Council Meeting

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the February 23rd, 2024 Revised Council Agenda, be approved.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on January 18, 2024, be approved.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on January 17, 2024, be approved.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council receives the February 2024 Revised CAO Report on Council Directions, as distributed.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council receives the revised February 2024 Revised Council Correspondence listing.

WHEREAS the Province is accepting applications for the new Community Emergency Preparedness Grant to help communities and organizations purchase critical supplies, equipment and deliver training and services to improve local emergency preparation and response; and WHEREAS the funding will ensure communities can respond to any type of emergency and will be tailored to their unique needs. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that staff is hereby authorized to proceed with submission of an application for the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant.

WHEREAS current provincial-municipal fiscal arrangements are undermining Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life; and WHEREAS nearly a third of municipal spending in Ontario is for services in areas of provincial responsibility, and expenditures are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year; and WHEREAS municipal revenues, such as property taxes, do not grow with the economy or inflation; and WHEREAS unprecedented population and housing growth will require significant investments in municipal infrastructure; and WHEREAS municipalities are being asked to take on complex health and social challenges – like homelessness, supporting asylum seekers and addressing the mental health and addictions crises; and WHEREAS the Township of The Archipelago contributed more than 12% of its 2023 annual operating budget to Provincial organizations that oversee social services, community health, and emergency services in the West Parry Sound area; and WHEREAS inflation, rising interest rates, and provincial policy decisions are sharply constraining municipal fiscal capacity; and WHEREAS property taxpayers – including people on fixed incomes and small businesses – can’t afford to subsidize income re-distribution programs for those most in need; and WHEREAS the Province can and should invest more in the prosperity of communities; and WHEREAS municipalities and the provincial government have a strong history of collaboration. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tow

MacLeod NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of The Archipelago hereby supports the Municipality of McDougall’s January 24, 2024 resolution regarding their support of the Near North School Board’s request to the Ministry of Education to not close the rural elementary schools within the Municipality of McDougall and to establish a new Accommodation Review Committee; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Ontario Public School Board’s Association, the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, MPP of Parry Sound Muskoka, Graydon Smith, the Near North District School Board, and all West Parry Sound Municipalities.

MacLeod NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of The Archipelago hereby supports the Municipality of Wawa’s November 7, 2023 resolution in support of Bill C-310 and amendments to Subsections 118.06 (2) and 118.07 (2) of the Income Tax Act to increase the amount of tax credits for volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer services from $3000 to $10,000; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to MPP of Parry Sound Muskoka Graydon Smith, MP of Parry Sound Muskoka Scott Aitchison, the Association of Fire Chiefs of Ontario, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all Ontario municipalities.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council hereby authorizes Reeve Bert Liverance to attend the March 6-8, 2024 Great Lakes Day on Capital Hill event in Washington, D.C.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council hereby authorizes Reeve Bert Liverance to attend the May 6, 2024 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Day on Parliament Hill event in Ottawa.

WHEREAS the Township received a request from Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser from the Coastal Wetland Research Group at McMaster University, to support her organization’s application for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative; and WHEREAS the goal of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is to target the most significant environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health by delivering on Canada’s commitments under the Canada-United States Lakes Water Quality Agreement. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Township of The Archipelago expresses its support for the Coastal Wetland Research Group’s grant application for the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

WHEREAS the Township received a request from Mary Muter, Chair of the Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation (GBGLF), to support GBGLF’s application for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative; and WHEREAS the goal of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is to target the most significant environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health by delivering on Canada’s commitments under the Canada-United States Lakes Water Quality Agreement. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Township of The Archipelago expresses its support for Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation’s grant application for the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative in the amount of $2 million to assess resiliency of coastal wetlands to climate change impacts on water levels.

WHEREAS the Township received a request from Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, in partnership with AquaAction, to support their application for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative; and WHEREAS the goal of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is to target the most significant environmental challenges affecting Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health by delivering on Canada’s commitments under the Canada-United States Lakes Water Quality Agreement. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Township of The Archipelago expresses its support for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative grant application for the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative to launch a community technology program to identify local water quality hazards resulting from chemicals of concern, particularly Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council receive the Council Remuneration & Expense Report for 2023.

MacLeod WHEREAS three hundred FoodCyclers were purchased and offered to The Archipelago residents at a subsidized price in 2023; and WHEREAS the result of the program in 2023 was an annualized organic tonnage diversion of 92.15 metric tonnes, and an equivalent carbon dioxide emissions reduction of 57.78 metric tonnes; and WHEREAS an online Shopify platform is available in 2024 for residents to purchase directly from FoodCyclers utilizing the municipal subsidy. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to work with FoodCycler to confirm the details of the online platform, as well as pricing for 100 Maestro units for 2024, in advance of 2024 Budget adoption.

