Municipal Council Notes

December 7, 2022

REPORTS

Waste Management Changes at Hidden Lake Landfill
Council voted to withdraw a resolution to authorizes changes to the Hidden Lake Landfill fee structure, and accounts system, effective February 1.
Councillors requested more information on the impacts of the proposed changes and also had questions about the life and costs associated with the landfill.

Accounts Receivable Write-offs – Airport
Council authorized the Treasurer to write-off the uncollectable airport accounts receivables in the amount of $311,158.65 as set out in the Treasurer’s attached Summary Report dated November 28th, 2022; and further Council authorized the transfer from Airport Operating Reserve Fund to offset the outstanding balance.

Signing Authorities
Council authorized the signing authorities for Municipal banking purposes as follows:
One of the following signers: Douglas Lawrance, Cory Lago, Joe Cassidy, Joan Cosco, Luc Beaulne, Reece Van Breda or Joyce Timpson; and 
• One of the following co-signers: Michelle Larose, Brian P. MacKinnon or Carly Collins; and further Council authorized the signing authorities for Municipal Legal Documents as follows: 
• One of the following signers: Douglas Lawrance, Cory Lago, Joe Cassidy, Joan Cosco, Luc Beaulne, Reece Van Breda or Joyce Timpson; and 
• One of the following co-signers: Michelle Larose, Brian P. MacKinnon or Carly Collins; and further Council deemed this Resolution to supersede any similar Resolutions regarding the appointment of signing authorities for Municipal banking and Legal Documents purposes.

Meno Ya Win Health Centre’s Request for Assistance to Prevent Emergency Department Closure
Council approved a financial contribution towards housing three to four (3-4) Emergency Department physicians for a three month period beginning January 1, 2023; and that a one-time travel allowance of up to a maximum $2,000 be provided to each physician for travel home; and that a free fitness centre membership be provided to each physician while in Sioux Lookout; and that Council request that a Physician Recruitment Committee be established to include community health care stakeholders to find solutions to address the shortage of physicians in Sioux Lookout.

Pinecrest (Kenora) District Home for the Aged; Endorsement of City of Dryden Representative
Council voted to endorses Mayor Jack Harrison of the City of Dryden to serve as the Area 2 Representative (representing the City of Dryden, Municipality of Machin, Township of Ignace, Municipality of Sioux Lookout and the Township of Pickle Lake) on the Kenora District Home for the Aged Board of Directors for the 2022-2026 Term, ending on November 14, 2026.

BY-LAWS

Personnel Policy No. 3-48 Travel Expenses
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 69-22, Being a Bylaw to Amend By-law No. 50-05, Being a By-law to Adopt the Personnel Policy Manual for The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, as amended.

Council Travel Policy
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 53-22, Being a Bylaw to Adopt Policy No. 1-6, Council Travel Expenses Policy.

Sturgeon River Road Land Transfer

Council authorizes the passing of By-law No. 70-22, Being a Bylaw to Establish and Acquire Certain Lands.
Kristen Bartmann, Planning Coordinator, and Jody Brinkman, CBO, Manager of Development Services, shared in their report to council, “It has come to the attention of the Municipality that a portion of the lands originally intended to be the road allowance named Sturgeon River Road have been registered in the ownership of the abutting property owners of 656 Sturgeon River Road, Carol Noll, Lorraine Kennedy, Cindy Southall, Gail Southall, and Brenda Uzelmann. The owners are requesting that the land be transferred appropriately to the Municipality rather than stay vested in their ownership.”

Butler – May Street Land Transfer
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 71-22, Being a Bylaw to Establish and Acquire Certain Lands
Bartmann and Brinkman shared in their report to council, “Discussions have occurred with the property owner of PLAN M428 PT BLK A RP 23R4515 PART 4 about transferring the subject property to the Municipality. The subject property is an unbuildable piece of land that is of little benefit to the current owner. The subject property is also located between two Municipal road allowances, which means that the parcel could potentially be useful to the Municipality in the future. The owner is requesting that the land be transferred appropriately to the Municipality rather than stay vested in their ownership.

Updates to Cemeteries Tariff of Rates
Council approved and adopted the updated Cemetery Tariff of Rates, as attached to the Manager of Corporate Services/Municipal Clerk’s Report No. 2022-101, dated December 7, 2022, to be effective January 1, 2023.

Appointment of Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief (By-law No. 73- 22)
Council authorizes the passing of By-law No. 73-22, Being a Bylaw to Appoint an Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief for The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and to Rescind By-law No. 55-20.
Following the resignation of Bob Popovic from the role of Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief, Brian P. MacKinnon, Manager of Corporate Services/Municipal Clerk, shared in his report to council, “To ensure the continuity of services and operations, staff considered options to fill the Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief role on an interim basis until such time as a permanent replacement can be hired. Staff is pleased to advise that Mr. Robert Favot, who previously served for many years at the Municipality’s Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief, has agreed to reassume his duties on a three-month contract basis to enable staff to undertake recruitment and hiring efforts.”

Appointment of Acting Mayor – By-law No.67-22 
Council authorized the passing of By-law No. 67-22, Being a Bylaw to Appoint an Acting Mayor for The Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
Each councillor-at-large will have an opportunity to take on the role of Acting Mayor for an eight-month period during this term of council.