Regular Council

THAT the following changes be made to the March 5th Regular Council Agenda: 1. Add 5.4 Amortization Staff Report 2. Add 6.4 Ontario Clean Water Agency re: Gore Bay Annual Reports

THAT the minutes of the February 12th and, 2024, Regular Council Meeting and February 15th, 2024, Special Council Meeting are adopted as presented.

THAT the items in the March 5th, 2024, Regular Council Meeting Consent Agenda are accepted as information.

WHEREAS Autism Ontario is requesting support for World Autism Day by joining in the Fly the Flag Campaign on April 2, 2024, AND WHEREAS, this year’s theme, “Celebrate the Spectrum” unites families, communities, schools, government, and professionals in recognizing World Autism Day by celebrating people on the spectrum and bringing the light to systemic barriers that must be removed to create a more supportive and inclusive Ontario; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council supports Autism Ontario’s request and will raise the Autism Awareness flag on April 2, 2024.

WHEREAS the operation of water and wastewater facilities falls to municipalities to maintain; AND WHEREAS rural and small urban municipalities experience very limited growth as federal and provincial policies heavily support growth in urban centers; AND WHEREAS rural and small urban municipalities are expected to fund the construction and operation of these state-of-the art systems from existing property owners and nominal forecasted growth; AND WHEREAS The County of Renfrew is advocating for the Provincial and Federal Government for awareness of the financial unsustainability of water and waste water facilities for rural and small urban municipalities and advocating ROMA, AMO, and FCM to study to see if these financial costs are systemic; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Gore Bay Council supports The County of Renfrew with their efforts, and they be so told and this motion be circulated AMO, ROMA< FCM and all other Ontario municipalities.

WHERES The Town of Lincoln is requesting the Provincial Government to increases funding for both libraries and museums due to the fact that funding is based on outdated formulas from 25 years ago; AND WHEREAS libraries and cultural institutions are vital assets to Gore Bay’s community; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council supports The Town of Lincoln in their request and this resolution be circulated to the Honourable Doug Ford, The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, AMO and all other municipalities.

THAT Gore Bay Council accepts OCWA's (Ontario Clean Water Agency) annual report as presented.

WHEREAS the Public Works & Properties Committee made the following recommendation at their February 26, 2024, meeting: THAT Council not contract out street sweeping; FURTHER, Staff monitor 2024 street sweeping labour hours and that a target of 3-4 weeks completion be established (weather dependent); AND FURTHER, Staff will report back to Council on outcomes no later than August 2024; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS the Public Works & Properties Committee made the following recommendation at their February 26, 2024, meeting: THAT Gore Bay Council approve the recommendations provided by Paul Sheppard for the waterfront washroom construction. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS the Public Works & Properties Committee made the following recommendation at their February 26, 2024, meeting: THAT Gore Bay Council award the Kinney Street Bridge replacement design and structural engineering services contract to ART Engineering for $20,344. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS the Public Works & Properties Committee made the following recommendation at their February 26, 2024, meeting: THAT Council awards the renovation contract for the Ron McQuarrie Gazebo to Lakeside Building Ltd. for $40,190 plus HST. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS the General Government Committee made the following recommendation at their February 28th, 2024, meeting: THAT Council approves amending the Town of Gore Bay Procurement Policy to include Buying Groups. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS The Committee of the Whole met on March 5th, 2024 and made the following recommendations to Council: THAT Council adopts the 2024 Budget as presented. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS The Committee of the Whole met on March 5th, 2024 and made the following recommendations to Council: Council to authorize Staff to order a backhoe in 2024 for delivery in 2025. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

WHEREAS The Committee of the Whole met on March 5th, 2024 and made the following recommendations to Council: THAT Council approves the water/sewer budget as presented with a water/sewer rate of 7%. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Gore Bay Council approves this recommendation.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law No. 2024-09 Confirmatory By-law receives its first, second, and third readings and is finally passed this 5th day of March 2024.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law No. 2024-10 Establish Estimates, Tax Ratios and Tax Rates for 2024 receives its first, second, and third readings and is finally passed this 5th day of March 2024.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-law No. 2024-11 Establish Fees for Water and Sewers in Gore Bay for 2024 receives its first, second, and third readings and is finally passed this 5th day of March 2024.

THAT we adjourn at 7:44 p.m.