WHEREAS staff have identified the need to replace the single dock, ramp, and ramp landing at the north waterfront area of Holiday Cove Marina due to its condition and for continued dockage in 2024; and WHEREAS an “L” configuration dock will maximize the useable space and dockage; and WHEREAS staff have investigated contractors, have received quotations, and recommend proceeding with Dock Kings Inc. for installation of the new dock in early 2024 for a planned amount of $26,500. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to proceed with the Holiday Cove Single Dock Replacement to a maximum of $26,500 using Dock Kings Inc.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council hereby receives the 2024 Township of The Archipelago Asset Management Plan, as presented.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council hereby authorize staff to provide the Township of The Archipelago's share of bridge financing to the Joint Municipal Services Board in the form of a loan guarantee and/or a line of credit for cash flow assistance to facilitate the construction of the West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council receive the report ‘Achieving Organizational Excellence’ prepared by Linton Consulting Services Inc. and adopt the 12 recommendations contained therein, with the exception of the recommendation to hire a full-time Manager, Human Resources; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Manager, Human Resources position remain part-time, with a contract extension for 2 years conditional upon a successful performance review, and with a further review of the position at the 18-month mark; and FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to initiate the process to recruit a Director of Legislative and Information Services.

That By-law 2024-06 , being a By-law to authorize the execution of an indemnification agreement between Laura Evans, Lynda Dickinson, Richard Weldon, and Lisa Weldon and the Corporation of the Township of The Archipelago, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

That By-law 2024-07 , being a By-law to authorize the execution of an indemnification agreement between Richard Harold Weldon and Hendrena Marion Weldon and the Corporation of the Township of The Archipelago, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

That By-law 2024-09 , being a By-law to Authorize the Reeve and Clerk to execute the Blue Box Producer Responsibility Agreements with Circular Materials Ontario, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

MacLeod That By-law 2024-10 , being a By-law to authorize the execution of Amendment #1 to the West Parry Sound and Cultural Centre Joint Municipal Services Board Agreement, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on January 19, 2024, be approved.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following Members of Council are approved to attend the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere Zero-Emission Vehicle Workshop on February 29, 2024: Bert Liverance

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of The Archipelago hereby supports the Municipality of McDougall’s January 24, 2024 resolution regarding their support of the Near North School Board’s request to the Ministry of Education to not close the rural elementary schools within the Municipality of McDougall and to establish a new Accommodation Review Committee; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Ontario Public School Board’s Association, the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, MPP of Parry Sound Muskoka, Graydon Smith, the Near North District School Board, and all West Parry Sound Municipalities.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township of The Archipelago hereby supports the Municipality of Wawa’s November 7, 2023 resolution in support of Bill C-310 and amendments to Subsections 118.06 (2) and 118.07 (2) of the Income Tax Act to increase the amount of tax credits for volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer services from $3000 to $10,000; and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to MPP of Parry Sound Muskoka Graydon Smith, MP of Parry Sound Muskoka Scott Aitchison, the Association of Fire Chiefs of Ontario, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all Ontario municipalities.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council hereby authorizes Reeve Bert Liverance to attend the March 28, 2024 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Ontario Regional Meeting in the Town of Blue Mountain.

WHEREAS three hundred FoodCyclers were purchased and offered to The Archipelago residents at a subsidized price in 2023; and WHEREAS the result of the program in 2023 was an annualized organic tonnage diversion of 92.15 metric tonnes, and an equivalent carbon dioxide emissions reduction of 57.78 metric tonnes; and WHEREAS an online Shopify platform is available in 2024 for residents to purchase directly from FoodCyclers utilizing the municipal subsidy. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to work with FoodCycler to confirm the details of the online platform, as well as pricing for 100 Maestro units for 2024, in advance of 2024 Budget adoption.

That By-law 2024-05, being a By-law to authorize the execution of an indemnification agreement between Graham Stevenson Brown and Caroline Anne Brown and the Corporation of the Township of The Archipelago, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

That By-law 2024-08, being a By-law to deem Lot 5 of Plan M-284, in the geographic Township of Conger, in the Township of The Archipelago not to be a part of a registered plan of subdivision (Michaud, 323 Healey Lake Water), be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

That By-law 2024-10, being a By-law to authorize the execution of Amendment #1 to the West Parry Sound and Cultural Centre Joint Municipal Services Board Agreement, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

That By-law 2024-11, being a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Regular Meeting of Council Held on February 23, 2024, be read and finally passed on the 23rd day of February, 2024.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Regular Meeting of Council held on February 23, 2024 be adjourned at 11:38 a.m.