning Project, taking up the bulk of the discussions.
(Taxi By-Law)
Councillor Claude Robinson questioned the benefit of having a "Taxi By-Law" when Bancroft is the only municipality in North Hastings to have one and especially now that the local Taxi company is apparently referring to itself as a transit system. Councillor Larry McTaggart noted that the Taxi By-Law was developed when there was only a Taxi company and that the by-law will have to evolve. Councillor Nan McGhee said that having a by-law may offer liability protection for the town. Staffer Dale Shannick said that the by-law provides a guarantee of driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance and ensures the insurance of the operator. Councillor Tom Hoover asked about the notion of the county operating all Taxi, limo, transit etc. licencing. Mayor Churchill felt that the county would not be interested in getting involved.
(Cultural Planning)
Kevin Mills, the Creative Communities Project Co-ordinator, presented the final report on Phase I of the North Hastings Municipal Cultural Planning Project. He asked for council's acceptance of the report and it's recommendations. Some discussion followed as to the results of accepting the report. Concerns were raised that by accepting the recommendations in the report, that the council would be committed to finacial obligations. There were also concerns that once accepted, the report would be shelved and forgotten. Council finally passed a motion to accept the report with understanding that this, or any future council, were not committed to any financial obligations. Mr. Mills also requested that a member of the Town Council join the Cultural Coalition. Councillor Peter Whitehead was seconded.
(Farady Landfill Leachate Contract)
A resolution to enter into an agreement with the Ontario Clean Water Agency to operate and manage the Farady Leachate system was tabled. Councillor Whitehead raised the question of the town's cost of this agreement and was told the agreement would cost $37,000 and that the town would take on half of that cost. Councillor Whitehead then asked if this was something the town could operate instead? Councillor Robinson felt that there were a number of outstanding issues and the motion should be put over to the next meeting. Mayor Churchill recommended that council review the agreement and that the committee bring their recommendations to the next council meeting.
(Gemboree-Dog Park)
Mayor Churchill raised concern about a conflict between the Leash Free Dog Park and the Rockhound Gemboree. Evidently the Gemboree organizers were unaware that the Dog Park group had leased land from the town, that had been previously used by the Gemboree for it's "Swappers Area." Gemboree organizers requested that fence poles, installed by the Dog Park group, be removed. The town did remove the poles and will put them back after the Gemboree. However, the mayor and council, along with the Dog Park group were disturbed that the Chamber of Commerce, who operate the Gemboree, did not know of the Dog Park plan. Councillor Whitehead said that one Chamber staff did know of the lease, but that that staff was no longer employed at the Chamber. Several councillors expressed concern about these events and the apparent lack of communication within the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Churchill said he would speak to both parties.
(County Council)
Mayor Churchill was disappointed with County Council's decision to hold C.I.P. hearings for Bancroft, Coe Hill and Maynooth in Belleville. Council agreed that this was unfair to those who would be affected and who may not be able to attend to voice any concerns. Staff were directed to write to a letter to County Council requesting the hearings be moved to their respective communities.
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