Schreiber Facing Increased Costs for Infrastructure Repairs

The first meeting for the month of May started with a request from Jason Nesbitt, Chairman of the Aguasobon Chamber of Commerce (ACC), for the township of Schreiber to consider White Sand beach as part of the towns strategic plan. Jason stressed that the area can be a contributor to the economic development of the area. Over the years the area has been mostly overlooked and some improvements such as a new dock and road improvements, could bring it up to date. The ACC re-formed recently and is looking for potential economic opportunities to help bring more tourism into the area. Councillor McGrath brought up a point regarding how improvements could be carried out in regards to obtaining consent from the Ministry of Natural Resources. 

There were no submissions for Question Period.

Next item up was the adoption of the minutes from the previous meeting in April.Committee of the Whole forwarded a motion to delete a previous motion for the outgoing policy on community safety. A new policy has been updated and implemented.Transfers to various accounts were approved as per budget requirements.The portable UV analyzer will be purchased as an additional item to help with the maintenance of the water plant. New waste receptacles were also purchased.

The fee for the entertainment at the heritage days was agreed on and approved. The LSHS request for the Recreation Hall was approved for the Grad Dance.

The chip reader and iPad were declared surplus items and will be advertised for sale. Other donations for upcoming events were approved.

The OCWA report from last month was accepted. The report was highlighted in a previous meeting.
Infrastructure reserve transfers were also approved to cover costs for the relevant departments requests. Most of these were equipment related and included maintenance costs and down payments for work related to various projects. Initial payments were made to initiate the repair work to the sewage treatment plant.

The town also agreed to support an initiative by NOMA which will address homelessness in Ontario.All accounts for payment and bank debit orders were approved and ratified. Unfinished Business had council authorize a payment to Expertise for Municipalities, a consultant group contracted to aid the town in projects.A tax Arrears agreement was given the final reading then enacted.The fire department agreement was also approved.

An older bylaw that set standards for water plant operations has been updated into a new bylaw with the old one being rescinded. 
A bylaw to support a feasibility study to look into the use of beach areas was approved.
Director of Operations gave an updated status report. There was a water related problem at the new Discovery centre that was corrected and related to the melting of the massive amount of snowfall. A request from Councillor Mauro for a specific opening date for the new downtown Splash Pad was discussed. Some remaining tests have to be conducted before the attraction opens. Concerns over the repairs to the Arena roof have escalated in light of the recent collapse of the curling rink due to heavy snowfall. Other repairs were highlighted in the report and need to be addressed to protect the assets. 

Another upgrade will be the downtown washrooms that are located beside the soon to be opened water park (splash pad). The swings will be hung and a certified inspector must pass the final inspection of the splash pad.
An update from CAO Nathan Dias touched on grants that might be available for special projects. Secretary Cecile Mayry mentioned the stock issues delay for items related to the Discovery centre. Some merchandise for this year will still have to ordered. 
Senior centre report highlighted the programmes and successes the centre has had over the last few months. 
Bylaw officer report format had been revised. Residents can take advantage of this years spring clean up.
The library report highlighted the recent Readers Awards event which occurs every 5 years.
The OCWA report once again focussed on outstanding issues and compliance.
Under Communications, one of the items considered for supporting was the resolution regarding Enbridge over charges from the township of Shunia.

Unfinished business, item 1, was a discussion in regards to helping support the Drag Race this summer. They Classics Car Club committee has requested the town to supply a banner for the event this summer. 

Mayor Mullins brought up the issue of derelict vehicles on private property once again. Recently a property standards bylaw was updated and there seems to be no consideration for peoples needs and in some cases the fines are causing resentment amongst citizens.There have been challenges by a few residents, notably backyard mechanics, and better solutions might be required in order to force compliance. Currently there is no definition as to what constitutes “derelict” status and as mentioned in the discussion the decision on pursuing charges can not be enforced based on aesthetic values alone. 

The meeting was then adjourned.