October 15, 2019: Mayors Report
October 2nd Council and staff held a public budget meeting. Each department presented their report including the 2019 completed projects and their accomplishments. They outlined their capital and operating needs for 2020.
This was a public meeting and only one resident attended. The meeting was very informative, and I thank staff for their work over the past year.
At the end of the day, The Personnel Committee being Deputy Mayor Stevens, Typhany Choinard, C.A.O., and myself. We discussed current vacancies in the organization and future retirements. In the municipal administration field, there are many retirements of senior level personnel. Going forward, it is going to be difficult to recruit qualified people and to retain qualified staff.
October 3rd The Mayors of Centre Hastings, Stirling Rawdon, Madoc Township, Tweed and myself attended the second Mayor's meeting at the offices at Centre Hastings. We discussed current policing services, vacancies in the municipal sector, conservation authorities and lake water levels particularly in Quinte, local planning and development issues and shared ideas where we can use joint services to achieve efficiencies.
October 9th I attended a one-on-one meeting with Alex Kelly, Treasurer to discuss 2020 Budget. For your information, this is going to be a difficult year financially, especially due to increases on items that we can't control and are mandated by the province.
The OPP have increased their cost for services by approximately $30,000. Some costs are due to increased calls for service in this area.
The rates for liability insurance due to the Joint and Several Liability legislation increased by 15%.
We advertised a Tender for Services in the former Lake Township. We received only one bid for approximately $200,000. The report is in the Agenda if you wish to review the details. Previously the job was done under contract for approximately $100,000. Again, the Joint and Several Liability legislation is affecting all contracting due to the risks associated with this legislation.
If the Fairtrade works appeal goes forward for #26 & 29 Forsyth Street, we have been advised to budget approximately $30,000. For legal fees.
October 10th I attended a meeting at Daryl Kramp's office with Tim Piddick, Manager of the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority and Cathy Redden, Chair. The Province has cut funding by 48% and this will seriously impact the CVCA's ability to fulfil its mandate. CVCA maintains 15 dams within the Crowe watershed among other duties. While some conservation authorities have no structures and have revenue sources which in some cases could entirely fund their services, small authorities such as the Crowe are challenged to operate with existing funding. Daryl was very supportive and ask that staff provide him with the details of their core mandate.
October 11th I attended the ROMA Meeting in Toronto. A communications firm called REDBRICK was a delegation and explained how the media coverage will work for the 2020 ROMA conference.
The ROMA Conference Agenda was discussed, and the Board made recommendations on topics for the conference.
CROPLIFE Canada representatives Dennis Prouse, Vice President Government Affairs and Darell Pack, Director, Provincial Regulatory Affairs made a presentation regarding the use and non use of pesticides. There are very invasive and dangerous weeds which are spreading due to the restrictions of the use of pesticides and the misconception regarding the chemicals and their health risks. This is also a challenge for farmers when dealing with crop production. They identified the fact that due to the newly scientific development of certain seeds, much more product can be grown in much smaller spaces.
ROMA is also advocating for changes to the Joint and Several Liability legislation and they are developing the process to make producers 100% responsible for recycled products. An update on the Ontario Gas Tax for Transit and Ontario Community Intrastate was provided.
October 12th I attended the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Pat and Ellwood Hamilton in Cordova Mines.
October 15th I attended Hastings County Property, Finance and Personnel Meeting and the Planning and Development Meeting.
Jim Pine, C.A.O. Hastings County has been appointed as the Advisor to the Minister of Health regarding the transformation of the Health Care System proposed by the Ford Government. He will remain with the County and this will be in addition to his role as C.A.O.
Thank You